DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY JULY 29, 2010

ON YOUR BIKE

By David Eade – Costa del Sol News

In a 110,000 euros project funded by the regional government, the Andalucía agency for energy and the town hall Ronda now has a new public transport system – the bike.

Seventy bikes in all have been installed in ten special points throughout the town of the Tajo. Apart from the bus and train stations the ranks can be found in the plaza de la Merced, the plaza Duquesa de Parcent, the paseo de Blas Infante by the bullring and the plaza de San Francisco.

The idea is that members of the public rather than use their car will take up a bike and cycle to their destination or around the town. It has been estimated that this will save 39,000 litres of fuel hence reducing CO2 emissions by 112 tonnes.

To use the bikes would-be riders have to register at the municipal covered swimming pool near the rear of the railway station by the Mercadona supermarket or at the municipal tourism office or the ‘atencion al Ciudadano’ office in the calle Molino.

Once the paperwork has been done to establish the user’s identity an annual fee of 30 euros is payable to use the bikes and a pin number allocated to the rider.

However this system would seem to preclude the riding of the bikes by visitors to Ronda who would benefit from being able to cycle around the old town and other important sites for just an hour or two. It remains to be seen whether a more tourist friendly system is introduced in the coming months.

BEST PRESERVED ARAB BATHS IN SPAIN

The Baños Arabes in Ronda have seen a further area restored at a cost of 280,000 euros to the regional government’s tourism ministry. The minister, Luciano Alonso, was on hand last week to open them to the public. The complex forms the best preserved Arab baths in Spain and arguably in wider Europe.

The baths date from the 14 th century and it is the rear of the complex that has seen the investment. Historically this area was the public access and has increased the size of the area that can be visited increased by a third.

Also restored is the wheel that transported water to the baths, the treatment area for the skin, the toilets all of which have been included in a garden that originally dates back to the 16 th century.

The work was carried out under the supervision of the archaeologist Pilar Delgado. She has ensured all the work observed the original design and materials of the baths complex and included the restoration of a religious patio used for prayers.

An agreement was signed back in 2004 which allocated 1.5 million euros to improvements at the Baños Arabes. Alonso stated that over 50,000 people a year visited the complex and it was a major part of Ronda’s tourism offering. He also stressed that the baths were now accessible to all as ramps had been installed for the use of the handicapped or old people.

Still to be carried out is the recovery of part of the changing rooms of the baths which date back to the 13 th and 15 th century. A wall has also been uncovered which is believed could have been part of a building constructed during Roman times.

MAYOR SCORES
Ronda’s mayor Antonio Marín has welcome news for the sporting sector when he announced that the 1.1 million euros second phase of the Ciudad Deportiva will be completed by September. The stadium hosts the town’s soccer team and will have a stand that can accommodate around 1,000 spectators plus changing rooms. The third phase will see a swimming pool and bike track installed.

VILLAGE BOOST
Genalguacil is a small village in the Serranía de Ronda well off the beaten path. It’s received a major boost with the news that Detectys – the largest detective agency in Europe with 40 offices and 200 operatives is to locate its data centre there. It will be relocated from Barcelona creating up to 20 jobs – a major high-tech boost for the community.

NOT TURNCOATS
The commission that rules on acts of political turncoats in Spain has absolved the Partido Andalucista councillors in the Serranía de Ronda municipality of Genalguacil. The councillors left the party and entered a coalition arrangement with the ruling socialists. However the commission has decided that as the balance of power was not altered in the village by their actions they are not turncoats.

PUJERRA GOLD
The village streets of Pujerra may not be paved with gold but they will be improved thanks to 200,000 euros from Málaga province. The president of the provincial authority, Salvador Pendón, said the delegation of local development would make the funding available to Nueva and Alameda streets with the creation of pavements to allow better pedestrian access - a demand of residents and tourists alike.

CLOTHING AID
Cuevas del Becerro received a visit from volunteers of the NGO Madre Coraje last week. The councillor for social welfare, Antonia González, was on hand to hand over clothing and toys that local people had donated for distribution amongst those in need. A delegate from the NGO will shortly visit Cuevas to brief people on its various projects in Spain and Africa.

STREET ART
From Saturday July 31 for two weeks the streets of the village of Genalguacil will be converted in to an open air art gallery. It is the tenth Encuentros del Arte that attracts top artists from all over the world. The winning pieces remain in the village – some on the streets in stunning displays whilst others can be seen in a special gallery.

DAMAS GOYESCAS
The damas Goyescas have been presented in Ronda. The 15 young women dressed in Goya style dresses will hold court through the town’s famous Pedro Romero fair and escort the celebrated matadors to the bullring. They take their public bows on August 6 at 21.00 in the Alameda park by the statue of Pedro Romero when the fair poster and programme are presented.