News from Fuerteventura.

This is the archived news for September 2005

Tourism increases

Fuerteventura's tourist board reports an increase of 5.8%. The German market is recovering and a number of tourists from Italy, Portugal and France have begun to arrive in Fuerteventura. Mostly, German tourists visit the island, with uk visitors second highest in number, and the Dutch third.

Suppport to Red Cross and other Services.

The Cabildo is giving 180,000 euro to the Cruz Roja, for immigrant refuge, the promotion of social concience and other types of humane aid.

117,000 euro for social services in Tuineje, as it has in other municipalities to eradicate violence, for acts of social integration and to support services.

499,000 euro in 2005/6, to Puerto del Rosario's new athletic stadium for a running track.

The Mirador de Morro Velosa, was discussed to the effect that it had been a restaurant 4 times before always with low profits and it was hoped that in the future this could become a visitor centre for the rural park of Betancuria.

Travel reductions for students

Students can get a card giving them a reduction of 60% when traveling to Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Tenerife to attend courses or cultural events.

Courses in Contemporary art history.

The El Centro Juan Ismael in conjunction with Fundación Mapfre, is holding courses on the 4th, 11th, 18th,and 25th October between 8 and 9pm, on the history of contemporary art of the Canaries.

September 29th

Fishing

At yesterday's meeting the consejería de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca del Gobierno de Canarias posponed it's decision making until the 13th October. However, there are plans for 14 new fishing vessels to be built in Murcia, Tenerife, Galicia and El Cotillo. These new ships would have the capacity for fishing outside their normal fishing grounds, and to cater for the variety of fishing techniques.

September 28th

International day of Tourism

To mark the international day of tourism, la consejera de Turismo del Cabildo y vicepresidenta del Patronato, Olivia Estévez, met holidaymakers arriving at the airport yesterday with flowers and traditional music. They had discussions with the tourists, to gain their thoughts about the island, with the aim of ensuring the good operation and development of tourism.

Fishing Developments

A meeting is to be held this morning with the consejero de Agriculture, Stockbreeding and Fishing, Juan Estárico, his namesake in the Canarian Government Pedro Rodríguez Zaragoza, and the fishermen of Fuerteventura.

Computer courses

Begining on September 28th and on October 10th are two 20 hour courses on the use of Access and Powerpoint data processing systems. 80% of the funding for the courses comes from the European Social Fund and in a 20% by the Canarian Employment Service.

September 27th

Street market in Tuineje.

Due to the Fiestas en Honor a San Miguel, there will be a street market in Tuineje, between 12 and 4pm on Sunday October 9th. For a stall or for more details, call 928 16 24 49, or the arts centre on 928 16 43 56.

September 26th

Saving our turtles

La Consejería de Medio Ambiente del Cabildo de Fuerteventura, in collaboration with the university of Las Palmas, Gran Canaria has been working on a project in the Isla de Boa Vista (archipiélago de Cabo Verde). to ensure that as many as possible of the turtle eggs that are laid this year, hatch out and the baby turtles can return safely to the sea. Working in shifts since August 27th volunteers have ensured that the nests were properly covered, and that those eggs laid in difficult areas were moved to a hatchery. During the project 1300 turtles have been marked,and 300 nests have been moved to hatcheries, increasing the survival rate to 80%. The city Hall of Fuerteventura intends, through the use of volunteers, to reintroduce this species of turtle to Fuerteventura which has similar qualities to Boa View.

September 24th

Underwater rescue

La Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Caza, Seguridad y Emergencias of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, are putting on a course on the techniques of underwater rescue for the security and emergency rescue teams. The course is for 20 people from the two services and will run between 26th and 29th September in Gran Tarajal.

New artificial soccer pitch opens in Corralejo

Tomorrow at around 10am the new soccer pitch will open in Corralejo, at the Plaza del Parque Infantil de Corralejo.with a series of 7 a side international football as part of the III MOGOLLÓN INTERCULTURAL event.

September 21st

Flight delay

Last night's Thomson flight BY191B to Manchester airport did not depart. The passengers were put up at various hotels. The flight is expected to depart later this evening.

September 20th

Poor conditions on board ferry

There have been complaints about the conditions aboard the ferry "Palanga", which is used to transport cargo and passengers between Puerto del Rosario and Las Palmas. The consejería de Transportes are going to write to the company to urge them to improve conditions on board or to withdraw it from service.

Lessons in ballet and percussion.

The Ayuntamiento de Tuineje is offering workshops in percussion and classical ballet for children over 5 years old. Ring 928.16.24.49 for details.

September 19th

Royal Visit

King Don Juan Carlos and Doña Sofía of Spain arrived in Fuerteventura to open the Navarrese Francisco Artiles school in Puerto del Rosario. Outside the school Doña Sofía was presented with flowers by some of the children, the king unveiled a plaque on the school wall, then they went inside for a tour of the school and to meet staff and children. They came out to meet the crowds of spectators outside the school.

 

Underwater photography competition.

There is an underwater photography competition to be held between the 10th and 15th October. You must be between 12 and 18 years of age to enter, and sign up at the tourist information office, el Paseo Marítimo nº 2, in Corralejo before the third of October. Call 928 86 62 35 for further details. The competitors will use disposable cameras.

September 18th

King of Spain to visit Fuerteventura

King Don Juan Carlos and Doña Sofía of Spain will open the new school, Navarrese Francisco Artiles private school in Puerto del Rosario, tomorrow September 19th. The ceremony will take place at around 12 noon. The school is situated in the Majada de Marcial region of Puerto del Rosario. Of the school's student population, 30% are children of immigrants, mainly of Colombian, Argentine, Ecuadorian and African and Chinese decent.

September 17th

Improvements to street cleaning services

La Oliva has taken possession of several new pieces of street cleaning equipment to clean up the rubbish from pavements, parks and gardens, plazas and othe public spaces in the municipality. This will allow them to clean every day, rather than alternate days. The beach at Corralejo will also get a clean up on Sundays. Although the new services should improve the cleanliness of the municipality they ask that everyone plays their part in keeping the public spaces tidy.

September 16th

School Provision

Over the last there months there has been 540 new applications for school places on Fuerteventura. The applications, 450 in primary education and 90 secondary, are in the main from children arriving from abroad. The applications come in between June and the school start date this gives little time for forward planning. In some schools, in order to manage the situation, prefabricated classrooms have been used but this is not the preferred solution, as there is a lack of space for activities. To deal with the problem there will be new educational facilities, in Puerto del Rosario and in Las Playitas, Tuineje. New schools are planned for Caleta de Fuste, Antigua, Morro Jable and Pajara, although some of these are waiting for land transfers to be completed. The quality of education on the island is high, however, with many students going on to achieve university education.

September 15th

Preventative measures in case of deluge

The Cabildo has been looking at a plan of emergency, to cope with the extremely heavy rain that the island occasionally experiences. The effects are mainly economic but there may also be loss of human life. The government is to catalogue the measures needed in relation to cleaning up the gullies that take away the water, particularly in urban areas, and examine options for places where damage has been caused before.

September 13th

European day without car

September the 22 celebrates the European day without car, when lots of towns and cities across europe close their centres to traffic allowing freedom for cyclists and pedestrians, and street theatre, live music and arts can be enjoyed. There will be a presentation this morning where Fuerteventura's participation will be considered.

Caleta Paraiso owners page

There will be a page on this site for the owners on the complex, Caleta Paraiso. news.

September 12th

Cycling for equality!

Cristina Spínola is pictured here on the Fuerteventurian leg of her month long mountain bike tour of the archipelago. The ride is to demand equal rights and opportunities for women in the Canary Islands, and it is the first time a woman has crossed the archipelago, alone, on a mountain bike! She will be in Fuerteventura from the 10 to the 14th of September, and would like the support of the women she meets. Cristina hopes to write a book of her travels. Her slogan is:-
   "Equal, no more or less!".

September 11th

Major Highway repairs

The Cabildo have announced that major repairs to the highways of Fuerteventura will commence. Some of the places affected are, Agua de Bueyes-Tiscamanita, La Matilla-La Oliva, around Tarajalejo and Pozo Negro. Other works planned are for, Gran Tarajal and Puerto.

Sporting activities

The La Consejería de Deportes del Cabildo de Fuerteventura, has announced the programme of water sports for adults and children, for the autumn. The courses will run from the 24th October to December 16th. You can enrol for the courses from September 26th in el departamento de Deportes, en la C/ Doctor Fleming, nº 1 de Puerto del Rosario, from 09:00 - 14:00pm. For more details ring 928-532 224,532 096, 531 154.

September 10th

We don't have the details of the winners of the kayak competition right now but you can see photographs of the presentation. The entrants covered the 300km around the coast of Fuerteventura, between the 3rd and the 10th September in 8 stages. There were around 30 entrants from several islands.

September 9th

Kayak competition ends today.

The Kayak race that has taken place around the island of Fuerteventura comes to a close today. The leaders yesterday were:-

Veterano masculino

1º Valentín Pérez 2º Domingo Ramos 3º Francisco Cerpa

Senior masculino

1º Jonay Rodríguez 2º Santiago Consuegra 3º Iván Fuentes

Cadetes masculino

1º Axel Collazo 2º Víctor Torres 3º Aday Alejandro

There will be a presentation of prizes at 5pm in la terraza muelle chico.

Collaboration to combat illegal immigration.

Members of the Moroccan Gendarmeria met with the Fuerteventura Civil guard yesterday to further the collaboration between the two countries to combat the number of people arriving illegally, in open boats from the North coast of Africa. A zodiac was used to take the gendarmes on a tour in the bay of Corralejo, and they saw the various methods such as infrared cameras and radar which are used to track the routes of the boats.

Swimming lessons for the disabled

This summer the la picina municipal de Tuineje held a course of swimming lessons for 15 people with disabilities. Two instructors led the course and a special chair was bought for the purpose. The courses went very well, even though it was a new experience for many of the participants, and the lessons are expected to be repeated over a longer period next year so that more can attend.

September 8th

New nursery school for Puerto

Opening on the 26th September Puerto del Rosario will have a new nursery for children over 3 years old. 20% of places will be reserved for families with low income, and there will be 60 places in total.

Fiesta transport

In order to reduct congestion during the Island's fiesta on the 16 and 17th September, there will be special bus services. Details to follow shortly.

September 7th

Development plan for Puerto

A development plan, to establish managable parameters of growth for the capital, Puerto del Rosario, has had inital agreement from the council. The plan looks at the needs of the growing number of inhabitants of Puerto. Sanitary arrangements, educational needs, recreational needs, services and parking availablity in the town have been considered. Raising the limit on the height of buildings in some areas, and limiting the new commercial ventures to areas designated for this purpose, have been considered. This is an inital proposal, which is out for public consulation.

September 6th

Funding for conservation projects

The Canarian govenment has given around 637,000 euro to fund conservation projects around Fuerteventura, including projects to support the wild animals and birds on the island.

Concern over high weather temperatures

El Ministerio de Sanidad in Spain has shown some concern over the health risks caused by the higher than normal temprature, that we are currently experiencing all over Canary Islands. Measures of over 40 degrees have been recorded. It is expected that these high temperatures will last only one or two days. Thank goodness!

September 5th

Exhibition of paintings in El Toston Tower

Throughout September there will be an exhibition of paintings, photography and sculpture by Carlos Fernández, Edgardo Reed, Francisco Ojeda Dull, Rafael Pérez Rodriguez, Fernando López Zuluaga, Hichan Fahmy, Olga Inn, Rose María Cross Santana, Carlos Adrián Ceriana Bellver, Nadín Calvi, Irene Angarita Thorny, Susana Llobet Estany and Medina Rodriguez. It is open from 9am to 4pm

Damage by Rabbits

The department of Agriculture, Stockbreeding and Fishing has been inundated by complaints from farmers about the damage to farming, inflicted by the growing rabbit population on the island. The problem will be brought up at the next meeting of the hunting Insular Counsel.

September 4th

XIV Rally de Antigua

The rally was won by Miguel Curbelo Rodrigues and Juan Carlos Álvarez Cabrera. For photographs of the event see XIV Rallye de Antigua For photographs of the presentation evening at the Atlantico Centre, see the XIV Rallye de Antigua Presentation.

Slap'n'Tickle

A new bar, the Slap 'n' Tickle, opened yesterday evening inside the Castillo Mar complex, which is situated almost opposite the Elba Castillo San Jorge. The bar looks like being a lot of fun and had some great entertainment on the opening evening.

September 3rd

The Rally de Antigua is going on at this moment, we will let you know the winners tomorrow. For photographs see XIV Rallye de Antigua

September 2nd

Baggage Handler Strike Threat

The baggage handlers at Fuerteventura airport are not happy over the transfer of their jobs from one company to another. They are threatening to strike on the 14th September.

Antigua Car Rally

The Antigua car rally takes place tomorrow. The cars will be on show at the Atlantico Centre, as registration takes place from 7pm. There are a total of 38 teams entered. The Atlantico centre is the starting point for the rally tomorrow. The photo shows action from the La Oliva Rally, held earlier in the year.

Isla Lobos clean up.

The island of Lobos has undergone a two day clean up of all the accumulated litter that has built up over time.

© "sunnyfuerteventura.com 2005"

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