Help for Spanish Legion Soldiers.

Some of you know of the good relationship that we have with the officers and men of the Spanish Legion based in Almeria and how over the years we have encouraged them to hold exercises etc in our municipality. This relationship grew from my friendship with the man who is responsible for teaching them English.

We are looking for English residents who are willing to help. This involves a few Skype sessions over a few weeks prior to then hosting the soldiers in their homes from the 8th to 12th April. There is small financial compensation. 

They are primarily looking for people in Turre or Mojacar but also consider our municipality In the past some residents have provided this help and I know that those who did found it really rewarding and fun. I think some may have maintained contact.

If you fancy helping please contact me. Either email jimszurgena@gmail.com or phone or WhatsApp 610194260. 

Andalucia Day

Just a reminder that tomorrow is one of the biggest holidays in our part of Spain - Andalucia Day.

It is the anniversary of the day when the population of Andalucia voted in a referendum to become an autonomous community of Spain in 1980. 

Zurgena Carnival and. Rally

 On Sunday 20th of March at 1130am the Carnival of Zurgena will take place!!

A date to put in your calendar.

Due to the situation we are in, it has been decided to celebrate this party in a different way, eg outdoors!!

Passways will be created through the main streets of the municipality that will end in Plaza Del Olmo.

Prepare your costume and enjoy!

*To have an approximate forecast of the groups that will participate, we ask you to register in advance at the Town Hall, calling the phone 610194264 (Paco).

Zurgena "Paradise of the Interior" will once again have a big role in the Automobile world in the 2022 season. The Zurgenero municipality has joined the project "Rallye Valle del Almanzora/Sierra Filabres". 

It will be one of the big events in 2022. The rally will be coming loaded with big changes in terms of the tour.

Will post when dates/times known

Doctor/Hospital Support (Amended as to location))

The Town Hall of Zurgena, having been made aware of of different issues and problems in the Medical Offices for the municipality, requested permission from the Northern Area Management of Almeria for staff of our Town Hall, as the ability to hire an independent person is not possible, be allowed to exercise a  supportive public service in the offices of the Doctors office in Zurgena, with a schedule of 0800 until 1000 hours on Monday Wednesday and Fridays and in the Alfoquia Doctors  office the same hours but on Tuesday and Thursdays. 

This morning the Deputy Director of the Hospital La Inmaculada Monica Navarro and Juan Terual coordinator of the same hospital visited the offices of Noelia Garcia Deputy Mayor and Maribel Fernandez , the municipal worker who will carry out this service, arrange appointments and conduct other procedures between our residents and the Hospital of Huercal Overa. We will ensure the furniture necessary is available to operate this service and we hope it is a great help for both residents and medical professionals who deal with the consultations.

This service is merely another way for people to interact with the medical authorities for appointments, enquiries etc and is supplementary to any other ways that you may already access medical services. 

Scam Warning

 A number of our members here in Spain have been receiving similar scam/spam calls which are as follows;

I had a phone call on my land line at 7.15

A strong Indian/Asian accent saying he was from Microsoft

I told him he was a scam.and hung up

The identifying number was

0032 865 97 992,,a Belgium number

There are literally hundreds of scammers trying nothing they can to get people to reveal personal details or  just to click a link which can give them access to your media. 

Below is a link to the UK Gov Cyber Security advice page which is well worth occasionally visiting for their advice and links to report any suspected phishing or scamming contacts. 

Cyber Security Advice

Todays Covid

Todays Covid figure is another slight reduction to 83 active cases.

In view of the continuing downward trend I do not intend continually updating and will only post if the incidences of infection increase.

Todays Covid

 Continuing to drop as todays figure is of 82 active cases in our municipality.

Todays Covid & Flamenco

Today it is reported that we have 87 active cases in the municipality. 

Some of you may recall (prior to Covid) Francesca performed a number of traditional Flamenco evenings in our Theatre in Zurgena. These evenings were always well attended and to be honest were really entertaining and informative. 

She is hoping to put on another such performance towards the end of March and we are looking at what dates we use. I will post as soon as we can get things sorted. I am grateful to Shelagh Murdoch for volunteering to assist Francesca in the organisation. 

Todays Covid

It looks like the figures are at last going the right direction. Down to 82 infections today. 

Just hope it continues in this vein. 

Women's Day Market, Stalls and Music

To celebrate this years International Women's Day a special event has been organised for Sunday 6th March at the Renfe Building in Alfoquia. 

The event will be held between 1030am and 1330pm and will have live music, market stalls and exhibits.

If anyone wishes to have a stall at the market please contact either myself or Paco who is organising it. If you cannot contact me you can contact Paco by email at pacozurgena@gmail.com or phone 661856555 (he does not speak English though) or myself through my usual mobile 610194260 or email jimszurgena@gmail.com

It should be a good day. 

Todays Covid

 Good news a big drop in infections yesterday. We are now down to 90 active infections.

Todays Covid

 At last a drop in the total number of infections. Today we are down to 108 active infections.

Consolidation Work

I realise that this process regarding the over 200 houses in Alfoquia has been dragging on but I am assured that much intense work has been carried out and the process has continued and is now at the stage of getting quotes from competing companies.

This process is taking so much longer than expected, I suspect, due to it being one of the first in Spain. 

I am told that, whilst no one wants to commit to timescales, it is hoped that the process of tendering will be complete in 3 to 6 months when we will be in a position to move the whole consolidation process forward to completion. So fingers crossed.

Extra

Those who have been following this issue will know that all properties within the municipality will be part of the process and the 200 houses referred to are just the first tranche. As you all can tell it is a very slow and laborious bureaucratic process and I can see it taking years to complete the process for all properties.

Todays Covid

 Total of 115 active cases today in Zurgena.