I'm sorry to say we have reached the end of the UCL HelpDesk Blog.
Despite best efforts and many instances of visiting the Town Hall and trying to speak to members of the current government in Pinoso, it has been a fruitless task and very little information is forthcoming.
This is not meant to be a criticism of the current councillors, rather it is a result of the way in which they have organised things to keep the salaries bill as low as possible. Consequently, there is no easy access to councillors nor to information on Town Hall plans and activities.
So, many thanks to those who have followed this blog, and we wish you all the best in what is now an uncertain future for Spain.
Un fuerte saludo para todos.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Burglars Beware
The Guardia Civil and Local Police have arrested three men, all caught in the act of illegal entry into houses. The two incidents took place in El Sequé and Tres Fuentes.
SUMA 1st May
As the 1st May, when the SUMA is due to be in Pinoso, is a Bank Holiday, there is a change of day for this week.
The SUMA will be in the Casa de Cultura on Thursday 3rd May, open from 0930 to 1330.
The SUMA will be in the Casa de Cultura on Thursday 3rd May, open from 0930 to 1330.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Manolo is back!
If, like me, a couple of years ago, you used to enjoy eating at LPs in Pinoso when it was run by Manolo and María, you may be pleased to know that they have now opened a restaurant in their home in El Cantón.
They will be open for lunches from Thursday to Sunday inclusive each week, but they would appreciate it if you could call beforehand to give them an idea of numbers.
"Casa Manolo y María" - El Cantón - 653 063 717 or 681 007 595
I´m going to try to visit next Thursday or Friday and get hold of a map!
They will be open for lunches from Thursday to Sunday inclusive each week, but they would appreciate it if you could call beforehand to give them an idea of numbers.
"Casa Manolo y María" - El Cantón - 653 063 717 or 681 007 595
I´m going to try to visit next Thursday or Friday and get hold of a map!
Irrigation Water - SAT de Pinoso
I have been asked by the Bodega Cooperativa in Pinoso to contact as many users of SAT Pinoso irrigation water as possible to inform them of proposals being made by the Bodega before the next SAT elections.
I am told that there is considerable concern about the rising costs of water amongst the commercial users of SAT Pinoso and that they consider these costs are mainly the result of profligacy and inefficiency by the current SAT Board. As a result, the Bodega is putting forward two candidates for the coming elections with the express policy of reducing costs and prices.
Every user (socio) of SAT Pinoso is entitled to attend the next assembly and to vote members to the Board, and the Bodega would like as many socios as possible to hear their arguments. Socios may also vote by proxy if they wish, and arrangements can be made.
If you are a socio of SAT Pinoso and are concerned by rising costs, please reply to this post by e-mail to ucl.cliver@gmail.com giving your name and contact details, and I will try to make sure you are included in the information process.
I am told that there is considerable concern about the rising costs of water amongst the commercial users of SAT Pinoso and that they consider these costs are mainly the result of profligacy and inefficiency by the current SAT Board. As a result, the Bodega is putting forward two candidates for the coming elections with the express policy of reducing costs and prices.
Every user (socio) of SAT Pinoso is entitled to attend the next assembly and to vote members to the Board, and the Bodega would like as many socios as possible to hear their arguments. Socios may also vote by proxy if they wish, and arrangements can be made.
If you are a socio of SAT Pinoso and are concerned by rising costs, please reply to this post by e-mail to ucl.cliver@gmail.com giving your name and contact details, and I will try to make sure you are included in the information process.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Public Holidays in April
Just to remind you there are regional public holidays on the next 2 Mondays - Monday 9th is Easter Monday
Monday 16th is San Vicente
Monday 16th is San Vicente
EU Register - new format
In 2007, the residency card for EU citizens was replaced by an unwieldy piece of green A4 paper, known as the "certificado de registro de residente comunitario". This year, the A4 paper has been replaced by a smaller card (credit card size), still green and still without a photo, but much easier to fit into a wallet or purse.
If you would like to change to this new format, the Comisería in Elda say you will have to go through the full process again, filling in an EX-18 form (available from the Internet) (or an out-of-date EX-16 form from the Comisería!), handing in your old green form together with a copy of your passport, padrón (less than 3 months old) and NIE, and paying €10,20.
Incidentally, if you are already on the register and change your address or your passport you are expected to update the details at the Comisería each time a change occurs.
If you would like to change to this new format, the Comisería in Elda say you will have to go through the full process again, filling in an EX-18 form (available from the Internet) (or an out-of-date EX-16 form from the Comisería!), handing in your old green form together with a copy of your passport, padrón (less than 3 months old) and NIE, and paying €10,20.
Incidentally, if you are already on the register and change your address or your passport you are expected to update the details at the Comisería each time a change occurs.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
National Holiday
Monday 19th March
is a national holiday in Spain - known as San José (St Joseph's Day) it is, in fact, Father's Day, which means that most businesses, other than bars and restaurants, will be closed.
is a national holiday in Spain - known as San José (St Joseph's Day) it is, in fact, Father's Day, which means that most businesses, other than bars and restaurants, will be closed.
Party Weekend
ADVERTISEMENT
This weekend at Rafael's Restaurant & Bar:
St Patrick's Day Saturday 17th March
A fun afternoon of music and singing after the 2pm Auction where you can bag a bargain or make some cash. Traditional Irish Folk Music and much more from John Currie and his Son, Spanish Guitarist and Vocalist Faustino plus a special appearance by Mr Frank Ring.
Sandwiches and hot snacks available all day including Irish Beef Burgers, Irish Sausage and Colcannon Mash and Hot Dogs. Limited numbers of Guinness hats available!
UK Mothering Sunday Sunday 18th March
Enjoy a Roast Turkey dinner (reservations only) in the dining room or drinks and maybe some snacks on the sunny terrace, a game of our Lucky 13s bingo where you can win €700 (if you get the jackpot) and then be entertained by David Sings Swing with all the Rat Pack classics and the all the way from Benidorm we have Joe Dylan singing Eric Clapton, Coldplay, The Eagles and many more huge hits.
Call Sarah on 618 888 429 for info/bookings.
This weekend at Rafael's Restaurant & Bar:
St Patrick's Day Saturday 17th March
A fun afternoon of music and singing after the 2pm Auction where you can bag a bargain or make some cash. Traditional Irish Folk Music and much more from John Currie and his Son, Spanish Guitarist and Vocalist Faustino plus a special appearance by Mr Frank Ring.
Sandwiches and hot snacks available all day including Irish Beef Burgers, Irish Sausage and Colcannon Mash and Hot Dogs. Limited numbers of Guinness hats available!
UK Mothering Sunday Sunday 18th March
Enjoy a Roast Turkey dinner (reservations only) in the dining room or drinks and maybe some snacks on the sunny terrace, a game of our Lucky 13s bingo where you can win €700 (if you get the jackpot) and then be entertained by David Sings Swing with all the Rat Pack classics and the all the way from Benidorm we have Joe Dylan singing Eric Clapton, Coldplay, The Eagles and many more huge hits.
Call Sarah on 618 888 429 for info/bookings.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The best bodega in Valencia
"Bodegas y Viñedos El Sequé" have just been awarded the title of best bodega in the Comunidad Valenciana in 2011.
Rabbit and Snails
Pinoso's twelfth gastronomic week (Mostra de Cuina del Pinós) runs from the 21st to 26th of February.
Five restaurants will be taking part, providing each day a special menu for the price of €25 + IVA. There will be a choice of four starters chosen by each restaurant followed by a main course common to all:
Tuesday - Gachamiga
Wednesday - Relleno and Cocido (with rabbit)
Thursday - Alls i Picat (with snails)
Friday - Gazpacho (with rabbit and snails)
Saturday - Arroz (with rabbit and snails)
So, there's plenty here for those of you who like rabbit and / or snails. If not, you had better go on Tuesday!
Five restaurants will be taking part, providing each day a special menu for the price of €25 + IVA. There will be a choice of four starters chosen by each restaurant followed by a main course common to all:
Tuesday - Gachamiga
Wednesday - Relleno and Cocido (with rabbit)
Thursday - Alls i Picat (with snails)
Friday - Gazpacho (with rabbit and snails)
Saturday - Arroz (with rabbit and snails)
So, there's plenty here for those of you who like rabbit and / or snails. If not, you had better go on Tuesday!
Trouble at t' Town Hall?
One of the members of the ruling coalition in Pinoso, Juan Carlos Navarro of the BLOC party, has resigned from the coalition following the removal of his responsibilities by the mayor, Lázaro Azorín.
This leaves the PSOE / PSD coalition with a majority of just one.
This leaves the PSOE / PSD coalition with a majority of just one.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Spanair Collapse
Spanair
advises that on 28th January 2012, the airline suspended operations.
Due to these exceptional circumstances, all flights were canceled.
The company has issued the following announcement:
Refund options:
"Spanair
is finalizing an agreement with the International Air Transport
Association (IATA) to facilitate the refund of purchased but not yet
flown tickets of Spanair.
This
agreement will let the travel agencies refund the complete price to
those passengers that paid the ticket in a travel agency by bank
transfer or cash.
All
other passengers who bought their tickets by credit card directly at
www.spanair.com or in a travel agency, they will need enquire for refund
options with their card issuer.
In the following days we will inform the travel agencies about the procedure to follow.
For the latest information, please consult our website www.spanair.com
The
Spanair contact center (Telephone number within Spain: 900 13 14 15 and
from outside Spain: +34 971 916 047) and our Spanish sales offices in
the airports will remain open to attend to customers as far as possible.
Changes at the Health Centre
From 1st February a new and improved timetable will come into effect at the Pinoso Health Centre.
The Centre will continue to open as usual from 0800 until 1500 each weekday. However, in the afternoons, there will be a new service consisting of a general practitioner, a paediatrician and a nurse who will all be on duty until 2100 each evening.
The emergency night service will be continue, only from 2100 to 0800 the following morning.
Considering the many cutbacks being made in a number of services, this is a remarkable addition to the services available to the inhabitants of Pinoso and Algueña.
The Centre will continue to open as usual from 0800 until 1500 each weekday. However, in the afternoons, there will be a new service consisting of a general practitioner, a paediatrician and a nurse who will all be on duty until 2100 each evening.
The emergency night service will be continue, only from 2100 to 0800 the following morning.
Considering the many cutbacks being made in a number of services, this is a remarkable addition to the services available to the inhabitants of Pinoso and Algueña.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Día del Villazgo
Sunday 12th February 2012
Throughout the morning, until 1430 there will be organised visits to the interior of the Torre de Reloj (the Clock Tower). Inside the tower there will be two exhibitions of photographs. There will also be a on-going demonstration of lace-making in Cánovas del Castillo.
0900 Musical procession around the town by the Town Pipe and Drum Band
(Colla de Dolçaines i Tabalets Municipal)
0930 Musical procession by the Town Band (Unión Lírica Pinosense) from the
Casa de Música to the Church, accompanied by the town dignitaries and
the Fiesta Queens
1000 Sung mass accompanied by the Third Age Choir (La Ilusión)
1100 Official address and opening of the Gastronomic Fair
1130 Beginning of traditional games, including Valencian Pelota and Caliche
1200 Performance by the Pinoso Dance Group (Grup de Danses del Pinós)
1230 Awarding of prizes to the best stalls, followed by music from the “Unión
Lírica Pinosense”
1315 Performance by the “Monte de Sal” dance group
1600 Performance by “Tres Fan Ball” (playing Valencian folk dance music using
traditional Valencian folk instruments)
1800 Chocolate and Toña (cake) for all those still present
Throughout the morning, until 1430 there will be organised visits to the interior of the Torre de Reloj (the Clock Tower). Inside the tower there will be two exhibitions of photographs. There will also be a on-going demonstration of lace-making in Cánovas del Castillo.
0900 Musical procession around the town by the Town Pipe and Drum Band
(Colla de Dolçaines i Tabalets Municipal)
0930 Musical procession by the Town Band (Unión Lírica Pinosense) from the
Casa de Música to the Church, accompanied by the town dignitaries and
the Fiesta Queens
1000 Sung mass accompanied by the Third Age Choir (La Ilusión)
1100 Official address and opening of the Gastronomic Fair
1130 Beginning of traditional games, including Valencian Pelota and Caliche
1200 Performance by the Pinoso Dance Group (Grup de Danses del Pinós)
1230 Awarding of prizes to the best stalls, followed by music from the “Unión
Lírica Pinosense”
1315 Performance by the “Monte de Sal” dance group
1600 Performance by “Tres Fan Ball” (playing Valencian folk dance music using
traditional Valencian folk instruments)
1800 Chocolate and Toña (cake) for all those still present
Monday, January 23, 2012
Electricity Bills
A proposal has been made by the Government that all electricity readings and bills should revert to the previous bi-mensual arrangement. Providers will be required to read meters every 2 months and produce bills arising from those readings.
This is not yet law, but is likely to be so in the near future.
The aim of this change is to ensure that consumers pay for what they have actually used and that estimates of consumption should be abolished.
As an addendum to this, providers have lobbied the government proposing that electricity prices will need to rise by 12% this year to cover increasing generation costs.
This is not yet law, but is likely to be so in the near future.
The aim of this change is to ensure that consumers pay for what they have actually used and that estimates of consumption should be abolished.
As an addendum to this, providers have lobbied the government proposing that electricity prices will need to rise by 12% this year to cover increasing generation costs.
Fuel Price Rises
Fuel prices in the Comunidad Valenciana have risen as the result of a separate charge (el céntimo sanitario) applied to fuel by the Generalitat. In brief, 4,8 cents has been added to the price of a litre of fuel.
This charge applies to both petrol and diesel, but agricultural and heating fuel is exempt from this charge.
It would appear that some less than scrupulous providers have taken the opportunity to add further rises to fuel prices under the cover of this extra charge. In addition, in some locations it is reported that this extra charge is being added to heating fuel.
If you find that there has been a significant rise in your heating fuel, make sure that your provider is reminded that heating fuel is exempt.
Alternatively, buy your fuel in Murcia!
This charge applies to both petrol and diesel, but agricultural and heating fuel is exempt from this charge.
It would appear that some less than scrupulous providers have taken the opportunity to add further rises to fuel prices under the cover of this extra charge. In addition, in some locations it is reported that this extra charge is being added to heating fuel.
If you find that there has been a significant rise in your heating fuel, make sure that your provider is reminded that heating fuel is exempt.
Alternatively, buy your fuel in Murcia!
Back to Life
After a longer than expected break, the UCL HelpDesk Blog is back on-line. The calendar for February is now available on the page and, hopefully, there will soon be more news and posts of interest to the Pinoso community.
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