Javea Grapevine Issue 183 2016 Two | Page 51

The activist group “Que no pare la llum del far de Xàbia” which has been fighting the idea since 2014 says it has received a letter from the ombudsman stating that the dossier for the concession had been finally rejected. (From: La Marina Plaza At the same time, Xàbia Town Hall has proposed to the Ports authority that the lighthouse should be converted into a visitor’s centre, something like the Albir lighthouse. The Xàbia centre would be tied up with the Montgó Natural Park and Marine Reserve (from Press Release) Enthusiasts fight ban on Rock Climbing on the Mongtó A group of climbers and mountain enthusiasts in the Marina Alta have expressed their disappointment after learning that the management of the Parque Natural del Montgó has decided to remove all fixed equipment that allows climbing in the Cova Ampla, the cavity that is often referred to as the ‘eye of Montgó’. …they insist that climbing (both classical and sport) is considered an environmentally-friendly activity and is permitted is most protected natural spaces in Spain…they are willing to discuss the issue with the management of the natural park and work together to establish regulatory measures that rather than exclusively prohibit climbing, aims to combine the sport with the protection of the environment. For full story see: Javeamigos Xàbia to honour former mayor, artist and founder of Municipal Museum Xàbia Town Hall is planning to honour artist and former mayor of the town Juan Bautista Soler Blasco in 2017 with a special exhibition, a tour of places where he painted murals such as the Augustine Convent and the chapel of Pópul and a special celebration book with articles by local writers and historians. J.B. Soler Blasco (1920-1984), a native of Gandía, dedicated his life to his passion of painting. After several years of developing his talent, he discovered that Xàbia had the tranquility that he needed to paint and teach. He became an important figure in local history, residing as mayor of the town between 1974 and 1979 as well as being deeply involved in cultural projects such as the creation of the municipal museum which nows bears his name and the municipal public library. For full story see: Javeamigos. Three University students in protest march from Valencia to Xàbia Three Xàbia students, studying in Valencia, walked 100km from Valencia to Xàbia to highlight the poor communications borne by the Marina Alta. The closest railway station for Xàbia passengers wishing to go by train to Valencia is Gandia, about 42 km away. from: La Marina Plaza