Electricity Problems

The Electricity Supply company, Endesa, informs us that the problems with the power supply that are occurring throughout the day in our municipality, is not an isolated case. They are working on solving the different problems, so that a stable power supply is restored as soon as possible.

If you wish to register a complaint please email

  atencionalcliente@endesaonline.com

Also including this from a local business for information

UPS (uninterrupted power supply)
What is it? For those unfamiliar with this device, it is basically a box with a continuously charges battery, that automatically provides a continuous uninterrupted mains power supply, when you have a power cut or momentary outage.
Mains power in Spain: We can all grumble about the reliability of the mains here, but in reality, rural power is brought in via overhead cables and therefore subject to interference, lightning etc…
Problems: The short power off-on interruptions that we get are accompanied by nasty “spikes” in the power. This sort of event can damage any equipment that has a switch-mode-power supply and or processor, i.e. almost all electronic products.
What a UPS does: two things basically. Whatever you plug into a UPS, will not see the power interruptions. So, when there is a glitch in the mains, your equipment will continue to run. Your IPTV box won’t get corrupted, your tower PC won’t reboot and need to be fixed etc…. The other thing the UPS will do is to provide a degree of electrical filtering, so that the normal spikes and surges are removed, limiting damage and so on.
Horses for courses. There are different types of UPSs for different applications. It depends on what you want to connect and protect to it and how long you want the unit to run for in times of power cuts. It is important that the right UPS is purchased for the job. Typical examples of miss old UPSs are on pellet Burners
General: If you have a UPS, it is worth checking it’s operation. Safely shut down and disconnect what you have connected to it. Plug in a 60 watt light bulb (traditional incandescent bulb) and disconnect the mains to the UPS to see how long it runs for. If it is less than a few minutes, the battery will need checking. Best to do this every 3 months to be on the safe side. In general, batteries last for a 2-3 years. It is a price matter. If you want batteries that last for 5 years, you are looking to pay 2-3 times more, which people, in my experience do not want to do. We are now in autumn and will be seeing more mains interruptions.
I keep a selection of UPSs in stock and replacement batteries. Batteries can generally be replaced while you wait. For more information and or help, contact me via info@zeta-services.tv or call me on 666826886. Seth, Zeta Services

Brexit Advice from Government & Church Christmas Carol

Last Night over 150 people enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Carol Service in the Renfe. So many in fact that over 30 had to stand!  

The service was supported by the church choir and an 10 piece orchestra. A lovely start to Christmas celebrations.

UK nationals in the EU

There will be no change to your rights and status as a UK national living in the EU until after Brexit. You can still work, access healthcare and collect your pension as you do now.

The Withdrawal Agreement

The Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and provides for a deal on citizens’ rights.

You will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement if you are a UK national lawfully residing in another EU country at the end of the implementation period, on 31 December 2020.

The Withdrawal Agreement will secure your rights and will allow you to stay in the EU country where you live after Brexit. You will have broadly the same entitlements to work, study and access public services and benefits as you do now.

Implementation period

The Withdrawal Agreement sets out an implementation period lasting until 31 December 2020. This is a time-limited period before Brexit-related changes take place.

During the implementation period, your rights and those of your family members will not change. You will be able to continue to live, work and study in the EU as you do now.

The rules on travelling to the EU will remain the same during this period. You can move to a different country in the EU in the same way as you can now.

Residency documents and status

You and your family may need to apply for a residence status to confirm that you were already resident in the EU country you live in before 31 December 2020. You will have until at least 30 June 2021 to do this.

The EU country where you live will set up a system for applying for a residence status. The application will be short, simple and either free of charge, or cost no more than applying for a similar document, for example a national identity card or passport.

You will have until at least 30 June 2021 to submit your application. We will share information on how to apply in our Living in guides when it is available.

Permanent residency documents

You will be able to exchange valid permanent residence documents for a new residence document free of charge before the implementation period ends. This also applies to valid domestic immigration documents that confirm your permanent right to live in a country. You may need to provide proof of identity and undergo criminality and security checks.

Family members

Your close family members will be able to join you after the end of the implementation period under current EU rules. This applies to spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, dependent children and grandchildren, and dependent parents and grandparents. The relationship must have begun before the end of the implementation period.

If you are outside your EU country of residence after the implementation period, your children, born or adopted, will also be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.

Pushy Salesman

Over the past few days we have received a number of complaints of a very pushy security alarm salesman.

This gentleman has been using scare tactics to press people to buy his companies alarms. He is employed by Securitas Direct.

We have had the Police speak with him and warn him as to his future conduct and we are also informing his employers that this sales tactic is not acceptable. Please report any future incidents.

Christmas Gifts and Xmas Display Comp

The Church congregation from Los LLanos del Peral have today donated 12 boxes of Christmas gifts for the families most in need. Also a quantity of sweets to be distributed to children.

The Town Hall will arrange the distribution of these gifts prior to Xmas. Once again we thank the congregation on behalf of the recipients for their generosity. Pictured are Richard and Margie Gall from the Church who delivered the gifts to the Town Hall

If you have a Nativity scene, Christmas tree, Christmas facade and shop window you think should be recognised then we have another competition for this Christmas!  If you are interested in participating in any of these categories, call the telephone number that appears on the posters or send a whatsaap to register, maximum date on December 20. Or let me know.

Christmas Cake Day & Charitable Donations & Doctors

A reminder to any and all you bakers out there that on Monday 23rd December there is a cake party in  the Plaza del Olmo at 1100.

If you are interested in taking part just bring along your home made cake. It does not have to be a Christmas cake but Andreas says it has to be sweet!!

The participants will be enjoying some of the cake and a drink afterwards

Once again special thanks to Harmony Charity for their generosity in supplying a gas cooker for one of our less fortunate residents.

Also many thanks to the Church Congregation from Llanos del Peral for their continued generosity and for the 25 food bags which are now being distributed to local families.

We are also receiving more and more complaints about the male locum doctor who is currently covering La Alfoquia. To help us manage this situation we ned people to record their complaints. If you have had bad service from this doctor then, on conclusion of your appointment, or as soon after as possible ask for a complaints form known as a Boja de Reclamacion´. Fill this out and submit it. The doctors are all controlled from the Juntas department of health and only they can act. We have no real direct influence and it is only by you recording your complaints that we can resolve this situation.

Railway Association Launch

Thanks to all who attended todays event in the theatre. Firstly I must apologise for our lack of a projection screen. I had been informed we would have one but in the event we did not.

At one point we had over 50 people in the theatre but unfortunately some had to leave prior to the conclusion. 

We learnt much about the history and importance of the railway in Zurgena and we saw many photos from the late 1800´s early 1900s. I and your committee are indebted to Juan Grima Cervantes and Max Kite for sharing their knowledge and pictures with us and I hope they can help us going forward.

Roughly 30 of the audience adjourned to Angustias Bar for a drink and a tapa where further discussions took place.

One immediate action from the meeting was the urgent need to record video interviews of the surviving railway workers which we will organise asap.

I will attach photographs of today when received.

I received a number of appreciative emails from attendees for which I and the Railway Association committee are grateful. 

Holiday Weekend

This Friday 6th and Monday 9th December are both holidays and the Town Hall will be shut. 

Carols at Renfe and Backwash Issue

Firstly due to the tremendous success of last years Christmas Carol service at the Church at Los Llanos they ar to hold it in the Renfe this year to allow more to attend. Below for information.

This year we have taken the decision to have our Carol Concert at the Renfe Building in La Alfoquia, because last year so many wanted to come that our little church was filled to overflowing and some went away disappointed. Over 150 people came to enjoy this lovely beginning to their Christmas celebrations. Please share this post far and wide so the Renfe will be filled with people enjoying their Carols and also 9 members of the amazing Cariatiz Orchestra. There are more carols than ever before, plus a choir. It will be such a wonderful, joyful evening, followed by Mulled wine and mince pies. Come festively dressed, entry is free as always. Your date for the diary... Friday 20th December at 6pm.

The second issue I have to draw peoples attention to is the issue of the backwash from peoples´ swimming pools. It is an offence to allow/empty your backwash into public areas. A number of complaints have been received in a certain area and if the complaints persist the Police may take action. In certain areas it has not caused any problem but the proper method is to have it drain into a backwash tank. If that is not an option other ways must be found to retain the waste on the property and not drain into the streets.