Algorfa Latest news

Integration - Nov 2008

• In order to strengthen ties the Councillor for European residents has launched an ambitious programme to teach English and Spanish.

• The Councillor Samantha Biddles explained the new educational plan which is to "learn to speak Spanish in a practical and enjoyable way, but also on the programme the Spanish neighbours will be taught English language and culture."

• This programme is aimed by pairing up couples who will perform various every day tasks in order to use the language.

• The Councillor for the residents indicated that "this way of learning does not just teach the language, but also deepens the Spanish culture and lifestyle." Within the programme the students will devote one hour a reading of children's books in the library. The librarian will read stories with a simple vocabulary to encourage reading this way the students will progress quicker.

• Meetings are held in the cultural centre San Vicente Ferrer Calle Mayor every Tuesday at 21.00pm.

The local police officers are learning English - Nov 2008

• The Mancomunidad for Foundation Services in the Vega Baja developed a training course in English for the local police officers. The cultural centre San Vicente Ferrer welcomed this proposal under the title "English for police personnel and primary care."

• Agents of Algorfa are now fluent in addressing the different situations that are required at work: the description of people and vehicles, the need for urgent medical attention and expressions that are used in English to try to reassure and calm people.

Algorfa Police - Nov 2008

• Local police officers from Algorfa visited the public school Miguel Cervantes in order to educate the children with a road traffic educational programme regarding road safety and by practicing traffic rules.

• The school playground became an urban bicycle circuit, this was a newly created idea and set up by the Local Police Awareness Road Safety. An overall activity in which all children were very participatory, they all came prepared and provided their own bicycles.

• All schoolchildren participated on the first day which was aimed to educate the youngsters on pedestrians and other drivers. Two police officers were regulating the traffic and a couple of the schoolchildren led the initial talk in English. Inside the school, Highway Code signals were placed in the corridors and forbidden stop signs were hung at the main entrance. The initiative from the City Council was launched on European Day for Road Safety.

• This new unit from the Local Police is mandated to raise awareness of the dangers which can occur by not respecting traffic rules. The officials, who already speak English, will give lectures and training to foreigners and will initiate workshops on road safety.

Enrol now for Algorfa School of sports 2008-2009 - Nov 2008

• The Department of Algorfa Sports has opened registration for this terms municipal sports school. The registration period for this year's sports academy began the 1st of September with football training already underway with more than 70 students. The other sport activities started in early October.

• The practiced sports are tennis, basketball, volleyball, golf, football and as a novelty martial arts. 120 children between the ages of 6 and 14 years are expected to register.

Finalization of the Industrial estate with roundabout access - Nov 2008

• The proposed industrial estate of Algorfa is nearly completed with the construction of a roundabout for easy access. The last phase of this action is home to a budget of 300,000 euros funded by the Ministry of Industry.

• The contractors have built a roundabout with several palm trees which will be accompanied with surrounding gardens. The total green areas have been estimated at 20 per cent of the tertiary surface. The industrial estate has new installations for Street lighting as well as a system for collecting rainwater. The Alcaldé states "this is to provide greater security to the entrance of the site and also to the cemetery as there are several turn offs and a complete change of ground." The draft also includes signalling pathways.

• This urbanization has reached a total investment of 1.5 billion euros and covers the needs of industrial land within the municipality.

• The practiced sports are tennis, basketball, volleyball, golf, football and as a novelty martial arts. 120 children between the ages of 6 and 14 years are expected to register.

The work of the football field is progressing - Nov 2008

• Work to install the artificial turf soccer field is under way, the work is progressing at a fast pace and is expected to be completed early November. Work will continue until next month and is now in its final phase. The Association are working to strengthen the interest of the sport and it will have new benches for the supporters. The whole project is in collaboration with the Provincial Government.

Children of the Council Nursery begin this year's term paying for registration only - Nov 2008

• Children who were enrolled this year for the municipal nursery in Algorfa have already commenced this new term. The 37 children along with their parents and teachers began in early September, the introduction period.

• The councillor of Education, Mari Carmen Garcia stated, "This year we have a subsidy from the Ministry of Education that allows us to offer this service free of charge to parents and they only have to pay registration and no monthly payments, the Mayor reported that "we currently have 37 children enrolled, the Nurseries capacity is 43, a figure that we are expecting in the coming weeks."

• Four teachers caring for the infants in three classrooms, the City Council has authorized one teacher for children 1 to 2 years, and two teachers for those enrolled in 2 to 3 years. This school has a large patio with swings, dining and a games room where educational toys are utilised to help adapt the children during their first stages of the course. Some of the tots opposed the first day with all their might not to end their holiday, so there were a few tears.

The Department of Tourism in collaboration with the mancomunidad of the Vega Baja have launched a course in table decoration for local restaurantsand bars - Nov 2008

• Entrepreneurs wishing to catch up on preparing their restaurants must register with Algorfa Council, or at the headquarters of the Mancomunidad. Classes are 11th 12th and 13th of Nov; they have a total duration of nine hours. The workshop schedule is set for 16:30 to 19:30.

• This training is offered free of charge from the Centre of Tourism Interian (CDT Affairs) and is managed by professionals. The initiative focuses not only to owners of restaurants and bars, but to establishments that serve all kinds of meals.

• The requirements to join are: completing the registration form, be active in personnel and a copy of the DNI. For the course to begin it must have a minimum number of registrations.

Collaboration with the British Consulate - Nov 2008

• The Councillor for European Residents has initiated a plan of cooperation with the British consulate. The main reason for the collaboration is to inform the local pensioners of foreign origin of all their rights and guarantee information for residents here in Spain.

• At present British residents who receive their retirement pension are losing around 250 euros per month with the exchange rate the value of the pound sterling against the euro, an important situation that needs revising by the British government.

• Also we are focussing on British citizens entitlements regarding benefits from Social Security. (The majority of benefits are not claimable if you don't live in the UK) All those interested in learning more about this municipal initiative, please contact your community president, or the Ayuntamiento.

The Cultural Centre San Vicente Ferrer hosts an employment programme - Nov 2008

• The Cultural Centre in the town is the meeting point for all those seeking work who are not clear where to begin to find employment, or for those who have doubts concerning the working world.

• Convega launched this employment programme in collaboration with the Council of Development and Culture from the Ayuntamiento Manuel Antonio Esteve and Mari Carmen Garcia, with the support of Servef. The aim is to promote the employability of the unemployed in the municipality also seeking to encourage the establishment of business projects as a means for self-employment.

• People interested in receiving guidance may obtain information at the Agency of Local Development or Convega at the Plaza Marquis of Rafal, Orihuela 2. They can also phone for an appointment on the tel/ 96 530 70 72 or via the internet http://convega.com/servicioempleo

School Reform - Nov 2008

• The council has made several reforms during this summer at the Miguel de Cervantes School to ensure this terms students have optimal conditions. Local authorities redecorated the walls of the classrooms and entrances; also general maintenance and repairs.

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