By David Eade – Costa del Sol News
Ronda’s application for UNESCO World Heritage status will get underway shortly. The architect José Seguí, who is developing the local development plan for Ronda (PGOU), will be in charge of drawing up the documentation to be presented to the UN organisation.
Last week the regional government’s minister of culture, Paulino Plata, visited Ronda and indicated that the starting of the process was “imminent”. Indeed the Andalucía authority and Ronda town hall had already begun the task of planning the documentation.
Ronda will be making an application along with Antequera. In Ronda the Plataforma Pro Ronda Patrimonio Mundial is representing the various local associations and political parties supporting the project. The ministry of culture has offered to pay the costs of both towns making their applications which are estimated at least 90,000 euros each.
The Partido Popular, which now governs Ronda in coalition with the Partido Andalucista, had presented a motion to the Andalucía parliament in support of the World Heritage recognition. It was passed unanimously.
In its submission to UNESCO Ronda will present the Roman ruins at Acinipo, the world famous bridge over the Tajo, the Arab bathes which are the best preserved in Europe, its churches and palaces plus the oldest bullring in Spain. In addition it will highlight the rich and stunningly beautiful natural environment of the three nearby national parks, the Genal Valley plus the 21 villages to be found in the Serranía.
Plata called for the people of Ronda to get behind the application. Once the documentation has been drawn up it will be open for public inspection and people can then register their support. The granting of World Heritage status will bring employment and wealth creating opportunities to Ronda and the surrounding area.
MORE AID
The number of families that need basic foodstuffs and supplies to survive in Ronda has increased by 40 per cent since the new PP –PA coalition came to power in May. The councillor for social welfare, Antonio Arenas, said there were now 160 families receiving this aid whereas in May the figure was 60. The continuing economic crisis had led to the increase.
CHESTNUT ACCOLADE
Chestnuts form the main source of income for many families in the Serranía de Ronda; four million kilos are expected to be gathered. Expectations are the harvest will be the same as last year but the quality is exceptional. Valle del Genal has suggested a denomination of origin is sought to distinguish the high quality of its chestnuts from others on the market.
ASSET STRIPPING
The controversial decision by Ronda’s PP – PA administration to sell municipal assets to raise cash is underway. Last week the provincial bulletin (BOP) carried the conditions for the sale of the Cortijo San Juan 18 kms from the town centre. Also up for grabs is the building housing the wholesale market although the town hall says another will be built to replace it.
TIMELY ARREST
Ronda’s National Police arrested a 38-year-old local man accused of stealing a watch and wallet. His victim reported to police that at 23.20 on September 4 he was robbed at knifepoint in the calle Zahara de la Sierra. Officers took a couple of days to identify the culprit who is said to have 21 previous convictions, 10 of them for robbery with violence.
LEGION ANNIVERSARY
The Spanish Legion celebrated its 91 st anniversary on September 20. To commemorate the event the Tercio Alejandro Farnesio 4 de La Legión based in Ronda held a parade last Thursday followed by a concert. In addition an exhibition was held at the Unicaja gallery displaying material from missions in the Congo, Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan amongst others since its inception in 1920.
FERIA FIGHT
Ronda’s councillor in charge of security, Fernando Corrales, has been giving the facts about police action during the period of the Pedro Romero feria. The worst incident was at 06.00 on the final Sunday when a fight at the fair ground led to the arrest of ten people with one person receiving a serious knife wound. There were 16 arrests for drunk driving.
IBI ANGER
Fury in the Serranía de Ronda village of Igualeja where a revision of the land values by the Ministry of the Economy means a 700 per cent rise in the IBI tax in stages up to 2017. The council is made up of five PP and two PSOE councillors and they were united in passing a motion demanding the IBI rise be reviewed.
NO ADMITTANCE
Around 56 per cent of the operations carried out at Ronda’s regional hospital in the first six months of this year did not require the patient to be admitted to the medical centre. It is thanks to a scheme Cirugía Mayor Ambulatoria which saw 1,198 minor operations performed on out patients which in turn provided a more rapid recovery rate at their homes.
