2018 IBI Bills

All 2018 IBI bills are now on the system and can be obtained in person from Andreas in the Town Hall. They will be available on the system until 20th November which is the due date for payment. Any payments after that date will attract penalties.

No bills will be sent out by post this year so the responsibility rests with the home owner.

Tribute Dinner

Over 200 people enjoyed a great evening in the old Plaza del Olmo, Zurgena to enjoy the Tribute Dinner for Antonio Costura ( the winner of Spains Sewing Bee TV Competition) and Juan Antonio Ramos (our national 100km running champion)

The Gala dinner was to held to celebrate their achievements as sons of Zurgena and how they had brought great pride to the village.

The meal was excellent (as usual provided by Bonillos Catering). 7 starters, followed by a main course of Medallions of Iberico Pork with a port reduction, served with a timbal of potatoes pobre and Almeria peppers, dessert was a chocolate basket containing yoghourt mousse, parfait red fruits and a coulis and a skewer of fruit.

After dinner a short video of the achievements of both men was shown and presentations made. Got to bed at 2. 30am when the others were just starting the dancing!

Summer Activities

Saturday 28th July in the school, Juan Andres Toledo in Zurgena there is to be a Summer Cinema showing El Principito starting at 2200. Entrance free.

A Master Zumba class is to be held on 1st August 2018 from 1900 until 2200 in the Renfe building in La Alfoquia. There will be traditional games for kids, Master Zumba and a practical introduction to a Brazilian Dance style. All organised by Kronos Gym. Admission free.

On Saturday 11th August there is Town Hall sponsored trip to Vera Aqua Park. The coach leaves Zurgena at 1030 and returns at 1930.  Price including bus and entrance €12.  Registration in the Town Hall prior to 8th August.

Regional Petanque competition (this is the one which is held in various municipalities and is organised by the Diputacion) and they have dates in various locations across the Almanzora valley during August and September. It is a pairs competition and will be held in Zurgena on 9th September. If interested in entering any of the events please contact me for further details. 

Thanks to PiRDA

Once again we thank the British computer charity PiRDA for their exceptional aid in providing a new and good specification computer to the Civil Protection team in Zurgena.

Pictured below is Luis Paz (Chief of Civil Protection) and Ian Hurley (PiRDA) who installed the machine in the office.

Taxi Services and Update

A word of caution about using non licensed taxis.

I have heard on the grapevine that some of the local licensed taxi drivers are becoming concerned about the activities of people (Brits) who are unlicensed but acting as taxi drivers.

I understand that some are advertising on social media and the Spanish taxi drivers are now monitoring such websites with a view to reporting these people to the authorities.

As in the UK drivers of taxis have to comply with a whole set of rules and regulations covering competence and legal standing. So for your own safety and security use registered taxis.

The two current legal taxi firms operating in our Municipality are

1. Is Loli´s taxi     tele no 646298053 or website https://taxi-loli-domene.negocio.site

2. Maria Aguila Perez 610326712 and landline 950 449 212 based in Zurgena.

Both are featured in the Fiesta Magazines.

Padel Tournament

For those of you who play Padel you may be interested in forming a team to complete in the Zurgena Fiesta Padel Tournament to be held during the Zurgena Fiesta in August.

If you are interested please register in the Town all prior to the 31st July.

Fibre Optic

The Town Hall has agreed a project with two different businesses to install Fibre Optic cabling  in the two villages of La Alfoquia and Zurgena.

The first part of the project is the installation of above ground cabling in La Alfoquia by a company called Plus Net.  This has already started as some of you have noticed.

I have a copy of the area to be serviced by this initial installation which unfortunately for most of us at this stage only covers the older part of the village. The extension of the network to cover the wider area including the area by the pool bar may be some time off.

Subsequent projects will include the wider area and underground cabling.

An Evening Tribute Dinner to our Local Winner of the Spanish Sewing Bee Competition

UPDATE! At the moment I have reserved two tables and I have two places left on one of those two tables. Will see how demand goes before considering reserving another table.

The Town Hall in conjunction with Catering Bonillo have organised an evening of entertainment with food prepared and served by Bonillos. I have had experience of Bonillos and can confirm they provide very excellent catering.

The evening is to be held in the  open air in the Plaza del Olmo in Zurgena on Friday 27th July commencing at 2100 hours.

As tables are being set up in groups of 8 to 12 it is obviously best if you have a group in the first instance. However, I shall be going and may have some spare seats on my table. Depends if I have enough friends to fill it or not!!

The cost of the evening is €25 per adult or €15 for children.

I believe it will be a wonderful evening and, in the setting of the old square, could be quite magical. If anyone is interested in joining this event please let me know asap so I can manage the numbers to tables. As usual call me on 610194260 or email jimszurgena@gmail.com

  

Triathlon and Biathlon

Not sure how many of the readers of this will be interested but putting it out there anyway!

The Town Hall has arranged a competitive Triathlon and Biathlon for Tuesday 24th July from 1900 until 2200 in the municipal pool. If anyone is interested please contact me.

Town Hall Wifi

As many of you know the Town Hall WiFi has been going through an upgrade process which initially led to many problems.

The work is now finished and would appear to be running much more efficiently.

Below are the terms if anyone wishes to contract it;

8 megs for €12 per month inc IVA
16 megs for €20 per month inc IVA
30 megs for €30 per month inc IVA
50 megs for €35 per month inc IVA

Additionally you can contract for fixed line phone calls for 1 euro per month extra or for €17  unlimited calls and 10gb of data. The system is maintained by Movistar and covers 100% of Zurgena.

Water Works

Update 1322 hours. Sorry should have included the fact that todays interruption to the water supply was caused by a  fracture in a main pipe. They have restored the water to the village and are working to restore to the higher areas and hope to complete by mid afternoon but no guarantees!

Some good news at last regarding the work needed to renew our antiquated and old water pipe network.

As many of you know we have had numerous and regular fractures of the main pipes over the past years and these are primarily due to the failure of old systems. The Town Hall has been in negotiations with Galasa regarding upgrading all these systems and originally a budget of €400,000 was agreed to do the work. To this has been added another sizeable figure to renew another part which had not been included in the original discussions.

The work to renovate these networks starts tomorrow but will take many weeks but should finally stop the many failures of the system.

IBI New Procedure

From this year there is to be a new procedure regarding the issue of the IBI bills. This is not a bad thing given that for the past few years they have hardly ever reached their destination!

From this year all the IBI Bills will not be sent out but be available from the Town Hall from approximately 21st July onwards. They will be due for payment prior to the 20th November. Although it is aways sensible to make payment a few days prior to the last allowable date.

Please make a note to collect or arrange to have collected a copy of your IBI for this year during this period. 

Agenda for Romeria Sunday 8th

La Alfoquia Fiesta in Honour of Virgen del Carmen

The following is the programme for this years fiesta.

Sunday 8th July

0900 Procession of the our Lady Virgen del Carmen leaves Barrio de Chicago at 0900 and precesses to Llanos del Peral.
1900 Football Tournament for Veterans

Between 2nd and 15th July Seniors Football Tournament 7.0pm each day.

Between 9th and 13th Football 7s at 1900 each day.

Thursday 12th July 2359 Fireworks to start the fiesta. Childrens Day

Friday 13th July
2300 Music Concert by Maxims and the duo ´A Contraluz´
2400 Crowning of Fiesta Queens Miss and Master

Saturday 14th July
1130 Arts and Crafts Workshop at the Renfe and tasting from the Pastry workshop.
1600 Table Tennis Championship at the Renfe.
1800 Petanca Tournament at fairground sports ground
1900 Foam Fiesta at the sports pitches
2300 Music Concert by orchestra ´Carrusel´and duo ´Platino´

Sunday 15th July
Free entrance to the municipal pool.
1600 Water Party for young children
2300 Music Concert by orchestra ´Boreal´and duo Á Contraluz´.

Monday 16th July
0930 Free Churros for senior citizens
2030 Church Service in honour of our saint
2100 Procession of our Lady the Virgen of Carmen accompanied by the bands
2300 Music Concert by ´September´
0130 Firework Display to end Fiesta.

Mayors Address for Fiesta 2018

The Fiesta begins this Sunday 8th July I have appended the Mayors address from the Fiesta Magazine for your information. I will detail the programme in the next post

Aqua Fit 2018

The summer season gets underway with June Hamiltons Aqua Fit classes. Each Tuesday and Thursday at 1000 until 1045. Price €4.

24 people took part in the first class as you can see below.