SEVEN COUPLES IN THE SERRANIA WITHOUT MONEY, PHONE OR FOOD
By David Eade – Costa del Sol News
Seven pairs of people from Andalucía are to participate in a TV experience and their adventures are being organised by the Centro de Desarrollo Rural de la Serranía. The reality TV show will be record on location in the Serranía de Ronda between February 28 and March 6.
The key challenge is that the seven pairs have to get by for seven days in the municipalities of the Serranía without any money, mobile phones, food or accommodation. How they cope with that situation is what will hopefully make compulsive TV viewing.
The programme is called Serranía a hierro and is a pioneering experience on behalf of CEDAR. The participants have to survive on their wits and in recent days the casting sessions have been held for the members of the public keen to take up the challenge.
RONDA TO SAN PEDRO MOTORWAY PLANS OPEN FOR INSPECTION
The Partido Popular and Izquierda Unida both believe the plans to build a toll motorway between Ronda and the Costa del Sol are nothing more than an electoral bribe.
The project was first announced before the last Spanish general election in 2008 and now municipal elections are this May with another national and Andalucía voting round on the horizon next year. Hence both the PP and IU would argue the announcement that the plans for the project are now open for inspection.
The fact is the toll highway was by now meant to be under construction and not still on the drawing board. None-the-less Ronda’s councillor for public works, María José Martin de Haro, has announced the project can be studied for a month from January 4. The document in digital form is at the office of the Servicio de Atención al Ciudadano. The town halls in the Alto Genal area will also be making the plans available to their residents and interested parties.
The road will require an investment of 350 million euros, would be 32.8 kilometres in length and reduce the driving time between Ronda and San Pedro from 50 to 22 minutes. Ecologistas en Acción have presented numerous statements against the project but Izquierda Unida says it hasn’t because it does not view the project as real but just an electoral ploy.
GAS DEATHS
A tragedy in Ronda just days into the New Year. A 43-year-old couple died in their apartment in the town centre. The case is being investigated by a judge who has imposed a secrecy order. Police believe the gas fumes from their wood fire is a likely culprit. The mother of one of the victims discovered the bodies and suffered a nervous breakdown.
DEBT REDUCED
The Three Kings brought 1.5 million euros for the suppliers to Ronda town hall. The welcome news means almost 100 companies, collectives and associations have had their bills paid. However this amount is just the tip of the iceberg as the municipality still owes three million euros to its suppliers. Overall the debts of the town hall stand just over 16 million euros.
RUMANIAN ROBBERS
Guardia Civil have arrested two Rumanians who carried out thefts on a supermarkets and shop in Gaucín and Algatocín. The pair stole alcohol and food products to the value of 1,300 euros. Officers raced to Algatocín after the staff and customers at the shop surprised the men who threatened them. They were detained as they loaded the goods and till into their vehicle.
FLY PAST
Ronda has signed a novel agreement with a company that will use the Blas Infante amphitheatre to hold flights by raptures. There will be two flights by the birds each day over the Tajo gorge and they have been described as “educational, ecological and environmental”. The spectaculars will mean that amphitheatre can be used year round and will be aimed at tourists.
GET STONED
The first political film festival in Ronda held last December honoured the veteran British director Ken Loach. Now the mayor Antonio Marín has announced that the second festival will be dedicated to US director and screenwriter Oliver Stone. In addition the founder of Wikileaks, Julian Assange, is expected to participate in a debate during the festival to commence at the end of November.
TWO GORGES
The Fitur international travel fair will be held in Madrid with January 21 being dedicated to Ronda. The town of the Tajo will share a stand with Cuenca who both have famous gorges and historic links. Amongst the announcements will be a plan to illuminate Ronda’s gorge, the Puente Nuevo with spotlights highlighting both the San Sebastián minaret and the Mondragón Palace.
FOUR MORE
Ronda ended 2010 with four more unemployed than at the end of November. The final total for the year was 4,445 which is 288 more than in January of 2010. Women still make up the largest jobless group with 2,324 with the male total on 2,121. As usual the majority of the unemployed are in the services sector followed by construction and industry.
