FREE COPY THE NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHERN SPAIN Genius: Picasso to premiere Official market leader Audited by PGD/OJD in Malaga March 16th to 22nd 2018 www.surinenglish.com National Geographic has chosen the Cervantes
News 2 Health & Beauty 51 theatre for next week’s 25 55 Comment My Home launch of the series starring Lifestyle 26 Sport 59 Food & Drink 42 Classified 64 Antonio Banderas P32 in English What To Do 44 Pastimes 70
Marbella’s old corruption boss is released from jail to help charity
Juan Antonio Roca, now monitored by electronic tag, has served 12 years of a 20-year sentence P5
Roca, this week. :: SALVADOR SALAS
A tennis town. The Casino Admiral Trophy, an ATP The parents of Gabriel Cruz (right), at the funeral on Tuesday. :: C. BARBAS / EFE Challenger, is the latest in a growing list of tournaments Prison for self-confessed killer hosted in Marbella P59 Andalucía, Costa del Golf. The monthly paper of missing boy in Almeria that focuses on the sport that brings tourists to the region all year round INSIDE
The body of eight-year- A judge has ordered Ana Julia Quezada erty in the boot of her car. She has to be sent to prison without bail af- since confessed to killing the child, old Gabriel Cruz was ter a week of tragic developments in although the inquiry continues to es- found in the boot of his the case of a missing boy, Gabriel Cruz, tablish whether it was premeditated father’s girlfriend’s car in the province of Almeria. The boy’s murder. Meanwhile, parents of other father’s girlfriend was caught on Sun- murdered children lost their cam- on Sunday day moving his body from a well paign to maintain Spain’s controver- where it was hidden at a rural prop- sial “revisable life” sentence. P2-3 22222222 March 16th to 22nd 2018 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH Father’s girlfriend admits to killing missing boy in murder case that has gripped Spain
Eight-year-old Gabriel Cruz disappeared on 27 Investigators probe February in Níjar death of Ana Julia’s (Almeria). The Guardia daughter in 1996 and Civil had been watching other parts of her past the suspect for several days before her arrest The past life of Ana Julia Qu- ezada, who came to Spain in :: SUR 1992, has been a source of much ALMERIA. The 13-day search for speculation since she was found missing eight-year-old Gabriel Cruz with Gabriel’s body in the boot of came to a tragic end in Almeria on her car. Investigators had already Sunday when his body was found been informed by locals in Bur- wrapped in a blanket in the boot of gos, northern Spain, that Ana a car driven by the boy’s father’s girl- Julia’s two-year-old daughter had friend. died falling from a window of a The Guardia Civil had suspected block of flats in 1996. The judge at 43-year-old Ana Julia Quezada, who the time ruled misadventure is originally from the Dominican Re- however the files are being re-ex- public, for several days, and officers amined in an attempt to under- had been following her movements stand her motives for Gabriel’s closely. killing. Police have suggested it Since the boy’s disappearance - was jealousy of her boyfriend’s while he was walking the no more child. The daughter of a previous than 100 metres between the houses partner of Ana Julia’s has also of his grandparents and his cousins come forward to claim she in Las Hortichuelas, Níjar - Ana Julia conned the family out of money. had been seen alongside his father, Guardia Civil at the family finca reconstructing events with the accused (wearing red). :: EUROPA PRESS Ángel Cruz, during searches and public appearances. many days. Ana Julia apparently removed a body She told officers that the death was It was Ana Julia who found a It was Gabriel’s grandmother, from a well on the Rodalquilar prop- accidental and not premeditated, child’s white vest on 3 March, which whose house he had left shortly be- erty. Her vehicle was intercepted by that they had had an argument and later tested positive for Gabriel’s fore he disappeared, who provided officers outside her home in La the boy had attacked her with an DNA, near the sewage treatment a key piece of evidence against Ana Puebla de Vícar, some 70 kilometres axe, behaviour that by no means co- plant northeast of Las Hortichuelas Julia. She remembered that her son’s away, and the body found in the boot. incides with the character of Gab- in the heart of Almería’s rugged Cabo girlfriend had left the house just The autopsy confirmed on Mon- riel, said police. After accompany- de Gata natural park. This was in the moments after Gabriel. day that Gabriel had died of asphyxia ing detectives during their search opposite direction from where she When Ana Julia was interviewed after receiving a blow to the head of the scene in Rodalquilar earlier apparently killed the boy and hid his by police last week, they dropped a the same day as he disappeared, 27 this week, Ana Julia appeared be- body, a rural property in Rodalqui- hint to encourage her to break her February. Marks on his neck had ini- fore a judge on Thursday and was lar owned by the Cruz family. cover, and her movements had been tially pointed to strangulation but sent to jail without bail. Far from sending detectives on a followed closely by officers to be the examination confirmed what At a press conference on Thurs- false trail the vest led officers to fo- able to confirm their suspicions. Ana Julia had confessed. She killed day the head of the Guardia Civil’s cus their investigation on Ana Julia. Both the boy’s parents had been him by covering his nose and mouth OCU unit, brought in for cases of The garment had not been included aware that she was formally under with her hands after hitting him serious crime, said that they believed on the initial list of clothes worn by suspicion for a few days but had been with the blunt side of an axe. that by leaving the vest where she the boy when he disappeared and told to behave normally around her The suspect’s confession came on did, Ana Julia was trying to incrimi- showed no signs of having been ex- until evidence had been found. Tuesday, although her version is nate a former boyfriend who lives posed to the wind and rain for so On Sunday officers watched as Ana Julia, days before arrest. :: EFE considered unlikely by detectives. just 300 metres away.
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Tributes to Gabriel mix with MPs vote to end option for praise for his family’s bravery courts to award full life sentences and role of emergency teams Amid an emotional week, :: SUR Other authorities, including politicians debated a ALMERIA. Thousands of people the president of the Junta de An- attended the funeral service held dalucía, Susana Díaz, had visited planned motion over the for Gabriel in Almeria cathedral on the family on Monday at the fu- controversial penalty, as Tuesday. Among them was the In- neral chapel. relatives of murdered terior minister, Juan Ignacio Zoido, The boy’s parents have also and deputy prime minister Soraya been praised for their dignity and children urged them to Sáenz de Santamaría. Zoido was restraint after the horrific events think again unable to hold back his tears when unfolded. Ramírez spoke on ra- Gabriel’s mother, Patricia Ramírez, dio and outside the cathedral, urg- :: SUR handed him her son’s blue scarf as ing people to keep a positive sen- MADRID. Against a background of a thank you for the universally timent alive and not to dwell on public shock and mourning over the praised work of the police and “the wicked witch”, referring to murder of Gabriel Cruz, MPs in Ma- emergency services. Ana Julia. drid have gone ahead with a previ- ously planned vote on a controver- sial sentencing option for judges in extreme murder cases. Politicians were called upon on Thursday to decide on whether par- liament would start the legal proc- ess to take the full life sentence op- tion off the country’s statute books. Full, revisable life prison (Prisión Juan Carlos Quer (c) and Juan José Cortés in parliament. :: EFE Permanente Revisable) was voted into law in 2015 when the conser- nationalist party PNV had asked for a similar penalty. vative PP party held a majority. It the sentence option to be removed. Parents of murdered children, in- was to be used in cases where a vic- Supporters of the move say that cluding the fathers of Diana Quer tim had had a particularly extreme there is no evidence that the sen- and Mari Luz Cortés, were in the death, such as child killings or cold- tence reduces crime in a country chamber and had urged MPs to keep blooded assassinations. So far it has with generally very low levels, while the sentence, but in the end the been applied only a handful of times. those in favour of the sentence point votes of the PP and centrist Ciuda- With the PP losing its majority out that every country in Europe danos were not enough to stop the Gabriel’s parents thanked police for their efforts. :: EUROPA PRESS since the new law came in, Basque apart from Portugal and Croatia has start of the process to end the law. 4 March 16th to 22nd 2018 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH ‘Avoidable’ fire in Fuengirola block IN BRIEF Policeman stops man trying to throw himself of flats injures at least 14 people off building
FUENGIROLA The blaze in the Las :: Á. F. / J. C. Police had to inter- Palmeras complex vene to stop a Senegalese man from throwing himself off the top of a originated in the utility building in Fuengirola on Tuesday. meter room, over which Police were in pursuit of the man, safety issues had who had allegedly breached the The whole incident was terms of a restraining order, and captured on video. :: SUR previously been raised traced him to the roof of a building on Calle Camino de la Cantera. ing and, apparently, praying in his :: IVÁN GELIBTER The man threatened to jump if native language. FUENGIROLA. At least fourteen the police did not back away, say- He then jumped but a policeman people were injured after a fire broke ing he wanted to die. After a stand- was able to grab him while sus- out early on Monday morning in off of around 20 minutes, the man pended in mid-air. He was then one of the buildings in the Las then sat on the raised border around taken to a medical centre before be- Palmeras complex in Fuengirola. the edge of the roof, started sway- ing arrested. One woman, who found herself trapped on the first floor, decided Three children eat hash Three-year-old dies after to jump from her balcony and in- jured herself in the fall; a further 13 hidden in Kinder egg choking on sausage were treated for smoke inhalation. Calle Jacinto Benavente, where Police and firemen responded quickly to the scene. :: I. GELIBTER CADIZ TORROX the building is located, was closed :: EFE. National Police are inves- :: E. CABEZAS. A three-year-old and around 50 people were evacu- and produced a lot of smoke. “did not meet the necessary safety tigating how three schoolchildren, boy died in the Malaga children’s ated from the building in total. requirements” and warned that it aged between six and seven, could hospital on Tuesday after choking Three firefighting teams were “Safety standards not met” should not be used “until the exist- have consumed hashish hidden on a sausage during dinner, accord- dispatched from the local station Monday’s fire came as little surprise ing issues are resolved”. inside Kinder eggs. ing to health sources and Torrox and neighbouring Mijas, as well as to many residents and owners of flats Prior to this, the Junta de Anda- The children consumed the sub- town hall. Local and National Police officers in ‘torre 2’ with the issue of safety lucía was informed of the situation stance at their school, assuming it He was taken to hospital the pre- and paramedics. raised on multiple occasions over the via a letter signed by residents. The was a sweet, and needed medical vious Thursday but doctors couldn’t According to sources close to the last few years. Junta, in turn, told supplier Endesa attention due to nausea and vom- do anything to save his life. investigation, the fire brigade re- Residents of the building have said that they were responsible for relo- iting. Tests proved they were un- The death shook the town of ceived a call at 7.10am to report that that the fire could have been avoided. cating the meters. der the influence of hashish. Torrox, where the family origi- there were flames coming from ‘torre In June 2016, an independent report Many homes in the building went Police are looking into how the nated, despite moving to Malaga 2’. The same sources report that the commissioned by residents recog- without electricity for a number of drugs entered the school grounds. many years ago. fire started in the utility meter room nised that the utility meter room days. March 16th to 22nd 2018 5 SUR IN ENGLISH NEWS
HERE AND THERE Juan Antonio Roca, mastermind of Benalmádena man Malaya and other fraud cases, is freed stabbed in own garage BENALMÁDENA :: SUR. A foreign resident of Benalmádena, aged 37, remains in hospital after being stabbed and hit several times, leading SALVADOR to serious injuries. The attack SALAS took place on Wednesday eve-
HÉCTOR ning at around 11pm in a garage BARBOTTA owned by the victim, who ap- pears to have been taken by sur- prise by one or several assail- The ringleader of past ants. National Police in Torre- municipal corruption in molinos are investigating the Marbella is to work with incident. prisoners on reintegration programmes and will not Two members of pro- have to sleep in prison cannabis club arrested MARBELLA MARBELLA. Juan Antonio Roca :: SUR. Officers from the Na- has been released from prison just tional Police have arrested two short of 12 years after he was put members of a club that supports behind bars. The man who was be- the legalisation of cannabis in hind the corrupt network that si- Marbella for their suspected in- phoned off millions of euros from volvement in drug trafficking Marbella town hall coffers over a and illegal association. The sus- number of years has been granted pects, a Dutch woman and a the category of a “third grade” pris- Swiss man, were operating out oner and can leave jail to go to of a building that was disguised work. as a leisure facility in order to The judge took into account the promote and distribute canna- number of years he has already bis and its derivatives. served as well as good behaviour when making the decision that saw a smiling Roca outside the 21 arrested for selling prison service’s resettlement cen- false documents tre in Malaga on Tuesday. Roca has chalked up prison sen- MALAGA tences in numerous corruption-re- :: SUR. 21 people have been ar- lated cases which far exceed 30 rested by the National Police in years. The biggest sentence was Roca, on Tuesday, on leaving the prisoner resettlement centre in Malaga. :: SALVADOR SALAS Malaga in a crackdown on Social handed down in the Malaya case, Security fraud. The group were whose tribunal agreed in May 2016 MAIN SENTENCES selling fake documents and had to merge some sentences, fixing already defrauded the government the maximum period behind bars Assets seized from Roca are not out of 76,000 euros. The investi- at 20 years, the legal maximum. Caso Malaya. 17 years in prison, gation, which is ongoing, is look- This merging (turning the sen- plus a fine of 233,428,674 euros enough to cover his debt with Marbella ing into four companies which tences into one before calculating (to benefit the state, not Mar- were not involved in any actual the proportion of the sentence bella). business activity. The beneficiar- served) allowed Roca to start to :: H. BARBOTTA graced planning official during ies were being paid for unemploy- enjoy benefits that otherwise he Caso Saqueo I. 6 years and 10 MARBELLA. Despite the consid- years of fraud, was as high as 75 ment and retirement, and broke wouldn’t have been entitled to. months in prison, plus a fine of erable assets of Juan Antonio Roca million euros, more than enough immigration laws. Since then his privileges have in- 24,387,073 euros with other con- that were seized as part of his con- to cover the debt. However cluded being allowed to leave victs. victions in order to pay back money sources say that the list prices of Two men arrested for prison unsupervised to attend defrauded from Marbella town hall, the assets coming up for auction court. Caso Saqueo II. 6 years in prison, sources say that these will not be is far higher than the real prices abusing woman Juan Antonio Roca has ex- plus a fine 37,763,212 euros with enough to clear the debt. being achieved at sale. changed his prison cell for an elec- other convicts. Roca was ordered to pay a total Juan Antonio Roca also owes MALAGA tronic tag so that his location can of 62.7 million euros to Marbella over 233 million euros to the Span- :: J. C. / A. F. The National Police be monitored at all times thanks Caso Minutas. 3 years in prison from the judgments in four cases. ish tax authorities for fines for have arrested an Indian man who to satellite surveillance. His free- and 80,165 euros. So far five payments have been money laundering crimes linked has been accused of raping a dom has been granted after his made totalling just over 9 million to operation Malaya. However the woman who he had drugged. He commitment to working in a so- Caso Desaladora. 18 months in euros. This means that there is still government is not first in line to will be kept in prison without bail, cial reintegration centre for re- prison and 64,356 euros over 50 million euros in debt out- receive any money. In a deal awaiting trial. Police have also de- leased prisoners managed by Catho- standing with the council. reached in 2012 with Marbella’s tained another Indian man and lic charity Cáritas in Malaga. As part of the judicial decision mayor, Ángeles Muñoz, Madrid are investigating if he was involved The former head of town plan- status which allows Roca to work to release Roca, officials had es- agreed to waive payments in or- in the events, as it is suspected ning at Marbella town hall has also outside prison, the judge argued timated that the value of the em- der to write down the council’s that he was in the room at the been offered paid employment, that the proportion of the sentence bargoed assets still to be sold and debt. time. Police are hopeful they will which he will carry out at the same served, his positive progress, his disposed off, including an eye-wa- A website has been set up to list discover the truth through foren- time as his charity work. acknowledgement of the crimes tering array of luxury properties the assets still to sell. www.venta- sics and laboratory testing. The corruption cases in which committed through the payment and goods accumulated by the dis- debienesmalaya-roca.com Roca had been given prison sen- of a civil responsibility bond and tences include ‘Saqueo I’, ‘Saqueo his public remorse all worked in II’, ‘Minutas’, ‘Belmonsa’, ‘Urquía’ his favour. His conduct in prison and ‘Malaya’, among others. He still has also been described as excel- has around a hundred cases going lent as has his willingness to col- through the courts, the majority laborate with projects. related to planning crimes which His commitment to working the public prosecutor has refused with Cáritas, said the judge, will to include in a global agreement. “put his knowledge to the service On agreeing to ‘third grade’ of less fortunate people”. 6 March 16th to 22nd 2018 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH The receding 1990 coastline means Avda. Nereidas During this decade the council governed by the Grupo Indepen- urgent measures Merendero Cristina diente Liberal (GIL) asphalted a track in Calle Poseidón, bet- ween Calle Nereidas are needed to and Tritón (Rancho Hotel urbanisation). protect the dunes Calle Poseidón Road surfaced for vehicles
extent that the Dune Reserve of Mar- bella, the biggest in the province, is being washed away by the sea. “The problem is that the area had still not regenerated after the storm MÓNICA PÉREZ in 2016 and this one was even wor- se,” says Produnas. This non-profit- Avda. Nereidas 2010 [email protected] making organisation has been Merendero Cristina That road no longer working tirelessly for 30 years to exists. The tarmac was Nearly three metres of protect the dunes, and its nearly removed by the dunes and two metres of 200 members (of 12 different na- Coastal Authority be- tionalities) deserve most of the cre- cause the road in- beach were swallowed by dit for ensuring that the area ma- vaded land zoned for the sea in the latest naged to survive the hardest years public use by the storms at Las Chapas. of construction and corruption in beach. the municipality. The waves reached Now they are once again issuing The road can no nearby houses and walls an SOS with a clear message: “Disas- Calle Poseidón ter has no political colour. This is not longer be seen. the time to look for someone to bla- MARBELLA. “They are starting to me, it is time to act,” they say. see the wolf’s ears, but nobody does In recent days other groups have anything about it.” On the beach at joined the call for definitive measu- El Alicate, in Las Chapas, which is one res to be put into effect to stabilise of those that suffered the most da- the coast in this year. For years the- mage in recent storms, Susanne re have been discussions and debates Stamm and Fernando Piquer, secre- and several announcements have tary and president of the Produnas been made regarding projects to sta- Association of Marbella, look sadly bilise the beaches at Marbella and San 2018 at the wreckage. They show us the Pedro, but none have materialised. The pedestrian walk- dossier of photographs which they Most of the action which has been way which remained have sent to the local, central and re- carried out has been on beaches in in the area has just gional authorities to demonstrate the centre of Marbella, but what about been destroyed by the how the sea is advancing in this area. the eastern side? The whole coastli- storms. Part of it “The beautiful La Víbora dune is ne may be losing sand and the sea is ended up in the sea. So disappearing in large chunks and now, advancing everywhere, but more at did the street lamps. after the latest bad weather, another Las Chapas than anywhere else and three metres of dune mass and two this also threatens the environment metres of beach have been lost,” says in the area. Susanne. “Climate change is becoming more This year’s storm, together with evident,” says ecologist Javier de Luis, the one in December 2016, will be re- who lives in Marbella. There is, he membered as one of the worst to have says, no need for major alarm bells to hit the Marbella coast in decades be- start ringing yet. A good part of the cause of the gravity of its effects. The dunes which are swallowed by the high waves, gale force winds and sea are mobile (those closest to the heavy rain caused serious damage shore) - in other words this loss of and, once again, the east side of Mar- sand is “a natural movement, it is the bella has come off worst, to such an natural dynamic,” he says. However, March 16th to 22nd 2018 7 SUR IN ENGLISH NEWS
Marbella, between Los Monteros and The Coastal Authority Las Cañas, saw a distinct enlargement of their coastline between 1956 and and Marbella council 1998. After that, this increase of bet- Las Adelfas dune, in a photo taken in February. will now carry out a ween 11 and 36 metres began to re- detailed study verse. El Alicate and Real de Zarago- za are the most affected by the ad- vance of the sea, losing 34.4 and 32.5 metres respectively. The dunes had not fully The overall effect of movements regenerated after in the past decade (compared with the data in the Urban Plan) is not previous damage from known. There is no information about the storms of 2016 it, but a look at old photos shows how much the coast has changed. Coun- cillor Miguel Díaz points out that, looking at three photos (two of them the damage is starting to occur fur- taken from the air), it is easy to see ther into the beaches now. how the sea has advanced between Produnas is well aware of this na- the 1990s, 2010 and March 2018. tural movement of mobile dunes, “The road which GIL asphalted in but stresses that “more sand is lost the 1990s, between Calle Nereidas every time, and the waves are co- and Calle Tritón, in the Rancho Ho- ming further and further in”. Susa- tel urbanisation, was removed by the nne Stamm points out that this la- Coastal Authority in the early 2000s, test storm has caused damage in a because it invaded public land besi- place where the waves have never de the beach. The asphalt was remo- reached before: Artola. ved but a pedestrian path was left, Over ten years ago the Andalusian and that was destroyed in this year’s Environmental Centre carried out bad weather. And the sea has not fi- studies into the vulnerability of coas- nished recovering what it thinks is tal areas as a result of the rise in sea its territory yet,” he says. levels, and the effects of this on the Las Adelfas dune, after last week’s bad weather coastline of the Costa del Sol during Diagnosis and dredging the present century. Urgent action and definitive measu- In 2016, the Ministry of the Envi- res are needed in this area. The first ronment approved its ‘Strategy of step will be to examine the situation Adaptation to Climate Change on the closely, something which the Coas- Spanish Coast’ to mitigate the effects tal Authority and Marbella council of global warming in public areas. have now promised to do. The Coun- However, the studies which were ca- cillor for Beaches, Manuel Cardeña, rried out for this plan didn’t include says: “What we are going to try to do the Costa del Sol, something which is, as well as carry out this detailed has been criticised by the IU political study into the state of the beaches at party, which is demanding that Mar- Las Chapas, which will help us to de- bella council produces plans for pre- cide what measures to take, dredge ventive action on the Malaga coast. Cabopino port of the sand at the har- In addition to this there is the un- bour mouth because it is stopping restrained and, in many cases, uncon- boats from entering. That sand can trolled construction which took pla- be used for regenerating the beaches,” ce on the Costa del Sol for years. Some he explains. of those buildings now end up with Dredging this marina, something water below their balconies every which has been pending for years be- time there is a storm. People in Cos- cause of a change of concession for tabella are especially affected, as the the port, would alleviate some of the force of the waves has knocked down effects of the storm in the short term. walls. Politicians and ecologists have asked Granada university to draw up a pro- A warning in the Urban Plan ject which will determine whether The Urban Plan (PGOU) of 2010 war- or not artificial reefs should be pla- ned of erosive processes on some of ced in the area. the areas which suffered se- from the effects of the waves. Marbella’s beaches and proposed cer- The report, costing 55,000 euros, rious damage. Others include El It loses not only sand, but also tain interventions which, says Javier will then be sent to the Ministry of 2018 Arenal, Real de Zaragoza, Alica- dune vegetation. There is little de Luis, “were ignored.” the Environment and the Junta de La Adelfa dune looked very te and, for the first time ever, point in installing a line of sta- The Plan, which was annulled in Andalucía, who will decide whether different at the beginning of Artola-Cabopino. Every time kes as a form of protection, be- 2015, referred to an interesting study this is the best solution. With the si- this week after the bad there is a storm, the Marbella cause they are washed away by carried out between 2006 and 2007 tuation at present, an extremely de- weather, but this is only one of Dune Reserve suffers more the sea. about how the coastline had varied tailed diagnosis of the real dangers from 1956 to 2003. The report showed to this part of the coast is the most that the beaches on the east side of urgent and necessary measure. 8 March 16th to 22nd 2018 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH Torremolinos approves conversion HERE AND THERE of rubbish tip into suburban park
The town hall and regional government have complied with a ruling from Luxembourg
:: ALBERTO GÓMEZ The fighter jets lined up at the Malaga Air Base. :: S. SALAS TORREMOLINOS. Torremolinos will close down its illegal rubbish Twelve F-18 fighter jets case of an attack. The pilots simu- tip and convert it into a suburban lated attacking aircraft entering park in a project that will take two fly over Malaga in an air Spanish air space or approaching a years to complete and will cost force exercise Spanish military vessel without eight million euros. identifying themselves, and Euro- The council approved the plan, MALAGA fighter aircraft from bases in Morón, which already had the green light :: I. LILLO. The pilots of the twelve Albacete, Huelva, Rota and the ship from the Andalusian government, F-18 fighters that took off from itself had to scramble to intercept on Friday last week. The move Malaga Air Base on Wednesday took them, before they could engage in complies with the recommenda- on the role of “potential enemies” an attack. The defending forces con- tions of the Court of Justice of the in the Dapex 18 exercise which took sisted of 12 Eurofighter jets, a C-295 European Union, which criticised place in the Gulf of Cádiz. The pur- transport aircraft, a Super Puma he- Spain for not adopting the neces- pose was to test the defensive ca- licporter, a F-104 frigate ‘Méndez sary measures for managing the pabilities of the Spanish air force in Nuñez’ and three anti-aircraft units. waste in 61 of its dumping sites. These sites are spread around the Smile Foundation to country, but the tip in Torremoli- Underground there is around a million tonnes of waste. :: SUR nos is the only one in Andalucía, change name to CLC according to the report. proval means the tender process ating a drainage network, install- Although it has not been used can get under way. The town hall ing vents to allow gases to escape, MIJAS for years, the site has not been expects work to begin this year. and finally allowing for the natu- :: SUR. The Smile Foundation is due sealed off or regenerated, posing The project will start with a ral regeneration of this mountain- to change its name to Fundación “an environmental hazard”. phase to stabilise the ground, after ous area through the introduction CLC World in order to reflect its The site was supposed to be which there will be a period where of new plant species. new corporate image and highlight closed in 2010, following a ruling the waterproofing will be rein- In its statement, Luxembourg its social commitment. The organi- by a Malaga administrative court. forced. Once a former rubbish tip highlighted that the requirement sation, the social branch of the Costa The deputy mayor of Torremoli- has been sealed in this way, the site for the Andalusian government to del Sol-based tourist resort opera- nos, Maribel Tocón (PSOE), assured must be monitored over the course close the site were underlined by tor, was founded in 1999 and works voters that the closure “will put an of 30 years. “an administrative and judicial ne- with several companies in order to The jellyfish. :: SUR end to one of the darkest chapters The site contains one million cessity”, in reference to the appeals raise funds. Charities helped in- in the environmental history of tonnes of waste, of which 650,000 lodged by the previous PP admini- clude Cudeca, Malaga Night Angels, Torremolinos”. cubic metres will be moved to a stration. In 2006, the Andalusian the Adimi Mijas charity for the dis- Portuguese Man o’ War The Andalusian government sent new location, although it hasn’t government took action against abled, the Spanish Commission for reaches the Costa the town hall its project for the site yet been made clear where. Torremolinos council when it was assisting refugees and the Red Cross, in February and the concil’s ap- The works will then focus on cre- discovered that it was not legal. among others. MALAGA :: SUR. The organisation Aula del Council gets to root of Mar has warned that the Portu- guese Man o’ War, a rare jellyfish sive class. pavement tree problem species whose sting is “very pain- Direct flights between Malaga “Friends of mine who live in ful”, has reached the Cost a del Sol. Qatar have told me that this new TORREMOLINOS Examples have been spotted off La and Doha to start running in June connection is very much welcomed :: A. GÓMEZ. Torremolinos coun- Malagueta beach and along the there and that this summer the cil has asked consultants to draw coast of Marbella, as well as in Cadiz Costa is set to have a huge tourism up a study of the town’s roadside and Huelva. “Members of the pub- :: PILAR MARTÍNEZ in Berlin, the Qatari airline an- boost thanks to visiting Arabs. These trees to reduce the problem of lic are advised not to touch them BERLIN. The Qatar Airways flight nounced its plans to include the ex- types of connections are always good roots growing into piping and ca- even if they seem dead; they are that will unite Malaga with the capi- pansion of its services to 16 new news,” García said. bling and forcing up pavement very poisonous and give very se- tal of Qatar, Doha, will begin to op- destinations during the 2018-2019 The seven-hour flight will leave surfaces. The work will involve vere stings,” said the organisation. erate from 4 June of this year. It will holiday season. Malaga at 9.15am and will arrive at an analysis of the current spe- This isn’t the first time that this run four times per week, on Mon- The President of the Association Doha at 5.15pm local time. The re- cies of trees planted and their species of jellyfish has been sighted day, Wednesday, Friday and Sun- of Andalusian Travel Agencies (Ae- turn flight will leave the Qatari capi- growth rates, and make recom- off the Costa del Sol. When they day, according to travel agencies dav), Sergio García, confirmed that tal at 1.20am and arrive back at mendations to reduce the long- do arrive, it is normally around this who have already processed book- the first flight was almost fully 8.05am. Initially it will operate un- term cost of damage to streets. time of year. ings. At the ITB travel fair last week booked, including its most exclu- til 30 September. March 16th to 22nd 2018 SUR IN ENGLISH 9 10 March 16th to 22nd 2018 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH
non-urbanisable land which has been divided up (parcelations) will not be SOHA reaches 10th pulled down and can also accede to AFO status. One of Phil’s biggest regrets is that birthday but there despite there being 1,000 houses just in the Alcaucín area affected by the situation, there are only 200 mem- is still a lot to do bers of SOHA. “A lot of people are just burying their heads in the sand,” he laments. “They think they have their licences and that this won’t affect Phil Smalley and Mario while one court ruled in their favour, them. SOHA has been acting on their Blancke have another agreed with the town hall behalf and without doing anything which had appealed the compensa- they have been reaping the benefits,” campaigned tirelessly to tion claim. They eventually got he explains. raise awareness and get 270,000 euros, but Phil points out The association’s president also laws changed for the that this was nowhere near the origi- points out that SOHA was initially nal value of the property, not to men- formed to help owners whose prop- owners of ‘illegal houses’ tion the money they had lost in le- erties had been granted ‘legal’ li- gal expenses. Phil explains that the cences by town halls, but were still :: JENNIE RHODES Prior’s case was “the catalyst” for at risk of being demolished and in VÉLEZ-MÁLAGA. This year Save SOHA. More and more similar stories this sense he says “10 years on and Our Homes in Axarquía (SOHA) is were coming to light, not just in An- nothing has been solved.” However, marking a decade since it was set up dalucía but across Spain and SOHA Mario points out that it is important by a group of Spanish and foreign has worked closely over the last dec- to “look forward and not backwards” residents in the area who had learned ade with similar groups. and reflect on what they have that their houses were, to all intents In Andalucia alone there are more achieved in a decade. and purposes, illegal in the eyes of than 300,000 houses that are consid- the Junta de Andalucía. “Celebrat- ered to be illegal. However, Phil and More to do ing is not exactly the word,” Phil Mario Blancke, Mayor of Alcaucín “There has been a huge psychologi- Smalley, one of the founder mem- since 2015 and also a SOHA cam- cal and financial impact on so many bers and current president, com- paigner avoid using the term, choos- people and several of our original ments ironically. ing instead the word ‘irregular.’ members have sadly passed away Phil, 71, and his partner Sandra, Both Phil and Mario decided that without seeing justice done,” says moved to Spain in 2006 and bought the only way to get their message Mario Blancke and Phil Smalley last Friday. :: J. RHODES Phil. “We have saved a lot of houses land in order to build a house near La across was to go into local politics that would probably otherwise have Viñuela village. “I was looking for- and in 2011 Phil was elected as a been pulled down by now, but there ward to a peaceful retirement,” he councillor in La Viñuela, where he of both the British consulate in Malaga ity and water. is still a lot to do,” he adds. “The ulti- says. However, as the builders were lives, and Mario was elected in Al- and the Spanish ambassador. “At the Houses over six years old cannot mate goal is that all the houses are working on the couple’s home, they caucín. In the 2015 local elections beginning they sent us a list of law- be demolished thanks to a 2015 de- made fully legal.” learned that the licence issued by the Mario became mayor of the town. yers and that was it,” says Phil about cree. However, Phil adds that until Phil already spoke Spanish before town hall contravened the newly in- “I stood for election because of the Consulate. However, they have 2020 there is still the possibility that he came to Spain, having worked in troduced planning laws and that the SOHA. You need to be in politics to seen a real sea change since Char- some houses could be knocked down. Venezuela for three years as opera- land they had bought did not fall into get things changed and there are so maine Arbouin and Simon Manley Although he points out that because tions manager for the international the ‘urbanisable’ category of their lo- many people that are affected by this were appointed to their respective town halls are liable for compensa- cash & carry company, MAKRO, while cal authority’s PGOU (general urban situation,” he explains. posts. They add that mayors in the tion which must be paid before a Mario says that he has learned Span- plan). Axarquía, and in particular, José Juan house is demolished, it is unlikely ish since moved to Spain, aged 31, in Around the same time, a case in Achievements Jiménez López at La Viñuela have that any property will be subject to 1990 and is a nurse by profession. Almeria was attracting the attention Phil and Mario explain that they have been very supportive too. this measure. Also where the licence Both men admit that Spanish urban of both Spanish and international changed the attitudes of a number of SOHA has influenced urban plan- to build had been annulled with no planning law was not exactly some- press. Helen and Len Prior had seen organisations and authorities. They ning laws both in Andalucia and na- instruction to demolish, there was thing they had ever thought much their house demolished in Almeria highlight the Junta de Andalucía, who tionally and these achievements in- still a 15-year period in which demo- about before SOHA was born. “We as, like in Phil and Sandra’s case, their they recognise have become much clude changes in civil and criminal lition could be ordered. In October know more about it than a lot of law- house had been built on land not ear- more supportive of SOHA’s cause un- court rulings at a national level re- 2015 the legal civil code for Spain was yers now” laughs Phil. They vow to marked for development. The couple der current president, Susana Díaz. garding illegal houses. amended to reduce that period to five “keep fighting for justice” and con- continued to live in the garage they “We have gone from being described Modifications to the LOUA in An- years, which means that those prop- clude that “it’s a battle between the had built, as this was not deemed to as ‘urban delinquents’ in the early dalucía include getting houses recog- erties with licences annulled before Junta de Andalucía and the local town be illegal and added a caravan to their days to getting support from the nised as ‘semi legal’ AFO – meaning October 2016 can accede to AFO from halls, but the real victims are the ‘home’ for extra space. The Priors went Junta,” explains Mario. The pair’s hard that they will not be demolished and October 2020. house owners who bought their land on to fight for compensation and work has also changed the attitude can be connected to mains electric- Individual houses that are built on or properties in good faith.” March 16th to 22nd 2018 SUR IN ENGLISH 11 12 March 16th to 22nd 2018 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH
Unopened public Junta says there won’t swimming pool hits further setback be a drought order adding to decade until autumn at least of problems
:: EUGENIO CABEZAS Reservoir levels across poses at least until autumn. Some RINCÓN DE LA VICTORIA. Andalucía have risen 584 cubic hectometres of water have Rincón de la Victoria’s public in- been recorded among the three res- door swimming pool has been hit sufficiently thanks to the ervoirs since the rain began. with another setback following recent rainfall although Fiscal pointed out that two excep- a decade of problems which have La Viñuela and Almeria’s tions were La Viñuela in the Axarquía prevented it from opening. The and El Levante in Almeria province, Junta de Andalucía has withdrawn El Levante remain low both of which are still suffering from its decision to award a specialist a “serious shortage” despite the company the management of the :: M. D. TORTOSA / A. PELÁEZ weather. Almeria in particular has pool after the Asociación de Em- MALAGA. The Junta de Andalucía not received as much rain as other La Viñuela reservoir in the Axarquía last week. :: AGUSTÍN PELÁEZ presas del Deporte de Andalucía has announced that it was suspend- parts of Andalucía. (AEDA) filed an appeal against ing any declaration of drought across La Concepción reservoir in Sierra cometres. the administrative process that Andalucía following this month’s Ongoing restrictions de las Nieves near Marbella stands at Meanwhile major infrastructural was approved by the Rincón de continuing substantial rainfall. In the Axarquía, the restrictions placed 89 per cent full, while the Limonero works to guarantee the area’s long la Victoria council in December Speaking after a meeting which on the agriculture industry, includ- reservoir north of Malaga city is at term water supply remain on hold. 2017 and appeared in the Official took place on Tuesday morning, re- ing subtropical fruit growers last De- 50.29 per cent capacity and with These include a new channel to take State Bulletin (BOE) in January. gional Environment minister, José cember, remain in place for the rest enough water for two years. water from the Iznájar reservoir to The town hall must now write a Fiscal, confirmed that there had been of this hydraulic year. However Fis- The Campo de Gibraltar reservoir- the north of Malaga province and new document and start the man- a “notable improvement” in three of cal gave assurances that there would currently has 41.6 cubic hectome- plans to triple the size of La Con- agement selection process again the region’s reservoirs and that there be enough water for two years of do- tres with enough water to supply the cepción and build infrastructure to before the facility, which has seen would be no restrictions to usage for mestic use as long as the situation area for two years, while La Viñuela carry water from this area to Malaga an investment of 3.8 million either domestic or agricultural pur- “does not get worse”. has risen from 35.5 to 54.7 cubic he- and the Axarquía when needed euros, can open.
Organisers HERE AND THERE confirm the line up Guardia Civil arrest cident which allegedly took place in a clothes shop in the town cen- for the fifth suspect in sexual tre in February. The man, who Weekend Beach assault incident has the initials, J.C.C.C, was ar- rested by officers when they music festival NERJA found him in his vehicle near the :: E. CABEZAS. Guardia Civil of- Playazo beach last week. He has ficers arrested a man on suspi- been given a 300-metre restrain- :: J. RHODES cion of sexual assault in Nerja last ing order and has been released TORRE DEL MAR. Organisers Friday. The 40-year-old suspect on bail awaiting trial. The man confirmed the final line up for is accused of sexually assaulting has a criminal record, but not for this year’s Weekend Beach fes- a female shop assistant in an in- offences of a sexual nature. tival last Thursday, which will take place in Torre del Mar over Parents continue to Easter week cleaning the first weekend in July. The Pupils at the Sierra de Yeguas secondary school. :: IES SIERRA DE YEGUAS report flea bite cases operation in place event is celebrating its fifth an- niversary this year with 95 art- ists on the bill including DJ David Pupils on course to reach VÉLEZ-MÁLAGA VÉLEZ-MÁLAGA Guetta and The Offspring. :: E. C. Parents of children at the :: A. P. Vélez-Málaga town hall €12,000 target for India school Reñidero primary school in Vé- has launched a special plan to lez-Málaga are continuing to re- clean the town’s streets ahead of, port cases of flea bites among pu- during and after Easter Week. Not :: FERNANDO TORRES organised sponsored races, plays and pils, despite efforts by the town only does the plan include pre- SIERRA DE LAS YEGUAS. Pupils have been selling products such as hall to rid the centre of the prob- paring the town centre before the at the Sierra de Yeguas secondary badges and bags. “People react really lem last year. “There have been week-long celebrations, but it school in the north of Malaga prov- well because they see that although cases every week since January will also put into use machines ince have raised almost half of their we are young we want to help,” pu- and parents are tired of complain- tested last year that are designed 12,000 euro target to help build a pil Fátima Mármol told SUR earlier ing,” said parent association presi- to remove wax from the streets. school in India. The idea started dur- this week. The school is working dent, Irene Peña, after three more This has always been a hazard for ing an Ethics class and since Novem- with the Vicente Ferrer foundation cases were reported at the start pedestrians and traffic long after ber 2017 the whole school has got as Ethics teacher, María José G. No- of this week. the end of the festival. Festival organisers. :: SUR involved in the project. They have tario, has links with it. March 16th to 22nd 2018 13 SUR IN ENGLISH NEWS
HERE AND THERE Calls for Fish Alley to be given official New W hotel still on regognition on Fuengirola town maps course for 2021 MARBELLA :: H. BARBOTTA. A 240-room hotel complex in the Real de Za- The first Italian restaurant entries on websites like TripAdvi- ragoza coastal area, east of Mar- in Andalucía opened in sor asking for more information on bella centre, is on course to be where Fish Alley is and what is to finished by 2021. The mayor of the popular narrow be found there. Marbella was in Hong Kong this streets back in 1972 but Among those joining Toro for the week for the unveiling of plans the busy area can’t be launch was Sergio Bracci, one of the for the luxury W Hotel being founders of O Mamma Mía, the first developed by Platinum Estates. found on any local signs Italian restaurant in Andalucía when it opened there in 1972. He ex- Hamlet called after :: IVÁN GELIBTER plained, “In the end I decided to set FUENGIROLA. To local people it’s up in Fuengirola because you could Franco may be renamed often called Calle del Hambre (hun- see that it was a village that was ger street) but to many tourists and starting to grow; there was too much ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE foreign residents alike who are in going on by then in Torremolinos :: F. TORRES. Left-wing activists search of a restaurant in Fuengirola, and the prices were dearer.” His was are calling for the name of Vil- the area is more frequently known also the first restaurant on the street lafranco del Guadalhorce, a ham- as Fish Alley. and was followed a week later by let in Alhaurín el Grande, to be The name refers to the concen- The Beefeater, both of which are changed. They say it breaks laws tration of restaurants in the narrow Javier Toro meets with local business owners on Fish Alley. :: I. G. still open today. Before the name that ban symbols of General streets parallel to the seafront in Fish Alley took off, local people were Franco’s dictatorship. It is the last the old town that has been offering Spokesperson for the local Ciu- says that many people have heard already calling it Calle del Hambre. placename in Andalucía to have up a wide variety of food for over dadanos party, Javier Toro, met with of it but have no way of finding it Locals and Javier Toro are asking the a reference to the old ruler and 45 years. Now there are calls for it restaurant owners last week to easily. council for official recognition for they have started a campaign to to have a sign put up and feature on launch his campaign to gain more A quick look at the internet ap- all the restaurant owners’ years of explain the illegality to locals. town maps. official recognition for the area. He pears to prove the point, with many commitment to Fish Alley.
Council told to pay More CCTV cameras out 30k for abuses Urgent repairs as parents report a planned in Marbella and harassment sewage pipe burst by San Pedro school MARBELLA suffered by :: M. PÉREZ. Police chiefs in Mar- bella have said that a plan will be former top official Ten metres of piping was drawn up shortly for cameras to replaced last weekend by cover more of the resort. They say that central Marbella and San Pe- :: ALBERTO GÓMEZ Marbella drains operator, dro need more video monitoring. TORREMOLINOS. The town Hidralia, after faeces and These areas will form part of a hall in Torremolinos has been told wet wipes were spotted second phase of installing CCTV. by a top court that it has to pay Currently plans for La Cañada, out almost 30,000 euros to a for- in the street along with a Puerto Banús, Elviria and the cen- mer official for psychological abuse nauseating smell tral marina are being finalised. during disagreements with the ex-mayor and his councillors. :: NIEVES CASTRO Nobu set to open its The judge said that María Aux- MARBELLA. The company respon- iliadora Gómez was “humiliated” sible for maintaining the sewer- new Marbella hotel by the previous PP party admini- rage systems and drains in Mar- stration at the town hall. Gómez bella has carried out urgent repairs MARBELLA was municipal secretary, and as to piping in San Pedro following a :: H. B. High-end restaurant group such oversaw the legality of the burst that saw effluent being Nobu opens its new hotel in part council’s actions. The complaint pumped out near a school. of Marbella’s Puente Romano against the council said that in Last weekend Hidralia, the com- complex next week. The 49-bed- 2009 she had criticised then pany that has the licence from Mar- room hotel complements the ex- mayor, Pedro Fernández Monte, bella council to maintain sewerage Work last weekend on the way into San Pedro. :: SUR isting Nobu restaurant in the over awards of beach lifeguard services, dug up and urgently replaced same part of the Puente Romano contracts and the sale of 95 per 10 metres of piping near the María school who had complained of a placement piping was put in place and is targeted at couples and peo- cent of the shares in the town’s Teresa León school, on the edge of nauseating smell and faeces and last Sunday, 11 March, and that the ple travelling without children public water company. The coun- San Pedro towards the road to Ronda. wet wipes in the street. company had been working on re- who want to enjoy nightlife and cil is now PSOE party controlled The burst was first reported to A spokesperson for Hidralia, Car- surfacing the road and cleaning up a lively holiday. but still has to pay the amount. local councillors by parents at the los Corral, told SUR that that re- over the past few days. 14 March 16th to 22nd 2018 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH
HERE AND THERE Medusa’s got her head back New Estepona car park for one euro per day
Restoration to the priceless mosaic which was vandalised in 2016 is now complete ESTEPONA :: C. MÁRQUEZ. Estepona coun- cil have announced that the new the act of vandalism. For example, underground car park in Plaza An- since 2016 the general public has re- tonio Guerrero, in the town’s his- discovered part of local heritage that toric centre, has been completed, had at times gone forgotten. Visitor albeit behind schedule. Visitors CHARO MÁRQUEZ numbers to the Roman villa have will be able to access it for just one increased since the story made the euro per day. The car park spans a [email protected] headlines. Perhaps even more peo- total of 3,405 square metres spread ple came to see the gaping hole than across three levels and has a ca- Visitors to the Río Verde the original Medusa. Between Janu- pacity of 100 vehicles. It also has Roman Villa complex are ary and February this year, the villa spaces designed for electric vehi- has welcomed more than a thou- cles with charging points. Users told which parts are sand visitors. can park between 9.00 and 21.00 restored to avoid the The municipal head of Historical for one euro, or pay two euros to creation of a false history Heritage,t Juan Carlos García, said on stay overnight. Friday that thet vandalism “has en- sured ththat the need to pro- MARBELLA. Perseus may have tect [M[Marbella’s] heri- carried her head around half of the tage has been mythical world, but those respon- broubrought to the sible for the Río Verde Roman Villa foforeground”re weren’t quite sure where it was and would destined next after it was vandal- act aas an im- ised in January 2016. petupetus to However, thanks to the pains- The restoration team explained the work step up se- taking work over several months process last week. :: CHARO MÁRQUEZ cucurity by experts from the Taller Menia acacross Restauración y Patrimonio, the mo- mative panel has been installed to partment,ent, otheother sites saic has been restored and Medusa explain the details of the restoration. were key. of vavalue. can show off her new head, just Following the slapdash act of van- “We owee ouourr WWhat’s like the original. dalism that affected not just Medusa’s lives to thesehese moremore, the res- The director of the restoration face, but also one of the ducks in the photos,” saidd the torattoration of the project, Cristina Morena, said last scene and the corner of the mosaic, head of the resto-esto- The current state of Medusa momosaicsa shone fur- Friday that the end result was “sat- 2,119 tiles were recovered, many of ration project. “They“They after restoration. :: C. M. thether light on its The church tower. :: CH. M. isfactory because the mosaic is faith- which were badly deteriorated, and allowed us to look in great surprissurprising and most im- ful to the original, respects interna- a further 1,400 have been reproduced. detail at the original tileses and madmadee pressive asaspects. For example, tional restoration criteria and is done The duck was easy to recreate our work much easier.” some of tthe tiles on Medusa’s head Restoration work for in a way where you can distinguish given that there are three others in Throughout the work, the ma- were made of glass or precious Casares church the new and old parts so as not to the scene to use as reference (despite terials were kept as close as possi- stones, while all parts of the work create a false history”. them all being different). ble to those that would have been follow a mathematical logic in terms Visitors can easily see which parts It was a different story for Me- used by the original artists in the of the distribution and number of CASARES are restored and which are original dusa’s head, however, and photos second century. pieces, meaning every part has its :: C. MÁRQUEZ. The local diocese because they appear to be in differ- taken by Daniel Moreno, who works It’s worth pointing out, however, opposite “as if it were reflected in a has announced plans to restore ent shades. What’s more, an infor- with with the municipal Culture De- that not only bad has come out of mirror”, said Cristina Morena. the bell tower and facade of the Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación church in collaboration with the local council. The diocese still needs the authorisation of the re- gional government to carry out the works, as the building is a 16th protected structure. The church’s priest, José Antonio Melgar, has explained that the works will be undertaken this spring, after an agreement has been made, and should be finished before the saint’s day celebrations in Sep- tember. Ojén residents to design village flag
OJÉN :: M. PÉREZ. Members of resi- dents’ associations in the village of Ojén have been offered the chance to design a new flag for the village. The entries will be displayed to the public and the winner of the competition will receive 500 euros. Mayor José Antonio Gómez said: “We have been aware for quite some time that Ojén is one of the few vil- lages in the province not to have its own flag.” The competition opened on the 5 March and the process will continue over the course of the next two months. March 16th to 22nd 2018 SUR IN ENGLISH 15 16 March 16th to 22nd 2018 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH
NEWS IN PICTURES
:: IVÁN GELIBTER
LA CALA DE MIJAS The construction of the new tour- TOURISM OFFICE ism office in the centre of La Cala is nearing its final stage following an NEARLY READY investment of 121,000 euros.
::FERNANDO GONZÁLEZ
MALAGA RETIREES The employment minister’s announcement that Spanish state pensions would PROTEST PENSION be increased by 0.25% in 2018 will be met with a weekly protest in Malaga on Mondays. Rajoy conceded a possible 1.6% increase on Wednesday but only for INCREASE 2018. More information in The Euro Zone, page 21. BREWERY VISIT PART OF GENIO AWARDS
A visit to the new Victoria brewery in Malaga, nominated for the industrial building of the year, was part of the 11th edition of the Vo- :: SUR cento Genio awards which toured vari- 16TH-CENTURY Part of the wall of the 16th-century ous institutions WALL MOVED San Lorenzo fort has been moved in across the city this order to make way for the new :: ÑITO SALAS week. FOR METRO metro tunnel on Malaga’s Alameda. March 16th to 22nd 2018 SUR IN ENGLISH 17 18 March 16th to 22nd 2018 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH
Díaz to meet with Interior minister to discuss issue of drug trafficking in the Campo de Gibraltar
:: SUR SEVILLE. President of the Junta de Andalucía, Susana Díaz, in- tends to meet with Interior min- ister, Juan Ignacio Zoido, in the coming days to thrash out meas- ures to crack down on drug traf- ficking in the Campo de Gibral- tar, according to sources in the Andalusian government. The date for the meeting has The Junta president, Susana Díaz, with editors and directors of media companies in the region on Wednesday. :: EFE not yet been set, but in it Díaz hopes to put politics aside and present a united front in the fight “major step forward” which she against traffickers, in much the described as “an example of com- same way as the recent storm Andalusian media outlets bring mitment and social responsibility damage to the Huelva coast was in the defence of good practices tackled across party lines. and codes of conduct” which would The Andalusian president an end to adult classified ads help to create “a better world”. considers that it is necessary to The Andalusian president ex- face up to the “growing prob- pressed her concern that Spain had lem” with determination, but More than 20 companies, in Andalucía, including SUR’s space free of sex advertisements, become one of the largest consum- that this is only possible including SUR, signed an Manuel Castillo, signed a good prac- commonly known as ‘adult relaxa- ers of prostitution in the Europe, through cooperation. tice agreement with regional presi- tion ads’, conscious of the fact that especially when “the vast major- Following the case of a gang at- agreement on good dent Susana Díaz in Seville on these are just the tip of the iceberg ity of people involved are there tacking a hospital in La Línea de advertising practices with Wednesday. in situations that threaten the dig- against their will”. la Concepción in February to free the regional president The pioneering agreement, which nity and the fundamental rights of Susana Díaz also said that this a suspected trafficker from Na- puts an end to adult classified adver- those, especially of women and agreement was the precursor to a tional Police custody, Susana Díaz tisements, also calls for this practice young girls, involved in prostitu- law that she is “convinced” the re- demanded that the central gov- :: MARÍA DOLORES TORTOSA to be extended across all of Spain. tion or sexual slavery”. gional government will soon ap- ernment make “an even greater SEVILLE. More than 20 editors The Junta and the media outlets Díaz expressed her “thanks and prove against mistreatment and effort” in order to fight the “esca- and directors of media outlets based have agreed to “make Andalucía a pride” to the media chiefs for this sexual exploitation. lation of criminal activity”. March 16th to 22nd 2018 SUR IN ENGLISH 19 March 16th to 22nd 2018 20 SUR IN ENGLISH March 16th to 22nd 2018 21 SUR IN ENGLISH BUSINESS AND FINANCE NEWS Businesses gear up for Easter with a RSV, ‘the Polish Zara’, to open 12% increase in temporary staff its first store on the Costa :: JUAN SOTO Nostrum outlet shopping centre, MALAGA. Polish retail giant, RSV near the airport in Malaga city, and A record number of Clothes, is to open a store on the will cover 680 square metres. workers will be contracted Costa del Sol in May, its first in Currently RSV only operates in Andalucía. the Valencia area but bosses have this year to meet the RSV, which specialises in the sale confirmed that the new Malaga expected demand, of low-cost fashion, is known as ‘the store is part of an ambitious ex- according to recruitment Polish Zara’ because of the huge pansion plan for Spain. scale of its operation. In Poland it Málaga Nostrum has also an- specialist Randstad has some 4,000 stores. The new nounced that Italian chain Pull Spanish shop will be in the Málaga Love will open shortly. :: NURIA TRIGUERO MALAGA. A recruitment company is estimating that some 8,000 ex- tra people will be needed to work Call for flat-rate to catch up with other regions of in Costa businesses over the busy Spain and introduce the flat-rate Easter period, some 12 per cent more 50-euro social 50-euro social security rate for peo- than for the same holiday period ple registering as self-employed for last year. security rate for the first time. Human resources specialist Rand- Local restaurants are expecting people to spend more. :: F. SILVA new self-employed The special rate, much lower than stad says reinforcements will be the normal amount, is designed to needed in the transport and logis- increase in demand for temporary Luis Callejón, president of the encourage unemployed people to tics, hotels and catering, and enter- staff, the company says. Costa del Sol hoteliers association set up in business on their own and tainment sectors. Across the whole of Andalucía, says that hotel occupancy is expected :: JUAN SOTO has been applied for the first 24 The record numbers of extra staff the company is predicting a total of to be slightly down this year as Easter MALAGA. The national associa- months in some areas. The regional to be taken on compares even more 40,480 extra temporary posts in the falls mostly in March not April. Res- tion of self-employed workers parliament is still debating the new favourably to five years ago. Since coming weeks, almost 14 per cent taurant owners are predicting an in- (autónomos) has called on the Junta rule, which is also aimed at reduc- 2013 there has been a 60 per cent more than last year. crease in business. de Andalucía regional government ing the black-market economy.
THE EURO ZONE MARK NAYLER AN UNCONVINCINGG PROPOSAL
he precarious status of balance that exists between the Mariano Rajoy’s minor- extremities of the Spanish social ity government was security-pensions system is that T highlighted once again Spain’s elderly population is rap- this week. In yet another attempt idly increasing: the World Bank to pass the 2018 budget, the Span- predicts that by 2050, half of the ish prime minister promised his country’s population will be over opponents in congress that this 55 years of age. In other words, an year’s spending plan could in- insufficiently powerful work- clude tax breaks for widows as force is being put under strain by well as an increase in the mini- an increasingly elderly popula- mum state pension. Displaying tion. That’s why Rajoy says he’s his peerless flair for elliptical severely restrained when it soundbites, Rajoy announced on comes to increasing pensions. Wednesday that the changes are As complicated as the issue is, “within the framework” of this the Spanish PM’s opponents say year’s budget, although “we can’t that he should be doing more. spend more than we earn”. This year, for the fifth year in a This enigmatic statement con- row, pensions increased by 0.25%, tains the essence of the conserva- not even matching an inflation tive Popular Party’s (PP) policy on rate that was at 1.1% last month. Spanish pensions -namely, that Indeed, Spanish pensioners, a co- the best way to increase them is hort on whom the PP is heavily by bolstering the country’s work- reliant for votes, are rapidly swel- force. In Spain, pensions are part ling the ranks of its detractors. of the social security system, so Rajoy’s critics also point to his Rajoy’s case is that continually country’s alleged economic recov- upping pension rates is not possi- ery. Spain has enjoyed four ble if there is not enough money straight years of GDP expansion - coming in at the other end of the a steady growth that has with- system - i.e. from contributions to stood the election disaster of social security on behalf of the 2015-2016 and the ongoing Cata- employed population. lonia saga. So why is none of And here lies a stumbling Spain’s prosperity reflected in an block. Although unemployment improved pensions system? in Spain is much reduced from a Rajoy has only made these lat- critical high of 26% in 2013, it is est proposals because he needs still 17%, second only to Greece support from other parties to pass within the EU. The jobless rate the 2018 budget. Like an apology amongst under-25s is even more that’s asked for and not volun- of a problem and stands at 38%. teered, it’s a policy change that Further compounding the im- feels singularly unconvincing. 22 March 16th to 22nd 2018 NEWS SPAIN SUR IN ENGLISH
Stalemate in Catalonia still as vote on new president is suspended
A judge said that Jordi Sànchez couldn’t leave jail for the debate, forcing secessionist politicians to discuss what to do next to avoid a fresh election Archive photo of a protester burning an image of the monarch. :: SUR
:: SUR BARCELONA. Plans to appoint a Top European court rules new president of the Catalan gov- ernment have taken a step back- that Spain overreacted to wards in the last week after the speaker of the regional parliament burning of King’s photo suspended the expected debate and vote last Monday on the candidacy of Jordi Sànchez. Last Friday, 9 :: SUR to avoid going to prison for harm- March, a Supreme Court judge ruled MADRID. The European Court ing the Crown, and told they faced that Sànchez would not be allowed Carles Puigdemont (c) and JXCat leaders in Brussels this week. :: EFE of Human Rights in Strasbourg has 15 months in jail if they didn’t pay. to leave jail to attend the debate. He said that the burning of images of The case was taken up by judges is being held during investigations that the two cases weren’t compa- this week to meet with Carles Puig- the Spanish Royal Family by re- in Strasbourg who have now ruled into last October’s illegal declara- rable. For the moment Sànchez, of demont, ex-president who recently publican or regional separatist pro- against Spain. According to the rul- tion of independence for fear of re- the Junts per Catalunya (JxCat) po- stepped aside as candidate in favour testers is part of their freedom of ing, the original sentence was “a peating his alleged offences of sedi- litical group, has decided to appeal of his number two, Jordi Sànchez. speech. In a sentence revealed this restriction on freedom of expres- tion and rebellion. the Supreme Court decision in Spain The JxCat members urged the other week, the top court said that Spain sion that wasn’t in proportion to Sànchez’s lawyers said immedi- first before referring it to Strasbourg. Catalan separatist parties, ERC and was wrong to have fined two pro- the aim of the act”. In the judges’ ately after the judge’s decision that The speaker of the Catalan parlia- CUP, to be patient with the candi- testers for burning a large upturned opinion, the burning of photos in he would appeal the decision to the ment, Roger Torrent, now faces the dacy of Sànchez, with the increasing photograph of King Juan Carlos in public in an over-the-top way was European Court of Human Rights dilemma of whether to wait for the possibility that Catalans will be called 2007, as part of Catalan pro-inde- only meant “to raise awareness” in Strasbourg, citing a precedent of legal appeal process before conven- to vote again in new regional elec- pendence demonstrations. and that there was no intention when a man in jail over ETA terror- ing MPs or find another secession- tions if no president is appointed by Enric Stern and Jaume Roura, to incite hatred. Spain has been ist offences was permitted to leave ist candidate. Separatist MPs hold a MPs. The suggested new candidacy from the Catalan province of Gi- told to return the money to the to attend a Basque parliamentary majority in the chamber. of Jordi Turull, who is neither in jail rona, were ordered to pay a fine of men as well as pay 9,000 euros in session. The judge, however, said Leaders of JxCat were in Brussels nor in exile, was rejected by JxCat. 2,700 euros each by Spanish courts compensation and costs.
Mercadona announces profit fall in 2017 due to investment in new- look shop format
:: LUCÍA PALACIOS VALENCIA. Spain’s biggest super- market group, Mercadona, an- nounced its annual results for 2017 on Tuesday and said that it had seen its profits half. The Valencia-based giant said that its profits last year were 322 million euros. However this was still good news for the president and founder, Juan Roig, who had expected only 200 million euros in profit. Sales in the period in- creased by six per cent to almost 23 billion euros. Mercadona is still privately- owned and he had told analysts last year that it would be divert- ing much of its sales to start an am- bitious investment programme worth just over one billion euros in 2017. Most of this money, 667 million, was spent on starting to refit the company’s shops with a newer and more efficient look, as well as opening new stores. Roig said that “Mercadona is do- ing well and will do much better”, adding that his company hopes to invest 8.5 billion over the next six years. The chain now has 1,627 su- permarkets and employs 84,000 people. March 16th to 22nd 2018 SUR IN ENGLISH 23 24 March 16th to 22nd 2018 NEWS GIBRALTAR SUR IN ENGLISH
Threat level to Gibraltar remains IN BRIEF ‘substantial’ after recent review
An attack remains a strong possibility, but the Contingency Council says there is no intelligence to suggest an increase in the threat to Gibraltar The two teams competed in La Línea. :: SUR
:: DEBBIE BARTLETT Gold and silver for a gold for the Benjamin B Group GIBRALTAR. The governor of Gi- and silver for the Pre-Benjamin C braltar, Lt Gen Edward Davis, and rhythmic gymnasts Group. deputy chief minister Dr Joseph The Espoir Ball Group were Garcia met with the Gibraltar Con- GIBRALTAR meant to be competing in the UK tingency Council on Tuesday to re- :: D. B. The Gibraltar Rhythmic at the same time but the event was view security and civil contingency Gymnasts did the Rock proud postponed due to bad weather. measures on the Rock. when two groups opened the com- However, they took the opportu- A statement issued after the petition season in La Línea on Sun- nity to also perform a magnificent meeting by the Governor’s office day 4 March and won two medals, display in La Línea. said it had been decided to main- tain the threat level at ‘substantial’, Lords Select Committee Free evening lecture which means that an attack remains a strong possibility, but stressed members visit Gibraltar at the university that there is no specific intelligence suggest an increase in the threat to There is no intelligence to suggest an increased threat. :: D. B. GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR Gibraltar or to any forthcoming high :: D. B. Three members of the House :: D. B. Dr John Cortes, Beacon Pro- profile events. UK and Russia, who the British gov- closely, but stresses that there is no of Lords EU Select Committee are fessor at Gibraltar university, will The GCC also considered the lat- ernment blames for the attack. reason for members of the public currently on a fact-finding visit to be giving a lecture on ‘Fragments est developments in the UK, fol- The GCC also expressed its ad- to be alarmed in relation to the Gibraltar. Lord Boswell, Baroness of Paradise: Nature and Man in far- lowing the attempted murder of miration for the brave and selfless events in Salisbury. Neville-Rolfe and Lord Woolmer flung islands’ on 10 April. Atten- Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury work of first responders who are of- As ever, people in Gibraltar are are having several meetings with dance is free and open to the pub- a few days ago; this involved the ten called upon to attend such dis- asked to remain vigilant and to re- politicians and local groups and lic, and those interested should first use of a nerve agent in Europe tressing, difficult and dangerous port any concerns they may have will also be given a guided tour of register online in advance at since 1945 and has resulted in a crime scenes. It will continue to about security and law enforcement local tourist attractions. www.unigib.edu.gi chilling of relations between the monitor developments in the UK to the Royal Gibraltar Police. March 16th to 22nd 2018 25 SUR IN ENGLISH COMMENT
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t’s exhausting. All that choice I thought that they had some kind do, I’ve witnessed it on more than Obsolescence that’s on offer for everything of speech impediment but, no, ap- one occasion). we ever do. Even the simplest parently this nonsense actually does What can we do about this state ‘Programmed obsolescence’ is a whether it’s the blender, the hea- I of pleasures is converted into exist. It’s got zero sugar in it and zero of affairs, then? Well, I propose a concept that tells us our ter or the vacuum cleaner. They a labyrinth of decision-making by something else that I can’t remem- ‘first come, first served’ month long household appliances, however live their lives knowing that soon the sheer volume and variety of eve- ber. Taste, probably. You might as period during which time everyone new they may appear, will stop there will be a more sophistica- rything around us. well ask for a bottle of water as some- simply chooses the first thing they working when we least expect ted printer than them, a vacuum If you want to spend the evening thing as joyless as Coca Cola Zero see in every case. Netflix recom- it. We tend to attribute this to with greater suction power or a watching a film with a bottle of wine Zero Zero Zero or whatever it’s mends a film about teenagers in a the evil companies that make more efficient heater than was and a pizza, what should be a pretty called. haunted house? That’ll do. Pizza them, which give them a limi- thought possible when they mindless exercise becomes a deci- Ah, yes, water. Even the most ba- with unidentifiable bits of who ted life expectancy so that we were purchased. sion-making marathon if you let it. sic of our requirements doesn’t es- knows what on it? Don’t mind if I keep having to replace them, es- What we’re doing though by The pizza menu reads like War And cape from the infinite choice model. do (everybody knows it’s only the pecially given constant techno- investing in new consumer goods Peace (and that’s before you even Water from the Sierra Nevada Italian version of cheese on toast logical advances. is contributing towards a bright reach the ‘extra toppings’ prologue) mountains, water from the Pyren- anyway). A lovely carton of Don In truth, it would be fine to future, when we might make while there are more varieties of ees, water from the eternal life-giv- Simón wine? Mmm, yes please. We go through life with the same toast with lasers. wine available at your local super- ing springs of the Nepalese hinter- might even try water from the tap light bulbs or the same printer, market than there are stars in the land, water from some bloke’s duck and bottles of Coca Cola that actu- but this flies in the face of pro- PHILLIP KING universe. None of this actually mat- pond in Rotherham. There’s no end ally have some ingredients in them. gress, which demands martyrs, BY EMAIL ters, of course, because by the time to it. It really is only water and Nothing much will actually hap- you’ve decided what film you want there’s plenty of it in the tap. You pen, except that we won’t find our- to watch, the pizza’s gone cold and know when society has reached a selves quite so tired out by all that the wine’s turned to vinegar. saturation point of riches when superfluous decision-making. Torremolinos negligent management of those Someone asked for Cola Cola Zero families begin to squabble about It’s not called being ‘spoilt for responsible for conserving our Zero in the pub the other day. At first which brand of water to buy (they choice’ for nothing. We have just returned from an- heritage and who haven’t fought other lovely holiday in dear Tor- enough against this type of remolinos. criminal practice. PACHI However I would like to men- It would be good if any citi- tion a few observations: zen who sees someone with a It is a pity that there is work metal detector, who isn’t an ar- going on on the famous steps; chaeologist with permission to I do hope it is finished by Easter. search, could report the illegal What is the impact on traders? activity to the Guardia Civil. We do like the lovely build- If we read the law to the let- ing that has been beautifully ter, even those who go along restored on the sea front, built the beaches looking for things in 1926, truly stunning. others have left behind are ille- Also, regarding the building gal. The problem isn’t that at the top of the steps behind there’s a legal loophole; the Hotel Meliá: is it being used as problem is that there is an a squat? The rubbish tipped over alarming lack of awareness that the rear wall is unsightly. needs addressing. However, this will not stop VENANCIO FERNÁNDEZ us returning and I hope you find BY EMAIL the comments constructive. Also an ‘A1’ rail service, con- Creative brilliance gratulations to Renfe. I was thrilled to read the even members of the royal family MARK ROWE Schools Supplement last week. in court. You only have to recall the UK I look forward to it being pub- shockwaves caused by that opera- lished every year because it’s 12 years tion and compare them with what Metal detectors so uplifting to see how talented came later to appreciate that that the youth of today are. It’s also was the event that started a new The wealth of archaeological nice to know what the schools HÉCTOR BARBOTTA era in Spanish political culture. heritage this country has and are doing both to enhance chil- Juan Antonio Roca has just got its necessary protection should dren’s learning and to improve his freedom back. There will be form part of the school curricu- the local community. Children some, perhaps quite rightly, who lum in compulsory education. can receive such an in-depth vents in recent years have shoulders with judges and minis- consider that this isn’t long consid- One of the greatest threats to education these days, learning given us reason to agree ters in the stands of the Vicente Cal- ering the damage caused. But if we archaeological sites are thieves, about everything under the with those who say that derón football ground, they were take into account that in all this looters and treasure hunters sun. If my daughter ever does E very few politicians are the weakest link in the chain of in- time we have seen changes in gov- who try to obtain objects and move out to the Costa with her ever put behind bars. Twelve years stitutional corruption. The years of ernment, the end of the two-party coins with the help of metal de- family my grandchildren will ago however, when Juan Antonio immunity, judicial apathy and po- system with the appearance of two tectors that in some regions are be spoilt for choice with bril- Roca and a large number of Mar- licitical collusion were gone and the new groups, the arrival of a black banned. However for years these liant schools! bella councillors were sent to prison, heirs of Jesús Gil couldn’t see it. man at the White House and an Ar- individuals have been going LUCY KNOWLES the scene was practically unheard- We’ll never know if ‘Operación gentinian Pope at the Vatican, the where they pleased due to the BY EMAIL of. One question will always re- Malaya’ really took those big fish worst refugee crisis since the Sec- main: would the ice block of impu- by surprise, although they would ond World War, the biggest and nity for offences committed within certainly have been surprised by longest financial depression on re- institutions have broken in such a the size and significance of the op- cord, the appearance of smart- Published by: PRENSA MALAGUEÑA S. A. way if those who looted Marbella eration. Not in their worst night- phones and the invasion of social Director General: JOSÉ LUIS ROMERO town hall for 15 years had been un- mares could they have imagined media in our everyday lives, and der the protective umbrella of one the years in court and certainly not that all this time Roca has been in Editor in Chief: Publications Director: Advertising Manager: of the big national parties? the time behind bars. prison, perhaps we could conclude MANUEL CASTILLO Pedro Luis Gómez Emma Vera Editor: Commercial Director: The reality is that these thieves ‘Operación Malaya’ happened 12 that in Marbella there has been no Rachel Haynes Jorge Artero belonged to the GIL party, and with years ago and since then we have impunity. We ought to be pleased the death of their leader who rubbed seen politicians of all colours and about that. 26 March 16th to 22nd 2018 LIFESTYLE SUR IN ENGLISH
JENNIE RHODES IN THE FRAME [email protected] A story of migration
Justin Smith and Sonia Janin RosaCristina collaborative art research they explain. In fact a video produced by Justin following the 2017 storms, A video will be titled Wave has been selected to appear at the Liquidscapes inter- shown at the UK’s national conference at Darting- Liquidscapes ton Hall in Devon in June this year. The short film combines scenes international of the Mediterranean Sea during conference in June last year’s storms with startling statistics on migrants trying to reach Spain from Africa. Justin ob- ustin Smith, 48, origi- tained the data from the Missing nally from Pem- Migrants project. brokeshire in Wales, and Sonia Janin, 40, Migrant crisis from Lyon, France are “It’s hard to get real information J a husband and wife on the migrant crisis,” says Sonia team of artists who have chosen and Justin confesses that he was the town of Casares in Malaga to “shocked by the amount of peo- make their art. ple who try to come across”. They first met 15 years ago in Liquidscapes is a UK art exhi- London, where Sonia had moved bition and conference which ex- from France five years previously plores how artists use water and Justin was also living. In Lon- in their work and Justin and don they both had their own, sepa- Framegrab from Wave short film. :: ROSACRISTINA Sonia have been invited to rate art studios, but since they speak about their work as came to Spain 18 months ago their part of the event. work has also merged. “It’s hard to get real They couple say they Justin and Sonia have been us- feel they are integrating ing the theme of migration and information” well into their new home the Malaga coastline for their pro- and have made both ject, Littoral, which combines “Spanish and expat Justin’s video work, Sonia’s pho- :: JENNIE RHODES 462 deaths have been re- friends”. Many of their tography and their shared inter- MALAGA The Missing Migrants corded in the Mediterranean neighbours are Spanish and est in site-specific installations. project tracks incidents involv- region. they are having Spanish les- “We have a shared history of mi- ing migrants, including refugees The Missing Migrants Project sons. Having finished what they gration related to Spain,” explains and asylum seekers who have is a joint initiative of the Inter- wanted to achieve with the Lit- Sonia, whose grandmother, Rosa, died or gone missing in the proc- national Organisation for Migra- toral project, they now want to now 101, is originally from Las Pal- ess of migration. tion’s (IOM) Global Migration try to get galleries in the province mas. As a young girl Sonia explains According to the website Data Analysis Centre (GMDAC) to exhibit their work and make that her family emigrated to Mo- (missingmigrants.iom.int), 81 and Media and Communications “It was a dark moment more contacts with artists and art rocco and later, during the 1930s, people have died trying to cross Division (MCD) and receives which really made us spaces in Andalucia. Rosa went to live in France. “That the Mediterranean from north funding from the UK govern- “We see ourselves here for the is how my family ended up being Africa to Andalucía in 2018 and ment through UK Aid. think about what this foreseeable future,” they admit. French.” Sonia says that she has coastline witnesses” “We love it here and find it very “always been attracted to Spain” inspiring.” for that reason. Sonia’s grandmother and Justin’s “It’s important that people don’t They say that their work has mother respectively. just see the Costa del Sol as a holi- changed considerably since they Andalusian connections The couple say that their own day zone, but as somewhere that items they found among the “flot- moved to Malaga and have a long Justin also has a long history with family connections with this part has always been affected by mi- sam and jetsam” washed up dur- list of projects they want to work Spain, as his parents, who have of Spain, as well as the stories that gration,” they explain. ing the 2017 storms was part of a on in the near future. “Something now both passed away, lived here appear on the news about African Although the initial idea for Lit- boat which could have been used around Brexit is a possibility next,” for 30 years. “They were really in- migrants here, and Andalucía’s toral was not political, Justin says to carry migrants from Africa. “It Sonia reveals. tegrated into Spanish life and long history of migration, going that a lot of the art they have pro- seemed sturdy and too big to be a spoke the language,” he says. The back as far as the Phoenicians, Ro- duced as part of the project has child’s toy. It was a dark moment · For further information on couple’s research project goes by mans and Moors, have been a huge “become a political message”. which really made us think about Justin and Sonia’s work: the name RosaCristina, after influence on their work. They believe that one of the what this coastline witnesses,” www.rosacristina.eu March 16th to 22nd 2018 27 SUR IN ENGLISH LIFESTYLE Rhinestone Cowboy returns to the Costa
The country and western singer has a new act on TONY BRYANT his return to the Costa -
[email protected] Legends of Country Johnny Westwood has appeared in a Madonna “I started singing video, had acting roles country 15 years ago alongside Penelope and I never realised Cruz and Ray Winstone, how popular it was” and was a friend of Sir Christopher Lee everybody wants to include a Ma- donna video on their CV,” the char- ismatic entertainer points out. MALAGA. One of the Costa del Sol’s Johnny admits he has never most popular performers, Johnny been one to turn down work, al- Westwood, has returned to live and though he sometimes has to fal- work on the coast after a two-year sify his ability to secure a part, even absence. Johnny is an accomplished if he knows he stands little chance stage, television and film actor, and of succeeding. a renowned country and western “If someone asked me if I can ski singer. I would say yes. I once told a pro- Declared ‘Best Solo Country Art- ducer that I could speak German, ist’ by the UK’s leading magazine, even though I could not. Thank God Cross Country, the 50-year-old en- I didn’t get to the auditions, that tertainer, who is probably more re- would have been embarrassing,” he membered on the coast for his Camp explains, bursting into laughter. Cowboy act, has a new tribute show, Legends of Country. Back on the Costa Johnny worked all over Spain At the moment, he is preparing for with his risqué musical act, but he Johnny Westwood brings his new country and western show to the Costa del Sol this month. :: SUR the first of his gigs on the coast, has now toned down his show, con- which will include the Almadina centrating on a more traditional when he returned to the UK to con- EastEnders hard man, Ross Kemp. he adds, remembering his friend Restaurant in Alhaurín el Grande country and western set. centrate on a script for a sit-com that with fondness. on Friday 23 March. The show be- The new show pays tribute to was originally intended to star John Meeting Christopher Lee When last in Spain, Johnny ap- gins at 9pm. some of the greatest country and Inman and Norman Wisdom. Sir Christopher Lee, one of Johnny’s peared in several films, two of which Johnny can also be seen per- western singers, including Jim “Unfortunately, following the heroes, was to make a big impact on premiered at the Marbella and Hol- forming his Ladies and Gentleman Reeves, Glen Campbell, Willie Nel- death of both actors and also my his acting career and Johnny declares lywood film festivals. These include of Country show with PJ Angell at son, Kris Kristofferson and Garth agent, the script was put on the back that meeting him was an important The Sea Change with Ray Winstone, the Ginger Pig Bar in Coín on Sat- Brookes. burner, but we are still waiting for stage in his life. and the comedy drama, Twice Upon urday 31 March. He will be an- Johnny grew up listening to coun- someone to have a bite at the cherry,” “Meeting Christopher Lee was a Yesterday with Penelope Cruz. nouncing several more dates on try music on his grandparent’s old the singer says enthusiastically. like a dream come true, because it the Costa del Sol and has already record player and by the age of ten was he who influenced me to be- Dinner with Madonna been booked to appear at the Sa- knew nearly all the words to the Musical theatre and television come an actor. It turned out that we He also appeared in the video for lon Varietes Theatre later in the most popular country hits. How- He first ventured into musical thea- had a mutual friend who owned a Madonna’s 1998 hit, A Substitute season. ever, at this time, he had no idea the tre and pantomime, working with book shop in Covent Garden. I first for Love. Johnny was persuaded to The new show is said to be the influence this music would have on household names like Syd Little, met him at a book signing and the take part in the video, although he best of its kind and it is sure to ap- him later in life. Darren Day and Jean Ferguson. He rest is history. We met each other did not know it was Madonna un- peal to the lovers of country and “I feel very privileged to be able also appeared in Sunset Boulevard many times after that. He was very til he turned up on set. Although western music. to make a living singing music that at the Centre Stage Theatre in Cov- funny - nothing like his characters,” he was paid just 50 pounds for two “I love all types of country mu- I love. I began singing country mu- ent Garden, singing Seize the Day Johnny says. days’ shooting, he claims that it was sic and this reflects very clearly in sic more than 15 years ago and I alongside Petula Clarke – “the nic- “However, he did not suffer fools worth doing for the experience and my shows. You will always get never realised in the beginning how est person [he] ever met”. and demonstrated this one day his résumé. great country classics from Willie popular this music is,” Johnny ex- Along with this, Johnny enjoyed when I couldn’t remember the “I had dinner with Madonna; she Nelson to Glen Campbell and Kris plains to SUR in English. a productive television career, ap- name of a writer whose play I was was lovely. She’s not a bitch like eve- Kristofferson, but also some of the He had previously lived in Fuen- pearing with Martin Shaw in The appearing in. He was an incredible ryone makes out; she was really more up-to-date-stuff like Garth girola for twelve years, until 2016, Chief, and in Without Motive, with man and a great influence to me,” sweet. I didn’t get much of a fee, but Brookes,” the singer concludes. 28 March 16th to 22nd 2018 LIFESTYLE SUR IN ENGLISH
DEBBIE BARTLETT WHAT HAPPENED TODAY? LANGUAGE FOOTNOTE E16 MARCH 2003 Cumbre Summit Armas Weapons Destrucción Destruction The Azores summit Masiva Mass Presidente President Reunión Meeting sets the stage for Declaración Declaration Guerra War Error Mistake the War on Iraq Críticas Criticism Invadir To invade Seguridad Security n 16 March 2003, US And now they must demonstrate Anfitrión Host president George W that commitment to peace and se- Amenaza Threat Bush, UK prime minis- curity in the only effective way, by Naciones Nations Oter Tony Blair and Span- supporting the immediate and un- Unidas United ish prime minister José María Aznar conditional disarmament of Sad- Ocupación Occupation sat down together for emergency dam Hussein. The dictator of Iraq Coalición Coalition talks at what became known as the and his weapons of mass destruc- Régimen Regime ‘Azores summit’. tion are a threat to the security of The meeting took place on the free nations. He is a danger to his island of Terceira. Officially, the aim neighbours. He’s a sponsor of ter- Blair, Bush and Aznar made the decision to invade Iraq in 2003. :: SUR of Saddam Hussein. However con- was to discuss the prospects of a UN rorism. He’s an obstacle to progress flict continued for much of the next resolution on Iraq, but it was here in the Middle East.... Saddam responsibilities and obligations. If the international community to decade. No weapons of mass de- that the three leaders took the de- Hussein has proven he is capable of Saddam Hussein wants to disarm give him a strong and unified mes- struction were ever found in Iraq. cision which resulted in the War any crime. We must not permit his and avoid the serious consequences sage. “We will do all we can in the In Spain there had been strong on Iraq beginning four days later. crimes to reach across the world,” that he has been warned about by short time that remains to make a public feeling against Aznar’s deci- At a press conference immedi- said Bush. the United Nations, he can do so. final round of contacts, to see sion to declare war on Hussein, and ately after the meeting, President In his address, José María Aznar And nothing in our document, nor whether there is a way through this in 2004 one of the first things new Bush said they were working to- said the three leaders had not come in our statement, can prevent him impasse. But we are in the final prime minister José Luis Rodríguez ward the great cause of peace and to the Azores in order to make a dec- from doing so, if he wants to. So his stages, because, after 12 years of fail- Zapatero did was to fulfil his mani- security in this world. “We con- laration of war, but that interna- is the sole responsibility,” he said. ing to disarm him, now is the time festo commitment to withdraw cluded that tomorrow is a moment tional law has to be respected and Tony Blair said Saddam Hussein when we have to decide,” he said. Spanish troops from Iraq. of truth for the world,” he an- so do UN resolutions. “We are well had been playing games with the The war on Iraq, which the US nounced. aware of the international world international community for 12 dubbed Operation Iraqi Freedom, “Many nations have voiced a public opinion, of its concern. And years and would continue to do so, lasted from 20 March to 1 May 2003 · Bilingual crossword commitment to peace and security. we are also very well aware of our and that it was very important for and succeeded in ridding the world inside back page
Oscar winner Guillermo LEGAL ADVICE International Lawyers answers readers’ queries del Toro to receive We speak English, German, French, Spanish and Russian Malaga festival prize
few days, and I would like to pered that I could not go in be- Please send your questions or contact us directly to arrange know if I will continue receiv- cause my name appeared on a The director whose film Shape of Water, which won Best Pic- a personal appointment on: ing the allowance that I am re- list of gambling addicts. After picked up four Oscars ture this year, as well as allowing ceiving now or if the payments that, one of the security this year will be given the him to achieve Best Director for his Ilagoson International will stop when the contract guards invited me to leave the role in the masterpiece. Lawyers expires. casino. What does that mean? Malaga-SUR distinction Now the Mexican-born director This was the first time that I at the film festival in April can look forward to another award, Avda. Playas Andaluzas 38 In this sense, law establishes went to the casino, and I am having been named as the recipient (Exit ‘El Rosario’) that when an employee is on certainly not a gambler at all. I of the Malaga-SUR prize at the Malaga 29604 Marbella sick leave and during that time am not interested in going to :: FRANCISCO GRIÑAN Spanish Film Festival next month. Tel: 952 77 12 13 the contract expires, he will the casino, but I do not like MALAGA. This year’s Oscar suc- The ceremony will take place on 14 Fax: 952 82 68 61 continue receiving the allow- that my name appears on a list cess for Guillermo del Toro came af- April at the Teatro Cervantes. [email protected] ance until the leave concludes. of gambling addicts, when I ter previous years of disappoint- The director of Hellboy and Pan’s www.ilagoson.com Offices in Málaga, Marbella am not. How can I rectify this? ment. One of his most famous films, Labyrinth will become the first Os- and Cádiz REF. D. R. A. Pan’s Labyrinth, set in Spain during car-winner to also receive the high- Last week I went out with Casinos and other gaming es- the Civil War, had received nomi- est award at the Malaga festival some friends to dinner and tablishments such as bingo nations for Best Original Screenplay (named for its partnershp with SUR) celebrate my birthday. After halls, video arcades and gam- and Best Foreign Language Film, for his professional career. REF. E. N. I. some drinks we decided to go ingrooms, are the ones that but hadn’t won either category. He will also be the first director I work in a restaurant as a to the casino to play poker, but make these lists, and anyone, Eleven years later, Del Toro has fi- to win the award, which is normally waiter, and some time ago, when we got there, a member usually gamblers, can register nally found success with the The given to actors. when we were serving din- of the staff asked for ID, and on them voluntarily, in order ners, I ran into the kitchen and told me that I could not go in. I to be banned from entering, slipped when I stepped into a did not understand what he thus avoiding the temptation. puddle, as the kitchen helper meant, and maybe due to the No one can register someone was scrubbing the floor. As a drinks that I had had, I asked on those lists without their consequence, I broke my arm, him quite rudely the reason consent, so you should speak and right now I am on sick why I could not come in. The with the manager of the ca- leave. The point is that my staff member moved me away sino to remove your name work contract expires within a from my friends and whis- from the list.
First Assessment Consultation FREE of Charge
Del Toro on the set of The Shape of Water. :: FOX SEARCHLIGHT March 16th to 22nd 2018 SUR IN ENGLISH 29 30 March 16th to 22nd 2018 LIFESTYLE SUR IN ENGLISH
WILDLIFE PETER HARRISON Our waste, their pain
Animal lover or not, everyone stay on a rock to dry out. A big ef- ready wrapped in plastic - not just who saw it on television must fort for very small return. an outer coating but plastic have been moved by the sight of The rescuer of the seal com- within a plastic cover. Those tab- The charity concert in memory of Roy Alan. :: SUR a seal that had come close to mented that the animal was now lets for the washing machine are death by starvation due to get- fit to return to its natural habi- all in a plastic bag and each tab- ting a rubber ring around its neck. tat. He stated that he had saved let is individually wrapped. Mil- Local charities benefit from Someone had carelessly been many similar cases but the ma- lions of them must be used daily playing with it on a beach when jority of his patients were ani- and glittering in the sea look like tribute gala for popular expat it went into the water and was mals that had swallowed fish tasty morsels for a hungry fish. not recovered. hooks. What a dreadful, painful We all do careless acts which Carried miles by the tides it was experience for an animal as a re- cause suffering. Those tins of food :: TONY BRYANT ers and A Touch of Class. discovered by a curious seal sult of human carelessness. for human or pet consumption BENALMÁDENA. More than 1,200 Roy, who was a supporter of Lux which, on investigating the Thanks to considerable pub- are thrown into the garbage and euros was raised at a tribute gala held Mundi and an active member of A strange object, managed to get it licity we are all made aware of eventually land up on the rub- in honour of Roy Alan, a popular ex- Touch of Class, spent the last week around its neck and there it the pollution of our seas due to bish tip and are bulldozed into a pat who recently died of cancer. The of his life in the Cudeca Hospice. stayed firmly. The result was that plastic. It takes many years to heap. Wild animals or pets which event was held in Club Naútico in All proceeds from the show will the seal could see and catch fish break down but in the meanwhile have strayed and gone feral are Benalmádena last Friday and included be divided equally between the but could not swallow it. It made is swallowed by fish which, in hungry and seeking food. Those performances by the Costa Soul Sing- Cudeca Hospice and Lux Mundi. me think of cormorants who are turn, are consumed by humans cans with a smattering of food fitted with rings on the neck by in the food chain. This is causing are an answer to their plight. The fishermen so the birds could catch people to wake up to the danger. result is the infliction of the se- Jamiroquai the to be performing at the Starlite sum- the fish and bring them back to They are eating plastic! vere cut to the nose which will mer music festival in Marbella. the fishermen who could bene- Yet the usage of plastic contin- fester. No vet is available. latest addition to The British band, fronted by fit from the catch. ues and we even send it to coun- Do make sure such cans are singer-songwriter Jay Kay, will per- The birds were lucky as they tries like China for disposal. The crushed flat. Think twice, then star-studded form on the Nagüeles quarry stage could at least have a few fish at smart Chinese have woken up to again, before you dispose of gar- Starlite line-up on 22 July. the end of the day when the rings this and have started to refuse it. bage and never throw broken Also announced this week are were removed. The snag is that It is amazing how people ask glass away with food. Think what Luis Miguel (11 July), Maná (25 July) cormorants can only dive for for plastic bags as a matter of rou- may well happen when a hungry :: DARYL FINCH and Melendi (25 August). short periods as their feathers are tine, even to carry goods from animal spots such a potential MALAGA. Jamiroquai, the global British artists James Blunt and not waterproof so they need to the supermarket which are al- meal. electronic funk sensation, are among Sting are among the other stand- the latest batch of artists confirmed out names currently confirmed. March 16th to 22nd 2018 SUR IN ENGLISH 31 32 March 16th to 22nd 2018 LIFESTYLE SUR IN ENGLISH
Malaga to host international premiere of Genius: Picasso
National Geographic had learned that the organisation was tors, series producers and top execu- confirmed that the initially going to choose Madrid, but tives at NG and Fox are also expected Antonio Banderas appears to have to attend. screening will take place changed their minds. The filming of the ten-chapter in Spain. Banderas “Seeing as they filmed many series is almost complete, and its convinced them to scenes for the series in Malaga, television premiere in the United Picasso’s birthplace, it seemed natu- States is set to be 24 April, which choose Malaga ral that the premiere should be as could be mirrored in Spain. close to his home as possible, in the The new series, created by Fox 21 :: PEDRO LUIS GÓMEZ Teatro Cervantes, in an act heavy Television Studios, has been sup- MALAGA. The international pre- with symbolism,” said the actor. ported by Brian Gazer and Ron How- miere for the second season of the The premiere will be an impor- ard from Imagine Entertainment, critically acclaimed National Geo- tant endorsement of Malaga and its as well as Madison Wells Media’s graphic series Genius is to take place culture as Fox and National Geo- OddLot Entertainment and in Malaga’s Cervantes theatre on 22 graphic will invite journalists from EUE/Sokolow. March. This new instalment is dedi- all over the world. The actors, direc- “The life of Pablo Picasso has fas- cated to Picasso (the subject of the cinated me throughout my life and first was Einstein) and stars Malaga- I have an enormous respect for the born actor Antonio Banderas. man I share a hometown with,” Ban- National Geographic (NG) Antonio Banderas: “It’s deras said. “I’m thrilled to have planned to host the international natural that the premiere worked with National Geographic, premiere in Spain, as was announced should as close to [Picasso’s] Brian, Ron, Ken and the rest of the when the project was unveiled, but team behind Genius to tell the true it did not initially reveal where or home as possible” story of one of the world’s most in- when it would take place. SUR novative painters.” Antonio Banderas as Picasso in one of the episodes. :: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
A timur pets March 16th to 22nd 2018 SUR IN ENGLISH 33 March 16th to 22nd 2018 34 SUR IN ENGLISH
DISCOVER ANDALUCÍA
Some of the most unusual Easter traditions are to be found in towns in Andalucía. :: T. ANDALUZ A week of Easter Passion La Mananta, in Puente Genil. :: TURISMO ANDALUZ QUICK GUIDE
What to see on the Pathways of Passion route A WEEK FOLLOWING THE Collegiate church of Osuna. PATHWAYS OF PASSION ne of the most re- rrows and Resurrection Sun- markable times of day, these historic towns in the Renaissance building with an Car + walking the year is now heart of Andalucía become fu- important collection of Baroque Journey time: It is a two-hour drive to O approaching in An- lly immersed in the religious art.Plaza de la Encarnación, the heart of Andalucía. Processions: 3 days. Monuments: 2 days dalucía: Semana Santa, or Holy traditions of Holy Week. 41640 Osuna (Seville) Week. Every city, town and vi- The itinerary takes you to llage celebrates Easter in its Alcalá la Real, in Jaén; Baena, Holy Week Museum. own way, according to its local Cabra, Lucena, Priego de Cor- A collection relating to Easter. Cordoba Jaén customs and traditions, but in doba and Puente Genil, in Cór- Calle Mesones 37, 14850 Baena some places it is a truly fasci- doba; and Carmona, Osuna, (Cordoba) nating experience. Écija and Utrera, in Seville. Granada Almería In fact, ten of towns in three One of the most unusual ex- Abbey church. different provinces are on a periences along this ‘Caminos Built within La Mota castle for Malaga specially-designed tourist rou- de Pasión’ route is to be found the Abbey of Royal Patronage. te called ‘Caminos de Pasión’, in Alcalá la Real, with its com- Castilla de la Mota. 23680 Alcalá JAVIER ALMELLONES or ‘Pathways of Passion’. bination of religious proces- la Real (Jaén). Between the Friday of So- sions and mystery plays. In Puente Genil, Holy Week Sacred Art Museum is so different that it is known Valuable collection inside the as ‘La Mananta’ instead of ‘Se- church of Santa Cruz. mana Santa’. The processions Plaza Santa Nuestra del Valle, represent scenes from the bi- 41400 Écija (Seville). ble and many of the characters wear masks. Church of Nuestra Señora de la Also in Cordoba province, Asunción you can see the so-called ‘san- Gothic-Mudejar building dating tería’ in Lucena, an unusual back to 1525. way of carrying the floats to Calle Santa Ana, the rhythm of drums and the 14800 Priego de Cordoba. sound of the Torralbo, announ- cing the arrival of the proces- sions. Meanwhile, Holy Week in Priego de Cordoba is a time of contrasts. Many of the proces- sions are greeted in silence, but the crowds always burst into cheers when they see the figure of the Nazarene on Good Friday. Anyone who visits the town of Carmona, in Seville provin- ce, at this time of year will be able to see the figure of the Se- ñor de la Amargura, which is believed to be one of the oldest images still to be carried in procession during Holy Week in Andalucía. Holy Week in Alcalá la Real. :: TURISMO ANDALUZ March 16th to 22nd 2018 SUR IN ENGLISH 35 36 March 16th to 22nd 2018 LIFESTYLE SUR IN ENGLISH
SOCIETY SCENE Entertainment and help for local causes
Many associations and for additional courses or activities. clubs are also looking for Planning for courses starting in October 2018 is already under way ‘new blood’ as they but more group leaders are needed. The Santa María Bowls Club :: GARRY ALDRIDGE make exciting plans for The full prospectus is available the future online (http://u3afuengirolacosta- the show bar Legends for their sup- delsol.com). They are also on Face- port at a recent fundraising evening book, U3AFuengirolaCostaDel Sol. from which the money raised will :: SUR IN ENGLISH Anyone interested should email go to local causes. [email protected] for more There was a raffle and Echoes of El Paraiso Golf details. the 60s provided the entertainment. Fundraiser for Pieta House Last year the club donated almost A charity dinner in aid of Pieta Club Charity and Pleasure 60,000 euros locally, the majority House was held in the El Paraiso CAP singers entertain of which was raised in their shop in Golf club recently. It was organised Club Charity and Pleasure (CAP) Calle Torremolinos in La Cala. by David and Barbara James and chef last week marked its 25th birthday This year the club celebrates 20 Paul and consisted of a seven-course with cake and wine for members. years of service to the local commu- meal with wine tasting sponsored CAP Singers, under the direction of nity. New members are always wel- by Richard Bell Young of Vinopolis Yvonne Harrison, entertained with come; just call in to the charity shop. wines Puerto Banús. a selection from their new reper- The shop (677 059 061) is open Mon- The event was to raise funds for toire. day to Saturday from 10am to 2pm. the suicide and self harm preven- CAP is a social organisation which Donations of clothes and bric-a-brac tion charity and to launch the Pieta meets at 10.30am each Wednesday etc are always appreciated. House annual walk which takes morning at Restaurante Chilli, Be- Lion’s Club members and supporters. :: SUR place in Estepona on 12 May, namara. Some weeks they have a Santa María Bowls 5.30am. Register at www.darkness- speaker. They also arrange events The captain’s team wins intolight.ie and excursions including regular Santa María Bowls club held their trips to Gibraltar, the theatre, exhi- Annual Captain vs President Com- U3A bitions, lunches and dinners at dif- petition last month. Looking for leaders ferent venues along the Coast. They The finish went down to the last The U3A group are looking for peo- also raise money for local charities, bowl on the last end and the Cap- ple interested in running a course mainly those supporting Alzheimer’s tain’s team came out the winners or managing a group. They will be sufferers, Adana, Aprona, Aspandem by three shots. The afternoon was given some basic guidance and the and Cudeca. completed with a meal and a talent courses or activities can run between New members are welcome – an- night. October and late May. nual membership is €15. For more Anyone wishing to come to the Volunteers will need to have a information contact President Mary club should contact Susan Walker few hours a week free, fortnightly Erlich on 952 896820 or visit on 664068020. or monthly, depending on the course www.clubcharityandpleasure.word- or activity. Occasionally group lead- press.com. What are you up to? ers need to take a short break for If you are involved in a club or associa- personal reasons and a backup leader La Cala de Mijas Lions Club tion and planning events, trips or activi- ties that would be of interest to other is needed. Show bar Legends evening readers of SUR in English, we would love The courses and activities are very The President of the Lions, Julie to hear from you: varied and suggestions are welcomed Barry, thanked Andrea and Paul of Email: [email protected] Pieta House receiving the cheque from El Paraiso golf. :: SUR March 16th to 22nd 2018 SUR IN ENGLISH 37 38 March 16th to 22nd 2018 LIFESTYLE SUR IN ENGLISH
DENISE BUSH
READER’S PHOTO GARDENING PERUVIAN BEAUTY
SUR reader Jennifer Giles The Apple of Sodom sent in this photo of a beau- tiful Scilla peruviana. Scillas are native to the Mediterra- nean and although not frost An attractive flowering bush or small tree, Calotropis hardy, can withstand some cold. They multiply easily has strange apple-like fruits that are hollow and soon form a large clump. They prefer a rich ::DENISE BUSH Africa, Asia and Indochina. Calop- from its fibrous mat of roots makes soil with plenty of organic Although the common name is tropis forms a spreading shrub or it a useful plant to prevent soil ero- material and good drainage Apple of Sodom, Calotropis is a medium tree 2.5 to six metres sion. However its strong survival is essential. :: J. GILES poisonous plant. Other common high. It has a tap root that can go instincts have made it unwelcome names include Rubber bush and down four metres and a fibrous in some temperate countries King’s crown, and sometimes it is root system. Its ability to find wa- where it can grow unchecked and GARDENING HINTS known by the synonym Asclepias ter deep in the soil helps it soon swamp other plant species. procera. to live during periods The fruits are apple- Fascinating facts about The genus Calotropis is part of of drought and its like, green and about the Apocynaceae family and it is ability to send 10cm in diameter. native to North Africa, Tropical up suckers When crushed atomic gardening or hit they make an audi- After WWII, there was an ini- died, the ones a bit further out ble popping tiative to develop alternative developed tumours and were sound as uses for fission energy. It was misshapen but the plants fur- theyt are called Atoms for Peace and thest away mutated and pro- filledf mainly part of it included atomic gar- duced new usable plants. The withw air. In dening. Gamma gardens, as Rio Star grapefruit and a strain the centre is a they are known, were created of peppermint resistant to ver- small seed pod in the US, India, Japan, Europe ticillium wilt was developed in filled with fine and Russia to study the effects this way. Many of the muta- silk. This silk was of radiation on plant life. The tions developed went into once collected to fill gardens were built in the commercial production (Rio pillows or strands of it shape of a cartwheel and cov- Star grapefruit account for were twisted together to make ered about five acres. They 75% of Texas’ grapefruit crop) wicks for lamps. were surrounded by an eight and are still grown today. The white milky latex that ex- metre high dyke to prevent The Atomic Gardening Soci- udes from the cut stems of Calo- the radiation spreading out- ety was started in 1959 by tropis is poisonous and was once side the garden. At the hub of Briton Muriel Howorth, an used as a poison for arrowheads. the wheel was the radioactive atomic activist. The society The mature stems are covered with material, either Cobalt -60 or distributed irradiated seeds to a thick cork-like bark and the grey- Caesium-137. The wheel was keen gardeners who were sup- green leaves are 15-30cm long and planted with different plants posed to report back on the waxy. Fibres from the stems were which were left exposed to results. Interest faded in the used to make rope, nets and paper. the radiation for seven to eight 60s as gardeners’ feedback The flowers are quite unusual, they months. The plants closest to was sporadic and enthusiasm are small white or greenish white the radioactive source usually waned. at the base and purplish at the pointed tips. In the centre of each flower is a raised ‘crown’. The plant PHOTOS is a food source for the Monarch caterpillar and attracts lots of pol- Calling all Email your photos to eng- linating insects. gardeners [email protected] or send Calotropis was first described them to SUR in English, by a Roman Jewish historian Avda Dr Marañón 48, 29009 called Josephus who found it We know that many of our Malaga, with a caption and a growing near Sodom. It is men- readers have lovely gardens, few words of explanation. tioned in both the Mishnah and or enjoy growing plants on Alternatively, you can send the Talmud (its fibres cannot be their terraces or balconies, them to us via Facebook used as wicks during the Sab- so why not share them with (surenglish) or Twitter The Apple of Sodom and close up of flower (inset). :: WIKIMEDIA bath). others? (@SUR_English) March 16th to 22nd 2018 39 SUR IN ENGLISH LIFESTYLE
and people were not able to go out. Some prisoners managed to escape The passion of Holy Week in Andalucía from the local jail, carried the image of Christ through the streets, and then returned voluntarily to prison. Thursday morning is also popular Our look at the annual celebrations covers four more of the region’s eight provnces in Malaga, when people go to the port to watch the Legion disembark from their ship. MALAGA. Nowhere lives Semana place in this city for 400 years. In Malaga province, Holy Week Santa, the week leading up to Easter, The Easter processions are also is classified as being especially in- with as much energy as Andalucía, well worth watching in towns such teresting for tourists in Alhaurín and visitors can observe the rituals as Alcalá la Real, Baeza, Linares, Mar- de la Torre, Antequera, Archidona, in every corner of the region tos and Úbeda, all of which are clas- Arriate, Campillos, Riogordo, Ronda sified as being of special interest. and Vélez-Málaga. Huelva In Huelva the Holy Week proces- Malaga Seville sions begin on Palm Sunday. It is a It has to be said that Holy Week in Easter in Seville is unique in beauty very interesting city to visit at this Malaga is very special and every one and essence. Nearly 60 processions time of year, and nobody should of the processions is a delight to ex- take place during the week, and this miss the chance to try some of the perience. Most of the religious broth- is not only a 400-year-old Catholic traditional Easter cakes, as well as erhoods also have their own ‘Casa festival but also the synthesis of a enjoying the religious aspects of the Hermandad’, museums containing whole culture centred on the essence occasion. One of the most special the beautiful floats, the cloaks worn of the human being. processions takes place in the early by the Virgins, and other religious The best way to see the proces- hours of Good Friday, when the re- and ceremonial items. sions is to look for some of the side ligious brotherhoods of El Perdón, Early in the morning of Holy streets which are off the official Misericordia and El Nazareno carry Monday, thousands of people gather route but which they all have their images through the streets. The outside San Pablo church to see the to pass through en route to the latter is one of the oldest in the city, images of Jesús Cautivo and María cathedral. dating back to the 16th century. Santísima de la Trinidad brought Good Friday and Holy Saturday Also well worth seeing are the The popular La Macarena procession in Seville during Holy Week. :: EFE from their chapel. That evening, pro- are possibly the best days to enjoy joyful ‘La Borriquita’ on Palm Sun- cessions of Jesús de la Columna, Easter in Seville, but La Macarena day, the solemn ‘Santo Entierro’ on Jaén the image of Nuestro Padre Jesús María Santísima de la O and ‘Los Gi- and La Esperanza of Triana are also Good Friday and the processions of Holy Week in Jaén is particularly at- Nazareno, affectionately known as tanos’, the joyful gypsy procession remarkably beautiful. Children also the Virgins of La Victoria and La Es- mospheric, a mixture of history, tra- ‘El Abuelo’ (the grandfather), is which begins at Calle Frailes, take love La Borrequita on Palm Sunday. peranza on Wednesday. dition, art and religious devotion. It brought out from the cathedral. It is place. Elsewhere in the province, Alcalá Elsewhere in the province of Hu- combines the sobriety of Castilla and accompanied by over 7,000 penitents Another important moment in de Guadaíra, Alcalá del Río, Carmona, elva, Ayamonte is also a good place the splendour of Andalucía. Crowds and one highlight is when Nuestro Malaga is on Wednesday, when a pris- Morón de la Frontera, Coria del Río, to visit at Easter, as its processions of people line the streets to watch Padre Jesús meets the Virgen de los oner is released by Nuestro Padre Utrera, Écija, Marchena, Estepa, have been classified as an event the magnificent processions, and one Dolores in Calle Amargura. This is Jesús El Rico each year. This privilege Osuna, Guadalcanal and Las of special interest to tourists in of the most popular takes place in one of the most moving moments was granted by Carlos III when there Cabezas de San Juan are also espe- Andalucía. the early hours of Good Friday, when in the processions, which have taken was an epidemic of cholera in Malaga cially interesting at Easter. 40 March 16th to 22nd 2018 LIFESTYLE SUR IN ENGLISH
Beatles-themed cruise to set Fundraisers plan flying sail from Barcelona in October visit to conquer La Concha The MS Sovereign will weeks as the support act for The Beat- host a week of shows from les in Paris. Also featured is Peter Donegan, son of the legendary Lon- A group of hikers will :: SUR IN ENGLISH bella, whose peak stands at 1,200 tribute acts celebrating nie Donegan, whose skiffle music in- travel from Scotland, MALAGA. A group of ten adven- metres above sea level. iconic musicians spired The Beatles in a huge way. turers from Scotland are training The view from the top will be The Beatles theme continues off climb Marbella’s iconic for an intense 17-hour trip on Sat- their only chance to do any sight- :: SUR IN ENGLISH stage with a series of onboard debates, peak and fly home on urday31 March. In order to raise seeing however, as the climbers BARCELONA. Beatle-mania is due talks and exhibitions. Guests will in- the same day for a funds for the Beatson Cancer Char- plan to fly in from Scotland and fly to go to sea on 22 October when a clude Tony Bramwell and Leslie Cav- ity in Glasgow, the group will climb home again all on the same day. themed cruise sets sail from Barce- endish, who will speak about their cancer charity the La Concha mountain in Mar- They set themselves the goal of lona. Passengers will enjoy seven times and experiences with the band. raising £10,000 and earlier this nights of live music provided by art- The ship, the MS Sovereign, with week they announced that half of ists paying tribute to The Beatles and a capacity for 2,852 passengers and the sum had already been donated. the solo careers of Paul McCartney, 803 crew members, will visit Sète, One of the climbers is Stepha- John Lennon and George Harrison, Villefranche, Livorno, Civitavec- nie Hutton, 33, whose mother as well as other iconic stars in pop chia and Naples, before returning Claire has been undergoing che- and rock music, including Buddy to Barcelona. motherapy at the Beatson Cancer Holly, Cilla Black and Elvis Presley, Centre. She stressed the important among others. · Special offer : For 15 per work carried out there and how The host for each night will be the cent off this cruise visit Oferplan they want to raise as much money Costa del Sol’s own Mel Williams, https://oferplan.diariosur.es/ and as possible for the centre. who in 1963 was on the bill for three purchase the discount voucher “They perform amazing, life- saving work every day and provide incredible support to families. Throughout everything in the last 18 months the Beatson has been there every step of the way and I would urge anyone who has been touched by cancer in any way to donate to this fantastic cause,” said Stephanie.