Painters and New Year

The act of closing the painting workshop which was being held under the auspices of the Diputacion de Almeria and the TH was due to close, but he participants have been so satisfied with the paintings that they have painted during the course and have asked us to continue the workshop. 

So in response the City Council, considering their request, have decided to continue and expand it.  So if there is anyone interested who, due to lack of vacancies or any other reason, previously missed out, then contact us so that you can now participate!

Just call into the TH and tell them you want to take part.

Lastly may I wish all of you a very happy New Year. I am sure most of us will be glad to see the back of 2020 but we still need to abide by the restrictions in place to try and keep it at bay until vaccines can be distributed to all.

Stay safe and have wonderful 2021

Acquisition of the Antique Windmill

 Today is an important day for Zurgena!

At last, after many years of trying to reach an agreement between all parties, this morning our Mayor Luis David Garcia, signed for the acquisition of the "Molino de Zurgena", an emblem of our Municipality,The two families, until now, owners of the same and the secretary of the Hon. Zurgena Town Hall,  signed at the Huércal-Overa notary's office.

Now it is a difficult task, since its restoration will be expensive and difficult, given the precarious state of conservation in which it is found, but despite this little by little we will work in this regard.

The first intervention to be carried out, scheduled for the next few months, will be the restoration of the fireplace and the adjoining room.

We greatly appreciate Francisco Pardo Imbernón, Juana Muñoz Pérez and the brothers, Juan and Francisco García Sánchez, for their willingness in the development of this arduous buying and selling process. It is also fair to thank the enormous help of our neighbour Don Pedro Parra, a determining figure in the achievement of this heritage asset, which now belongs to all Zurgeneros.

Walking Football & 0ther activities

 I am advised that none of the sporting activities have been permitted under the new restrictions so those will have to wait further guidance when the Covid infection rates drop sufficiently and we are given the go ahead.

This covers walking football and all sports activities in or on Town Hall property.

EHIC Cards & Xmas Trees

 I am greatly indebted to one of our readers for the below information which I believe is very important to all UK nationals living in Spain.

¨I have discovered that there is some confusion about EHIC cards (access to healthcare when travelling to other European countries. TH UK govt. website is unclear on whether those of us holding a current EHIC card, which does not expire until well past December 31st this year, need to apply for a new one valid from 1st January 2021.

I have discovered that the answer to this is YES you do. I discovered this by going through the online application process and found that any current EHIC card is not valid after the 31st December 2020.The application form is short and questions clear. When you hit the submit button, you receive an onscreen acceptance of your application with your own reference number (make a note of it). This is followed up immediately with an email confirming that your application has been accepted and that your new card will be sent to you. The webpage for this is at 

EHIC Card 2021

I questioned whether this would be correct as I thought it necessary to apply for the EHIC card in the country you resided but our reader sent me the reply from the Govt.

Thank you for your application for a new UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Your application has been successful.

Your new EHIC will be issued before 31 December 2020. Prior to 1 January 2021, you can continue to use your current EHIC (if you have one) when visiting any country within the EEA or Switzerland, other than the country in which you live and the UK.

You will be able to use your new card as soon as you get it, for travel before the end of 2020 and from 1 January 2021.

From 1 January 2021, you will continue to access healthcare in your country of residence using your S1 entitlement. However, you should use your new EHIC when visiting any other country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. This will provide you with access to medically necessary, state-funded healthcare at the same rate as a resident of that country.

To use your EHIC, you will need to present it to the treatment facility you are attending. Please note, as now, you may be required to pay a patient contribution depending on the country you are receiving treatment in.

If you have not received your new EHIC by 31 December 2020, you can contact us on +44 (0)191 218 1999 and speak to Overseas Healthcare Services for further advice.

The most important point is that you need to apply asap given the shortage of time!

On another matter I have had a request from some of our poorer Spanish neighbours that if anyone has a spare Xmas tree they would be grateful to receive it. So if you have such a thing eg a spar Xmas tree let me know and I will arrange collection. 

The UK Govt website is unclear on whether those of us 

Support Local Businesses

 We have a new campaign named  "I support Zurgena", The City Council has organised through the Department of Commerce a campaign to support local businesses and hotels.

From this morning, a raffle ticket will be given to all customers who spend or consume more than €10 of product. The tickets are being distributed to all establishments, who are participating. When you make a purchase of more than €10 you will be given a raffle ticket which will be entered in a draw for a €50 prize

Buy in Zurgena, support your local people. 

New Rules re Covid

The Junta have decreed a relaxation of rules from 12th December until 17th December movement will be allowed between municipalities but still must remain within the Province of Almeria. 

Curfew to stay at 10.0pm. Bars to close at1800

From the 18th December Movement can be made beyond Almeria to the wider Andalucian area. But must stay within Andalucia.

Bars still to close at 1800m hours but can reopen at 2000 until 2230 and curfew extended to 2300. 

Amendment of Restrictions

 I ma receiving man y queries above the potential change in the Covid restrictions.

I am advised that we will hear later today and have asked that I be informed so that as soon as I do I will post any changes on here, although I am not optimistic.

Bowling Club New Agreement and Administrative Adoption of Road

 This morning the signing of the Administrative Agreement for the Transfer of use of the Bowling Green to the Zurgena Bowling Club Sports Association, for the next 4 years was signed.

 Our Mayor, Luis Díaz García, together with the Secretary of the Association, Keith Douglas Porter, met and signed the new agreement

An administrative file file that we (Zurgena City Council) started in January 2017, through a request l to the Ministry of Development, Infrastructure and Land Management was for the transfer of the section known colloquially as “Curva del Molino”, comes to a satisfactory conclusion with the signing of the Agreement for the transfer of, part of, the  C-323 road to Zurgena”, including the residual section of the old AL-810 highway,. This has been agreed between our mayor, Luis Díaz García, and the territorial delegate of Development, Infrastructures, Land Management, Culture and Historical Heritage, Eloísa Cabrera.

The section of this road that has now become the property of the City Council, has a length of 332 meters, with an average width of the road of 5.50 meters