Bargain hunters and charity shop lovers around Calahonda have a great reason to visit El Zoco this weekend. Age Care Costa del Sol is stepping outside its usual shop doors to hold its very first outdoor pop-up market. Volunteers have recently cleared out the back storerooms and found boxes of fantastic items that simply would not fit onto the regular display shelves inside

Storeroom clear out yields exceptional wardrobe finds

Volunteers have spent much time going through physical donations, unearthing brilliant stock that deserves a proper viewing. Shoppers attending the Saturday event will find racks packed with practical items, including sturdy coats, tailored jackets, warm jumpers, and specialised golf wear suited for local courses. Parents can browse delightful children’s clothing options priced to clear quickly. Organisers designed this morning-to-afternoon gathering to accommodate everyone looking for wardrobe refreshments without breaking household budgets. Who knows what you might find, with Christmas creeping closer you may find something suitable for a different gift or a stocking filler? Or something that may be perfect to finish off your outfit for Halloween?

Community spirit and charity support in El Zoco

Age Care relies entirely on shop proceeds to fund vital welfare assistance and support networks for elderly expats across Mijas Costa and surrounding towns. Building on the recent success where the Age Care fashion show raises €2,400 for charity, team members hope this weekend market brings in another boost.

Locals can drop by outside the main shop between 10am and 3pm on Saturday, October 31st. Organisers invite neighbours to pop over, say hello, have a little mooch around, spend some euros, and support a brilliant local cause.

Age Care Costa del Sol, El Zoco, Calahonda. For more information on this pop-up and other events you can visit the Age Care Costa del Sol pages on Facebook.

A single euro added to a drink at Marbella’s Marbepop festival could help feed, treat and shelter some of the town’s most vulnerable animals. Organisers pledged all proceeds from 1,000 reusable eco-cups to Triple A, the local association caring for abandoned dogs and cats.

How the charity appeal worked

Marbepop marked its 40th anniversary on Saturday, October 24, at Parque de La Represa. Entry was free, and festivalgoers could buy a reusable cup for an extra €1 with their first drink from the bar.

All money raised through that €1 charge will go to Triple A, which supports abandoned animals in Marbella. Marbella’s youth councillor, Alejandro Gonzalez, said the initiative “combined support for local social organisations with more sustainable habits, as reusable cups reduce reliance on single-use plastic.”

Why Triple A needs support

Triple A currently cares for around 600 animals, largely abandoned dogs and cats. Its monthly costs reach about €60,000, covering food, medication, surgery and other veterinary care.

Marbella Town Hall gives the association an annual grant of €120,000, but Gonzalez said the scale of its work means further community support is always necessary. Triple A volunteer Pilar Jimenez welcomed the festival’s gesture, saying every small contribution helps the association continue its work.

She also encouraged residents to learn more about Triple A and to consider making donations directly, so the organisation can keep providing care for animals in need.

Four decades of local music

This year’s Marbepop bill featured Las Dianas, Besmaya and La Leshe que Mamate, along with local artists including Benjamin Paco, Hako, Klimax, Hizox, Aigy and Ñeco. Besmaya replaced Malmö 040, while Benjamin Paco took the place of Skabum after the festival was postponed because of forecasts of heavy rain.

La Leshe que Mamate, a Marbella band linked to the festival’s early days, returned with Poorhouse Rockers for a ska-inspired set. Las Dianas brought alternative pop and rock, while Besmaya offered indie pop with electronic influences.

A lasting local tradition

Marbepop began as part of Marbella’s youth cultural movement and, four decades on, continues to bring together generations of musicians and music fans. This anniversary edition kept much of its original spirit while introducing newer sounds, including rap, trap and other contemporary styles.

Two children and their mother were injured after a motorbike struck a family in Motril on Sunday evening, October 25, calling for an emergency response from medical teams and police.

The collision happened at around 8.50pm on Calle Ancha, when the motorbike hit the woman as she was walking with the two children, according to Andalucia’s 112 emergency service.

All three pedestrians were injured, as was the motorbike rider. Emergency services confirmed that everyone was taken to hospital, although the exact nature of their injuries has not been disclosed.

Initial information from medical sources indicated that both children were in a stable condition. No further details about the mother’s condition or the rider’s injuries were provided in the emergency service announcement.

Motril has history of motorbike complaints

The incident comes against a background of previous complaints about motorbikes in the coastal town, including concerns about dangerous riding, noise and road safety.

In June 2023, Motril Local Police appealed for information after a motorcyclist allegedly travelling at high speed struck a pedestrian on a crossing in Calle Santa Ana and fled the scene. The victim suffered several fractures and was reported to be in a serious condition, according to a report on the previous Motril hit-and-run.

The case raised concerns about the risks posed by riders who fail to stop after a collision. However, there is no indication that the circumstances of Sunday’s incident were similar.

Police previously targeted noisy mopeds

In June 2025, Motril Town Hall announced a Local Police campaign targeting noisy mopeds following complaints from residents. Checks covered the town, surrounding areas and coastal zones, with officers examining exhaust noise, unauthorised modifications, vehicle documents, helmets and driving licences. The official council announcement on moped checks provides further details.

The council’s wider mobility planning has also recorded complaints about motorcycle exhaust noise around the junction of Calle Santisimo and Calle Ancha. Those previous complaints provide local context, but authorities have not established that speeding, excessive noise or dangerous riding caused Sunday’s collision.

The incident also comes months after Guardia Civil officers dealt with two extreme speeding cases on the A-7 near Motril. Read more about the drivers caught at nearly 200 km/h near Motril.

The 112 announcement did not name the hospital where the injured people were treated or provide details of any police investigation into the crash.