Alicante to Denia link

The initial idea was to finish the work  at the end of this year and next year the electrification work would be completed so that there would be 2 tracks that are necessary for the train/trams to travel at the rate of one every half hour. That is just between Alicante and Altea, but as for the line between Altea and Denia, that presents greater complications, as in crosses some extremely difficult terrain and the creation of two tracks instead of the existing one would be tremendously expensive as would the electrification of this section. Already the costs of renovation of the tracks between Benidorm and Altea and their electrification that was undertaken in 2008 cost 18 million Euros for 8.9 Kms of track. It now seems that due to the costs, the single track is to be left the way it is, with more attention focused on the Altea/Alicante link, where it is envisaged speeds of 100 Kms/hr may eventually be reached, and this would mean a 30-metre long structure over the Tossalet Gully in Alfas del Pi (valencialife.net)

ASSOCIATION OF FOREIGN PROPERTY OWNERS CALPE
Minutes of the GENERAL MEETING held on Tuesday 12 May 2009 at 10.30 am at the Casa de Cultura, Calpe.

1. Introduction
The President thanked everyone for attending and welcomed Marc White of White & Baos, solicitors in Denia.
2. Guest Speaker
Marc White first told members that his firm is registered with the English and Spanish Law Societies and then went on to give a short but concise explanation of the law in Spain concerning “money, matrimony and mortality”. He gave examples where English law is applied in Spain and touched briefly on Inheritance Tax and the requirement of an NIE number for inheritors.

Business Meeting
3. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Missouri Tyrell and Carole Saunders.
4. Minutes of the Last General Meeting
Copies of the minutes of the last Annual General Meeting held on 7 October 2008 were distributed at the meeting and were confirmed as a true record. (Proposed: Lionel Sharp; Seconded: Ros Skerrett. Agreed).
5. Matters Arising From the Minutes
There were no matters arising.
6. President’s Report
Keith gave a brief summary of items dealt with since the last meeting:- A current court case; building applications; problems with tenants, and the environment. He was pleased to announce that, thanks to the intervention of HELP, Carole Saunders and AFPO, sufficient funds have been obtained to allow an elderly member to receive care and food for seven days a week. He also confirmed that: to obtain rates relief an applicant must be means tested, an announcement has been made by the European tourist authority that the Costa Blanca is still the cheapest EU destination; the Altea residents’ office is recommended to obtain a Residencia Certificate; Altea is trying to set up an interpreters service in their health centre and we will help with that; he and Brian had been to a meeting with the Mayor yesterday and was pleased that the Town Hall have donated an area in the basement of the Casa de Cultura for HELP to store their equipment; the road to Empedrola from the Rafol roundabout is going to be turned into a major road; new roundabouts are scheduled in other areas; Carole Saunders was at this moment attending an emergency Council meeting following the discovery of more debt. Last week the Council passed the accounts for 2008 but the debt has increased by 1.6m€ . The Council are forming a committee to find out why the tourist trade in Calpe has dropped and AFPO has been asked to provide a member. The Government has approved a list of projects that are of social benefit and will employ local labour and for which it will award a grant; the PSOE are concerned that they have already completed some of these projects while they were in power,. Keith issued a warning that Portuguese Man of War jelly fish have been seen off the coast. He continued by praising the new Denia hospital, which in the main seems to be successful but if anyone has a problem with their appointment they should contact one of the interpreters. AFPO has a meeting with the councillor in charge of the taking over of Calpe Health Centre. It is hoped that the difficult situation at present being experienced will soon improve. He ended by reminding members that the vote in the European elections was in June.
7. Treasurer’s Report
Anne reported that there are 4,915.96€ in the bank and cash in hand amounts to 69.85€. She asked that if anyone pays by bank transfer they should put their name on the paying in slip as two recent payments have not indicated the member concerned.
8. Secretary’s Report
a. Fred said that he had been asked by Betty Gower to thank any members who have previously contributed to the magazines.
b. Round Town News have apparently changed their arrangements for notices and it is no longer possible to publish information giving dates of meetings. The next meeting is shown under Item 11 of today’s agenda, and will be published on the web page.
c. At the meeting held on 7 October 2008 concerns were expressed about the high pavement kerb stones. The Council are at present working on the Avda Generalitat de Valencia for wheel chair users using lower kerb stones.
d. Foster Consulting are offering a 15% discount for AFPO members and Fred asked members if they could provide any details of other businesses or restaurants that they think could be approached to provide similar services in these difficult times.
9. Public Relations/Town Hall Matters
a. Town Hall matters have already been covered.
b. Keith asked that members support Calpe’s charities and businesses and in particular HELP (which always needs more volunteers) and EMAUS. He announced that MOFTAG are holding a produce fair on this coming Saturday.
c. Brian gave members a little more information about the meeting with the Mayor.
d. He added that the flooding problems experienced in La Merced road have been taken up with the Town Hall. The PSOE had previously said that they had a project for this but the new party seem to be unaware of this. However they did indicate that possibly some of the money allocated by Valencia for resurfacing of La Merced road could be made available.
e. A member asked how much success has resulted from these meetings with the Mayor and Brian suggested that it was about 40%.
10. Any Other Business
a. The Membership Secretary was very concerned that 76 members have not paid for 2008 and over 200 not paid for 2009 and members were reminded that the organisation cannot function without members’ subscriptions.
b. Pat Spencer told members that the U3A choir are holding an evening on 12 June, in aid of charity.
c. She was pleased to welcome a new interpreter at the Health Center.
d. A member asked if seats could be erected along the Avda Generalitat de Valencia and Brian said that he would mention it at the next meeting with the Mayor but felt that in view of the Town Hall’s present financial circumstances it is doubtful that money would be available.
e. A member asked if there is any news of the access road to the motorway and Brian replied that this was raised yesterday and it will happen but nobody knows when. Keith added that at the moment there is a dramatic loss in the level of motorway traffic and thus a drop in revenue.
f. A member was concerned that the increased use of the Valenciano language is becoming a serious problem. Keith agreed that the Council should continue to be made aware that this does not help the tourist situation.
g. A member asking about the re-opening of the swimming baths was given the answer that in the present financial climate it doesn’t look good.
11. Date and Location of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 13 October 2009, 10 am for 10.30 am in the theatre of the Casa de Cultura. The date will be confirmed in the next copy of the magazine and on the web site.

As there was no other business the President closed the meeting at 11.50 am.

ASSOCIATION OF FOREIGN PROPERTY OWNERS

TRANSLATORS 
Alicante Hospitals - Vanessa Hernandez 649606035 12 euros an hour, Valencia region – Susan Sanhuan 962758759, 606517656 50 euros per visit, no time restriction
Denia hospital contact HELP Jill Porter-smith 965756335 686824750 – for out of hours a donation is required

ALL EMERGENCIES 112
GUARDIA CIVIL 965830080 EMERGENCY 062
MUNICIPAL POLICE 965830812
LOCAL POLICE 965839000 EMERGENCY 092
NATIONAL POLICE 091
FIRE STATION 965854080 EMERGENCY 085 or 112
RED CROSS 965831616
ALICANTE CONSULATE   96 521 602   96 514 0528  fax

TOWN HALL 965833600 
FOREIGNERS OFFICE Sylvia Murcia 607536476 Linda Townsend 965830413
CIVIL PROTECTION 965838198 965838001
ALICANTE AIRPORT 966919000
VALENCIA AIRPORT 961598500
CALPE LOCKSMITHS 24hr callout 646568444 649687912
TAXI 965830043 965837878  965830038    676 649 490 ( English)
TRAIN STATION FGV 965837610 or 965262731
BUS STATION 965839029
CULTURAL CENTRE 965839123 Josep Llinares
IBERDROLA 901202020
GAS BUTANO CEPSA 965836339
GAS BUTANO REPSOL 965830789
AGUAS DE CALPE 965837707
NESCO BULKY REFUSE 965832561
SUMA 965836604/05
CORREOS 902197197
RENFE 902240202
INFORMATION COMUNIDAD VALENCIANA 012

HOSPITALS
ALICANTE GENERAL 965938300
ALICANTE SAN JUAN 965938700
DENIA 965579700 for HELP desk 11-2 Mon to Fri ask for Ayuda de Denia
ELCHE 966679000

CLUBS OR ASSOCIATIONS

AFPO association of foreign property owners’ www.afpocalpe.com President Keith Wildman  965830106. 
ACEC association of cultural & ecological of Calpe  www.acecalpe.org Carol Saunders 639637520

MOFTAG ladies social group that fundraises for charities Joan 965874723

PROBUS Len Hewitt 965973459

ROTARY FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON CLUB meet every Tuesday Asia Restaurant, La Fustera 1 for 1.30 965838941 Lee Sturgess

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Welfare Officer Ursula 965747847 Javea Sheila 965795687

RAFA North CB Welfare Pat Goss 966404329 646795456

CALPE & DISTRICT 41 CLUB secretary Ian Ritchie 965833102

U3A CALPE Roger Milsom 965058303 


CHURCHES

ANGLICAN warden Penny Clifford 965831089

SPIRITUALLY FREE SOCIETY Sharon 965836214

CALPE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP located under Edif Perlamar 965837977


HEALTH & WELLBEING

HEALTH CENTRE 965839123 965835011 CASA DEL MAR (for kids & temporary residents) 965837153

AIR AMBULANCE – Cega Bournemouth 01243621097, Wings Bristol 0117 971933 Capital Exeter 01823 661616

SOCIAL WORKER CIVIC CENTRE Shaila Monasor Ortola 965839600. Speaks English.


ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS meet Sun & Tues 966495345 657395626

3C AGENCY caring, companionship & cleaning. Affordable prices. Ray 671856870 or Clare 671856875 Sue 664266991

BRITISH PRIVATE NURSING AGENCY - MOSIAC Hilary nurse co-ord for Altea to Denia 619887764
Assessment charge then hourly rate for nurse or carers. 

CLARE THIRSK – NURSING AGENCY based in Jesus Pobre Clare 965756708

MORAG RGN in Calpe, but not Spanish registered 650015747 (will only take calls through me)

CALPE HOME HELP Karen 965834471 686786589 calpehomehelp@gmail.com

MABS Jacqueline Philips, cancer support. www.jacq@wanadoo.es 965794083

CARING TOGETHER hospice & cancer advice given Henry Lock 965894240 649956365 henry@dragonet.es 

CANCER BUDDIES NETWORK an internet site giving opportunities for people with cancer in Spain to meet others & help each other. Co-ordinated by Sharon 965838550 www.cancerbuddiesnetwork.org 

COSTA BLANCA SENIOR SERVICES S.A. 965834604 Retirement home in Calpe for full or part-time care & apartments for independent people located on beach front opposite the Salinas.

LA SALETA Calpe nursing home 902200171

SANYRES Calpe nursing home Patricia, social worker 965839990

THE FORUM elderly complex in Alfaz di Pi 96687400 

COLINA CLUB 965837310 650052395 www.colinaclub.com Itziar Doval Camara – Director

COSTA BLANCA SAMARITANS Steve Ashley 667764412 weeknights 8-12pm 902883535

COSTA BLANCA MOBILITY - DAVID GANNON Mobility Aids 965584161 david1gannon@yahoo.co.uk 

JACKS LIFTS S.L. Rent or buy scooters, mobility aids, hoists etc. 965831021 670387967

PRIVATE PHYSIO Martha 652606404, Joan McLellan 609954237

SPEECH THERAPIST, STROKES Bridget Redmond 965732529 - 40 euros an hour

ALZHEIMERS ASSOC Denia Sally Burnett 966423673, Javea Laura Videl 965792576

CHIROPEDIST Philip Mann 686912307 – home visits or Clinica Britannica 

AGE CONCERN 902003838 or 971718794 Pat & Sheila, local - 965837662 Pat Young

MEALS DELIVERED Cathy Hunter 965836120 686773442 3-5 Euros a meal

FARMACIA EXPRESS 637840059 24hr home delivery, in Calpe only, day charge 5 Euros, night charge 10 Euros. Phone the number then they collect prescription from you & return with the drugs. 

ADDICTS REHABILITATION – BETEL Christian charity, a home in Valencia. Phone Madrid 91525222. www.betel.org Valencia hostel 963410433

HOSTEL FOR HOMELESS MEN with no family in Gandia, Spanish speaking. English contact Stephen 962807483

EQUITY RELEASE Geoff Farrimond 966493797

CALPE ANIMAL PROTECTION

MUNICIPAL ANIMAL POUND 965839294 perrera de Calpe

DOGS – SPA Ellinor Gonzalez 965830817 620106733 S.P.A. Las Bassettes 2H

CATS – Sonja Limmer 965832358

VET – Clinica Veterinaria Las Salinas 965834766 608861473 (private)

VET – Clinica Veterinario Ifach 965837136 608400142 Monica will see strays at a reduced rate

MARTINA’S DOG HOTEL 607708048 matzi2007@hotmail.com

COSTA BLANCA ANIMAL PROTECTION
Dogs & cats:
P.E.P.A 650304746 for dogs 605460828 Pat for cats www.pepaspain.com
S.P.A.M.A Gandia 962807042 Cris 962896118 Gail www.spama.org
A.A.A Alfaz del Pi 965887116 Nicole 965889071 Dorothy (no website)
P.A.C.K Polop 647627429 www.dierenopvangspanje.com
APASA 965756890 www.apasa-javea.net
S.P.A.P Benidorm 965856268 www.spapbenidorm.com
S.A.T Torrevieja 966710047
Dogs:
BENIDORM ANIMAL CENTRE Maria 677373396
ASOC PROTECTORA DE ANIMALES El Campello 965699028 Eve
DENIA DOG SANCTUARY 699872157   Steve www.apad-denia.eu
Cats:
GATAMI 966806976 654729977 Anna
ALDEA FELINA DENIA CAT PROTECTION Lynda 628498813 Sara 616339307 www.aldea-felina.org
A.P.A.G.A.N Denia 966421864