Casares plays host to the XVIII Spanish Cross Country Championship for the Mentally Disabled tomorrow, Saturday 6th February, from 11 am.

In a recent ceremony, the Mayoress of Casares, Antonia Morera, and Luis Luengo, the Director General of GIESE, the State Department for Security and Infrastructure, signed over the new building which will house the Guardia Civil station and quarters.
This completes a process begun in 2002 by the previous Mayor of Casares, Juan Sanchez, who was also present at the ceremony, which saw GIESE providing a grant of 665,000 euros towards the project. For its part the local authorities in Casares provided the land and 300,000 euros to create a new facility for the Civil Guard in Casares.
The installation comprises of two buildings in a secure compound, one being the personal quarters for the Guardia Civil officers and their families with the other being offices.
Work is expected to begin soon to equip the building after which the installation will become fully operation providing Casares with a permanent Guardia Civil presence for the first time in over 20 years.

Last Sunday, 17th January, five members from the International Fencing Club "AndaluZia" of Estepona, participated in the Andalucia Cup, part of the Spanish Championship, held in Nerja.
Three of the five came away from the competition with medals: Ol...atz Bilbao and Cristina Ocaña took Silver in the Under 15 and Under 17 years respectively, whilst Naiara Moreno secured the Bronze for the club.
It was also a good result for the remaining two, Alba Márquez and Ángel Alijas, who finished in the top ten.

Have you been asked to prove your income?
When applying for means-tested benefits/healthcare (‘sin recursos’), free prescriptions, or welfare help through social services, such as a place in a residential home, you will be asked to provide evidence of your income and savings. The British Consular Pension, Benefit and Healthcare Team can provide a certificate in Spanish which confirms the amount of UK state pension or benefit that you receive, which will help you to complete this process. If you wish to visit them in the British Consulates in Madrid, Malaga or Alicante, you should take along your passport and proof of your pension (this could be a bank statement or correspondence from the Pension Service). If you cannot visit them in person, you can make a request for this certificate by phone by providing them with your full name, date of birth, National Insurance number and your address. Once they have consulted the Pension Service to confirm your pension or benefit and identity, they can issue you with the document in person or by post. This service is free of charge.
What does ‘means-tested’ mean? An individual’s eligibility for a means-tested benefit is determined by their financial circumstances. Examples include Spanish non-contributory pensions, family benefits, etc.

You can download the full Pension, Benefit and Healthcare Team newsletter HERE

An injury time goal salvaged the day, and a point for Union Estepona CF in their match against Real Betis B at the Francisco Muñoz Perez Stadium this Sunday.

Estepona's nativity scene (Belen), which was situated in the 'bandstand' in the town's Plaza Antonio Guerrero, was destroyed by a fire believed to be the work of vandals, around midnight last Sunday.

Over three hundred of Estepona council's workers marched through the town yesterday to protest at delays in payment of their wages which is causing financial difficulties for many of them.
They marched on the Town Hall where the Mayor, David Valadez, met with the protestors assuring them that they would receive their November wage by the 15th of this month, and that the December and extra Christmas payment would be paid sometime in January 2010.