Around Majorca

SON SERVERA
THE Hipotel Hipocampo Palace in Cala Millor has won the “Oscar” of the hotel world from the giant German tour operator, TUI. As one of the favourite holiday hotels with German clients, the Hipocampo Palace featured amongst TUI's top hundred choice establishments worldwide “thanks to its professionalism and hospitality”.

Sörem Hatmann, tourist director of TUI's German operations, awarded the prize to senior representatives from the winning establishments at a ceremony in the Hotel Adlon in Berlin. TUI's “Holly” award has an international reputation which acknowledges excellence.

K Day centre opening

CAMPANET
THE town council in Campanet is to open a provisional day centre in the building which is currently also used by the Pensioners' Association. It is a temporary measure which will remain in place until the new Gual Bestard Day centre on the outskirts of the town is ready for occupation. The Majorcan Socialist Party (PSM) has yet again asked the Balearic government to start on the new construction.

The situation has changed a great deal since May this year when the opening of the day centre was put on hold because only one person had come forward to say they were interested in using the facilities. During the first month of its opening, use of the centre will be free to encourage local residents to make good use what the installations have to offer.

Local mayor, Francesc Aguiló, is confident that interest will accumulate significantly over the next few months.
K Danger: falling masonry

SES SALINES
THE Town Council in Ses Salines has fenced off and closed to pedestrians, the whole of the area surrounding the frontage of the Esglesia Vella or old church, because of the danger of falling tiles and masonry caused by the poor state of the roof of this ancient building which was catalogued as public national heritage little more than a year ago.

Speaking about the state of deterioration of the roof, mayor's deputy, Antoni Caldentey said “we are waiting for technicians from the regional government's heritage department to come and examine the top of the church so that it can be repaired as urgently as possible”. He pointed out that it is not just a question of the immediate danger but also of the fact that humidity and water can filter in, affecting the interior of the church.

K “Green” energy plans

SA COSTERA
THE Balearic ministry for Commerce, Industry and Energy has plans to build the first two hydroelectric stations on the Island to capture and convert into electricity, the natural water resources of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. The move comes as part of a wider project for the promotion of renewable energy sources: solar, hydraulic and wind power.

The company Electrica Sollerense SA El Gas has drawn up plans to tap the natural water supply at Sa Costera and the reservoirs of the Serra de Tramuntana for the hydraulic power stations and has asked for their being officially recognised as operators by the Balearic government. The company believes that the most appropriate site for the construction will be in the area of S'Extremera, estimating that the energy production from one “mini” hydroelectic power station will be equivalent to the energy consumed by 750 homes.

K Cleaning

LLUCMAJOR
AFTER the start of the new school term at Arenal college in Llucmajor, cleaning staff at the centre have warned that they may go on strike if the contract company who employs them doesn't pay them the money that is due to them, which has been outstanding for months.

On a previous occasion, the cleaners had found themselves out of pocket for the same reason but were rescued in that instance by the mediation of the ministry of Education.

Now faced with a similar situation, the cleaners are “working to rule” and only carrying out the minimum essential tasks at the school centre.