If you need any official certificate from the British Consulate in Alicante, please be aware that from 1st December 2011 the Consulate will be implementing an appointment system.
According to the Consulate, "the appointment system will mean that you can avoid queuing and will ensure that the Consulate can deliver the service in a more customer-friendly and efficient manner". Or it may mean that you have to queue at home for several days first!
Anyone who needs to go to the Consulate in Alicante from 1st December onwards should ensure they make an appointment beforehand. At present, appointments can be booked by emailing to Alicante.Consulate@fco.gov.uk with ‘Notarial appointment request’ in the subject area. An on-line appointment system will be introduced shortly. Those who do not have access to email can call the Consulate on 902 10 93 56 or send their request by fax on 965 14 05 28.
This will not affect applications for Emergency Passports, which will continue to be available from 08:30-13:30 from Mondays to Fridays without prior appointment.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Cremá de Les Fogueres
Tonight, in the Barrio de Santa Catalina, is Bonfire Night, known as the "Cremá de Les Fogueres".
This year there should be more than 50 separate fires in the Barrio. Fires are usually lit by 21:00. The medieval market will be open by then, and later there will be music and dancing by the Hermita at the top of the hill. And if you stay long enough there will be hot chocolate and cake (toña).
This year there should be more than 50 separate fires in the Barrio. Fires are usually lit by 21:00. The medieval market will be open by then, and later there will be music and dancing by the Hermita at the top of the hill. And if you stay long enough there will be hot chocolate and cake (toña).
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Medieval Market in Santa Catalina Fiesta
The fiesta in the Santa Catalina barrio of Pinoso has something new this year - a medieval market. The market, which is laid out in and around the calle Sol, will be opened at 19:00 on Thursday 24th November, and will stay open each day until the 27th.
It is expected that there will be more than 50 stalls displaying items for sale and giving demonstrations of their products. In addition, there will be a number of activities with a medieval theme, such as arts activities, street theatre, painting, weaving, archery, cooking, music and crafts.
It is expected that there will be more than 50 stalls displaying items for sale and giving demonstrations of their products. In addition, there will be a number of activities with a medieval theme, such as arts activities, street theatre, painting, weaving, archery, cooking, music and crafts.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Remembrance Day Photographs
"El Eco de Pinoso" (see link in the right column) carries a very nice report on the Remembrance Day service held in Pinoso on Sunday.
In addition to this report, found under the section "Asociaciones / Sociedad", there is a direct link to a Facebook gallery of photographs taken within the church .
In addition to this report, found under the section "Asociaciones / Sociedad", there is a direct link to a Facebook gallery of photographs taken within the church .
Monday, November 14, 2011
Blogs
The UCL Helpdesk Blog is about providing information to English-speaking residents of Pinoso and so, for the most part, is more utilitarian than interesting (or, to put it more bluntly, it's pretty boring!)
There are, I imagine, many more interesting blogs available about life in Spain. One such is Life in Culebrón, written by Chris Thompson (who, not surprisingly, has a house in Culebrón, one of the Pinoso villages).
I've put a link to this under the heading "Blog List". If anyone knows of, or writes, other blogs about life in Spain, please let me know and I'll add further links.
There are, I imagine, many more interesting blogs available about life in Spain. One such is Life in Culebrón, written by Chris Thompson (who, not surprisingly, has a house in Culebrón, one of the Pinoso villages).
I've put a link to this under the heading "Blog List". If anyone knows of, or writes, other blogs about life in Spain, please let me know and I'll add further links.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Remembrance Day 2011
The Pinoso branch of the Royal British Legion held its annual remembrance service on Sunday 13th November in the Parish Church of St. Peter the Apostle in Pinoso.
Led by the splendid Unión Lírica Pinosense playing a paso doble march, Frank Ring, the branch president, and other RBL members, marched from the Casa de Música to the church carrying a wreath of poppies.
A full church, including many of our Spanish neighbours, enjoyed a moving service led by Father Manuel of the Pinoso church and Sue Faulkner of the Fellowship. Closing words were offered by Ramón Cerdá of the UCL.
Later, members of the RBL and their guests enjoyed an excellent meal at El Timón restaurant.
Led by the splendid Unión Lírica Pinosense playing a paso doble march, Frank Ring, the branch president, and other RBL members, marched from the Casa de Música to the church carrying a wreath of poppies.
A full church, including many of our Spanish neighbours, enjoyed a moving service led by Father Manuel of the Pinoso church and Sue Faulkner of the Fellowship. Closing words were offered by Ramón Cerdá of the UCL.
Later, members of the RBL and their guests enjoyed an excellent meal at El Timón restaurant.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Holidays 2012
The Generalitat in Valencia has published the calendar for public holidays in 2012.
06 January Epiphany (The Kings)
19 March San José (Father's Day)
06 April Viernes Santo (Good Friday)
09 April Lunes de Pascua (Easter Monday)
01 May Fiesta del Trabajo (May Day)
15 August Asunción de La Virgen
09 October Día de la Comunidad Valenciana (Valencia Day)
12 October Fiesta Nacional de España (Spain Day)
01 November Todos Los Santos (All Saints Day)
06 December Día de la Constitución Española (Constitution Day)
08 December Día de la Inmaculada Concepción
25 December Natividad del Señor (Christmas Day)
In Pinoso there are, in addition holidays on:
16 April
08 August
06 January Epiphany (The Kings)
19 March San José (Father's Day)
06 April Viernes Santo (Good Friday)
09 April Lunes de Pascua (Easter Monday)
01 May Fiesta del Trabajo (May Day)
15 August Asunción de La Virgen
09 October Día de la Comunidad Valenciana (Valencia Day)
12 October Fiesta Nacional de España (Spain Day)
01 November Todos Los Santos (All Saints Day)
06 December Día de la Constitución Española (Constitution Day)
08 December Día de la Inmaculada Concepción
25 December Natividad del Señor (Christmas Day)
In Pinoso there are, in addition holidays on:
16 April
08 August
Stolen Property?
The Guardia Civil have arrested two people in connection with a series of robberies that took place between June and October of this year.
A large number of items of property, presumed to have been stolen, has been recovered by the Guardia. These items are on display at the Guardia Civil headquarters in Pinoso and may be viewed by any people who have been the victims of a robbery during the above period.
Items can be viewed between 0900 and 1300, Monday to Friday, until 21st November.
A large number of items of property, presumed to have been stolen, has been recovered by the Guardia. These items are on display at the Guardia Civil headquarters in Pinoso and may be viewed by any people who have been the victims of a robbery during the above period.
Items can be viewed between 0900 and 1300, Monday to Friday, until 21st November.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Monthly Calendars
The Calendar of events for each month, published by the Town Council, will appear in this blog under the heading "PAGES" on the right hand side of the blog page.
The SUMA in Pinoso
A notice in the window of the former Technical Ofice says that the office to be used by the SUMA in Pinoso has moved to the Casa de Cultura in calle Monovar. Tickets for the SUMA will also be issued at the Casa de Cultura. There are no details on the hours, so one must assume that they are the same as before.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Make a doctor's appointment by internet
You can make an appointment with your doctor in Pinoso by internet.
Go to www.san.gva.es/cas/ciud/homeciud.html
Click on the red arrow next to "Sanitat 24: Solicitud de Cita"
Click on "Cita por Internet"
and this should take you to a page with a picture of a SIP card where you put in your SIP number and date of birth.
Click on "Validar"
and this should come up with your details and those of your doctor, and give you a choice of which appointment you'd prefer.
One word of warning - don't choose an appointment before 0900. The doctor will probably not be there!
Go to www.san.gva.es/cas/ciud/homeciud.html
Click on the red arrow next to "Sanitat 24: Solicitud de Cita"
Click on "Cita por Internet"
and this should take you to a page with a picture of a SIP card where you put in your SIP number and date of birth.
Click on "Validar"
and this should come up with your details and those of your doctor, and give you a choice of which appointment you'd prefer.
One word of warning - don't choose an appointment before 0900. The doctor will probably not be there!
Useful links to local information
These are 3 websites that give out local information in Spanish:
El Eco de Pinoso - www.elecodepinoso.es
The Cabeso Magazine - www.elcabesodelpinos.es
The Town Hall Website - www.pinoso.org
El Eco de Pinoso is the most up-to-date, with a number of different sections available through tabs.
The Cabeso Magazine has similar content, though not quite so current, but it does carry a lot of photographs.
The Town Hall website carries a calendar (agenda) listing many of the events in the coming months.
El Eco de Pinoso - www.elecodepinoso.es
The Cabeso Magazine - www.elcabesodelpinos.es
The Town Hall Website - www.pinoso.org
El Eco de Pinoso is the most up-to-date, with a number of different sections available through tabs.
The Cabeso Magazine has similar content, though not quite so current, but it does carry a lot of photographs.
The Town Hall website carries a calendar (agenda) listing many of the events in the coming months.
Wills
The Notary in Pinoso has asked me, once again, to remind everybody of the importance of making a Spanish will if you have money, goods or property here in Spain. Not having a Spanish will brings long-winded and expensive difficulties in arranging probate.
Wills relating to only your property in Spain can be arranged through any lawyer or, if the will is quite straightforward, directly from the Notary. At the moment, the Notary generally charges less than €100 to provide a registered Spanish will together with a translation into English. Lawyers will generally charge a great deal more.
If you wish to get a will from the Notary I can provide you with a form, in English, setting out the details that the Notary will need. At the time of signing, if your Spanish is not competent, you will need the services of a translator to satisfy the Notary that the contents of the will match your requirements.
Wills relating to only your property in Spain can be arranged through any lawyer or, if the will is quite straightforward, directly from the Notary. At the moment, the Notary generally charges less than €100 to provide a registered Spanish will together with a translation into English. Lawyers will generally charge a great deal more.
If you wish to get a will from the Notary I can provide you with a form, in English, setting out the details that the Notary will need. At the time of signing, if your Spanish is not competent, you will need the services of a translator to satisfy the Notary that the contents of the will match your requirements.
Riding Lessons
Fran from the Blanca Paloma (the Spanish restaurant on the Encebras road) has recently set up a riding school on the adjacent property, giving lessons at all levels.
Sessions cost €20 and, depending on the level of riding skill, last from 40 minutes to one hour. Riders will need to bring their own equipment, including safety headwear.
Fran can be contacted on franyako@hotmail.com or by ringing 615676198
Sessions cost €20 and, depending on the level of riding skill, last from 40 minutes to one hour. Riders will need to bring their own equipment, including safety headwear.
Fran can be contacted on franyako@hotmail.com or by ringing 615676198
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Remembrance Day 2011
The Remembrance Day Service organised by the Pinoso branch of the Royal British Legion will take place at the parish church in Pinoso on Sunday 13th November.
Weather permitting, there will be a parade, accompanied by the Unión Lírica Pinosense (the Pinoso Town band), from the Casa de Música to the parish church, starting at 10:00. The band will play music outside the church until the service begins and will also provide the music during the service. Afterwards there will be further music outside.
The service will be led by Frank Ring, the president of the Pinoso branch, and father Manuel, the town priest, assisted by Sue Faulkner of the Fellowship.
A collection will be made at the end of the service with the proceeds being divided equally between the church fund and the charity Caritas.
Weather permitting, there will be a parade, accompanied by the Unión Lírica Pinosense (the Pinoso Town band), from the Casa de Música to the parish church, starting at 10:00. The band will play music outside the church until the service begins and will also provide the music during the service. Afterwards there will be further music outside.
The service will be led by Frank Ring, the president of the Pinoso branch, and father Manuel, the town priest, assisted by Sue Faulkner of the Fellowship.
A collection will be made at the end of the service with the proceeds being divided equally between the church fund and the charity Caritas.
Christmas Concert
Father Manuel, the town priest, informs me that this year the annual Christmas Concert in the parish church, will take place on Friday 16th December at approximately 20:00 (straight after mass).
He would very much like, as last year, that members of the non-Spanish community should be part of this concert. He feels that last year's concert was a great success, and hopes that it will be a regular feature of the church calendar.
The next practice will take place (probably!) on Wednesday 9th November in the late evening and each week thereafter until the concert.
If anyone would like to take part, please e-mail me on ucl.cliver@gmail.com.
Someone will need to volunteer to be the organiser for this aspect of the event too, if it is to be successful.
He would very much like, as last year, that members of the non-Spanish community should be part of this concert. He feels that last year's concert was a great success, and hopes that it will be a regular feature of the church calendar.
The next practice will take place (probably!) on Wednesday 9th November in the late evening and each week thereafter until the concert.
If anyone would like to take part, please e-mail me on ucl.cliver@gmail.com.
Someone will need to volunteer to be the organiser for this aspect of the event too, if it is to be successful.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
So what's happened to the UCL?
Following the disappointing showing in the local elections in May, the UCL has now only two councillors, neither of whom are in the government of Pinoso. This not only means that easy access to the Town Hall is no longer available, but, importantly, that the source of funding to the Helpdesk from the UCL councillors has also been lost.
Previously each of the four UCL councillors contributed a part of their salaries to fund the Helpdesk. Now in opposition, those salaries have been withdrawn, meaning that both Ramón Cerdá and Pedro Poveda (the two current UCL councillors) need to find themselves another source of income.
Effectively, the party is in danger of disappearing from the local political map. Ramón, in particular, has taken the result of the elections very hard. For him, it was a very personal rejection by the voters and, at the moment, he is not inclined to continue in politics as a candidate for election. Without the active drive and enthusiasm of Ramón in the party, the future for the UCL is bleak.
Nevertheless, both he and I remain committed to supporting the English-speaking community as best we can within the resources available and that is the reason behind this blog.
Previously each of the four UCL councillors contributed a part of their salaries to fund the Helpdesk. Now in opposition, those salaries have been withdrawn, meaning that both Ramón Cerdá and Pedro Poveda (the two current UCL councillors) need to find themselves another source of income.
Effectively, the party is in danger of disappearing from the local political map. Ramón, in particular, has taken the result of the elections very hard. For him, it was a very personal rejection by the voters and, at the moment, he is not inclined to continue in politics as a candidate for election. Without the active drive and enthusiasm of Ramón in the party, the future for the UCL is bleak.
Nevertheless, both he and I remain committed to supporting the English-speaking community as best we can within the resources available and that is the reason behind this blog.
Pinoso Technical Office
The Technical Office has moved.
As part of the Council's cost-cutting exercise, the Technical Office has moved away from the building near the market square and has relocated to the Town Hall.
The office spaces available are spread acroos the three floors. The water office is now on the ground floor; the Town Architect is on the first floor; and the project office is on the top floor.
So, has the SUMA office moved? I'll have to find out.
As part of the Council's cost-cutting exercise, the Technical Office has moved away from the building near the market square and has relocated to the Town Hall.
The office spaces available are spread acroos the three floors. The water office is now on the ground floor; the Town Architect is on the first floor; and the project office is on the top floor.
So, has the SUMA office moved? I'll have to find out.
October Holidays
Monday 31st October is a local holiday and Tuesday 1st November is a national holiday, so don't expect many shops to be open.
Driving Licences
Just a reminder that the changes to driving licence regulations come into effect on December 9th 2011. This new regulation is designed to bring all drivers into line with the requirements in Spain of periodic physical competence checks. It also means that, just as in the UK, your licence will be linked to your address
If you are a EU national and you hold a driving licence from a country other than Spain, by this date you must either register (inscribir) your driving licence with Tráfico or change (canjear) to a Spanish licence.
If your licence has more than a year to run there is no problem. However, if your licence has less than a year to run you will need to undertake a competence test before you can register or change.
The driving school in Pinoso will make the arrangements for you. Registering costs about €50 and a change costs about €75. You will need to provide a copy of your passport, your (green) residency paper, your Padrón (less than 3 months old) and your licence. Some people have been to the Notary to get a certified copy of their licence, which costs about €10, in the event that it may need to be sent off to Tráfico.
If you fail to do this then you can expect a significant fine if you are stopped and found wanting.
If you are a EU national and you hold a driving licence from a country other than Spain, by this date you must either register (inscribir) your driving licence with Tráfico or change (canjear) to a Spanish licence.
If your licence has more than a year to run there is no problem. However, if your licence has less than a year to run you will need to undertake a competence test before you can register or change.
The driving school in Pinoso will make the arrangements for you. Registering costs about €50 and a change costs about €75. You will need to provide a copy of your passport, your (green) residency paper, your Padrón (less than 3 months old) and your licence. Some people have been to the Notary to get a certified copy of their licence, which costs about €10, in the event that it may need to be sent off to Tráfico.
If you fail to do this then you can expect a significant fine if you are stopped and found wanting.
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