TW
0

By Ray Fleming

Education    
The big story of the week was the High Court´s decision to reject the Balearic government´s controversial three language teaching plan which threw the education system into turmoil. Various trade unions representing teachers claimed that the plan was not fit for purpose and the High Court agreed, plunging the Balearic government into crisis. On Friday, Balearic President Jose Ramon Bauza sacked Minister for Education Joana Maria Camps but announced that he would continue with the teaching plan. In a Viewpoint article  Jason Moore said that even Bauza´s position was in doubt because it was his government´s flagship policy. Bauza has said that he will appeal the High Court decision but schools are in turmoil.

Motor car
Andrew Ede in his daily blog discovered that the first registered motor car in Spain was in Majorca. The Hispano Suiza 10CVtook to the road in 1904. And continuing with the motoring theme David Whitney produced a page spread as the various car clubs on the island united for an exhibition in Palma.

New vicar
Pollensa welcomed its new Anglican vicar Nigel Stimpson. An article by Howard Mullen said that the new vicar, who has come from Portugal, received a warm welcome from the local community.

Pierotti dies
Magalluf was stunned by the suicide of local businessman Javier Pierotti. Javier was involved in bringing many cases of alleged corruption and wrongdoing to the attention of the police. His body was discovered in Alaro. The Guardia Civil have ruled out foul play.

Women coaches
Toni Nadal ,the uncle of Majorcan tennis ace Rafa ,was in the news  for saying that he didn´t think that the appointment of a women to Captain Spain´s Davis Cup was a good idea. He said that it could create “a dressing room problem....”

Mallorca fall
It wasn´t a good week for Real Mallorca.  They lost 6-4 to Osasuna.  In his match report Monro Bryce said “our disastrous start to the season just got a whole lot worse when we conceded six goals...”

Mixed news on tourism
The Balearic had been visited by eight million tourists in eight months but a report by Humphrey Carter said that while tourists were spending more money on the mainland they were spending less on Majorca. The report also said that there would be a further growth in all inclusive holidays next season. And the issue of winter tourism is never far from the pages of the Bulletin with leading local businessman and hotel owner David Stein saying that the island was an ideal spot for a low season break. He called for more winter flights and said that incentives should be offered to local businesses to remain open during the winter.

Food, food and more food and a wedding!
The Bulletin´s food guide on a Thursday is rapidly becoming a must read section with a restaurant review and food tips from Andy Valente, vegan cooking from Stephanie Prather  and baking by Louise Dudley. And also it was a big weekend for Marc Fosh, whose recipes appear in the Bulletin on Sunday. Fosh was responsible for the lunch at the wedding of music star James Blunt and  Sofia Wellesley.  And continuing with this theme Frank  Leavers wrote in his Confidential column: “it seems that in the spring of this year Sofia met with Reverend David Waller to sort out the details of the wedding service. After the meeting at the Anglican Church in Palma, the soon to be Mrs James Blunt, pointed to a guitar that David had propped up in the corner of his office and make the not unnatural remark……  “Oh, my fiancés a musician,” keen to be pleasant, our hero responded “Really, does he play in a band?” After the beautiful Sofia had left, David looked over the nuptial paperwork and then put his head in his hands and groaned with embarrassment. Love it….love it.”

Scottish referendum
The Scottish referendum just wouldn´t go away. Ray Fleming in his Looking Around column wrote “if Betfair, which paid out on a No vote two days before the election, knew what was going on why didn´t Downing Street!”

Minorca envy
Majorca looked at Minorca with envy this week after the famous Red Arrows,  Royal Air Force aerobatic team, performed over the Bay of Mahon.  The British ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley, attended the event.
Autumn is here
l Autumn arrived on Majorca with rain but there is still plenty to do on the island according to What´s On guides by Cristina Buchet and Andrew Ede (north of the island)  and Dorothy Loeffler said in was a great time to be in the garden in her weekly column.