Ayamonte continues its development in the use of renewable energy sources with the construction of a wind farm on the outskirts of the town close to the Guadiana River.

The Wind farm which is being built by Eólica Del Guadiana is another step towards the goal set down by the European Union that 20% of all energy needs should come from a renewable energy source by the year 2020. The cost of building this wind farm is expected to be over 22 million euros when finished and the use of this power over conventional electricity will save 100 million tons of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere.

The wind farm has a total of 24 wind turbines with each having a capacity to generate 2,000 kw. The turbines which are placed on top of tubular towers some 120 metres high with the rotor having a diameter of 90 metres. The technicians who have been working on site for a number of months now said that one wind turbine tower working in optimal conditions had the capacity to provide enough electricity for the whole of Ayamonte.

Ayamonte Mayor, Antonio Rodríguez pointed out that Ayamonte town hall is fully behind alternative renewable energy sources and the second biggest solar farm in Andalucía which is located in Ayamonte is already testament to that. He also pointed out that although this wind farm is expected to be completed and fully functional by the end of 2010 there is another projected wind farm to be developed by Capital Energy Andalucía S.L.U at an estimated cost of 21,814,000 euros.

The second wind farm will be situated seven kilometres from Ayamonte town centre, close to Villablanca, in an area known as Montegordo. A total of 13 wind turbines of varying heights between 80 and 105 metres are to be built and when fully functional will produce 26 megawatts of electricity.

A month has already gone by since Spain won the World Cup and I just wanted you all to see some of the things that went on that day.

On World Cup final day the biggest dilemma for most of us was where to watch the match. Either in Ayamonte town centre or on the beach, as I had watched the semi’s on the beach I decided it would be the beach again.

Of course there was the added charm that one of the beach bars on Isla Canela (La Sonrisa) is owned by Dutch, so an electric atmosphere was guaranteed either way. I was not the only one who thought the same and the place was packed before kick off with the Dutch contingency having camped early in front of the big screen.

Okay so it wasn´t the most beautiful game I have ever seen and at times it looked like a Jackie Chan film but for those who were there, the nerves were shot by 70^th minute.

Feet in golden sand, a welcome breeze off the Atlantic, a cold beer in my hand and Spain score, the place went mad. Of course the Dutch fans were very quiet but the beer, mojitos and beach sure helped ease their pain.

For all of you haven’t been in Ayamonte when there is a great win, like European championships or in this case the World Cup. The place to be after the match is the fountain (that is the fountain nearest the San Blas Stadium) . Two years ago I was with a news editor from ITV watching Half of Ayamonte take a dip. I thought then that it was a unique moment that would take a long time to repeat. To say that the World Cup celebrations trumped that is an understatement. The place went stark raving mad, kids, grannies; grandchildren, just about everyone and their Aunty had a splash in the fountain. Check out the video at the bottom of this article.

An amazing night and one I look forward to repeating, for those football fans out there Spain play Mexico tonight, their first match as World Champions. It still sounds weird and it’s a far cry from “the biggest underachievers tag” that Spain used to carry. I think we all know who inherited that tag and hopefully they will begin to show what they are made of when they play Hungary tonight.

Ayamonte’s Bullring has been chosen by a new company called Tauroluz owned by Guillermo García Palacios and Jesús Medrano for two events in August and the promise of many more to come.

The first event to take place in Ayamonte’s Bullring will be on Friday August 6^th coinciding with the start of the Festivals in La Villa, “El Salvador”. Joao Moura a Portuguese bullfighter or “Rejoneador” (I don’t know the English word for this but it is a bullfighter on horseback as he takes on the bull) will taken on two bulls in what is to be a night bullfight with the first bull entering the ring at 10 pm. Another four bulls will be taken on by the famous bullfighters Víctor Puerto amd Javier Conde.

On Sunday 8^th at 10 pm also in the bullring there will be a concert by the 11 finalists of the competiton “Se llama Copla” which would be like the Traditional music version of “The X Factor”.

The cost for the bullfight tickets are €35 - €50 while the concert tickets are €30 - €40.  Guillermo García Palacios who knows that times are hard also announced a special ticket to include both for €55.

If you do go to any of the events it’s highly recommended that you go a little earlier to soak up the atmosphere but also to see the spectacular sunset from the bullring.

Tickets can be bought at Caja Rural bank or on www.entradas.com

The area in the centre of Ayamonte in front of Prudencio Navarro Park , and known locally as the "Estanque de la Dársena" now has  new ornamental lighting which once the sun goes down gives a special touch to an area in Ayamonte which has been crying out for this improvement.

The project which was funded by Junta be Andalucía and Ayamonte town hall is part of ongoing improvements to highlight important areas of Ayamonte like the Socorro Chapel and the Temple de la Merced at night.

The lighting which are energy saving LED projectors, ( 46 in total) can be changed in colour and of course in celebration of the Spain’s World Cup win , the reds and yellows have been dominant.

The whole project cost 94,757 euros and each LED projector only uses 25 watts.  This is just one of many projects which will change the focus of Ayamonte to look outwards towards the waterways that surrounds the whole town.

Ayamonte is making a special effort this Christmas with each neighbour within Ayamonte playing a part in the Christmas Celebrations.

Each neighbourhood will have their own “Felices Fiestas” arch that included, Canela, Punta del Moral, Pozo del Camino, La Villa, Federico Mayo , San Francisco, Plaza León Ortega and the Old folks home.

The whole of the Avenida de Andalucia will be light up and a large Christmas tree is going into the old folks home as well as La Plaza de Cornacion. The Casa Grande will also have special lighting and as is custom the nativity scene which this year is over thirty square metres will be on show from December 10^th.

The Christmas light will be officially switched on this weekend on December 4^th at 19.30.

This year there is a new addition of an ice rink in Paseo de la Ribera which opens today December 3^rd at 17.00 and which will cause a change to the normal route of the three Kings parade which is now expected to go parade down to the Plaza de la Lota.