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Antonio Banderas pulls out of city arts project due to criticism
The Malaga-born actor has given up his bid to turn a corner of the city into a theatre and culture centre
Antonio Banderas said in a letter this week that he was abandoning his plans to turn the old Astoria cinema building into a centre for the perform- ing arts. His project, in conjunction with architect José Seguí and the firm behind the Starlite festival, had won an open competition for ideas and was now expected to bid for the con- tract to build and manage the centre. Criticism from opposition groups and “insults and humiliating treatment” on social media have led the actor to THE END OF pull out to the shock of many. P8 AN ERA “I’m sorry if I let you down.” Spain’s Eurovision BECKONS singer apologises for his last place, while Portugal celebrates P25 Malaga CF legends Martín Demichelis and Weligton call it a day in an emotional week for the club P61
Demichelis (left) embraces Weligton after Wednesday’s press conference. :: SALVADOR SALAS
:: AFP Owners register 33 properties a Devoted to music . The director and conductor of Collegium Musicum day as tourist accommodation prepares for their spring concerts P26&27
The number of places available in rented Ten months after the first regulations could soon overtake hotel bookings AVE shortcut that will governing rented tourist accommo- and the industry is calling for these cut high-speed journey holiday homes in the province of Malaga dation came into force in Andalucía, figures to be included in official tour- properties are being added to the reg- ism statistics. While more investors between Malaga and is catching up with the total of hotel beds ister at a rate of 33 a day in the prov- are attracted to buying tourist prop- Seville is one step closer ince of Malaga. The volume of tour- erties in Malaga and the Costa del Sol, to construction P6 ists using rented accommodation hotels remain as full as ever. P2 101 kilometres in 24 hours in Ronda
Thousands take part in the Legion’s gruelling race P56 22222222 May 19th to 25th 2017 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH An average of 33 properties a day are registered as tourist accommodation
Map of tourist accommodation in Andalucía
More than half of the Cordoba PILAR properties are in Jaén MARTÍNEZ Malaga province [email protected] Seville Huelva Granada Almeria By the end of this summer, there could be Malaga more places in rented holiday accommodation Cadiz than in hotels on the The image shows the Costa del Sol high concentration (in red) of properties on la Costa del Sol. MALAGA. It is now nearly ten months since new regulations were introduced to ensure that properties which are used as holiday accommo- Hotel places compared with rental accommodation dation are registered with the Anda- lusian tourism authorities, and fears Town Hotel places Rental places % rentals/hotels that this would have a negative effect on the sector appear to have been un- BENALMÁDENA 9,681 4,976 51.40 % founded. Recently released figures CASARES 200 681 340.50 % show that an average of 33 proper- Malaga city is becoming a popular rental destination. :: SUR ESTEPONA 7,334 4,648 63.38 % ties in Malaga are being registered FUENGIROLA 7,514 2,943 39.17 % every day: in other words, about 1,000 Malaga city as a place to invest in pro- MALAGA 9,143 7,284 79.67 % a month. A third of owners of perty to rent out to tourists. MARBELLA 12,276 11,166 90.96 % In Malaga province nearly 11,000 The popularity of the Costa del Sol MIJAS 1,638 7,171 437.79 % properties have been registered sin- holiday properties in and the increased interest in Malaga NERJA 2,348 5,921 252.17 % ce the new regulations came into for- Malaga do not live in city is the key. More than half of all RINCÓN VICTORIA 551 748 135.75 % ce ten months ago, providing the province holiday rental properties in Andalu- TORREMOLINOS 19,285 2,077 10.77 % accommodation for 54,152 tourists. cía are in Malaga province, and in TORROX 1,081 858 79.37 % That figure is even more impressive some places such as Mijas and Nerja VÉLEZ MÁLAGA 995 1,026 103.12 % when taking into account that there they already exceed the number of Source: Junta de Andalucía’s Ministry of Tourism are 79,029 hotel places available in Property owners are realising that hotel places, by 437 per cent and 252 the province (not including hostels). this sector, which some exploited per cent respectively. The tourism authorities say that if illegally in the past, can be a way of In comparison, Torremolinos re- minar that rental properties ought Not everybody is happy about the the trend continues at its present rate, earning money with little risk invol- mains primarily a destination for ho- to be included in public tourist pro- increase in rented holiday accomo- by the end of this summer the num- ved. It is now, therefore, attracting tel holidays. However, the holiday motion campaigns as hotels are. dation, however. The tourism autho- ber of beds available in rented investors: the figures show that 33 rental business has not really affec- Meanwhile hoteliers have called rities have received 82 complaints in accommodation will equal those in per cent of owners of registered ho- ted hotels in general, as occupancy for rental property figures to be in- the past ten months, but only two hotels or even exceed them. liday properties in Malaga province levels remain high and many of them cluded in the region’s overall tourism were from dissatisfied clients. Many Internet platforms which put po- do not live in the region, and it is are often fully booked at weekends. statistics, due to the volume of tourists were from neighbours who were dis- tential tourists in touch with the thought likely that more than 3,000 It is evident that each of these two choosing this type of accommoda- turbed by noise from the visitors du- owners of holiday properties confirm owners of holiday accommodation sectors has a loyal following. tion. At present hotels are obliged to ring their holiday. There were also the high occupancy figures and that are not even in Spain. In fact, the Sun- Earlier this week representatives pass on their tourism figures to the accusations of properties being ren- the holiday rental business can be day Times recently dedicated a large of the big rentals plaforms such as National Institute of Statistics every ted out illegally, and not complying highly profitable. part of an article to the potential of Airbnb and Homeaway said at a se- month, but rental properties are not. with the regulations. May 19th to 25th 2017 3 SUR IN ENGLISH NEWS
The western Costa Real estate sales at their highest since del Sol boasts 86 per cent of all 2008, with a hundred a day in March luxury properties in Andalucía
The construction sector :: HÉCTOR BARBOTTA on the Costa del Sol is MARBELLA. Before the econo- mic crisis, 51 per cent of proper- showing clear signs of ties costing more than one million revival, with more projects euros in Andalucía were in the approved and a 13 per cent western part of Malaga province, but since the property bubble burst rise in employment in the and prices plunged there has been first quarter a dramatic change in the housing market: 86 per cent of luxury pro- :: NURIA TRIGUERO perties in Andalucía are now in MALAGA. Property sales in the pro- the triangle formed by Marbella, vince are at their highest since 2008, Estepona and Benahavís. the year when the real estate bubble The figures, which show the burst, according to statistics regar- strength of this section of the mar- ding the Transfer of Property Rights ket even in the most adverse con- in March which were published last ditions, were revealed recently at week. the annual forum of the DOM3 The figures show that 2,925 pro- association, which called for new perties changed hands during that action to take advantage of the month, which is almost 100 a day opportunities for wealth and jobs and the highest since the month of generated by this sector. It also ex- April nine years ago. The increase pressed concern that Marbella is compared with March 2016 was 37 missing out on investment becau- per cent, and the accumulated se of the length of time it takes growth during the first quarter of Marbella council to grant licences. this year was 19.6 per cent. Last year the average price of It appears that March was a spec- property in Marbella, Estepona tacular month for property sales in Nearly 100 properties a day were sold in March this year. :: SUR and Benahavís was the sixth Spain as a whole, with a 26.9 per highest in Spain, but this triangle cent year-on-year increase bringing of growth has also speeded up this twice as many people attended as property market, because their sala- is seeing major growth and there the total to 40,461, the highest re- year. last year. One of the speakers, José ries are too low. has been a 139 per cent increase gistered in the country since Fe- “During the first quarter of 2017 Luis Suárez, even joked about “a new Despite the positive ambience, in property sales since 2010. bruary 2011. permission has been granted for twi- method of measuring the health of Emilio López did strike a warning In 2016 the value of sales in this- In Andalucía, the year-on-year ce as many homes as during the same the housing sector: counting the note, stressing that he was ‘modera- relatively small area reached 280 growth was 28 per cent, which means period last year,” he explained. In number of smiles per square metre tely’ optimistic about the prospects million euros, and created 3,000 that Malaga, with the aforementio- fact, from January to March a total that I see in this room.” for the sector, because many cons- direct and 9,000 indirect jobs. ned increase of 37 per cent, was higher of 1,397 new houses were approved, He and others taking part in the tructors are still having difficulty in The luxury sector is performing than both the regional and national which is a year-on-year increase of forum - the CEO of the Valuation So- obtaining finance for their projects. well, but could do even better. The averages. 121 per cent. ciety, Juan Juan Fernández-Aceytu- He also called on the authorities to sector is concerned that investors Coincidentally, these figures were “In Malaga the market is moving no; the director of design manage- start spending more money on in- are choosing areas other than Mar- released on the day that the Associa- well now,” he said, adding that pri- ment at the Intu Group, María Arbo- frastructure. bella because the local authority tion of Constructors and Developers ces are rising slightly (about four per ledas; property business manager of Last year the amount spent on pu- is not functioning properly in of Malaga (ACP) held its annual mee- cent a year) and employment in the Caixabank, Ángel Salar; and the pre- blic works in the province rose from terms of granting licences, and ting, and at this year’s event the at- construction sector rose by 13 per sident of the Association of Develo- 130 million euros in 2015 to 188 mi- says the process needs to be spee- mosphere was optimistic. cent in the first quarter. pers and Constructors of Spain, Juan llion, and in the first quarter of this ded up as a matter of priority. “2016 was the year in which we Apart from the positive figures, Antonio Gómez Pintado– described year it was 68 million, twice as much Last year, only 15 per cent of in- saw a definitive reactivation of resi- another sign that the property mar- different elements of this new pro- as the same period last year, but this vestment in luxury property was dential construction in Malaga,” said ket in Malaga is improving was that perty cycle, from new forms of fi- is not enough: “For a province the in Marbella, although the town the president of the association, Emi- the meeting, held in the theatre in nance to the difficulties experien- size of Malaga, the figures are low,” continues to attract buyers of all lio López, pointing out that the rate the Picasso Museum, was packed: ced by young people in accessing the he said. types. 4 May 19th to 25th 2017 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH Prison for teenager arrested in 112 REPORTS Police officers injured so were asked to step aside from the queue until they found them. This Fuengirola ‘sexting’ rape case by angry tourists resulted in them becoming aggres- sive, accusing the police of being MALAGA racist. When one officer acciden- :: JUAN CANO. Two police officers tally tripped over the four-year-old The 18-year-old suspect were assaulted by British tourists child of one of them, the two men has been remanded in at Malaga airport last week. Accord- became violent and left one officer ing to police, the visitors, of African with a black eye and the other with custody accused of sexual ethnicity, were unable to find their a deep cut to his ear. The tourists assault, coercion and passports on departing the airport were arrested, missing their flight. possession of child pornography involving a Drug mule arrested at Motorcyclist dies in 13-year-old girl Malaga airport Benalmádena accident
:: JUAN CANO MALAGA BENALMÁDENA MALAGA. National Police have ar- :: SUR. A 27-year-old Brazilian :: SUR. A 42-year-old motorcyclist rested an 18-year-old man in connec- man was arrested at Malaga air- died on Monday morning after be- tion with the rape and blackmail of port after he was found to be ing involved in an accident on Av- a 13-year-old girl he had contacted on smuggling drugs. X-ray results enida del Sol in Benalmádena. Emer- social media. Police are investigating the case. :: SUR showed that the detainee had in- gency services were informed of the The victim’s parents raised the gested 96 pellets of cocaine, al- accident at 4.45am and the police alarm last week when they reported reportedly told the suspect that she ever meeting with the girl for a sec- together weighing around one and an ambulance arrived at the that the minor, resident on the west- no longer wished to continue their ond time, and therefore also denies kilogramme, with the intention scene shortly afterwards. However ern Costa del Sol, had been forced into “relationship”. From that point on- committing the sexual abuse he is of excreting them and distribut- paramedics confirmed that the man having sexual relations after the sus- wards their accounts differ completely. being accused of. ing the drug around Spain. had already died. pect allegedly threatened to post in- The suspect has no previous con- timate images of her online. Blackmail claim by victim victions, however the judge ordered Infamous Madrid the thefts together. One of the trio The suspect met the 13-year-old The victim has stated that the sus- him to be remanded in custody ac- would turn off the alarms in the girl on a social media site, where the pect became angry with her and cused of sexual assault, coercion and pickpockets in Malaga shop with a magnet or lockpick two began to exchange messages. Ac- forced her to meet up with him a sec- the possession of child pornography. while the others stole from the cording to sources close to the case, ond time. He then blackmailed her His defence has appealed the deci- MALAGA shops and their customers. The the arrested man then persuaded the into having sex, in order to prevent sion. :: JUAN CANO. Three pickpockets men, of Cuban, Peruvian and girl to send intimate photographs of him from uploading her intimate pho- Last week the association that have been arrested by police in Mexican descent, admitted that herself. tos to Instagram for the public to see. helps fight addictions, Proyecto Malaga. Officers caught the thieves they worked as pickpockets col- The statements of both victim and It has been suggested that he would Hombre, stated in a report that one red-handed with 1,300 euros in lectively and that they had come suspect say that they met in person have continued to blackmail his vic- in three children aged between 12 their bag after following them to Malaga from Madrid, after po- for the first time at the request of the tim in this way if he had not been re- and 14 had admitted to practising around Larios shopping centre lice in the capital became aware of young man in Fuengirola. At the end ported to the police. ‘sexting’, the exchange of intimate where they had been carrying out their activity. of this meeting, however, the victim The suspect, however, denies images via social media. May 19th to 25th 2017 5 SUR IN ENGLISH NEWS
“I’m a monster... take me to the police” IN BRIEF
Woman accused of murdering a man and freezing his body in her ice cream shop shows remorse as trial gets under way Inspecting the haul of weapons. :: SUR :: SUR SEVILLE. The brothers of María del Guardia Civil dismantles ried out across Malaga, Granada, Carmen Q. B., the woman accused Jaén, Murcia and Burgos provinces. of killing a 62-year-old man then groups responsible for Based in Roquetas de Mar, the putting his body in a freezer, testi- 67 burglaries criminals were not afraid to use fied on Tuesday, saying that the ac- violence, striking while the vic- cused called them after the episode, MALAGA tims were in their homes. which occurred on 9 January 2016 The woman (r) accused of killing and freezing a 62-year-old man. :: EFE :: Á. FRÍAS. The Guardia Civil have They are believed to be the per- in the Macarena area of Seville, to made 16 arrests of people belong- petrators of the wave of burglaries tell them that she was a “monster” fight and that he touched her. hitting him over the head with an ing to two groups assumed respon- in Alhaurín el Grande, using the and that they should hand her over Speaking on Wednesday, she said umbrella, nor strangling him with sible for at least 67 burglaries car- same modus operandi. to the police. that due to her alcoholism and fre- a cable - accusations that have the When they arrived, they found quent consumption of cocaine and prosecution calling for 20 years be- Toll dodger drives 4km Magnitude 3.6 earthquake her drinking from a bottle of whisky, sleeping pills, she couldn’t remem- hind bars. with bruises on her face and ber exactly what happened, apart The defence, meanwhile, is call- in the wrong direction felt on the Costa del Sol scratches on her legs. She told them from a fight and her moment of ing for a lesser sentence of five years, there was a dead man in her ice panic when she put the body in the citing her repentence, having apolo- MALAGA GRANADA cream shop, that there had been a freezer. She says she cannot recall gised for “destroying” the family. :: J. CANO. A 46-year-old man from :: E. C. / A. N. A magnitude 3.6 Catalonia had to be stopped by po- earthquake, with its epicentre 12 lice after driving four kilometres in kilometres underground close to the wrong direction on the AP-7 toll Alhama de Granada, was felt in road in Manilva in the early hours Malaga and across towns in the Pensioner accused of killing her of Saturday morning. Axarquía at 12.07pm on Wednes- According to the toll operator, day afternoon with reports to the husband cannot recall the incident the driver turned around, saying he emergency services of a “huge couldn’t pay the 1.95 euros. He tested jolt” in Torrox. No damage has negative for alcohol and drugs. been recorded. :: ÁLVARO FRÍAS that he had been hit 14 times with MALAGA. The 85-year-old woman a crutch, the pensioner stated that from Rincón de la Victoria, accused she didn’t remember the day’s of killing her husband by hitting him events very well and that if she had over the head with a crutch in July done it, she couldn’t remember it. 2015, denied ever doing so to the The victim, then 82 and recently jury on Monday. “I never hit him diagnosed with terminal cancer, had with the crutch,” she said. serious mobility issues and the However, when the public prose- prosecution believes that his wife cution continued to stress the fact took advantage of that. The accused in court. :: SUR 6 May 19th to 25th 2017 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH The rail link to reduce travelling time between Malaga and Seville has now been approved
Approval of the environmental impact Options proposed for the Almodóvar del Río ‘bypass’ study has opened the way for the contract to Present AVE lines Cordoba be put to tender in 2018 Options A and C to link the Madrid-Cordoba-Seville and Cordoba-Malaga lines :: IGNACIO LILLO Conventional line MALAGA. The ‘bypass’ around Almodóvar del Río (Cordoba), the cheap solution to reduce the trav- elling time on the AVE high-speed La Breña reservoir trains between Malaga and Seville, has now been given the green light Enlarged from an environmental point of Almodóvar Encinarejo de area 1.9 km. view. It is considerably cheaper del Río Cordoba than the line which was started by A the Junta de Andalucía and has now Cordoba been abandoned. A declaration of environmental Posadas impact (DIA) for the project has C just been published by the govern- 5.5 km. ment, and it supports ‘Alternative Seville A’, which has been the favourite Guadalcázar since the process began at the end of 2015. This solution will cost about 23.2 Antequera million euros (32 million includ- The option selected ing the compulsory purchase of Malaga land), but will shorten the jour- The route which has now been chosen has been the fa- ney between the two cities by at Peñalosa least 20 minutes, to one hour 35 vourite from the start of the minutes. process The contract can now be put to tender, and this will probably be done next year, as Spanish prime Wildlife minister Mariano Rajoy indicated The environmental The land affected by the projected recently. bypass is used for cultivation, with Hotels collect signatures to The document explains that the report supports herbaceous and woody vegetation, alternative which has been selected Alternative A, which was and the wildlife species in that area demand the coastal railway as the most favourable solution in- are mainly steppe birds, hares, rab- volves a new single-direction, elec- always the favourite bits and field mice. trified, international-width line, The environmental study indi- :: MÓNICA PÉREZ bella, one of the first to partici- approximately 1.9 kms in length, cated that this area is supposed to MARBELLA The hotel sector on pate in the petition, says guests with a maximum speed of 100 be associated with the presence of the Costa del Sol says the area frequently comment on the fact km/h. works will be necessary, and that black vultures, but there was no cannot afford to wait any longer that a tourist destination such as It will start at kilometre point in turn will minimise the impact sign of this being the case, nor did for the railway line to be ex- the Costa del Sol does not have 363.239 on the high-speed Madrid- during the works phase,” says the the environmentalists detect any tended to Marbella and Estepona, better infrastructure, with no Seville line and connect with the study. presence of lynxes or imperial ea- and a petition has been organ- railway service west of Fuengi- Cordoba-Malaga line at kilometre Also, although with alternative gles in the area in question. ised to demand that the project rola and roads which become very point 5.270. C (the other finalist) the impacts As a result of the study, the min- be put into immediate effect. congested, especially in the sum- The plans also include a straight- of the project would be minimised ister for the Environment has now The petition is already avail- mer months. ening of one kilometre of the by using a viaduct to cross the Gua- decreed that the project for the able in local hotels for clients to Other sectors are also backing Alcázar de San Juan-Cadiz line (on dalquivir river, with alternative A high-speed railway line to bypass sign, and it will be presented to the demand for the long-awaited the conventional rail network), the railway line passes further Almodóvar del Rio is viable, be- the government when at least railway line to be extended as which runs parallel to the Madrid- away and does not cross any pro- cause there is no visible indication half a million signatures have soon as possible, including busi- Seville line. tected land, so there should be no of any significant adverse impacts been collected. ness associations, tourism com- “Alternative A is shorter, which impact at all on conservation ar- on the area associated with the so- Fernando Al Farkh, manager panies and community groups means that fewer earth movement eas. called Alternative A. of Los Monteros hotel in Mar- such as Rotary Clubs. May 19th to 25th 2017 SUR IN ENGLISH 7 8 May 19th to 25th 2017 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH Shock and disappointment in Malaga as Antonio Banderas pulls out of flagship cultural project
The Malaga actor was QUOTES FROM stung by the criticism over BANDERAS’ LETTER his ideas with architect Original motives. “For a long José Seguí for the Astoria time I’ve been thinking about cinema site and plans for launching a cultural project in Malaga. This city is where I was its future are now in chaos born, where I studied Dramatic Arts and where I started in the :: SUR theatre, some 40 years ago.” “I MALAGA. It seemed a perfect mar- never thought that this project riage. The mayor of Malaga, Francisco was a way for me to make money. de la Torre, had been given a winning What I’ve earned ... has been out- idea for a building on the forever-con- side my homeland, fighting every- troversial site of the old Astoria and day in one of the most competitive Victoria cinemas in the city centre, places on earth, living in hotels, in and Antonio Banderas finally had an airports, missing my kids growing outlet for his dream of giving the city up. I was coming here to spend it.” of his birth a major cultural centre. However the dream very quickly On pulling out. “The chorus turned sour this week, when the fa- of voices that started against our mous Hollywood actor, who has re- project, inside and outside local cently been spending a lot of time in politics, which didn’t just criticise Malaga, wrote a public letter in the it, but entered into sarcasm, tak- daily Spanish SUR withdrawing his ing the mickey and, why not say involvement in the iconic project. it, nastiness, made me start to It came after some oppositionon wonder if it was really worth risk- councillors had unsuccessfully tried ing so much.” “Thank you to to get the public competition he had those who understand, apologies won for the scheme cancelledd aandnd to those who don’t.” a storm of social media innuendouendo SeguíSegu (left), Banderas and García (behind) with the mayor. :: S. SALAS about unsubstantiated irregu-regu- larities and fraud. ThThe project focused on a ing to suggest that there should be The site of the old Astoriatoria venuvenue for stage arts, includ- no second-round open competition down for being too high. cinema has been a long-stand-tand- ing ttheatre, dance and mu- at all, so favouring Banderas. The vacillations of the council- ing thorn in the sidede of sic, in a mostly well-received, He then changed the message to lors and a small but vociferous so- Malaga’s mayor. The build-uild- modernistmode design that some say that if there were to be one, it cial media campaign against the ings, on the south-eastt side socisocialal media users nicknamed would be wise to choose people to plan have made the actor think of the city’s historic Plazaza de ‘the gglass microwave’. How- build and run the site with “inter- again, to the shock and disappoint- la Merced, near Picasso’s birth- everever, despite the euphoria, national stature”. ment of the city. place, have been empty andnd ne- probproblemsl were already begin- This was perceived by many op- People came to the defence of glected since 2004. In 20100 the nining.Theng.T competition was non- position councillors, most of whom the project, unable to understand council bought them for 21 millionmillion bindinbinding, in that the winner had supported the Banderas project, as how the city “had wasted the op- euros with a view to creating a new The Astoria site on Plaza the opoption to bid to go on and build unfair bias in favour of the actor in portunity”. But the decision has cultural space. de la Merced. :: N.SALAS and managem the project on a conces- an open contest, some calling it been taken, as Banderas stated Last year, a public competition wass sionarysi basis. Seguí and Banderas “banderismo”. week. finally announced for an initial de- showed enthusiasm about going As the plans were two storeys The actor says he will look for sign concept for the site. people’sple’s delight it was a scheme by ahead in a further open competition. higher than regulations permitted, another way to give Malaga a cul- Over seventy entries were submit- architect José SíiSeguí with the support there was also some unhappiness tural legacy, but from the private ted and the judging panel reviewed of Antonio Banderas and Sandra Controversy grows that the scheme was getting atten- sector, and the mayor will now have them anonymously. When the win- García-Sanjuan, who is behind Mar- Malaga’s mayor, Francisco de la tion when other ideas for the site to look for other ideas for this eter- ner’s envelope was opened, to most bella’s Starlite festival. Torre, courted controversy by seem- in previous years had been turned nally controversial site.
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to irregularities in the concession of the licence awarded for the construc- Court to investigate allegations of criminal tion of the racecourse due to the clas- sification of the land in question. The secretary’s report, which used activity in Mijas racecourse management expressions such as “flagrant illegali- ties” said that the racecourse was “rented to the town hall”. In other words, according to the report, the A Mijas councillor reported local authority ended up paying the the case after the management an annual fee to have the use of a facility that it really municipal secretary spoke owned. of “flagrant illegalities” at The allegations point to 17 indi- the racecourse viduals, among them three former mayors, Agustín Moreno, Antonio Maldonado and Ángel Nozal. :: IVÁN GELIBTER Meanwhile, as the court investi- MIJAS. The management of the Mi- gates possible illegalities, on Wednes- jas racecourse, the Hipódromo de la day Mijas town hall held a meeting Costa del Sol, has come under fur- of its own committee set up to in- ther scrutiny this week after the vestigate the racecourse. The mem- public prosecutor sent allegations bers, who stressed that their com- of criminal offences to a court for mittee is not a court and simply aims investigation. to shed light on the racecourse’s After studying a report filed in situation, agreed to invite Agustín February by Costa del Sol Sí Puede Moreno and Antonio Maldonado, as (CSSP, a Podemos-supported group) Wednesday’s special commission meeting in Mijas. :: I. GELIBTER well as the former and current sec- councillor, Francisco Martínez, the retaries, to assist their inquiry. Their prosecution has found sufficient evi- said judicial sources. In his allega- allegedly illegal activity in connec- other activities carried out by the findings would then be passed on to dence to pass the case on to a court tions Martínez stated that he had re- tion with the management. council-owned firm Recursos Turís- the relevant authority, stated their to investigate possible cases of “fraud, ceived a report from the municipal The report refers,a mong other ticos Mijas, involving municipal land. president, planning councillor, An- embezzlement and corrupt practice”, secretary which spoke of a series of points, to the increase of capital and The secretary’s report also referred drés Ruiz. 10 May 19th to 25th 2017 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH Former boss of Puerto Marina ‘paid Scandal over suspicious Mijas himself extra 600 euros a month’ property auctions widens :: IVÁN GELIBTER cil has no accurate inventory of the MIJAS. Irregular property auc- properties it owns. “This munici- Investigator says that ex- tions carried out by officials at Mi- pality has made a real mess of this,” councillor Francisco Salido jas council could have started 37 he continued. years ago, say investigators. The case of ‘express auctions’ in ordered staff at the town- The town hall commission set Mijas came to light almost a year hall-owned port and that up to look into ‘express auctions’, ago. Former PP mayor, Ángel Nozal, the former mayor, who he led by Podemos’s local councillor, and his councillor for Finance, Mario Francisco Martínez, has asked for Bravo, are being investigated over supported in coalition, files going back to 1980. the auction of property at below approved the illegal action “We have serious suspicions that market rates without following the so-called ‘express auction’ case proper timescales. The council was :: ALBERTO GÓMEZ is just one part of the story,” said selling the properties it had gained BENALMÁDENA. An investigat- the councillor. He added that he be- from people that owed it local taxes. ing judge has said that there is a case lieves that properties bought by the The investigation alleges that the to answer against former councillors council for “the people of Mijas” two men had professional involve- in Benalmádena for sanctioning ille- were given to others to use. ment in the property sector that gal payments to the ex-boss of Puerto The problem arises as the coun- could have influenced the sales. Marina, which the council owns. According to court papers, in July 2011, former councillor of the Unión Centro Benalmádena party (UCB) Work starts on hind. The Diputación provincial and deputy mayor, Francisco Salido, Head of the Benalmádena port authorised his own expenses. :: FOTOLIA authority is funding the work. ordered that he should be paid 600 hiking path to join The path, which will also allow euros expenses a month by the mu- The document goes on by explain- have overseen the decision. bikes and horses on some of the nicipal company that runs the ing that eighteen months later, in García had entered into coalition Torremolinos route, will be called ‘Camino del Puerto Marina port, a company that December 2012, a board meeting of with Salido’s UCB to force out the beach with the Agua’ - the water route. It aims to he was also in charge of. the Puerto Marina company alleg- ruling PSOE party about the time the link the Diputación’s Senda Litoral The investigator’s report says that edly waved through approval for ‘irregular’ extra payments to him were mountains (long-distance coastal path) with he had no right to do this as the de- the payments that Salido was mak- approved by the Puerto Marina board. the Gran Senda, a circular route cision was made without the agree- ing to himself. It claims that the A PSOE councillor on the port’s through Malaga province. ment of the shareholders of the mu- mayor of Benalmádena at the time, board at the time said in the 2012 :: ALBERTO GÓMEZ The cross-town route will be fin- nicipal company and came on top Paloma García Gálvez, of the PP meeting that it was “totally illegal” TORREMOLINOS. Work has ished in June and the whole hike of the 44,500 euros a month he al- party, committed an offence by al- to ratify the payment. started on opening up an 11-kilo- into the hills will take about four ready earned as deputy mayor and lowing the payment to be approved García has said that she is “calm” metre-long path stretching from and a half hours to complete. another 210 euros a month he al- retrospectively by the board, when about the situation, claiming it was Torremolinos’ seafront through the An outdoor exhibition in Plaza ready claimed in expenses. a full shareholders meeting should an administrative confusion. town and into the mountains be- Costa del Sol explains the project. May 19th to 25th 2017 SUR IN ENGLISH 11 12 May 19th to 25th 2017 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH
Cudeca launches second furniture outlet in Arroyo de la Miel
The shop sells The official opening of the shop, for furniture and household appli- second hand furniture, which is in Calle Sierramar in Ar- ances that cannot be transported by royo de la Miel, was attended by sev- the donator. The shop also offers a DVDs, books and eral officials from Benalmádena delivery service of items purchased decorative items town hall, including Ana Scherman, in the new store. The delivery price councillor for foreign residents, and ranges from 15 to 30 euros depend- :: TONY BRYANT Irene Díaz, councillor for social wel- ing on the amount spent. BENALMÁDENA. The Cudeca Can- fare. Also present were Joan Hunt, Those wishing to make use of the cer Care Hospice opened its second founder of Cudeca, and Rafael Olalla, collection service can call 670 211 charity furniture shop in financial director. 028, or arrange collection by email Benalmádena last week. The new The shop will sell second hand at [email protected] store, which is situated next to an furniture, CDS and DVDs, books The shop is open from Monday The new offices are situated in Plaza Andalucía. :: TONY BRYANT existing Cudeca shop, will be the and decorative items. to Friday from 10am until 1.30pm, third in Arroyo de la Miel, bringing Cudeca is happy to receive good and 5.30pm until 8.30pm. It will the total of Cudeca shops to 19 in quality furniture and has recently also open on Saturday morning from the province of Malaga. set up a special collection system 10am and 1pm. Foreign residents can seek information and advice from new office in Torremolinos
:: T. BRYANT identification number (NIE), the TORREMOLINOS. TTorremoli- processing of an opening licence nos town hall has recently opened for a new business, as well as in- a new foreign residents’ office in formation concerning taxes and the centre of the town. social security. Residents can also Previously, foreign residents request information concerning were able to use an office housed Spanish nationality, an option in the town hall building in El Cal- some British residents say they are vario, but the service has now been considering following the Brexit relocated to the tourist and cul- decision. tural offices in Plaza de Andalucía. Staff at the new office speak both The new office - which will be Spanish and English and there are open Monday to Friday, from 9am plans to expand the service into until 2.30pm - provides informa- other languages later in the year. tion and assistance to foreign resi- According to the official census data dents confronted with adminis- produced by the institute of statis- trative paperwork. tics of Andalucía (IEA), more than This service will include infor- 25 per cent of the population of Tor- mation about the local population remolinos is foreign, and more than census (padrón), documentation 13 per cent of foreign residents come The new Cudeca furniture store in Arroyo de la Miel offers a collection and delivery service. :: SUR and procedures for obtaining an from the United Kingdom. May 19th to 25th 2017 SUR IN ENGLISH 13 14 May 19th to 25th 2017 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH Residents ask mayor to HERE AND THERE First ‘Stroll with a Hat’ put wider breakwaters is a success in Marbella MARBELLA back to save beach :: .N.C. Over 70 people took part in Marbella’s first ‘Stroll with a Hat’ event last Sunday. Wear- ing their finest headgear, a group A Facebook group has tempts to put the sand back have of hat lovers met to parade attracted a lot of support not been very successful. around the centre. The idea The Espigones Transitables para came from hat-designer Estibal- for rebuilding pedestrian- Marbella - walkable breakwaters tiz Díaz de Durana and is based access groynes on for Marbella - group has been set up on New York’s Easter parades. Marbella’s La Fontanilla and coordinated via Facebook, aim- A similar event has been run- ing to ask the council to build wide ning in Barcelona for 13 years beach last seen in 1991 breakwaters with footpaths and and this year attracted 2,000 seats on, similar to those that ex- people. :: NIEVES CASTRO isted on the town’s shores from the MARBELLA. Residents in Marbella early 1970s to 1991. have joined forces to try to get the Supporters claim that the sub- mayor to agree to construct break- stantial structures were excellent waters on La Fontanilla beach simi- at collecting and trapping sand, as Old photograph of the breakwaters in the centre of Marbella. :: SUR lar to those the town had until 1991. old photographs show, as well as They say it would be the perfect way providing much-used public space. friends, fish or lie down and read a cials in Madrid to get more support to increase the amount of sand on Spokesperson for the group, book.” for building breakwaters and an ini- Marbella’s rapidly-eroding beaches. Miguel Lima said: “We don’t just The breakwaters were removed tial study is under way, however, The campaign comes after an- want our beaches back, we want as residual effluent used to accumu- for the moment, the 1970s-style other winter of heavy storms has those illuminated spaces with late there, in a time when more raw structures are not being considered. removed much of the sand from benches that went 150 to 200 me- waste used to enter the sea. With the work of the Facebook cam- beaches near the centre of the town, tres out to sea, from where you Two weeks ago, Marbella coun- paign, local residents hope to change Hats on parade. :: A.S. including La Fontanilla, and at- could look back to the coast, meet cilors met with government offi- the authorities’ minds.
Marbella will host an annual Malaga businessman Ironman event until 2021 named honorary consul MALAGA :: P. L. GÓMEZ. Malaga-born busi- :: HÉCTOR BARBOTTA of the some 2,000 contestants and nessman Manuel Molina has been MARBELLA. The mayor of Mar- their families. In addition there will named honorary consul of Spain bella, José Bernal, has unveiled more be a lot of extra publicity generated in Germany. details of the council’s agreement for Marbella. Born in Malaga in 1965, Mo- to host an Ironman trial every year The first event will be held on 29 lina moved to Frankfurt, where in the town until 2021. April next year and will consist of he took several senior manage- Announcing plans alongside a two-kilometre swim off Puerto ment positions. councillor for Sport, Blanca Fernán, Banús, a 90-kilometre bike race via He then moved to Dresden, Bernal said that each event will gen- Cártama and finally a 21-kilometre which is still the location of the erate 12.5 million euros for the re- road race around the streets of headquarters of the TSS Group. sort from the extra overnight stays Marbella. Big Data event returns to Malaga
MALAGA :: SUR. Scientists and engineers :: JOSELE-LANZA from Google, Microsoft and Twit- ter are among more than 400 par- ESTEPONA CELEBRATES SAN ISIDRO ticipants to take part in the inter- national ‘J On The Beach’ event, Estepona was one of several towns and villages across Malaga which has returned to Malaga. province that took part in festivals and processions this week in The event sees computer techo- honour of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. nology companies come together The procession through the streets of the town decorated with to discuss Big Data, data that is too flowers, ferns and palm leaves stopped at the various altars on large to be processed using tradi- display as poems were read out and doves released into the air. tional software. The Mayor of Marbella and councillor for Sport. :: JOSELE-LANZA May 19th to 25th 2017 15 SUR IN ENGLISH NEWS La Herradura boutique hotel Town hall considers IBI should be open in time for summer reductions in cleanup bid Vélez-Málaga councillors have Promoters of the new suggested proposals establishment, who also including higher fines, own La Caleta Bay hotel, community service and promise guests excellent a dog DNA register and personalised customer service :: AGUSTÍN PELÁEZ VÉLEZ-MÁLAGA. Vélez-Málaga :: JENNIE RHODES town hall has released details of LA HERRADURA. A new boutique a proposal aimed at cleaning up hotel, the Peña Parda Bay, named the town’s streets, which include after its predecessor, the Hostal Peña reductions in IBI (annual coun- Parda, as well as the beach on which cil tax) for residents who take it is located, is due to open its doors large items of household waste in time for the summer season. to recycling centres (punto limpio). Furniture left on the street. :: SUR The hotel will boast 18 en suite The five-point proposal comes rooms and two restaurants and will as the local council attempts to en- mayor, Marcelino Méndez-Trelles, provide “the services expected of a courage people not to leave un- IBI reductions could be between boutique category hotel, like per- Mayor Trinidad Herrera visited the site last Tuesday. :: SUR wanted items of household furni- 15 and 70 euros. Other measures sonalised service and excellent cus- ture on the roadside by rubbish include a dog DNA register to catch tomer service,” said promoter, Trinidad Herrera, Mayor of Al- and wealth to the town”. and recycling containers. The cur- dog faeces offenders as well as Manuel López. muñécar, to which La Herradura be- The Peña Parda Bay, which retains rent law states that items may be tighter fines and community serv- The La Caleta Bay Hotels group longs, said during a visit to the site the roof and columns of its prede- left on specific days, providing ice for residents who do not ad- already owns the La Caleta Bay bou- on Tuesday, that the hotels are im- cessor, will have an investment of cleaning company, Althenia, has here to the timings for throwing tique hotel, also in La Herradura. portant as they “bring employment almost three million euros. been advised. According to deputy out household waste.
Troublesome dolphins cause HERE AND THERE New hospital road 90 losses for fishing industry per cent completed
:: EFE phins wait until nets are full and VÉLEZ-MÁLAGA CALETA DE VÉLEZ. The fishing then help themselves to the catches, :: A. P. The new road connecting the industry in Caleta de Vélez asked leading to heavy financial losses for hospital in Torre del Mar and the for help on Wednesday in the fight an industry already in crisis. Fish- Juan Carlos I avenue is 90 per cent against an invasive species of dol- ermen have called for an investiga- complete and set to open soon, ac- phin, known as the Malayo, which tion into the species, with recom- cording to Diputación leader, Elías has proliferated in the area in recent mendations as to how to deal with Bendodo, and Vélez-Málaga coun- years. Fishermen claim that the dol- the problem. cillors, who visited the site last Fri- day. The road has been built to re- lieve traffic on the Avenida del Sol, the only exisiting access road. Residents complain over bridge closure :: SUR NERJA BRITISH RESIDENT’S BOOK DONATION :: E. C. Despite prior warning and public approval, the current clo- sure of the old bridge, one of Nerja’s Nerja resident, John Victor Day, originally from Leicester, re- main access points to the west of sponded to Nerja Museum’s call for donations by delivering 200 the town, has generated a high books on history and architecture earlier this week. Museum di- number of complaints by residents. rector, Juan Baptista Salada Escaño, said, “I was delighted when The bridge will be closed for ap- John came to the museum with his donation. The books are all proximately one month in order written by revered historians and archaeologists.” The museum to stabilise the structure, which hopes to open a library in early 2018. dates back to the 19th century. The Malayo dolphins are a threat to the fishing industry. :: EFE 16 May 19th to 25th 2017 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH American College in Spain becomes international centre for Florida-based university
The agreement signed by dents who enroll at ACS will be scholarships from American uni- the two institutions automatically enrolled at Broward versities after transferring. College, allowing them to trans- Armstrong also lauded the part- coincided with the fer directly to other universities nership between the two institu- Bendodo and García Urbano at the path’s opening. :: C. MÁRQUEZ second Broward College in the United States after complet- tions that will result in students World Conference that ing two years of a degree in Mar- “receiving the same American edu- bella. cation that is available in so many New stretch of coastal was held in Marbella Butler stated that this “is a very other countries around the world.” important agreement” for ACS as Ricardo López from Marbella :: SUR it gives them formal recognition town hall and Elías Bendodo, the path opened in Estepona MARBELLA. The president of as one of the many partners that president of Turismo Costa del Sol, Broward College in Florida, J. David Broward College has established both praised ACS for their work, Armstrong Jr, and the founder of relations with internationally, with the latter, who was unable to Another 400 metres addition means that five kilome- The American College in Spain many of whom attended this year’s attend the meeting, stating in a let- has been added to the tres of the town’s eastern coast- (ACS), Melissa Butler, signed an world conference. ter that this type of education “en- municipality’s 14 line is now connected continually agreement last Thursday that es- The founder of ACS also under- riches the cultural interchange that and highlighted that the area has tablished the Marbella-based in- lined the importance of the agree- characterises the south of Europe.” kilometres of pathway gained a green space, with the com- stitution as an International Trans- ment for young foreign athletes The world conference was also pany pledging to plant trees wher- fer Center of Broward College. who often come to Marbella to supported by Malaga town hall, :: CHARO MÁRQUEZ ever the terrain allows. The signing of the agreement, train, given that they will now whose mayor Francisco de la Torre ESTEPONA. The opening of a Provincial authority president, which coincided with the second have an opportunity to combine welcomed representatives from new 400-metre stretch of Este- Elias Bendodo, applauded the com- Broward College World Conference their training with studies for two the Florida-based university on pona’s coastal path on Friday pany’s help, saying: “Let’s hope in the town, now means that stu- years in Spain before applying for their cultural visit of the city. means that 60 per cent of the mu- that more private entities commit nicipality’s 23-kilometre-long to this fantastic project and take coastline is now connected. the burden off public administra- The new walkway, funded by tions.” a private company, which is build- The town hall has another 700 ing homes in the area, at a cost of metres of coastal path in the pipe- 400,000 euros, runs between the line, with construction of three Andalucía Beach and El Velerín new stretches (in Punta de la Plata, areas. from El Roquero to Punta Don- Mayor of Estepona, José María cella and from Hacienda Beach to García Urbano, said that the new La Chiminea) set to start soon.
of Avenida Juan Carlos I and Calle Roundabout to be África, a crossroads currently con- built to ease traffic trolled by traffic lights which, ac- cording to Infrastructure council- flow at known lor Ana Velasco, “slows the flow black spot of traffic”. The works will not be limited to the roundabout alone; public utilities will be renewed, while :: C. MÁRQUEZ the pavement will be widened and ESTEPONA. Construction is set garden areas will be planted. to begin on a new roundabout in A total of 38 businesses are vy- Estepona to help eliminate one of ing for the contract which has been the town’s road traffic black spots. put out to tender with a budget of Representatives of Broward College with the mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre. :: SUR It will be built at the junction 362,294 euros. May 19th to 25th 2017 SUR IN ENGLISH 17 18 May 19th to 25th 2017 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH
HERE AND THERE New hospital to get mains Campillos drinking water criticised the regional government power by year’s end for not fulfilling their duty to mod- supplied by tanker trucks ernise the piping system that sup- GUADALHORCE VALLEY plies the town with water, which :: F. JIMÉNEZ. The new Guadalhorce CAMPILLOS “has not worked properly for Valley hospital is set to get its long- :: F. TORRES. Campillos council years”. awaited connection to mains power has had to take extreme measures The provincial government has by the end of the year after the pro- to combat the town’s water short- set aside 600,000 euros to spend on vincial government agreed to pay age, calling upon tanker trucks to improving one kilometre of the pip- the 500,000 euros for the 1.7-kilo- deliver 75 tonnes of drinkable wa- ing, however this work will not be- metre-long power lines. ter to the town’s reservoirs, after gin until September, and therefore This will allow the hospital to the majority of the town went five it is expected that tanker trucks will fully open in 2018 after frequent days without supply this week. be employed to deliver drinking wa- power cuts have blighted service Mayor Francisco Guerrero has ter to Campillos until autumn. One of the tanker trucks that brought water on Tuesday. :: F. TORRES since its partial opening in June 2016. Yet more traffic confusion at More than 400 artefacts stolen from private collection Malaga airport’s drop off zone about to be made a museum
Further changes to the The Felguera family’s tion for everyone. drop off zone outside quest to share their However, as Baltasar Felguera told SUR: “Someone, on 22 April, departures at Malaga private collection has took advantage of the windy con- airport brought lengthy been setback by the ditions to break into the museum traffic queues around theft of hundreds of and take priceless items.” Specifically, a collection of 300 terminal three on Tuesday “priceless items” coins from several periods, plus around a hundred other items in- :: IGNACIO LILLO ::FERNANDO TORRES cluding vases and a Visigothic clasp, MALAGA. Aena, the Spanish air- CAMPILLOS. The Guardia Civil preserved in its entirety. port authority, have set out five new are investigating the theft of The crime was reported to both entrances for vehicles to access the more than 400 historical arte- the Local Police and the Guardia ‘express’ car park at Malaga airport, facts from a pri- Civil and it is the which is located outside terminals vate collection latter that is lead- two and three, after finalising the Queues at the entrance of the ‘express’ car park on Tuesday. :: SUR in Campillos. ing the investi- work to the road outside departures. For three gation which, for However, rather than alleviating stay, which has been a cause of con- However, the new system has re- years the Fel- the time being, congestion, as was intended, the fusion for some, and has meant that ceived a lot of criticism, most nota- guera family has not led to change caused extended queues the new changes have led to more bly from many car hire companies have been prepar- any arrests. which reached such a length that se- disruption. whose customers are forced to use ing to open the “We’ve also curity eventually lifted the barriers Aena reiterates that the new sys- this system too. Félix Pinar, presi- Campillos Museo warned other at the car park’s entrance completely. tem has been designed to comple- dent of the association of car hire del Coleccionista. museums, as The express car park was origi- ment the reorganisation of all the businesses in Andalucía, described In fact, Idefonso well as other as- nally created to facilitate the drop- roads surrounding the airport’s ter- the queues on Tuesday as “worry- Felguera had dedi- sociations in ping off process with 300 parking minals, after last summer saw fre- ing”, considering it was only a week cated his life to the area, to be spaces, where drivers can park for quent tailbacks. The authority also day, which does not bode well for the bringing together on guard,” he free, for up to 15 minutes. There are insists that the system, similar to high season. “Our clients were ring- pieces from the said. five entrances and seven exits to the those employed at Alicante and Bil- ing us worried that they would miss Visigothic period Because of car park which were installed in or- bao airports, overall makes the drop- their flight and so just left the cars to the start of the the setback, der to avoid jams like the one seen ping off process easier, and accept anywhere they could. This situation 20th century and the family has on Tuesday. However, if drivers stay that the barriers may have to be lifted is unheard of for an airport like was ready to share called off the longer than 15 minutes, they have occasionally, like they were on Tues- Malaga’s, we are creating a very bad his collection in what would be a opening which was scheduled for to pay for the full duration of their day, when there is heavy traffic flow. impression,” he complained. “free and altruistic” tourist attrac- August. May 19th to 25th 2017 SUR IN ENGLISH 19 20 May 19th to 25th 2017 NEWS SPAIN SUR IN ENGLISH
IN BRIEF FINAL STRAIGHT IN RACE TO BE Six fired for ‘refusing to NEXT LEADER OF wear miniskirt at work’ THE PSOE SEVILLE :: SUR. Six women have been forced to leave their jobs after re- This Sunday, 21 May, sees the fusing to wear a new uniform. primary elections for the new The workers at the petrol sta- leader of the PSOE socialist tion in La Carlota, near Cordoba, party. Party members will had been asked by the owners to choose between three candi- wear a miniskirt as part of the fresh dates for the position, which look. The managers said that the has been vacant since last Oc- women could wear leggings un- tober. A conference in June will der the skirt if they wanted to. ratify the decision. Taking part Bosses at the AVIA network of in a leadership debate this filling stations, which this station week were Susana Díaz, presi- is a member of, have launched an dent of the Junta de Andalucía, investigation, saying its formal Patxi López, former speaker in uniform doesn’t include a skirt. parliament and Pedro Sánchez, The Junta de Andalucía is pro- former party leader. Díaz and viding advice to those affected. Sánchez are the two favourite candidates with opposed vi- sions of the party’s future. :: EFE Spain counts the cost of last week’s cyber attacks on ‘key strategic’ organisations
No official details were companies in strategic industries The government announced on The new uniform. :: EFE released of the companies thought to have been hit. Tuesday that it had no official sta- affected, however While the government refused tistics to indicate the scale of the at- to release the names of those com- tack with stronger strains like type Catalonian history Telefónica’s main office panies for fear of another attack B, and neither did it have the solu- textbooks questioned was among those hit by against them, sources believed that tion to retrieve all the locked data power stations and firms involved belonging to businesses across the the global computer virus with public transport and commu- country. MADRID nication suffered the most damage Telefónica’s head of security, :: SUR. Spain’s education secre- :: SUR from the hackers. These had failed Chema Alonso, said that “all was tary, Marcial Marín, has asked MALAGA. Last week’s global cyber to install an anti-virus software under control” and the scale of the education inspectors “for a com- attack saw the WannaCrypt ransom- ‘patch’ made available by Microsoft infection at the company had been plete report” into whether some ware virus make its way into several in March for “bureaucratic reasons”. more of a media invention than school textbooks in Catalonia strategically important companies Incibe, the national institute of reality. break current rules. Spain’s dif- in Spain, including main telecom- cyber security, identified just un- Telefónica’s Madrid HQ. :: EFE Reports suggested that the attack ferent regions are responsible munications provider, Telefónica. der 1,200 computers that have been may have been carried out by a for approving course materials The Spanish government ac- attacked nationally by the less agres- nies in Spain pointed out that the criminal group with links to North used in schools, causing incon- knowledged that the damage caused sive ‘A’ variant of the WannaCrypt stronger ‘B’ strain of the virus doesn’t Korea. The virus, which also hit sistency. Recently academics by the malicious software, which virus. This was the variant that a 22- have an easy way to deactivate it many organisations worldwide, in- have expressed concern that the targets computers that use out-of- year-old computer expert from the and this is the strain that was be- cluding Britain’s NHS, blocks users’ version of Catalonian history date versions of Microsoft Win- UK was able to stop spreading fur- lieved to have infected computers computers and hijacks their files, being taught in the region is dows, affected more firms than ini- ther last weekend. at Telefónica’s large head office com- demanding payment to unblock “excessively nationalistic”. tially expected, with around ten However cyber security compa- plex in Madrid. them. May 19th to 25th 2017 21 SUR IN ENGLISH BREXIT NEWS
rexit shows how politics BREXIT the UK recreates every supervi- Much could depend on what often battles with eco- MIK sory regime that removes barriers this week’s manifestos say exactly nomics and the law over WOOLLEY VIEW across goods and services, and even but also on who the voters are. The B having the last word. beyond the EU. Regulations (in- winning party will not be relying The British government’s decision stead of Acts) require less work but solely on its traditional support to trigger Article 50 was politically Constitutional law limits their use. and that means it will have to expedient, but the courts had to BALANCE Thus, keeping most current EU manage conflicting priorities. tell them to share that with Parlia- law will allow more legislative More importantly, while poli- ment. That started a process which election promises to be fulfilled. tics is the art of influencing peo- puts technicalities and defending OF POWER The benefits of that should out- ple, people’s choices are not always the interests of the remaining weigh the costs given that power rational. That is an eventuality that members first. Trade comes sec- relies on having the capacity to de- economics and the law are better ond, and what the UK buys from have to accommodate that. These losing its political cover of being liver, so there are consequences if designed to deal with, and it is them is worth just 3% of their were referendum battlegrounds able to blame the EU for a bad deal policy is stalled, especially if eco- when they can help politics out. combined GDP. and voters have only been sporadi- given it could remain instead. nomic conditions also impact on That balanced (if not harmonious) When it comes to the law, it has cally softened up to make these Putting all other politics to one spending commitments (and relationship between the three long been clear that the EU27 options more acceptable. side, the reality is that Brexit will household incomes). While a gov- will be needed a lot over the course would stick to the treaties, espe- None of this would matter if the happen and it will require the ernment majority after June of Brexit, instead of just more cially the four indivisible free- European Court ends up ruling original UK lines on our future EU should get the EU withdrawal fighting talk. doms. When it comes to econom- that the UK can withdraw its with- relationship to become less red. agreement through Parliament, ics, Britain’s exports will need to drawal without permission from This would not only help the econ- without a people’s vote, it will The writer is a former EU policy remain subject to EU regulations, the rest of the EU, but that would omy. After the Great Repeal Bill matter less in 2022 once the UK advisor to the UK Government just as key sectors will continue to create obvious different risks for changing EU legislation could has done the deal and more focus is and also chaired the EU use migrants. Politics is going to the UK government. These include completely occupy Parliament if back on Westminster. Employment Committee.
How will the general election result affect the prospects of Britons living in EU member states?
:: RACHAEL BREAKS MALAGA. Each of the UK’s major political parties released their mani- festos this week, ahead of the gen- eral election on 8 June. No party has outlined a clear-cut strategy for guar- anteeing the rights of UK nationals residing in EU countries in their mani- festo. However the Brexit deal each party promises to fight for varies sig- nificantly, and each version could af- fect Britons living abroad differently. Labour’s manifesto does promise to “secure rights for UK citizens who have chosen to make their lives in EU countries,” but does not explain how. The Conservatives have refused to accept ‘free movement’ of EU citi- zens into post-Brexit Britain, which potentially makes expatriates’ futures in EU countries less certain, as many political commentators expect the EU to retaliate. However, in her let- ter to Donald Tusk, Theresa May did say “there are many UK citizens liv- ing elsewhere in the European Un- ion, and we should aim to strike an early agreement about their rights.” In stark contrast, Tim Farron has stated that the LibDems are focus- ing on the possibility of not leav- ing the EU at all, which if realised, would of course remove any uncer- tainty surrounding the futures of Britons living abroad.
Farron speaking this week. :: SUR 22 FOCUS ON FINANCE May 19th to 25th 2017 NEWS SUR IN ENGLISH
‘Plusvalía’ tax should not be MARK THE EURO NAYLER ZONE charged if a property loses value [email protected]
The Constitutional Court A TOUGH SELL has decided that the law needs to be changed to stop councils applying pain’s recently unveiled from a crisis-high of 26% in 2013, this land added-value tax proposals for deeper inte- Spain’s jobless rate is still the sec- whenever a gration within the euro- ond highest in the EU (after Szone highlight one of the Greece), at 18%. Inevitably, if the property changes hands 19-member bloc’s fundamental eurozone’s most affluent mem- problems - namely, that its most bers paid into a mutual insurance :: NURIA TRIGUERO wealthy countries resent subsi- scheme used to support the EU’s MALAGA. The Constitutional dising the poorer ones. In a paper unemployed, most of the funds Court has finally issued its anx- submitted to the EU in February, would be directed abroad - a fact iously-awaited ruling about the but only released by the Spanish which makes the proposal a ‘plusvalía’ tax, applied by all coun- ministry of economy this week, tough sell for Rajoy’s govern- cils in Spain, finding in favour of the Mariano Rajoy’s conservative ment, to say the least. taxpayer: it says it is unconstitu- government argues for a common Spain must also bear in mind tional for the tax, based on hypo- banking union, a shared unem- that greater integration within thetical changes in land value, to be ployment scheme and mutual- the eurozone works both ways. It charged where a property is sold for ised debt among countries that can only reasonably expect in- less than it was purchased. use the single currency. The creased financial support from The court decision, which was document reveals that Spain is Brussels - because that is essen- unanimous, has opened the way for calling for more eurozone inte- tially what it’s asking for - if it an avalanche of similar claims by gration than both France and Ger- makes greater efforts to meet the people who have had to pay this tax many - the two countries likely EU’s fiscal targets, especially its in the past four years. Thousands of people will now be able to claim a refund. :: SUR to put up the most resistance to budgetary targets. And question- The decision is dated 11 May and its request for greater financial able as these are (is it really a it refers to a case lodged in Jerez in support from Brussels. good idea to impose a 3% deficit September last year, by a developer New French president Em- limit on all EU countries, regard- who bought land in 2003 to build manuel Macron has already in- less of the varying strength of 73 houses. The project ran into dif- Around 35,000 in the province dicated that he is against debt their economies?), Rajoy’s gov- ficulties and Unicaja repossessed mutualisation - presumably ernment has a woeful track re- the properties, judging them to be will be entitled to a refund with countries like Italy (debt: cord here, having failed to meet worth 50 per cent of their original 132% of GDP) and Greece (debt: Brussels’ deficit-reduction goals value. Nevertheless, Jerez council 177% of GDP) in mind more every year it’s been in office. still charged the developer ‘plus- :: N. TRIGUERO to the court decision, and how than Spain, whose 99% debt-to- The wider context of Spain’s valía’ land added-value tax on the MALAGA About 35,000 people should people apply for a refund GDP is only three per cent appeal for economic reform transaction. in Malaga province will be enti- if they believe they should not higher than France’s 96%. Ger- within the EU is, of course, the Upon hearing the court decision, tled to claim a refund of ‘plusvalía’ have been charged this tax on a many has also repeatedly de- very future of the soon-to-be 27- the minister for Finance, Cristóbal tax, according to an estimate by property transaction? Joaquín clared itself in opposition to a member bloc itself. Few would Montoro, said that the court deci- the Tinsa valuation company. López Avellaneda, a lawyer with similar notion of joint Euro- (or should) doubt that the EU sion had come “at an interesting Nationally, Tinsa believes the Cuatrecasas, says that is a major bonds - EU debt vehicles that project needs seriously rethink- time,” because the government is tax has been wrongly charged on question. would result in shared liabilities ing and restructuring, and indeed already looking into council financ- about 550,000 property transac- “In all probability, councils will among eurozone members. Spain’s ability to influence re- ing, and that the cancellation of this tions, and points out that these probably continue to charge ‘plus- You can well imagine, then, form will be strengthened by its tax in certain cases is “an opportu- are not just sales: the court deci- valía’ tax right up to the moment what these two countries will importance in the upcoming nity to improve the taxation sys- sion also applies to gifts, ex- when the law is actually changed. make of Spain’s suggestion of a Brexit negotiations. The great tem.” However, the Hacienda tax changes and inheritance. If that is the case, and people are common unemployment insur- question for a post Brexit Europe, authority is unlikely to be enthu- Malaga will be the fourth prov- told they have to pay land added- ance scheme. As of December last though, is whether the deeper siastic about the change, because it ince in which the court decision vale tax on a property transac- year, France’s unemployment fiscal integration proposed by will mean lower income for coun- will have the most impact, after tion, they should do so and then was at 10% and Germany’s was at Spain will strengthen it or de- cils and will therefore affect their Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante. claim it back when the law is in just 3%. Although much reduced stroy it altogether. budgets. How will town halls respond force,” he says. May 19th to 25th 2017 23 SUR IN ENGLISH GIBRALTAR NEWS
Cybersecurity conference to take IN BRIEF place on Sunborn on 13 June
This is the first conference of its type in Gibraltar and it promises to be of interest to everybody, even those with little experience Happy after a successful rescue. :: SUR :: DEBBIE BARTLETT GIBRALTAR. The timing is coinci- Young man rescued the Europa Point promenade. The dental, but after last week’s Wan- youth, who was unhurt, was low- nacry ransomware caused havoc from Europa Point ered together with a fire fighter with computer systems of major to the area below and was none companies and institutions around GIBRALTAR the worse for his ordeal. the world, including parts of the :: D. BARTLETT Officers from the However, the Fire and Rescue British NHS, cybersecurity is very Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service Service is advising people to be much on many people’s minds right were called to assist a young man very cautious at all times when now. who got stuck while climbing venturing around Gibraltar. Gibraltar’s first Cyber Security down Europa Point on Tuesday “Climbing or descending cliffs is Summit will be taking place on June evening. extremely dangerous and could 13 on the Sunborn floating hotel, Several members of the rescue have very serious consequences,” and is organised in association with team were deployed, and a rope they said in a statement after Tues- the Royal Gibraltar Police. The event rescue rig was set up at the top of day’s incident. will include a wide range of special- ist speakers from public and private Festival of Flavours at Royal Anglian Regiment cybersecurity organisations as well The Sunborn is the venue for the Cyber Security Day. :: SUNBORN HOTELS as government and police represen- Ocean Village parade on Saturday tatives, along with the National strations, advice, best practice so- as family protection. Crime Agency, FBI, GCHQ and Eu- lutions, dark web, and a series of ex- This promises to be a colourful GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR ropol. Renowned cyber security ex- hibition stands from specialist com- 21st century event to provide ad- :: D.B. A must for food lovers: :: D.B. The Royal Anglian Regi- perts such as Dr Danny Dresner, Rik panies, lunch, refreshments, cock- vice and warnings about cyber se- Ocean Village is preparing a two- ment, which was granted the Hon- Ferguson, Jenny Radcliffe and Rich- tails and entertainment. curity threats, in a way which is day gastronomy festival this week- orary Freedom of the City of Gi- ard de Vere will also be taking part, Some of the subjects that will easily understood. It will be invalu- end, 20 and 21 May, and ten local braltar in November 2016, will be together with many others. be featured include devices and able for businesses, organisations restaurants will be taking part by exercising that freedom by march- This is not just a conference for mobiles, from phones to drones, of different types and individuals demonstrating how to cook their ing up Main Street on Saturday the technically competent: cyber se- social media and apps, human na- who use the internet or even just signature dishes. There will also morning. Before doing so, they curity concerns virtually anybody in ture, staff vulnerabilities, protect- have an email account. be stalls along the promenade sell- will be inspected by Her Worship business as well as individuals who ing personal and business reputa- Full details including ticket prices ing delicious goodies. The festival the Mayor, Kaiane Aldorino Lopez want to avoid serious hacking, which tions, what you can do to protect are available on the organisers’ web- begins at 11.30am on both days, GMH in John Mackintosh Square. is reaching increasingly high levels. yourself, local and global issues, site: www.gibcyber.com and also marks the start of a two- The general public are invited to The day will consist of presenta- network protection, GDPR, busi- For further information please week Tapas Route. watch both events. tions, video shows, hack demon- ness continuity solutions, as well email: [email protected] 24 May 19th to 25th 2017 COMMENT SUR IN ENGLISH
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Water palaver We accept letters by email ([email protected]), post or fax, but they must include identification and a telephone PETER EDGERTON number, and be exclusive to SUR in English. We do not publish THERE IS A PRIZE FOR THE BEST MUSIC MAKER WWW.E-PETER.COM anonymous letters. Opinions expressed by contributors to this and other pages of SUR in English do not necessarily reflect CONTRIBUTION TO THIS PAGE those of the publishers. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publishers. SO PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR ADDRESS
few years back, the wa- The surprising thing is, the wa- because never has the maxim Treatment of the elderly ter was cut off for four ter bills went unpaid for a whole “You don’t miss the water until days in the flat I was year before the company finally the well runs dry” seemed so ut- Your articles regarding the treat- Ten months later (last month) A living in - a quite mis- turned the taps off. terly appropriate. When they cut ment of old people were most they refused, never a call, no ex- erable experience, compounded The woman on the other end the supply off, it means, for ex- interesting and especially that amination, no contact whatso- by the fact that none of it was in of the phone was very sympa- ample, that you can’t cook or the Junta de Andalucía is sym- ever, just ten months to reply. any way my fault. Well, blow me thetic and understanding. clean; but that’s enough of the pathetically involved. I feel that this is unreasonable down, if same thing didn’t hap- “I’m afraid you must have over- positive points, let’s get to the My partner is 84 years of age treatment by the Junta, espe- pen yesterday, but this time with looked changing the account to misery. You also can’t shower or and disabled by three strokes. cially in a health situation. one big difference - the suffering your name when you moved. It use the toilet or slurp water We applied to the Junta in was all self-inflicted. happens a lot.” straight from the kitchen tap like June 2016 for a disabled parking JAMES A. BINYON The pub has so many standing “Yes, I think you’re right - it’s blokes do when their wives aren’t permit. MIJAS PUEBLO orders and regular payments ping- my own fault. So, erm, how much home (or maybe that’s just me?). ing in and out (mostly out) of its is outstanding exactly?” Tomorrow, I’m off to the wa- corresponding bank account that I braced myself, wondering if ter company to try to sort it all Hospital thanks time but the support I got from there comes a point that it all be- I’d need to remortgage my house out and the very helpful woman everybody, family and friends comes a bit of a blur. Conse- to pay it all. insisted I should have my water I just came out of the Costa del was fantastic. Every morning I quently, the fact that I overlooked “Sixty four euros eighty six.” back on by three in the afternoon Sol hospital after being in for heard, “Hola Dolores”. Every setting up a standing order for the “I beg your pardon, madam. Are if I go nice and early. 12 days. morning they cheered me up; I water bill when I first changed you implying that I never One thing’s for sure - there I have had cancer since 2004 cannot tell you how good they apartment last year went com- shower?” won’t be much of a queue. I won’t THIS and am still fighting all were. pletely unnoticed. Add this to a (Well, I didn’t sat that last bit have showered for more than WEEK’S it. I have to say they Thank you all for all you did disastrous postal service round but I did wonder what she must thirty six hours by the time I get WINNING are fantastic. I have for me. I’m home now and feel these parts and you’ve the per- be thinking.) Still, it was the only there - a surefire guarantee that LETTER had great treatment. good thank God. I need to get fect storm. silver lining in the whole affair I’ll get the place to myself. The doctors and walking again now. I’ll start to- nurses are fantastic. day - the fight is on. Thank you I’m blessed to have been here so much. SANSÓN over the last 12 days. My kid- neys gave in and they worked DOLORES RAINSBURY on everything. It’s being a hard FUENGIROLA Our computer engineer has just installed the latest in cybersecurity
Above or below
HÉCTOR BARBOTTA
f it weren’t for the fact that such are guided by the law of markets irresponsible behaviour could rather than the idea of a public have caused a major tragedy, the service. It is at these times of year, I news this week of the man who when the old road is most con- drove four kilometres the wrong way gested and therefore most danger- down the motorway to avoid paying ous, that rather than encouraging but it doesn’t seem intimidated by the toll might give rise to humorous the use of the toll road, they are Spain, simply fond of it and politely reflections. I’m sure the incident really charging prohibitive tariffs. enthusiastic about its culture, gas- has more to do with the driver’s men- Coaches pay 34% more and cars and tronomy and monuments. tal health than the price of the AP-7 minibuses 65% more than at other The place with Spain, however, seems to ignore between Fuengirola and Manilva, but times of year. Road safety - for Portugal. When you hear someone something like this was waiting to those who can afford it. no weather in Spain talking about their closest happen on what becomes Spain’s dear- Meanwhile the rest pile on to neighbours, they’re more likely, in est toll road in the summer. the old ‘autovía’ with its 80 kph my experience, to be referring to The management of the AP-7 op- speed limit and many dangerous RACHEL HAYNES France, not Portugal. erates a very unusual tariff policy, junctions. The toll motorway only However the most annoying lack with the approval of a government slightly increases its volume of of recognition lies in the TV weather that believes that if a road of this traffic, while the management’s in- reports. The forecaster stands in front kind stops being profitable taxpay- come shoots up. What widens is pain’s Iberian neighbour plains why they eat lunch and din- of the map of the Iberian peninsula ers’ money can be used for the bail- the gap between those who can af- has shown that it can pro- ner earlier than their neighbours; with its entire coastline clearly out. The State has not yet done this ford to drive above and those forced duce more than tanned and they don’t dub every film and marked out. with the AP-7 because it is the driv- to stay below. A disaster as far as S footballers this week. Yes, TV show imported from abroad. This However viewers find that the ers who are saving the infrastruc- road safety is concerned, but an ex- Portugal finally added a Eurovision original version watching must weather stops south of Galicia and ture every summer and Easter. The cellent metaphor for the social ho- Song Contest win to its achieve- surely improve the Portuguese peo- west of Extremadura and Andalucía. toll hikes show how their criteria rizon we are heading towards. ments, reminding the rest of Europe ple’s understanding and pronuncia- Would it really be that difficult for that part of this peninsula we now tion of English. Academics must them to add a couple more rain call home is not Spain and was cer- have studied this with graphs and clouds, suns and temperatures in Published by: PRENSA MALAGUEÑA S. A. tainly proud of that in Kiev on Sat- tables but my evidence lies in one that empty space, even though it’s Director General: JOSÉ LUIS ROMERO urday night. word: get a Spanish child and a Por- not home territory? Portugal is so different from Spain tuguese child together and ask them I hope Portugal enjoys its unex- Editor in Chief: Editor: Advertising Manager: despite sharing the same piece of to pronounce Spiderman and you’ll pected spot in the limelight this MANUEL CASTILLO Rachel Haynes Emma Vera Publications Director: Commercial Director: land, and not just in its choice of Eu- see what I mean. week, for once shining bright above Pedro Luis Gómez Jorge Artero rovision entries. They have the right This beautiful country sits half its neighbour, weather or no time for a start, which perhaps ex- surrounded by its great neighbour, weather. May 19th to 25th 2017 25 SUR IN ENGLISH LIFESTYLE
of my career,” he said on Tuesday, re- vealing his feelings of both sadness “I’m sorry if I let you down” and shame. Since Saturday’s performance of the song that has been described since then as unsuitable for the contest and Spain’s disgraced which certainly did no favours for Eurovision contestant Navarro, the Catalonian singer has been pulled apart in thousands of me- apologises to fans and mes flying around social media. lies low until the Many of them made references to shower of criticism a ‘gallo’, a cockerel in Spanish and also a term used to describe a bum note. following his last-place The 40 Principales music radio pre- performance passes senter Xavi Martínez, who had backed Navarro throughout his process to Eurovision, also admitted that Spain’s :: IRMA CUESTA entry had been a fiasco and even ac- MADRID. Not only did Spain’s en- cepted part of the blame. Martínez try in last Saturday’s Eurovision Song had been accused of unfairly favour- Contest final come last, it did so in ing his ‘protégé’ when he was a mem- style. Not only did Manel Navarro ber of the jury on the show Objetivo and his song Do It For Your Lover Eurovisión, put on to select the coun- get zero points from the professional try’s act, by giving minimum points juries and just five from the view- to Mirela, who was the favourite to ers’ votes, his performance will be repesent the country in Kiev. remembered for that high note that Meanwhile Navarro is keeping his didn’t quite do what it should have head down until the storm blows over. done. “Yesterday I went out in a hood and “I’m sorry if I let you down. I as- glasses. I went out to buy dinner and sure you that I am more disappointed to the cash machine as discreetly as with myself than anyone for miss- possible,” said the singer who, nev- ing a note that I had under control, ertheless plans to “continue work- just at the most important moment Manel Navarro, during his Eurovision performance in Kiev on Saturday. :: EUROVISION ing hard towards my musical career”.
Spain’s Iberian neighbours come C away triumphant for first time ever
:: SUR for music with people who make
MALAGA. The Iberian peninsula music that actually means some- played a starring role in last week’s thing”, he added. “Music is not fire- Sucesión Pablo Picasso, VEGAP, Málaga, 2017. Eurovision Song Contest in more works; music is feeling. So let’s try ways than one. While Spain lan- to change this and bring music guished at the bottom of the table, back.” becoming more and more red-faced Sweden’s contestant, Robin as it was ignored completely by all Bengtsson, who finished fifth, re- the professional juries, neighbours sponded on social media saying, Portugal rose to the top in style. “Fast food pop music can be the best The moving ballad sung by Sal- thing in the world at the right place vador Sobral gave Portugal its first and time - there’s room for every- Eurovision win ever in more than one,” an opinion seconded by many five decades of the competition. pop-loving Eurovision fans. Amar Pelos Dois, which was writ- Salvador Sobral, 27, who sang ten by Sobral’s sister Luísa, a singer- with his sister at the end of the songwriter who released her fourth Salvador Sobral. :: EUROVISION show, lived in Mallorca as an Eras- PICASSO TRAVELS TO MADRID studio album last year, is said by mus student before studying mu- some to have restored the conti- keen to see the competition taken sic in Barcelona, where he devel- Ninety works by Pablo Picasso that belong to the collection at the nent’s faith in Eurovision. The sim- more seriously. oped a passion for jazz. Casa Natal (birth house) museum in Malaga, have left home to plicity of the song and the fact that Other participants, however, ob- He was unable to make some of form part of an exhibition, Picasso and the Mediterranean, in Ma- it was sung in Portuguese - and not jected to Sobral’s acceptance speech the Eurovision rehearsals due to ill drid. Among the pieces, which will remain in the exhibition organ- English which is used for the vast in which he criticised “disposable, health. A serious heart condition ised by the Fundación Canal de Isabel II until the end of August, majority of Eurovision songs - with fast food music without any con- has already seen him undergo two are prints (including the Toro series, above), illustrated books and no extravagant stage show or danc- tent”. operations this year and he is wait- ceramics. The Casa Natal has made 25,000 euros from the loan. ers, delighted some Eurovision fans “I think this could be a victory ing for a transplant. 26 May 19th to 25th 2017 LIFESTYLE SUR IN ENGLISH “The amateur music society has been my life”
Annemarie Philipps has been the musical director of Collegium Musicum since January 1992
and she asked if I had any experi- ence of singing. When I told her that I had sung in the choir in Bremen, TONY she became very excited,” Annema- BRYANT rie told SUR in English. The woman informed Annema- [email protected] rie that she too was from Bremen and that her cousin was the organ- Collegium Musicum is a ist of the cathedral in Bremen. The flourishing amateur organist also happened to be the cousin of Annemarie’s father, and international music the two women quickly realised to society that reflects the their surprise that they were related. cosmopolitan nature of The relative, also called Annema- rie, was the musical director of Col- the Costa del Sol legium Musicum at that time, and the two engaged in a friendship that FUENGIROLA. Collegium Mu- would last until she died in 1992. sicum, an amateur choir and orches- “It was a wonderful time and my tra that was formed in 1975, will be aunt, as I called her, was a dedicated giving a series of concerts on the musical director. She lived long coast during the last week of May. enough to see me take over as the Their popular concerts are held twice director and conductor of the or- yearly, but most people may fail to chestra, and she was very happy recognise the amount of hard work about that,” Annemarie says nos- and dedication that goes into pre- ttalgically. senting these shows. AAnnemarie has now been in During the early days, rehears- chargcharge for more than 25 years and als were held in the living room of she stilstill gets great satisfaction from the group’s musical director, al- The amateur orchestra and choir was founded in 1975. :: SURUR orgaorganisingn the 100-strong group. though today it has grown beyond HoweHowever, the preparation of all expectations. A flourishing in- musical background, although she time, was a small groupoup of the mmusical scores and the or- ternational music society that re- never attended music college until about a dozen singersrs and gaganisationnis of rehearsals are flects the cosmopolitan nature of rather later in her life. a handful of instrumen-men- not eeasy, as the 68-year-old the Costa del Sol, Collegium Mu- She had spent many holidays on talists. conduconductor points out. sicum now has more than 100 sing- the Costa del Sol and so when she Annemarie’s introduc-oduc- “C“Collegium Musicum has ers and instrumentalists of some came to live in Spain, she decided tion to the amateurr mu- been my life, but there is 20 nationalities. to settle in Marbella - a decision sic society was a ratherather such a lot of work to do. We Their success however, is down prompted partly by the fact there unusual experience.e. Un- have to first work out what to the perseverance and sheer hard was a German school in the town. beknown to her, shee was we neneed in the repertoire, and graft of one woman; although she She soon discovered the City Or- about to discover a long-lostng-lost then we need to arrange mu- is quick to recognise the profes- chestra of Malaga, later to become relative. This happenedd dur- sical scscores, musicians, solo sing- sionalism of everyone involved the Malaga Philharmonic Orches- ing her first Christmas in Spain,Spain, ers anand the choir, so it keeps us with the project. tra, which she joined as a viola when she attended one of the so- on oourur toes.” Annemarie Philipps, originally player, but her time with them was ciety’s concerts in Marbella.a ShShe also has to prepare all the mu- from Bremen in Germany, has been short-lived. “When we arrived at the churchhurch sisical arrangements for the choir, the musical director of the orches- where the concert was being held,ld Annemarie Philipps. :: SUR which is usually around 75 pages tra since January 1992, although she Interesting discovery we were met by a very distinguished per singer, but Annemarie points has been a member since 1978. It was around this period that the looking lady who was handing out out that she couldn’t do this with- Annemarie, who has lived in classical music lover heard about the musical programme. She spoke out the help of Delyth Bressington, Spain for 40 years, comes from a Collegium Musicum, which, at the with a very heavy German accent her musical arranger and pianist. May 19th to 25th 2017 27 SUR IN ENGLISH LIFESTYLE
CONCERTS sung before, and they don’t read music, so they cannot really fol- Fuengirola low a conductor,” Delyth explains. LEGAL ADVICE Where: IPV Palace Hotel & Spa. Instead, the choir has to learn When: Sunday 21 May, 8pm. the score by ear and this is where International Lawyers answers readers’ queries Performing: Collegium Musicum Delyth demonstrates her true and the Camerata Singers. Soloists merit, according to Annemarie. We speak English, German, French, Spanish and Russian - Soprano - Siân Winstanley. Bari- “Delyth is in tune with every- tone - Juan Carlos Mera-Euler. one and during rehearsals she knows what she can bring out of Please send your questions or we had the hearing, but he tested the car. Is it true that Marbella each member; she can almost read contact us directly to arrange did not appear at Court – he there are restrictions as to Where: Iglesia de la our minds,” the conductor says. a personal appointment on: lodged a statement of de- the amount that you can Encarnación, Mar- The two formed a musical fence instead. Is it legal that take out in cash? bella. bond that has earned them the Ilagoson International he did not appear? There are indeed certain re- When: Tuesday 23 name of ‘The Dream Team’ and Lawyers Depending on the kind of strictions, but it is not true May, 9.30pm. they have enjoyed a lasting proceeding and the defen- that you cannot take out Performing: As Siân Winstanley. relationship because they eas- Avda. Playas Andaluzas 38 dant’s domicile, law allows more than 10,000 euros in above. ily connect with each other, (Exit ‘El Rosario’) the defence to be carried out cash. That is the amount that both on stage and off. However, as 29604 Marbella in writing, without having to you can take out freely, but if Sotogrande they both astutely point out, one Tel: 952 77 12 13 go personally to defend him- you need or simply want to Where: Iglesia Nuestra Señora de needs a sense of humour in order Fax: 952 82 68 61 self against the charges. If take out more, you can make [email protected] la Merced. to succeed. www.ilagoson.com this has been allowed, it is be- a declaration in the Tax Office When: Sunday 28 May, 8pm. “We are always organised, al- Offices in Málaga, Marbella cause it could be done that informing them of the move- Performing: As above. beit organised chaos on some oc- and Cádiz way, as otherwise the Court ment of money. Obviously, casions, but more than anything, would have rejected the this could lead to an inspec- one needs to be able to smile. If statement of defence. tion if the tax administration Delyth studied music at the Uni- you don’t have a sense of humour finds something that does not versity of Wales and she spent you can forget the whole thing; it REF. R.E.M. REF. M. T. P. match with your previous tax many years teaching music in sec- has to be fun for it to work,” An- Three months ago I had an I have a large amount of cash declarations, but if the origin ondary schools in Cardiff, before nemarie says with conviction. argument with a neighbour I want to take out from of the money is legal and you moving to the Costa del Sol in The first of Collegium Mu- because I am fed up with his Spain as I intend to buy a car can prove it, you have noth- 2003. sicum’s series of summer concerts car occupying part of my in Germany. However, I have ing to fear. If on the contrary She got involved with the ama- will be held at the IPV Palace Ho- parking space. There is a col- been told that I cannot take you do not declare the money teur music society almost imme- tel & Spa in Fuengirola this Sun- umn on the other side, and out more than 10,000 euros, and try to take it out from diately and today she is considered day 21 May. The concert, which sometimes I cannot park be- and that if I need more then Spain, the authorities can re- the backbone of the group. Delyth will feature the Camerata Singers cause the space left is too I will have to make a trans- tain the amount exceeding specialises in arranging the music from Sotogrande, begins at 8pm narrow. During the argu- fer to the car dealer. Obvi- the limit until you justify to suit the needs of the group. and tickets cost €12. ment, he insulted me in pub- ously, I do not want to make where the money comes “The task of organising and ar- Further concerts will be held in lic and I sued him. Last week a transfer without having from. ranging a group of this size is ex- Marbella and Sotogrande. tremely difficult because there are First Assessment Consultation FREE of Charge so many different nationalities. Many of these people have never · Information : colmus.org 28 May 19th to 25th 2017 LIFESTYLE SUR IN ENGLISH
“Strummer and I were very different, but we influenced each other a lot,” says Palmolive
Her life inspired the film La Residencia and a documentary is being made about The Slits
1 “We weren’t trying to be
1. Paloma Romero, during a wild, we were wild,” says concert in the 1970s. :: PHO- Paloma, who became TOS: PALMOLIVE ARCHIVE known as Palmolive 2. Cover of the record ‘In the Beginning’ by The Slits, with Viv Albertine, Ari Up, Tessa chusetts (USA), where she has li- Pollitt and Palmolive. ved for nearly thirty years. She told me she had read that Antonio Hens 3. Signed photo of Paloma is making a film called La Residen- Romero, taken at a concert at cia, which is inspired by her life The Roxy punk nightclub in and her revolutionary musical le- London gacy. Nor is he the only one to put her on film: in the UK, the final 4. Paloma and Joe Strummer, touches are currently being put to with Richard Dudanski and a documentary, Here to be heard, her sister Esperanza. which tells the story of The Slits, the first all-girl punk rock band group in musical history, which Paloma created. She discovered the controver- sial punk movement with her then partner, Joe Strummer, lead sin- ger of The Clash, and decided to form a band of her own. “We weren’t trying to be wild... we were wild,” says the woman who became a leading name in the effervescent countercultural sce- ne in London in the 1970s. But before Palmolive was born, there was Paloma, a girl with pig- tails and a winning smile, which 3 4 still lights up the face of the 62- year-old woman she is today. It is no coincidence that she uses that childhood photo on her social me- dia profiles. Malaga’s own queen of punk “I was the eighth of nine chil- dren,” says Paloma. Her Wikipedia entry is wrong, she says; she was actually born in Melilla in 1954, She revolutionised music with The Slits, MALAGA. Some words open do- although her earliest memories are ors just like keys, and I only had of Malaga - her home in Monte the first all-girl punk band, and went out to mention “Malaga” to Paloma Sancha and her nearby school, the Romero for her to react as if we Colegio de las Teresianas - before with Joe Strummer, lead singer of The FRANCISCO were long-lost friends, even though the family moved to another pro- Clash. Paloma Romero, or ‘Palmolive’, GRIÑÁN she doesn’t actually know me. perty in Calle Cordoba. After clas- I had phoned ‘Palmolive’, as she ses, the teenage Paloma would shut talks about her wild days in 1970s London Twitter: @pacogrinan is better known in the music world, herself in her room and listen to at her home in Hyannis, Massa- songs by Joan Manuel Serrat and May 19th to 25th 2017 29 SUR IN ENGLISH LIFESTYLE
Paco Ibáñez. Nothing to do with tion,” she explains. PALOMA TO PALMOLIVE Palmolive and Ari joined forces says. punk. Except in their critical spi- with bass player Tessa Pollitt and She didn’t want the authorita- rit. All thanks to piglet earrings guitarist Viv Albertine, and The rian manager of the Sex Pistols, Those songs fed her libertarian Then in 1975, the punk explosion Slits exploded onto the scene in Malcolm McLaren, to represent conscience although, without happened. Strummer embraced it 1977. In barely a month they be- them. knowing it, so did her father, a bu- immediately. “A lot of our hippie came the supporting act for the “We hadn’t liberated ourselves sinessman in the construction in- friends rejected it and he thought Sex Pistols and, what’s more, they and become punks to have a ma- dustry. “He used to bring home I would as well, but I liked the pun- were paid to do it. nager who controlled us,” she says. backpacking hippies that he met ky philosophy,” says Paloma. That “It wasn’t much, but for girls Soon afterwards they signed a con- in the street, and as I listened to was when she changed her name, who were living in a squat, and on tract with a record label and were Paloma Romero, them I realised that there was ano- and it was due to The Clash bass aged five. social security, it seemed a lot,” asked to pose nude for the cover ther part of the world in which player, Paul Simonon. says Paloma. “We were comple- of their first LP. Paloma refused. freedom existed,” says Palmolive “He asked me what my name tely revolutionary, because there “I’d show whatever I wanted, who, after finishing her studies was, and I said ‘Paloma’. He replied were no girl bands in those days.” but I wasn’t going to use it to sell packed her own rucksack and hea- ‘Palmolive?’ like the soap. I said Their concerts were manic, and records,” she explains about the ded for London when she was just yes, and it stuck,” she explains. one night Palmolive even hurled incident which led her to leave The 17. “That changed me,” she says. She also recalls the day she heard her drumsticks at Ari when they Slits. “I had a sense of justice and I a 14-year-old girl arguing with her argued during a concert. “People In 1979 she joined a new group, didn’t like the situation for wo- mother as they came out after a thought it was all pre-planned, but The Raincoats, and made a record, men in Spain at all. Why could my concert. As a student at Las it wasn’t. It’s just how we were,” but realised that her interior search brothers do what they liked, and “She looked at me and noticed Teresianas in Malaga. she says. was leading her elsewhere. That I couldn’t?” she says. She admits my piglet earrings; we started to The songs written by this Ma- was when she met Dave McLardy, that she was political and rejected talk, and decided between the two laga girl reflect how The Slits evol- with whom she has three children everything that Franco represen- of us that we ought to form a ved, with lyrics such as “number and lives in Hyannis. ted although, with the perspecti- group,” she says. That girl was sin- one enemy”, and “everybody goes It was a long road to the USA, ve of time, she looks back and sees ger Ari Up, and that is how The Slits around sniffing televisena” about passing through India, Spain and herself as “a girl who had no idea”. began. the city in which everyone was the UK again, in that search for But that rebellious spirit took her With no knowledge of music addicted to the drug of timetables the self in which faith also played to the British capital, which is whe- whatsoever, Palmolive decided to and television. a major part. “I have seen great re she met someone called ‘Woo- be a drummer. “You didn’t have to In 1976 she discovered punk “English wasn’t my language, things in the name of Jesus and dy’, who later became known as know anything about music or be and founded The Slits. so I felt free to invent words,” says others which have made me asha- Joe Strummer. able to sing to perform punk,” she Paloma who, in one of her last med, but then I also experienced “We came from two very diffe- admits. songs for The Slits, went back to both of those in music,” says Pal- rent worlds and we influenced each She remembers phoning her her roots to talk about Don Quixo- molive. other. I shared my social conscien- father to ask him for 100 pounds te’s dream and his fight with con- Now, she is a singer who also gi- ce and he shared his search for an to buy a set of drums: ‘una batería’. crete dragons. ves Spanish classes to children. interior world and a voice of his He thought she meant a set of sau- “The song called Adventure clo- She talks to them about all sorts own,” she says now. They lived cepans, as the word in Spanish is se to Home was important becau- of things, from the Alhambra to with several dozen friends in a the same. Now, she roars with se it expressed how tired I was Real Madrid and Barça. And if they hippie commune, where there was laughter as she remembers. “He Today, now Paloma McLardy. with that atmosphere, and that misbehave, she tells them: “Care- no lack of drugs. “It was part of the wasn’t at all happy about it, but he the relationship with the group ful: just remember, I used to be a atmosphere of personal explora- did send the money,” she says. was beginning to break down,” she punk.” 30 May 19th to 25th 2017 LIFESTYLE SUR IN ENGLISH
DENISE BUSH GARDENING READER’S PHOTO Myrtle-leaf milk wort
This is an attractive evergreen bush that adapts easily to different growing conditions and has purple pea-like flowers throughout the year
Polygala myrtifolia, commonly fect conditions but is usually be- the coast to one grown inland or
called the myrtle-leaf milkwort tween 60cm and 1.80m high. The one grown in moist soil and one :: FRANCES KNOWLES or September bush (La Lechera slender stems tend to grow upright grown in arid conditions. The leaves del Cabo in Spanish), is native to and are covered with dense foliage. can vary from needle thin to oval South Africa. It is a member of the It can adapt to different soil and and range from 25 to 50mm long. TRAILING NASTURTIUMS Polygalaceae family (milkworts) growing conditions which will re- Leaf colour can also vary from which has 17 genera and approxi- sult in a slightly differ- shades of green to soft grey. France Knowles from Coín sent in this photo she says, “this is the mately 950 species. ent appearance The flowers look pea-like trailing variety of nasturtium, Tropaolum majus. Nasturtiums Polygala is a tough shrub; it can of a plant but close are quite dif- have edible flowers which are high in vitamins A, C and D; the grow up to four metres tall in per- grown on ferent with deep young leaves are also edible. Ideal for growing in poor soil in full veining and a brush sun.” like tuft. They are uusually in sshades of pur- GARDENING HINTS FOR MAY pple but there aare white va- rrieties such as Five gardening tricks P.P myrtifolia ‘White‘W Feath- 1) Use paper coffee filters to Remove lid, drill holes in the ers’.e line flower pots to stop the bottom and fill with growing The small soil from washing out of the medium. The depth allows you wwinged seed cap- bottom. The paper eventually to grow root vegetables such suless disperse in rots away but by then it will as carrots as well as crops such thet wind and may be time to repot anyway. as salads etc. produce new plants 2) Give egg shells a little rinse 4) When planting clematis or close to the parent. Polygala and leave to dry. Put them in a deep rooted plants, bury a can also be propagated by cuttings food processor or liquidiser length of 40mm pipe in next taken in the spring or the autumn. and give them a quick spin. to the root ball. Leave about Peak flowering period is in the They can then be used to 10cm stick out of the ground spring, although Polygala will sprinkle around plants keeping and cover the top with a bit of continue to flower on and off dur- slugs at bay and adding cal- mesh. This makes watering so ing the year. It is ideal as a wind- cium to the soil. much easier and the water break or as a hedge and can also 3) The large plastic tubs used goes straight to the roots. be grown in a large container. Al- for storing toys etc. can be 5) Push plastic forks (prongs though drought tolerant once es- used for growing vegetables facing up) around new plant- tablished, it is best to water occa- when space is at a premium. ings to prevent cats digging. sionally during the hottest months and a thick mulch around the base will help to conserve PHOTOS moisture. The genus name comes from an Calling all Email your photos to eng- old Greek word ‘polys’ meaning [email protected] or send ‘much’ and ‘gala’ meaning ‘milk’. gardeners them to SUR in English, This is probably because some Avda Dr Marañón 48, 29009 members of the genus were fed to We know that many of our Malaga, with a caption and a cows to stimulate milk produc- readers have lovely gardens, few words of explanation, tion. Another use for the shrub, a or enjoy growing plants on or send them via Twitter practice that has long since died their terraces or balconies, @SUR_English or Facebook out, was to use the soft, grey bark so why not share them with @surenglish and we’ll do frothed up in water to wash bod- others? the rest! Polygala myrtifolia and close up of blooms (inset). :: SUR ies before burial. May 19th to 25th 2017 31 SUR IN ENGLISH LIFESTYLE
La Cala Resort welcomes golf’s PETER PET CARE HARRISON Challenge Tour this weekend
Mijas will host the Dogs on beaches Andalucía Costa del Sol Match Play 9, part of the More beaches are being made job but why should anyone else second-tier men’s tour, available for dogs to have exer- do it for you? It is just not fair. until Sunday cise. This is fine as they enjoy It is also unhygienic. a scamper in the sand and a Remember that acting irre- good dig. sponsibly can cause a with- :: IVÁN GELIBTER Some authorities allow dogs drawal of privileges. We stopped MIJAS. Mijas this week is attracting only within certain hours so at a hotel we often use on a long the gaze of golf fans around the world swimmers can take a dip with- trip. It makes a welcome break as La Cala Resort welcomes one of out being bothered by dogs. on a long drive and the hotel the year’s standout championships. Casares was the first to do this accepts dogs. To our surprise Until Sunday, the Asia course at five years ago. that time the hotel had a “No the resort will host the Andalucía Dog owners will applaud this dogs” sign, but we had never Costa del Sol Match Play 9, one of development but I do put in a had a problem before. The ho- two events of the Challenge Tour cautionary note. Please act re- tel was adamant. Our dog was (the second-tier men’s professional sponsibly and keep your dog not accepted. We were told: golf tour in Europe) to be contested under control. Do not allow “Sorry but we have had some is Spain in 2017, alongside the Chal- dogs to pester other people. If bad experiences with badly be- lenge de España. The presentation of the tournament on Monday. :: I. G. they jump up on someone - haved dogs and cannot make The tournament will be played children, elderly or infirm peo- exceptions”. over 36 holes in the ‘stroke play’ for- the innovative nature of it has cap- ple are especially vulnerable - It is a price to pay, so often mat, followed by a series of ‘match tured the imagination of people then you, the owner or custo- seen in life. The responsible play’ contests across nine holes for 156 players, ten of around the world,” he added. dian, will be held responsible. people have to pay for the ac- those who qualify. whom are locals, are The financial consequences can tions of the irresponsible. 156 players, 27 of whom are Span- competing for 200,000 Golf and tourism be severe. As a dog owner please stay ish (and 10 from Andalucía), are com- The relationship between golf and Do observe the conditions in the responsible ranks and peting for 200,000 euros of prize euros of prize money tourism on the Costa del Sol has been marked on signposts. They are make sure your dog is well money and Road to Oman rankings. one of the major factors behind or- intended so everyone can en- trained and behaves sensibly The tour’s assistant director, José ganising this tournament according joy the beach. Do not allow your or we will see the much-wel- María Zamora, said at the tourna- dalucía was possible, several years to mayor Juan Carlos Maldonado, who dog to foul the beach. Clear up comed freedom on the beaches ment’s presentation on Monday after the last. believes that golf represents an im- after them. It is not a pleasant withdrawn. that “because of the hard work of “Andalucía Costa del Sol Match portant revenue stream as it combats many people”, a ‘Challenge’ in An- Play 9 was conceived six months and seasonal tourism. 32 May 19th to 25th 2017 LIFESTYLE SUR IN ENGLISH
FACTS AND FACES Hard Rock support for feline conservation Lions Club donates €900 for their generosity. The secretary and treasurer of to Mijas football club the club, Nina Teresa Bjerkestrand FUENGIROLA and Soledad Balma, also attended :: SUR. The Hard Rock Cafe in Mar- MIJAS the presentation of the cheque, bella has signed an agreement with :: SUR. The president of La Cala de and introduced the Lions to the Bioparc Fuengirola pledging support Mijas Lions Club, Paul Butler, pre- children on the pitch. for conservation projects to protect sented the director of Mijas Span- They explained how they are endangered species. The establish- ish Federation Football Club, Fran- continually looking for sponsors ment’s donation of 900 euros to Fun- cisco Rosales, with a cheque for and putting on fundraising events dación Bioparc will go towards inter- 900 euros this week. to help young people in the com- national conservation projects in The Lions Club have raised the munity. which the Fuengirola park partici- money in order to help the club The football club, that trains at pates. Of the six tiger subspecies in fund the participation of children Los Olivos pitch, welcomes all ages, existence today, the Sumatran tiger whose parents cannot afford to pay male or female. This year they had is in the greatest danger of extinc- the monthly 18 euro fee that the between 18 to 20 teams, with the tion. Fuengirola is involved in the football club requires from the ma- youngest player aged just 5 and the European conservation project with jority of its members. This is the oldest in his late thirties. With the its pair of Sumatran tigers, Rokan and second instalment the football club help of the Lions’ 900 euro dona- Asmara, which have been living in has received from the Lions and tion the club hope to go from Bioparc’s tropical forest area practi- Francisco was extremely grateful strength to strength next season. Paul presents the cheque to Francisco in front of the players. :: A.H. cally since it opened. May 19th to 25th 2017 SUR IN ENGLISH 33 34 May 19th to 25th 2017 LIFESTYLE SUR IN ENGLISH
KEN Artist Rowland Fade THE NIGHT SKY CAMPBELL dies, aged 78
A comet’s tale The British artist, originally from Comets have been described as For the next few weeks the Norwich, made dirty snowballs that usually live comet will pass through the Almuñécar his at the extreme edge of the solar kite-like shape of Bootes toward home in 1995 system. Millions of them orbit Arcturus. the Sun in an area known as the Its orbit brings it from above Oort cloud but occasionally one the Earth and sweeps below us :: JENNIE RHODES of them will get deflected from before heading back out into ALMUÑÉCAR. The Almuñécar- its orbit and begin to fall in to- space to return again in 14.4 mil- based British artist, Rowland ward the Sun. This journey some- lion years’ time. Fade, has died aged 78. times takes millions of years. As Even at its closest point to the Born in Norwich on 10 May they get closer to the Sun their Sun it never gets closer than be- 1939, Fade studied at the Berk- speed increases and the heat from tween the Earth and Mars which shire Art School in the early the Sun begins to vaporise the unfortunately keeps it from 1960s. Soon after leaving the comet and produce the charac- glowing very brightly but it has school he held his first solo ex- teristic tail. It is only when the To find the comet first locate developed a rather nice tail. hibition and started to make a comet comes close to the Sun the Plough which at the mo- Comets are notoriously un- living from his work. does it become visible from Earth. ment is directly overhead. The predictable and it could suddenly In 1969 the artist moved to There is a comet in the night Plough looks a bit like a sauce- flare up and become brighter. It Spain and from there travelled sky at the moment. Comet pan with four stars making the should remain visible in our sky extensively throughout Europe, Rowland Fade. :: SUR C/2015 V2 Johnson was discov- bowl of the saucepan and three throughout the summer until it exhibiting and developing his art. ered on 3 November 2015 by Jess stars curving away to form the eventually passes into the South- Although he first visited Al- Johnson. It will reach its closest handle. Follow the curve of the ern Hemisphere. muñécar in 1963, it wasn’t until comprised 30 pieces of work un- point to the Sun on 12 June this handle down toward the hori- Try and see comet Johnson as 1995 that he made the town his der the title, Nuevos Caminos, in year but its closest point to the zon and you will come across a this is the best chance of spot- permanent home. the town’s Casa de la Cultura. Earth is this coming week. bright red-coloured star called ting a comet’s tail for quite a few Rowland Fade was well known Almuñécar’s councillor for cul- It won’t be visible to the na- Arcturus). Arcturus marks the years. for incorporating items from eve- ture, Olga Ruano, said of the news ked eye but it can be seen with bottom of Bootes and the rest ryday life into his work, such as of Fade’s death: “He was always binoculars or a small telescope of the constellation forms a kite- stickers, toys, string and playing a lesson in life as an artist and as as it passes through the constel- like figure stretching away from · More information : cards. a person: humble, hard-working lation of Bootes. Arcturus. www.costadelstars.com He held his last exhibition in and very much loved and admired the town in autumn 2016. This by everyone who knew him.” May 19th to 25th 2017 SUR IN ENGLISH 35
Southern Spain has a multitude of hidden corners just waiting to be discovered: this week we suggest you take the road to... The rugged landscapes of the old Nescania
From Valle de Abdalajís there are numerous walking routes from which to explore a land full of contrasts and history
:: JAVIER ALMELLONES Dizzying viewing points, rugged walking routes and important his- torical remains await those who de- cide to visit one of the most impres- sive parts of the countryside of Malaga province. The place which the Romans knew as Nescania is now called Valle de Abdalajís, and it is a village which takes its name from the steep lime- stone mountains beneath which it nestles. This area lies between two geologically remarkable beauty spots, The village lies below the Sierra de Abdalajís. :: J. A. the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge at El Chorro and El Torcal, in An- low. From the chapel you can con- to Mother Petra, who built the con- tequera, which are so famous that at INFORMATION tinue up to the Gangarro viewing vent of the same name, which is just times the beauty of the Sierra de point. It is a few metres higher up a The Mirador de a few metres away. Abdalajís is overlooked. How to get there. There are steep flight of steps, and offers an- Gangarro has excellent One of the most unusual build- Because of this chain of moun- several options, but the usual one is other lovely view over the inland re- views over the ings is the church of San Lorenzo, tains, which separates Antequera along the A-357 towards Campillos. gion of the province. which was finished at the end of the from the Guadalhorce Valley, Valle Turn off towards Álora, when you However, the best way to enjoy surrounding countryside 16th century, and another is the de Abdalajís is surrounded by won- reach Zalea. Before reaching Álora, the countryside around this village chapel of the Cristo de la Sierra which, derful, environmentally valuable take the MA-226 which leads to the and its mountains is to walk through despite being much more recent, is countryside which is becoming village. it, and there are several good routes one of the most symbolic and lovely known as an ideal place for adven- to enable you to do this. ‘El Nacimiento’, among others. places in the village. ture sports such as climbing and When to go. It’s a good place to Bear in mind that the village is a These walking routes are an ideal Another historic building which hiking. visit at any time of year, unless landmark on one of the major routes way to explore the interesting land- is worth visiting is the Palacio del From these mountains there are the weather is very cold and rainy. which pass through the province, scapes around this village in Malaga Conde de los Corbos, which also dates beautiful views of the neighbour- the European GR-7, which runs from province. back to the 16th century. It is in a ing Sierra de Huma as well as El Tor- What to eat. The spicy fried the Straits of Gibraltar to the Pelo- Valle de Abdalajís also has an in- good state of repair and contains some cal, which can be seen clearly on a breadcrumb dish called ‘migas’, and ponnese. In fact, Valle de Abdalajís teresting cultural heritage, includ- interesting architectural features of cloud-free day, and also of the lovely a variety of pork dishes. is a good place to stop on this tran- ing La Peña, a stone which comes the period. undulating fields around the pretty snational route, as it is situated be- from the famous Giants’ Arch in An- There is also a municipal museum village. tween El Chorro and Antequera. tequera and now stands in the Plaza with numerous items found in One of the best places to enjoy steps leading from the upper part of There are also some lesser-known de San Lorenzo. This emblem of the nearby archaeological sites, includ- these panoramic views is the Mira- the village to the chapel of Santo routes out of the village, including village also serves as a pedestal for a ing coins from different eras, brace- dor del Gangarro, which can be Cristo de la Sierra, where the first those called ‘La Ratilla’, ‘El Torcal statue which has an inscription dedi- lets and even funerary urns, which reached in a few minutes from the good views are to be found, includ- del Charcón’, La Fuente del Zarzal’, cated to the Emperor Trajan. Next to demonstrate the historic importance centre of Valle de Abdalajís. There are ing the neat houses behind and be- Sierra del Castillo’, ‘Cantarrana’ and this Roman remain is the monument of this village. 36 May 19th to 25th 2017 LIFESTYLE SUR IN ENGLISH
DARYL FINCH WHAT HAPPENED TODAY? LANGUAGE FOOTNOTE E19 MAY 1939 Desfile Parade Victoria Victory Vencedor Victor Escaparate Shop window A show of strength Recorrido Itinerary Liderazgo Leadership from the new regime Derrotado Defeated Enseña Banner Bandera Flag Infantería Infantry ith the Civil War re- eralísimo, arriving for the parade. Ametralladora Machine gun cently over, General What’s more, no expense was Ceremonia Ceremony Franco sought not spared and the city would witness Rojo Red W only to celebrate an unprecedented show of strength, Amarillo Yellow the Nationalist victory, but also filled with both historical and re- Ciudad City demonstrate the permanent nature ligious symbolism. Lema Slogan / Motto of his regime with a large-scale mili- The military sold, at cost price, Alojamiento Accommodation tary parade through the capital on 20,000 metres of red and yellow Terminado Finished 19 May 1939. hangings as well as 100,000 flags, Caballería Cavalry The spring of 1939 was the first while a platform, in the shape of a of Franco’s tours of the provinces triumphal arch was erected at the in a bid to connect with the popu- conclusion of the parade’s route at was on 1 April. This then happened lation and ratify his leadership. This Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo. It was every year until 1976, with the ex- tour would culminate in Madrid, a decorated with a tapestry of the Ea- ception of 1964 when it was called city in which the Republicans re- gle of St John with the word “vic- the Parade of Peace, in recognition sisted for almost three years. tory” above. “Franco” also appeared of the 25th anniversary since the According to historian Paul Pre- three times on each side. Here, the end of the war. ston, the objective of what became Caudillo stood for the duration of After Franco’s death in Novem- called the ‘Desfile de la Victoria’ was the five-hour parade between Gen- Franco beneath the triumphal arch for the ‘Desfile de la Victoria’. :: SUR ber 1975, King Juan Carlos presided to “identify Franco with Hitler, erals Varela and Saliquet. over the final parade before it was Mussolini and the great medieval Some 115 infantry units, 200 ar- trucks all made up the procession. further statement of intent, warn- changed to Armed Forces Day which warlords throughout Spanish his- tillery batteries, 25 anti-tank can- If arranged lineally, the parade ing that “other nations” would not this year will be celebrated in Gu- tory and to humiliate the defeated nons, 20 anti-aircraft batteries, 27 would have been 25 kilometres be able to use economic pressure to dalajara on 27 May. Republicans”. To that end, residents cavalry squadrons, two companies long. dictate the terms of the new State. were ordered to accommodate mili- of anti-aircraft gunners, 150 tanks, In the aftermath, Franco took to In 1940, the event was repeated, · Bilingual crossword tary personnel, faithful to the Gen- 500 motorcycles and 3,000 cars and the radio to address the nation in a this time called Victory Day and inside back page
:: SUR CUBS AND BEAVERS GO BACK IN TIME
Cubs and Beavers from 1st Fuengirola Scout Group hiked up to Peñas de Cabrera, near Casabermeja, last weekend as part of the Jamboree On The Trail (JOTT) 2017. Once there, they examined the prehistoric caves, which contain a number of cave paintings, and discovered a little about the history of the site, before creating their own paint- ings and taking a walk around the wild flowers and trees. May 19th to 25th 2017 37 SUR IN ENGLISH HEALTH&BEAUTY Between 300 to 400 cases of HIV are diagnosed in Malaga every year
The virus is detected in around 3,500 people across Spain each year, however it is estimated that up to 40 per cent of carriers go undiagnosed
:: ÁNGEL ESCALERA MALAGA. Every year between 300 to 400 people are diagnosed with HIV at Malaga’s hospitals, accord- ing to doctor Javier de la Torre, who specialises in infectious illnesses and works at Marbella’s Hospital Costa del Sol. De la Torre revealed the figures at a conference held at Malaga’s Palacio de Ferias y Congresos last Doctors José Antonio and Javier present the booklet. :: F. SILVA Friday, where he was joined on the panel by Dr José Antonio Pérez Mo- The doctors also described tracting the virus and it develop- lina, the president of Gesida, which Malaga as a “hotspot” for the virus ing into AIDs can be as little as is a Spanish association dedicated as there are currently 5,000 peo- three years. Antiretroviral drugs to the study of AIDs, infectious ill- ple known to be HIV positive in do not cure the illness, but are very nesses and microbiology. the province, but the true number effective in inhibiting the virus The purpose of the conference is thought to be much higher as it from developing into AIDs and pre- was to promote an informative is estimated that up to 40 per cent venting its transmission into other booklet that reportedly contains of people who are infected do not people. everything a patient with HIV know they are carrying the virus. In fact, if HIV is diagnosed and needs to know about the virus, De la Torre stressed early detec- treated with these drugs early which has been written by De la tion of the virus is imperative so enough, he says, the patient can Torre and Piedad Arazo, another that patients can be treated suc- live a normal life and enjoy the doctor with expertise in infectious cessfully with antiretroviral drugs, same life expectancy as someone illnesses. as the period of time between con- who does not carry the virus. 38 May 19th to 25th 2017 HEALTH&BEAUTY SUR IN ENGLISH Running backwards is good for the health
Fewer injuries, better performance in races athletics and I loved it. I was very good, or so my trainers told me, but and stronger muscles. These are just some of I didn’t concentrate enough on my the benefits of a sport which is said by those training and suffered frequent inju- who practise it to be more exciting and ries,” says Sandra, who spent more time laid up than enjoying her favour- interesting than forward running ite sport. Looking for a solution, she decided not to take athletics so seriously and :: RUBÉN CAÑIZARES This Catalan athlete, five times to compete at a low level until one n 2005, a group of German, Aus- world retro running champion (2012, day, in 2007, her sporting life took a trian, Swiss and French athletes 2014 and 2016) over 1,500 and 10,000 180-degree turn. created the first international metres, found herself obliged to take “I was looking on the internet for I retro running association, to up this sport. After seven years as a races to compete in, and I saw one make running more exciting. At the professional athlete, her body had called a retro running race. I had no time, that was something brand new had enough and she needed to rein- idea what it would entail, but I de- in the world of sport. Twelve years vent herself. cided to do it. When I arrived and they later, thousands of people all over the “Ever since I was little, I have been told me I had to run backwards, I world are practising retro running, very active. Artistic gymnastics, ten- thought they were joking, but no. not only because it is so unusual and nis, swimming, cycling, fitness, aero- That’s exactly what it was. Running enjoyable but also for its numerous bics... I’ve done them all, but in the backwards. It was the hardest 1,500 and significant benefits for the body year 2000 I discovered the world of metres of my life,”she says. and for health. When Sandra returned home, she “I have had fewer injuries and my set about finding out exactly what Running backwards uses more energy than running forwards. :: S. R. performance in forward running has Retro running has lower retro running was, and that is when improved. My muscles are also more impact on the knees and is she discovered that there was a solu- a more proportionate musculature. benefits of this unusual type of run- compensated and stronger, because tion to her injury problems. As I had so many injuries, I started ning. “The speed and the distances in retro running you use the antago- used in physiotherapy “I read that in the United States, including 15 minutes of retro run- to be run are lower, so we are talking nist muscles which are exercised in programmes nowadays some doctors, athletes and trainers ning in my training, and was surprised about races which are low-impact for forward running, and by combining were using it to recover from knee to find that within a short time the the knees. Also, retro running is in- them you gain muscular balance,” ex- injuries and they included it in their injuries had gone,” she explains. cluded in different physiotherapy plains Sandra Corcuera, the Spanish training as a way of preventing in- Numerous biomechanical studies programmes because it improves the star of this sport. jury, because practising it gives you have been carried out to explain the stability of the trunk, the posture and May 19th to 25th 2017 39 SUR IN ENGLISH HEALTH&BEAUTY
antagonist muscles, and boosted performance based on more balanced muscles. “Running backwards doesn’t use the same energy as normal running. It requires more effort, so you gain strength. It also helps to develop neuro-muscular functions because it involves greater coordination and balance,” explains Dr Quesada de la Gala. The key is to practise it sensibly, just like any other sporting activity. The distance to be run needs to be in- creased gradually, and during the proc- ess the correct technique has to be learned, just as in swimming or play- ing tennis. “Your vision is reduced, so you need to run on flat land with no ob- stacles or traffic. That’s why an ath- letics track is probably most suitable when you begin retrorunning, be- cause you can follow the lines. In the early days you should alternate walk- ing with running, while you become more secure and perfect your pos- ture. The body should tilt slightly for- ward, the leg should be stretched back, and you land and take off from the front part of your foot, like a lever. You know if you are doing this exer- cise correctly if someone films you running backwards and, when you rewind the video, it looks as if you the compensatory musculature. By sity of Oregon (USA) published the are running forwards. that, I mean the extensor muscles: results of a trial which revealed that It is best to use shoes with a low buttocks, lumbars and hamstrings,” retro running, as well as prevent- drop (the difference in height be- says renowned traumatologist César ing injuries, used up about 30 per tween the heel and the toe), about Quesada de la Gala, head of medical cent more calories than running in four milimetres, not too heavy, which services at Elche FC and medical di- a race, improved aerobic capacity favour the forward tread. Then, just rector of Ripoll and De Prado. and proprioception, improved the go out there and enjoy the world of A few months ago, the Univer- relationships between agonist and retro running,” says Sandra. 40 May 19th to 25th 2017 HEALTH&BEAUTY SUR IN ENGLISH
A masterly way of making a very ill pupil realise that he was not alone
Javier Mur has won a prize for a ally, I suggested to the other pupils that they should act like Guillén’s project at his school which enabled teachers. They divided into groups of four, and each group was given a one of the pupils, who had cancer, to subject and had two weeks to work keep up to date with his lessons on a project which would help Guillén to keep up to date with what we were doing in class.” Some of Guillén’s schoolmates :: LINDA ONTIVEROS AWARDS began to draw pictures to explain he news shocked a school what they had learned in class, or in Monzón, a small town The Guillén project was carried set him projects to do at home. Every in Huesca with 18,000 in- out during the 2014-2015 school two weeks Javier Mur would deliver T habitants: one of its pupils year and a year later it received these, together with messages of had been diagnosed with cancer dur- two awards: the XXXI Francisco support. Sometimes he was able to ing the holidays. Guillén had Burkitt Giner de los Ríos Prize from the give them personally to Guillén, and lymphoma and the treatment, which Ministry of Education, Culture sometimes he gave them to his meant that he would have to be ad- and Sport, in the category of im- mother. After a short while, the pu- mitted to hospital for chemother- provements to educational qual- pils decided to make a video and their Teacher Javier Mur, in apy sessions and spend long periods ity; and the Pie Derecho Prize. classes turned into short films, cre- his classroom at the recovering, meant that this eight- ated by Guillén’s own classmates. Minten school in year-old wouldn’t be able to attend This was a project which bene- Monzón, Huesca. :: S. R. classes for at least seven months. ment and wouldn’t be able to come fited everybody. “By becoming in- This news greatly upset his teacher, to school for at least seven months,” volved in helping their fellow pupil Javier Mur, who taught fourth year says Javier. “I wanted to support him learn, the others also made more ef- Compostela and visits Guillén when a tool to work with for professional pupils at the Minte school at that and make him - and his family - feel fort to understand the content of he goes back to Huesca. objectives and not just for leisure ac- time. that he wasn’t alone.” the lessons and that improved their “Another important part of this tivities. We had an email address and “They told me that one of my pu- Javier set to work, trying to find everyday life in the classroom,” says project is that the pupils have real- we used to post the videos onto You- pils was having chemotherapy treat- ways to achieve this aim. “Eventu- Javier, who now lives in Santiago de ised that technology can be a help, tube,” he explains. May 19th to 25th 2017 41 SUR IN ENGLISH HEALTH&BEAUTY
AN EXAMPLE
“Through this project I have met other teachers in a similar situa- tion and they have started to help children like Guillén,” says Javier Mur. “My advice is to know how to adapt what they do to their own situation. You have to bear in mind that you are working with someone who is fighting for their life, so the support can’t just be education- oriented, it has to be emotional as well. Making a child realise he or she is not alone, and motivat- ing them so they have more en- ergy will help to give them the will to live. For me, it was very satisfying when I went to Guillén’s house and saw how keen he was to return to school. That’s really important.”
parents and those of other pupils, Guillén’s was also essential in this ordeal classmates which impacted the whole school became his community. temporary “Everybody at the school knew teachers. :: S. R. what Guillén and his family were going through. All I did was moti- It also changed the perception of they realised that he was going to be vate them and get them involved, In this way Guillén didn’t lag be- home assistance service which his the pupils about cancer. “At first some able to return to school and they so we all worked together on the pro- hind with his schoolwork and he parents had requested as soon as he of his friends were very down- were keen to make great efforts to ject. For example, making the cos- was able to return after his treat- was diagnosed, and the hospital hearted, seeing him so weak and help him keep up to date,” he says. tumes and props to record a theatri- ment was finished, thanks to the school, where he also had lessons with no hair, but with this project The involvement of Guillén’s cal performance,” says Javier. work carried out by his teacher, the during the time he spent there. 42 May 19th to 25th 2017 HEALTH&BEAUTY SUR IN ENGLISH
Inland palliative Vitamin K reduces cataracts risk care association A CHICKEN recruiting a nurse AND EGG as team expands SITUATION The vitamin is found in some vegetables and ALFONSO :: SUR IN ENGLISH SÁNCHEZ has properties which ALAMEDA. The palliative care help to prevent the organisation, Asociación Girasol, problem from occuring based in the north of the prov- hat came first - ince of Malaga, is expanding its the chicken or care team in the area. the egg? An age- :: SALUDREVISTA The registered charity is dedi- W old question that Including leafy green vegetables cated to supporting and improv- can lend itself to a number of such as cabbage, spinach, Swiss chard ing the quality of life for patients many different subject matters. as well as vegetables such as broc- with advanced incurable illnesses, At a time when mental illness coli and cauliflower as part of a daily their families and carers, in the and depression is a high running diet can reduce the risk of suffering towns of Alameda, Fuente de Pie- topic, we offer a partnered ques- from cataracts by nearly 30 per cent, dra, Humilladero and Mollina. tion. Could having a simple according to a new discovery made The organisation is now look- hearing test change how depres- by Ciberobn, a public research con- ing for a qualified nurse to join sion is diagnosed? sortium for obesity and nutrition. the network of professionals and Hearing loss can cause isola- Oxidation and inflammation play volunteers who offer a wide tion, loneliness, and depression. a huge role in the mechanisms in- Eating vegetables such as cauliflower can reduce the risk . :: SUR range of free services. So, of course, it is possible that a volved in forming a cataract, which These include advice and coun- person might have depression brings about opaqueness in the ract. “Taking into account that Vi- under 6,000 participants between selling for patients, carers and that has been brought on by cristalline lens and therefore re- tamin K has anti-inflammatory and the age of 60 and 80 with cardio- families, as well as companion- hearing loss and having hearing duces eyesight, and can eventually antioxidant properties and is also vascular risk factors have informa- ship and transportation. loss may well induce depression! lead to complete blindness. linked to glucose and insulin me- tion regarding their lifestyle and Meanwhile the association’s Screening for depression Old age, Type 2 Diabetes, obesity, tabolism, we believe that the intake diet collected from them periodi- day hospice offers therapies, as- when carrying out a hearing poor diet, smoking, alcohol and some of vitamin K could be associated with cally over a six-year period. sessment and a confidential en- test may greatly assist the pa- food and nutrients are all risk fac- a reduced risk of cataracts appearing At the end of the study, vironment in which to discuss tient and direct them to seek tors which may increase a person’s in a Mediterranean population of Ciberobn reported 768 cataract all concerns. medical help or therapy. When chances of developing cataracts. elderly people,” they said. cases had appeared during those Training programmes are also visiting the medical centre the To prevent the problem, research- A study, led by the researchers six years, while the results also organised for professionals, vol- same could apply, whereby the ers Mònica Bulló and Jordi Salas from together with the human nutrition showed that those who had a unteers and carers and funds are medical professional could also Ciberobn have analysed the relation- unit at Rovira i Virgili University greater intake of Vitamin K reduced raised through a charity market recommend a hearing test, as- ship between food containing vita- in Tarragona and the Sanitaria Pere their chances of suffering a cata- stall, among other initiatives. sessing if any form of hearing min K and the appearance of a cata- y Virgili research institute, saw just ract by nearly 30 per cent. Qualified English-speaking loss may well be contributing to nurses with palliative care ex- their patient’s depressive mood. perience interested in joining Both seem to be partnered the professional team, as well and a solution could fall as anyone wanting to find out between the two areas of more about becoming a mem- expertise. ber or volunteer, are invited to contact info@asociaciongira- Alfonso Sánchez is Senior sol.com or call 684 12 85 57 for Audiologist at Sontec Hearing further information. Centres. Tel. 952667403. May 19th to 25th 2017 43 SUR IN ENGLISH FOOD&DRINK ADVERTORIAL Bing Asian Fusion Restaurant Top chef visits Marbella school to A view of the sea and delicious share some of his Chinese and Thai food culinary secrets
FUENGIROLA Dani García visited the the extensive culinary skills The Bing Asian Fusion restau- Marbella International which have earned two Michelin rant, on the seafront in Fuengi- stars for his restaurant, to en- rola, is bright and modern with College and gave a talk thralled audiences throughout some traditional touches echoing on healthy eating and the morning. the Asian fusion style. some tips on cookery He gave a talk on life-skills and Since opening, its reputation for the benefits of eating healthily, providing quality and fresh food and food preparation offering advice on many aspects has made it one of the most popu- of haute cuisine and also some lar places to dine in Fuengirola. :: SUR IN ENGLISH simple kitchen skills and tips. The menu consists of mainly MARBELLA. On Tuesday 9th At the end of the morning he Thai and Chinese dishes, all pre- May, top chef Dani Garcia, owner made a visit to the school kitch- pared daily and is now served on of the Michelin starred ‘Dani ens where he met the resident special plate warmers to keep food García Restaurante’ in the Hotel head chef and his staff. hot at the table. Puente Romano in Marbella, ar- The variety of menus on offer There are covers for up to 50 rived at the English International and the experience and skills of people inside, and a further 70 cov- College to talk to the students. the catering staff earned them ers can be accommodated easily Bright and modern, the Asian Fusion restaurant in Fuengirola. Dani demonstrated some of his ‘seal of approval’. within the large covered terrace. With the weather turning warmer, the terrace is an ideal place to en- joy a meal on a beautiful spring day. The staff speak a variety of lan- guages including English, Dutch and Spanish, and are on hand to assist you in any way. The restaurant also has WiFi for those who intend to have a work- ing lunch; the restaurant is an ideal venue for informal business meet- ings. The size of the premises make it perfect for family celebrations, parties and get-togethers. Prices start from around 3.70 euros for starters and from around 7.90 euros for main dishes. Bing Asian Fusion has a selection of ac- The dining area with lovely views of the seafront. companiments with six rice dishes (including sticky rice), and seven noodle dishes. Chips, vegetarian and a children’s menu are also available. The restaurant and bar is open from 12.30h - 16.00h and 18.30h - midnight every day. For reservations ring 952 470 218