Remembrance Day

This year the Zurgena of the Royal British Legion are having a joint service to be held at the church in Arboleas.

They are asking if you wish ti attend please be in the church by 1015am to start at 1030am.

Motorway

An hour ago the Board of the Junta de Andalucia has announced that the funding has been approved to the tune of 39.4 million euros. The work should commence in the next few months - at long last!

Mass for All Saints Day

There is to be a Solemn Mass, held in the Cementery of Zurgena at 4.30pm Thursday 1st November 2018.

It is open to anyone who wishes to attend.

PGOU Meeting Update

I have just had a conversation with our Mayor to work out when we can hold our Public meeting.

We have a couple of small technical points which we are resolving over the next week or so. After that we have to hold a Plenary session of the Council and then send the updated plan to Almeria.

There are different issues in the different areas of the municipality and the architects and others are working to get a better understating of each of the facets of these differences. I am hoping to be briefed on how those studies are going in the next week and as soon as I am I will post on here.

The Mayor wants to hold the meeting in the next few weeks but also wants to be comfortable that we all understand exactly what the situation is in each area. Obviously it would be pointless for us to hold the meeting and not have sufficient a grasp on the detail to be able to answer some questions.

Sop sorry for the delay we are working as hard as we can to make it happen. 

Halloween, Holiday, Medieval Market and Flamenco

Halloween. If you have any children out on holiday or staying here for Halloween there are a couple of events for the children. From 1900 x 2000 there is a children's workshop in the Plaza del Olmo and  from 2100 in the Library there is a tunnel of terror.  Roast chestnuts will also be available.

A reminder that this Thursday is a Public and Bank Holiday.

There is to be a Medieval Market this coming weekend. It will be held in the Plaza del Olmo on Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th from 6.30pm each evening.  It will feature craft and food stalls etc.

The next Flamenco Show in Zurgena Theatre is next Sunday at 8.30pm. The tickets (€15) are going quite fast. If you wish to reserve any please let me know asap.

Cookery Course and Saturday

The cookery course has been going very well with about 30 attendees. We have been shown a number of local dishes by a local chef.

The course continues tonight 5 x 7 and Friday 5 x 7.

The below poster is for any of those who have attended the course as a way of celebrating the end of it. I do need to know if you are attending on Saturday as we have limited places.

A New Flamenco Show

Below is the poster and text from Francesca about the next Flamenco Show. If you attended any of the previous ones you will know that they are quite exceptional shows and each one is different.

BUT PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE NOW SUNDAY 4TH NOVEMBER

If you wish to attend tickets can be obtained from myself in my office from about 10am Tuesday 16th. If I am out of the office Andreas on the Front Desk will have them. 

ALMERIA TIERRA FLAMENCA.
A brand new EXCITING flamenco performance featuring the male and female dancers dancing together to reenact a part of the history of the flamenco tradition from Almería. The lead artists come from well established flamenco families based in the famous La Chanca district of Almería capital. There will be a preliminary presentation in English to explain the theme to non Spanish speakers. 
It is a cycle dedicated to the flamenco of Almeria, to its renowned artists, to it's origins, to its traditions. .. a recognition of what our region has contributed to Spanish Flamenco. It is as lesser known area in the national Flamenco scene, however some great artists such as legendary guitarist Tomatito have been born and still live in Almería. Other more historical figures such as Pedro el Morato (  creator of the flamenco palo 'Taranto' ),inspired by the traditions of the mining songs of the Lead, Iron and Gold mines of our region, such as Rodalquilar (Cabo de Gata), Macenas (Mojacar), Huelin (Herrerías), Gador ( Almería), Rambla Belen (Almería), Glasses (Arboleas)
This Almeria Tierra Flamenca Cycle performance is an opportunity to better understand the region in which we live. It is also an opportunity for better integration for non Spaniards who live here and an opportunity for personal cultural enrichment, evidently not only for a better knowledge of flamenco but also for a better knowledge of our region through flamenco that is an integral part of the history of Almeria and has gone hand in hand with the development of the province of Almeria.

Delegate Visit following PGOU Approval

Today we had a visit from the Territorial Delegate of the Environment and Ordering of Territories, Raul Enrique Caba.

The Mayor and myself took him on a tour around the areas of our municipality and he expressed his admiration for the work the Town Hall of Zurgena and, in particular, the Mayor Luis David Garcia, had done in getting our Plan to completion.

He also agreed to attend at our Public Meeting once we set a date when he can represent the Junta.

Gymnasium

Following lengthy discussions on ways forward to enable the Gymnasium in La Alfoquia to open, the Mayor, Jose Manuel and myself have agreed a process which effectively means that Jose will be the manager of the gymnasium!

Initially June Hamilton is to hold her body toning classes in the gym each Monday and Thursday at 10.0am but hopefully we will be able to offer further options in the Gym in the future.

My thanks to Jose for taking the responsibility and ensuring that June and the public will be able to benefit from the gym being open again.

Bank Holiday and Flamenco and Cookery Course

Firstly reminder that it is a red day Bank Holiday tomorrow so everything is shut. Including my office!

Secondly we are having a few problems organising the next Flamenco show which should be the first week in November but clashes with the Medieval Market (the stall holders sleep in the theatre for the duration of the market!) As soon as we can confirm a date I will post on here.

Reminder of the cookery class/ course which starts on the 22nd October in the school in Zurgena. The course is free and will be held each day from 5.0pm until 7.0pm people can attend for one or all the 5 days of the course. It is free and us being conducted by a local chef to demonstrate local dishes and tips on their cooking (even I am going to attend to see if I can learn anything!).
We intend also to hold a nice day on the Saturday at which the attendees on the course can enjoy the fruits of the week and some other dishes and possibly a glass of wine. I have a list of those who have already expressed an interest but need to finalise that list by next Tuesday 16th so we can mange the numbers so if you wish to attend please let me know.

Newcomers Advice Sheet and Pool Bar

Below is a link to a copy of an advice sheet which we have drawn top to help any newcomers to the area to be more informed. We will be making copies available in the Town Hall (front desk) and as we record new residents.
Newcomers Advice 

Regarding the Pool Bar there are many rumours going around but so that everyone knows the situation it is this;
The contract to run the Pool bar expires this month (October). The Town Hall will be opening the process to decide on the next contract soon, by publishing the date and details, of what will be required by any potential bidders. There will be a sealed bid process and the successful bidder informed I believe by the end of this month.

Update the process will take more like 2 to 3 months.

Health System Access

Many people are having problems accessing the new medical system computer to make doctors appointments etc.

I attended with our computer guy at a local resident property to help him access it. The problem is that some browsers are not accepted by the new system and the way to get around this is to type the following link into your browsers navigation box (but use Firefox as your browser)

https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/servicioandaluzdesalud/clicsalud/pages/anonimo/agenda/pedirCita.jsf

Hope this helps anyone with a problem.

We are still having problems with this website issue. Will update when I can.
Obviously no problem if you use CATS for your appointment making

And More Good News

More good news, the week is turning out to be an amazing one for good news.

The advisor to the government on development and housing, Felipe Lopez, stated on a recent visit to Garrucha that the completion of the motorway from Cucador to Ballabona should be signed off in the next few days and work should restart in the first half of next year. The work to complete the dual carriageway from Vera to Garrucha should also be completed by next summer.

l should get to know as the company who will be given the contract agreed to employ local people so we should know then if not before.

Historic Day for Zurgena

I was present today at meeting of historical importance for our village and one I have worked for and waited for (as many of you have) for over 11 years.

Luis Diaz Garcia, Manolo Tijeras, our Architect and myself attended the meeting with all the Government Delegates at the Junta de Andalucia  at the meeting of the Commission of Urbanisation. The commission approved our PGOU in its entirety. So now begins a huge load of work to complete the works necessary to move everything forward. 

Following this announcement we will, during the next week, study the plan and the best route forward and organise a meeting to take questions and explain where we are at and what needs to be done (which is a lot!) but this gives us the tools with which to progress in every way. 

Below is a translated copy of Luis´ Facebook post about the meeting. 

The " Territorial Commission for the planning of the territory and urbanism of the junta de andalucía, has approved today, definitely the pgou of zurgena in its entirety. Great news for our people, who today makes history. After the next publication of the document, the city council will organize a plan to mark the different lines work (solution of housing problems / future development of the 2 Polygons / consolidation of some recognized nuclei /...) there is much to do but the most Important has been achieved, "give legal certainty to the whole municipal term". I am very happy and although i am not a person of many celebrations if I would like to thank all those people who have made this possible (Team Editor / technicians of the Board / delegates and secretary general... and as not to all my colleagues and zurgeneros for their patience and understanding. Thanks from ❤️. Zurgena deserves it.

Following this announcement we will, during the next week, study the plan and the best route forward and organise a meeting to take questions and explain where we are at and what needs to be done (which is a lot!) but this gives us the tools with which to progress in every way. 

Padron Work

Jose Manuel, Fran and I have state the work to ensure the Town Hall Padron record is up to date. We are already finding discrepancies, primarily the problem being the Town Hall records.

We will be trying to visit every house in the municipality over the course of the next few months so please be aware that if you find 2 or 3 men knowing at your door it may be us!

Big Official Morning

Big Day in the Town Hall today.

We had the Canal Sur cameras to record the opening of the new wing of the infant school (Cole Juan Andres Toledo) by the Delegate of Government for Education from Almeria. It is a huge improvement for the kids and has been sorely needed for many years. The kids certainly seem to be enjoying their new classrooms.

We then had a meeting with the Guardia Civil and Police National and the sub delegate for Government to establish a Commission of Local Security. This is a process by which we can apply for and get assistance from other security bodies when we are short of cover and to assist with any major security issues.  This also gives us a leading role in tackling problems across 20 different pueblos with the support of all the security agencies.

Cooking Course week

To provide a little more detail now.

The course is to be held each weekday 22nd October to 26th October between 1700 and 1900. Each day will be a different selection of Spanish dishes.

On Saturday 27th October at 1030am there will be a morning where we will review the weeks cooking and have a small breakfast and then possibly have a demonstration of an ex pats typical dish (looking for a volunteer or two) similar to what we did before and then enjoy a nice lunch where people are free to bring thrown wine or other dishes. At this stage the course will be held in th school kitchen in La Alfoquia during the week not sure yet (depends on numbers where the Saturday event will be held.

All I need at the moment is numbers so we can manage them. I have already had a number of people contact me and if you have done then no need to contact again.