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11 October 2008

National Day in Spain

This Sunday, October 12th is La Fiesta Nacional De España, which is celebrated with a public holiday on Monday when most shops and businesses will be closed.

Two Spanish Cities in Top 10 for Business

A survey has put Barcelona and Madrid among the top ten cities in which to conduct business, finishing in 5thand 7th places. London was top of the rankings. Criteria included qualified workforce, market access, communications, international transport and labour costs.

Savings Guaranteed in Spain

To combat the world financial crisis Spanish PM Zapatero has announced savings bank guarantees of €100,000 top limit. This is double the limit so far set by most other European countries.

New Building Inspection Team Created

The Junta de Andalucia has created a new inspection unit to ensure building regulations are being observed on new developments. The team, which is based in Sevilla will consist of 36 experts who will have the right to inspect any installation without prior notice and make recommendations to comply with building laws.

Cordoba Vigas Sold at Christies

Five 10th century decorated wooden vigas (beams) from the mosque at Cordoba have been sold at Christies auction house in London. The sale, which made 1.5 million euros only proceeded after a two year delay regarding the legality of the event and an out of court agreement.

First Snow of Autumn

The first snow of the autumn has fallen on the Sierra Nevada near Granada. The public company, Cetursa, which manages the ski station reported light snowfall last night (Friday 10th October) above 2300 metres.

AVE Drivers Save Fuel

A group of train drivers on the AVE line between Malaga and Madrid have come up with an economical driving technique which could generate energy savings of at least 10%. The method, which uses the train’s inertia, could mean that between 35% and 54% of the journey could be made without using any power. Studies are to be made to see if the technique can be applied successfully on other high speed lines.

14 Million Euros for New Terminal

The Spanish aviation authority AENA has approved the sum of 14 million euros to be spent over a twelve month period on equipping the new terminal building at Malaga airport.

Menu del Dia Cheapest in Malaga

A recent survey has found that Malaga offers the best value Menus del Dia (lunchtime set menu of at least two courses and a drink) in all Spain. The survey which looked at 400 establishments all over the country, found that the average price here is €7.55 compared to €9.50 nationally.

Civil Baptisms in El Borge

Civil baptisms are to take place in the village of El Borge in Malaga province where the infants’ civil rights will be read out in place of the religious renunciation of the Devil and all his works. Around 10 families from the village and other parts of the province have shown interest in the initiative and a date has yet to be set for the first mass baptism to take place.

No Fall in House Prices in Marbella

House prices in Marbella and Estepona rose slightly this year compared with 2007. The figures show that in Marbella prices went up by 1.65%, while in Estepona there was a slight increase of 0.24%. The trend, which bucks the national and provincial averages, is attributed to a lack of availability with no new building work starting due to the area’s development plan not being approved yet.

Feria at Nerja

Nerja’s annual feria takes place this weekend until Monday October 13th with the usual full programme of events.

Inauguration of Alhaja Prieta Road

Residents of the Alhaja Prieta area recently celebrated the inauguration of the new road to their hamlet near Alora with an outdoor fiesta. The event followed nine months of protests culminating in a sit-in outside the Ayuntamiento. A commemoration stone showing the figure of the donkey Margarita which accompanied the protests, was erected at the entrance to the road. The road improvements cost almost a million euros and took six months to complete.

Alora Approves Public Housing Project

A meeting of Alora town council approved this week a public housing project for the first time in the town’s history. Details of the project , which will consist of 86 dwellings to be built near El Hacho school, have yet to be finalised but it is expected that work should commence early next year.

150th Anniversary Celebrations

Tomorrow, Sunday October 12th, sees the 150th anniversary of the Virgen de las Dolores Coronada being celebrated in Alora. Events will start at 7.30 a.m. with the transfer of the Virgen from the church of Vera Cruz to the Parroquia de la Encarnation in Plaza Baja. There will be a street parade with music by the Banda de Cornetas y Tambores in the afternoon and other events in the Teatro Cervantes later.

Formula 1

The Japanese Grand Prix takes place at the Fuji circuit this Sunday October 12th at 6.30 a.m. Spanish time. Lewis Hamilton is in pole position with Spain’s Fernando Alonso in fourth. For this race all cars will be running on “green grooved” tyres in support of the FIA’s Make Cars Green campaign.

Football

Malaga had a great 0-4 victory away at Recreativo Huelva last week to take them up to 12th place in La Liga. There are no Liga 1 games this week due to the internationals being played.

The latest FIFA rankings keeps Spain at number one with Germany, Italy and Brazil following. England is up one place at 14th.

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