Culture Week

Car Tax Reminder

Just a quick reminder that car tax bills are NOT being posted out this year.

If you have a car, which you own and have owned prior to the 1st January 2018, then the car tax is due and payable before the 5th June. If the tax is not paid by then then additional costs will be incurred.

To obtain a printed copy of the bill just call into the TH and ask Andreas to print a copy off which you can then pay at your bank.

Flamenco 2nd June

Francesca who is organising the Flamenco event on 2nd June at 8.0pm has asked me to publish this short descriptive as she feels some people are not aware of what it consists.

For those looking for TRADITIONAL FLAMENCO DANCE do not miss the opportunity to see some of Granada´s top artists performing in the Municipal Theatre of Zurgena.
This performance includes a presentation in English to help explain some of the intricacies of the art of Flamenco.
This is the second event and is a different performance to the one these artists presented back in March. So do not miss the chance to deepen your understanding of Flamenco. These artists always offer an extremely high dance content as that is the aspect of Flamenco which the public tend to favour watching.
Male artist Paco Fernandez is one of Granada´s leading young stars and has just returned from his tour in the United States.
The group offer male and female dance (very different in style) gypsy song and dance.
Tickets €15 available from me or at the kiosk in Mojacar Commercial Centre.

Last Nights Free Concert

I, together with about 25 others, attended the free concert in the Theatre.

It was a shame that so few turned up as the music was amazing. The quality of the musicianship of the performers was top quality and has given me a new appreciation of Flamenco music.

Sergio de Lope was the flautist backed by a fantastic acoustic guitarist and an amazing electric bass. I have never seen a percussionist play so much of his equipment by hand.

A really fantastic evening.

Calle Finlandia Work

Once again I have to apologise for the delay in getting this work done.

I raise this issue on a  weekly basis with my colleagues in the Town Hall in an effort to make it happen but keep failing!

I have now received another reason why the contracted company have not yet started work. It transpires that the Diputacion who awarded the contract have not yet paid the company for the past 3 months work and therefore the contracted company (Nila) are unwilling to start another expensive project until they have been paid for their past work.

I am going to try again today to see if there is anyway we can apply pressure to get them to pay Nila something so they can start wok on this greatly overdue repair.

Sorry.

Flamenco Show Tickets

Just a reminder to those who have paid for the show on the 2nd June and only have receipts. If you can collect your tickets from me in exchange for your receipts it would help us.

Free Concert

The Junta de Andalucia and the Town Hall of Zurgena are pleased to announce a free Concert to be held this Saturday 19th May evening at 8.0pm in the Theatre of Zurgena.

It is called ¨A Night in Utrera¨ and features a 50 minute concert by Sergio de Lope a Flautist and Saxophonist who is highly regarded. He has trained at the Conservatory of Cordoba and has featured in various top class fiestas and TV programmes.

In order that we can manage the numbers please let me know if you are interested in attending asap.

This is a link to give you an idea of his music

Sergio de Lope

Waste Disposal

It would appear that I need to restate the details of how to dispose of waste.

Basuras (rubbish bins) It would appear that some of our newer residents are unaware of their responsibilities regarding rubbish. Basuras are primarily for household waste.

Firstly if you have a recycling bins please use them for the purposes shown.

Secondly if you have any large items or items that you feel could be recycled you can place them by the bins just prior to the 12th and 27th of each month as that is when the Consorcio remove such things.

Please do not leave builders rubble, garden refuse etc at the side of the Basuras as the Consorrcio will not dispose them and that leads to areas looking really scruffy.

Any large scale garden refuse etc can be disposed of at the centre in Arbloeas their Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/Arboleas-Recycling-Centre-262281380865976/

The system here makes disposal of rubbish really easy and there is no excuse for dumping. Please be considerate.

Enjoyable Trip to Los Millares

We enjoyed another nice trip today. This time to the 5,000 year old site at Los Millares.

Car Taxes and Financial Help for Interiors

I have discovered that no written reminders are being issued for the renewals of car tax.

Car tax bills are raised and due for payment during the month of May each year.

There is a system in place for a telephone sms to be sent but I know that many numbers are missing from the system so, my advice is, to call into the Town Hall before the end of this month and ask Andreas on the English help desk to print your bill off. If your bank is one shown on the form then you can set up a standing order with them and this of course will benefit you in that i future years you will get the 5% reduction.

Secondly there is an option of financial assistance for home improvements (interior) for the over 65s and anyone with any mobility or disability issues. The programme is aimed at helping those persons make their homes safer and more easily accessible. If you feel that there is anything you could benefit from installing or altering within your home and you qualify under the age or infirmity conditions then please let me know. I can assist in applying for the financial assistance availlable. You do have to be in possession of the ´Seseantaycinco´card which I covered in a blog post recently.

Walking Routes

We are organising an exposition for the week 4th to 8th June about trees of the area and other environmental issues. There is also to be a range of walks for people who wish to take part in, if they wish.

Can I ask that if anyone is doing a walking route for inclusion in our planned ´Walks of Zurgena´ publication they can submit before 21st May and we can include them as possibles for people during that week.

Tarjeta Sesentaycinco. Over 65s Card

I am aware that many of you have already obtained the above card known as the Tarjeta Sesentaycinco.  (Over 65 card)

We are doing another publication to ensure that all those, who wish to obtain one, are aware of the benefits and to arrange an appointment with the man from the Social Services.

Discounts on travel, cinema, hotels, shows, museums, monuments, theme parks, and sports.

Discounts on various health situations eg pharmacy, optical, rehabilitation, dentistry etc.

In addition there are benefits to be had in many other areas including magazines, professional services, telecommunications, retail products etc.

If you do not have a card and wish to obtain one please contact me (by email or telephone) and we will arrange a date and time for an appointment with the Social Services worker who does the paperwork.

Full details on the card are included in the guide in this link;

Guide to 65 years Card

Health Talk

Just a reminder that there will be a presentation on the subject of a Healthy Lifestyle and Healthy eating to be held in the Gymnasium this Thursday at 11.30am.

Jose Manuel will be in attendance to translate.

Update re Los Millares Trip

We have a slight amendment to the programme for the trip to Los Millares it is now as follows,

0745 Depart La Alfoquia
0750 Pharmacia Zurgena
0900 Breakfast stop  Coffee and toast for €2
1000 Arrive Los Millares
1300 Visit House of Peregrino and Interpretation Centre.
1400 Lunch
1600 Visit Albodoluy and Clock Tower
1800 Depart for home.

The reason for the alteration is that the Mayoress has a fiesta on that date and will not be available later in the afternoon for the visit to Albodoluy.

Reminder of Healthy Talk and a Healthy Day Out

We are to hold a Healthy Living talk in the Gymnasium at 1130am on Thursday next the 10th May in the Gymnasium in La Alfoquia.

Jose if going to attend to do the interpreting and I am assured there are interesting parts to the talk. So come along and hear the suggested habits for healthy living.

2.

The diputación who organised the Lunar walk have just informed us of a Fitness day for 3rd Age citizens on the 23rd May.

The days agenda is as follows;

Leave Zurgena and arrive 0930 Sports centre Almeria.
Freetime for breakfast not included.
1000 Start of activities including dance class for seniors including harmonious moving.
1045 Exercises of balance and concentration including Aqua Zumba. The groups will be split so some do one exercise twhilst others do differing ones.
1130 Break
1200 Exerises of balance and concentration. Toning and Aqua Zumba 2nd Group
1245 ditto 3rd Group
1330 Finish exercises
1415 lunch in the Restaurant Delfin Verde on the Paseo Maritimo (I have a copy of the menu which includes a drink.
1630 Return to Zurgena.

The price including transport, activities, swimming pool and lunch is €12.

Places are limited and if interested I need to completive  registration form so please let me know asap if you with to going this trip

Brexit Meeting

Today a meeting had been arranged in Arboleas to update residents on the situation regarding Brexit and whilst nothing has yet been agreed I thought it worthwhile to pop along and see what the British Consul was saying with regard to the ongoing negotiations.

The meeting was arranged through the Town Hall of Arboleas and the Expat organisation Brexpats. The panel on the top table consisted of the Birtish consul from Malaga and her vice consul, a solicitor, a representative of Arboleas Ex pats, the Mayor Arboleas and Brexpats.

The main speech was the unmade by the Consul who gave her interpretation and explanation of where negotiations ere at this stage.

She set out the 3 main issue which people had eg Freedom of Movement, Pensions and Health Care and explained that an agreement in principle had been reached  that all British persons resident and registered in Spain prior to March 2020 would have their existing rights protected eg pensions protected, and subject to inflation increases, freedom of movement and of residence in chosen country, and that appropriate arrangements would be made to take care reciprocal health care.

Whilst she explained that this had not been fully signed off she felt that the likelihood would be that it would have no problems. That left the issue of voting rights in local elections which is a huge issue because basically of deprived to the right to vote in local elections we would become almost 3rd class citizens. Negotiations are ongoing regarding this and of course have an element of urgency given that in Spain the local elections will next be held in one years time and any expat wishing to stand would have to be included in a list prior to January 2019. Brexpats and the other expat groups are campaigning hard to get this agreed between the 2 countries as soon as they can. As this is an issue which the EU have said individual countries must negotiate individually (due I guess to the disparate numbers of expats in the differing EU countries). The noises from the Spanish government are very positive but the UK government is dragging its feet.

The main take away from the meeting, and this may be of interest to those trying to sell their properties, is the importance of being resident in Spain prior to March 2020. If an individual is registered on the Padron in their Town Hall and with the Office of Extranjeros prior to this date they will in all probability have their rights preserved ad infinitum. After that date then there may be issues.

Regarding votes for life for Expats within the Uk system this was subject to a Private members bill but seems to be taking its time. It was part of the Tory manifesto but no one seems to be pushing it.

A few questions from the floor were about taking Spanish Nationality and of course that is open to anyone but the Consul advised anyone thinking of that to seek advice as there a number of impacts which may be unforeseen. Additionally you have to pass the exam and in all probability renounce your UK citizenship which would preclude your access to embassy services as a UK national. Additionally it takes about 18 months to 2 years.