SIX MASS CIVIL WAR GRAVESBy David Eade – Costa del Sol News
A study by a team of archaeologists will be carried out to confirm the existence of six mass graves containing the remains of 1,500 people shot in Ronda during the Spanish Civil War and the Franco era.
Two organisations – La Asociación contra el Silencio and the Olvido por la Recuperación de la Memoría Historica de Málaga – have asked the regional government for grants for carrying out this project at the San Lorenzo cemetery.
It has already been established that there are two common graves at the cemetery but more recent documents point to there being six. Ronda town hall would have to give its permission for the search to be carried out. Whether the bodies would be exhumed and reburied would depend on the wishes of surviving family members.
The earth would be excavated by hand over a square metre area to determine whether it was the site of a grave or not. This is to ensure that errors are not made in the search. The Franco forces are accused of “real butchery” when they entered the area with the victims coming from Ronda and the surrounding Serranía.
RONDA WOOED WITH ANOTHER ROAD
You can tell when elections are on the horizon – politicians hurry to Ronda to promise the voters a new road connection.
Before the last regional government polls the socialists pledged that should they win in Andalucía Ronda would receive a high-speed dual carriageway toll road to San Pedro. Apart from being safer than the current road it would slash travel times from 55 minutes to around 20.
Well the elections have come and gone, the socialists won, but no road has emerged. The project has been bogged down in viability plans with protests from environmentalists over its route. Due to the high cost the likelihood is the scheme will be parked and major improvements carried out to the present road instead.
Now as the 2011 local elections approach the Partido Popular is also promising a new road. Last week the PP’s provincial president, Elías Bendodo, was in the town of the Tajo to make his pitch to the electors. He said that Ronda is the only major town in Andalucía without a motorway connection.
He claimed that the socialist government in Andalucía had forgotten the region. He pointed to Jerez, Marbella, Antequera and Vélez Málaga which all now have excellent road links. Bendodo wants Ronda to have a fast road link with Antequera which in turn would open it up to the wider regional motorway network.
The PP argues that Ronda’s mayor, Antonio Marín, who abandoned the Partido Andalucista for PSOE is more concerned about being that party’s candidate for mayor than the problems faced by his municipality. What is true is that Marín and his eight fellow former PA councillors arrival in PSOE have caused major ructions in the socialist ranks as has been seen with the recent resignation of PSOE councillors from town hall posts.
LIVESTOCK FRAUD
Ronda’s National Police have arrested six people aged between 29 and 55 years who are accused of over a number of years buying livestock from farmers in the Serranía with worthless cheques. Twelve victims have been identified who have lost up to 24,000 euros each. The meat was sold on the black market without having gone through any health checks or official inspection.
ILLEGAL GRAZING
Local police in Ronda had an unusual job on their hands last week when they had to round up four horses who were grazing in the plaza Duquesa de Parcent – outside the town hall in the old town. The animals had escaped from land at Los Molinos de Tajo. Police say it’s not the first time horses have been found in the streets.
JOBS PROTEST
Last week over 200 people took part in a protest outside Cortes de la Frontera town hall to demand the local authority takes action over the high unemployment. There are 414 jobless in the rural municipality and the action group representing them says another demo will be held on May 10. The town hall says it is doing everything possible to generate employment.
THRICE MERCADONA
Ronda is about to get its third Mercadona supermarket. There are already thriving shops at El Fuerte and the Cruz de San Jorge with the new store to be at La Planilla. There are many new urbanisations in this area but no shops or other services. Eroski is constructing its largest commercial centre in Andalucía in the town so will offer stiff competition.
STAMP LEARNING
Teachers in Colmenar near Cortes de la Frontera have come up with a unique way for their pupils to learn about the flora and fauna of their area. They have created colourful, descriptive albums with over 200 stamps representing plants and wildlife which the children have to collect. The illustrations and photos have been largely taken by local nature lovers and artists.
LAGOON RETURNS
The heavy winter rainfall in the Serranía de Ronda caused widespread damage but has also thrown up some surprises. A lagoon has reappeared that has disappeared from all the local maps and hasn’t been seen since the 18 th century. The lake is at Alberca near Cuevas del Becerro and is now being studied by experts from Spain’s geology and mines institute.
