News in Brief for the Costa de Almeria area

Good start ALMERIA CITY celebrated Tomato Day on March 19 in honour of one of the province’s most important crops.  The day started with a workshop that offered the opportunity of breakfasting at a symbolic price on the Spanish classic of toast, olive oil and grated raw tomato, plus coffee.  

Heavy work AS Easter approaches, Nijar brotherhoods are rehearsing for the Holy Week processions although a group from the Los Nietos district are still seeking volunteers to carry the Jesus Cautivo statue.  “We aren’t asking for anything, just commitment to take part in a two-hour, peaceful procession,” a spokesman insisted.

Strike action GUARDIA CIVIL and Policia Nacional officers reported 17 incidents on March 15 and 16 when Alicante province pickets tried to divert non-striking lorry drivers or prevent them leaving parking areas. Central government sources also revealed that three people who blocked roads were arrested for “endangering persons and merchandise.”

Inland exodus ALMERIA province has a population of 706,000 inhabitants but only 170,000 now live in its inland towns and villages. According to the latest available statistics this has resulted in 21 municipalities where no babies were born in 2020, while Alcudia de Monteagud has seen no births since 2012.

Cutting down SANTIAGO LAFUENTE, multinational Aqualia’s Spanish director, announced that although Almeria province’ population has grown by 30 per cent in the last 30 years, it now needs less water, consuming 30 cubic hectometres in 1993 compared with the present 16 cubic hectometres. “Almeria’s biggest reservoir is efficiency,” Lafuente said.