Never Too Late

When in the past I have bemoaned the fact that publicity for local events is not produced in English, or in some cases even Spanish, there has at least been some publicity. This weekend is the Pollensa fair which itself has previously given rise to elaborate and ludicrously expensive publicity material. But as of Monday there was none to be found, save a poster that had appeared - on Monday. Only yesterday did something appear on the town hall's website over and above the announcement that the fair starts on Friday and runs until Monday. The fact is that the fair occurs at the same time each year; the same weekend. So knowing that it was taking place was the least of it. It was the schedule of events that had been lacking, and then, when it was no longer lacking, there it was - only in Catalan.

Compare this with Alcúdia and its fair which took place at the start of October. The programme for this was available fully two weeks in advance. It was abundant time for a full English version to be done, which was then given out from the tourist offices (which I prepared). Now, there is something to be said for not producing elaborate publicity material for what are, essentially, the same events every year insofar as much of what happens is very similar. Indeed I have suggested that sheets of photocopied A4 are just as useful, and far less expensive, than the ultra design of heavy art paper brochures that get produced. But there hadn't even been any sheets of A4. One might think that the town hall is seeing sense and saving a bit of dosh, but chances are that a brochure will appear or has now put in an appearance. Anyway, just to reiterate - Pollensa fair runs from Friday to Monday, with the Saturday and Sunday being the main days, with Sunday the really big day. And it will feature, amongst other things, crafts, children's do's, a bit of music and dance and lots of people milling around. Same as always in other words. The only added element this year is that it is the 25th anniversary of the fair. And finally you will be aware of the fact, as it is - not before time and never too late - being publicised.

For the events, go to the WHAT'S ON BLOG - http://wotzupnorth.blogspot.com.


Tucked away under other events going on over the next few days is an announcement that the Pollensa Greens and United Left are organising a meeting - in Pollensa - regarding the planned train extension to Alcúdia. The announcement is couched in typically environmentally-concerned fashion, as one might expect. In other words, the train is better for the environment than a bus etc, etc. The current preference for the route of the train, as you will know from previous mentions here, is the so-called "northern corridor" that would go alongside the road from Sa Pobla and then terminate somewhere not far from Alcúdia's auditorium. This is the route that has got so many upset because it would go straight through finca land on the outskirts of Alcúdia. The meeting in Pollensa will address the potential for a tram to connect the train to Puerto Pollensa, again all well and environmentally sound. Yet there does appear to be a conflict here, where the Greens are concerned at any rate. The obvious route to effect the tram connection is the one being proposed, but it is potentially more disruptive of the environment (that finca land) than others on the table. And then, where would such a tram be routed? The simplest and most direct way would be slap bang along the whole of the coast road - the same coast road, part of which some environmentalists are calling to be closed and allowed to become beach and the other part of which is embraced by the pedestrianisation scheme. And who opposes the pedestrianisation scheme? Among others, the Greens and the United Left who you might have thought would have been in favour of it. Somehow, it doesn't all add up - if you are a Green that is. Or maybe, the Alcúdia finca land notwithstanding, it does. Pedestrianise, and then the chances of a tram line must, one would have thought, be reduced; the chances, that is, of one that doesn't then have to confront all the roundabouts of the new road.


If vehicles are the environmental anti-Christ, then there may be some good news for those who see them as such. New car sales are down in Spain by some 40% (in October compared with last October), with the fall in the Balearics a couple of points higher than the national average and with a decline in sales of off-roaders being particularly acute. The overall slump for the first ten months of the year is 24%. This is all, of course, a consequence of the economic situation as opposed to any sudden mass concern for carbon footprints or carbon track marks. But spare a thought for car dealers who are suffering, further victims of the downturn.


QUIZ
Yesterday's title - Despite it being from the '70s, Geoff, our '60s guru, was among those who knew The Fortunes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4c7gUFcxTU). Today's title - Scott's one-time television girlfriend.

(PLEASE REPLY TO andrew@thealcudiaguide.com AND NOT VIA THE COMMENTS THINGY HERE.)