In July 2008 The Olive Press carried an article I submitted on Citizens’ Advocacy recommending the need for all anti-abuse organisations to pull together under one banner and boycott the things we lovers of Spain deplore.

Perhaps as a small token of gratitude for his fight for all of us we might, in Mr. Boyd’s name
proceed to honour him by the continuity of his struggle under the banner of
‘Citizens’ Advocacy’ and dedicate our efforts to a man who set such an enduring example of concern and action. Feel free to make contact with me if you find the notion agreeable.

Living in Argyll, Scotland, for many years one of my father’s most admired associates was one ‘Guy’ Boyd of Blairmore. He conforms almost exactly to Mr.Alistair Boyd’s description. Gentlemanly, scholarly, quiet, elegant and, as my childhood memory recalls, not dissimilar in appearance to Omar Sharif. How kind can memory be! It would be seeming to do something long-term in Alistair Boyd’s memory. It seems his sacrifice was the ultimate one.

Christine A. Ferguson

(Another Advocate for the preservation and enhancement of A Beloved Spain)

Tel 951321400 M 620102850

Spain’s legal and planning systems are an absolute mess and need a complete overhaul; how on earth can developers be in a position to “sue” a mayor for such a ill conceived project? There should already be a regional plan in place that says “Golf courses are the lowest priority in the scheme of things because of water shortages.”

It is true that golf courses can apply reusable water (grey water) systems, but they are not totally self sufficient I would wager. Also, if there is a new hotel and housing complex as well, then that all requires massive water usage.

Personally, I would ban ALL golf courses that involve building or developing on any UNESCO area, and which involves cutting down any trees of a certain age and/or intefering with any resident nature, and which are not self-sufficient in water usage, and which involve new houses or hotel complexes. A golf course can be a nice addition if all of these rules are obeyed.

At the end of the day if all these mad schemes go ahead, it is ultimately the electorates fault. I really don’t think the average Spanish person cares much for their environment. This weekend I did my monthly litter pick in my own area and as I was cleaning up (8 bin liners) the Spanish were throwing more empty bottles and rubbish around as they were picknicking…

Changing the political process will be very diffucult when dealing with morons who cannot even use a bin. This behaviour then perpetuates to their children, and then the future is doomed. We may as well give up now.

It is sad that someone who should have been cherished and championed by Andalucia ended up being harangued and victimised by shameless property developers in a futile bid to stifle freedom of speech and steamroller their illegal project.

the tragedy is it just shows how some echelons of society here literally think they can do exactly what they please and feel above the law.

Sounds like an oxymoron. Not another UNESCO protected land area. What just does this title mean? Nothing, obviously, to the Spanish.

We need expats to look after Spain; the natives are destroying it and even when they do care about it, the political system is corrupt and so the locals are powerless to act.

Dig down and doubtless one will find a corrupt mayor, a corrupt architect, and corrupt builders, lawyers and other hangers on all cashing in. May they go bankrupt and destitute!

His “Road to Ronda” book, trekking through Andalucia in 1960s on horseback, was one of my favorite travel books about Spain. Picked it up in a used book bin many years ago. What an underrated piece of story-telling. There was great joy, discovery and soulfulness in his writing. I am sorry I never got a chance to buy him a cup of coffee and a glass of brandy to say thank you.