Andalucia Day

Tomorrow Thursday 28th February is Andalucia Day (a local bank holiday) and there will be attractions such as bouncy castles for the kids and free migas to all who attend. The event is to be held at the Renfe Building in Alfoquia from 1130am.

Time Trial Rally Zurgena 9th and 10th March (Amended Closure details)

The above event is to be held on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th March and will run from Zurgenas by the Chemists for a distance of exactly 10 kms along the road and tracks between Zurgena and Lubrin and will affect the junction from Zurgena towards Palaces by Solas.

For your information and to facilitate the safety of the public the road (between Zurgena and Palaces) will be closed to the public between 0830 and 1330 on Sunday 10th. 

2 New Members on our List & Survey/Suggestions 2019

As you may know the local elections to your council will be held on the 26th May. The party which has been administering the council for the past 4 years, and of which I am a part, is the PSOE.

Firstly I am pleased to announce that we have two new english speaking members on our list for the election John Copeland (otherwise known as the Crystal Man of Almeria) from Cucador and Chrissy Maywood of Los Carasoles. The full list should be available to view in a week.

We will be meeting during the week commencing 10th March to agree our Manifesto and Programme and this will form the basis for our work for the next 4 years should we be successful in gaining sufficient votes. 

As we have done previously, we seek to obtain the participation of all our residents in helping us decide the content of that programme. We will be delivering copies of the attached to households where we can but if you wish you can print a copy of the attached document to have your say. All completed suggestions need to be received before 7th March.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wehjwbAbYoUTsObx4pT22kN7eKgFfyyc/view?usp=sharing

Carnival and Gym Open Day

Zurgena Carnival tomorrow itinerary as below. If you want to see Andreas as a Viking dont miss it.

June Hamilton is having an open day at the Gymnasium in La Alfoquia with all classes free for the day on Thursday 28th February  from 10-12.30 

10am Tonification

10.45 Stretch

11.15. Easy Zumba

´

Election Year and Outstanding Issues

The past few weeks we have been reviewing the outstanding issues that require attention from the list maintained during the past 3 years. We have managed to achieve most things but there are still a number of outstanding issues.

We have had discussions to prioritise these issues so that we can complete as many, that are left, as possible. These works will continue over the next few months and I will endeavour to ensure that those, which affect the residential areas, are completed promptly.

Secondly I can inform you that I will be standing for reelection this year. I have reached this decision with the support of all of my family.

I have decided to do so for a number of reasons.

Firstly the current team, that I am part of, in the Town Hall have, in my opinion, been excellent in working for the benefit of all our community and it is anticipated that most of the current team will stand again.

Secondly, as in previous elections, I have a firm commitment from the other members of our team to continue to fully support and help integrate the expat community into the local community.

Thirdly, after we had agreed our PGOU, Luis asked me if I felt I had achieved what I joined the council to do. I replied in the affirmative and then he said ,¨NO!¨ He then explained using a metaphor of painting a room and saying that I had only painted 3 walls. There was another wall to paint and how could I leave without finishing the room!! I also want to continue our work to fully gain urban consolidated status for all properties in the municipality.

Fourthly the many appreciative words and comments from people over the past few months make it feel to me that it is worthwhile continuing.

Lastly, and purely from a selfish point of view, there is a possibility I may receive some remuneration in the next administration if we win sufficient seats. As most of you know I have never drawn a salary for my work in the Town Hall during the past 12 years. So that might be nice.

For your information and to explain the election process here this is how it works.Any group wishing to contest a local election has to compile a numbered list of 15 local persons who support that group. The Council has 11 councillors and the seats are assigned based on the percentage of the vote each group obtains in the election. At the last election our party PSOE won a total of 7 seats. So the first 7 in our list became councillors with No 1 becoming Mayor 2 Deputy and so on.

We had a meeting last week to agree our numbered list and I accepted to be No 3 (the same as at the last election) Luis (current Mayor) is our No 1 and Lola (current Deputy Mayor) No 2. I will publish the remaining names when it has been published in Almeria. I am pleased to say that I have been supported and have included the names of 2 more english speaking residents.

Finally I also must thank Michael Foulkes who stood on our lists in the last 2 elections but has decided not to stand again this year due to personal reasons. Thanks Mike for your past support.

PGOU and Article in Spanish Press

I have received a few mails about an article in the Spanish Press quoting Susana Diaz and a report that, due to a court ruling, all Town Hall plans will have to be restarted to take into account an environmental report.

I confirmed with our Technical Architect and the Mayor that that was the reason we pulled our PGOU back from Almeria last April, in order that we could do the work necessary to comply with this legislation. So ours is fully complaint and needs no further work.

Dates for your Diary - Carnival & Flamenco & Trip and Insurance Offer

We are to hold our Carnival on Saturday 23rd February in Zurgena. Posters will go up when printed.

Due to continuing demand we are organising another Flamenco evening in the Theatre in Zurgena on  Sunday 28th April. Full details when confirmed.

We are also organising our next TH Trip this time to the beautiful city of Ubeda which should be about the middle of March, possibly the 16th.

Finally I had a visit from reps from DKV who wanted me to inform you of an offer they have at the moment on some of their insurances (but no motor) They are offering 40% off their Health Insurance and other offers. Their rep is someone a few of you know, Vicky whose telephone number is 694 439 436 and is available 24x7 and speaks English, French, Flemish and German. Her email is f.artero.cesar@gmail.com  This is not a recommendation merely passing on information.

General Jobs

A number of tasks which we had hoped to tackle during January are still outstanding. The  reason for the delay is the fact that a group of workers we were promised have not yet arrived. It is anticipated that we will have them in a few weeks. 

They have a lengthy list of general tidying and clearing to do, however, I am advised that they will be at our disposal for up to 6 months.

Jose´s Spanish Class & The Pool Bar & Civil Protection

Jose Manuel has now settled his Spanish classes on Mondays and Wednesdays at 0900 in the Campsa building in La Alfoquia. The classes are going well and the feedback I have received has been very positive. 

There will be a charge starting this Month February of €20 per month and I thought I had better give you all an explanation about our decision to charge for the Spanish class which Jose takes.

Jose has a number of roles within the Town Hall including managing the Gymnasium, supporting the Help desk, doing the Spanish classes for the English and the English classes for the Spanish children in an afternoon. He only receives a salary for his help desk role and in actual fact he is out of pocket to the tune of a few hundred euros each month.

As he charges the Spanish children €20 for their classes each month I believe it is only right that he charges the same for the Spanish classes for the English. That works out at €2.50 per class which is the cheapest you can find. It would also help cover some of Jose´s deficit

I hope you will feel that this is appropriate and correct.

If anyone else wishes to join the classes there is space for a couple more.

Regarding the Pool Bar in La Alfoquia there is a lengthy process we need to go through before we can agree the progress of the future of these premises. I cannot see anything happening before April/May time.

Finally if anyone aged 21 to 65 who is interested in supporting the Civil Protection unit please let me know. We currently have 6 officers but are looking to increase the team. Duties are helping with Fiesta days Saints days, sports events etc. Training in first aid and other relevant issues will be given. Uniform provided and they now have their own office. 

Park Bar & Emergency Passport

Have had many questions about the situation regarding the Park Bar and whether it will be open again this year. It is the intention of Antonio to open again probably in March. The contract will be up for renegotiation later in the year.

A website worth making a note of for future reference in the event of the loss, theft or otherwise invalidation of your passport. If you are a British citizen then you must apply for and pay online for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) using the Foreign and Commonwealth website the link is

Emergency Travel Document

Junes New Gym Hours & Rafa

Some of you may have met a really nice young Spanish man who spent some time with Jose and I during January. His name was Rafa and he is training as a pharmacist and works in Winchester. He was spending time with us in preparation for his English exam in which he needed to get a top pass mark to continue in his work in the UK. I am pleased to say that he contacted us last Friday to say he had been successful. I know that many of you who met him would want to know.

June Hamilton has amended her gym hours and they are now as below.