javeamigos REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2023 | PART 1

Welcome to the first part of a four-part look back at 2023 in Xàbia, a review of the first three months of the year in which the tax for rubbish collection was removed by the socialist government body, a driver was caught doing 120 kph on a road in Xàbia, a number of projects were announced, including the provision of a shuttle service to the town’s popular coves in the south, and political parties started to shift gear in preparation for the local elections in May.

JANUARY 2023

Weather Stats
Average Maximum: 17.6°c
Average Minimum: 2.6°c
Average Humidity: 69.0%
Maximum Temperature: 22.8°c 15/01/2023 Freginal
Minimum Temperature: -2.7°c 28/01/2023 Lluca-Rafalet
Rainfall: 81.2mm (5 days · wettest 29/01/2023 37.2mm Les Valls)

The new year kicked off in the traditional manner with the Charity New Year’s Day Swim on the Playa del Arenal which would go on to raise a record amount for charity. The local council unanimously agreed to request that the Ministry of Public Health not only extend the season of the auxiliary health centre in the Arenal but also consider funding a new permanent centre – the proposal remains under discussion. The arrival of the Three Kings brought the festive season to a close with a very special parade through the town, the first since the pandemic. The local council approved the 2023 municipal budget which removes the obligation for residents to pay for rubbish collection and street cleaning for a year; it would be revoked by the new PP led government at the end of the year. The municipal water company AMJASA started installing remote reading systems to help customers to control consumption. A 40,000 euro grant was received for renovation of the historic fortress-church of San Bartolomé. The local council received more than 580 requests for homes to be used for tourist purposes during 2023. A 30kph speed limit was imposed on Carretera del Jesús Pobre through the Colomer zone. Xàbia celebrated the traditional burning of the pine for Sant Antoni whilst also enjoying the annual blessing of the animals. The section of TRAM between Dénia and Benidorm finally re-opened. Xàbia presented itself as an all-year-round destination at FITUR Madrid. The town celebrated its patron saint with the running of the bulls around the heart of the historic centre. Xàbia joined both the regional and national governments to honour the painter Joaquin Sorolla. A driver was caught driving at more than 120 kph in Xàbia. The CHJ cleared the river bed to prevent the growth of invasive species which causes damage to infrastructure during flooding. Xàbia received a grant of more than 360,000 euros to promote recycling in the town. On the football pitch, CD Jávea’s change of fortune under the direction of new head coach Julio Ivorra sees them climb slowly up the table.

01 · Charity Swim raises 2,500 euros and counting …
02 · Council to request new health centre in the Arenal
07 · PHOTO NEWS: The Three Kings bring joy to Xàbia on special evening
09 · Xàbia Council approves 2023 fiscal calendar which removes tax for rubbish collection
13 · AMJASA installs remote reading system to help customers to control consumption
13 · Xàbia receives 40,000 euro grant for renovation work on San Bartolomé church
13 · Council received 581 requests for homes to be used for tourism purposes during 2022
13 · 30km/h speed limit imposed for section of Carretera Jesús Pobre through El Colomer
15 · Xàbia celebrates traditional burning of the pine for Sant Antoni
15 · Animals are blessed by parish priest as the main event of the San Antonio celebrations
17 · Line 9 of TRAM Alicante between Dénia and Benidorm is finally fully open
18 · Xàbia presents itself as all-year round destination at FITUR Madrid
19 · Sant Sebastià: A day in fiesta in Xàbia
23 · Xàbia joins Generalitat Valenciana and Spanish government to honour Joaquin Sorolla
23 · Driver caught doing more than 120km/h on Xàbia road
27 · The CHJ continue work on the riverbed of the Gorgos
27 · Xàbia receives grant of 360,000 euros to promote recycling

FEBRUARY 2023

Weather Stats
Average Maximum: 16.5°c
Average Minimum: 2.3°c
Average Humidity: 75.5%
Maximum Temperature: 21.5°c 04/02/2023 Partida Julians
Minimum Temperature: -2.8°c 04/02/2023 Lluca-Rafalet
Rainfall: 83.2mm (7 days · wettest 07/02/2023 24.4mm ASEVI)

It was reported that Xàbia Film Office granted 21 filming permits during 2022. The local council announced the first processes of a new classroom for 2 years olds at CEIP L’Arenal; the project would be awarded in late March. A dozen sailors from Club Náutico Jávea were honoured at the annual Sea of Champions gala in Alicante. The local council started the tender process for the provision of a public transport service to the coves of Portitxol and Granadella – it never materialised. The ninth edition of the iconic Granadella Trail attracted 650 athletes with Antonio Martínez Perez (SCARPA) and Julia Font Gómez (Brooks Trail Runners) taking the crowns in their respective categories. The first Penya Day proved to be a huge success with more than 750 people from 65 penyas taking part, including the international Penya Com a Gambes! The local council revealed plans for the renovation of both the Les Mesquides sports complex and the Riurau d’Arnauda – both are still pending. The town hall also announced that the floodlights, scoreboard and perimeter stadium would be replaced – almost a year later and nothing has changed. Two iconic restaurants closed their doors for the final time during February; one of them – Embruix – would re-open under new management a few months later. A private company that wanted to build a spa-hotel in Avenida dels Furs confirmed that the building licence had already been requested. Carnival returned to the streets of Xàbia in full swagger with plenty of colour, music and atmosphere. Mayor José Chulvi announced that he was to lead the PSOE Xàbia team into the local elections in May. Former president of the Fogueres Commission, Mavi Pérez, announced that she would be mayoral candidate for Ciudadanos por Jávea. Sports clubs across Xàbia contributed to a time capsule which was buried underneath the entrance zone to the new municipal swimming pool which was shuffling towards completion. CD Jávea finished the month in 11th spot after two wins from four games, the only defeat being a miserable 1-3 defeat at home to arch-rivals CD Dénia.

03 · Xàbia Film Office granted 21 filming permits in 2022
03 · Xàbia tenders the project for a classroom for 2 year olds at CEIP Arenal
08 · 12 sailors from CN Jávea honoured at the Sea of Champions gala
08 · Xàbia puts the public transport service to the coves of Portitxol and Granadella out to tender
10 · Antonio Martínez and Julia Font win the absolute test of the Granadella Trail 2023
10 · First Penya Day organised by Fogueres Commission a huge success
11 · Council reveals details of renovation project for Les Mesquides
14 · Riurau renovation project moves forward
14 · Restaurante Piri-Piri closes its doors after 27 years
15 · Stadium floodlights, scoreboard and fencing to be replaced
15 · Embruix closes its doors after 17 years of dedication and effort
17 · Company that wants to build spa-hotel on Avenida dels Furs in Xàbia confirms that license has already requested
20 · Colour, music and a great atmosphere marks Carnival in Xàbia
21 · PSOE Xàbia seeks local election victory with dynamic team led by José Chulvi
24 · Xàbia sports clubs contribute to time capsule buried underneath municipal pool
27 · Mavi Pérez will be mayoral candidate for Ciudadanos por Jávea

March 2023

Weather Stats
Average Maximum: 22.8°c
Average Minimum: 5.7°c
Average Humidity: 66.7%
Maximum Temperature: 30.4°c 11/03/2023 Heliport-Bevenguts
Minimum Temperature: -2.5°c 04/03/2023 Lluca-Costa d’En Sala
Rainfall: 16.5mm (4 days · wettest 02/03/2023 11.1mm Les Valls)

As the new rubbish collection contract began to make its presence known, the local council started a series of information sessions to explain the new operating model of the rubbish collection zones in the town, many of which were to be fenced off and placed under CCTV surveillance. The town hall also announced that it had requested EU funding worth some 5.6 million euros to promote sustainable management projects along its coast – it would not be successful. The long-running saga of the renovation of the park in Thiviers took a more positive step when the courts decreed that the local council could sack the company which had abandoned the project and then start proceedings to find a new contractor. The town hall enjoyed the same success with the abandoned CEIP Trenc d’Alba project and could now start looking for a new company to complete the renovation. CD Jávea ended the month in 11th spot, a couple of places off the top half. The PP, led by mayoral candidate Rosa Cardona, expressed its concern about the safety of citizens as the local police continued to dispute over pay and conditions. In late 2022, police unions claimed that robberies in Xàbia had increased by 160% due to lack of manpower.

10 · Services start series of informative sessions to explain new system of use of rubbish zones in Xàbia
13 · Xàbia City requests European aid of 5.6 million for different projects aimed at sustainable management of the coast
13 · Legal Council endorses Xàbia Council in dismissal of the company that abandoned the project in Thiviers
17 · Legal Council supports Xàbia Council’s dismissal of contractor that abandoned CEIP Trenc d’Alba project
27 · Partido Popular concerned about citizen security in Xàbia