Mazarron's beaches were closed last weekend due to a huge influx of jellyfish which resulted in at least 196 stings. The worst stings were treated by lifeguards on duty at the time. The worst area was at Puerto Beach, where 52 people were attended to. El Castellar Beach reported 40 stings, and Rihuete 31.

A twinning ceremony was carried out last Monday evening in the auditorium of the Los Alcazares Park as part of the celebrations of the International Week of Huerta and the Sea. Every year an evening is devoted to a neighboring town and this year, to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the event, the leading role was given to Murcia. The mayor of Los Alcazares, Encarna Gil, described Murcia as an beautiful city which her townsfolk were proud to have at neighbours. She said it was an excellent [...]

The Civil Protection Services of San Javier and Cartagena, together with the Municipal Emergency Service of San Javier, and 061 emergency staff, took part in a joint training exercise last week together with officers from the La Manga Fire Station and local paramedics. The aim was the improvement of the coordination between the different agencies, as well as providing training and the exchange of experiences between the different areas of emergency support staff involved in the La Manga and Mar [...]

Greenfingers Sector ‘C' would like to say a big thank you to local businessman Andrew Brown who has donated a large amount of plants to the group after reading about their efforts in the local press. Andrew is delivering the plants this week and the volunteers are ready to plant them around the sector which will much improve the area. Also the group would like to say thank you to Kim who has sponsored their newsletter this month and has paid all the printing costs in return for advertising [...]

SAMM (the Sailing Association of the Mar Menor) is going from strength to strengh, and it is hardly surprising when you see what they have to offer. If you enjoy sailing or have always wanted to try it, then SAMM offer membership of just 20 euros a year, and days out on a yacht or catamaran for just 10 euros. The idea is to allow people who cannot afford their own sailing boat the opportunity to sail on the Mar Menor, which is one of the most beautiful places in which to enjoy water sports, in [...]

Three beaches in Santiago de la Ribera and La Manga have obtained the Q for Quality flag from the Institute of Quality Spanish Tourism. The beaches are Mistral, Castillico and the Mar Menor side of La Manga. Jesus Montesinos, councillor for tourism, explained that this is excellent news for the area, as it's the first time San Javier has applied for the Q for Quality flags, and the beaches were accepted immediately. He thanked all those involved for making this award possible. This award guarantees [...]

The Mayoress of Los Alcazares, Encarnación Gil Castejón, announced the dates for the 39th Annual International Week of the Sea and Farmland. The festivities will begin on August 13th in the auditorium which is situated at the end of the long park. Over nine days international dance groups from as far afield as Peru, the Ivory Coast and Serbia will take to the stage to entertain the crowds. Dances will include la zarzuela, traditional dances, classical ballet and trovos. The [...]

Hotel occupation in the Costa Calida reached 65% in July, which is 3% more than in the same month last year. Hotels at La Manga were the most fortunate, with 85% of their rooms booked. Mazarron boasted 60% occupancy, the rest of the Mar Menor 58% and Aguilas 55%, according to the president of Hostemur, Jesus Pacheco, who commented that for the second year in a row national tourism is keeping the sector afloat. For those looking for healthy breaks the spas in the region were 65% full in July, [...]

Ten year old Ángela Madrid García became the guardian angel for her grandfather last week, when she saved his life. Seventy four year old Fernando García Valle was swimming in the sea near the Cartagena Navidad Lighthouse with his granddaughter last Sunday afternoon when he lost control of his body in the water. Angela asked him what the matter was, but he started to panic and couldn´t get his head above the water. Angela grabbed him by the chin and tried to drag him [...]

The future of the Paramount Pictures Theme Park in Murcia appears to be unsure at present. Last Tuesday La Verdad Newspaper printed a press release from Paramount in which they denied the fact that a theme park would be built in Spain, or in fact anywhere in Europe. However, the following day, the President of Murcia, Valcarcel, produced signed documents, which he said proved the veracity behind the story. Valcarcel is adamant the project will go ahead, but the opposition parties claim he is tricking [...]

Paramount Pictures have chosen the region of Murcia for the construction of the biggest theme park in Spain, which aims to compete directly with Disneyland in Paris. The project will have the added value of some cinematographic studios which will be the centre of all Paramount's productions in Europe, according to the Murcian Councillor for Culture, Pedro Alberto Cruz. Cruz has just got back from a trip to Dubai with a letter from the executive president of Paramount, Michael Bartok, who wants [...]