Firstly I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has complimented me on my little column from last months’ edition.  That said, Joe and Pippa have now given me a full page to fill every month - with pictures no less!!!

By the time you are reading this piece the fire service of Alhaurin de la Torre should be operating on a 24-hour basis.  Fire crews are being increased substantially and there are also plans to build a new fire station similar to the new one in Churriana.  Thankfully we don’t get to see the fire engines or crew in action that often but it is reassuring to know that they are now available anytime of the day and night.  Talking of fire, please remember that burning outdoors is now prohibited until October, especially if you live near the forested areas that surround our town.  Even those of us that live in the heart of the village can only burn between 8am and 2pm and that is with permission.  Rather than incur a fine it’s probably easier and safer not to burn anything during the summer months.   

As most of you are aware, the main place of worship in the town is the church of San Sebastian. Obviously, the services and mass are held in Spanish, but the local priest would be willing to hold a service, maybe once a month or so, in English if there is sufficient demand from the English speaking members of the congregation. If anyone is interested in this please call into the shop and give me your details so that we can pass the information onto the priest for his further consideration.

Well the tickets for Tapas’s latest production, Little Shop of Horrors have just arrived in the shop along with a very eye-catching poster.  I know that the cast and crew have all been working very hard from the beginning of the year to bring you a very different show to anything staged before.  Tickets are only 12.00 Euros or 10.00 Euros for members, so pop in and get yours whilst they are still available.  The show runs on the 5th, 6th and 7th June at Sol Andalusi.

Talking of Sol Andalusi, the diabetic group have asked me to inform everyone that they meet there every 2nd Friday of the month.  There is a male nurse there on hand to give advice on the dos and don’ts of managing your diabetes and is a great help for people recently diagnosed.

The Centro Social de Mayores (underneath the indoor market, just opposite the Mercadona supermarket in the centre of town), plays host to the 2nd Annual Shutterbugs exhibition from the 29th May at 18.00 and running for a further week.  The show was a great success last year and a big hit with the Spanish locals.  The group does some excellent work so go along and support them, take a browse and even buy some of the pictures that catch your eye.

Just one quick snippet of information before I finish: the Consulate in Madrid has informed me that the cost of a Passport has now been reduced because of the current low rates of exchange.  An adult passport is now 158.00 Euros down from 176.00 Euros and a child’s passport is now 101.00 Euros.  So if you are thinking of renewing your passports, now is the time to do it.  If you need any help with the forms and details on photographs etc, call in and see me at the shop.  Remember you can find us in Calle Antonio Machado no6, just off the high street, near the Eroski supermarket or just give me a call on 952426847.

Bye!