Confessions of an English Alcalde

Peter Such was born and grew up in Norfolk and studied Modern and Medieval Languages at the University of Cambridge, where he completed a doctorate in 1978. He spent most of his professional career at Sherborne School in Dorset: he was Head of Modern Languages for 32 years and subsequently was Director of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Sherborne School and Sherborne School for Girls. In 2011 he retired to Andalusia with his wife Sylvia. He continues to work as a translator and, with Sylvia, he has played an active part in the life of the local community. Since 2017 he has been mayor of his village. Peter has continued to carry out research into medieval Spanish literature and history and he has published translations of four medieval Spanish texts, most recently the fourteenth-century Chronicle of King Pedro.

• I Medina de las Aguas II An Andalusian village III Water, water, everywhere ... IV Back to school V Love in La Manzanilla VI Raining cats, dogs and caterpillars VII La Manzanilla goes to the polls VIII This doesn't feel quite right IX La Manzanilla in the spotlight X Fiesta XI The wheels grind slowly XII Lockdown and beyond XIII A cautionary tale? Acknowledgements