How To Install The AlertCops Mobile App

 The AlertCops App allows us to connect with the local police, either for personal assistance or to report a crime happening in your vicinity.

If you have a Smartphone it's well worth downloading this app; you never know when you or someone you know may need it.

Below are the instructions on how to install the app: 

Almanzora Group of Friends

Did you know that Albox has an English Library & Information Centre?

Serving the Almanzora Valley, it is called "Almanzora Group Of Friends". They are located in Plaza San Antonio in the Barrio Alto and membership is €12 annually, which gives you access to all their services.

Local Defibrillators and "Ariadna"

To my knowledge, there are two Defibrillators in Albox, one in the Pabellón Municipal/Sports Centre (Avenida América) and another in the Centro para Tercera Edad/Pensioners Community Centre (Plaza de San Francisco).

I have recently been informed about two Defibrillators in La Piedra Amarilla, one in the Bar-Restaurant The Sunburnt Arms and another in Cafe-Bar Lorena's.

I am also aware of two Defibrillators in Zurgena, one in the Pabellón Municipal/Sports Centre and another in the Piscina Municipal/Public Swimming Pool.

The details of all of these DEA's are recorded in the App "Ariadna", which is dedicated entirely to recording the location of Defibrillators. Unfortunately, the App is entirely in Spanish but, as it uses a map to record locations, it should still prove useful to non-Spanish speakers.

The App is free and relies entirely on user submissions so even if you aren't well versed enough in Spanish to use it yourself, do feel free to let me know of any Defibrillators in your area that haven't been recorded and I shall add them.

To do so, I would need as precise a location as possible with at least two pictures, one showing the overall location of the DEA and another with a close-up. I would also need to know if there is restricted access e.g: if the Defibrillator is inside a bar, what are the opening hours? Is there a way to access the Defibrillator when the bar is closed? How? etc...

With any luck, we will be able to build an up-to-date guide of Defibrillators in the Almanzora Valley.

New Website "Support In Spain"

SUPPORT IN SPAIN

This is a recently launched website supported by the British Consulate as an online guide for British nationals and other foreign residents in Spain, who may need extra help and advice. The web page is in English and Spanish and will be updated and evolved as time goes by. It's definitely worth taking a look and saving the link to your computer.

www.supportinspain.info

2019 Calendars - National, Regional and Local Holidays and when to pay your local taxes

The town hall has published two useful calendars showing all public holidays applicable to Albox and when you should expect to pay your local taxes.

Print them off and stick them to your fridge!

USEFUL GUIDES PROVIDED BY ALBOX FOREIGN RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

Since its inception Albox Foreign Residents Association has created a number of useful guides which are now permanently available for your benefit on this blog. See "Useful Links" to the right of this text.

Here you can find out:

How to Register to Vote

Read all about the Services Provided by the Town Hall

Explore your Rubbish Collection and Recycling Options

Find your GPS Coordinates

Learn about the Salud Responde phone app for making Dr´s appointments

Find out how to obtain a Digital Certificate 

More will be added as we go along. 

EEN VERENIGING VAN CIVIELE BESCHERMING / CIVIL PROTECTION ASSOCIATION

Wij werden gecontacteerd door een plaatselijke resident die een Asociación de Protección Civil of een Vereniging van Civiele bescherming of burgerbescherming  (verder Asociación de Protección Civil) wil oprichten in Albox/ We have been contacted by a local resident who is seeking to establish a Asociación de Protección Civil or Civil Protection Association in Albox.

Hij is op zoek naar vrijwilligers, ongeacht beroep, leeftijd, gezindheid, geslacht en nationaliteit, die een groep willen vormen om de hulpdiensten in hun werk bij te staan bij geplande evenementen en/of bij natuurrampen / He is looking for volunteers who are motivated by a common desire to serve their community who come from all professions, ages, conditions, sexes and nationalities who will form a group to supplement the work of the emergency services during planned events and/or in the event of a natural catastrophe. 

Wat is een Asociación de Protección Civil ?/ What is a Civil Protection Association?

Een Asociación de Protección Civil is een vereniging erkend en bij wet bepaald door de autoriteiten van de Civiele Bescherming.  Het is een geregistreerde, onafhankelijke, non profit vereniging samengesteld uit vrijwilligers, die optreedt onder toezicht van de autoriteiten, bijstand en assistentie verleent bij noodtoestand of ramp met als doel de burger, eigendommen en de omgeving te beschermen. / An Asociación de Protección Civil or Civil Protection Association is a body recognised by the Civil Protection authorities and regulated in law. It is a registered, independent, not for profit association, made up of volunteers who, acting under the direction of the authorities, provide support and assistance in the event of an emergency or catastrophe in order to protect citizens, property and the environment.

De Asociación de Protección Civil is geïntegreerd in het Civiele Beschermingsnetwerk door een formeel akkoord van samenwerking met het stadsbestuur en kan volgende taken toebedeeld krijgen:  / A Civil Defence Association is normally integrated into the Civil Defence network via a formal agreement of collaboration with the town hall and its activities can include:

• Werken onder toezicht van de professionele hulpdiensten tijdens geplande evenementen om de veiligheid te verzekeren van de burger, eigendom en omgeving/  Working under the direction of the professional security services during planned events to ensure the safety of citizens, property and the environment.
• Taken uitvoeren die zijn opgenomen in het draaiboek of plan bij noodgevallen onder toezicht van de Coördinator , de stedelijke autoriteiten, de politie en brandweer/   Undertaking tasks in emergency situations in line with the activities set out in Emergency Plans and under the direction of the Plan Director, the Municipal Authority or the Policia Local and the Fire Brigade.
• Deelnemen aan het opstellen en simulatie van actieplannen in samenwerking met de plaatselijke autoriteiten/  Participating in the creation and simulation of Plans of Action in the event of an emergency in collaboration with the local authorities
• Samenwerken met de plaatselijke autoriteiten om relevante informatie te verschaffen betreffende de civiele bescherming van de burger /  Working with local authorities to provide information relevant to Civil Protection to citizens.

Men heeft bijzondere belangstelling voor mensen die reeds enige kennis hebben van bijvoorbeeld EHBO, radiocommunicatie en/of meer dan één taal machtig zijn om de communicatie binnen de groep en met de bevolking te verbeteren.

Maar iedereen, ook diegenen zonder voorkennis of opleiding, die bereid zijn een nieuwe bekwaamheid aan te leren om de gemeenschap te helpen en bij te staan is welkom / 

They would particularly like to hear from people who have an existing skill set such as first aid, knowing how to operate a radio and/or who speak more than one language to help facilitate communication within the group and with the general public but everyone is welcome if you are willing to learn a new skill and help your community.

Indien belangstelling: Interested?  gelieve te mailen naar info.avea.ass@gmail.com en wij geven uw info door aan de organisatoren.  Bij voldoende belangstelling wordt de Asociación de Protección Civil opgericht / Please email us at info.avea.ass@gmail.com and we will pass your details to the organizers. If there is sufficient interest the association will be formed.

(de vertaler van de Engelse tekst naar het Nederlands is een vrijwilliger, geen tolk)

RUBBISH COLLECTION AND RECYCLING IN ALBOX

Rubbish Collection

Rubbish collection services are provided by the Consorcio de Basura Almanzora Levante. ie. NOT the town hall. Their offices are located in Avda 28 de Febero, nº30, 04800 ALBOX (Almería), between Dia Supermarket and the BP garage.

Their website is : Consorcio de Basura where you can download forms to change the name of the person who receives the bill (cambio de titularidad), request to pay via your bank account (domiciliación de pago) or ask for another bin (Solicitud de Contenedor), among other things. 

They provide the following containers in various locations and empty them on a regular basis:

Yellow Bins:  Plastic bottles (drinks, mineral water, detergents, fabric softeners, plastic bags, yoghurt pots, plastic food containers etc). Metal Tins (Drinks and beer, food tins etc) and Cartons (milk, juices, soup and other types of food such as sugar, vegetables....)

Blue Bins: All types of cartons such as breakfast cereals, biscuits, shoe boxes, frozen food containers, paper bags, cardboard and paper such as wrapping paper, newspapers, magazines etc.

Disposing of household items (furniture, white goods)

Householders are permitted to deposit furniture or household items next to the rubbish containers for collection on certain days of the month. In Albox this is currently the 14th and 29th of each month. Items should be deposited next to the bins the DAY BEFORE collection is due. 

IT IS NOT PERMITTED TO DEPOSIT ANYTHING OTHER THAN HOUSEHOLD ITEMS NEXT TO THE BINS. NO BUILDING RUBBLE, NO GARDEN WASTE.

Garden Waste

Take it to the Recycling Center (see below) or burn it during the times of the year when fires are permitted. It is NOT permitted to dump garden waste next to the bins. You risk a fine if you are caught doing so.

The burning of garden waste is absolutely forbidden between the months of June and October, inclusive. Take it to the Punto Limpio!

Recycling Center (PUNTO LIMPIO)

Location (google maps) :    Punto Limpio Albox

Opening Hours:  Mon - Friday 08.00 - 14.00 and 15.30 to 18.30

                           CLOSED Sat - Sun

What can I bring to the Recycling Center

Householders can bring the following items to the recycling center FREE OF CHARGE:

• Paper and Cardboard
• Containers (Cartons, Plastic,cans)
• Glass
• Rubble and residue of minor building works
• Electrical appliances
• Electronics and Computing equipment
• Furniture and household goods
• Textiles (clothes and footware)
• Garden cuttings and waste
• Domestic vegetable oil
• Batteries
• Fluorescent tubes and lightbulbs
• Aerosols
• Ink jet toners and cartridges
• x-rays
• Contaminated plastic and metal containers (paints, solvents)

Admissible Quantities

The following table sets out the permitted limits for each category of waste. You are permitted to dump waste in each category twice a month. You may be asked to provide your NIE number depending on the type of waste being deposited (eg. electrical goods). If you exceed these limits you may be charged a fee:

REPORT ON THE FIRST EVER PUBLIC MEETING OF AVEA - 9th MAY

The first ever public meeting of AVEA took place on 9th May  and was chaired by its president, Claire Barrett who reported that we now have over 107 members!

The objective of this informal gathering, where new members were welcomed, was to exchange ideas and to help set the priorities for the committee.

A diverse number of topics were discussed such as rubbish collection, roads, the need for more information regarding recycling, Albox Cinema, promoting special interest groups such as Bee Keepers and Ham Radio, how to get an Ambulance to your door etc.

In her introductory speech Claire explained that the aims of the association were to provide an organised line of communication between its members and the town hall of Albox channelling issues and suggestions on behalf of members as well as helping to disseminate information from the town hall.  The association also aims to perform a similar role with other bodies such as the Consorsio de Basura (Rubbish collection) and the Punto Limpio (Recycling Centre) .

In addition, the association wish to bring people together to create a sense of community, to pursue common interests and to promote integration into Spanish life.

Claire emphasised that her aim as president was to promote a positive ethos in the association. "Its not all about channelling complaints" she said. "Its about participating in our community in positive ways and I agreed to chair this association on that basis".

There was also massive consensus among those present that the association must be open to all foreign residents, not just British residents, with an effort to be made to communicate in languages other than English to promote a sense of inclusion and community. 

And finally, it was most definitely agreed that members came to Albox because they wished to live in a Spanish community and any efforts by the committee to turn the town into 'Little Britain' would be met with resistance!

Want to join us ?? It's FREE!  Here's how Membership

DETAILS OF OUR FIRST INFORMAL MEMBERS MEETING - WEDNESDAY 9th MAY

Please join us on Wednesday 9th May in La Parrilla to learn about the newly formed Albox Foreign Residents' Association (AVEA) and to share YOUR ideas on what the priorities of the association should be.

New members are most welcome. You may register on the day with your name, address and NIE number so please have your NIE number to hand when you arrive.

LETTER TO TOWN HALL RE. NAMING OF ROADS

One of the most common complaints of members joining the association relates to the lack of postal addresses in rural areas. This is an issue that causes a number of practical problems as set out in our very first communication to the Mayor of Albox, Francisco Torrecillas.

The letter states that in the villages and countryside surrounding Albox there exists a concerning number of roads and streets without a proper address.

The lack is concerning because it causes problem for the delivery of administrative mail such as IBI, tax bills, invoices etc.

More importantly, if residents need the ambulance, police or fire services they are unable to respond adequately. It is of concern that this issue could result in grave consequences, if it has not already done so.

Thus, in the name of the members of the association I would like to ask the town hall to initiate a project to analyse the issue, that we believe to be considerable, and to take appropriate measures to resolve it.

We appreciate that it is a complex problem but we believe that residents of Albox would support it and would assist if that is required.

The letter concludes "This is my first communication as president of this Association and I hope that this is the start of a dialogue that is of benefit to both the town hall and residents alike".

We are currently organising our first members meeting where we look forward to meeting you in person to hear more about your ideas, suggestions and concerns. Watch this space for more details!