NEWS ITEMS:

In this page we will provide a variety of information that you may or may not know about.

Pissing water: The large sewage works of Torrevieja is providing water for the agriculture of the neighbouring towns in the Vega Baja. Each year 1,768,850 cubic metres of recycled waters will irrigate 10,600 hectares of produce in 14 towns.   By the end of 2007 the reservoir of La Fayona will be augmented by a canal from Torrevieja's recycling station. So now we all have our own personal part to play in saving the world.

Padron/Census: The new office for registering on to the town hall census is now in calle Musical Torrevejenses, that is on the street near the Palace of Music, although it will likely move to new offices under construction nearby. There are over 100,000 people now registered in Torrevieja. Why bother doing this? For one thing it means that the more people who are registered means that there is more funding available for public services from regional and central government. For example there were sufficient numbers for the government to build a hospital and a larger fire station plus greater staffing, as well as extra "retenes" or sub police stations for the Local Police. In addition the town operates a free municipal bus service within the town for those who are signed on the padron census using a swipe-card, so it could save you money in travelling.

A FUN WAY TO 'GET BY' IN SPANISH.

Talking of padron benefits Jane Cronin's successful "Survival Spanish" courses are being repeated at two levels. The course, "Survival Spanish" is not, however, just about learning basic Spanish vocabulary, but also includes an insight into Spanish culture, traditions and the way of life of our Spanish neighbours. Above all, the course, consisting of an easy two hours each week for three months and with NO HOMEWORK, is intended to be 'fun'. Language teacher, Jane Cronin, who fronts the classes in Torrevieja's 'Palacio de la Musica', has a wealth of experience gained over her seventeen years as a resident of Spain as well as a qualified teacher of both English and Spanish. Only recently, the 'International Toastmasters Association' awarded Jane with a prestigious prize in recognition of her humorous public speaking talents.

The next 'Survival Spanish' classes are aimed at both beginners as well as those with some basic command of the language and are intended to enable students to 'get by' in a number of practical situations. There is little studying to do outside of the classes and no final examination! The next courses commence as follows:

LEVEL 1 (basic / beginners): From Thursday 13th September 2007 and continung each Tuesday and Thursday from 11.00h to 12.00h until Tuesday 4th December 2007 inclusive. (There will be no classes on 1st November a national public holiday).

LEVEL II (follow-on from level I): From Thursday 13th September to Tuesday 4th December inclusive from 12.30h to 13.30h.

The cost for each course is a token 20 euros per student. Applications can be made by Torrevieja residents from 09.00h on Monday 20th August 2007 through the 'Oficina de Atención al Residente Internacional' (mornings only between 09.00h and 13.30h), where further information is available.   Initially, priority will be given to those registered on the municipal 'padron' and, for Level II, those who have previously completed the Level I course. However, subject to availability, those residing outside of the municipality (or for Level II, those who have a basic knowledge of the Spanish language) may make their applications from Monday 27th August, should places still be available. Those persons who were students on previous 'Survival Spanish' course will be excluded from applying from the same course.

It's a gas - a million euros is the cost of a new gas pipeline from Redován-Los Montesinos-Torrevieja bringing natural gas to Torrevieja and nearby towns. This is part of an overall plan to introduce gas within the Valencian Communidad during 2008.

America Cup: Once again Valencia will host the prestigious America Cup in 2011, which is good news for Torrevieja. President Camp of the Valencian Cortes has promised that Torrevieja's annual Habaneras will be included in the programme. This will mean worldwide coverage for the town and its traditional musical heritage.

Coastal Park: A new project of the Valencian Generalitat is to enhance the 19 kilometres coastline from Santa Pola to Torrevieja and make it a new park. The principal idea is to make sure that this area is used for the benefit of the public but not to the detriment of the environment. This includes a revision of proposed urbanisation projects envisaged in this area.   This green line of regeneration is aimed at defending and maintaining the natural aspects of the coast. This is part of an general plan along the whole coastline from 2004 to 2010 at an estimated cost of 470 millions of euros.

More tourists: In the first six months of 2007 the number of tourists in the Valencian region rose by 6.86% over the same period in 2006. The figures are based on the number of people in hotels and there is no doubt that the America's Cup assisted in this increase as in Valencia there was a 10.57% increase. There was a notable increase of visitors from countries interested in the yacht race - USA, Switzerland, Nordic countries, Italy and New Zealand.

Maori tourists: Twenty Maoris from New Zealand paid a summer visit to Spain and to the old Roman town of Segovia, not just to see the sites and sights, but also to pay homage to the father of their tribe. The Paniora tribe of New Zealand number around 16,000 and can trace their roots to a Spaniard from Segovia, Manuel José de Frutos Huerta (a rather nice name in itself) who arrived down under in 1835 and lest his mark.

Habaneras Concerts 2007: This year the 53rd Habaneras concerts were viewed on international television with a tremendously enthusiastic participation from the choirs who were elected to take part. In addition for the first time the Certamen was retransmitted in real time via an online setup. www.habaneras.org

Orfeón Coro de Ricardo Lafuente: This is another diamond in the crown of the choirs of Torrevieja who take part on the first and last day of the Habaneras. This is a new choir consisting of many professional singers under the direction of Mario Ignacio Bustillo who studied music in Cuba. This is not yet another choir but a real gem that comes directly under the town hall's tutelage.

Dogs in cars: On the first weekend of August, neighbours of Los Locos beach area phoned Local Police to rescue a husky that was obviously suffering from signs of asphyxiation and dehydration when it was locked in a car. The police managed to unlock the car and neighbours supplied buckets of water to revive the poor animal. A vet was called and examined the animal, which was then taken to the San Anton Animal Centre in Guardamar, but died a few days later. The police located the owners of dog and vehicle and are pressing charges of ill treatment of an animal.

British Passport in Spain

http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/servlet/

All British passports issued from Madrid are the new biometric ones. A 32 page British passports can be renewed in Spain through the Madrid embassy using the yellow C1 form. A renewal will cost 185 euros plus a further 11 euros for the messenger service on mainland Spain or 15 euros messenger service for the Balearics, Canaries, Melilla and Ceuta. New or renewal passports of 48 pages cost 223 euros plus the same messenger fees. The messenger fees are per package and not for each passport, so if there is more than one passport issued at the same time, then the messenger fee is the same as for one passport.

You will need an application form, photographs and possibly other documents depending on the type of passport. Under 16's passports cost 118 euros plus the messenger service fees. Amending an existing passport costs 151 euros. An emergency passport costs 86 euros.

The messenger service is a direct facility by courier from the embassy to your address. This is for speed and also for security. This service can be tracked on Internet through www.bpack.net/britishconsulate.aspx or telephone 915 249 757 during normal office hours.

Visa, Mastercard and some other cards can be used to pay the fees.