On Monday, November 7th, early in the afternoon, the peaceful Tropical Valley of Almuñécar was scene of the worst working accident that the province has seen. A massive metal platform used for constructing a bridge over the Rio Verde for the new coastal dual carriageway, plummeted approximately 80 metres to the valley floor, killing six people and seriously injuring another worker.

A Dutch tourist who happened to be taking a photo of the bridge at the time captured the entire event on film.

When the dual-carriageway bridge collapsed, Almuñécar suddenly became the pinnacle of media attention in the country, displacing the already over-exposed coverage of the birth of Leanor - the first-born to the heir apparent, Don Felipe, Principe de Asturias.

Although initial figures spoke of a couple of dozen deaths, between those that had fallen nearly 80 metres to their deaths and those workers who had been caught by falling debris, the real figure was six dead, three injured. So why the discrepancy then? Around 60 people work on this particular site, which, apart from being a bridge under construction, is also the main cement works for the Granada stretch of the dual-carriageway. At least 20 men – mostly Portuguese – had been on the metal platform, on which the concrete is laid, when the accident occurred, furthermore, at least half a dozen were thought to have been in the work huts that were flattened. When the structure began to give, coming free of the rails, the rendering of tearing metal was clearly audible kilometres away – sufficient warning for many of the workers to get out of the way. The elapse between the first blood-chilling wrench noises and the actual impact of the falling metal frame below was probably around 20 seconds – an eternity for those who were dragged down with it.

These precious seconds gave many workers up top sufficient time to run back along the bridge, evacuating the metal ‘auto-cima.’ The same could be said for many below. All of these ‘survivors’ dispersed around the site, out of harms way, which is why they were initially unaccounted for.

As to the presence of Portuguese workers on this particular construction, two versions are currently circulating: no Spanish company specialises in this particular design of bridge and – according to some Portuguese workers themselves – they are paid less than their Spanish counterparts. The first is surprising, whilst the second, sadly, isn’t. These workers have six-month contracts, where they earn 75 euros for an eleven-hour day.

It has also come to light that the original contract to build the bridge has been sub-contracted three times. The Minister for Work and Social Affairs, Jesús Caldera, however, was quick to comment that they did not consider this situation to have brought about the disaster.

As can be expected, the judge in charge of investigating the incident has ordered all work to cease on site and for the area to be completely closed to anybody without expressed special permission.

The actual hypothesis is that there was no ‘prevention error’ (lack of safety measures) but that it is more likely to have been caused by material or technical defects. One thing is for sure, with three separate enquiries delving simultaneously into the circumstances of the incident, the reason for the collapse, with the subsequent loss of life, will soon be known.

The Full Photo Sequence
The following four photographs taken by Dutch tourist Fred Nederlof tell the whole story:

1. The bridge a few seconds before the accident:

2. The platform collapses:

3. The dust settles:

Photo rights: To obtain reproduction rights for some or all of the above photos taken by Fred Nederlof, phone Georg on 629 567 100. All royalties will go to the famillies of the victims.

A Seaside Gazette Eyewitness Account
Peter and Marie Jackson have been in Spain for 3 years; they live in a hamlet in ‘La Vegueta’ on the edge of the Rio Verde Valley. Their house overlooks the Chirimoyo plantations, and to the right, the Autovia. Their lives were shaken and sharply brought into focus by the tragedy that happened when a section of the Autovia collapsed, killing six people.

Monday 7th November started like many others, “What shall we do today?” After a few cups of coffee we decided to continue our rain preparation and garden tidying; we know the rain is coming … sometime!!

I (Peter) have been fascinated with the work for over a year. Everyday we watched what the workers were doing. I kept a close observation with my binoculars on the engineering, as the metal framework moved slowly across the valley, leaving behind a trail of concrete. The work on the bridge had reached an interesting position. They were about to move the huge metal rails and framework over the archway and onto the next pillar, so I wanted to see how they are going to do it.

The workers returned from lunch and through the binoculars I watched as the framework edged slowly forward, four men were on top of the receiving pillar and there were puffs of smoke; one of them was welding. Several other men were on the front edge of the framework, as it edged slowly forward. On the solid concrete were other workers and several vehicles were parked further back along the completed sections of the bridge.

Suddenly there was a loud crack, followed by an earth-shattering rumble. Metal framework lifted, swung, twisted and then collapsed, taking with it the workers and part of the previous construction. The whole metal support work had crashed to the ground, crushing parts of the cement factory and a mighty cloud of dust rose from the earth; it sounded and felt like an earthquake.

Photo: Myke Cox

‘Marie’! I shouted, because she had just gone inside. As Marie came out of the house, she gasped, hands over her mouth, at the catastrophe before her eyes. My instincts were to remember, record and to keep calm; I grabbed the camera and took photographs! We saw dust clouds and smoke rising from the ground, four workers trapped on the top of a pillar, two workers on the remaining structure, running for their lives’.

Piercing screams could be heard throughout the valley from the injured or those in anguish at the enormity of what had just happened. Screeching birds were flying in all directions, their peaceful existence shattered.

What could we do to help? How many people could be injured? Was the road or adjacent houses damaged? Our neighbour’s mother’s house is one of them! We shouted to Paqui to come with us to check on her Mother. We all jumped into our pickup and sped off to the scene.

‘Huge pieces of twisted metal lay everywhere, crushed cabins and vehicles, severed and broken limbs and dead bodies’. Paqui’s mother was unharmed, but in shock. Members of the community already there looked on helplessly, their faces numbed, distressed, some traumatised at the gruesome sight confronting them. Others were assisting, giving out drinking water, seating for the suffering and trying to organise the chaotic traffic. But none of us could really do anything; heavy lifting equipment and specialist teams would be required.

Emergency Services arrived, Policia Local, Guardia Civil, ambulance crews and the Fire Service. All their faces expressed disbelief, as they grasped the magnitude of the situation facing them.

Tears came from many of us; the shock, and fear for the lives of those workers dead or injured also brought pain. This was not just news we had seen on the television or in a newspaper. This was in front of our very eyes. These workers have been a part of our community in Torrecuevas for over 12 months. We see them daily, on our track, in the local restaurant, bars and shops.

Although we had driven many times under the bridge - exactly where it fell - never did we think that anything like this could happen. The tragedy has focused our lives, how quickly life can come to an end. It has put into perspective the importance of letting those around you know that you are there and you care about them… before it’s too late.

Today is 11th November 2005. There is an eerie silence across this part of our valley. The tragedy of what happened has caused those in Portugal, Torrecuevas, Almuñécar and Spain to ask the question: “What went wrong?” As the investigations continue, we all await the answer!

The Tragic Photos
Imagine that you have stopped to look at a towering motorway bridge under construction. You’ve decided to take some photos and, as you’re lining it up in your camera, it starts to fall down. That’s exactly what happened to Dutchman Fred Nederlof, who is a doctor by profession.

Coming from a country that is unremarkable as far as mountains or even hills go, he was fascinated by this piece of remarkable engineering. And remarkable it is, stretching as it does, across Valle Río Verde, 80 metres above the ground. He could make out – high above – the workers walking along the top, or climbing through the metal work.

And that was when the nightmare unfolded before his eyes. The huge metal runners, each weighing 200 metric tons, had just reached the next pillar, but, for a still unknown reason, the northern rail slipped of its mountings on the receiving pillar, dipping alarmingly, and breaking the main anchor point at the back end of the rail.

Down it all came, right in front of Fred Nederlof, as he peered at it through the camera viewfinder. The two photos that he managed to fire off, in the brief seconds of the collapse of the metalwork, were flashed around Spain’s and Portugal’s TV and newspaper media.

Fred could have made a fortune with those photographs, but instead of holding out for the highest bidder, he decided that any money that the photos brought in, should be destined for the grieving families of the six dead workers.

This is where the Seaside Gazette came in, because Fred asked us to market the photos accordingly, which we did, informing the dozens of media companies that phoned that the author of the photo requested a symbolic amount of 150 euros for the use of the photos.

That same evening, the national newspaper El Mundo bought the startling photographs and published them, using one to cover most of the front page. The editor of this heavy-weight daily decided to include the Seaside Gazette in the photo credits, alongside Fred Nederlof. The next morning, all hell broke loose, starting with a call from the national network TV5, who swooped in for a TV exclusive. For the rest of the day, other TV channels and newspaper after newspaper called in, frantically, to find out who Fred Nederlof was and asking permission to reproduce the photos. (Even today, 23rd November, we’re still receiving calls from all over Europe.)

The Gazette’s task of marketing the photos produced a couple of points worth mentioning here. Being a Granada-province news magazine, we first offered the exclusive to Ideal - the province’s main daily. God knows what happened in their newsroom, but they weren’t interested. So the Gazette tried Spain’s answer to Reuters: EFE. Again, the response was incomprehensible – they offered only 20 euros for the complete set of photos…

A very important journalist’s web site (www.periodistadigital.com) also wanted to know these things and was flabbergasted when we told them that EFE had offered only 20 euros. They investigated, but the by-now peeved news agency was denying having ever offered this paltry amount. And as far as Ideal goes, well I guess the scene in the main office must have been something akin to CBS’s main office after turning down the Beatles.

Finally, Ideal decided to buy the photos the next day. Perhaps as a signal of their displeasure, not in one single place on any of the 13 pages that they dedicated to the accident did the name Seaside Gazette crop up – not even on Fred’s photos, where our magazine’s name had accompanied Fred’s in the other dailies and even on the main lunchtime news of Spain’s state television channel, TV1.

The Asociación de Periodistas del la Costa & Alpujarra – the Seaside Gazette is a member – will be voting for its annual Christmas award on the 16th of this month. We have cast our vote for Cecilia Chacón. Other names that will be considered for the award are: Venta Luciano, Banco de Alimentos, Asociación de hostelería de la comarca and Gijon e hijos.

I’ve got a lot of news to cram into a smaller than usual space in the Almuñécar section, due to our Bridge Disaster coverage, so I’ll have to keep the length of the articles down… not much space for quips, then: gloom!

María Josefa Quesada, who was a high-school teacher at Antigua Sexi and was known simple as ‘Pepi’ to both colleagues and older pupils, died this month from an illness. Pepi had taught in this school since 1983 and will be missed by many. Accordingly, the school closed on the day of her funeral, so that teachers and pupils could attend.

Sneezing chickens in the Far East have been the cause for the XIX Ornithological Competition to be cancelled this year. This competition, which is always held at Almuñécar, attracts bird lovers from all over Andalucía; this year 1,300 birds were to be exhibited and judged. All had already been prepared for the great day, with the posters already up in the streets, when they received an urgent letter from the Federación Ornitológica Cultura Deportiva Española, telling the organisers not to go ahead. Obviously, this decision ruffled more than a few feathers!

Whoopee! The new hospital will be open and functioning this month! The Junta de Andalucía has confirmed that the new medical centre/hospital will be equipped by 2006, and that the specialist units will start functioning in a ‘progressive form,’ in other words, they won’t be available immediately on opening. This gem came from the lips of Celia Gómez, the provincial delegate for the regional health service – she had come to La Herradura to deliver the medical findings on the meningitis investigations. The actual medical building in the P-4 was symbolically inaugurated two months back, even though it didn’t have any water and electricity supplies.

Passers-by were curious to see a large crane operating in the Parque Majuelo. The reason for its presence was for the placing of seven large sculptures that were knocked up by industrious Syrian artists, to commemorate the 1,250th anniversary of the arrival of Abderramán to our shores. I explained who this gentleman was a couple of issues back and I haven’t got room to explain again, so lets just say that he was an 8th-Century, Middle-Eastern tourist that just happened to establish a caliphate in Córdoba in between football matches and tapas. You can find all seven sculptures sulking near the stage in the park.

Oh what a popular baby the new PGOU has been – more than 5,000 objections have been registered at the town planning office so far! This, Ladies and Gentlemen, is not normal. You’ll always get a few objections, but not over 5,000, in a town whose official populations stands at just over 22,000. Obviously the detractors from the municipal urban development plan (Plan General de Ordenanza Urbano) are overjoyed that so many people have bothered to file their objection to the plan at the appropriate office, which is tucked away at the other end of town and is surrounded by razor-wire and a minefield. The Platform for the Defence of the Vega and Coastline has pointed out that the two political parties that approved the plan should sit up and take notice. The spokesman for the protest group, Sr. Sánchez García, stated that so little do they trust the Almuñécar Council that they have made duplicates of the 5,000 objections and sent them off to all the relevant administrative bodies on a provincial, regional and national level. As the new PGOU is not available in a digital form and, according to Sr. Sánchez García, as the Town Hall refused to provide La Plataforma with a copy of the dossier, they had to spend around 1,000 euros in photocopies, so that they could have all the relevant information. All this information is on display – as is the law – but no copies are available to take away and study.

Talking of the PGOU, Los Verdes (The Green Party) has said that it will denounce the urban development plan before the Anti-Corruption Department in Madrid! They have compiled a documented report on ‘speculative actions.’ The spokesman for the regional branch of the Green Party, Francisco Garrido, said that Almuñécar is just one of the cases of ‘limitless’ urban speculation that are devouring Andalucía. The Secretary for the local branch of the PA, which is the ruling party here, was quick to respond, calling Francisco Garrido a coward who hides behind his parliamentary immunity to make accusations against the PGOU that cannot be proven. “He casts offensive accusations that he knows to be false. If he has evidence to back him then he should go to the court and present his case; if he doesn’t (have said evidence) he should shut up,” commented the irate PA Spokesman, Rafael Contreras. He added that Sr. Garrido need only look around the vegas del Rió Guadalfeo (governed by the Socialists) to find hundreds of illegal constructions that were built with the connivence and authorisation of politicians of his own party. For good measure, he described Sr Garrido as ‘pesebrero,’ whose translation is not available in even the largest of English/Spanish dictionaries, but whose meaning we can safely suppose to be significantly negative.

The whole town stinks – and I’m speaking figuratively in this case. It’s the damned EDAR, i.e. the sewage treatment plant at the entrance to the Barranco de Ítrabo, just down the river from Torrecuevas. The stink is violently detectable just as soon as you come into Torrecuevas from Jete and generously accompanies you to the centre of town. Its fetid tentacles stretch as far as Barrio San Juan in Taramay (Portichuelo), as well! Now to be perfectly frank, if I had a need to smell my own bodily refuse, I wouldn’t bother to pull the chain, but having carried out this optimistic gesture, you would expect never to catch sight nor whiff of it again: fare thee well, fond adieu, bye bye and don’t come back, sort of thing. But no! Osama himself could not have come up with a more dastardly way of oppressing Almuñécar’s fair citizens! So, whose fault is it? Well, the Plataforma contra la Contaminacíon de la Depuradora de Río Verde, which is little more than a neighbourhood protest committee, has been formed to decide just that and to get the situation sorted out… because they are seriously browned off, Troops! When I say a ‘neighbourhood’ association, I use the term lightly because its members come from all around: Torrecuevas, San Sebastian, La Carrera, and the Hostelry trade in general. They’ve been to see the Mayor and written to the health authorities in Granada because, they point out, you can’t even open a window, without having the stench grab you by the windpipe and shove its pestilent fingers up ya’ nuked nasals! “We can’t understand how they can spend 21 million euros on a treatment plant – which the provincial department of the environment termed as, ‘ideal’ – yet have this stench emanating several kilometres, deteriorating the quality of life of all those affected,” declared the spokesman for the group, adding, “Here, in the 21st century, this is unthinkable!” Although the plant has only been functioning a question of months, already parts of it is in disrepair, according to the Plataforma, and the sewage is not being processed efficiently. Neither does the main pumping station next to Gondolas function correctly. To top it all off, every time it rains, this pumping installation floods and ceases to work! It’s a damned good job that we have the climate of the Gobi Desert for most of the year, isn’t it? Finally, the installation is due to be handed over to the Comunidad de Municipios this month, but they, surprisingly, are not too keen on the idea…

Aha! I was on the point of forgetting! Don’t forget that Otívar has its annual fiestas from virtually the 5th to the 11th of this month. The big day is the 8th. They do, however, deserve a good slapping with a starched hedgehog, because they haven’t seen fit to send us any details, despite reminding them dozens of times. Never mind! However, I did glean that they will be a bullfight in a temporary bullring on the 8th at 16.30h. Further more, they’ll have a scrambling and BMX event up near the school on the 9th. Neither should we forget Lentejí, whose fiestas are on the 24th December and Jete, whose fiestas straddle New Year.

The Guardia Civil has busted a gang of motorbike & scooter thieves, comprising of three underage youths (one of whom is a girl) and an 18-year old. These industrious kleptomaniacs are credited with knocking off at least 26 vehicles of this kind since June. The gang operated in both Almuñécar and La Herradura. The Guardia have recovered four whole bikes and the dismantled remains of the other 22. The gang were on their way to being rumbled when the Guardia came across a whole bike and the remains of another on somebody’s land, so they staked it out. Before long, up skipped two merry mechanics of the light-fingered variety, to check that their haul was still there – and of course they were, along with a couple of grinning Guardia policemen. After a spot of spirited nipple tweaking, the two generously offered the identities of their accomplices. So, after a happy reunion of all involved, and the serendipitous appearance of sulking motor parts under beds etc, everybody was invited down to the Guardia Civil post for a spot of Australian foot inspection, i.e. being hung upside down and having the soles of their feet beaten with an off-duty, irritable, & famished ferret. On a personal note, perhaps the thieves should be considered for a medal for diminishing the town’s howling moped fleet?

I wonder who will end up paying for this one? The Town Hall, in its infinite wisdom, has decided to charge banks and ‘cajas’ (saving banks) for having cash-points on the facades of their branches. Each bank branch with a cash-point outside will have to cough up a special tax for occupying a standard two square metres of ‘via pública.’ The Town Hall inspector has found that there are 15 cash-points in and around Almuñécar that will be liable, and for which the banks will have to pay between 29.80 and 61.40 euros per month to the bottomless coffers of the Palace of Gloom & Doom. In their defence, the municipal Ebenezer Scrooge, Antonio Rey, says that other towns already make this charge to banks. How long, Ladies and Gentlemen, before our bank charges reflect this pecuniary piss-take?

Best Hotels are building a four-star hotel on the Punta de la Mona. Whoopee – another hotel! Rumour has it that somebody actually saw a blade of grass growing up through a crack in the concrete-covered headland, so they decided to build this 236-room hotel on top of it, for its bloody cheek! The hotel, which is going up just behind the old Alcázar complex, will cost some 30 million euros. The hotel will consist of two buildings: one is the old Alcázar, which will be enlarged, and the other is being built behind it. The hotel will have parking for around 500 cars. It’s simply amazing that if you are peddling a hotel, you can get away with anything, and building restrictions & green-belt zones are of no obstacle.

Ricardo, who used to run the Taberna Flamenca down near the post office (in front of Mississippi), tells me that there will be a flamenco competition on successive Fridays at the bar, even though it has been closed recently. The competition will cover cantaores (flamenco singers), guitaristas and bailaores (flamenco dancers) of both sexes. It’s too late to put your name down but it should be fun to watch. Competition nights are Fridays: 25th November, 2nd and 9th December. The finals will be held on Friday 16th December. All events begin at 22.00h. By the way, Ricardo also tells me that he is looking to lease the bar out, if anybody is interested. You can contact him on 958 631 872 or 697 218 357.

Benavides has finally managed to get his municipal budget through, after being thwarted the two previous years by the combined opposition veto. This time it was possible thanks to the rebellious vote of the now independent councillor (hitherto PP councillor) Andrés Palacios. Ouch! Guess who won’t be getting any Christmas cards this year! Andy Baby has become the lynch pin for the Town Council and is, accordingly, the favourite colour of the month of the Mayor.

You would have had to have been on a serious and most dire mission to have been able to pass Zen II Net (C/Alta del Mar) last Sunday afternoon (20th Nov). The place is normally a small Internet café, tucked neatly into the rows of shops, only obvious to those needing it. It is adorned with a hint of wares, tastefully scattered in the few spots, unoccupied by technology, making the tranquil atmosphere a most pleasing place to sit and carry out your computer needs. You would be forgiven for passing it by on any other day. Not on this day though. For outside were throngs of onlookers, blocking the street in a bid to watch the display of Wax Art being demonstrated by Lynne Bishop, one of five artists exhibiting at Zen II Net that day. How on earth they managed to display the exhibits in the space given, I can only wonder at, but display them, they did, even though the venue had to be magically transformed back into an internet café by early Sunday evening! Other artists exhibiting on this occasion were: Jytte Jensen, Liz Naepflin, Satu Natunen and Michel Piccone. A little bird tells me that the next exhibition will be bigger, longer, and full of meaty goodness! (OK, so I lied about the meaty bit!).

Juan Carlos Benavides - ‘Don Juan Carlos’ to some and ‘Benatas’ to others - has declared that the village cemetery and the Almuñécar one will remain in use for the time being. He also said that both cemeteries would become ‘local monuments’ in the very near future. In other words, both graveyards will continue to accept new ‘tenants’ until they physically run out of space, at which point, they will remain open so that people can come and visit the tombs. So, the speculation that they will be bulldozed and turned into blocks of flats or something has been dispelled, hopefully. Where the deceased will be housed in the future, is another question altogether.

Good news for those that live in areas that have their access from the coast via La Cuesta del Marchante (Cerro Gordo); the company that is building the new dual-carriageway is tarmacking this country lane. The surface had become covered with potholes, thanks to transit of heavy vehicles. The Town Hall, for its part, is concreting the drainage ditches along the sides. Although the Cuesta del Marchante was first widened and tarmacked ten years back, no maintenance work has been carried out on it since, which has resulted in it becoming obstructed in places by vegetation.

On the 4th of last month, the Plataforma de Padres y Madres de La Herradura asked for the health authorities to apply a spot of alacrity to the elaboration of the epidemiological report, as at least six months had gone past with no sign of progress on this front. According to Sr. Ruiz Joya, who is the spokesman for the association, they had been promised that the results of the survey would be known by the end of October, which never came about. You will remember that this investigation was the result of three young kids dying of meningitis within the space of just over one year. He also pointed out that the paediatric service in the village was working as promised by the Granada health authorities. Well, finally on the 14th – ten days later – the results were made public… and a collective sigh went round the village. The report claims that the three deaths were ‘sporadic’ and not, therefore, ‘epidemic.’ Furthermore, ‘no extraordinary measures need to be taken’ because, since 30th April, no further cases of meningitis have been detected; not in La Herradura, nor in any other village in the Sanitary District, Southern Granada. The head of the provincial heath department, Celia Gómez, personally came down to La Herradura to deliver the report. In other words, the three cases might have coincided in time and place, but this does not make it an epidemic; merely a ‘grouping of cases.’ The report is based on a study, involving samples taken from more than 700 villagers. In a normal condition, around 10% of any population will have menigococo in their throats, without manifesting any symptoms of the illness. The tests that were carried out at the Laboratorio Nacional d Microbiología de Majadahonda, found that the majority of the spores taken belonged to meningitis B and that the percentage was not out of the ordinary. “La Herradura will maintain is paediatric coverage on the basis of the necessities and organisation of the health district,” concluded Sra. Gómez.

The Estación Náutica de la Costa Tropical will be opening its doors during the month of February. At least that is what the building company said, who will be carrying out the construction work: Gestión Técnica de Montajes y Construcciones. The 312,171 euros budget comes from the Plan Turístico de Almuñécar y La Herradura. So what the hell is it? The Estación Náutica is the official centre for all maritime sports and leisure activities along the coast of Granada. It will handle the administrative side of all the diving schools, fishing, and sailing clubs. It will be situated right next to Hotel Sol Los Fenicios, in the grounds of the old diving school. (I’m getting sick and tired of all these italics!) A single-storey structure will be built (185sq/mts) and the rest of the 584sq/mt plot will contain gardens and a swimming pool for practising submersion skills. There will also be a small shop-cum-reception, where information can be obtained and reservations made. Happy? Good, coz I’m bored with this… I’d tell you a joke, but I can’t think of any (sulk!)

Monday 14th marked not only one of the most amazing hail storms in history in La Herradura, with all the drama of torrential rain as only Spain knows how, but the strike action of Las Gaviotas staff. Protesting against barriers which have been left in the rear playground of the primary school, the school had attempted to contact the authorities to have these dangerous structures removed before some child approached them and suffered a nasty accident, if not worse. In typical bureaucrat fashion, however, no one was claiming responsibility for the said barriers, neither the Town Hall, nor the Department of Education. So the school decided to take matters into their own hands until some questions were properly addressed by the authorities. What resulted was that almost 400-strong students were turned away from the gates and no classes were held that day. Any solutions, however? I held an interview with Marie Carmen to understand, amongst other matters, whether the school felt the protest achieved its aims. It turns out that the school is still awaiting a meeting with Mayor Benavides to get the situation resolved. It appears that the barriers, although precarious themselves, were in fact placed there by the Town Hall in order to protect the children from the ever-deteriorating border fence between the school and the Viveros (plant nurseries). So, ironically, we’re in a situation (it seems increasingly and frustratingly encountered here) where the measures of prevention can be more detrimental than the potential dangers. Meanwhile, as is the case with the only partially completed containing wall from the N 340 (we are still awaiting two thirds of this structure), the situation is unresolved and the school keeps plugging away at the authorities to get this remedied. We sit and wait … or do we?

The keyword in the information coming from Marie Carmen was participation. The more, as parents, we become involved in the daily activities of our children and actively support the efforts of the teachers, the more consistent this will be with the school achieving its aims of a harmonious learning environment with happy, educated children.

Is it legal, I hear you ask, for the Marina del Este authorities to charge three euros entrance to vehicles? The trouble is, you see, that the Marina de Este is not one, but two, separate ‘estates,’ if you like. This goes back to the time when they made the marina by opening up the sea passage between the small peñon and the hillside, which were originally joined. The peñon, and the land on which the bars and restaurants stand, do not belong to the company that bought the marina – they only own the wet bit and the concrete wharfs; much to their dismay. So, as you skip merrily down the road that runs in front of the restaurants, you’ll be hopping in and out of the Marina del Este. Are you with me, Troops? The Marina would just love to own the business premises, but they don’t, or better said, the courts haven’t decided yet. So, as the two parts of what we commonly consider the Marina del Este don’t actually see eye to eye, we just have to put up with this petty harrassment. Yes, the Marina company can charge access to their private property and, whoops, that’s not very convenient for the businesses in the port (tee-hee!). This article is not the Gospel, mind, although we use the same font size, so all the above, up to the bold print lead in sentence (Is it legal…), is ‘allegedly’ and ‘supposedly. ’ Now, bearing in mind that it is 22.45h, I’m going to switch off and go to bed, so just talk amongst yourselves, if you don’t mind, until I get up in the morning and switch the gloating computer back on. Zzzz…

You will have recently received a note home about the Parents’ school (Escuela de Padres) which is a questionnaire about the topics that might interest us as a free talk presented by professionals qualified to advise on areas of health, hygiene, learning and studying techniques, safe use of the internet, etc. Organised in conjunction with the high school in the village, these talks will be offered to all parents in an aim to maintain a consistent approach between the school and the family on these matters, as well as to help mothers and fathers with their parenting and to keep them in contact with school life.

You might also not be aware of the fact that the school has in place an active programme for the students throughout all years which ranges from health and hygiene, through to reading for pleasure and the importance of solidarity and living in harmony. As usual, our conversation included reference to the cultural diversity within the school. Now, more than ever, the teachers are also attending courses, on intercultural exchange as well as new technologies. Interestingly, though, Marie Carmen obviously mentioned the need for encouraging Spanish communication skills, but this time she also emphasised how important it is that we don’t let our children’s mother tongue slip. We have a responsibility to maintain their first language, as well as helping them to develop their Spanish. It’s a tricky balance, but let’s hang on in there!

The Oasis crew are pleased to let you know that they’re up and running (well, depends on how much of the Christmas ‘spirit’ we’ve indulged in really) for Christmas Eve. They’re also open from noon until 14.00h on Christmas Day to wish you all a Merry Christmas. But the big bang is really going to be on New Year’s Eve, when you’ll be able to enjoy a limited numbers party with live music from the well-loved Russell Nash, as well as a buffet. Make sure you get your tickets quickly from the bar at 20 euros each and look forward to a night of fun and fiesta (with an English touch!).

El Ancla is really getting into the swing of the Christmas spirit with a Cheese and Wine evening planned for Monday 12th December. Join them for a selection of wines and fine cheeses. Our local wine buff, Antonio, will be on hand to advise you about things and answer any questions on the goodies available, as well as taking orders for delivery before Christmas. Tickets are available from the bar at five euros each and your answers & comments will be collected on scorecards, helping El Ancla to compile their new wine list. Don’t forget that it’s business as usual on Christmas Eve, and that they’re also open 12 midday until 15.00h on Christmas Day, when you can come in to meet with friends and share a glass of mulled wine with a mince pie! Their brilliant Christmas Hamper is also looking pretty special at one euro per ticket or five euros for six squares for all sorts of English goodies and treats. And then, of course, to top it all off, there’s a fancy-dress New Year’s Eve bash with this year’s theme being uniforms - oo er Missus - all sorts of possibilities here, including policemen, nurses, children, sporting teams... Let your minds run wild! With music and a terrific party atmosphere at 10 euros per ticket to include a finger buffet, plus a welcome drink, just check at the bar for details!

And what about a gift certificate for that ultimate of healing experiences, Shiatsu? Yes, it’s true, Marina is still using those sensitive hands to improve the health and well-being of all her clients. The only difference now is that she has set up her premises at Las Palomas, only five minutes away from the village centre and within the charming setting of Cocoa. Why not give her a call on 666 613 853?

Here’s your chance to get into the Yuletide spirit and help support the Asociación Españól Contra Cancer (AECC) Christmas Fair, fund-raising event during December.

A one-day workshop (10.00-17.00) is being held on Wednesday 14th December at Annie Sloan (just behind the municipal market) in La Herradura. Sanday Bulley, with her many years of experience in natural ideas for Christmas, is presenting the workshop. Use the things you might collect on walks in the countryside, on the beach or even in the garden, for some truly lovely ideas. Make a festive welcome ring, not to mention: garlands, silver twig rings, citrus fruit, gold and silver bowls, gold and silver nut pots, mandarin and pinecone centrepieces, Christmas rose loaves, vine leaf candles, and ivy and pomegranate arrangements. Each project will be described as a simple recipe with easy to follow instructions. Tips and tricks of the trade will ensure that you achieve really successful results and Sanday will provide information sheets for you to take home so that you can continue creating wonderful arrangements in your own time! A light lunch has also been generously sponsored and provided by Michael and Mary of the Hideaway Bar.

The whole event will play a fantastic part in boosting the funds raised by the Christmas Fair organised by the Asociacion de Artesanos de La Herradura over the week of 5th - 8th December. The full-day workshop, lunch and materials: 45.00 euros. Contact: 958 640 632 for more details and to reserve your space. Alternatively, go in directly to speak to them at Annie Sloan.

Esteban from Atmósphera in the Marina del Este tells us that he will be closing from the 22nd December, until 11th of January, reopening on the 12th.

A nice juicy PGOU (General Urban Development Plan) is a very large part of a town’s income. No sooner has the PGOU been approved by Sevilla, i.e. the Regional Government, then the money starts pouring in from developers: taxes, and the obligatory ceding of a percentage of the acquired building plot, either in land or its worth in lieu. This legal ‘kickback’ is designed to provide the township with public land for social purposes or hard cash from its sale to be spent on the same. So, when the old PGOU is exhausted, i.e. there is no more building land available for development, a town hall goes on a financial diet until the next PGOU comes into effect. This is the situation of Salobreña at the moment. For this reason, in the last Town Council meeting, a treasury operation was approved, which will bring 3.2 million euros into the municipal coffers. Where will the money come from? It will come from a general municipal tax increase next year. The Town Hall says that the hike will be based on the increased IPC (cost-of-living index). So there you have it, Troops! A town hall will always back the urban expansion of a town, not because the population needs living space, but because the succulent influx of funds from building licences, etc, are too tempting to resist. The problem is, of course, for every extension in the town’s built-up area, more money will have to be spent on the maintenance of its infrastructure and social services such as police, fire and ambulance coverage. More houses, after all, do not necessary mean more inhabitants; take a look at Almuñécar, that has 27,000 dwellings and only 23,000 inhabitants – and they’re set to double that housing figure.

Quads are neither man nor beast. They’re not really motorbikes; they’re four-wheeled vehicles, so you don’t need to wear a crash-helmet. On the other hand, they’re not really cars; they have handlebars and a saddle, therefore you don’t need a car licence. Legislatures really don’t know what to do about this ambiguity, as far as classification and adherence to the Highway Code goes. Things won’t remain this way for long, mind, because rising deaths and injuries at the controls of these unstable machines are rising. On the 23rd of November, a 19-year-old lad lost his life when he lost control of his quad in the centre of town. He rammed into a parked car in Calle Federico Lorca and was flung off. As he was not wearing a crash-helmet when he impacted, head first, against another car, the injuries to his head proved fatal. The Spanish automobile association, R.A.C.E. (Real Automóvil Club de España) highly recommends that crash-helmets should be made compulsory for quad riders, and points out that such vehicles are not appropriate for use in town traffic. Quads are much harder to ride than normal motorbikes (there is a knack to it – it’s all about body displacement) and have a tendency to tip over when taking corners. And we’re not just talking about 49cc fun machines – some of these mini tractors have the same power as large cylinder bikes.

Kids at the village’s high school are getting an extra subject on their weekly agenda: First Aid! The coastal emergency services are tired of arriving at the scene of an accident and being too late to save the life of someone that, had somebody with First-Aid knowledge been immediately at hand, might still be alive today. Such a simple thing as stopping somebody choking on their own tongue, or drowning in their own vomit, can save lives. In the case of a heart attack, for example, if more than nine minutes pass without any action being taken, then it might be impossible to save the person’s life. So, more than 600 pupils at ESO4 level (10th grade) will be learning what to do if they come across somebody who has just suffered a heart attack, under the education programme, Soporte Vital Básico en las Aulas (Basic Life Support in Classrooms). This pioneer scheme in Spain has already imparted classes to 450 Motrileño school kids last year, on how to save a life without medical equipment and without being a doctor. The course received high praise, not only from the teachers, but from the pupils themselves. How the scheme works is that it is the teachers who receive the information first hand from the medical staff of Santa Ana Hospital, who then pass the knowledge on to their pupils in the classrooms. The classes began on the 23rd at the IES (secondary school) Nazarí.

It is well time that Salobreña had its own bus station. The present situation is more befitting of somewhere the size of Lobres, for example. How is it that the taxi rank is bigger and better situated than the village’s ‘Bus Stop,’ for that is what it amounts to be: a simple bus stop. The ridiculous situation is further exasperated by the fact that the pedestrian crossing is completely blocked by any parked buses. In fact, when you have two or more buses stopped to drop off or pick up passengers, then you need a three-day camel trek and a packed lunch to get round the Red Interlopers! What bleeding Einstein decided to put a zebra crossing straight into the side of a bus? But wait, the problem is not the pedestrian crossing but the place chosen to receive buses in a stationary mode. In the photo, the first bus has already pulled away, leaving the second bus parked in a more benign position. Perhaps if the grannies would stop throwing down breadcrumbs on this particular corner, the damned Alsina jobbies wouldn’t swoop in and congest the area!

Great news for Crazy Joe’s! Work on the Torrenueva paseo will begin this September/October! Further to the east along the coast, the area between the Calahonda farillo and the Chucha will have a paseo (promenade) built, as well. Hey! The work on said project will begin at the tail-end of summer, but it won’t conclude until at least 12 months later. Obviously, the Town Hall is trying not to muck up the summer season; hence it not starting until September/October. As far as the Torrenueva paseo goes, the three to four million euros that will be spent on the project, will not mean that it will be bigger or longer. Nope! What will happen is that the existing one will have a thorough facelift: new streetlights, pavement surface, litterbins, etc. In the case of Carchuna, there will quite a lot of changes. The paseo will run alongside the existing beach road, but access will be denied to wheeled transport: cars, etc. There will be, however, four separate parking areas, giving berth to some 900 cars. That’s it… good night and don’t forget to switch off the lights! Zzzz…

Oh what lucky blighters they are in Motril, where there is soon to be an ice-skating rink! Of course, back in Old Blighty, most of the country is an ice-skating rink from November to March, bless their frozen cotton socks. This facility will be available from the 2nd December, through to the 8th January. Wait a minute! That’s the one that was parked in Almuñécar last year! Traitors! May they be smitten by a slush plague! The ice-skating rink will be housed under a marquee and will be situated in the old Virgen de la Cabeza junior school, which is next to the Guardia Civil post.

A family-run business has been operating in Motril for more than thirty years and in Salobreña for the last two. They are Toldos y Persianas Gonzalez S.L., trading as Createch and are regular advertisers in The Seaside Gazette, where the addresses of their two premises are given, along with contact telephone numbers. They recognise the difficulty we might have in ordering their made-to-measure products in Spanish, so, from 15th January, will have an English-speaking employee to deal with your order. They inform me that all their customers are special and that they like to deal with each one on a personal basis. This company can provide UPVC windows, with or without powder coating, speciality windows having UPVC on one side and wood on the other, blinds and Persian blinds (persianas) to suit your requirements, polycarbonate roofing for conservatories, etc. They also supply and fit shower units, tailored awnings and conservatories manufactured to your individual needs. All their products have a guarantee.

OK, so we needed some rain! I could not believe it - as Victor Meldrew would say - when I opened my door on the evening of 14th November. The rain and hail stones were coming down in their torrents, as well as the rubbish from the mountain behind, making a lot of dirty slush, which I had last seen in Britain seven years ago, before coming to live in Spain. The electricity supply went off so many times that I lost count and the satellite signal for Sky disappeared into a black hole in cyber space. It never fails to amaze me that the Satellite System we now have, is described as an advance in technology and yet we lose the signal every time the weather is a bit dodgy or there is an ‘R’ in the month! I know it’s not quite that bad, but it certainly seems that way. All we used to have to worry about was: Is the lightning going to strike the T.V. aerial? Does the same situation, about lightning strikes, apply to a satellite dish? Please let me know.

Translation expert available. As a follow up from the article in the last edition of The Seaside Gazette, concerning being represented by someone who speaks fluent Spanish, as well as English, when dealing with officials in Spain, comes the following advice. There is an English lady in Salobreña, who is trained and qualified in translation. The lady in question is Debbie Green and she offers both a discrete, as well as a professional service with respect to all translations, concerning legal and personal matters. Debbie studied languages at University, is a Member of the Institute of Linguists and has had many years of experience in the field of translation. Debbie will attend any meeting with you, to help you understand what is being said and to speak in Spanish on your behalf. For further information, please contact Debbie on 620 705 463.

A new Photographic Business in the village. Justin Curran is a young, married, freelance photographer, who has set up his photographic studio at his home in Salobreña. He is currently taking bookings for Weddings, Birthday and other Parties, Single and Family Portraits and all types of commercial work. Justin works with both digital and traditional roll film. He can develop your film and provide the results in the normal way or with frames. He will visit your home, if required, or any other location, to take family portraits, photographs of your pets, etc. and can use these to produce specialised greetings cards or other cards for special occasions. Justin was given his first camera at a very early age by his father and was initially hooked on photography as a hobby. The hobby developed into a passion and, when he attended University, he followed a course in professional photography. Since then he has taken much admired photographs of those special occasions, for both family and clients in the U.K. Justin is currently offering a special-value Christmas, Family Portrait, mounted in a beautiful wooden frame. Go on, treat yourself and phone Justin on 697 428 901 to take advantage of a local photographer, with a truly professional approach.

The Ayuntamiento in Salobreña has bought a new Grua (tow-truck/breakdown lorry) with the good citizens’ taxes! This new acquisition will be used to transport personnel and equipment, etc. to all parts of the village. This will include being able to provide a better service for the upkeep of the parks and gardens, as well as other services, including assisting in an emergency situation. It will also mean, of course, that they will have extra transport to move any illegally parked cars and other vehicles. However, what about the increasing number of illegally parked motor-homes along the beachfront? The signs say they are not allowed to park there, but the authorities do nothing about them! I still get Horror stories from local residents and businesses, about what they see these motor home owners doing with their toilet waste and other rubbish! Funding has been approved, by the Ayuntamiento, for the building of a new high-tension transformer in the area of the new swimming pool. This new transformer will ensure that the electricity supply to the pool, sports centre, visiting fairs, etc. and other facilities planned for the future in the area, will be more reliable. The cost of this new facility is in the order of 40,000 euros. The transformer is an investment in the future.

French hotel group pulls out of deal. About five years ago, a French group of hotels bought land in Salobreña from the Ayuntamiento, with the specific purpose of building a number of hotels between La Caleta and El Peñon, complete with park areas and amenities for those staying at the hotels and for use by local residents. However, they have become alarmed at how long it takes to get planning permission, both locally and regionally and have now sold the land back to the local authority. It can be argued – indeed, it is by many people - that Salobreña should not become swamped with hotels and tourists like Nerja. However, when selling land to any company the authorities have to realise that these people are in it for the money and expect, in most cases, a quick return for their investment. Foreign investors are not going to be very happy with the laid-back attitude of local, regional and National authorities. If you are going to try to attract investment in the area, Señores Councillors and Planners, you need to get the your houses in order, modernise your working methods and help your investors to realise their working targets, or you will lose more deals!

From over the Motril side comes information, well in advance, that the shops in will be closed on Friday 13th January, while the good citizens of that town celebrate the anniversary of an earthquake! They will be celebrating this event because, when it occurred in 1804, no one was killed, but the town suffered severe structural damage and this lack of any deaths is regarded as something of a miracle, to the people of Motril.

The new German hotel is now offering Concession Cards for people not staying at the hotel, but who would like to use its facilities. Surely this is not a result of what we wrote about it in an earlier edition? Wow, the power of the press! They are offering a day, half day or an evening card, varying in price from 95 euros to 55 euros. These prices include meals, attendance at the disco and the use of all their sports facilities. You can also just buy a Drinks Card for 20 euros, which is valid from 21:30h to the end of the disco. There is also a Gala Night on Saturday, but to attend this, costs an extra 20 euros. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Attention all car-boot fans. On the third Saturday of every month - it started in November - there is now a car boot sale in Motril, in aid of The Motril Cancer Association and well worth your support. It is situated near the Mercadona supermarket, just off the road to Puntalón. More information in People & Places.

Motril golf-course employees are still working on the new holes, to make it initially into an eighteen-hole course and then two eighteen-hole courses, but there is still no news about when the new holes will be open for use. We shall all have to be patient, as so far, it has only taken thirty-one years to change it from nine holes! However, on the positive side, the recent rain brought snow to Sierra Nevada and the snow-covered peaks make a wonderful backdrop as you tee off on the third hole. It is quite a contrast to have the snow on the mountains in front and the Mediterranean at your back, as you play on a warm and sunny day in winter. Lucky to live here really, aren’t we? Have a great Christmas, as well as a Happy and Healthy New Year.