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.

Sewerage Work Complete Los Llanos & A Thank you

The work to connect the houses in the area of Calle Abderraman 3 and Calle Adriano to the main sewerage pipe is complete and residents in that area may now connect their waste pipe to the main. Any questions just email

Secondly I just wanted to say a thank you to all the community. Over the past several years the amount of charitable giving from the expat community has been amazing. I have listed below most that I can remember and I am sure I will have missed someone or something out and if so I apologise. Just wanted to record my, the Town Hall and on behalf of all the recipients of your generosity.

Church congregation Los Llanos Church for  monthly food bags and Xmas presents.

The Sleepcentre Albox for their donations of beds and mattresses

The Union Bar and Cielos for cash donations for the schools from events.

Harmony Charity for various donations to help the less fortunate and local children.

PiRDA Computer charity (Albox Computer Club) for many installations and donations of computers to the schools and needy.

In addition to the above organisations there have been many individual donations from people too numerous to mention.

So a big thank you to you all. It helps hugely to create a great impression to our Spanish neighbours in whose area we have made our lives

Good News and Saturdays Trip

Just received a message to the effect that the UK and Spain have signed an agreement protecting the voting rights of each countries residents in the others local elections.

This was one area I was little concerned about due to Brexit. Although I was aware negotiations were ongoing, it is pleasing to hear that both governments have reached this agreement to protect this important right.

This Saturdays trip to Velez Blanco castle, Olive Mill, winery and bodega with lunch still has a few places available but booking closes on Wednesday. 

RESIDENCY

I AM RECEIVING MANY QUESTIONS AROUND THE ISSUE OF RESIDENCY FOR BRITISH PEOPLE RESIDENT IN SPAIN AND THE EFFECT OF BREXIT.

I HAVE SPENT SOME TIME WITH OUR SECRETARY AND SPOKEN ON THE TELEPHONE WITH THE OFFICE OF EXTRANJEROS IN ALMERIA TO GET THE DEFINITIVE STATE OF AFFAIRS AT THE MOMENT.

THE FOLLOWING IS CORRECT. 

ONCE YOU REGISTER WITH THE OFFICE OF EXTRANJEROS AND YOUR TOWN HALL (PADRON) YOU ARE CLASSIFIED AS A PERMANENT RESIDENT OF SPAIN. THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THIS IS WHERE YOUR NIE (REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE FROM OFFICE OF EXTRANJEROS) STIPULATES AN END DATE. 

IF THIS CHANGES IN ANY WAY AS A RESULT OF THE BREXIT NEGOTIATIONS THE OFFICE OF EXTRANJEROS WOULD COMMUNICATE WITH YOU ANYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW.

IF YOU ARE NEWLY REGISTERING AS A RESIDENT THEN, TO BE ABLE TO REGISTER, THE AUTHORITIES NOW REQUIRE YOU TO SHOW PROOF OF INCOME OF €5,700 PER INDIVIDUAL OR €9,500 PER COUPLE PER ANNUM.

Bodega and Olive trip

We are organising a short trip for Saturday 26th January to Velez Rubio.

The visit is to an ecological Olive Factory, with tastings, followed by a visit to a local Bodega (those who attended the food course week will know the wine!). During the trip we will visit the grapevines and see the manufacturing process before some tastings of the wine.

Finally a trip to the Castle at Velez Blanco. A small interesting point about the castle is the fact that some of the artwork from it is currently on display in the Museum in New York.

This will be followed by a lunch at the bodega.

The price of the trip including the coach, guide, english interpreter and lunch will be €22pp. Coach departs 0950 La Alfoquia and 0955 Zurgena.

Places will be limited so please confirm if you wish to attend as soon as you can.

House Fire Ladies

Just to update people regarding the situation with the ladies from the house fire.

I met with both ladies yesterday morning and thanks to the amazing community spirit and support they are slowly rebuilding their lives.

From individuals to groups, charities and the Town Hall they are getting on with things. They have had help to sort bank, transport, clothing, medicine etc and have expressed their amazement at the level of support they have received. Thanks to all who have assisted.

House Fire

Yesterday afternoon there was a fierce house fire in a semi detached cortijo at the side of the main road in Los Carasoles. The two lady occupants were rescued and taken to hospital where they were later discharged.
We have attended to see if we could provide any assistance as the house is completely gutted but we are having great difficulty in contacting them. Presumably they are with friends but if anyone out there knows them please make them aware that the Town Hall is available to provide any assistance they require.
The only details I have is that they are called Annie Paton and Barbara. I believe one of them is American and the other English. If any of the readers of this blog know them please pass on my contact details in case they want or need any help. As you can see the house is completely gutted so I am sure they will want some assistance.