The municipality of Oria has celebrated this Saturday the VII edition of its ‘Gala de la Almendra’. This is a central event in the ‘Oria Tierra de Almendros’ programme, which the Town Hall organises to highlight the rural world, and more specifically, a way of life in the Almanzora Region, such as almond growing.
Oria is the municipality in Spain with the largest area dedicated to this crop, as well as being a benchmark in the production of organic almonds.
That is why, for two weeks, they are enjoying an intense agenda which includes educational days with school children, gastronomic tastings, hiking, competitions and art exhibitions.
The gala held at the Espace Escenic El Pósito featured five award-winners. People, companies, institutions and groups of the municipality, whose trajectory has contributed to the socio-economic and cultural development of Oria, the Almanzora Valley and the surrounding areas.
Pedro García Carrillo, owner of the Cortijo Al Damuz, received the first of the awards ‘Oria Tierra de Almendros 2024’, for his career at the head of the oldest rural accommodation in the municipality. A farmhouse located in the small village of Daimuz that allows its guests to experience the daily hustle and bustle of rural life.
The training workshop ‘Let’s protect our natural environment’ which has allowed young people from the Tierras de Oria Youth Centre to be trained in environmental awareness and actions for the conservation and improvement of the rural environment. This project was made possible thanks to the agreement between the Oria Town Council and the Association for the Management of Social Integration (GINSO).
The award was collected by the director of the centre, Francisco Gamboa, accompanied by one of the young participants, Mohcine K, from the Mayor of Oria, Marcos Reche.
The youth team of the Oria Municipal Indoor Football School, winners of the Provincial Sports Games 2023, were another of the winners at the Almendrehesa 2024 Gala.
The company Almendrehesa, a business project of ecological and regenerative agriculture based on the four returns model; environmental, social, economic and inspirational. A project that markets sustainable and healthy products, mainly nuts, throughout Europe. And where priority is given to the restoration of the territory, the offer of improved conditions for farmers and the quality of the food.
Its president, Miguel Ángel Gómez, was responsible for collecting the award on behalf of the many farmers who are part of this innovative project.
And the last award of the evening went to Pedro Martínez Torres, Oria’s doctor for the last 37 years. «For an exemplary life of public service as a health professional. A native of Oria, family doctor of the town until just a few days ago and who is starting a new stage, his retirement, with the affection of all his neighbours.
The event, presented by the journalist Paqui Martínez, was attended by many residents of the municipality and the Almanzora Region. Among the authorities, the Delegate for Social Inclusion, Youth, Families and Equality, Francisco Bellido, and the Provincial Councillor for Housing, Consortiums and Provincial Buildings, Esther Mercedes Álvarez.
The tasting of almonds and organic products made in Oria, as well as some delicatessen belonging to the brand Sabores Almería, put the finishing touch to the evening.