Spain Forum

Ryanair and Fuerteventura

2009-07-21T23:46:08+01:00

Good evening,

As you may well know, Ryanair withdrew from Fuerteventura last January and the island has been devestated ever since. I am part of a group attempting to restore the Ryanair flights to Fuerteventura and as part of our campaign, we are trying to contact the local tourism councillor in Fuerteventura (Agueda Montelongo) and the Minister for Tourism for the Canary Islands (Rita Martin)

Does anybody know which political parties these people belong to and how we can contact them.

Thanks,

Dave (cllrcollins at eircom dot net)

Electricity

2009-11-23T19:26:17+01:00

I wonder if anyone knows how to get cheaper electricity. I have recently moved house near Girona because i wanted more land. No problem,purchased and now get big electric bills average around 950 euros for 2 months…....
There are only 2 of us and we dont use any more than we did at our previous house. (old bills used to be around 250 )
The only thing I run extra are the pumps that bring the water from the wells, Is my free water actually costing me so much?

POSIBLE POLICE CORUPTION

2010-02-16T01:07:30+01:00

Hei Im SAFRAN i neen contact with someone on the Gran Canary (south) that can help me with a problem that could involve police coruption

Age discrimination in hiring

2010-03-08T14:57:39+01:00

Does anybody else find the job market in Spain tends to discriminate against anyone over, say 37 years of age? Do they really believe that people over a certain age have lost their skills or value in the work place?

Are there industries in Spain that do not have a problem hiring people who are somewhere between death and 40?

I know the job market sucks in general, but these guys are really out of touch with reality if they think that an older worker lacks skill or value simply because of their age. I have found in my experience that older workers tend to be more stable and reliable as employees.

Is it yet another demonstration the worthless rigidity of the Spanish psyche?

Danny in BCN

In defence of winter fuel allowance?

2010-02-24T19:27:15+01:00

Are you currently in receipt of much needed winter fuel allowance?

BBC Radio 4’s You and Your’s would like to speak with an expat some time next week about why they feel they need the WTA and to defend their allowance in face of recent UK press criticism as seen here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7246862/Record-number-of-British-expats-living-in-Europe-paid-winter-fuel-allowance.html

If you’re interested, give me a call on 0044 207 765 1923 or else drop me an email at pandita dot louram at bbc dot co dot uk

Thanks!

What do you miss about practical life in the UK?

2009-09-16T20:29:51+01:00

Hi everyone,

I am giving serious consideration to moving to the Costa Del Sol in the coming months and whilst the numerous positive aspect are immediately apparent I want to give more thought about some of the drawbacks that are not so apparent until you have lived there for a while.

I don’t mean in a sentimental way ( i.e. missing family / friends ) but in a practical way…

So what cant you get / buy?
What is it hard to arrange?
What services cant you get?
What services are poorly provided?
What industries are only carried out by the Spanish and through language barriers do you struggle to deal with?
What kind of areas have people found it hard to adjust to when moving.

Any input would be greatly appreciated as I really want to know what I’m up against when making such a big decision and try and combat the problems or plan ahead to avoid them from arising.

Many Thanks.

Mike Walsh

2010-02-19T18:41:28+01:00

I’ve just joined this forum, but afraid I will not be returning, all there seems to be is a Mike Walsh complaining, in particular about the Costa Blanca News and The Post, the Costa Blanca News has been here for a long time, and I myself would miss it if it was no longer here, I don’t buy it every week, but probably about every 2 to 3 weeks, thats because it takes me all that time to read it, so I do get my moneys worth, I use it all the time for advertising my business and it works for me and find all the staff very friendly and helpful and I can’t understand why anyone would wish the demise of any business when times are so tough, I think it is disgusting and I shall not be returning!

Entertainment ONLY

2009-11-30T12:42:35+01:00

ENTERTAINMENT ONLY

Surely it is time for a forum or thread dedicated to southern Costa Blanca entertainment news and views? We desperately need an on-line facility to find out who is on; where and when.

I sympathise with Torrevieja’s David Whitney of The Actors’ Studio. His letter in this week’s Leader says it all. He and his troupe of gifted performers are frustrated by the local Press glass ceiling when it comes to getting or not getting local publicity.

Again, the CBN (southern edition) is dominated by northern CB events. A girls’ group has been in the CBN and The Post for four weeks; same picture and script whilst others never get a look in. Northerners Dougie Munro and Palma Concerts (good luck to you, lads) are in every week without fail. Other good entertainers are snubbed.

No wonder there’s a massive advertisers’ migration from hard copy to online advertising. The hard copy Press simply cannot match the 24/7 update-access and space provided by the online Forums. When I publish stuff on here the readership is bigger.

The southern Costa Blanca boasts the most amazing talent. They deserve the oxygen of publicity. The region’s hard-pressed venues also need an efficient online shop window to promote their acts. How about it? What do you think?

The Rip-Off Short-Sighted Costa Blanca News

2009-12-08T14:43:37+01:00

Free entry in the Social Scene and Updates sections of the Costa Blanca News are now available only to non-profit making organisations (charities!) The only way for professional entertainers to get a mention is to pay for it.

I do notice that some are getting free publicity though they are very profitable concerns. Clearly your face fits or it doesn’t. It helps too if your event is to the north of Alicante. Hellooooo The residents south of Alicante don’t pay 1.80€ a copy also?

The CBN doesn’t seem to realise that 1) Entertainers are finding it particularly tough and are non-profit making: you try living on what these poor buggers earn. 2) The charities are doing very well thank you. A glance through the local newspapers reveals that Costa Blanca’s entertainment is focused almost entirely on fund-raising charity events. Why is everything free to them? It creates a far from level playing field. No wonder we can’t attract tourists – or keep professional entertainers. 3) The Costa Blanca being what it is lives - or dies on entertainment / leisure activities.

Anyway, here is yet another reason (and opportunity) for an enterprising forum to step in and fill the gap whilst providing a desperately needed public service. Imagine the ‘clicks’ if everyone starts logging on to a forum see who is on and where?

The Charity Gazette aka The CBN / The Post

2009-12-16T11:35:31+01:00

I see Costa Blanca (South) remains an official CBN / The Post ‘What’s On’ restricted zone for entertainment personalities and events. Northern artistes like Duggie Monroe, Palma Concerts feature over and over again. Try getting in if you’re a Torrevieja or Orihuela entertainer, event or venue. To rub salt into the wound this week they highlight Arriba Arriba; a Mojacar duo. The Post distributes there?

Not fit for purpose comes to mind. Fine - if you’re a reader or advertiser wanting to reach a Calpe or Almerian audience. Just what don’t this sniffy g*** like about our region? They are charitable to everyone, except the southern Costa Blanca.