The blaze started at around 4.30 Tuesday morning at the much loved Chief O'Neills and the flames quickly took hold. Hours later as the sun rose, from the outside there was little sign of the ruin that lay inside apart from the police tape which surrounded the Irish bar.

Owner Miguel was understandably too shocked and upset to comment at the time but the owner of a neighbouring business said when he arrived to work at 8am that day police and forensic teams were on site. Three petrol cans were outside the door leaving him to believe the fire may not have been an accident and it was targeted as an arson attack but this has not been confirmed by police although they have said that they suspect the origins of the fire to have been intentional.

Luckily neighbouring businesses escaped any damage apart from a prolific smell of smoke which lingered throughout the day.

Following the huge success of his visit last May, horse whisperer Adam Shereston is returning to the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre, Rojales.

Adam will be staging a demonstration on September 10th from 10am to 2pm. There is a suggested donation of five euros for those attending the event, which will go toward supporting the work of the centre.

Adam is also holding a two day course to teach natural horsemanship on 11th and 12th September. The course will also be open to spectators for a suggested donation of 10 euros per day. It runs from 10am to 5.30pm.

Horse whispering, or natural horsemanship, is a form of gentle training with the objective of understanding and working in partnership with the horse, rather than forcing it to submit through dominance and pain.

Adam Shereston is a well-known horse whisperer, who works with many top horse trainers in the UK and regularly travels around Europe, where his skills are in great demand.

You don't need to be an expert in horses to enjoy watching Adam work. His demonstrations are entertaining and inspirational for anyone with a love of animals.

For more information visit www.easyhorsecare.net or call Sue on 652021980. For a preview of what you can expect, check out the video clips on Adam's website www.adamshereston.com

The Civil Guard have dismantled one of the most important international networks trafficking in hashish, seizing 1.9 tons of hashish and arresting15 people, including the alleged ringleader, Abdellaziz ZM.

The gang are reported to have operated chiefly from Malaga but with their network also spreading to Ceuta and Barcelona.

Operation 'Pincel' began in February when Customs Surveillance agents first became aware of the activities of the gang, who at that time were bringing large quantities of hashish into the country, mainly in the west of Almeria.

Two caches the drug, 960 and 840 kilos hauls, were intercepted in April and August on the beaches of Estepona (Málaga) and Motril (Granada) leading to the arrest of Ali TM, the mastermind of the gang based in Ceuta. Information gathered at that time also allowed agents to identify a number of other gang members in the organisation. Among those was S.S. Antonio, the alleged head of the logistics branch of the network .

The network had established a distribution channel of hashish from the province of Almeria to Malaga and Barcelona, where it was allegedly sold on to other organisations who were engaged specifically in the trafficking operation. It would appear that all the drugs brought into the country originated from distributors based in Morocco.

Abdellaziz ZM, the alleged leader of the organization and currently being held in Barcelona, had used numerous false identities that allowed him to easily move between Morocco and the Iberian Peninsula where he also masterminded the distribution to third countries, notably Italy and the Netherlands.

The Civil Guard and the Customs Surveillance agency 15 people in total who were all involved in various aspects of the operation. The haul included the seizure of 1,900 kilograms of hashish confiscated in three operations, two in Roquetas de Mar (Almería) and one in Ceuta, during which 14 mobile phones, two high-speed boats and two vehicles were also seized

The demonstration last year against the construction of a platform for merchant containers at the port of Cartagena, which ended with eight activists chaining themselves to the gates of the main port area of the town, hits the news again as the activists face trial.

They are being charged with blocking the entrance to the port, and each protester is faced with a fine of 1,000 euros. When they refused to pay this amount the Spanish Tax Office blocked their current accounts. Having approached the relevant authorities three times and being denied an audience the activists have also taken the case to court.

“Ecologistas en Acción” have defended the fact that the protest was a symbolic act, through which they had planned to bring attention to the situation. It was a peaceful protest, and the public building was not completely closed to the public.

The loveable Lynda Bellingham has been impressing audiences in Moraira, with her one woman show to help raise awareness and funds for the Costa Blanca Samaritans of which she is now proud patron. Following the two nights on stage, Gemma Quinn had her own audience with the ‘loose woman.'

Meeting at the Albir Playa Hotel, dressed in cool white with bright, fashionable turquoise jewellery, Lynda Bellingham is every bit the welcoming persona that you would hope her to be. Cheery and chatty, she exudes confidence and elegance and does not look anywhere near her 62 years of age and that's not thanks to the help of botox. “I don't advocate botox, I plan to grow old gracefully!”

On a three week break to Spain to spend time with her husband, Michael ‘Mr Spain' Pattemore whom she met whilst on a property search in the region with her friend, Lynda has used her vacation to take to the stage in her two night ‘An Audience With...' a frank and funny one woman show in which her husband candidly interviews her as she opens up about the trials and tribulations she has faced, touching especially on the darker days when she suffered at the hands of her ex-husband; the father of her two children and even considered suicide. Ironically, all happening around the time when she was considered the nation's sweetheart and everyone's favourite ‘Mum' appearing in those infamous Oxo ads. “I was given by the media this image that I was the perfect house wife and mother, I had the perfect family, which of course was frightening at the time because I had completely the opposite in my real life.”

It is such experiences that make Lynda qualified to accept the role of patron of the Costa Blanca Samaritans and spurred her on to help others. Formed a few years ago by Stephen Ashley the charity offers a valuable service for those feeling isolated or troubled and need someone to listen to. “It's important to voice it.” Says Lynda, “We're kind of trained to not speak, and it can be difficult with those closest to you, you think ‘oh I could never say that' so why not practice with saying it to the Samaritans who don't judge or know you.” Stephen agrees, “ You can feel guilty about things going on in your family and what you feel responsible for, voicing is a really important word because saying it out loud makes a difference . We are here to listen, which I think is valuable for some in a foreign country who maybe don't speak the language and we just stand back and listen and let people explore their own feelings.”
Stephen is understandably delighted to welcome the actress as patron and last weekend's ‘An Audience with Lynda Bellingham' raised 2745.50€.

Stand up is something relatively new for Lynda but her time on popular daytime programme Loose Women has stood her in good stead, but was it difficult to make that transition from hiding behind a character as an actress to putting herself out there and being herself? “Everyone that joins Loose Women finds it much harder than they think...you have to be completely honest and if you have something to hide you can't be in it. It's like group therapy, we all tip up at 8.30 in the morning, discuss the subjects and they like us to all have a different take on it and we talk about things that sometimes become very personal and that's another thing, you have to feel safe within the group and trust people.”

But the debates and deliberations helped her to pen her autobiography ‘Lost and Found',' described as an ‘inspiring story of heartache and determination.' Wanting to write it following the divorce from her second husband, it wasn't until some years later she finally put pen to paper at a time when she was “ready to do it.”

So with carving out a name for herself now as an author; she's now working on a novel, and a regular contributor to Loose Women, what next for Lynda ‘Oxo Mum' Bellingham. “I'm touring again with Calendar Girls which I love. By the end of this year it could have grossed more than the film and raised I think over one-million-pounds for Leukaemia, it's a phenomenal success. Things left to do? A big Hollywood film and win my Oscar for best newcomer at 75 and get a Bafta and that's it really, keep working, I want to make the next 20 years action packed.” And those Oxo adverts? “I'm hoping to do more with them, I might come in as myself... I embrace it now, it's my brand. It did use to bother me but I've gone from Oxo mum to Loose woman, it couldn't be better really could it. I'm proud of it and I could never have imagined it was going to be part of my life for 16 years.”

And we hope that Lynda will be supporting the Samaritans for the next 16 years but with all her ambitions still to fulfil, it could be another 16 years before we get to indulge in having the lovely Lynda Bellingham here as a permanent resident on the Costa Blanca, enjoying her very own happy ever after with ‘Mr Spain.'

The Costa Blanca Samaritans is a registered charity and the helpline - 902 88 35 35 is open every weekday evening from 8pm until midnight. There is the first annual charity gala dinner and dance on Wednesday 15th September at La Finca de Eduardos. For bookings call 699 416 819.

The Municipal Department of Youth Hostels of the Mijas Town Hall has closed the Entrerríos Municipal Shelter at the end of the 2010 summer season.

Opened at the beginning of June, a total of 520 children between the ages of 4 and 16 years have attended the six summer courses. The final course, which concentrated specifically on butterflies, ended last week.

"It's been a very intense three months, but also very rewarding because we have fulfilled all the objectives," said the councillor responsible for City Shelters, Francisco Marín, during a visit to the facility which coincided with its final day of operation.

“The objective of the Entrerríos hostel is to provide a worthwhile educational activity for children during the summer months in which they would combine their learning experience with play and relaxation," said the coordinator of the Department, Antonia Ruiz. Thus, each course has been themed and all activities have revolved around specific areas such as the world of ants, books, magic or butterflies. Some of the smaller children have been in classes where they learned everything about the marine world, Mexico or India. They have participated in the camps at night and have learned about diet and food, how to tend a small vegetable garden, or work with plants and animals on the farm. In addition there have been theatres, arts and crafts, and various sports and games.

Marin said that the programmes they were able to offer provided a relief for parents who could continue working while their children were being well cared for during the summer holidays. And although the summer programme has come to an end " the hostel Entrerríos has not completely closed its doors as, in the coming days, it will host a number of different groups such as the Association of Relatives of Patients with Schizophrenia of the Costa del Sol (AFESOL) and the Association of Children's Oncology Volunteers (AVOI).

Spare a thought for those workmen who have been employed on manual tasks outdoors during the oppressive heat that we have all experienced recently.

In Extremadura one building worker died, in circumstances that an autopsy has directly linked to the heat. As a result many unions have now said that they will ask employers to reduce their hours during the remainder of the summer.

Outdoor workers can be seen carrying out their tasks in any Spanish city. There are certainly plenty dotted all around Almeria where they seem to flourish in every corner of the city. But now, following the recent death of the construction worker from heat stroke, the UGT has said it will ask the government to introduce legislation requiring employers to avoid working their construction and public works gangs during mid and late afternoons when the temperature is at its peak.

Official say that many workers are at risk “and what we don't want to see,” said a union spokesman “are workmen shedding their protective clothing and headgear. This offers them even less protection and only makes matters worse. We can see them all day along La Rambla, taking off their shirts and helmets, or even hiding underneath wooden pallets. We therefore need and urgent agreement with employers that they can take a break when the heat deems it necessary for them to do so.”

Not all companies are expected to comply with this although there are already a good number which do meet the reduced hours. An example are the employees of Méndez Núñez, where Ramon, the site manager, confirmed that he is currently applying reduced hours, “although sometimes,” he says “we cannot avoid having to lengthen the hours a little when something unexpected arises. When you open ditches you don't always know what you are going to find. For this reason there are some days when we have to extend the working hours when something unexpected arises.”

However most workers that we spoke to in Almeria, say they have already been given recommendations from their employers and unions to avoid heatstroke even before the death of the worker in Extremadura.

The advice provided, although fairly obvious, is still important so as to avoid problems arising from too much sun. Drink water constantly, especially during the heat of the day, and do not expose yourself to direct sunlight unnecessarily. Vicente Rodriguez, who is head of the road works being carried out in Trajan says "We start work as soon as it gets light at 7:30am and stop at 14:30 hours. My men know what measures they should all take in addition to which we also received regular visits from the UGT health and Safety people to check the procedures are being followed correctly.”

This same information is confirmed by José Ortega of the UGT, who makes regular visits to sites in and around Almería, but as he says: "There are so many that it is impossible to control them all. Those that do not comply with our requirements have been reported.”

An indication that workers are becoming increasingly concerned about their own safety, is that the majority of complaints currently being made to the UGT come from anonymous calls, ‘whistle blowing' on their own company's who are not complying with the terms, making them work during the hours where heat stroke could be a problem, although those calls are now reducing in number as Almeria is now paying the attention necessary to prevent a similar workplace tragedies.

The Extremadura worker who suffered heat stroke live in the village of Villar del Rey where he fainted when he returned to work on site. He was moved to his home where the emergency services found him unconscious.

Something new's happening for Cat Lovers and their cats!

On Sunday, 19th September at the Palicio de Congresos in Estepona, there will be a Cat Show with a difference! You can enter your best picture of your special cat friend in one or more of 11 fun categories and the entrance is absolutely FREE!

The Picture Cat Show is taking place at ADANA 's fun day Dog Show, so you can enter your dog friend in the ring and your cat friend in picture form and maybe both will be winners!

Enteries need to be submitted not later than 11am on Tuesday, 14th September to either Longman's Bookshop or the ADANA Charity Shop in Estepona or The English Bookshop in Sabinillas. You can also collect your entry forms at these shops. Alternatively you may prefer to go online to get your entry form at swanliggan@hotmail.com ( Swan International College ) where you can also submit your entry on line.

We will also have some of our gorgeous rescue cats and adorable abandoned kittens on show. If you're considering adopting, and you can offer a loving and permanent home, now will be a good time to come and get acquainted!

Come along and enjoy the day! Bring your friends, family and neighbours to admire your fabulous pic of your favourite cat companion!

Awards will be presented at 12 o'clock.

Entrance to the hall is 5€ which includes the Dog Show, and now also the Picture Cat Show, Children accompanied by adults enter free. View www.adana.es

Monday 30 August 2010 is the final day for tenders for the construction of Torrevieja's new Fair and Concert area, located between the Aqua Park and the new Conservatory of Music.

This work is part of the Special Plan to Support Investment Productive Municipalities of the Comunidad Valenciana (Plan Trust) and promoted by the Generalitat. The budget stands at 1,672,682 euros and is designed to transform the city by not only moving the Feria area that presently is located in the Harbour Zone, but also to supply parking, possibly facilitate a park and ride scheme for the city centre, be the new home for the May Fair and the Friday market plus provide a new site for major concert artists in Torrevieja.

The mayor of Torrevieja, Pedro Hernandez Mateo emphasized the appropriateness of this new area for fairs and concerts and said “at present the fairground in Torrevieja and the popular May Sevillanas Fair is performed in the port area, a place that has been totally inadequate because of it's small size and surface area.”

The mayor pointed out that under the Trust Plan of the Government, a large
Markets Precinct, with a substantial budget of 5,328,885 euros is also open to tender. Torrevieja's Friday market, the largest Friday market in Spain is very popular with local residents who can walk to the market with ease but it's location, primarily on side streets has become an activity that Mateo Hernandez states is “incompatible with the development of the city.”

Pedro Hernández Mateo reported that under the Trust Plan that the city of Torrevieja is benefiting from an investment of 20,560,005 euros, primarily because the city is the fifth largest in the Valencian Community, coming behind Valencia, Alicante, Elche and Castellon. It is predicted that the work shall take between 12-18 months to complete. The mayor of emphasized that implementation of these works will give an important boost to employment in the city of Torrevieja, in a time of grave economic crisis, adding that the construction will be able to generate over 1,500 jobs
during their duration.

In Andalusia there are still many large rural areas, which has certainly contributed to the survival of various craft skills that are not found elsewhere. This may not be true for the coastal villages along the Costa del Sol, but just a short drive inland from Malaga, we can discovered a number of traditional crafts.

The majority of villages in Malaga province have maintained craft skills which have remained unchanged and approved through the years, many from the time the Mara were in Spain. The Mara were brilliant craftsmen.

You can often buy crafts directly from the artisas at lower prices. So visits are strongly recommended, especially if there is a chance to see the craftsmen or women at work

In some villages have will find families of potters working with ceramic ovens that seem to come from the 19th century. You can also find many wicker and cane items on most weekly markets along the Costa del Sol and inland villages, where you may even find an old man sitting in the sun and weaving.

In addition, you can see beautifully crafted leather products, including both saddles and riding boots in the city of Ubrique, a small Mountain Village near Ronda, less than two hours drive from Malaga. Ubrique has some great restaurants and the countryside remains unchanged and is therefore great place to visit.

Ronda is well known for its traditional Spanish furniture, apart from the absolutely wonderful view of the deep gorge, and deserves a visit. The mountains of Malaga are also known for delicious local produce such as cheese, wine, typical products of meat (chorizo) and Jamon Serrano ham, and Prime Oil Extra Virgin olive oil. Spend a day discovering the traditional crafts of gastronomy.

With a car you can easily reach many beautiful villages on the western Costa del Sol, Mijas Pueblo, Casares and Ronda in the countryside. Mijas is also famous for traditional food items and hemp, wicker, ceramic or wood. When in Casares remember to visit the famous home of goat milk cheese in the mountains. This cheese has won numerous awards. But if the cheese is not what you want, there are a multitude of fantastic restaurants where you can taste typical dishes.