Torrevieja doubles number of Plainclothes Local Police

In 2008, Torrevieja was granted permission to allow six officers to patrol the Markets, Streets and popular Bar areas of Torrevieja in plainclothes, an act not commonly undertaken by local police. Such has been the success of this scheme that the number has been increased to twelve, a welcome addition as we head into the holiday season.

Since November 2008, Torrevieja has seen a reduction of 70% in the amount of non-licensed street vendors and the illegal sale of fake goods in the Wednesday and Friday markets, The Paseo de la Libertad, Vista Alegre, on the beaches and around Torrevieja’s busy Bar zone, La Punta del Barrio.

Torrevieja’s Mayor commented that the officers’ effectiveness has also had an effect on cutting down on of sales of alcohol to underage drinkers, antisocial behaviour, pubs closing on time, violations of noise requirements and the sale of drugs.

Mayor Mateo Hernandez welcomed the adoption of this request and said that "no doubt we will continue to strengthen public security and prevent crimes in these parts of the city."  He also noted that since January 2009 the local police had seized 5586 fake dvd's, 2167 cd's, 1097 fake sunglasses plus jewellery, clothing, watches and cosmetics, besides arresting 25 people for various offences, issuing 54 complaints to the courts for breach of bylaws plus assisting the other police forces.

Fir Auto at the IFA this weekend

Fir Auto at the IFA this weekend

If you have been thinking of buying a new car or bike; are fed up driving all over town to look at different makes and models, or just like looking at motors, then FirAuto, one of the largest Motoring shows in Spain, will open it’s doors to the public from May 8th through 10th at the IFA in Alicante, situated beside Alicante Airport.

Over seventy exhibitors occupy the two halls of the Exhibition Centre, with special deals on pre-owned vehicles in Pavilion I and the new car dealers in Pavilion II plus over 2,000 square meters that is set aside to show off the best of today’s Motorcyles.  

It’s a perfect opportunity to compare models, check out used car bargains, strike up a deal and maybe even leave as the proud owner of a new car or bike. There are also activities for the kids (including free entrance for them), a cafeteria, plenty of free parking and a good day out promised for all.  

Costa Car Trader magazine, Costa Blanca TV and the team from Photo Video Spain shall all be there enjoying the fun. If you see us, please say 'hi'. 

FC Torrevieja fund raising raffle for a new Ford Focus Car, 2009/2010

FC Torrevieja fund raising raffle for a new Ford Focus Car

 

Fancy your chances at winning a new car or colour telly for just two euros? Playoff contenders FC Torrevieja are offering you the chance to do just that. From now until the draw, which shall take place at their first home game of the new season in late August, you can purchase raffle tickets to win one or the other, or even both!

 

As part of the on going collaboration with Framon Motors in Bigastro, FC Torrevieja have launched this year’s raffle for a 2009 Ford Fusion TDI 1.4 (occasion).
Second prize is a 14 inch colour TV donated by Munoz Espinosa electrical.
 The tickets, priced at just €2.00 each can be brought from the Torry Army office in San Luis, Vicente Garcia stadium on match days, Framon Motors in Bigastro plus other partners.


 

Pedro Valero, the Councillor for Foreigners and Technology, started the ball rolling by purchasing the first 25 tickets and with only a few thousand available, the odds of winning a major prize are much better than the millions to one against offered by the Lotteries! Don’t forget, if you are not in, you can’t win!

Torrevieja's European Day, May 9th, 2009

European Day in Torrevieja

With Torrevieja being one of the most culturally diverse cities in all of Spain, if not Europe, it’s only fitting that the city makes a special effort to celebrate the event. This year’s celebrations overlap with the one of the city’s most colourful and international fiestas, the ‘Feria de Mayo’, hence Saturday’s 1100 hrs raising of the flag in the town square will include a spectacular display of horses and carriages parading through streets between the fairground and the Inmaculada Church, where participants will celebrate their ‘Rociero’ mass. Everyone is invited to attend this special celebration.

 

Festivities commence at 10.30hrs on Saturday 9th May in the Plaza de la Constitución, with the  ‘Torrevieja Pipes & Drums’ followed by the raising of the European Flag at 11.00 hrs by the Mayor of Torrevieja, Don. Pedro Hernádez Mateo   when the town band ‘Union Musical Torrevejense’ will perform the ‘Hymn to Europe’ as the European flag is raised. The impressive spectacle of the horses and carriages will follow.

 

European Day celebrations continue throughout Sunday 10th May in the ‘Mediteraneo’ park (opposite the cemetery) when 32 teams shall compete for honours in the ‘VIII Annual ‘European Day’ Petanca Tournament’.

 

At around 20.30 hrs on Sunday, after the evening mass in the ‘Inmaculada Concepción’ church, international choir ‘Crescendo’ plus ‘Cantabile Singers’ shall perform. Admission to this concert is free although a voluntary donation towards the church organ fund would be appreciated.

Torrevieja new Superior Conservatory of Music visited by Vice President Camps

Torrevieja new Superior Conservatory of Music visited by Vice President Camps

 

So what can 36 million or so buy you in terms of a music conservatory? Residents of Torrevieja won’t have far to look as this week the stamp of approval was given by the second Vice-president of the Generalitat Valenciana, Gerardo Camps, who visited the ‘Auditorio-Conservatorio Internacional de Música’ alongside Torrevieja’s Mayor, councillors, the press and members of local Spanish and International musical associations.

 

Located in the north of the city, in close proximity to St. Jamie Hospital, the International Music Conservatory of Torrevieja is divided into three distinct areas, all interconnected, teaching music, theory, teaching, design, dance, dramatic art plus the conservation and restoration of works of art. 

 

Architect José María Tomás designed the project which has been hailed as one of the finest in Europe. The conservatory covers an area of 3,721 square meters and is thought of as one of the most superior facilities of its kind; not just within the Valencian region, but within Spain. The entire University Campus covers over 91,000 square metres and features the conservatory, landscaped gardens, halls of Residence, classrooms and theatres with room for a minimum of 240 students. It has 44 sound-proofed classrooms, containing state-of-the-art equipment plus libraries, archives and computer suites where both music and video can be mixed and edited. 

 

In this time of crisis, especially within the construction industry, the Mayor of Torrevieja, Pedro Ángel Hernández Mateo announced that the project had provided employment for over 1,200 workers. Mr. Camps visited the soon to be completed classroom area plus the two theatres, one with space for 1,460 spectators and the other around 360.            

 

The International Music Conservatory of Torrevieja is already being hailed as one of the best equipped music schools in Spain with first phase due to be opened for admission in September 2009. It is also one of the few conservatories in Europe to offer placement to those with disabilities and when complete shall be one of the best in terms of disabled access for both students and spectators alike.