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Up in flames
Vol. 6 Issue 151
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VALENCIANS have used the traditional fallas festival to voice their outrage after hundreds were killed in tragic flooding last October. The region’s iconic festival celebrates the arrival of spring by burning satirical models in the streets. This year’s Ninot Exhibition Exhibition,, which showcases the smaller figures that compose larger fallas scenes, revealed a swathe of designs criticising the handling of disastrous DANA storms last year. Held at the Museo de las Ciencias, the scenes often referenced the late warning message sent
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out to citizens while many were already fighting against the devastating floods. One sculpture shows an disembodied arm sticking out from the mud, clutching their mobile phone while regional leader Carlos Mazon grinning holding a bottle of wine, making reference to the dinner he enjoyed before attending crisis talks. Another shows Pedro Sanchez’s suggesting the Valencian Community should ‘ask for help’, showing the Prime Minister standing over a muddy Mazon. Meanwhile others applauded volunteers who flocked to help, many bearing the phrase ‘only the people save the people’. See Burning issue on page 14
GRAVEROBBERS! EXCLUSIVE: Hundreds of expats left reeling after funeral planning company vanishes without trace
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BRITISH expats are demanding anthey were offering advice and supS swers following the ‘disgraceful’ disport. LIVE RES appearing act of a major funeral plan“We recognise the financial and ning company in Spain. emotional distress customers are Iberian Funeral Plans vanished overfacing,” Jason Gardener of Avalon night on March 3 allegedly following Funeral Plans said. the death of its own founder Stephen It comes amid rumours that Nelson definitely took advantage of the expat “To support those impacted, we By Yzabelle Bostyn Nelson. used funeral plan payments to fund a community. When you come out here have established a financial asThe dramatic collapse has likely left lavish lifestyle on the Algarve you trust everyone, so when I was rec- sistance initiative for customers hundreds, if not thousands, of clients The Olive Press has discovered that “I got the shock of my life when I ommended Iberian I went for it.” holding Iberian plans so they with their funeral plans null and void. Nelson, who lived for many years in found out, it’s disgusting and abso- Many expats took out plans to (can) acquire a fully regulated and Expats are now vowing to uncover Alhaurin, moved just over the Portu- lutely unacceptable,” Scottish expat make the funeral preparations as FCA-authorised funeral plan. the truth behind the emerging scan- gal border to Castro Marin five years Helen Hammond told the Olive Press. easy as possible for their family “This situation reinforces the need dal, amid fears the large sums they ago. Like many customers, the 76-year- back home. for stronger consumer protection coughed up for end-of-life arrange- The company had a nearby registered old found out she had lost her almost “I took out a plan to save my chil- in the funeral planning industry, ments were instead spent on Nelson’s address in Portimao. €4,000 funeral plan through our so- dren from all the heartache, but particularly for British expatriates ‘lavish’ lifestyle. Under his full name Stephen Nelson cial media. now it’s gone. I’m livid and furi- living in Europe.” For over a week now, the firm has not George he held companies under the “I had to read it twice because I ous, I thought I was doing the best He is one of many providers offerbeen responding to any emails, while same name in Britain and Portugal. thought I was seeing things. They thing for my children,” Torrevieja ing free or discounted services for its telephone lines appear to be dead, Companies who resident Sue Truman those affected, including Grupo causing anger, shock and frustration. Rocamer, Compare Funerals and offer funeral sertold the Olive Press. The Olive Press has been inundated vices in the UK “There are hundreds Funeral Care Spain. with calls and emails, pleading for in- must be reguin the same boat as The Citizen’s Advice Bureau is formation. lated by the Fime. I’m not going currently preparing a class action Citizens Advice Bureau Spain (CAB) nancial Conduct to let them get away lawsuit against Iberian. branded the development ‘despicable’ Authority, but with it.” and ‘heartless’, with many expats al- Spain has no As everyone wonders Have you been affected? Contact us at ready feeling the impact. such safeguardwhat will happen newsdesk@theolivepress.es One grieving woman, who asked to re- ing. with their money, felmain anonymous, is unable to mourn Iberian therelow funeral providers Opinion Page 6 her husband of 60 years, because the fore did not told the Olive Press Collyfer Crematorium in Almeria is hold money in a refusing to hand over his ashes until trustee backed paid. bank account, areacostablanca.com The 77-year-old, based in Albox, said in spite of con966 112 428 her husband died unexpectedly of tracts which misblood cancer on February 24. leadingly stated But while she had paid €3,600 to Ibe- funds were held rian, it seems she was never covered. in corporate “When you’ve lost your partner of bank accounts YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENCY FOR CALPE, 56 years you’re in a very vulnerable with BBVA, BENISSA, MORAIRA AND REGION state,” the Essex native told the Olive Santander and FUMING: Helen Hammond (left) and Sue Truman have been left without cover after Iberian disappeared Press. HSBC. “That’s bad enough, but then on top of that they’ve taken our money, yet we can’t get the ashes. PLUMBING & AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTS “Iberian don’t care about the grief caused.” Gree Pular 09/25 500 to 3.25 Kw A+++ Though she understands the Gas r32 gas refridgerent crematorium needs to be paid 4 years manufacturers warranty for their services, she alleges SPECIAL the situation was handled ‘very WiFi included OFFER insensitively’ causing ‘multiple Supplied and installed meltdowns’ for the family. standard installation “When my son asked when 565€ (plus IVA) their father was going to be cremated, the woman just SOLAR ELECTRIC ENERGY NOW BEING INSTALLED looked at her watch and said, Air Conditioning | Bathroom Fitting ‘oh, in about 10 minutes’,” claims the former dental asGas and Oil Central Heating | Electrics sistant. Certification & Inspection | Pool | Solar Energy “We’re devastated and full of grief. It is only the anger keeptel: +34 620 523 613 / +34 966 498 993 ing me going.” email: info@morairaph.com SALES & RENTALS SPECIALISTS When contacted by the Olive Calle Mulhalcen 3, Ctra Moraira de Calpe 142b, Press, Collyfer’s owner AntoMoraira Teulada 03724, Alicante Moriara•Calpe•Jalon•Javea•Denia•Altea nio Collado claimed the situNew location further down the road towards Moraira town ation was ‘not their fault’ and centre, next to Gemisant & Kostas Restaurant they ‘won’t give up the ashes until they are paid’ despite www.morairaph.com www.moraira-hamiltons.net wanting to ‘help’.
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