You don’t need to be an architect, urban planner or expert in the laws governing such things to realise that building development has got out of hand. The general public has been experiencing a feeling of absolute impotency; the sense of being a powerless spectator, as case after case crops up.

Finally and happily, a court decision concerning Almuñécar’s Marina del Este might be the signal that all that is about to change.

The Tribunal Superior de Justicia has annulled the building licence, issued to Doble Cote S.L. for the construction of the El Faro residential estate, which has been completed and occupied by the new owners.

Furthermore (and this is very important) there can be no appeal.

But what of the real victims here – those that bought these properties in good faith?

We are fully aware that the cases of urban development corruption that make the news are greater in number than those that reach a just conclusion in the law courts, yet, even so, those that do make the news remain as only the tip of the iceberg.

There is to be no appeal against the High Court decision, which found that the Almuñécar Town Hall did not respect the rules concerning maximum building ratios, because they allowed the construction company, Doble Cote S.L., to build 4,000 sq/m when the maximum was 3,000 sq/m, meaning that there was an excess of 25 percent. Furthermore, the company was allowed to build right up to the edge of the road, whereas building regulations stipulate that at least one metre should be left. In fact, in some case, terraces appear to actually extend out over the road.

The TSJ (Tribunal Superior de Justicia) also found that the Town Hall had ‘systematically dedicated itself to not answering any complaints lodged.’ Most damningly, the TSJ qualifies these infringements as ‘indisputable’ and that therefore the Town Hall has not the slightest excuse for having committed them.

Chillingly, for the company, the Town Hall and the present homeowners in El Faro, the TSJ has expressly ordered that the situation be returned to legality, meaning, that demolition should go ahead. The right of the Comunidad de Marina del Este to insist upon this is recognised.

It would seem, furthermore, that the said homeowners were not informed by the building developer that there was a lawsuit against the dwellings; an omission that could constitute an act of fraud, punishable under criminal law.

So, Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a landmark High Court decision. There is to be no interminable legal wrangle that could be drawn out over years. It is a clear-cut legal decision for which there is no other course of action other than to obey.

But what of the real victims here - the people who bought these dwellings in good faith - who will compensate them? While the general public might rejoice in this court decision, these people face the imminent threat of losing all.

If 25% of the building is illegal, who would envy the community chairman that has to decide which 25% gets the chop. It is, after all, equivalent to one quarter of each dwelling.

More than a few real-estate agents are sick to death of this constant litany of building scandals which, like it or not, reflect on the whole housing industry. They want an end to it, just as much as the man in the street. Maybe this will be the first step in the long process of restoring fidelity to the sector.

As for the Marina del Este, all those that bought properties in the first phase, did so (although the houses were over-priced, perhaps) because there were to be amenities such as riding stables, tennis courts, etc… and there were, but they have all been subsequently bulldozed over to make way for squeezing the last possible flat onto the hillside. Who will compensate them for this false sales publicity?

Taramay will be getting a direct road connection with the centre of town. The track below Barrio San Juan that runs down to the river will be asphalted in the coming weeks. This means that all the traffic that comes from the Industrial estate there will be able to get down to town without having to brave the main-road traffic jams. Obviously, the tarmacked track will not just end up in the riverbed, because the track leading out of it, known as the Camino Bajo de Motril, will be asphalted as well. The local farmers will be able to take advantage of the route with their produce, but then again, with their old Landrovers the existing track was never a problem. Mind you, I hope they are going to straighten out a few bends, because God knows how they’re planning to get a lorry down there! Or do you think that the whole exercise is ‘cosmetic’?

The Almuñécar Tourist Board has sent a scouting party on a three-day-camel-&-a-packed-lunch-trip to the Portuguese Algarve area to pick up some tips. This is the second such expedition – the first one was eaten by a roving band of moustachioed Portuguese nuns! One hundred Almuñequeros & Herradureños have set off with note pads and spray-cans of nun-repellent to scrutinise a golf course and a dry marina. The expedition includes the Mayor, who is also the Head of the Tourist Board, as well as the Councillor for Tourism, Emilío Pavesio and representatives from the real-estate, economic and tourist sectors. I wonder whose paying for that? The justification: “So that the Sexitanos have a greater example of this kind of installation, which are similar to the ones envisaged in the new PGOU.” Does anybody really expect us to believe in these days of instant electronic connections, Google-Earth satellite coverage and all the advantages to living in the 21st century, that you have to take 100 people to Portugal to see a golf course and dry dock (marina)? Just to give you an idea what I am talking about, if you have Google Earth, type in ‘Albufeira, Portugal’ and zoom down to around 1,800 metres – you can count the yachts in the Marina!

The present head of the Traffic Department for the province of Málaga is an Almuñequera lass, believe it or not. Trinidad Hernández Méndez has been appointed to the task, so watch your step!

The Junta de Andalucía has finally got round to renovating Almuñécar’s ageing high school, IES Antigua Sexi, which is the one on the road between the Guardia Civil post and Chinasol and is just under 40-years old. Some of the pupils will have to have their classes in prefabricated classroom huts on part of the football field during the six months that the building work will take. The school has been waiting for such a renovation for nearly 20 years, so the school is aptly named, isn’t it? A whopping 336,000 euros will be spent on modernising the buildings. Some 700 pupils study at the Instituto, which used to be the only high school in town – IES Al Ándalus, which was built in the 80s was a poly-technological college for electricians and other trades. Anybody over 30 will remember that Antigua Sexi was for the ‘swats’ and Ál Andalus was for the ‘dunces’ as far as the locals kids were concerned. That all changed with the educational reforms of the 90s which turned them both into straight secondary modern schools. Since then, Almuñécar has been bereft of a polytechnic. Anyway, the building work that is being carried out in the Antigua Sexi is a complete overhaul of the original building, including its eight classrooms, two laboratories, gymnasium, staff room and janitors office.

Good things happening at the new medical centre in the P-4: orthopaedic surgery is now available there, meaning that patients requiring this will not have to trundle off to Motril. This service came into being on the 15th of last month. But during this coming month, according to the Mayor, another five special services will be added. Unfortunately, he didn’t say what they were.

On the same day (as the above), the Town Council announced that it had put the contract for the enlargement of the municipal swimming-pool facilities up for bidding, with a budget of 731,313 euros. The facilities will be getting two new pool areas: one for rehabilitation and the other for swimming classes, using the outside pool area for this. The indoor part was built on a municipal plot of 5,000 sq/m, right next to the indoor sports facilities. The original swimming pool of 21m x 50m was divided into two, with half inside and half outside, apparently. These latest modifications will be carried out on the outside pool, yet whether it will be extended to accommodate the two new pool facilities, or merely divided up, is not clear. Anyway, we shall know in 18 months time (ha!), when the building work is scheduled to conclude.

Alain Hugues E.C., who had been renting a property in Rancho Río Verde, was arrested whilst watching a bullfight in Motril. However, it had nothing to do with the bullfight… He was arrested because was wanted by Interpol and had an international arrest warrant out on him. He was wanted in his native France to serve the rest of his 20-year prison sentence for kidnapping, gunrunning and forgery. He was also wanted along the Costa del Sol for fraud.

When he was arrested he was found to have 29,200 euros on him in cash – hardly pocket money. He identified himself with a German ID under the name of Fischer Bernhard, but by the time that he was taken to the police station by the National Police, he had already offered a different German identity: Udo Hugo Martmann Jahn. The police found that both identities were false, discovering that he was, in fact, Alain Hugues E.C.

The police authorities in Estepona also want to get their hands on him, in connection with a body that was found in the garden of a villa that he had been renting there. The police suspect that the body belongs to his wife.

Furthermore, the police in Marbella were also looking for him for an alleged fraud to the sum of 300,000 euros. Apparently, he had been accepting sums of between 50,000 and 100,000 euros from his victims to be invested in high-return accounts with fictitious, international, financial entities. He also claimed to be an expert in traditional Chinese medicine, for which he had a diploma, awarded by a prestigious foundation for having created a new therapy – which turned out to be allegedly false, as well.

Alain Hugues was not short of cash, it appears, because he was paying out around 4,000 euros a month for the rent of the mansion in Estepona, as well as another 2,100 euros for the chalet in Rancho Río Verde.

The National Police accompanied him to his house in Almuñécar, where they found large quantities of material for making forgeries, such as computers, laser printers, scanners and special paper.

Did you realise that there are municipal elections just round the corner? The biggest council works in four years, all in one go, with most of the town tied in knots by road works, were a bit of a give away, but to be fair, just about any township in the whole of Spain is undergoing pretty much the same lunacy at the moment. For example, on the evening that the statue in La Carrera was to be unveiled (20.00h, 23rd March) the top of town was so congested that even the main road was suffering from the tailback. Why? Because all the roads leading into La Carrera had been closed for the ceremony. Yes, all the roadwork has resulted in an improvement; no longer will cars be able to park on the hitherto painted road island, blocking the view, because we now have flower gardens parked there, blocking the view… But, nevertheless, it is an improvement and had this work been carried out at any other time, the Mayor would receive our 100% felicitations for a job well done.

The statue is closer to the original statue of the Pescador in Plaza Madrid than the present one that stands there, in as much as size and colour. The statue pays tribute to the campesinos (peasants) of the area, with this inscription: The people of Almuñécar, in recognition of our men of the fields, with whose work and sacrifice they knew how to create and conserve the land that shelters us. No mention of the women that did just as much work as the men, and probably more, but at least somebody got some recognition though. The Mayor considers that this statue pays an outstanding debt that this town – and many others – owe to the workers of the fields. He also pointed out that he wasn’t referring to the señoritos (large landowners), “who speak about agriculture but can’t tell the difference between an amocafre and an azadón.” He excluded all those that ‘didn’t have a callous on their hands or a wrinkle on the face.’ Just in case anybody present had any doubt to whom he was referring, he clarified it unequivocally with, “I’m referring to those that from an early age had to leave school and set about doing the only thing that they knew: bring forth the fruit of the earth.” Who would doubt that that such a people deserve every bit of recognition for their gnarled lives? I certainly don’t. However, when are the elections again?

Talking of that part of town, has the road system been improved or worsened by these latest modifications, with the laying down of multiple roundabouts between the fountain and the bottom of San Sebastian? Is it a case of operation overkill? One thing is for sure, the main junction at the top end of the Avenida de Don Juan Carlos near the bus station had been working perfectly with the traffic lights turned off. Now they have been made operational again, the tailbacks are already building up. Why wasn’t that junction replaced with a large roundabout, if we are to have so many seemingly pointless ones?

Where has all that time gone? I went along to the homage to Laurie Lee meeting at the Casa de Cultura and was reminded by the evident passage of time since the filming of A Rose for Winter here in the late 80s. Speaking with the lovely Katie, the widow of Laurie, I learnt that John King, who made the film, had died some time back. Katie didn’t seem to have changed though, despite nearly 20 years. Michael Steel gave a very good speech in Spanish, which he concluded with a recording of Laurie reading an extract from one of his books. A plaque dedicated to Laurie Lee had been erected on the old Paseo, which was taken down and stored when the Paseo was demolished. This same plaque was the one that was unveiled on the evening of the homage, in its new place on the new Paseo.

The Town Hall has decided to send to the provincial authorities every last one of the building licences that it will be granting, based on the extension of the old 1987 PGOU. They have also generously given the provincial authorities one whole month to process them. If, by the end of that period, they have not been processed – which, of course, they won’t – then the municipal planners will go ahead. A press release by the town-planning department said that they were ‘fed up and wary.’ In fact, with the present trend of building reports for planned constructions being sent to the law courts, “Anybody would think that we’re complete idiots and have no idea what we are doing… and what is worse, corrupt,” reads the department communiqué.

The Minister for Public Works has said that the work on the A-7 bridge in Torrecuevas will ‘begin again soon.’ That was on the 14th of March and ‘soon’ does not seem to have arrived yet. However, according to the Central Government, the reason that little or no work is going on along the Taramay – La Herradura stretch of the A-7 is because it is virtually complete except for the bridge part itself. In other words, the other nine kilometres only require a bit of touching up and are pending the judge giving the go-ahead for the work on the bridge. However, sources within the ministry say that it is not the judge that has prohibited work to continue around the bridge, but the ministry itself, which does not want anything to hamper the final report of the investigating technical committee. The company that is supposed to be working on the bridge (UTE La Herradura) didn’t want to make any statements concerning work on the bridge or the rumour of lay-offs in its work force, thanks to the enforced inactivity. They did, nevertheless, deny that there were economic conditions placed on recommencement of building work imposed by their company, i.e. more money or forget it. One of the biggest national unions, the UGT, is investigating the alleged laying off of 184 workers. They say that 70 workers in the company are directly affected and another 114 from subcontracted companies. The UTE reassured the UGT that it had carried out the stabilisation work ordered by the judge, but until they receive further permission to work from the judicial departments, then they are twiddling their thumbs. It’s clear as mud, right? I personally won’t believe a word until that gap in the bridge disappears.

The regional high court (TSJA) has insisted on the freezing of building work on the VPO (government subsidised housing) in Laderas de Castelar (San Sebastian). But the judicial intervention in this controversial housing estate has been of the 7th Cavalry variety, i.e. lots of bugles but much too late. In fact, the housing in question is completely finished and is occupied by squatters. Why has it taken so long? Because our Town Council appeals against every court decision that it can, meaning that by the time a judge passes sentence, the Town Council appeals and the TSJA decides, it’s all over, barring the shouting as far as the building work is concerned. So, we now have 55 houses that have been illegally built on land that should have been used for industrial purposes, i.e. for any kind of business, but not for housing. As for the squatter, who obtained the keys for the houses by coming to a private arrangement with the building company… they are not going anywhere. One young mother said, “Not even a judge is going to get me out of here. They’ll have to knock it down with me in it.” Around 30 families are now squatting there, although ‘squatting’ is only a legal term, because they are completely decorated and have electricity and running water.

We shall soon be getting TDT (Terrestrial Digital Television), which replaces the normal analogical system. All the outlying areas of Almuñécar have problems receiving the different TV channels on offer; in some places like Taramay, you used to get bugger all. But now the company, Emurtel, that is installing the digital system, will soon have completed the work. How I distrust the word ‘soon’! The Town Council has thrown 122,000 euros at the company to do the work. Hopefully, ‘soon’ will occur before the analogical blackout at the end of this year. The Mayor pointed out that this task should be the responsibility of the Junta, but that the town has had to take it upon their own ‘pockets’ because nothing was getting done.

Of all Almuñécar’s monuments, the Castillo de San Miguel is the most profitable. More than 37,000 tourists visited the castle, compared with 29,000 that visited the Loro Sexi bird park, for instance. Some places have higher running costs, which is the case of the Majuelo botanical park. The castle took 47,600 euros last years, to a which a further 20,000 could be added, which was raised by the women’s association that staged the medieval market there during the summer months – an extra 10,000 visitors visited the castle at night to enjoy this added extra. However, the castle is not the attraction that takes the most, but that which is most profitable i.e. has the best costs-to-earnings ratio. The Loro Sexi took 71,500 euros, but the upkeep is obviously high, with all the feathered inmates.

I went along to the PP presentation of their team for the coming elections, which was held in Hotel Playa Almuñécar. The event was attended by both the provincial head of the party, Sebastian Pérez, and the regional one, Javier Arenas. The place was packed, with people being left no alternative but to remain standing. José Luis González Montoro headed the list and therefore is the PP candidate for Mayor. And they were not in the mood to be modest, claiming that theirs was the best candidature in the history of Almuñécar. They claimed that they were the only party that is capable of pulling Almuñécar out of the ‘mismanagement, isolation and crisis that it has been subjected to.’ According to the provincial boss, Sr. Benavides will get the chop sooner or later and has no hope of getting the PGOU through. In fact, they claim that only the PP is capable of providing Almuñécar with a viable one. Montoro asked those present for the ‘useful vote’ claiming that to vote for the PSOE or PA was a waste of a vote as only the PP comes anywhere near rivalling the Mayor in votes. Their claim to being the only hope of providing a viable PGOU does solicit the question, “Didn’t the PP already have an initially-approved PGOU when Juan Luis was the Mayor, but which they later dropped in favour of Benavides’ present and controversial one? It will be interesting to hear what the PSOE and CA have to say as the elections draw closer.

So we just about got through San José with all its disruption to traffic flow, financial flow and sleeping patterns. Whew –maybe it’s me, but it seems to get bigger and more complicated every year. Not to mention the cost involved. Who’d have ever thought that we’d have to seriously contemplate taking out mortgages just to fund the huge amount spent on rides? All right, I admit it adds a certain buzz to the village, gives the businesses a bit of a cash injection and is a pretty good practice run before Semana Santa. But then none of us can deny that we’re relieved that things aren’t always like this.

Association of Ports of Andalusia criticise La Junta for not solving problems in the Marina del Este. With a change of management in 2001 to the group Marinas del Mediterráneo, it seemed that things started to go sour, as the whole marina was divided into two and the blockade that still exists was set up to section off most of the restaurants, businesses and the hotel that was planned, from the rest of the area. In effect, the Junta washed their hands of everything behind the wall, including building works, sanitation and water supply, proving disastrous for anyone wanting to live or work in the zone. Also raising its ugly head is the usual question of building limits in the area (hardly unique, right?).

With 227 moorings in the Marina del Este, more than one party has complained to me about the impossible charges and the inadequate facilities of the port. It’s virtually impossible to encourage mooring there, as all the odds seem to be stacked against you. No points for guessing the impact this has on the restaurants, galleries, agents and shops that are trying so hard to attract passing trade. Where, oh where is our nautical tourism?

Hands up who’s used the new motorway, but for goodness’ sake don’t take your hands off the wheel whilst it’s windy! Well that was certainly my experience when literally sailing along the new autovía at anything over 100 km/hour; it really did give me the impression that I was going to go sailing straight off. Serious excitement value, but not the ideal distraction for a quick jaunt to Nerja…

Talking of road safety, there seems to have been a spate of accidents within the last couple of months. Even within the village, there have been two youngsters involved in vehicle incidents just near the children’s park. Fortunately, neither fatal, but it comes with a warning about how people move about the roads, particularly where children are milling about.

Sadly, in two incidents outside the village, the people concerned weren’t so fortunate. A motorcyclist was injured and transferred to Motril hospital, after his bike lost control on the N-340 above La Herradura. Heading in the direction of Málaga and quite close to the new motorway access, the biker crashed into an oncoming vehicle on the opposite side of the road. Although the occupants of the vehicle were clearly shocked, they luckily managed to avoid a complete head on and the biker escaped with a fractured pelvis.

Not so fortunate, was a resident of La Herradura that was knocked down at approximately 8pm whilst she was attempting to cross the N-340 within the vicinity of the entrance of San Nicolas. The 48-year-old woman was said to have died on impact as the vehicle hit her and launched her some 20 metres. An additional death occurred along the N-340 when a motorcycle crashed into a car without warning. Ironically, the driver of the car died in this instant and the motor cyclist ended up with serious injuries, attended by the emergency services.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these victims.

The English library is closed for now, although not forever! Due to the ongoing efforts of Ann Maxfield and the brilliant support of other tireless volunteers and helpers, all the work towards the library to date is not lost. As of the 24th of March, the library beneath the municipal market was closed and there is still no confirmed date for reopening apart from in the evenings as part of the ‘Biblioteca’ within new premises on the 3rd floor of the Civic Centre. But Ann and the team are hopeful about the 23rd of April and the bookshelves are on order. The good news is that they are currently working on installing a lift in the building, so this sounds good for all who are reluctant to tackle the three floors of stairs! Anyone who still has books they’ve borrowed, don’t panic, but please just hold onto them until further notice. Apologies to all for the delay, but your patience will soon be rewarded. If anyone needs further information, please call Ann on 958 640 069. By the way, special thanks to Leanne for providing shelf space for the moment within the Sunlounge. Make sure you pop in and take a look!

You’ll want to keep visiting the Sunlounge for all sorts of reasons, as Leanne has a list of activities planned in coming months. Not least of which is the ongoing interest in golfing activities. More so, now, with a display point for Axarquía Golf shop, supplying all your golfing needs such as golf balls, tees and equipment. During Easter week, there are sorts of surprises in store, not least of which will happen on Easter Sunday, so make sure you book now on 656 449 627 to reserve your table.

Once you’ve got through Easter, (just because Leanne feels she won’t have enough to do!), the bar will actually be open 7 days a week, but she thought you might enjoy a little excursion with a lot of fun. This will involve going to Nerja Civic Centre on 12th April to enjoy Denise Nolan’s tribute to Judy Garland. Tickets are available from the bar and €24 (approx.) will get you a pre-show drink and the show itself, plus transport. If this is your kind of thing and you want to see more of it, make sure that you support Leanne. She’s just dying for an excuse to organise more of these events, so go on – what are you waiting for?

Fire in Peña Parda as the scary combination of exposed cables (yet again!), dry bamboo and unused farming equipment led to the first fire of the year. Thankfully, the fire brigade members from Almuñécar were quickly on hand in the Barranco Arenas during the afternoon of Friday 23rd of March, so no damage was caused to property, although there was definite concern about a nearby plantation of avocadoes. This scenario does beg the question why Sevillana/Endesa still hasn’t solved the issue of electrical wires being left to do battle with the elements. We really are pushing the odds against something disastrous happening. Surely there have been enough warnings and near misses?

Talking about great shows and the run up to the chocolate addict season, you’ll be delighted to learn that the brilliantly talented mother and son team of Diana Adshead and everyone’s darling, Charlie Jackson, will be displaying their work within the Sunlounge from Friday 6th April through to Monday 9 April, 10am – 10pm. Come and view their paintings, pencil drawings and pastels. The exhibition includes 15 still life, landscape and animal pieces by Diana plus 20 African art and portraits of models by Charlie (he can be contacted on 663 694 555 for commissions and portraits). Make sure you pop in and take a look – you’re bound to be impressed.

Centro Cultural Jate dedicated to associations as Mayor Benavides hands over the keys to some 13 groups that are active in La Herradura and are set to share the premises. Up until now, meetings have been held anywhere that people can get some space (including bunching up in their own homes). So, this is something quite positive to come out of the room afforded by the Civic Centre in the village, as many of the services previously located beneath the municipal market have been able to shift across. Although there’s only just been a lick of paint to update the venue so far, the powers-that-be have promised the associations, which include the Friends of La Herradura, the Musical Association of La Herradura, Women of the 21st Century and the Families of victims of Alzheimer’s (amongst others), that the necessary furniture will be delivered shortly.

The crew at El Ancla would like to you to give a big welcome to Debs behind the bar. Also, a reminder to everyone that throughout April, they will be showing all the usual sporting events on their brilliant new High definition screen, as sponsored by Spectrum Satellite Services. The only one available for public viewing in La Herradura, come along and see Champions’ League as though you were actually there. And don’t forget to mark in your diaries the Grand National on the 14th, as well as the Cricket final on the 28th of the month. The team at El Ancla has also got some special birthdays to mention as on the 18th, Jonathan hits the big 30. Never mind - happens to us all. Not forgetting, Cliff’s birthday on the 8th. And who needs an excuse to celebrate, when you can indulge in one of their fabulous Sunday lunches. But don’t get caught out, since they’re very popular and it’s always advisable to book ahead on 958 64 04 17.

Galería Felicia Hall during April is set to present a brand new exhibition on 13th April and continue through until May. Manuel Vela from Alcalá la Real in Jaén will have his collection ‘Geometría’ on show. Art critic Bernardo Palomo writing in Granada Hoy described Vela as “one of the most complete creative panoramic artists of Andalucía.” Velas has held exhibitions throughout Spain and you can view his unique work at Felicia Hall from 11am to 2pm and from 5pm to 9pm Tuesday to Sunday.

Vehicular bridge planned for Rambla del Espinar to save residents over a kilometre every time they want to get to the other side of La Herradura. The Councilor for Traffic, Daniel Barbero, explained that the project will shortly be presented to the government body responsible for roads.

More than 500,000 euros spent on tarmacking the routes through La Herradura and into the ‘campo.’ We all have to admit that it’s much more pleasant to drive along these nice smooth roads (however long they last) that have suddenly appeared. The company Hermanos García Motril and its great big trucks have been spotted everywhere and just about anytime we’ve had to sit patiently in our cars waiting in traffic jams in recent weeks, you can just about bet that they’ve been involved!

Mayor Benavides has also been quick to defend improvements to the rural roads, as it appears that these have been challenged by the Junta de Andalucía, as threatening the natural terrain and existing green zones. In fact, residents have been delighted by the enhancement of their area, including better services and communication, not to mention reducing travel time and wear and tear on their vehicles.

Chocolate treats hide 18 kg of cocaine seized by Guardia Civil at Seville and Granada airports. Obviously set to make someone’s Easter, another plot was also discovered locally which involved a 19 year old youth from the Dominican Republic who had set up a laboratory in his home in La Herradura. It was revealed that the youth had a real business operating within the village, cutting the drug at home and then distributing cocaine and speed amongst people frequenting the bars. Said youth is now enjoying a prolonged stay at the prison in Albolote.

For all you fans of La Tartana - and there are a lot - Penny and Co. will be putting on a special Easter lunch on Sunday the 8th. Only a lunatic wouldn’t make a reservation because you will be left out if you don’t. This has become a yearly event and has grown into an immensly popular ‘must.’ Good food and good surroundings, so what more could you ask for?

The latest information on the Salobreña Fashion Show. It was hoped to stage this annual charity event in the Auditorium during the month of May. However, I have been informed that it has not been possible to convene the meetings, necessary for planning the event, with all those involved and, as time is running out to organise things for May, it has been decided to postpone the fashion show until during the summer months. No new date has been set at the time of writing this article, but the show will now be held in the Salobreña Amphitheatre, behind the municipal park, which has the statues dedicated to the sugar cane workers and is one the way to the beach. This fashion show is well worth attending and is organised to raise money for a children’s charity in Granada. When the new date is arranged, I will write a more comprehensive article and publish it in a future issue of the Seaside Gazette. At that time I will include a list of the places where you can buy tickets for the show.

The new Salobreña pool opens. A little later than planned, like many other things here, the new indoor, heated swimming pool has now opened its doors to the public and is fully operational. Well almost fully! The new facility is housed in a building just behind the old sports hall and was officially opened by the Mayor of Salobreña, Jesus Avelino Menendez Fernandez, on Friday 17th March at a spectacular swimming gala. The new sports facilities were then opened to the public from the following day. The new building actually houses two pools; one being 25-metres long and is for normal swimming sessions, the other is 12.5-metres long and is a teaching pool. However the larger pool is divided into lanes, encouraging swimmers to train and improve their swimming and not just to enjoy recreational or leisure time in the pool! There is also a hydraulic lift/seat facility, available at the side of the larger pool, to help anyone with a physical handicap to enter and leave the pool easily. There are, of course, changing rooms, showers and toilets for both sexes. The building also has a very, well-equipped gymnasium and this can be used during the same hours that the pool is open. Prices for using the pool or gymnasium vary and more information can be obtained by contacting the reception desk, which is open from 09:00 hrs to 14:00 hrs and from 16:00 hrs to 22:00 hrs on Monday to Friday, by phoning 958 611 682 or by email at deportes@ayto-salobrena.org.

The reason for saying at the beginning of this article, that the new sports facility is almost fully operational, is that the building also has a cafeteria and a large underground car park, neither of which are being used. The cafeteria is in the main reception area and where you could sit and watch the swimming. However, although they have provided an enclosed preparation area, it is empty and there are no chairs to sit on. I asked when this service would be available and was met with the usual shrug of the shoulders, as no one knew when this would open, if ever! I suspect that a lot of people will be disappointed that they will not be able to enjoy a relaxing sit down and refreshing drink with their family and friends after a swim or a visit to the gym! The other, more disturbing, thing is that no one seems to know why the large underground car park is not or cannot be used!

If I find out, then I will let you know, surely it’s safe and not flooded! The pool and gymnasium is open during the following hours:

Mon/Wed/Fri: 08:30h to 10:00h, from 11:30h to 14:00h and from 19:45h to 22:30h.

Tue/Thu: 10:00h to 14:30h & 19:45h to 22:30h

Sat: 10:00h to 14:30h only.

One other point, they have built a brand new sport facility with a competition size pool, but if they have any swimming or water polo competitions, there is no balcony seating area where supporters can sit! Surely this is an error of judgement on the part of the designers and a lost opportunity to raise more revenue?

Calling all Golfers. The booking system at Los Moriscos Golf Club in Motril has change recently. The old system was, that you could not book a teeing-off time for more than five days in advance of the day you wanted to play and this was something of a lottery. However, the new, recently introduced system, means that you can book for a teeing-off time any number of days or weeks in advance of the time you are going to play. This new system means that you can, perhaps, avoid the block booking system adopted by the hotel, situated between the second and third holes, originally called Hotel Aldiana and now known as The Robinsons Sports Facility Hotel. By the way, I have booked to play every Thursday, teeing-off at 13:10 hrs, until the year 2050, so hard luck, you can’t have that one! Telephone your required time on 958 825 527.

Salute to a local playwright. The auditorium next to the Town Hall is named after the local playwright Jose Martin Recuerda. He currently lives on the urbanisation Monte de Los Almendros on the outskirts of Salobreña with his family. He has written a number of plays over the years and on 31st March in the auditorium there was a celebration of his life and plays. The leading actress being the mother of local lady Gemma Odriozola, who used to work in the town hall and now works in Costa Granada Properties situated on the Avenida Mediterráneo and opposite the Campsa petrol station in Salobreña. The event told the story of Señor Recuerda’s life, but woven into this story were a number of scenes and exerts from his different plays. The Seaside Gazette would like to offer its congratulations to Señor Recuerda, for the special recognition shown to him, by the Salobreña authorities, in naming the auditorium after him. Although getting on in years, we wish him long and continued success, in writing more plays in the future.

The Spanish local elections. If you are a foreigner and live in Spain, then you can vote in the local elections, which take place in May, without affecting your right to vote in your country of origin and you should register to do so without delay. It might be that you are too late to vote in the elections in May this year, but you will be registered to vote next time and registering does make a difference. The more people who are registered, means that the National and Regional governments have to provide more funds to Salobreña, for education, policing, medical facilities, etc. One of the political parties, the PP, is for the second time, putting a foreign resident on its platform for election. The system for election in Spain is based on proportional representation and the more votes a party gets; the more council members they have. The person nominated by the PP will be Sue Le Vack who currently works in Costa Granada Properties in Salobreña. The date for the election in May will be displayed in banks, etc. and on the many election posters. There will also be meetings conducted in English to explain what the plans are for the future in Salobreña.

In the recent past, the concrete seats on the urbanisation Monte de Los Almendros have been replaced with new ones, as part of a general improvement plan. However, some of these benches cemented and bolted into place, have been tipped over or have disappeared completely. If you have any knowledge of where they are, please let the administration on the urbanisation know! Staying on the Monte for a moment, there has been a spate recently of dogs, of all shapes, sizes and age, being left tied to the gates of some of the properties on the urbanisation by a person or persons who are hoping that the owners of these properties will adopted these animals and give them a new home. In some cases this could be condemning the animal to death, as not all the properties are occupied throughout the year. If the person or persons who had carried out this act are reading this item, (perhaps you know who they are?) then please take these poor animals to an animal sanctuary, where they will be cared for and found a new home where they are loved and wanted.

If you are interested in running a bar/café, then two foreign owned businesses are currently for sale in Salobreña on the beachfront. One is On The Rocks and the other is Siempre Sabrosa.

A School for Performing Arts and Music opens in Salobreña. Centar is the name of a new school, which has opened in the village recently. They cater for lovers of the performing arts, music and painting to suit all tastes and there is no age barrier for their students. So if you want to learn to paint or draw, play the piano, music keyboards, rhythm or base guitar or percussion instruments and have never had the chance to learn before or tried and gave up, there is now an opportunity for you to learn locally at the Centar school. The people who run Centar are Spanish, but speak very good English. They are very patient and gently guide their students, from one stage to the next, as they learn to paint or play a musical instrument. Learning a musical instrument is a great discipline for children of all ages and if, like me, you are in your Third Age, it helps to keep you supple and your brain active. Be alive, learn to paint, draw or play an instrument! Contact Rodrigo or Nacho to learn more, on telephone 958 828 447 or mobile 619 436 901.

Work at the cemetery road junction. The work being carried out at this junction on the N-340 at Salobreña has been in progress for some time now and has affected all drivers, as they have driven along this road or driven into or out of the village. The underpass has now almost been completed, which will allow a funeral cortege to safely pass under the N340, instead of trying to dodge the flowing traffic, as they make the journey to and from the cemetery. One side of the road has now been covered in tarmac and the crash barriers erected. When I spoke recently to someone responsible for the site, he said that they would be moving the traffic to pass over the newly completed section of the road in the near future, to allow them to complete the junction and that it was hoped that this section of the road would be completed sometime in May this year! However, the new system of getting into Salobreña, near to the B.P. petrol station, would then be worked on and cause more disruption to the flow of traffic. Just be aware that these changes are going to take place, allow extra time when travelling along this stretch of the road and drive carefully. It is hoped that all the work on the road will be completed before the summer rush of holidaymakers begins!