By James Bryce
WHETHER it’s a famous name or an unsung hero – we want to know who you think are the expatriates who have had the biggest impact on Andalucia.
From Chris Stewart to Washington Irving and from Maurice Bolland to Prince Alfonso Hohenlohe, who has really helped to put the region on the map?
The Olive Press is attempting something that has never been done before – to put together a definitive Expat 100.
To aid us in drawing up a definitive list of the most influential expats of the last two centuries, we need you to nominate your favourites.
Whether it be German poets or winemakers, Irish entrepreneurs or Swiss businessmen, we need your help.
And we don’t just want dead people. We also need you to help us uncover the current crop of influential expatriates forging forward in exciting pursuits and helping to shape this rich region of Europe.
Be it hard-working hoteliers, innovative businessmen or charitable citizens, they must all have made a significant impact on the Andalucian landscape.
To help knock the list into shape we have enlisted a panel of local expatriates who have decades of experience of living here.
Louise Cook Edwards, editor of marbellas.com, Rod Younger, from book4Spain and former Fleet St journalist Giles Brown, will agonise over who makes the final cut.
But before they can do that, we need your help.
We want you to send in your nominations to jon@theolivepress.es – listing no more than 20 of the expats you would like to see featured on the list.
“It’s important to vote for people who have opened the door for others to come and make a life for themselves here,” explains Louise Cook, who also runs her own international PR agency Media Machine.
“Those who have inspired and taken risks and done fairly adventurous things in order to make a difference.”
Rod Younger, who recently had success with his first book on the coast Deadly Secrets (under the pen name Robert Tenison), added:
“I think the Expat 100 project is a marvellous idea. It should go back 200 years and must include ‘transient’ foreigners so that Wellington, Borrow, Ford and Irving could be included.
“It should also focus on foreigners who have raised awareness of Andalucia and contributed in a significant manner to its development.”
Former Daily Mirror reporter Giles Brown added: “Few people realise the impact that foreigners have had on Andalucia over the last few centuries. And even today there are many unsung heroes, working quietly behind the scenes to continue making Andalucia great.”
Editors tip:
Malaga’s Mark was a true hero
Olive Press editor Jon Clarke wants to nominate William Mark, the former British consul, who set up Malaga’s English cemetery.
“Until it was set up in 1831, non Catholics were traditionally buried at sea or up to their necks on the nearby beaches, often picked apart by dogs.
Mark put paid to that, but not only ensured the graveyard offered Protestants a decent burial, but ensured that other denominations also had a decent burial.
It makes me very proud to see the graves for Hindus, Muslims and Jews alongside the Protestants.
There are many graves for German sailors and even Catholics, sickened by their local religious leaders.”
Yes maurice DEFFINATLY deserves a place. He is a hard working man and has done so much for charities in marbella despite what happened last year.
In my personal oppinion, he would be my winner.
Ive always supported him and listened to him on the radio also.
He is a great man.
Good luck Maurice!
……. my vote goes to Lubina Fred.
yeah he is the bitchiest dude on the Costa > Go Freddy
would offer yes without doubt Alfonso Hohenlohe as numero uno, followed possibly by people famous in the early days who made the public aware of Marbella/ CDS : Deborah Kerr, Stewart Granger,Sean Connery,Picasso and even possibly Christine Keeler… etc…but never ever Mr Boland….
Joan Hunt CBE – President and Founder of Cudeca – the hospice in Benalmadena for terminally ill cancer patients.
Maurice Boland because of his endless work for Charity He’s such a wonderful person and gives us many hours of entertainment on the radio His work and family are so important to him.
Maurice Boland for his outstanding work for Charity…. he tirelessly gives his time and support to so many of those who suffer silently. He also has such a wonderful mix of fascinating and wonderful guests on his daily radio show that give us all an opportunity to listen and to learn from. Hope you win Maurice – you deserve to 100% !!
Maurice Boland gets my vote. Great radio presenter and a great guy all round, whether it be for all his charity work or just for being so entertaining in general.
My vote goes to Maurice for sure!
Guys thanks for your nominations but we need 100 so if you can come up with between 5 and 10 that would be great … And email me at Jon@theolivepress.es with lists if you can.
And let’s not get too wrapped in the Maurice debate
Jon
Fred
Do you think you’ll make the living irritant section.?
Gerald Brenan and Laurie Lee…..two of the best ex pat writers on Andalucia. Sadly both dead though…..
I already hold that title through a lifetime award Jon, but thanks for thinking of me.
David Searl, writer of the book You And The Law In Spain.
How about Jason Heppenstall, the founder of The Olive Press?
Plus, Gerald Brenan, Chris Stewart and, um, can’t think of any more. I’d stick to top 10 if I were you.
My vote goes to Andalucia itself! For without it their efforts would not stand out.
Ian Gibson – the world´s greatest expert on Spain´s greatest poet
Is Maurice still around ? Just the kind of person that gets Brits a bad name, should have been deported…
What about people who have invented or created something but sit quietly behind the scenes?
Maurice is a great contender over the years hes raised more for charity than anyone else on the coast, his work and effort that goes into it never faulters. Rita Grange, obviously doesnt know the man himself, infact she should go out there and try and do something for charity see how much work you need to put into it.
My vote goes to Toni Muldoon, great guy, helped the local economy greatly.
Definitely Maurice….massive amount of charity work….brilliant guy.
My vote is for Maurice, he’s done so much for charity, plus I still love to listen to him on the radio.
Maurice Boland gets out vote
Without doubt Alfonso Hohenlohe who made MARBELLA happen with his amazing vision
Maurice Boland for his outstanding work for Charity…. he tirelessly gives his time and support to so many of those who suffer silently.
Joan Hunt CBE – President and Founder of Cudeca who endlessly has given her time, support and total dedication to making CUDECA the success it is today , let us all NOT forget about her and CUDECA.
MARIA JOSE CANETO the First lady who started our most valued Medical Service – HELICOPTEROS SANITARIOS.
A wonderful service with dedicated staff, all who’ve helped thousands over the past years.
Princess Louisa of Prussia who has dedicated her time in helping the less privileged.
The late Victor Ogilvy who was THE man who first brought well known American Stars to this coast for both Spanish and expats entertainment, he also started the First Jazz Festival on the coast, this entertainment did not exist previously. May His Dear Soul Rest in Peace.
Finally EVERYONE at SALON VARIETIES Fuengirola, who again made a difference to entertainment on the coast especially during the cold Winter months.
I vote for Maurice Boland. His charitable work has been exemplary. He has made an impact on many people’s lives who have benefited from the Cudeca hospice that he raised the funds for. Maurice is approachable and will take the time to listen to you and those around him.
Ok thanks to all the Maurice supporters but can we be a bit more left field, thoughtful… we actually need 100!
Toni Muldoon is good creative thinking
Donald Beskine is a nice bloke.
Boland gives the CDS a negative image. He is nowhere near top 100..his ego maybe yes…but apart from that..NO..
I repeat… it’s all down to Alfonso Hohenlohe a man with vision and I would also agree that Joan Hunt is a candidate because of her dedication and charitable work without any personal gain.
gary leigh ……….posthumously … for bringing the costa del sol to the attention of the u.k media ….
Gary Leigh is good, but he was a one trick pony R.I.P. Toni Muldoon is so much more diversified in his business portfolio, and of course is still alive. No Toni gets my vote.
MY VOTE AND MY GIRLFRIENDS VOTE GOES TO MR.MARBELLA..MAURICE BOLAND…
HE IS A GIVER…A GREAT RADIO AND ALL ROUND ENTERTAINER AND HE HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY FOR CHARITY…RAISING MILLIONS OF EURO,S…..
WHAT OTHER HUMAN BEING HAS DNE SO MUCH FOR HIS FELLOW MAN..
BOLAND IS A SAINT…
DONALD MOORE…
Sycophancy plumbs new depths. You have a girlfriend too? What for?
Maurice is a giver alright, especially if your a innocent teenage girl with the promise of stardom. Get your heads out of the sand!
love it geoff … finally someone who speaks sense here …
Who Put Toni Muldoon?? ha ha … yes, not only does he help the local economy but he is great company too x
Don’t forget Almería:
The Lieutenant-mayor for Arboleas Roger Done; Councillor and Party Leader (Mojácar Positiva Se Mueve) Jessica Simpson; me (I ran ‘The Entertainer’ for 14 years before it morphed into the far from impressive ‘Euro Weekly News’); Walt Disney (they say he’s from Mojácar)…
…also Ronda’s most famous resident (and my old Head-master) Alastair Boyd.
is Dr.Moore of this world..??? Is that man real??…
I’ll go along with Lennox about Lennox, and do not forget Joan and Gerry Davies who founded Sur in English back in the 80s. Ignore the two who run that other pathetic rag.
Robert Boyd. He funded General Torrijos who led a failed revolution against the cruel King Ferdinand in 1831. All the rebels were shot on the beach in Malaga. Boyd was the first person to be buried in the English cemetery. There is a street named in Boyd’s memory in Malaga and an annual ceremony to commemorate Torrijos,Boyd and their fellow rebels part in liberating Spain from this tyrant. Viva libertad!!!
Richard Russell-Cowan who has restored the Palace de Cazulas.
You´re looking for a “definitive list of the most influential expats of the last two centuries”
Now I´m a bit confused – are we talking about folk who have improved things for expats on the Costa, or about those who have significantly contributed to improving and/or promoting Andalucía as a whole?
Eddie Foley is my nomination – He died earlier this year, having lived in Almeria province for many years. His obit was in local Spanish papers!
Film buffs will know about him. He worked for David Lean on Lawrence of Arabia and many famous films.
It was he that moved the set for Lawrence from the middle east to Andalucia. He created many jobs, brought filming to the area and helped the Spanish industry. Would Serge Leone have come here etc…
Truly influential, respected by the Spanish…his biography came out just be before he died.
Eddie Fowley is a good choice. He also worked on Dr Zhivago (filmed around Guadix). He built a hotel in Carboneras with sets from his films decorating the ‘El Dorado’. It’s still there. There’s a site about Eddie: http://www.dedicatedmaniac.blogspot.com/
Thanks, Leonard for correcting my spelling. I knew Eddie personally – a great yarner. I typed a script he wrote a few years ago – a follow uo to Mutiny on the Bounty but nothing came of it.
Hi yerma … It is about foreigners who have improved or promoted or brought significant benefit to andalucia… Quite a few still do..
Who said Toni Muldoon, great choice, he has helped many people to sell their timeshare, get out of debt, earn a little extra money through escort services, invest in carbon credits and now he is assisting people to get their PPI refunds, and all from that office in Fuengirola. Top Man.
Gerald Brenan
Two literary proposals.
1. To accompany the very worthy Gerald Brenan, I propose Alistair Boyd, author of “The Road from Ronda” and staunch opponent of the ugly Los Merinos development.
2. Chris Stewart, author of “Driving Over Lemons” (amongst others), for promoting rural Andalucía through his sensitive writings.
Maurice Boland for his relentless fantastic charity work .For years Maurice has given his time and energy to raising money for many many worthwhile charities, he must have raised hundreds of thousands for good causes over many many years.