Letters from Catastral Office & Burglaries

 The Town Hall staff have the onerous task of trying to hand deliver letters from the Catastral Office to almost every house.

These letters are required by law, to be delivered to all home owners, every few years and they are notifications of the current assessed value of properties and their land for the calculation of IBI ( equivalent of council tax). These letters detail whether the assessable value has increased or decreased. In most cases this year it is a decrease but some will increase particularly if the occupant has carried out improvements. I am informed that the Catastral office use drones nowadays to monitor properties and use the information to amend valuations!

This task is having an adverse effect on the rest of the work in the Town Hall as it is such a labour intensive task. 

My apologies for any delays to front office actions as a result. The staff are trying to get the work done asap. 

With the advent of darker evenings we are seeing an increase in burglaries. If you are a member of Neighbourhood Watch you will be aware of this. If not best join! and are doing the AGM at Heathers on Wednesday 2nd November at 3.0pm. 

Neighbourhood Watch A.G.M. & Flamenco show UPDATE

 Firstly notification of the upcoming AGM for Zurgena NHW.

As many of you long time residents know NHW was set up in Zurgena about 2006 following a spate of burglaries and lack of response from the security services. It has helped our community protect itself and improve reaction/responses from the Police. It is a proven success worldwide in reducing crime and helps form a community spirit and helps residents to understand any issues which they can protect themselves from.

A few years ago it almost collapsed due to lack of support but fortunately continued due to the support of enough residents. 

They do not ask for much from members but without members the scheme is of little value.

You are therefore recommended to attend the meeting if at all possible to show your support and to hear from the important committee members. I have invited both the Police and the Council to send representation to the meeting and hope they will attend.

The meeting is to be held at HEATHERS BAR AT 1500 on WEDNESDAY 2nd November

Please attend if you can.

The Flamenco show was another resounding success. An almost full house enjoyed another amazing selection of performances including an 8 year old prodigy from a famous Flamenco family. 

I will post some pics when I receive some good ones. If you missed it you missed another unique chance to see enjoy and understand this form of local dance and musical history.

Last Chance for Tickets

Just a reminder of the upcoming latest Flamenco show which this time includes a 7 year old child star who has featured on Spanish TV and is amazing to watch. We are unlikely to see another show of this quality in our area in the near future. Saturday 22nd October this Saturday! 

For anyone who has not seen traditional flamenco this is a real treat and for those who have seen previous shows this incorporates new performances from the famous Heredia family.  Tickets are available as  from C.A.T services Zurgena 950634388. and Almanzora Group of Friends, Albox Library ( Shelagh Copeland and Beryl Booth) 

An example of a child flamenco dancer, taught by the family from as soon as he can walk. This type of flamenco is not learnt in an academy; it comes from family members. Come and see a male child star in the making this SATURDAY OCTOBER 22nd at 8pm. Theatre in Zurgena. A small amount of tickets are still available. Information/sales message WHATSAPP 0034687480694.

Gym Open for Miantenance Classes

 Maintenance gym at the Zurgena Municipal Gym!!

 From Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m.  at 9:30 a.m.

 For more information on the Telf: 667 75 90 67 (Sports Monitor)

This class is suitable for people wanting to keep, or at least maintain, a gentle level of exercise.

Telephone number is the sports monitor who does not speak English but if you are interested and do not want to try your Spanish let me know.

Active Burglar Released for Prison

NHW will be circulating their members but for those of you not in NHW a man has recently been released from prison after serving a term for burglaries and other crimes. 

He previously resided in a squat in Llanos del Peral and a burglary was committed in that area in the past week. 

The offender in this case forced the electric shutters and windows with a crow bar to gain entry and stole various items of property. If it is the same man, which I strongly suspect, he targets mainly holiday homes or temporarily unoccupied houses. It may be worthwhile reviewing security if your home is a holiday home. Also worthwhile for residents to be aware of the increased risk of burglary to domestic property. 

If you are not a member of NHW and wish to join please contact Rob Barrett robandtina@andover.co.uk and he an put you in touch with your local coordinator. 

Slow Week

Bit of a slow week this morning as a few staff have taken advantage of the 2 holidays to take a week off. 

So apologies for delays in responding will hopefully get all queries answered next week. 

More Thanks

Once again the Town Hall of Zurgena passes its appreciation to the members of the congregation of the Church at Los Llanos del Peral for their donation of food for the poor in our village.

It will be passed to those most in need. Thanks again

Another Fantastic Donation & Driving Licence Issues

Firstly a huge thank you to the customers of Nico Terraza Bar for their donation of €1,000 for the benefit of the local schools. Especially Peter Dell, Vucea Veronica (aka Nico), Daryl Lee, Steve Duckworth, Julie Duckworth and Rob Barrett. 

Many of you who have lived here some time will understand that funding for schools is very poor and they do not really have PTAs to help raise badly needed funds so this donation will be very welcome.

Secondly when I was with the Police last week I asked them about any issue impacting the ex pat community I should communicate and they said that a number of expats were falling foul of the law regarding driving licence use in Spain. Simply put if you are Spanish resident you must have a Spanish licence. If you are temporarily in Spain in a holiday home or just on holiday then you must carry proof of your date of arrival into Spain and date of departure. If you cannot produce this proof the Police will issue fines. 

Moonlight Walk

An opportunity to enjoy a guided moonlight walk. As per the poster below.

Registration required by telephoning 610194264. It will be a Spanish speaker but these walks are always enjoyable. I have attended lots in the past. 

📣 Don't miss this opportunity‼️

Full Moon Walk La Mena- Macenas (Mojácar) 🥾🌝

♦️For only €5‼️ (Including transport to Mojácar, insurance and guide)

♦️Free activity for those under 16 years old🆓 (they must always be accompanied by an adult)