Newsletter from Minority Delegado, Margaret Arnup, Jan 2008.
To all Cabrera Owners,
We hope you had a Merry Christmas and would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year. I’d like to start this newsletter with a thank you to Peter Salisbury, who previously wrote these news letters and also to Ross Stern for all their help and support given to us over the years.
News Letter
We plan to send you this news letter after each Junta surgery meeting. This will ensure that people that are not able to attend will also be kept up-to-date with current and on going issues, in Cabrera. We will be sending this letter via email where possible, if, however, you receive a copy of this letter via post, and you DO have an email address, could you please forward your email address to me at margaret_arnup@hotmail.com. This will enable us to keep the cost of posting to a minimum and speed up the flow of information.
Surgery Meetings
The surgery meeting was held on 3rd January, and it was well attended. It was decided by the owners that attended the meeting that a bi-monthly meeting was more appropriate than a monthly meeting; therefore the next surgery meeting will be held in the community room at Los Pastores Bar/Restaurant, on Thursday 6th March at 5:00pm. Please come along if you can, and if you have any questions, that require any research, could you please submit them to us via email or by post, before the meeting. This enables us to deliver a solution and answer to your questions/problems that may not only benefit you but all at the meeting. The following subjects were brought up at the meeting:-
Junta Delegados Job Roles – As you know at the AGM meeting held in November of last year, it was made mention that the delegados would be given specific job roles within the Junta de Compensación and they are:-
Paul Melhuish – Maintenance / Estate Manager – so any work relating to trees, works, water leaks etc., you will need to contact Paul. Paul speaks fluent Spanish and English. Tel: 690 695 583, e-mail: paul@littlehotels.co.uk.
Keith Sharpe – Emergency & Security – Keith will be writing to the fire service, supplying a map of Cabrera and the street names. He will also be marking this map with all the “Bomberos” for the fire service and will be reviewing the fire procedures for the owners in Cabrera, which will be sent out before the summer season. If you have any issues with emergency and security please do not hesitate to contact Keith. Tel: 950 529 157, e-mail keigill@terra.es.
Tony Scane - who like me has just joined the Junta – will be in charge of planning, so therefore he will be reviewing any plans that are submitted to the Junta de Compensación. Although Turre Town hall grant the approval to the actual plans submitted to them, we will examine the aesthetics. We do have some leverage in this area, as the Junta de Compensación supply the water for the house to be constructed. For each construction to commence in Cabrera the promoter/constructor will have to apply for a water supply/connection. This will only be granted if they have submitted a copy of their plans to the Junta for approval. Jo Chambers will also be visiting Turre Town hall, once a month, to obtain any plans that are pending for Cortijo Cabrera. Contact Tony on Tel: 950 528 080, email: ranchocabrera@hotmail.com
Jo Chambers – is the secretary. To contact Jo on Tel: 678 486 547, e-mail jochambers54@hotmail.com
Margaret Arnup - the minority delegado who will be writing to you on a regular basis Tel. 647 901 478, e-mail: margaret_arnup@hotmail.com
José Luis Jerez – Treasurer Tel: 950 528 440, e-mail vaitier@larural.es
By giving these roles to the delegados, we hope that you will feel able to contact us directly and communicate your queries / fears/problems to us and that we can help. It puts paid to any rumours and enables us answer problems directly, and in the open,
Cabrera Directory - Trisa Meeks informs me that the Cabrera Directory 2008, has been placed in all the P.O.Boxes, and there is a surplus of books held in the office, to be collected for anyone who does not have a P.O.Box in the wonderful Cabrera Correos. I’m sure you will all join me in saying a “Big Thank You” to Trisa & Graham Meeks and Nikki Cowell, in putting together the Cabrera Directory 2008 and José Jerez for the use of his photo-copier.
It was last produced in January of 2005, but this time it also includes email addresses, which helps us all keep in touch, very cheaply. If you were too late for your listing in this year’s directory, or if there are any errors, please forward an email or letter to margaret_arnup@hotmail.com , Cortijo Cabrera, 107, 04639 Turre, Almería. España.
Infrastructure - As you know from the AGM minutes, the works have been delayed on the road leading up to Cabrera. This is because we have to adhere to the letter of the law, in that some of the roads have to be 6 meters wide and in addition have to have a pavement. This is not always possible due to the boundaries of some plots and the topography of the mountain. The architect is currently putting together a project “Estudio de Detalles”, it is a large project and once completed, it will be submitted to the Turre Townhall, once we have received the approval we can then commence with the road and infrastructure. Unfortunately, the general opinion is that this will take time, but we have to follow the correct procedures to avoid any back lash in the future. We will update you when we receive any new information.
Broadband/Internet & Telephone Connections - Due to the delay of the roads, this of course means that we will have a delay on the broadband telefoncia internet connection. So we are currently looking at different ways to overcome this problem. There have been a couple of suggestions:-
- Providing an internet connection via the Espancom Cable T.V. company.
This would mean an aerial would be placed in the same area of the Espancom dishes, from this aerial a cable would run to the individual houses. This could consist of either using the same conduit of the Espancom system or actually using the existing Espancom cable to provide internet and telephone. This will ensure that we keep the aesthetics of the area
However, talks are still in the early stages and we will update you as and when we know more.
- Another company, that provides internet connection, has been put forward by Keith Sharpe, however, talks are also in the early stages.
We are also in talks with Brian Allport via Geoff Meeks to possibly provide an internet connection in the library. We will keep you posted.
Licence of 1st Occupation - Two owners in Cabrera have received the first “Licences of 1st Occupation”, this is a land mark for Cabrera, and so we are celebrating. The owners are Mr & Mrs. Wynn and Mr. Christmas. This is as a result from the zoning of areas in Cabrera. Before, every owner would have to wait until all the infrastructure has been laid in every area in Cortijo Cabrera Poligono 1, which is a vast area, and could take up to anything from 10 -20 years from now. However this, we felt, was unfair to areas that have had new infrastructure laid and where also the infrastructure had been updated, so therefore the Junta has applied for zoning of areas, which enables the owners to apply for and receive the Licence of 1st Occupation. So things do work in Cabrera, all be it slowly.
Political situation in Turre Townhall - At the meeting we mentioned the political situation in Turre, This is our understanding of the current situation:- Last year, when the general elections were held, there was no clear majority win by any of the political parties. So therefore, a coalition between the parties was needed in order to run the Town Hall.
Initially, two parties which had a total of 5 points between them, agreed to form a coalition and elected a Mayor. However, time has passed and, one of these parties and another party have since agreed to form another coalition, which gives them a total of 6 points, this latter coalition gives them the majority win and therefore they can replace the old coalition. This means that there will be a new Major at the town hall. Whilst all this is going on, procedures at Turre Townhall have slowed down, (even more than usual) However, once the new Mayor is installed things should speed up!
State of the road in Cortijo Grande leading to Cabrera - We do receive quite mixed views from the owners of Cabrera, in that who should repair the holes in the road in Cortijo Grande. Previously Antonio & Paco repaired this stretch of the road and the developers in Cabrera have already re-laid new tarmac to the high road in Cortijo Grande. Now the problem area appears to be, from this high road that then continues to go around/near the Bar Almazora Restaurant and car park area and eventually leads to Cabrera. We have in the past spoken with the developer in Cortijo Grande, to perhaps coming to an arrangement on sharing the cost of repairing these roads; however, it has fallen on deaf ears. It was felt, in any case, that the majority of the damage comes from the developers in Cabrera, and as the developers and promoters already pay a larger amount to the contribution towards the repairs of the roads, it was felt therefore that perhaps Antonio & Paco should revert back to repairing these holes in the road.
Water - As water is precious, if you see a water leak, please report it straight away to Paul Melhuish, please do not assume that Paul, Antonio or Paco already know about this.
Post Room - As you know, from the AGM, it was voted and agreed unanimously by the Cabrera owners, that we would re-instigate the delivery of internal mail either by a delegado or one of the office staff, which is good news for us all. But it would seem that some individuals would still like to over-rule the majorities wishes. The Junta has received correspondence from Serafin, who runs the Turre Correos, stating that we do not have the authority to open the P.O. boxes in Cabrera and that Turre Correos will be changing the locks in the near future. The Junta has written a registered letter to Turre Correos to state that they do not own the Correos Boxes in Cabrera, but is owned by the Junta and the Cabrera Owners and they have no right to change the locks. We have pointed out to them that it has been agreed and voted upon at the AGM that we can open the P.O.Boxes to distribute internal mail, as we own the P.O.Boxes and not Turre Correos. It has been made very clear to Turre Correos, and we therefore do not anticipate any further problems. Again, if anyone is not happy with using the Correos P.O.Boxes in Cabrera they can go else where and they will not be charged for the use of the box. The majority of Cabrera owners consider the post room to be a very important asset; those that don’t think this do not have to use it.
General
I understand that there are some more street signs still to go up in Cabrera and Antonio & Paco are aware of this and will complete this in due course.
Small trees had to be removed when laying the new road that goes past the horse ranch, so these will therefore be replaced.
The low level lights on the same road, currently have white and yellow lights, the remaining white lights will eventually be replaced with all yellow lights as this is deemed to be more aesthetically pleasing
It has been reported that the manhole covers on the stretch of new road, leading up to Cabrera, make a noise when driven over – José will be looking at other ways to help these covers “bed down” and therefore hopefully resolving this problem.
Entidad de Conservación was brought up at the surgery meeting, and explained, however, I would ask that you refer to the AGM minutes to save repeating this here.
Cabrera Dinner Dance This year is being held on Friday 22nd February at the Vera Hotel. We hope you can make it to what is promising to be a lovely evening at excellent venue. The price is 45€ which includes wine, beer and refreshments until the dessert is served. Also included in the price is live music to dance the night away.
There will be a coach laid on from the Cabrera Arch, (pick ups can be arranged in Cortijo Grande and Turre) at an additional 8€ per person, or alternatively you may wish to book at room at the Vera Hotel for 20€ per person including breakfast. Please contact Ann Viccars on 630 055 999 to reserve your places
Cabrera Open Gardens Day will be held on Sunday 20th April 2008, which is proving to be more popular every year. Entry fees will be 5€ with tea & cakes at selected gardens at 3€. There will also be an art exhibition and the Cabrera Fiesta Poster/Art competition and plants for sale at some gardens. This year the entry proceeds will be going to a very good cause, a charity for cancer support in Mojácar called MACS, (look at web address for more details: www.macscancersupport.com). If you can support us on the day, it would be greatly appreciated – contact Sheila Golding. If you would like to enter the Cabrera Fiesta Poster/Art Competition, can you please contact Debbie Redding on 647 081 552 the deadline for entries is 12th April 2008.
Cabrera Fiesta will be held in June of this Year – There is a meeting on Wednesday 27th February 16:00 at the office of Vaitier, next to the Cabrera Arch, to discuss this years Fiesta. I’m sure you will agree that last years Fiesta was a success and was very enjoyable.
As always there are individuals who would volunteer their time and efforts to make this happen. I cannot emphasis enough how much these people are appreciated. Sometimes it can be a daunting task to stand up & help and at times it seems that there are little thanks for doing this.
I have a saying which is that for every 1 person it takes to make a stand, it seems there are always 30 people trying to bring them down. But there are a lot of people like myself, who would congratulate that person for taking the stand and trying to make a difference. I would like to say THANK YOU to all these people, especially Jo Chambers, Sheila Golding, Sybil Robson, Dorrie Egelstaff, Geoff & Glenis Meeks, the late Mike Ward, José Jerez, Segundo Ramirez, Gill & Keith Sharpe etc., I know there are many more people to thank. After many years of giving their time, some of these volunteers are warn out, and are not therefore able to help this year, so I would ask for other people in the community to step forward to help and attend the Cabrera Fiesta meeting on 27th February at 16:00 to learn how you can help this year.
Library Please make use of this wonderful facility that we have in Cabrera, it took me a while to start using it and I wish I had found it earlier. The New Library is situated behind the offices, just past where the old Library used to be. Opening hours are Tuesday 12:00 – 2:00pm and Thursday 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Cabrera Tennis Club Members and non-members are all welcome to “Social Tennis” every Sunday & Thursday at 11:00am. Membership is available. Contact Sybil Robson for further details.
Bridge Informal Bridge every Thursday at 7:30pm at the community room at Los Pastores Bar/Restaurant– Contact Sybil Robson for further details.
Well, I’ll finish how. If you have any comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact any of the Junta delegados
Best Regards
Margaret
margaret_arnup@hotmail.com
Junta de Compensación de Cortijo Cabrera Minority Delegado
