Western Costa del Sol News - July 2008

Business Surgery

Is your business tired, feeling run down, not at its best, not quite getting going in a morning? In these difficult times many are suffering from all those symptoms. The first meeting of the Business Surgery will be at 10am on Saturday the 5th July at Blazers Restaurant, Torreguadiaro. All businesses are welcome to send a representative. The purpose of the Surgery is to identify the problems to find the right prescription to put your business back on the road to recovery. The first 50 booked places are free or pay 20€ on the door. For more information tel: Peter at 956 794 657

Sabinillas Medical Centre Overwhelmed

The Medical Centre in Sabinillas is facing a crisis. Too many patients and not enough doctors. The centre has an allocation of doctors and funding to look after those people who are registered at the surgery. Until now, to register, you had to be listed on the Padron. The problem is the number of people who arrive at their doors wanting treatment but who are not registered and not on the Padron. Many have the new EHIC, the European Health Insurance Card that replaced the E111 in the UK and similar in other EU countries, that is issued to people travelling to other European countries. Whilst this card is designed for occasional residency in another EU country, holidays, occasional use of a holiday home and so on, it is abused by some who obtain the card in their own country and then use it here in Spain for extended stays, the illegal residents highlighted in this magazine in the April edition. Now the mayoress, Antonia Muñoz, is negotiating with the medical centre to allow all holders of the EHIC to register for treatment and for those patients to count towards the allocation of doctors and funding.

To find out how to register contact Chris or Beli at the Foreign Residents Office at Villa Matilda on 952 890 845.

ACEMCE Business Association

A breakfast meeting of ACEMCE at Il Vignetto on the 19th June was attended by representatives of about twenty local businesses. CADE, the Consejeria de Innovation, Cienca y Empresa made a presentation concentrating on the areas in which businesses could attract regional funds for their projects. CADE have already reviewed 6,000 projects and have another 25 million Euros to spend over the next 5 years.

To join ACEMCE contact Gary Walters: 952 936 198 or email info@acemce.es

Harley Jae’s 3rd Birthday

Regular readers will know of Harley Jae, my grandson, who lives in the UK and suffers from West Syndrome. Many of you have taken part in the fund raising activities and donated to the Harley Jae Trust that helps make life for Harley a little more comfortable.

In May Harley Jae celebrated his 3rd birthday in pirate style. The weather for the time of year was sunny and warm enabling the party to be held outdoors. Harley, his cousins and friends, all dressed for the occasion and enjoyed a fun filled afternoon. A treasure chest full of goodies, made by Harleys aunt Lisa was a great success with the pirates and little Tinkerbell. The party ended with the crew helping Captain Harley blow out the candles on his pirate ship cake. Everyone had a lovely time and we are sure that Harley enjoyed listening to the fun, love and laughter that surrounded him on his special day.

We hope to have the Harley Jae Golf and Sponsored Walk again in October, watch this space for details.

Teresa Blanchard

Fantastic Response To Forthcoming Over 50’s Show

According to organiser John Low, there has been a ‘fantastic response’ from exhibitors to the second Over 50’s Show, the lifestyle event for seniors, being held at the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos (Exhibition and Conference Centre) in Estepona on the weekend of Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November. Following the ‘huge success’ of last year’s inaugural event, Low claims that the 2008 event will be ‘bigger and better, and packed with many new features’.

‘We have had a tremendous response from exhibitors, and at this stage we expect most of last year’s exhibitors to take part again’ added Low. He went on: ‘If the interest continues at this pace, we may need to expand our space, so I would advise anyone interested in exhibiting to contact us as soon as possible because key positions are being booked almost on a daily basis’. Last year’s event had over 70 exhibitors, but Low believes that the 2008 show ‘could easily have over 100 exhibitors’.

The show, aimed at the Coast’s seniors, offers a varied programme of displays, demonstrations and presentations on many subjects, including health, personal finance and wealth management, consumer rights, legal issues, antiques, cosmetic procedures, insurance, home security, home and gardening, hobbies, golf and fashions.

The event is admission free and all presentations are also free.

For more information contact the organisers at 902 003 896 or email: slexpo@eircom.net

Night Racing at Mijas Costa

There are evening fixtures on Saturday 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th July.

All the fixtures start at 9pm and entry is 5€. For more information telephone 952 592 700 or email info@hipodromocostadelsol.com

The ‘Bar Stewards’ Challenge Cup

The 5th July sees the first of what could become an annual fixture, the ‘Bar Stewards’ Challenge Cup. The Bar Stewards will take on a team of pure athletes. The two 16 man teams will be captained by Stewart Heath from the Leisure Lounge & Bar at Duquesa and Stuart Cannon from the Four Roses in Gibraltar in a ‘Ryder Cup’ style format; fourball better ball in the morning, followed by singles matches in the afternoon. The venue is Estepona Golf Club where the day tees off with bacon sarnies. A presentation will take place in the evening with prizes for Longest Drive, Nearest the Pin and a Trophy for the winning team Captain. This will be followed by a barbeque. The teams have been chosen. The game is on. Tickets are available for the barbeque only at 20 Euros per person.

Does your bar have what it takes? To make a challenge speak to Stewart at the Leisure Lounge & Bar in Duquesa.

Good News For Those Retiring After 2010

Recent changes to the legislation in the UK that came into effect in June mean that, if you reach retirement age after the 6th April 2010, you no longer need to have made National Insurance contributions for 40 years in order to qualify for a full state pension. The contribution time has been reduced to 30 years. Thousands of ex pats will feel the benefit immediately if they have already notched up 30 years worth of contributions and were making a top up contribution each year. Ex pats can obtain a state pension forecast by contacting: Future Pension Centre, The Pension Service, Tyneview Park, Whitley Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE98 1BA and asking for a forecast application form.

Dual Taxation

If you are resident in Spain you can choose to pay tax on income originating in the UK in Spain. Normally this applies to people with a pension who have retired here. Whether or not you will benefit by taking this option is a matter of personal circumstances, the amount of pension received, the amount and source of savings interest, any income here in Spain and so on. However a decision has to be made one way or the other or you may be liable for paying tax in both countries and nobody likes paying too much tax. If in doubt speak to your financial advisor or gestor.

Piped Gas to Arrive in Estepona, Manilva & Casares

Gas Natural, who already provide 70,000 clients in Andalucia with piped gas, say they will finish extending their pipeline to Estepona in August. They will then apply for municipal permissions to supply gas to homes. Gas Natural then plan to extend the pipeline down the coast reaching Casares and Manilva next year.

Meanwhile there is good news for those using bottled gas. Whilst the cost of power generally is set to rise, the price of bottled gas is due to fall by 2.4% from July.

Its Hot and Due To Get Hotter

Chief of predictions of the State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, Fermín Elizaga is predicting that, following the wettest spring for 37 years, the months of July, August and September will be a degree or two hotter than normal in the south of the country and on the Levante. He also predicted heat waves in the Guadalquivir valley to 37 degrees and in the low 30s on the Levante.

Can You Help?

Not a competition ‘Where Is It’ but the answer will make one reader, Remco Bakker, very happy. So, readers, please put your thinking caps on and tell us where this picture was taken, Remco assures us it is in Andalucia but she does not know where. Send your answers by email to: info@andalucia-life.com and we will pass them on.

Gibraltar Museum Finds 14th Century Remains

A couple of years ago Clive Finlayson, the director of the Gibraltar Museum, thought it may be interesting to find out what lay beneath the museum itself. The museum stands on the site of what was once a residence of the Arab Governor of Gibraltar. A small hole dug in the patio revealed a surprising quantity of building works connected with the water supply and distribution system dating back to a well constructed in the 14th century, Spanish remains from the 16th and 17th centuries and the most recent finds, a 19th century British built aqueduct. Visitors to the museum can now see this new display in the patio just outside the museum entrance.

Earliest Human Occupation Revealed

On the 12th June the Government of Gibraltar released news of an exciting find in Beefsteak Cave near Europa Point. Using an accurate dating technique that measures the ratios of decaying uranium isotopes, the Gibraltar Caves Project Team, led by Professor Clive Finlayson of the Gibraltar Museum, dated a layer of cave deposit that overlaid stone tools abandoned by a group of Neanderthals. The layer was dated at 98.8 thousand years making the tools between 100 and 120 thousand years old, the earliest record of human habitation on Gibraltar

Bran Tech SL

Gary and Kate of Brantech, Torreguadiaro would like to inform all their clients that they are relocating the business. Brantech can still be reached on 620 533 260 and by email info@brantech.info

Blue Flag Beaches

With a total of 527 Blue flag beaches and 72 for marinas, in 2008 Spain continues to lead the world in the quality of its shoreline. However the total for 2008 is 49 less than in 2007, this slight decline in blue flags is due to the new stricter controls which came into force recently and relates to water quality . One beach to loose its flag is the famous Poniente beach at Benidorm because of the work being carried out on the paseo. Beaches in our area that retain their flags are El Padron, El Cristo and La Rada at Estepona, La Colonia and Sabinillas at Manilva and Torreguadiaro and Cala Sardina at San Roque. Our blue flag marinas are Estepona and Duquesa.

Ryders Bar 5th Anniversary

On the occasion of her fifth anniversary Louise would like to thank all her customers for their support during the last five years.

La Bodega in Puerto de la Duquesa

Now open in Duquesa, La Bodega in Plaza del Chanquette is styled on a traditional Andalucian bodega. The bar is run by Graham, Gavin, Janet and Natasha who, in addition to creating an attractive watering hole, have also beautified the Plaza with a stunning display of flowers around the fountain and colourful plants in pots and planters around the bar so that you can enjoy your drinks in a real Andalucian setting.

Bob Dylan to Perform at Jerez

Bob Dylan, the American singer, author, poet and songwriter is scheduled to perform at Jerez on the 8th July at the Chapin Municipal Stadium. Tickets are on sale and can be obtained on line at www.ticktackticket.com or ringing 902 150 025.

Nerja Caves Festival

The annual Nerja Caves Festival is one of the world renowned spectaculars and will be held this year from the 22nd July to the 26th July. The first night will be a night of dance presented by Antonio Márquez and his ballet flamenco company with a varied programme including Ravel’s Bolero. On Wednesday the Munich Chamber Orchestra play music by Bach, Handel and Mozart and on Thursday and Friday the Royal Danish Ballet dance to music as varied as that of Stravinsky and The Beatles. On the final night lucky ticket holders will hear a recital by Ainho Arteta performing works by Donizetti, Puccini and Granados. The caverns at Nerja provide a dramatic setting for all the performances. Each evening starts at 10pm and tickets cost 50 Euros each. For tickets email cuevanerja@vnet.es

ED’S Bar Monte Duquesa

Andalucia Life and all our readers welcome John and Celia Whitehead. Originally from Cheshire, John and Celia took over Bar La Tasca in the courtyard at Monte Duquesa, refurbished the premises and renamed it ED’S Bar. They are now open, offering a friendly service to customers old and new.

Land Prices Still Rising

Whilst the value of resale properties is falling it seems that in Malága, Cádiz and Seville provinces the value of land is rising, about 1.9% more than during the same quarter last year. Nationally land prices have fallen 7.7%.

Capital Gains Tax Rebates

Did you sell a property in Spain between 2004 and 2007? Were you, as a non resident, assessed for capital gains tax? If the answer to both questions is ‘Yes’, then there may be good news for you.

Prior to 2007 non-residents paid capital gains tax at a higher level than residents. This was unfair, the EU decided, so the situation was harmonised with the rest of Europe and the rate for everybody selling property in Spain was fixed at 15%. Now a legal action is underway to compensate those people who paid too much tax. 2004 is the limit since, under Spanish law, rebates can only be back dated four years. Even so up to 70,000 Brits could be affected.

At the moment a class action has been underway for one year. A settlement is not likely for at least another year. In order to claim your rebate you have to either take independent legal action or join the growing number of people who have registered with the law firm heading the action, Costa, Alvarez, Manglano & Associates. They are offering a ‘no win, no pay’ solution. There is a 100 Euro joining fee and the firm will take 35% of any settlement but with claims averaging over 10,000 Euros you would still be left with a handy piece of change.

To register go to www.spanishtaxreclaim.co.uk or call the helpline on (UK) 0845 680 3849