Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain The Spanish national beach football team is preparing for the 2025 World Cup in Torrox The competition is scheduled from May 1 to May 11 in the Seychelles The Spanish players are practicing on the sand courts of Ferrara Beach as they prepare to represent the country for the third consecutive time in the global tournament the team and the technical staff are accommodated at the Iberostar Waves Málaga Playa Hotel in Torrox Costa The hotel’s facilities recently hosted the draw for Spain’s national men’s and women’s first and second division of the beach football championships Local authorities paid a visit to the team and expressed their pride in hosting the national squad ahead of such an important competition. “Hosting the national beach soccer team here, in the best facilities and enjoying Europe’s best climate is a point of pride for us,” said Mayor Óscar Medina Spain’s national team will play in Group C ‘La Furia Roja’ will debut on May 2 against Senegal finishing the first phase on May 6 against Tahiti Spain has a strong tradition in beach football having competed in 9 out of the 12 editions of the World Cup when Spain reached the final of the competition Read here for more news from Axarquia. Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox! Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Website#c0d58dad1913784e53bd55b1{display:none} Known as the PEOPLE’S PAPER, Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain. And it’s FREE! Covering the Almeria, Axarquia, Costa Blanca North, Costa Blanca South, Costa del Sol , Costa Calida, Mallorca and beyond, EWN supports and inspires the individuals, neighbourhoods, and communities we serve, by delivering news with a social conscience. Whether it’s local news in Spain, UK news or international stories, we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home. With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month, EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain. The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close. Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP), Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall). All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers. All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE. Download our media pack in either English or Spanish. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Catalan swimmer Alberto Lorente set off on a colossal challenge on 22 April: to swim around Spain as part of the 'Abracemos el mar' (Let's embrace the sea) challenge. Environmental activist Enrique Herrero 'Quique Bolsitas' is accompanying him on his adventure, in which the athlete, who works as a bus driver, swims between ten and twelve kilometres in each of the stages. The aim is to raise awareness about sea pollution and the importance of cleaning up the seas and oceans. "Every stroke counts, if we didn't have the blue we wouldn't have the green. Seventy per cent of us are water and when we come into contact with the sea it is a very beautiful connection," said Herrero, who is from Huelva, in statements to the local radio station Radio Juventud. More than 1,100 people have taken part in the first five stages, in which more than 300 kilos of rubbish have already been collected. Lorente has already swum nearly 50 kilometres and around 18,000 cigarette butts have already been collected. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄 (@elhombredelasaguas) Local swimmers from both municipalities and visitors are expected to participate environmental associations and numerous volunteers who will collaborate in cleaning and awareness-raising tasks on dry land The activity will start at 9am with a beach clean on Playa Chica They will leave Playa Chica at 11am to continue in Nerja and will cover the area between Burriana and El Playazo The event will finish at around 2pm at Calahonda beach Torrox Swimming Club representative Carlos Vinuesa said that "during the five stages that have already taken place there are already 500 kilos of waste collected and 12,700 cigarette butts I invite all swimmers to come in one way or another to accompany Alberto" Vinuesa added that "we have to take care of our beaches in order to be able to live together because if we damage nature we damage our own lives" For more information visit the website www.abracemoselmar.es and the Instagram profile @abracemoselmar Comentar es una ventaja exclusiva para registrados stormed to victory in the opening stage of the 2025 Vuelta a Andalucía Ruta del Sol covering 162 kilometers from Torrox Costa to Cueva de Nerja featured five mountain passes and an intense sprint finish On Wednesday, February 19, Van Gils outpaced UAE Team Emirates XRG duo Tim Wellens and Pavel Sivakov in the final meters, crossing the line in 4 hours His victory also secured him the leader’s jersey giving him an early advantage in the general table has been a professional since 2021 and is regarded as a strong climber and classics specialist He made his breakthrough at the 2022 Saudi Tour where he won both stage four and the overall classification His impressive results include podium finishes at major one-day races such as third at the 2024 Strade Bianche and La Flèche Wallonne Van Gils also won the 5-kilometer time trial at last year’s Vuelta a Andalucía and secured his first UCI WorldTour victory in May 2024 at Eschborn-Frankfurt I was confident in my sprint against Wellens so I focused on keeping the group together.” Van Gils’ career hasn’t been without controversy he was fined and docked 10 UCI points for striking fellow rider Georgios Bouglas after the finish line He later apologized for the incident and avoided disqualification from the results Now, the Belgian faces the challenge of defending his lead against UAE’s good lineup in the coming days. However, with his team behind him, he remains optimistic about his chances in what promises to be a highly competitive edition of the race Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain by delivering news with a social conscience we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP) Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall) All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE Download our media pack in either English or Spanish Torrox town hall on the eastern Costa del Sol is preparing land in Torrox Costa to build a second indoor swimming pool and indoor sports pavilion The town hall is also finalising work on the first phase of the new football pitch in El Morche explained that the town hall is working on obtaining additional land in the La Charca area next to El Jamón supermarket in Torrox-Costa for the new sports facilities in order to start the projects The council is currently trying to reach an agreement with the owners and is processing a modification of the current urban plan (PGOU) through the Junta de Andalucía In addition to the new El Morche football pitch in Santa Rosa Fernández referred to the completion of work to the roofs and stands at the María Peláez indoor swimming pool "will allow us to offer greater comfort to spectators and users of the facilities which will also be able to host new official sports competitions" Fernández said that there were "more than a hundred" sports activities featured in the guide including sports schools sports for older people and nighttime walks The guide lists more than twenty facilities and courts for sports including football Also listed are all the contact details of the more than 30 clubs and associations of different sporting disciplines in Torrox Calceite to become one of the most spectacular areas in southern Europe Mayor Oscar Medina has articulated a bold vision for the Calaceite sector in Torrox proclaiming that it is poised to become “one of the most spectacular areas in southern Europe.” During a recent presentation aimed at over a hundred investors and developers held at the Meridiana Meetup—MIPIM real estate forum in Malaga he outlined an ambitious development and urban planning strategy that includes a new marina strategically positioned along the municipality’s  coastline Medina explained to investors that Calaceite which he describes as “the jewel in the crown of Torrox,” is set on three million square metres divided into four distinctive sectors all within a unique and attractive environment The development plan for Calaceite includes the construction of 4,600 luxurious homes which will complement an additional 2,300 residences planned for the adjacent Puerto Narixa area this initiative is part of a broader vision to generate regional wealth and employment opportunities Medina elaborated on the marina aspect of the project declaring that it is destined to become “the new Puerto Banus of Eastern Andalusia.” He stressed the importance of ensuring that the marina’s construction aligns seamlessly with the development of Calaceite and the accompanying golf course He underlined the marina’s role as a model of sustainability aiming to integrate it thoughtfully into the natural surroundings—a move he believes will position it as a significant asset for the local community and regional tourism Find more local news, activities, and profile interviews. Prefer your news all in one place? Our FREE online newspapers provide the perfect local weekly news fix! The plan for a golf course in the Calaceite area of Torrox Costa on the eastern Costa del Sol first appeared in the town's General Urban Development Plan (PGOU) approved in 1996 in addition to successive economic crises since then have meant that the initiative to develop more than 300 hectares of land where the construction of some 4,600 new homes is planned The project also includes the construction of a marina with 872 berths this week presented before more than a hundred investors and developers the urban development plan for the Calaceite area At the forum of the real estate consultancy specialising in internationalisation Meridiana Meetup-MIPIM held in Malaga Medina claimed that "Calaceite is going to become one of the most spectacular areas in southern Europe" The mayor's objective is that the project will be a reality within a maximum of ten years The mayor was keen to stress that the project will be "exemplary of extraordinary quality and an example of sustainability" and that it will make Torrox "one of the richest municipalities in Spain in terms of per capita income" Medina explained to the investors and developers that Calaceite "the jewel in the crown of the municipality of Torrox" offers "a unique environment" and that partial plans are already approved The construction of 4,600 homes is planned which will join the 2,300 in the Puerto Narixa area as Medina explained to those present at the forum "All this completed with a marina and a golf course with the ultimate aim of creating wealth and employment." He added "We have to work in parallel on sustainability and on the promotion of public housing," with a commitment to public-private collaboration Medina said he was sure that "this is the right time for the development of Calaceite" and that it has "the full support of the Junta de Andalucía" to "speed up the bureaucratic procedures and to mobilise public land as the best way of access to housing for anyone who needs it" the mayor said that "it will be a reference point: the new Puerto Banús of eastern Andalucía" and that its construction "must go hand in hand with the development of Calaceite next to the golf course" "There is no better area in Malaga or Andalucía for water sports nor is there a similar environment in the whole of southern Europe on the beachfront and with the best sunsets." In front of the investors and promoters at the Meridana Meetup-MIPIM forum which will continue in the French city of Cannes Medina used the town's strapline of "the best climate in Europe He also highlighted as an added attraction that Torrox is only 35 minutes away from Malaga city and just over an hour from Granada and the Sierra Nevada ski resort The mayor also told them that Torrox is a "leader in rural tourism in Andalucía as corroborated by the Ruralidays platform" and that it has the largest German community on the Spanish mainland the sun and its nine kilometres of beaches" Torrox mayor Oscar Medina and Town Planning councillor Paula Moreno announced two new projects during their recent visit to the Fitur tourism fair in Madrid based on the three million square metres of Torrox land that was available promised to be one of the most important in Spain The Calaceite development of 4,600 properties leisure centre and natural swimming pools would be a frontrunner on the Costa del Sol Eight hundred of the new homes would be state-backed “That will be important for our young people who want to get a foot on the property ladder,” Medina said The Puerto Narixa scheme envisages 1,200 new properties surrounded by 425,000 metres of green areas and includes a shopping centre “This is an opportunity for Torrox and we have all the ingredients to ensure that the initiative is a success,” the mayor added “We want to set an example of sustainable development that will be environmentally friendly and integrated into the local scenery.” Calaceite and Puerto Narixa would complement each other and the projects would be completed with a marina and golf course to create prosperity and employment Paulo Moreno also pointed out that as the Calaceite project was entirely new it could be planned in an “orderly and sustainable manner.” Torrox on the eastern Costa del Sol has used the strapline 'the best climate in Europe' for over four decades To give the town its due this was certified by a scientific study in 2010 the Sierra Nevada in Granada province is home to Andalucía's only ski resort have signed a tourism agreement that aims to exchange visitors and carry out joint promotions highlighting the fact that they are just over 100 kilometres away from each other After an initial agreement in May 2024 and its presentation at the last Fitur tourism fair in Madrid the ‘Marveleta’ project was signed on Tuesday4 February at Torrox town hall by mayor of Torrox the company dependent on the Junta de Andalucía which manages the Granada ski resort Medina said in a statement that the "collaboration and tourism agreement" that is part of "an increasingly competitive world" in which tourism has been the main source of wealth since the 1960s He described the agreement as "a joint venture between two well-known brands as is the case with other major commercial companies such as Adidas and Gucci or Nike and Louis Vuitton Cetursa was created 60 years ago and already then Torrox was known in Germany thanks to Bau-Hoffman "This agreement will have many benefits for both municipalities and for the business fabric it will give added value to the Andalucía brand and we will be an example for other destinations to follow," he said The mayor announced that working meetings will now be held to shape and advance the collaboration between the two destinations and that the aim is to "request European funds to promote tourism which is important in Torrox and the Sierra Nevada" Medina highlighted the projection and growth planned for Torrox and Monachil the golf course and the 4,600 homes planned for the Calaceite and Puerto Narixa areas of the town "The union that we are leading is going to mean a spectacular change for Sierra Nevada and Torrox," said the mayor who added that the "aim is to promote ourselves and promote agreements with sports associations clubs and take this cultural union to tourism fairs in Berlin The mayor of Monachil said that the two towns can "collaborate in many ways because we are both tourist municipalities that host hundreds of thousands of people" He went on to say that Monachil is "ten minutes from the Alhambra and we have the ski resort within our municipal area The director of Cetursa described the agreement as "an excellent marriage because on the one hand we have the best ski resort you can have which attracts tourists from all over the world and on the other hand we advertise here to go skiing in the Sierra Nevada because the Germans are very important to us" Torrox town hall is working on its Urban Agenda 2030 setting out its future strategy and operations which sets out to create a municipality that is “welcoming achieved through collective awareness and community effort.” Torrox was committed to establishing the Urban Agenda to deal with the town’s future challenges while meeting sustainable the town hall also wanted input from its 20,000 residents and launched its first round of citizens’ consultations regarding the Urban Agenda last October Now that councillors have approved the Torrox action plan with a 30-day deadline for lodging appeals against the future proposals or formulating suggestions the Torrox Urban Agenda 2030 would be understood have been definitively adopted The plenary meeting also approved modification to the water rates with households paying €1 for every 15,000 litres of water in 2025 the town hall will not apply the central government’s new rubbish collection tax as this would entail a 150 per cent increase in the cost TORROX has a new tourist attraction with the inauguration of the Miniature Castle Maini in El Peñoncillo was unveiled by Mayor Óscar Medina on recently at a festive gathering by the beachside chiringuito Media Caña This remarkable structure is Jensen’s second mini castle in the area, following another one in Calaceite. Built from beach stones, sand, and cement, it adds charm to the local landscape. Mayor Medina praised Jensen’s dedication, stating that the castle enhances Torrox‘s tourism appeal and will be promoted at the upcoming International Tourism Fair (FITUR) in Madrid featuring 256 windows—one for each day Jensen spent creating it noted that visitors are often left in awe of the castle’s beauty The inauguration also featured a complimentary paella and live music the ‘Verbena del Castillo Maini,’ (Maini Castle Festival) to celebrate this unique addition to the community For more Axarquia news, articles and events click here The number of bus journeys in Torrox continued to rise in 2024 according to the latest report from Mayor Óscar Medina and Deputy Mayor Paula Moreno This represents a 2.67% increase compared to 2023 Mayor Medina highlighted that Torrox remains the only municipality in the Axarquia and eastern Andalusia to offer free urban transport for residents “It doesn’t cost our residents a single euro,” he said He also highlighted the importance of public transport for mobility and the environment Since free bus travel was introduced in February 2022, the number of journeys has tripled, rising from 107.937 in 2021 to 325.635 in 2024. Medina also noted that the town provides free underground parking and will not apply the new waste collection tax in 2025 Paula Moreno stated that the free bus service has saved residents over €618.000 since its introduction She added that the highest number of trips occurred in July The Town Hall plans to improve services further by increasing bus frequency IF you’re looking for a great night out in Torrox they’re hosting their Open Mic Music Circus starting at 8 pm featuring the talented band Second Time Around Whether you’re a musician or a singer this event invites everyone to take the stage air-conditioned space for you to enjoy great food and drinks Their kitchen is open from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm be sure to check out their Sunday Roasts from 1 pm to 3 pm mark your calendars for Christmas Eve (December 24) when Laura Killeney will be performing live from 9:00 pm to midnight Tickets are available for €5 for members and €10 for non-members but don’t wait too long—tickets are on a first-come Read more top tips and recommendations here The town of Torrox has welcomed a delegation of students and teachers from the Vallée du Cailly Institute in Rouen Mayor Óscar Medina and Presidency Councillor Mari Ángeles España hosted an official reception in the municipal plenary hall to honour the visiting group which consists of eleven students and two teachers The French delegation has been participating in a week-long exchange program in this Axarquia town and tourism-related activities throughout Torrox Accompanied by teachers from the local secondary school the students have had the opportunity to learn things about the history and daily life of the Andalusian municipality We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of Torrox Hub’s new and expanded premises on Friday This special event is our way of saying thank you to the wonderful community of Torrox and Spain for the incredible support we’ve received since our inception in early 2022 Everyone is welcome to join us for this celebratory occasion and amazing special offers from our internet suppliers We are also delighted to have JoJo and Bambi from “Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun” joining the festivities Torrox Hub was founded with a simple mission: to support and serve our community Little did we know that in just two short years we would grow from a small shop to a store five times its original size This growth is a testament to the trust and loyalty of our customers Our services have always been about more than just business From managing PO boxes and sending parcels to arranging internet and SIM cards we strive to be a reliable and supportive resource for our community we are especially proud of our community pantry initiative we help ensure that those in need have access to food and essential supplies Colin and Sam Fintz established Torrox Hub with the goal of making a positive impact on our community we reflect on how far we’ve come and how much more we hope to achieve Our commitment to our customers remains unwavering and we look forward to continuing to grow and serve you with the same dedication and passion Join us on July 5th for our grand opening celebration Let’s come together to celebrate not just the success of Torrox Hub but the strength and spirit of our incredible community THE colourful umbrellas of Torrox will be back in the Plaza de la Constitución before the end of the year This news was shared on July 16 by Mayor Óscar Medina along with Tourism Councillor Mari Ángeles España and Public Works Councillor Paula Moreno missing this summer due to plaza renovations are set to return ‘more beautiful’ than ever and with a modern anchoring system The Torrox Town Council will pitch in €63,500 while the Málaga Provincial Council will cover over €252,000 through the Provincial Assistance and Cooperation Plan This timing was chosen to avoid disrupting the summer season The updated Plaza de la Constitución will be semi-pedestrian Óscar Medina also thanked the Andalucian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FAMP) for appointing him to the Andalucian Tourism Council as a representative for the mayor of Torremolinos For more Axarquia news and events click here Torrox continues to lead demographic growth in Andalusia surpassing other major coastal towns such as Marbella According to the latest data from the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE) Torrox has seen a population increase of 38.5 per cent over the past eight years Mayor Óscar Medina expressed his satisfaction with these figures calling them ”proof of Torrox’s steady growth and development” He attributed this success to the stability and confidence provided by the local government ensuring a solid foundation for both residents and investors Medina said that sustainable urban development remains a priority while preserving the town’s identity INE data shows that Torrox led growth in Andalusia with a 4.7 per cent rise in both national and foreign residents last year with official records showing 22.343 registered residents as of February 2025 Several factors contribute to this expansion including Torrox’s reputation for having the best climate in Europe The town’s tourism strategy has also played a role with efforts to reduce seasonal dependency making it a popular destination in autumn and winter Torrox now leads rural tourism in Andalusia Medina advocates for responsible management in collaboration with the community He stressed the importance of maintaining high living standards His goal is to position Torrox among Spain’s most prosperous municipalities in terms of per capita income Read more news about Torrox here. the programme co-produced by 101TV and SUR and presented by the newspaper's editor-in-chief Manolo Castillo mayor of Torrox Óscar Medina described the planned Calaceite development as "a mixture of Sotogrande and La Zagaleta" a hospital and a marina and the town hall wants the project to be defined "within a maximum period of two years" according to Medina The mayor explained that some 6,000 homes are planned of which almost a thousand would be affordable and that when the Calaceite project is developed it will mean that Torrox will become one of the richest municipalities in Spain thanks to the increase in per capita income In terms of tourism and after the recent ITB tourism fair held in Berlin Medina highlighted the need to continue to focus on the German market The eastern Costa del Sol town has long been a favourite destination for German tourists and residents and is home to the largest German community on the Spanish mainland The mayor explained that there are German investment funds interested in the Calaceite project which is estimated at around one billion euros in particular for agriculture in the Axarquía at the same he said that "we must not relax" with projects pending in the province especially with the Axarquía desalination plant Mayor of Torrox Óscar Medina received Franko Martin Stritt ahead of a screening in the eastern Costa del Sol town The film was being shown in Torrox as part of the fifth German film week in Malaga the Goethe Institute in Madrid and the German consulate in Malaga Stritt attended the event accompanied by the vice-consuls Susana Michaela Kempermann and Uwe Löbner regular visitors to Torrox for events such as the town's Oktoberfest Together with staff from the German consulate in Malaga they had a guided tour of both town centre and the coastal part of the municipality where the first housing developed by German companies in the 1970s are located The mayor explained that Torrox is known as "the little Germany of southern Europe" as it is home to the largest German population on the Spanish mainland It has more than 2,000 registered German citizens although there are up to 6,000 who come and go throughout the year to Torrox Medina presented a commemorative plaque to the consul "for the affection he has shown to Torrox and as a pioneer in German tourism" "It is an honour to have the consul of Germany in Malaga and all his team in Torrox," and added "For me this magnificent relationship between Torrox and Germany is fundamental." Medina also highlighted "the great work" done by the German consulate in Malaga both with the residents and with the "thousands of tourists who visit us in the province throughout the year" Stritt thanked the mayor for his invitation and said "We are really happy to be here and to be able to get to know Torrox better Thank you very much for your help in everything and thank you very much to your town hall." In 2014 Torrox on the eastern Costa del Sol hit the international headlines when it became the first municipality in Malaga province to issue fines to people reserving space on the beach by leaving deckchairs Now it has extended its 'war' by announcing a ban on people putting up tents and gazebos on beaches after receiving complaints from other beach users The town hall has modified a local bylaw which does allow for such installations to be used on San Juan night (23 June) and events for specific groups Councillors voted in favour of the ban on Monday 24 February "with the priority objective of increasing safety and public spaces" at the request of beach users and businesses in the sector canvas structures and other similar installations" will be prohibited on the town's beaches explained in a statement that this type of installation "occupies a large space and privatises the area in which they are installed usually leading to problems of excessive noise and visibility for lifeguards which prevent them from carrying out their work of control and surveillance with guarantee and safety" will not carry fines and which will be "of an informative nature" will not be enforced between 6pm on 23 June and 8am on 24 June; the annual San Juan night celebrations Nor will it apply to authorised occupations for excursions visits by groups of schoolchildren or people with disabilities although authorisation must be applied for in advance and with the supervision and control by the Local Police and Civil Protection "a greater positive impact will be achieved in terms of cleanliness less occupation of public space and an increase in safety as there will also be better access to the beaches for emergency vehicles if necessary," the councillor explained Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox (List price   3  months 12 Bulletins)  and thank you for choosing CamposolToday.com to publicise your organisation’s info or event Camposol Today is a website set up by Murcia Today specifically for residents of the urbanisation in Southwest Murcia providing news and information on what’s happening in the local area which is the largest English-speaking expat area in the Region of Murcia When submitting text to be included on Camposol Today please abide by the following guidelines so we can upload your article as swiftly as possible: Send an email to editor@camposoltoday.com or contact@murciatoday.com Attach the information in a Word Document or Google Doc Also attach a photo to illustrate your article The citizens' platform against the location of the first electricity substation in the Torrox Park area of Torrox Costa on the eastern Costa del Sol has started a new lawsuit after Malaga Public Prosecutor's Office shelved a previous complaint filed in 2023 which includes residents and the parent-teacher association of two schools in the area is now trying a new legal route to try to stop the work which is financed by electricity company Endesa President of the group Antonio Ruiz explained to SUR on Tuesday 3 December that the new lawsuit is based on an alleged violation of the Andalusian town planning law by Torrox town hall “which omitted the approval of the project at a full council meeting with the aim of allowing the construction of the substation to go ahead at all costs” the licence “is null and void because it was not taken to the council meeting” But the residents’ group has considered that “not only is the project illegal from the beginning,” but among which stands out the fact that it is in a flood zone” They argue that “after what we have seen happen in Valencia due to the effects of the Dana it is clearer than ever that no one should have allowed the construction of an electricity substation on flood-prone land Anyone can check this on the Junta de Andalucía website but also from the streams that run through the substation grounds,” Ruiz argued Ruiz pointed out that despite the measures that have been taken such as raising the height of the substation with a wall “Families are still very concerned because the future of several schools and an entire neighbourhood is at stake,” said the residents’ group in a statement Torrox town hall sources have declined to respond to this new legal action being taken by the citizens' group said in April that the town hall will continue to demand from Endesa that “the radiation will be zero when the substation comes into operation” It is expected to be up and running in 2025 after an investment of nine million euros by the electricity company The town hall has stressed on a number of occasions “the fundamental importance” of the new electricity substation which now has more than 20,000 registered inhabitants to enable new urban developments and avoid power cuts Torrox town hall on the eastern Costa del Sol has produced its first pet register which has revealed that there are 5,631 dogs 1,135 cats and eight ferrets in the municipality Following in the footsteps of other Malaga province town halls including neighbouring Nerja Torrox town hall and the Malaga veterinary association signed a collaboration agreement on Thursday 20 March allowing the new municipal register The town hall will contribute 3,000 euros plus IVA sales tax per year to the association for a period of four years as set out in the agreement According to the first register Torrox has a total of 5,631 dogs of which 213 are classified as potentially dangerous; 1,135 cats; eight ferrets and 10 other animals considered as pets Five microchip reader devices were given to the town hall which will be used by Local Police officers for the correct identification of animals said in a statement: "I believe that there is no better way and no better guarantee to comply with current legislation than for Torrox town hall to sign this agreement with the Malaga college of veterinarians." During the signing of the agreement the veterinarians pointed out that all pets must be vaccinated against rabies and de-wormed The town hall said that it is following the Andalusian CER protocol of capture sterilisation and return of street cats by means that are not harmful to the animals He went on to study a degree in veterinary medicine which is when he met his girlfriend Laura Hermoso Álvaro had never thought of becoming a local police officer until the Covid pandemic struck in 2020 and he was made redundant from the job he had with Inditex That was when he decided to start studying to become a police officer I started to like the possibility of becoming a local police officer and in just two years I got my position in the town of Fuente Palmera in Cordoba." Álvaro decided to propose to Laura at the same time as being sworn in as an officer in Torrox on the eastern Costa del Sol "With her constant support I have achieved this long-awaited post," he said about his girlfriend "It was clear to me that I wanted to live on the Costa del Sol," he told SUR after the institutional act of taking office Álvaro got down on one knee while holding the couple's four-month-old son Leo in his arms and took out an engagement ring it was a pity that more family members couldn't come because of the changes of date and the weather," said Quintero who has been living in El Morche for two months now "The mayor has promised to provide me with a suit," said Álvaro said on social media that Quintero "is sure to be a great professional to serve our citizens" "Now all three are part of our police family Torrox continues to establish itself as a leading destination for German tourists one of the world’s most important tourism fairs Mayor Óscar Medina announced that “one in ten Germans traveling to Andalusia chooses Torrox,” with a 40% increase in German visitors compared to the previous year Torrox played a key role in meetings and networking sessions even co-hosting a special tourism gala dinner on March 4 The event was attended by important figures such as Andalucía’s Tourism Minister and the President of Turismo Costa del Sol Medina spoke about Torrox’s strong ties with Germany saying that it is home to the largest German community on the Iberian Peninsula with 2,000 registered residents and around 7,000 others owning second homes or living there we are playing on home ground,” the mayor stated referring to a strategic meeting with TSS Group a German travel agency network with over 3,300 agencies Torrox will also participate in a TSS Group congress later this year in Salzburg Medina recalled the long-standing relationship between Torrox and Germany He expressed hopes of seeing renewed German investment in the area highlighting sustainable development plans in Calaceite The project spans three million square meters and includes residential areas is to extend Torrox’s tourism season beyond summer targeting German travelers seeking destinations with mild autumn the mayor also spoke about the importance of a new emergency housing decree passed by the Andalusian government aimed at expanding affordable housing and urban development opportunities will help improve housing accessibility in Torrox Medina highlighted Torrox’s status as a leader in rural tourism and already an economic hub in eastern Andalusia The town is the only municipality in Malaga province with dedicated German residential and commercial areas Torrox’s proximity to Malaga Costa del Sol Airport and Sierra Nevada also adds to its attractiveness Read here for more news from Axarquia Read here for more news from Torrox. The Axarquía's University of the Third Age group (U3A) has recently been rejuvenated with a new committee and president and is "now going from strength to strength in the Torrox area", says press officer, Ruth Butcher. Michael Bowen was made president in November 2024. Michael, 81, has had a home in Nerja for 22 years and has lived there permanently since 2023. He says of his role as president, "I try to attend as many groups as possible and I am the contact person for the new coffee morning get together." Michael goes on to say, "I see my role as trying to provide groups in as many places as possible within the Axarquía. We have a small group in Algarrobo and a number in Torrox Costa." The group is having a stall at this Sunday's (27 April) Residents Day on Plaza de España in Nerja, where it hopes to attract new members and "extend our reach", says Michael. They are working on a new website which they hope will be up and running soon. Currently the U3A Axarquía offers a variety of groups including 'Table Games' (board games), which is held every Monday at Mena Golf, Laguna Beach, Torrox, from 1pm. "There are bagfuls of games available like Uno, Rummykub and Mexican Train," says Ruth. The Munch Bunch hold their monthly lunch meetings every third Thursday of the month. In April the group met at the Cortijo Bravo just outside Vélez-Málaga and the venue changes each month. Budding writers can attend the writers' workshop which takes place on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. A discussion group meets on the second Friday of the month at Media Caña, Peñoncillo beach, Torrox, at 11am. "This group covers all sorts of topics, usually concerning worldwide news, but we try to find lighter topics too," says Ruth. The history group meets on the fourth Monday of the month at El Pozuelo, Laguna beach, Torrox, at 11am and an online meditation group is held on the third Saturday of every month. A 'monthly meal deal' takes place on the second Wednesday of the month at different venues around the Axarquía. "The idea is to stick to the menu del día (menu of the day) of the chosen restaurants," explains Ruth. A lecture group is held on the third Wednesday of the month and a reading group meets on the last Wednesday of the month at La Cabaña cafe in Algarrobo Costa. Finally a coffee morning is held to get U3A members together informally on the last Thursday of the month and the group held its first Christmas meal in December 2024 with plans for one this year too. For anyone unable to get to this Sunday's Residents' Day, Ruth says, "I think the coffee morning on the last Thursday of the month at Mena Golf would be an excellent starting point for anyone wanting to find out more." The next meal deal meeting will be at Pahuna in Torrox Costa on Wednesday 14 May. Contact: Judy judyannspain@yahoo.com for details. Registered office Málaga, Avda. Dr. Marañón, 48. The new year will arrive with tax rises for the more than 21,500 residents of Torrox on the eastern Costa del Sol. However, the rise will only affect the water rates and not the new rubbish tax which has been introduced by Spain’s central government. The announcement was made on Thursday 19 December by the Partido Popular (PP) Mayor of Torrox, Óscar Medina, who said that the so-called ‘tasazo’ or rubbish tax “imposed” by the PSOE central government would not be applied in the town and was part of "Pedro Sánchez's fiscal voracity". The new Spanish legislation includes the European Law on Waste and Contaminated Soil for a Circular Economy, which establishes that whoever generates waste must fully cover the costs of collection, transport and treatment with a new tax that must be applied before 10 April 2025. As such, Malaga city hall and Vélez-Málaga town hall are working to implement a municipal waste tax, which is currently included in the IBI (council tax) bill. However, Torrox town hall will apply new rates of “one euro for every 15,000 litres consumed” Medina explained, adding that “prices have been frozen since 2010”. Through the increase, the town hall says it will be able to cover the additional charges brought in by the Axarquia’s public water company in July. Medina explained that the increase has come about as a result of the extra cost for the treatment of water that is transferred from Malaga city to the Axarquía to tackle the drought and subsequent low levels of water in La Viñuela reservoir. The mayor said that since he came into office in June 2015, there have been reductions in taxes, such as IBI and the vehicle tax, and insisted that the increase in water rates “will only affect citizens by the minimum amount necessary so as not to jeopardise the quality of services and the need, due to the drought situation we are still suffering, for everyone to be aware of the importance of saving water as much as possible”. A large pod of dolphins, estimated to contain around thirty cetaceans, surprised bathers and walkers at midday this Monday who were on or passing by Wilches beaches, on the border between the Costa del Sol municipalities of Nerja and Torrox. Although it is not uncommon to see pods of dolphins near the coast of Malaga province, especially when out at sea sailing in boats, it is not so common to see them hunting and so very close to a beach, chasing a large shoal of fish, which they cornered against the shoreline, giving themselves a real 'feast', as SUR has been able to witness and record. The spectacle of nature was captured and enjoyed by around a dozen people, who with their cameras and mobile phones did not hesitate to record the scene, which lasted for more than ten minutes. The marine mammals gradually moved away from the shore, continuing their pursuit of the fish. Flocks of seagulls also joined in the spectacle, trying to take advantage of the cetaceans' hunting strategies. Some of the fish being chased jumped out of the water, being picked up and returned to the sea by some of the eyewitnesses of this true spectacle that nature and the sea offered at around noon this Easter Monday. The marine biologist and president of the Aula del Mar Mediterráneo Foundation (FAMM), Juan Antonio López , explained to SUR, after viewing the images captured by this newspaper, that «they look like common dolphins, that is to say, 'Delphinus delphis'. »The fish we don't know for sure, but they likely will be a school of mackerel or sardines, but the fishing sector can tell us better what they are catching now,« he added. «I have been living in Rincón for a few months now, and after a difficult start here in Spain, this has been one of the most beautiful moments,» Závodská said at the time. «I didn't think I would ever see dolphins so close to the beach. The last time was in the Maldives,» she said, delighted with her experience in Malaga. Whale and dolphin spotting on the Costa del Sol is not uncommon, but it is usually at a greater distance from the beaches. In fact, there are companies that offer boat trips to enjoy this experience from marinas and fishing ports such as Caleta de Vélez, Malaga city, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Marbella and Estepona. Anniversary celebrations to begin with procession and Red Arrows flypast 'Classy people are not going to go to Tenerife!’ British tourists slammed as 'boozy' British holidaymakers may have to change their beach habits as a Spanish municipality implements a new policy will now prohibit visitors from pitching tents and camping on its seven beaches The aim is to make beaches safer and more enjoyable for visitors which means both locals and tourists alike Councillor Vanessa López explained that camping installations “occupy a large space and privatise the area in which it is installed" there is a danger of "excessive noise" and reduced visibility for the lifeguards which "prevents them from carrying out their control and surveillance work with guarantee and safety" The council hopes that the new measure will mean a "greater positive impact" by making beaches cleaner and less crowded beachgoers should benefit from an "increase in security" as there will also be better access to the beaches for emergency vehicles if necessary The ban will not affect the facilities that are open between 6pm on June 23 and 8am on June 24 for the celebrations of the Night of San Juan which marks the summer solstice and is usually held on the beach It will also not apply to occupations authorised for excursions Torrox City Council confirmed that the new ban is for information purposes and will not lead to any penalties This new rule comes at a time of anti-tourist tension and holidaymakers facing new restrictions Indeed, Britons could be hit with a change to guided tours as Palma proposes a crackdown on tourists Britons flock to Spanish beaches in their masses to enjoy sun A proposed rule that could drastically reduce tour group sizes from 70 to 20 people has been met with criticism from tourism agencies in Majorca's capital In response to new restrictions and the growing tensions surrounding overtourism, some Britons have turned their backs on Spain Elsewhere in Europe, holidaymakers have been issued a warning as a major airport braces for a "significant" impact who lives in Torrox on the eastern Costa del Sol had all of his tools stolen from his van overnight on Sunday 16 February his friends Nigel Barrett and Mark Sylvester wasted no time in coming to his help They immediately set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to replace the stolen items whose father was Czech and mother from South Africa explained that on Monday 17 February he walked to his van and saw a broken window “I was angry and thought it was someone that broke it intentionally or unintentionally overnight but in my head I was just thinking [it had] better not be a theft It's the worst nightmare for a tradesman,” he told SUR in English Vaclav posted a warning on Torrox and Axarquía information pages on Facebook to warn other people about what had happened to him and then went to report the incident to the Guardia Civil “People that know me and some that don't know me but felt the pain I was going through started sending some messages and commenting on my post,” Vaclav recalled The social media post was picked up by Mark Sylvester who runs the Torrox Community Facebook page he knew exactly what kind of impact this would have on Vaclav’s business “He is always helping people that are in need” and helped people in “Valencia after the floods” Mark offered to give Vaclav some tools so he could start working again and another friend contacted Vaclav as he wanted to set up a GoFundMe page “to help me raise some money for the tools that were stolen” Although Vaclav admits that he doesn’t like asking for donations faced with enormous costs and loss of business kindness and support so far we have raised 1,650 euros,” Vaclav explained and added that Mark and Nigel “were the first to donate” Sylvester describes Vaclav as “a bit of a local celebrity” “He’s very well known in the local community for being a very happy and very good worker He's one of my favourite human beings and everyone loves him.” Vaclav has started to replace some of his tools although Mark estimates that his friend lost between 10 and 15,000 euros worth of specialist tools a lot of local builders as well as Mark have given him tools and contributed donations “To a tradesman losing tools to thieves is heartbreaking and it's a long recovery process to get back to normal,” he added Click here for the Gofundme page THE Torrox Community Group is hosting an exciting shopping trip to Gibraltar on Saturday With convenient pick-up points in Torrox Hub and even the Old Covid Tent at El Ingenio (upon request) it’s a hassle-free way to shop ‘til you drop For just €25 for members and €30 for non-members participants can explore popular stores like Morrisons Travelers will enjoy the luxury of comfortable coaches making the trip both enjoyable and convenient This shopping excursion offers a fantastic opportunity to meet new friends and connect with the community which is essential for anyone adjusting to life in Spain Finding a supportive network not only enriches one’s social life but also enhances the overall experience of living abroad check out their Facebook page: Torrox Community Club While in Gibraltar participants can take advantage of more than just shopping a walk around the Great Siege Tunnels offers a glimpse into the area’s military past Gibraltar has something for everyone to enjoy Torrox town hall in the east of Malaga province has resumed the work to update and improve its Plaza de la Constitución which will see the integration of street furniture planting and the semi-pedestrianisation of Torrox Pueblo's main square has a budget of around 316,000 euros according to the mayor which began in October 2024 but stopped over the Christmas period It will allow for reorganisation of all the spaces and replacing the paving The square's famous colourful umbrellas will also return once the work is finished The project consists of rearranging the benches tree surrounds and railings "in a more appropriate way" will allow "better access to the rest of the streets" according to the mayor The project also includes replacing the existing orange trees and the planting of several more trees to provide shade for the different areas of the square The terraces of the bars and restaurants in the Plaza de la Constitución will also have greater visibility and openness after the new arrangement of the planters Another highlight is the replacement of the existing grilles in the fountain in the square with others that will allow safer pedestrian traffic Plaza Agustín Gálvez will be semi-pedestrianised and street furniture will be installed so that everything connects visually with Plaza de la Constitución and Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación church The project is being undertaken by the Nerja-based company Transportes Antelo S.L with the project by Juan Navarro Arquitectos SLP a document with an additional investment of just over 11,400 euros around 63,500 euros are coming from Torrox town hall while some 252,200 euros come from the provincial authority The Torrox City Council has approved a new regulation prohibiting the installation of tents and similar structures on the town’s beaches preserve public spaces and improve cleanliness while maintaining a more open and accessible coastline for all visitors The ban comes in response to concerns raised by beachgoers and local business owners Officials also noted that keeping the beaches free from such obstructions would contribute to a more enjoyable experience for all visitors While the new rule is set to take effect immediately there will be an initial period of information and awareness rather than immediate sanctions the restriction does not apply during the night of June 23 to June 24 such as school visits or excursions for people with disabilities The measure is expected to have a positive impact on beach maintenance, reduce overcrowding, and ensure better emergency access. With Torrox’s beaches remaining a key attraction for both residents and tourists, officials believe this regulation will contribute to a cleaner, safer, and more enjoyable environment Enforcement will be carried out by local police and Civil Protection authorities to ensure compliance Read more news about Torrox here. From the outside it may appear to be just another of the many property developments that have been built in Torrox-Costa on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol a complex of 37 terraced houses which has just been completed in the El Peñoncillo area is an example of how bricks and mortar can be combined with clean and renewable energies creating a residential development that tries to save as much electricity and water as possible Among the special features of the development by the Danish company FAD Inversiones 2014 S.L are the geothermal systems for heating the properties with circuits for reusing rainwater and greywater from the toilets and showers for watering the green and communal areas the homes are equipped with photovoltaic solar energy systems and home automation devices to control all domestic technology The Malaga architects Francisco Moreno and José María Carralero are responsible for this residential complex The total investment has been around ten million euros Construction began at the end of 2020 and the 37 homes are now fully completed and have been sold to northern European buyers in addition to the commitment to respect for the environment and sustainability has been developed “under the prism of an aesthetic design of maximum efficiency” geothermal type community energy generation system “The energy used to maintain indoor comfort both the communal pool and those of the nine homes that have private pools is always centralised and of geothermal origin,” said Moreno and Carralero the system has two large heat pumps in a common area which transfer energy to 32 excavated geothermal wells located in the common areas of the complex “The temperature at this depth remains stable throughout the year as the ground mass has a high thermal inertia absorbing the energy transported by the system so the heat pumps always operate at maximum output with very little variation from season to season,” Moreno explained The efficiency of this system is 25 per cent compared to a conventional one so that for every kilowatt of electrical energy consumed six kilowatts of heating energy are obtained Each house in El Mirador has three energy meters “to measure the individual consumption of heating household appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines have geothermal hot and cold water connections available is a system that reduces carbon dioxide emissions without reducing the level of comfort “with very economical maintenance” said Carralero “There are individual homes in which it has been used but we believe that this is the first development in which it has been implemented in Andalucía," he added the architect stressed that “it is a scarce resource” making it a priority to optimise its use in a context of extreme drought and climate change El Mirador residential complex focuses on two aspects: quality and reuse based on a specialised analysis of the quality of the water in the network the residential complex has equipment that corrects the alkaline level by injecting carbon dioxide “also treating the disinfection by self-generation of sodium hypochlorite by saline electrolysis guaranteeing the purity of the treatment and superior water quality,” added Moreno are collected separately to be treated for reuse in a large underground community tank with a capacity of 140 cubic metres treated by ceramic ultrafiltration and disinfection which provides free water for watering the green areas flushing the communal areas and for use in toilets and urinals “this infrastructure significantly reduces the water consumption of the properties diverting part of these demands with regenerated water” They add that they are all measured in the homes but they “do not yet have data on the savings in electricity and water” as people have only just started to move in “but we anticipate that it will be very significant” the buildings are equipped with multi-panel units to generate electricity shade for the terraces and solar protection for the large windows," said architect Moreno The electricity generation is always provided globally to the complex for self-consumption of the common facilities such as water treatment purification of the communal swimming pools (one outdoor and one indoor) the ‘wellness’ gym and the geothermal system The homes can control the communal video door entry system the lighting of certain circuits and the underfloor heating in some rooms the façades and roofs have been built with a thick 80-millimetre insulating panel on the outside to protect the heavy elements of the building from temperature changes and therefore the surfaces of the interior rooms will radiate a comfortable temperature It is always more pleasant and healthier to condition by radiation than by supplying air,” said Moreno the windows have been designed to offer maximum views they are fitted with multi-paned glass with an argon chamber maintaining a high level of light transmission with high levels of insulation a development in which comfort does not compromise respect for the environment and energy efficiency This year’s Fiesta de las Migas will take place in Torrox Pueblo on the eastern side of Malaga province on Sunday 22 December Now in its 43rd year and considered an event of national tourist interest in Andalucía the festival celebrates the traditional dish of ‘migas’ – breadcrumbs cooked in extra virgin olive oil and garlic – which was traditionally eaten by workers before going to work in the fields In a statement to announce the date of this year’s event Óscar Medina revealed that this year’s festival will be officially opened by the television presenter and comedian Manu Sánchez who Medina said is “very much loved throughout Andalucía” The mayor also revealed that the winner of this year’s Fiesta de las Migas poster competition who will receive the prize of one thousand euros for this graphic work which shows several people preparing migas “and which captures the essence of our celebration” according to Medina The festival will have two stages and will begin in the town’s Plaza de la Constitución at 11am with the official opening and performances by local choirs and dance groups The event will then move to the Llano de la Almazara accompanied by the Coto Tres Hermanas verdiales music band with traditional Malaga dances as well as other groups performing traditional Spanish Christmas songs This is where the migas will be served up along with a traditional salad ‘ensalada arriera’ which contains olives Visitors will also be offered a glass of local sweet wine to accompany it The event will finish at 9pm with a fireworks display Rosario 'The Tremendita' | Carmen Almirante When you meet Rosario Guerrero (Seville you will most likely notice her half shaved head and her punk look you will notice that she comes from an extensive line of singers that goes back to her great-grandmother and that her father (José Tremendo) and her brother have also continued Rosario has participated in some of the most important festivals and competitions flamencos most important in the country since she was just a child such as that of The Mines of La Union irony and sense of humor are the ingredients of 'Matancera' the latest artistic proposal by singer Rosario La Tremendita; a “wild experience” that is the result of the Third edition of the In-Progress residency project that drive the Torrox City Council and Flamenco Festival and that can be seen on the stage of the Municipal Theatre Villa de Torrox on November 2 (20.00:XNUMX p.m.) a meeting place for creators flamencos of recognized national and international prestige who arrives in Torrox to present 'Matancera' a technical adaptation of the show that premiered last September at the XXIII Biennial of Flamenco from Seville with great success among the public and critics.  Anchored in popular wisdom like an ancient and future wire that holds everything together 'Matancera' proposes an experiential journey that promotes an intense dialogue between the stage and the audience delving into the heart of shared passions of those present through the voice of the singer the notes of her bass and the ancestral sound of the percussion of Daniel Suarez All with the stage direction of Veronica Morales and the musical of La Tremendita based on the idea of ​​the artist herself and carmen admiral.  In this show he shows his evolution and concerns in art  flamenco Moving away from political correctness to seek the purity of emotions La Tremendita investigates the roots of what jondo to make them converge with contemporary expressions stirring deep emotions as the women of Matanzas do in their matanza encounters.  IN-PROGRESS: A FLAMENCO CREATION LABORATORY The project In-Progress It is an initiative that seeks to promote the creativity of artists flamencos giving them a space of freedom where they can explore new forms of expression promoted by the Torrox City Council and Flamenco Festival offers its participants the technical and creative tools necessary to shape their ideas promoting Innovation and dialogue between flamenco and other artistic disciplines In-Progress has positioned itself as a international reference in flamenco creation with residencies that have allowed artists such as Manuel Liñán Macarena López or Estévez/Paños and Company present projects that have subsequently traveled world-renowned venues such as Sadler's Wells in London or the New York City Center See Programming Complete Guide - The Art Biennial Flamenco The Provincial Council has scheduled 38 shows and recitals, of which 23... Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with * Save my name, email and website in this browser for future purposes. The Voice of the Flamenco in the World.  Please enter your username or email address to reset your password The Junta de Andalucia’s Public Works department continues to repair main roads affected by the autumn storms Two high-altitude isolated depressions (DANAs) in late October and November affected five of Andalucia’s eight provinces including Malaga where work on emergency repairs have cost €1.7 million €300,000 was spent on reopening the A-7207 between Competa and Torrox cut off on November 13 when the drainage system burst and washed part of the road away it  reopened to traffic on December 11 and drivers no longer need to make a detour via Algarrobo The A-7207 repairs are ongoing and partial closures will be necessary while an improved drainage system is installed to prevent a repetition of last November’s damage which arrived only two weeks after an earlier storm at the end of October bringing much of the province to a standstill This included Axarquia where 132 millimetres of rain fell in Benamargosa on November 13 and the river of the same name burst its banks More than 500 people have been working to restore communications since the October DANA announced Rocio Diaz who heads the Junta’s Public Works department which has allocated €11 million for repairs caused by the first episode of destructive weather conditions Torrox Costa on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol is home to one of the largest communities of residents of German origin in Spain and as such for more than five decades it has been known as ‘little Germany’ on the Spanish mainland “The best Oktoberfest in southern Europe in the best climate in Europe” is how the mayor of Torrox presented Oktoberfest on Monday 14 October It will take place from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 October next to the car parks of the Iberostar hotel the sports area and the promenade of Ferrara beach The festival will be open from midday to one in the morning accompanied by the managing director of the organising company Birra & Art highlighted that Torrox Costa Oktoberfest has been described by National Geographic's Viajar magazine as one of the most outstanding in Spain along with those of Madrid ‘It is an intergenerational tribute to the tourist and the German resident who has given us so much since the 1970s until today,” said the mayor in a statement Macías explained that as part of the “intense” programme of events for the first time there will be a German music band who will be opening the event on Thursday at 8pm From 6pm DJ Nando will be providing the entertainment and Dance and Dreams Black Jam and DJ Worzel will be performing from 9.30pm until the close at 1am Torrox Costa on the eastern Costa del Sol is holding its traditional Christmas market from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 December on the town’s Avenida Esperanto The official opening will take place on Thursday at 6.30pm and it will remain open until midnight The stalls will be open every day from Friday 6 December from 12pm to midnight Mayor of Torrox Óscar Medina described the market as a “fusion of Spanish and European Christmases” and the organisers promise “lots of children's entertainment Father Christmas’ grotto and around 30 stalls selling crafts and other Christmas presents and decorations" There will also be a bar and stalls serving a variety of food and drinks as well as a stage with performances on each day of the market On Thursday 5 December performances will start at 6pm with DJs and from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 the numerous performances will take place from midday onwards with singers and bands including German and international groups There will be traditional Christmas carols with Torrox’s Coro de Las Nieves choir on Friday 6 December For further information and a full programme visit www.torrox.es Torrox town hall on the eastern Costa del Sol is working on its Torrox Urban Agenda 2030 The document will set out the strategy and projects to be developed by 2030 Torrox also wants to draw up its future projects in consultation with its residents Following the publication of a questionnaire as part of the Urban Agenda so that residents can contribute their vision on the town's "sustainable development" "We want to go hand in hand with citizens in the extraordinary growth that Torrox is experiencing in all areas is to "face this challenge together with the citizens to continue shaping a welcoming fair and healthy municipality through collective awareness and common effort" "Torrox town hall is committed to the implementation of the Urban Agenda as a guiding thread to meet the future challenges of the town and fulfil the mission and objectives of sustainable development." "It is necessary to count on the participation of the residents of Torrox" to have "the different visions proposed necessary to achieve the sustainable development of the entire municipality through transformative and participatory measures as an essential contribution to imagine and define how the Torrox of the future will be" 65 measures have been drawn up to develop the ten proposed visions so that participants either as individuals or as representatives of associations The same link can be found both on Torrox town hall website (www.torrox.es) and on the official pages of the town hall's social media The town hall has initiated the first participatory consultations open to the public with a view to drawing up the Urban Agenda Led by the councillor for European funds and development and the councillor for the elderly Sandra Extremera the first of the meetings took place on Tuesday 22 October in Torrox-Costa in the presence of more than fifty people which was also attended by various members of the government team a company that specialises in sustainable urban innovation and smart cities The socialist PSOE spokesperson at Torrox town hall has presented a proposal for citizen participation in the development of an Urban Agenda that will allow the town to efficiently use European funds "to carry out major projects that will transform the municipality" "Torrox has a department for European funds which "Our municipality continues to miss out on the opportunities offered by the European funds: opportunities for industry The future of Torrox should not be understood in a partisan or short-term way who lives only for the photo and the fanfare but as a common project in which all residents participate to transform our municipality." The plan for Torrox Costa on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol to have its first golf course features in the town's General Urban Development Plan (PGOU) approved in 1992 as well as successive economic crises have meant that the initiative to develop more than 100 hectares of land on the seafront has not yet materialised Torrox town hall is continuing to push ahead with the project which would see a new 18-hole golf course "We also want to continue attracting tourists with high purchasing power and for that the development of the Calaceite area on the coast is going to be fundamental thanks to its self-sufficient sustainable and high quality infrastructure." Medina said in a statement that "it will be an integrated action of residential and tourist facilities with a profusion of green areas and many others free of construction" "We have numerous investors interested in this sector where in the future around 4,000 homes will be located," and added "It will be a source of wealth and employment for Torrox." "It's a fact that Torrox is fashionable." The town "continues to be one of the most popular places to live on the Costa del Sol" according to a summer report published by the property website Idealista For the mayor the fact that "we are among the most sought-after places to buy a home in Spain is not the result of chance promotion and enhancement of the entire municipality" Medina said in the statement that "from the premise of tourist excellence the fact that our properties are worth more and more is a sign that things are going better for us as the value of property ownership increases and the heritage and quality of life of residents All of this reflects the historic period that the municipality is experiencing at all levels" Medina went on to say that in addition to hotel and tourist occupancy "that has been close to one hundred percent" the recent El Morche feria saw record numbers of visitors which points to Torrox being "the fashionable destination on the eastern coast of Andalucía" Guardia Civil officers have arrested of a woman with Romanian nationality as the alleged perpetrator of a human and drug trafficking outfit in Torrox on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol began when officers received a tip-off that a villa located in the Axarquía town was allegedly being used as a brothel where women were being forced to work as prostitutes and drugs were being sold to clients During a police raid of the premises officers found that the garage had been converted into a room where clients were paying for prostitutes’ services From statements given by a number of the women working at the premises officers were led to believe they were being coerced into prostitution and possibly drugged Several quantities of different types of drugs were found along with scales tools used to cut the substances and small amounts of money Spain's Guardia Civil has broken up two very violent criminal groups and busted several points of sale of drugs in Torrox in the Axarquía on the eastern Costa del Sol In total 28 people have been arrested for crimes against public health During Operation Nonimo some 13 searches were carried out during which 10 kilos of marijuana seven precision scales and other items used to sell drugs were seized The investigation began after officers became aware of an important cocaine operation in a home in the Barriada de Andalucía area of the town which was run by two brothers The buyers paid for the drugs in cash by depositing the money into the account of one of the detainees Up to 5,000 euros were found to have been paid in by two buyers in just four months and more than 25,000 euros had been paid in from the sale of cocaine It was during the investigation that one of the regular buyers reported one of the brothers he had been persecuted and received death threats over a debt According to a police statement released on Monday 17 February "As a result of this complaint the leader of this point of sale was arrested and a first search was carried out at his home in which cocaine and tools for the preparation of the drug were seized along with a large machete a large knife and a spearfishing rifle ready for use." After being released from prison on parole the brothers continued to threaten the victim and took him to his home where they held him against his will forced him to take cocaine and attacked him a corrosive product was poured on his legs causing second-degree burns on both legs and his face was cut which led to the victim losing consciousness The victim had to be admitted to the Axarquía hospital where he realised that some of his belongings had also been stolen the investigators found that drug dealing was taking place in two other houses and a commercial premises in Torrox-Costa All this demonstrated the existence of a network with a hierarchical structure involving several people who transported a garage and three public establishments in Torrox were searched and nine other people were arrested five of whom have been remanded in custody cash and tools to sell the drugs were seized In the latest part of the investigation the Guardia Civil dismantled another point of sale in another home in Torrox Pueblo which was managed by a couple and two other residents This group mainly sold cocaine and marijuana which they cultivated in the farmhouse of a member of the criminal group and which they later transported to the garage of another member to hide This network supplied cocaine to another dealer also based in Torrox-Costa who was well known for his extreme violence This individual was allegedly regularly involved in fights and carried large bladed weapons in the street The investigation was carried out by members of Torrox-Algarrobo and Vélez-Málaga Guardia Civil There has been a tragedy at a rural property in the Axarquia area of Malaga province A three year old girl died this Wednesday afternoon in the swimming pool of a country house located between the municipalities of Torrox and Cómpeta The 112 emergency service coordination centre reported that operators received a distress call alerting them to a drowned minor who was being given cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) manoeuvres an 061 air ambulance helicopter was mobilised along with the Guardia Civil and Local Police officers from Torrox Health and police sources confirmed the death of the child to 112 Andalucía the deceased minor is British and lived with her parents in a rural house in Torrox who study at a secondary school in the town Both parents apparently telework from home The Guardia Civil has taken charge of the investigation The first hypothesis is that the girl may have fallen into the pool at a time when her parents had lost sight of her in the house has expressed his "sincere condolences" and his "deepest sympathy" to the family on behalf of all the residents of the Axarquia town One of the many attractions of Andalucía is its historic many of which date back to the region's Islamic period of Al-Andalus labyrinthine streets that wind up and down these hilltop villages are paradoxically filled with secrets of the past yet bursting with modern life Many are home to foreign residents who have fallen in love with these rural gems living side by side with their Spanish neighbours who pass on legends and traditions dating back many generations One of the most photographed streets is Calle Nerja in Torrox Pueblo it is by far the most decorated street not only there but quite possibly in the whole province of Malaga colourful flowerpots and even a small fountain adorn this small street which measures just 15 metres in length Local resident Nieves Cortés is the mastermind behind this quaint street and her hard work and dedication has even won her recognition from Torrox town hall on a number of occasions which is regularly voted one of the prettiest towns in Spain Calle Real stretches up through the historic centre guiding visitors past traditional shops selling local products including the sugar cane honey produced in the town's mill the only surviving one of its kind in Europe Uniform blue doors and windowsills combine with brightly coloured flowerpots to create a truly Andalusian 'pueblo' Benalmádena Pueblo has been a firm favourite for decades among British holidaymakers the village has retained its traditional Andalusian feel adorned with displays of colourful flowers spilling out of plant pots attached to the façades of buildings At every turn there is an opportunity to photograph an old door or windowsill with flowers plants and even the occasional cat or dog posing for a snapshot Plaza de España is the central point of the old village and it is also the home of the 'Niña de Benalmádena' (the little girl of Benalmádena) the sculpture of a little girl holding out a large seashell was sculptured by the Malaga artist Jaime Pimentel in 1967 another popular destination among visitors to the Costa del Sol but it is another example of how southern Spain has preserved its Islamic past Calle San Sebastián is arguably one of Malaga province's most photographed streets At the top of the steep steps that lead down this narrow street the Mediterranean Sea can be seen and the views are particularly atmospheric at dusk when the lamps on the whitewashed houses light up the path the traditional flowerpots adorn the façades of the houses that line the street which guide visitors to the beautiful seventeenth century San Sebastián Church on nearby Plaza de la Libertad If you visit the Costa del Sol in December be sure to take a peak at Calle Córdoba in Marbella which connects Calle Huerta de los Cristales with Calle Peñuelas has been decorated by its residents who use recycled materials to make their festive creations It all started when Daniel Lima decorated the outside of his house the rest of the residents decided to join in in an effort to bring some cheer to what was otherwise going to be a fairly dismal Christmas during the pandemic Ever since then these festive friends have been decorating the street with lollipops made from rubber snowmen made of rope and even two Nutcracker soldiers made of flowerpots The lights go on on 2 December and traditional Christmas carols play in the background Marbella and Estepona are perhaps better-known for their offer of high-end but they too are traditional Andalusian whitewashed towns with historic centres that are steeped in history and narrow Marbella's picturesque Plaza de los Naranjos or Estepona's Pasaje María Cintrano and Plaza Antonio Gala evoke images of a bygone Andalucía and offer peace and tranquility away from the busier coastal areas of the two towns Back on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol the iconic Balcón de Europa in the popular resort of Nerja is still a favourite spot for photographers and couples getting married with its breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and backdrop of the Almijara Alhama and Tejida mountain range which straddles Malaga and Granada provinces But explore any of the coastal or mountain villages of Malaga province and you will find streets that are lovingly looked after by local residents Take for example the crocheted awnings made by local residents that provide shade in the small village of Almáchar in the Axarquía during the hot summer months to the Christmas decorations made with recycled materials of Calle Córdoba in Marbella patios and flowerpots bursting with colourful flowers adorn the streets of so many of the province's pretty towns and villages so whether you choose the coast or mountains Antequera or the traditional Costa del Sol towns of Marbella wherever you turn there is always a breathtakingly pretty view waiting to be discovered and photographed The heavy rainfall associated with the 'Dana' storm which is lashing Malaga this Wednesday has severely affected parts of the Axarquía area to the east of the province The worst affected municipalities have been Vélez-Málaga which is referred to as 'the capital of the Axarquía' the heavy downpours have caused flooding of the La Pañoleta and Los Zamoranos industrial estates and around the Vivar Tellez football ground The road between Triana and Vélez-Málaga is also cut off In Torre del Mar the Río Vélez to the west of the town near Almayate has burst its banks and sources have reported that La Laguna and Almanat de Almayate campsites as well as the Las Casillas de la Vía 'chabolas' houses at the entrance to Torre del Mar have been evacuated Around 800 people have been taken to the town's Salvador Sánchez sports centre "as a precaution" The town hall has issued a warning to citizens to avoid the area near the river told SUR that most of the people evacuated were foreign people on holiday at the establishment "The Local Police and the Guardia Civil have come and decided the best thing to do was to evacuate although the water has not reached the campsite," he explained The most serious situation has been recorded in Benamargosa with the overflowing of the river that flows through the village The flood has swept several cars and heavy machinery along the riverbed In Cútar there are problems with the water and electricity supply and several residents in outlying rural areas are cut off The rains have also damaged several houses a downpour discharged up to 45mm of water in just a few minutes during the morning The storm hit Los Romanes and the River Cueva which goes straight to La Viñuela reservoir although there has been no significant material damage a heavy hailstorm has left the Upper Axarquia with a white blanket in particular around Almáchar and El Borge In Periana rural properties have been cut off and the road from the Seco river to Cañizares has also been cut off the heavy rainfall has swept away the suspension bridge in the Los Pérez area which had been installed for more than 30 years at a height of five metres over the course of the Río de las Cuevas "I have never seen anything like this before," said councillor Manuel Robles A few metres further down the diversion dam of the river Cuevas or Mazmúllar In Canillas de Aceituno there have been landslides on the local road that connects the village with Sedella and the road between Cómpeta and Torrox has been cut off explained to SUR that they are going to try to reopen it with their own machinery to avoid the residents of the rural districts having to make a detour through Algarrobo In Arenas a fallen tree has led to the temporary closure of the road that connects the village with Vélez-Málaga In Torrox there have also been large pools of water on the old N-340 coastal road in El Morche and in Torrox-Costa in the Laguna Beach area There has been flooding in businesses and garages which has forced residents and the municipal operational services to break down walls to prevent the water level from rising The heaviest rainfall in the Axarquía so far this Wednesday (at 5pm) has been recorded in Santon Pitar with 144.5mm in the last 24 hours; in Alfarnatejo 76.8mm at La Viñuela reservoir and 74.8 in Alcaucín according to data compiled by the Hidrosur network of the Junta de Andalucía