The Secretary of State for Commerce and Industry, Joan Clos, flew to the island yesterday to inspect the devastation caused to the industrial site now known as “Ground zero” by the Spanish media and other of the worst hit sites.

During his visit to the Son Moix sports centre which lost part of its roof and a host of windows.
Clos announced that central government will next week create a special unit to co-ordinate all the autonomous and regional administrations involved in the clean up and repair operation- not only here in Majorca but also in some of the regions of southern Spain which have also been severely struck by storms over the past ten days.

Close admitted that assessing the damage is a “complicated” operation but he pledged that the authorities will try and keep the red tape to a minimum and that victims will be helped as best and as quickly as possible.

Close also revealed that he will decided on whether Majorca is going to be officially declared a disaster zone will be made on his return to Madrid having seen the extent of the damage first hand and received the reports from the various emergency services.

He praised the Balearic government for its rapid response to the storm adding that central government will provide any extra help needed to get the island back to normal.

Close also said that government aid and assistance will also be made available to those injured. “BORN AGAIN” Some of the victims of the freak storm which brought tornadoes peaking at over 135 kilometres per hour, one report on Friday night claimed that at its peak the force of the winds reached 180 kilometres per hour, have yet to get over the shock of being caught in the path of the tornadoes.

Jose Luis, the owner of the Chiringuito bar on the Can Valero industrial estate said yesterday “we feel lucky to be alive. We are all still in a state of shock and I still get goose bumps every time I think of what happened to us here on Thursday afternoon.” Those victims on the industrial estate who have recovered from the shock have not got to start facing the challenge of literally starting a fresh - some businesses have lost everything.

The security guard seriously injured when the portocabin in which he was sheltering was tossed across the Son Espases construction site remained in a critical condition in hospital yesterday afternoon.

PALMA
THE regional Health Minister Vicenç Thomàs announced yesterday that Palma's new hospital planned for the controversial site at Son Espases is to undergo “substantial changes.” The minister, referring to the project which was originally commissioned by the former Partido Popular government in the Balearics (now in Opposition) said that the modifications include putting part of the installations underground along with a section of the parking area.

Another feature will be the creation of elevated terraces which will eventually be covered with trees and shrubs to soften the impact of the view from the emblematic La Real monastery, and plans to annex adjacent land to incorporate it into the overall layout of the hospital grounds.

This most recent announcement follows in the wake of the decision by current Balearic leader Francesc Antich to proceed with the hotly contested project at Son Espases, begun by his predecessor Jaume Matas.

Antich had spoken openly of the difficulties that he had encountered in having to decide whether or not to proceed with the original plans for Son Espases, or whether to relocate the new hospital at alternative sites - one of which was at Son Hugo, close to Palma's Via Cintura and Son Pardo hippodrome.

Antich said that, in the first instance, the Balearic Socialist party, in coalition with the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (of which Antich is regional head) would never have considered building the project at Son Espases. He was thus left having to decide what to do about a major piece of infrastructure that he had “inherited” from the previous government.

Apart from these significant modifications, Thomàs said that during the three years that it will take to complete the Son Espases project -- the official opening is expected in 2010 -- much-needed structural and operational improvements will also be made in Palma's Son Dureta hospital.

The initiative has been set up in recognition of the increasing number of British retirees moving to Spain, and intends to inform UK nationals about their pension rights.

Any general queries about UK pensions and benfits will be answered over the course of the three open days, while the team will be supported by a pensions expert from DWP International Pension Centre.

In order to provide a more personalised service, places for the sessions are limited, and require booking. However, there are still places left to be claimed.

Bookings by email should be sent to dwp.team.spainUgmail.com, providing full name, number of attendees and contact number.
It will be a requirement to leave your full details on the day.
The venues are: l October 9: Palma, Anglican Church, Nuñez de Balboa 6, Son Armadams -morning session 11am, afternoon session 4pm. l October 10: Calvia, venue to be confirmed -- morning session 11am, afternoon session 3.30pm. l October 11: Pollensa, Neighbourhood Association, Puerto Pollensa -morning session 11am, afternoon session 3pm.
The creation of this team in Spain is part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's programme to modernise consular services, extending new and innovative support to the British resident community in Spain.

PALMA
THE decision by the Palma city council to reduce the spectacular Aiguafoc firework display during the next festival of St Sebastian (the city's patron) in January has divided the townsfolk of Palma.

The new city council wants to give greater importance to the Correfoc, a parade through the streets in which people can run alongside fire-spouting demons and monsters.

The majority of people, however, have expressed their desire to see the event maintained exactly as it has been in the past.
Attracting 300'000 people from all over the island last year, the St Sebastian firework display is popular town because it is one of the few events which both children and adults can enjoy equally.

A minority of people, though, would like to see the duration of the display reduced.
It is not known exactly how far the Palma city council intends to downsize the event, with some fearing that it will feature solely a simple fireworks display.

In a random survey, Ramoni Ortega, a clerk from Palma, said, “I like the Aiguafoc spectacle a lot as it is now. I like it because of the reflections of the fireworks in the water, the mass of light and because it is special, although it is true that not everyone can see properly.” Baltasar Reynés, retired, said that it was a tradition he would not like to see changed, while Leopoldo Pérez, a lawyer, indicated that he enjoys the fireworks, but would like to see them smaller in size.

Students Francisco García and Lucía Verger both said that the evening is hugely enjoyable in its current form, stating that it is impossible not to have a good time; “why change it?”, asks Francisco.

On the downside, pensioner Aurelia Casas said she did not like the display because of the noise, but if it had to go ahead, she would like to see it shorter. She added that children in particular liked the show.