What's this about a Tapa Route?

In an effort to attract business to local bars at this financial junction, the Council's Festivities department has organised a Tapa Route. The idea is to collect a 'passport' (see picture below) from one of the participating bars or restaurants, have a drink and at least one of their featured tapas (each place has one obligatory tapa; tapa + drink only 2 euros!!) get the passport stamped and go on to the next establishment. There are 8 bars taking part, and you only need 4 stamps to participate in a draw with a prize of dinner for two. Have fun!!

Passport, front and back cover

Inside the passport, must be stamped and filled in to participate in draw

La Estrella to present this year's August Fair

All ferias and such events in Spain begin with an official opening called a pregón. Jimena's feria this year will be officially opened by two representatives of what has been for years our favourite charity: Asociación de Minusválidos de Jimena de la Frontera La Estrella. That's it's long, long official title, but our long-time readers know them simply as La Estrella. Over the years our readers have raised funds for the handicapped children of the village by holding car boot sales, markets, lunches, etc. Long may that continue. The President of La Estrella, our friend Antonio Mario Andrade Saraiva, and another stalwart friend and member of the board, Eloisa García Palacios, will be making the speech this year, onstage at El Paseo at (about) 10 on Friday evening, before the coronation (See full programme). To quote from the feria programme, written by La Estrella: "Our needs are many, and our resources too few. We are a total of 50 members and our membership fees only €3 per month, to which we add raffles, charity events, markets, concerts and precious little else."

The association began officially on November 18, 1999. A group of parents and family members got together to find a common front with which to face the challenges their children presented daily. They started by locating and hiring the services of a speech therapist, a basic need for these children's various handicaps, as a way for better integration, a way to diminish the consequences of marginalistaion.

The parents do as much as they possibly can but they have very little time for leisure or relaxation, absorbed as they are by the needs of their boys and girls. So they therefore need the rest of us to set up as many events as we can - anybody out there willing to take anything on?

As this is written, the stars of La Estrella are headed to the swimming pool having just taken part in their daily workshop, which is fun as well as an educational experience. The summer activities are possible only through the funds raised by the rest of us. And, we're told, a continuation of their daily school-term routine is very important for them, because they remain active and stimulated. 

You can easily become a member even if you do not have a challenged child. Just e-mail us at CampoPulse with your details, and we will make sure you get the minimal paperwork needed. (Prospero takes a big interest in La Estrella just because of how grateful he is that his children are not handicapped the way La Estrella's kids are.)

You will see some of the kids at the coronation ceremony on Friday evening (See programme)

Q & A about the Feria

Monday is NOT a local holiday, but Wednesday is a regional one

We are often asked as to procedures, schedules, traditions and customs regarding the fair. Below you will find what we hope are useful pointers. (PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ITEMS SUCH AS THIS MAY BE SUBJECT TO SUBSCRIPTION IN THE FUTURE. You can DONATE through our sidebar PayPal feature to help keep this site FREE)

Q. Why is everything scheduled so late?

A. Because it is summer, and hot. In any case, there are a number of children's activities planned during the day (See programme)

Q. Why is everything so late?

A. (No, it's not the same question as above - this one refers to the difference between the planned schedule and reality) Because a feria is a time to relax and have fun, and because nothing in Spain starts on time except the trains and the bullfights - with the regional exception of Catalonia, whose inhabitants don't think they're part of Spain anyway.

Q. When do you wear your feria dress?

A: We don't.

Q. No, seriously, when are the women supposed to wear their lovely flamenco dresses?

A. Whenever they like. But, depending on their age, it is advisable to wear them on Saturday and Sunday (it is a tradition to have at least two dresses for each day - just kidding, it used to be a tradition but became too expensive). Children, in the evening; middle-aged+ at any time they can get away with it; the rest, in the evening. (Get it? Wear them in the evening for the August Fair, and at other times of the day at the May Fair.)

Q. Is Monday a hangover day?

A. Depends on how much you pour down your gullet, dunnit? In fact, Monday this year is NOT a local Hangover Monday, it's business as usual. Wednesday, August 15, though, is a regional holiday and many things will be closed.

Q. What about parking?

A. Leave the car at home if possible. If not, leave the car at home. Or as far away as you can walk. Parking at Feria time is hell off wheels. See our separate item.

Q: How do we know what's happening where?

A. Read the blessed programme that we took so much trouble putting up. It is also printed in Spanish in the official programme. Please note, too, that nothing at all happens after lunch (local lunchtime starts at 2pm, not at noon), except on Sunday at the pool.

Q. What on earth is the Tapa Route?

A. Nothing to do with the Earth except in this tiny piece of it. See our separate item.

Q. Why have a feria at all, with all that noise?

A. Oh, shut up!

FERIA 2012 - Parking and traffic changes

JIMENA This year's feria takes place this weekend, from Friday evening (plus one event in the morning, see programme in another article) to Sunday night. The principal events such as the coronation of the Queen, take place in the main square. Therefore parking at the square is not allowed until the end of the feria. 'Bank street' (Calle Sevilla at the Paseo end) will be closed throughout because the craft market is going there. There will be barriers and indications to divert traffic through other streets. Parking, on the whole, will be difficult at the bottom of the village because the rides are located at the Fiday market square and the flat land behind the school (known as Llano de Jacobo).

COMPLETE FERIA PROGRAMME IN ENGLISH

COMPLETE FERIA PROGRAMME

(Translated by TranslationHELP, with comments and directions by Prospero)

Friday, August 10

11.30 to 14.00 - Children's games and activities at the Municipal Swimmming Pool. Designed and devised by Márgenes y Vínculos.

20.30 - Parade of floats for the Infant and Junior Queens of the Fair. Leaves the top of the village at La Bodega to the main square (El Paseo, Plaza de la Constitución) down Fuentenueva and Sevilla · The municipal band will be in attendance.

22.00 - Coronation of the Queens of the Fair. Official announcement (pregón) of the fair by representatives of La Estrella, Jimena's handicapped organization (see separate item) · Awards to two outstanding local sports people · Show by Juan Carlos Arauzo, of La Línea.

23.00 - Opening of the crafts market (on 'Bank Street': Lower Calle Sevilla), with the cooperation of Vendaval, who will be making pottery · Performance by Trio Aquabel onstage at the main square · Opening of the Youth Marquee (Caseta de la Juventud, in square car park, but not actually a marquee).

Saturday, August 11

11.00 - Children's theatre, performance of the play: 'La Constitución del 12'. On the main square .

12.00 noon - Children's Party, organized by the local youth association  'Mirador Joven'. Children taking part must bring 20 balloons.

13.00 - First edition of the Tapa Route, through various participating bars and restaurants. (See separate explanatory article)

19.00 - Football Tournament in the primary school playground (at the bottom of Calle Romo). Children's event by Pequeño Duende group on El Paseo

19.30 - 'High tea' (merienda cena) for pensioners on El Paseo, with entertainment by Isabel Dueñas and Trio Aquabel

21.00 - Pádel (paddle tennis) tournaments finals at the courts by the sports pavilion

22.30 - Trio Aquabel act onstage at El Paseo

23.30 - Flamenco group Arte y Compás onstage at El Paseo · Music at Youth Marquee

Sunday, August 12

12.00 noon - Gathering at El Paseo for a Domingo Rociero (festive atmosphere)

13.00 - Tapa Route

15.00 Traditional Swimming competition at the municipal pool. Registration takes place there, before the event

21.00 - Theatre group on El Paseo, by La Serda

22.00 - Musical performance by Chico Valdivia

23.00 - More music -coplas, Spanish non-flamenco- by Virginia Guerrero · And Trio Aquabel · Music and more at the Youth Marquee.

THE ORGANIZATION RESERVES THE RIGHT

 TO MAKE CHANGES TO THIS PROGRAMME

Have you found Snoopy yet?

JIMENA Yesterday, Monday, we posted a picture of the firefighters' building just outside the main village. Snoopy is on there, as we can prove herewith. The idea was to get you, Dear JimenaPulse Reader, to move over to CampoPulse, as this one will be disappearing at the end of the month - that's Thursday! So if you haven't yet put CampoPulse into your Bookmarks /Favourites list, this is the time to do so. Note to advertisers: as from Friday, June 1, your ads will now be appearing exclusively on CampoPulse, which gives you better value for money as the readership increases considerably and your message spreads further. If you have any questions, please e-mail us, or comment below.

The Flowers of Jimena / Las flores de Jimena

Patricia Lucas exhibition this weekend

JIMENA Long time resident Patricia Lucas (also known as Pat Fender) is holding an exhibition of her fabulous paintings this weekend at the Casa Verde de Agaden (Calle Sevilla 51, just below the town hall) in Jimena from Friday, June 1 to Sunday, June 10. Opening hours are from 5 to 9pm. Pat has a magnificent way with wild flowers in her paintings, mostly landscapes - but we really want to know what is new.

Firemen at work - and a good thing, too!

JIMENA This photo was taken on Friday morning when a delivery lorry popped its brakes as it was parked at the furniture store opposite the petrol station and rolled down towards the main road (and the aforesaid petrol station!). Fortunately, a street light post got in the way and stopped it. The firemen are removing the post. The driver ran after his lorry but wasn't able to clamber in until the vehicle stopped. Poor man was not in a good state but luckily there was no major accident nor was anyone hurt. The firemen had to spray the road as there was a diesel fuel leakage.

Where's Snoopy?

JIMENA Can you find Snoopy on this building? It appears the firefighters were bored one day last week and put up a Snoopy doll somewhere on this building. We'll give you the answer tomorrow, Tuesday. This is a trick so you come back to JimenaPulse again - even though it will soon be transmogrified (merged is a synonym) into CampoPulse because it gets to be boring and tiresome to duplicate items in both places. Have you put CampoPulse into your Favourite/bookmark yet?

Diana Jacklin sings Verdi's Lady Macbeth

(Source: CODA music society) Diana Jacklin sings Lady Macbeth's aria Ambizioso Spirto from Verdi's Macbeth. Kristin Okerlund is at the piano. Diana Jacklin came to the first International Music Festivals of Jimena and was a wild success. She returned several times, not just to perform but also as a private visitor. Great to see her here!

'We want a meeting with the Mayor'

JIMENA We read about this on TioJimeno, and herewith offer an abridged, translated version of the open letter Elizabeth and John Holtermann sent to our colleagues up the road. "To Jimena Town Hall: We have asked for a meeting with the Secretary, and it was cancelled. Meanwhile, we wrote to the Mayor and handed the letter to him personally, but have received no answer. We assume that anyone living in a municipality has the right to a meeting, if not with the Mayor, then with the Secretary. We thought we would no longer have to deal with the same kind of people as we did with the previous administration, but it looks as though we're wrong. Therefore we ask: if the Secretary cancels a meeting and the Mayor doesn't reply to our letter, what's the point in having voted for another party at the elections?" We at JimenaPulse have some answers that might interest the Holtermanns (see below).>>>

Terror Tour of Jimena

JIMENA The second Terror Tour of Jimena, organized by Posada La Casa Grande, is scheduled for Friday, June 1. The poster reads 'Witches, Apparitions and Scary stories that happened here'. Thrilling! The price of €45 p/p includes dinner and accommodation on Friday, and breakfast on Saturday, which seems very reasonable.

Oba to hold a concert to benefit La Estrella

'Antique' poster
(Photo: tiojimeno.es)

JIMENA The local charity that helps the handicapped (and JimenaPulse's favourite) is to benefit from a concert by Oba, a local band (not the bar & more!) that came together in the 1980s. The idea is to raise funds for La Estrella's summer activities for the kids. The concert is on Saturday, June 2, from 10pm at the Iglesia de la Victoria. Tickets are €5 at the door, and additional donations are accepted. The band Oba (the name is that given to Jimena by the Romans) is made up of several members who look a lot older than in the poster illustrating this item, which is not surprising because they are. You will recognize several of them as people whom you see every day. In any case, La Estrella is hoping for a good turnout because they need the community's support.

Province's most expensive house for sale is in Jimena

(Photo: idealista.com)

JIMENA The most expensive house for sale in the province of Cádiz is in Jimena, according to EuropaSur. For sale to a private buyer, it offers nine bedrooms, five bathrooms, a polo field and fifty boxes for stabling, it is listed at €6,800,000 - eighth on the nationwide real estate website. The property has 16 hectares, and the main house is about 1,000m2. According to Idealista.com, the most expensive home they list is in Marbella and priced at €25million.

Coda Chamber Orchestra and Children's Orchestra programme

JIMENA We received this this morning, just in time to let you know what exactly you will be able to hear tomorrow, Saturday 12, at 7pm at the Convento in Estación - which we first announced here. It's an interesting and very varied programme that ranges from Purcell and Bach to Lloyd Webber and Elgar. See details below.>>>

Reader's Question: Looking for a house share?

Illustration only!!!

This is a great opportunity to cut down on expenses. For just €200 per month, plus usage costs, you can share a lovely large house in Jimena with great views and a big garden. Call Graham on 671 865 588.

Feria: kids' rides open tomorrow at reduced prices

JIMENA The children's rides at this year's Feria de Mayo - setting up as we write behind and around the sports pavilion - will be opening tomorrow evening at very reduced prices: only €1.50. This is thanks to an arrangement by the Council's Concejalía de Festejos with the ride operators.

Coda Orchestra and Jimena Children's concert this Saturday

Just-for-fun illustration only

JIMENA (Press release) Intensive rehearsals are under way for the Annual Summer Concert organised by Coda, Jimena´s Cultural Association which is to be held in the Convento in Estación de Jimena on Saturday  May 12 at 7pm. Tickets at the door: €5, €3 for CODA members (Money collected will go towards purchase of instruments for Children's Orchestra).Taking part will be Jimena's own Chamber Orchestra featuring works by Corelli, Kajanus and Purcell. This time we will welcome the English flautist, William Tilsden, to play the famous Bach Suite in B minor for Flute and Strings. A regular feature of these concerts is the inclusion of the Children´s Orchestra of Jimena.  This popular group have only been playing together for a little over 4 years and are already enchanting audiences with their ability, enthusiasm and joy of making music. This orchestra represents the coming together of the children who learn an orchestral instrument in the rapidly-developing Escuela Municipal de Música de Jimena de la Fontera.>>>

Jimena Real Estate has moved

Click to enlarge

Jimena Real Estate, run by Phil Markham, has moved to new offices at the Cámara de Comercio building in Estación (See map, left). All the company's business will be conducted as usual from the new location, including real estate sales and purchases, rental management, etc. Phil's mobile phone number stays the same (+34 617 390 984) but he will no longer have a land line available. His Skype address is still phil.markham2, though. He invites friends and clients to come by and visit the new premises on the first floor of the building.