Gibraltar Insight™ February 2023

PLUS MUCH MORE…

IN 12 MONTHS GIBRALTAR INSIGHT HAD ONLINE REACH OF OVER 490,000 IMPRESSIONS

PRINT, ONLINE AND SOCIAL MEDIA THE MOST CONSISTENT REACH OF ANY PUBLICATION ON THE ROCK

THE ROCK’S LONGEST RUNNING MAGAZINE I’M YOURS FREE

PART TWO OF OUR INTERVIEW WITH THE CHIEF MINISTER

Gibraltar Insight Deputy Editor: Jean King

Accounts & Administration: Rosemary Salah-El-Din

Creative Director: Ben Lewis

Executive Editor: Ross Ford

General queries, contact: +350 22251308

Advertising & Sales, contact: jeaninsight@gibtelecom.net +350 54023304

Email: hello@gibraltarinsight.com

Web: www.gibraltarinsight.com

Socials: @GBZinsight

@MumOnTheRockGBZ

@BermudaInsight

@SYOGuide

@GBZmedia

Gibraltar Insight - the Rock’s longest running magazine. Published by GBZ Media Ltd, The WorkLab, WestOne, Europort Road, Gibraltar, GX11 1AA.

Printed by Roca Graphics Limited, 21 Tuckey’s Lane, Gibraltar GX11 1AA

Copyright (c) 2023. All rights reserved.

The names Gibraltar Insight, Bermuda Insight, Mum On The Rock, SYOG, Superyacht Owners’ Guide & GBZ Media are marks of GBZ Media (Overseas) Limited, used under exclusive licence. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

Gibraltar Insight places great importance on the accuracy of the information contained within this publication, but cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. Views expressed by contributors and/or correspondents do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Neither Gibraltar Insight nor GBZ Media Limited is responsible for any claims made, or material(s) used, in advertisements.

For permission to copy cuttings for internal or client use, contact NLA - nlamediaaccess.com or +441892 525273.

Photo: Elliott Howe

TREATY TALKS CONTINUE

THE CHIEF MINISTER FABIAN PICARDO AND THE DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER DR JOSEPH GARCIA WERE RECENTLY IN MADRID FOR A CONTINUATION OF THE DISCUSSIONS ON GIBRALTAR’S FUTURE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION - AND THROUGH THEM WITH THE ROCK'S NEAREST EU NEIGHBOUR, SPAIN.

They were accompanied by the Attorney General Michael Llamas.

These discussions have been ongoing between different parties and at different levels.

The Attorney General in tends to proceed from Madrid to London to participate in the next formal round between the United Kingdom and

the European Union. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister will again attend the meeting virtually.

The His Majesty's Government of Gibraltar says it remains fully committed to arrive at a positive, safe and secure treaty for Gibraltar and is very optimistic that such a treaty will be agreed.

Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation

HIRING PUSH

AS PART OF THE PROPOSED EVOLUTION OF GBC UNDER NEW CEO, JAMES NEISH, SOME NEW VACANCIES HAVE BECOME LIVE AT THE ORGANISATION.

Among these include a staff broadcast assistant (BA), plus some freelance positions including camera operator, presenter/announcer and a further BA role.

If you're interested in shaping the future of GBC and want to get involved, go to https://www.gbc.gi/vacancies

THE ROCK’S LONGEST RUNNING MAGAZINE

Gibraltar Insight is The Rock’s longest running magazine. For over 25 years we have been distributing this high quality print and online magazine to a wide and loyal audience, catering to Gibraltar’s unique lifestyle, business, lifestyle, sports and culture.

THE ROCK’S

Distribution: free, monthly magazine distributed via hotels, banks, airports, restaurants, sports clubs etc

Platforms: print, online, social media and Issuu app

Quality: our writers, editors and design teams ensure that Gibraltar Insight competes with high end magazines on all levels, making it a sought out publication from a loyal readership.

We are passionate about our Rock, the people who live here, the stories we tell, and our valued partners.

IN 12 MONTHS

GIBRALTAR INSIGHT ONLINE REACH OF OVER 490,000 IMPRESSIONS

PRINT, ONLINE AND SOCIAL MEDIA

THE MOST CONSISTENT REACH OF ANY PUBLICATION ON THE ROCK

ONLINE & PRINT

16,900

UNIQUE VISITORS / READERS

9,051

UNIQUE READS VIA ISSUU

GIBRALTAR UK SPAIN UNITED STATES IRELAND

TOP 5 READER LOCATIONS

POLICE INSIGHT

rgp & neurodiversity

The underlying theory to this training is that, when carrying out their duties, officers may sometimes interact with people with conditions such as ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder), Dyslexia, ADHD, or Tourette’s.

It might be surprising, but a recent study found that, in the UK, as many as 1% of the population have ASD.

It was emphasised to recruits that some of these neurodivergent people may be highly talented – they just see the world around them in a different way.

Recruits also learned that neurodivergent people may display a wide array of behaviours resulting

from their condition and that there is no easy guide on how to recognise these at first glance. In their training session, the recruits were asked to consider different ways of interacting with neurodivergent people and to consider when special measures might be appropriate when dealing with them as victims, witnesses, or offenders. In a wide-ranging discussion, the recruits were asked to consider alternative methods of communication and ways of providing any extra reassurance necessary if such a person needed to be brought to New Mole House.

In some police forces in UK, neurodivergent people are issued with ‘alert cards’ that give their basic information – and their condition –which they can show to any police officer with whom they have con tact which is an idea that may be trialled here on the Rock. The re cruits agreed that interacting with a neurodivergent person would usually require extra time and pa tience on their part. It was also agreed that there could never be a "One Size Fits All" approach. The course instructor was PC Darrell Alman, who is a qualified teacher. Before returning to Gibral tar, Darrell regularly taught a class of autistic children in Reading,

Berkshire, and he has also taught in the Alternative Learning Centre at Westside School. Away from his police duties, he regularly works closely with Gibraltar’s young neurodiverse community in subjects such as music, art and sensory learning.

Darrell said, “The aim of this training is to equip Police officers with the right awareness to enable them to interact with neurodivergent persons who they may come across in the course of their duties. I know that we will shortly introduce ‘Dementia Awareness’ into our Continuous Professional Development sessions so I hope we can add ‘Neurodiversity Aware-

MADE AWARE OF THE VARIOUS CONDITIONS THAT FALL UNDER THE HEADING OF WHAT IS KNOWN AS "NEURODIVERSITY"

FEATURE FEATURE

WORDS BY JO WARD

Stress affects all of us sometimes, no matter what type of work we do or don’t do, whether you are the CEO of a large company, a member of staff or the head of government. “I believe I am the only Chief Minister who has had all of his issue in office,” The Hon Fabian Picardo says, “so this is a normality for my children.” For the Chief Minister this can mean long hours with lots of travel and that can make achieving a balance between work and family life difficult.

“From the very first day that I was elected and entered No. 6, I have wondered whether it was going to be my last day and I think that is the only healthy way to approach it, and I see myself only as the current Chief Minister of Gibraltar and I tell my children that Daddy is a lawyer - who is presently doing a job in Government - so that they understand that Mummy and Daddy are both lawyers and that is what they do and that I am just doing this for now.”

The Chief Minister admits that 2021 was the toughest year he has ever had in his life. “It wasn't my toughest year in Government - it was my toughest year in life,” he states, going on to say that 2022 was slightly better but still not easy. “You don't sign up for a job like the job I do if what you want is an easy ride, but I didn’t quite expect some of the ups and downs that we have had to go through.”

Asked how he deals working in a high stress environment, the Chief Minister says: “to tell you the truth I don't feel stress for the simple reason that I learnt very early on some basic rules about life.”

“When I was in school my mother always used to say to me 'I'm never going to ask you to do anything other than your best, so don't think I am going to expect that you should do things that you cannot do, but you must do your best' and whenever I used to do something she used to say 'that's good - make the good better, make the better best' and I have taken that with me through life.”

Outlining his daily routine, The Hon. Fabian Picardo says that he wakes up very early. “The day begins at 6.30 am and the first thing I do is to start going through emails and WhatsApp’s.” He spends the next hour or so reading the relevant Gibraltar, Spanish and UK national newspapers, listens to the UK radio, watches some Spanish television programmes and listens to the Gibraltar news. “All of this whilst I am doing some physical training and trying to answer those emails, before I then I take my children to school.”

Whenever he can snatch some extra minutes, such as getting in to the car or walking down to the office, the Chief Minister continues to try to look at and deal with messages.

“I carry on doing that through the day and I won't stop that until about 1 am when I go to sleep,” he says, joking that he needs more sleep than Joe Bossano needed! Margaret Thatcher is famously said to have slept for only four hours a night. “I need between five and a half to six hours sleep, and what I take from that is that it is not humanly possible to do more without affecting my health.”

Heeding his mother’s advice, Fabian Picardo says that he does his best to answer all the emails and to deal with all of the documents on a daily basis. “I try to bring my best to it even if I am tired and therefore I don't feel that I am stressed because I feel that I have done as much as I could do.”

Even if he does find time to put his feet up, to read a novel or watch a movie with the family, the Chief Minister says that he tends to be working as well. “That is what stops me from being stressed,” he says, “knowing that I have done as much as I can and as best as I can, and I know that my parents would be proud.”

There is, however, one thing that seems to have an adverse effect on his mental health. “I was doing Wordle as a bit of relief because sometimes looking away from something also helps you to see something different in the problem that you were dealing with, but that made me stressed!”

Following on from our interview with Gibraltar’s Chief Minister in the last issue, we find out how The Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP deals with stress and how he juggles family life with a hectic schedule.

hung them up and are enjoying it.

I took my own advice and gifted art to some of my close friends and family, these were carefully selected and chosen for them and as far as I know they liked it. I’ll find out next time I visit them at their homes, if they are not hung I will be having words.

We finished 2022 on a high with two successful contemporary exhibitions; we started The Wine Art Club and supported our artists at their own solos. Our first event of the year will be at The Wine Art Club where we will be showcasing the works of Adrian Pitts. Largely self-taught, Adrian is an entrepreneur, teacher, musician and artist who started painting in his native London in the 1980s. He studied fine art for two years at Richmond Upon Thames College before moving to Wales to study Philosophy. At this time he began experimenting with watercolours and acrylics and also got involved in various music projects as a guitarist and singer-songwriter. It wasn’t until 2019 that he finally took the decision to dedicate his artistic efforts full time. His first watercolour and acrylics exhibition back in March 2021 at the Sala Marambay, Cadiz entitled “Principios” was very well received, gaining local media coverage and reviewed in the national art publication, Revistart.

During the last few months Ace Art has supported Adrian and pleased to be involved in the presentation of Glitches, his new series that will be launched at The WineArt Club on Thursday 9th February. I caught up with Adrian and asked him about the collection.

JP – What can you tell us about Glitches?

Adrian – I have an exhibition coming out later this year called ‘Transformations’ and it’s about the ageing process of physical objects and how they deteriorate over time. I also have an interest in the ageing process of the human face and seeing its transformation. The Glitches series was born from that, Glitches is a passage of time. I am sort of playing with time, taking scenes from the past that would be recognisable as during WW2 or the 1950 and throwing in modern day elements, creating a glitch.

JP – So what do you mean by a glitch?

Adrian – Adding modern day elements, so for example a picture of cyclists going over Westminister Bridge in London and one of them is carrying an uber eats delivery bag or a person in a historical scene holding a can of coke or wearing a digital watch. That would be the glitch.

If you are as curious as I am about this series then come along to the launch and enjoy a wine tasting session at the same time. I can tell you that I have already seen a few of them and have chosen my favourite. Tickets are priced at £15 and available at www.aceart.gi We will be back next month with more events to tell you about.

WORDS BY KATHLEEN NORTH

WORDS BY JP BAUTISTA

FEATURE FEATURE

TAKING CROSS-STITCHING TO THE STREETS

Like a soft play Banksy, Valencian artist Raquel Rodrigo is taking her huge cross-stitch works to buildings across the globe.

If the words ’embroidery’ and ‘crossstitch’ conjure up images of your grandma and her cute-but-kitsch portraits of her favourite cat, then you’ve yet to come across the work of Valencia-based artist Raquel Rodrigo. Using the art form she learned from her mother, this young artist is creating XL street-art installations that are bringing new life to her local streets.

“It’s the embroidery that women have always done inside the home on sheets, towels and cushions,” said Rodrigo. “This is about taking that embroidery to the streets.”

Old craft, new way

When she was a little girl, Raquel Rodrigo – like many other children in Spain – was taught embroidery by her mother. A traditional way of decorating linens, tablecloths, cushions and other

textiles, embroidery is a skill which has been around for centuries and until recently had mostly fallen out of fashion with younger generations. These days though, the handmade and DIY craze has exploded, as millennials rediscover manual crafts and take a break from those computer screens.

Someone who needed no convincing to take up embroidery again is was Rodrigo. This artist decided to take her childhood hobby to the next level and create large-scale embroidery art. Ditching the traditional embroidery threads and ‘eavenweave’ fabrics, Raquel works with thick cotton cord made from natural fibres which she weaves across a metal grid-patterned frame.

If Rodrigo relies on these sturdy materials, it’s because her art’s final resting place is the streets of her home town, Valencia. Her vision is to take a tradi-

tionally home-based activity and take it to the streets to make it public art, leaving her embroideries to become part of their environment. In so doing, she’s also giving visibility to all the women whose embroidery has for so long been restricted to the home and rarely been given attention.

The Valencian-born artist came up with the idea in 2011 after she was tasked with embellishing the facade of a Madrid store that offered sewing workshops. As she searched for a way to embody the store’s raison d’être, her mind wandered back to the cross-stitching technique she had learned from her mother as a young girl.

Using a computer to map out the pattern, she designed a flurry of crimson roses tumbling down the facade. From there she printed out a pixelated pattern to follow, stitching it carefully on to

a

The technique soon became her signature. As her project Arquicostura – a Spanish portmanteau of architecture and sewing – brought her to cities such as London, Istanbul and Philadelphia, reactions poured in from around the world.

Some saw reminders of their childhood in her work, others were flooded with memories of grandmothers and mothers. The constant references to female figures laid bare the wider significance of the work. “Over time I realised that this was a way of asserting a feminine art that has long been invisible,” said the 38-year-old.

Taking inspiration in spaces

Whereas embroidery is traditionally found on soft furnishings and household items, Rodrigo turned to the city itself for inspiration. She explains that she gets her inspiration by walking around and observing the spaces she sees around her. Every lamppost, broken window, empty wall or doorway

can become a canvas, inspiring its own embroidery.

Then it’s back to the studio to give her inspiration life. A fan of blending the old with the new, the artisan and the industrial, Rodrigo has very much made her embroidery a 21st-century art form by using her computer to assist in the design of her work. Sitting at her desk, she designs her pieces using software that enables her to adapt her designs to specific sizes and shapes, as well as allowing her to visualise the final result before she even starts work on the embroidery.

Finally, her work takes its place on the street and the artist lets her work runs its course. Rodrigo knows that street art is essentially ephemeral, subject to human intervention as much as the wind or the rain. But for her, that’s all part of the lifecycle of her art and part of the beauty of these pieces: they too become part of the public space.

Weaving stories into the city

These super-sized embroidery works are essentially weaving new life into

the streets of Valencia, and so far, Rodrigo says the reaction has been very positive. She believes that because so many people have their own memories of embroidery, her work is immediately relatable to those who see it, making it both recognisable and unusual.

Thanks to the slim metal frame, her creations appear as if they are suspended or holding onto an invisible frame. Imagine walking down the street to find the walls are covered in beautiful embroidery which appears to be woven into the very fabric of the city.

Rodrigo’s art clearly appeals to the senses: it’s not uncommon for most people’s first reaction to be to touch the embroidery. These huge works are fully three-dimensional, revealing each cross, loop and knot. While some of her creations appear more traditional, depicting flowers for example, other designs are more modern, such as a 70-metre installation with a simple message: ‘Certain things take time’.

metallic mesh that was mounted on the storefront.

COMMUNITY INSIGHT

NATIONAL HONOURS

THE GIBRALTAR HONOURS BOARD (GHB), UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE GOVERNOR, WILL MEET IN APRIL TO CONSIDER NOMINATIONS FOR:

The King’s New Year Honours List 2024; and,

The Gibraltar Award, which is awarded by the GHB and announced coincident with

The King’s Birthday Honours 2023.

Nominations should be submitted to recognise those people, from any section of the Gibraltarian Community, who have made an exceptional contribution or given exceptional service in the progression of either the well-being, achievement or reputation of Gibraltar.

Nominations should be submitted no later than 17th March on a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

(FCDO) Nomination Proforma for the attention of the GHB Secretary, Office of the Governor, The Convent, Main Street, Gibraltar GX11 1AA.

Nominations can be submitted by anyone. A copy of the FCDO Nomination Proforma, along with detailed guidance on its completion, can be obtained from

The Convent reception on Main Street or from the GHB Secretary at enquiry.gibraltar@fco.gov.uk

Up to two letters of endorsement from those with a personal knowledge of the nominee’s contribution or service should support nominations.

APPLICATIONS FOR NEW HOUSE SCHEME

The Minister for Economic Development, Joe Bossano has been receiving a number of letters from Senior Citizens expressing interest in purchasing an apartment in the new housing scheme for pensioner home owners, which is being carried out as part of the National Economic Plan and the construction of which is being funded by the Savings Bank.

The first of these properties will be at Laguna Estate subject to successful planning permission.

If there is increased demand more potential sites will be investigated in order to provide sufficient flats for those who wish to participate in the scheme.

Interested parties should address their request to Minister Bossano at the Ministry for Economic Development 31 Town Range, and will receive an acknowledgment that they have been put on the list.

MULTI-LINGUAL GIBRALTAR

Minister for Education and Culture John Cortes met with John Manuel Enriles and Dale Buttigieg of the newly formed Gibraltarians for a Multilingual Society (GMS), together with senior representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Gibraltar Cultural Services.

The discussion centered on the importance, and the benefits of ensuring that Gibraltar remains a multilingual society. All agreed on this and discussed activities and plans that are being developed in various areas to promote multilingualism.

Minister for Education and Culture, the Hon John Cortes, commented, “Multilingualism is part of what makes Gibraltar. It is

important socially, professionally and economically and benefits mental health and ability and creativity.

We have an obligation to do all we can to protect our ‘llanito’ as well as to ensure that we take the opportunity that our community o ers us to be able to work professionally in more than one language. My teams at Culture and Education share this commitment.

I fully support Gibraltarians for a Multilingual Society in their endeavours”.

FEATURE FEATURE

“AT THE EXTREME SOUTHERN TIP, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE ON THE ROCK, WHERE ONE MAY LOOK BACK AT THE GREAT MOUNTAINS OR FORWARD ACROSS THE SEA AT MONT ABYLA, THE HESPERIDES AND THE MIGHTY ATLAS...”

GIBRALTAR: THE KEYSTONE. STEWART, JD, 1967.

WORDS BY DR SAM BENADY

Apart from its favoured location, the Europa Point lighthouse has many claims to being unique. It is the only lighthouse outside the British Isles to be administered by Trinity House, and it was one of the first lighthouses to be set up in the area. A book of sailing directions published in 1832 does not mention any lighthouses in the area (although there was one at Tarifa). The lighthouses we know today came much later – Cape Spartel in 1865, Punta Carnero in 1874, and Malabata not until the beginning of the 20th century.

Before the lighthouse was built, the only guide that mariners had in the treacherous waters at the entrance to the bay was the light from the Shrine of Our Lady of Europa, while this was no doubt of some help, many ships must have been wrecked in mediaeval times for the want of a lighthouse. The great Genoese admiral, Andrea Doria, presented the shrine with a silver lamp, but this was in gratitude for success in battle rather than for navigational assistance.

In 1838 building started. The foundation stone was laid by the Governor, Sir Alexander Woodford, with the assistance of the Masonic Order of Gibraltar. aOver 10,000 people were there to witness the event, coming not only from Gibraltar but from Spain.

“The evening was fine, the sea enlivened by lateen boats decked in colours and the whole living mass which thronged the rocky promontory apparently enjoying the novelty and splendour of the scene. It was a day likely to be remembered by the inhabitants of Gibraltar and others who were present...” Gibraltar Chronicle, 28th April 1838.

Dowager Queen Adelaide visited the site in the same year, and had a plaque affixed to the wall which is still there today.

FEATURE FEATURE

Building had begun one year after Queen Victoria's accession to the throne, and the lighthouse had the official name, now long-forgotten, of “The Victoria Lighthouse.” An Act of Parliament in that year vested responsibility for the lighthouse in Trinity House.

The 1841 edition of the same book of sailing directions records:

“The VICTORIA TOWER, a lighthouse in Europa Point, was building in the year 1840, the foundation stone having been laid, with great solemnity, on the 26th day of April 1838. The tower stands on a platform 38 feet square, the diameter of the column at the base is 27 feet, and its height 60 feet. The building is of hewn stone, crowned with a lantern ten feet high, which is to contain a very powerful light.” Sailing Directions for the Strait of Gibraltar... Purdy, J. 1841 edition.

The lighthouse was first lit in 1841 and initially a fixed light was exhibited by a single wick oil lamp augmented by

a dioptric fixed lens and catoptric mirrors. The light was 150 feet above sea level, and by the 1880s it could be seen for twenty miles.

“At Europa point is seen the newly erected lighthouse, an excellent beacon for mariners coming from the east. It is soon descried on the other side, after leaving Tarifa, and well distinguished as far up on the coast as Marbella. The light is fixed, and the reflectors are constructed on the newest principle.” Handbook to Gibraltar.[Bell, J] 1844.

Improvements were made in 1864 and the light now covered Pearl Rock on the opposite side of the Bay, which had been the site of several shipwrecks. In spite of this, HMS Agincourt went aground there in 1871 (Fig. 3).

A succession of improvements to the light followed in the 20th century, and the height of the tower was raised by six feet. In 1994 the light was fully automated. Until then there had been three lighthouse keepers, but now there is only one attendant on call, who is alerted by the lighthouse computer on the rare occasions that there is a problem.

Gibraltarians have always been rightly proud of their remarkable lighthouse, known to them as “La Farola” for nearly a century and three-quarters.

“Lighthouses everywhere are dramatic sights, but few are so inspiringly placed as the Europa Point Lighthouse, on the southern tip of Gibraltar....Operational since 1841, the lighthouse is a bit of history itself. Because of the economic importance of the Strait, the beacon, even in these days of radar and satellite navigation, is far from a relic.” (Lighthouse Digest, 2004).

Article supplied by History Society Gibraltar. Email: historysocietygibraltar@hotmail.com

PLAQUE ON LIGHTHOUSE WALL

HMS AGINCOURT BEING TOWED TO GIBRALTAR BY HMS HERCULES

INTO THE EYE OF THE STORM

Whilst on deployment, 2 Platoon were directed to work with 1RIFLES in a Battle Group context. They were integrated into C Company and were given the call sign 9 Platoon. Right from the start, 9 Platoon were just another member of a much larger team and meshed seamlessly with the rest of C Company and 1RIFLES.

9 Platoon, C Company, consisted of an RG platoon with 3 attached Riflemen from 5RIFLES. The Light Role infantry element of the 1RIFLES Battle Group consisted of 3 Companies including C Company.

Here the light role element spearheaded large scale manoeuvres and the RG learned about the battle rhythm and tactics employed with this level of workforce. It was a great opportunity to see the logistical, vehicle recovery and medical chains being tested throughout the exercise in real time.

Royal Gibraltar Regiment, I Company, Captain Thomas said, “One of the highlights that was voiced from 9 Platoon was the final action on CALFEX which was a live, black, Company assault on steep and difficult features in the region of Archers Post which is a settlement in Kenya’s Samburu County.

The live mortars and machine guns firing, whilst the reconnaissance guided the Companies into position before an arduous assault will be a memorable moment for all those involved.”

“It was an ideal platform to learn about bush tactics and practice some hard soldiering,” he continued, “It also provided an opportunity to show off the skills the RG continue to develop in Gibraltar.

From pre-deployment training, all the way through to the end of Ex ASKARI STORM, the RG were welcomed with open arms by 1RIFLES which made the actual training more enjoyable.”

2 PLATOON, I COMPANY FROM THE ROYAL GIBRALTAR REGIMENT (RG) WAS SENT ON A DEPLOYMENT TO KENYA ON EXERCISE ASKARI STORM TOWARDS THE END OF 2022.

ARMED FORCES INSIGHT

ROYAL GIBRALTAR REGIMENT B COMPANY’S PRIVATE (PTE) BOUHALTIT HAS BEEN PRESENTED WITH THE BEST RESERVE SOLIDER OF THE YEAR FOR 2022.

The assessment is made over the calendar year to capture key training such as Exercise Jebel Tarik, Exercise Calpe Keys, Ceremonial Duties and Mandatory Annual Training Tests.

During 2022, Pte Bouhaltit had shown an enormous amount of commitment to the platoon and company and at one point was the only Annual Combat Marksmanship Test qualified soldier.

Battalion Second in Command, Major John Pitto MBE, said, “The last time a soldier was awarded the title of Best Soldier was 4 years ago. The platoon Sergeant and I were therefore very keen to bring this back as it provides an opportunity to recognise individuals from the platoon for their hard work and effort over the year of training.

Pte Bouhaltit puts the Company and training before his other commitments, including his 5 other jobs, but more noticeably, he always gives 100% effort in any training that is undertaken.”

LT CDR ADAM COLMAN RECENTLY PAID A COURTESY CALL ON THE GOVERNOR AS HE RELINQUISHED HIS TWO-YEAR COMMAND OF THE ROYAL NAVY GIBRALTAR SQUADRON..

He leaves Gibraltar to attend the Intermediate Staff Course at Shrivenham before a short period on board HMS DEFENDER (Type 45 Destroyer) before starting the Principle Warfare Officers Course at HMS COLLINGWOOD in June.

Good luck from everyone at Insight.

MOTORING INSIGHT

WORDS BY MARTIN WARD

I can just imagine the conversations at Toyota HQ, someone has got their design drawing pad and added a few extra body parts onto a standard Yaris, they’ve then gone into their boss and said “I’ve had a great idea, why don’t we do a ‘pumped-up’ version of the fairly dull Yaris?” I can imagine the initial reaction would be one of, not a chance, it wouldn’t work, and it wouldn’t sell.

MOTORING INSIGHT

But it has gone into production, and it is selling extremely well. It is powered by a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine coupled to an automatic gearbox and the very clever and frugal Toyota hybrid system.

I had one recently on test, and before it arrived wasn’t sure about it’s design or concept, it just reminded me of what Rover did to the 25 back in 2003. They too took a pretty basic 25 hatch called it the Streetwise and added various bits to it, such as roof rails, plastic wheel arch mouldings and larger bumpers and called it the ‘Urban on-roader’ it was suppose to at-

tract younger buyers to the Rover brand, and in fairness to Rover it didn’t do too badly in the market. But underneath it was still a fairly unreliable 25.

But the Yaris Cross is a cross of two things that Toyota do really well, make great small cars, and produce a fantastic non-plug-in Hybrid System. But the designers have completely transformed the

Rear leg and head room is fairly good for a small car, and the luggage space with its two-piece height adjustable boot floor is adequate.

But the economy on this Toyota is very good, during the week I had the car it achieved over 60mpg (4.7 l/100 km) which I thought was excellent and much of this was just local and short journeys.

exterior from the Yaris and made it almost unrecognisable from the standard car. Like the Streetwise lots of added body parts, but all very tastefully done, and all up to a very high quality in both materials used, and the fit and finish, not just a bit of glue holding it all together.

It has a higher driving position than the standard Yaris and even higher than its competitors such as the Ford Puma and Skoda Kamiq. In the Cross there are plenty of manual adjustments to the seats and steering wheel, so getting comfy, whatever size you are is really easy.

The hybrid system charges a battery whilst slowing down, braking, coasting or going down hills. The energy it saves, is then used for acceleration, and can run for a few miles purely on electric power, which helps fuel consumption and reduces emissions.

After a week, it was collected by Toyota GB, and I was a bit sad to see it go, as I really enjoyed using the Yaris Cross much more than I thought I was going to.

TOYOTA HAVE TAKEN A PRETTY BORING LOOKING SMALL FIVE DOOR HATCH, THAT DOES SELL IN BIG NUMBERS AROUND EUROPE AND MADE IT INTO SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL.

Prices in the UK start from £24,840.

RUGBY, CRICKET AND WOMEN'S FOOTBALL WORLD CUPS

TRAILBLAZE EXCITING YEAR AHEAD

WORDS BY LIAM BEGLAN, SPORTS WRITER

SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP

(Feb 4th – aMarch 18th)

RUGBY'S revered event, the Six Nations championship, by some distance the sport’s most popular annual tournament, so beloved the capacity of all host stadia, whether it be Twickenham, Paris, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Dublin, or even Rome, could be filled more than twice over such is the fervour this tournament engenders, kicks off on 4th February for a six-week celebration of the great game. This year's championship has powerful added significance as it's World Cup year and all six countries will be in action in the Webb Ellis Trophy starting next September in France.

Bookmaking opinion is split between France and Ireland as to which to make favourite for the Six Nations title, while Wales and England have both hit the panic button with last-minute sackings of their chief coaches – Wales welcome back tried and trusted Kiwi Warren Gatland following a disastrous last season that included defeats to perennial strugglers Italy and, astonishingly, a home defeat to second-tier nation Georgia, while Twickenham HQ’s patience finally ran out with Eddie Jones’ feeble excuses, replacing the Aussie serial apologist with popular ex-England star Steve Borthwick.

Looking elsewhere, history shows that Ireland struggle when burdened with the tag of being made favourite, as my financial scars over the years bear testament to, but, probably illogically, I’m tipping the Green Machine to be crowned champions, mainly because their two most dangerous opponents, France and England, have to come to Dublin's fair city to wage war at the cauldron that is Fortress Aviva.

Must-Watch Juggernaut TV Clashes:

11TH FEB – IRELAND VS FRANCE KO 15:15 (CET)

25TH FEB – WALES VS ENGLAND KO 17:45 (CET)

11TH MAR – ENGLAND VS FRANCE KO 17:45 (CET)

18th Mar – Ireland vs England KO 18:00 (CET)

WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP

(April 15th – May 1st)

SNOOKER is going through turbulent times at the moment with troubling tales of corrupt match-fixing sweeping through the game and ten players banned by the World Snooker Tour, including Chinese star Zhao Xintong, who is ranked number nine in the world, so it follows that the World Championship, starting at the hallowed home of the sport, the Crucible in Sheffield on 15th April, will be under intense scrutiny as the giants of the game, defending champion ‘Rocket Ronnie’ O'Sullivan and last year's beaten finalist Judd Trump, among other household names, seek to restore snooker's reputation.

Winner of the Masters’ title in January, Trump boasts the best current form and is my tip to avenge last year's final defeat at the hands of O'Sullivan, but write off the ‘Rocket’ at your peril!

WIMBLEDON TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

(July 3rd - 16th)

WIMBLEDON 2023, minus Roger Federer – arguably the greatest player of all time, but indisputably the most stylish professional practitioner to have ever picked up a racquet – and with chief rival Rafael Nadal beset by injury woes as Old Father Time demands his dues, the road ahead for Novak Djokovic to claim his eighth singles title is clear, with the only possible obstructions being the volatile and ill-disciplined Aussie Nick Kyrgios and beleaguered Daniil Medvedev who, by accident of birth, can expect a somewhat frosty spectator experience should authorities relent and allow the Russian to compete. The great and defiantly unvaccinated Novak will surely hold the trophy aloft on Sunday, July 16th.

In the Women's Singles, Britain's Emma Raducanu continues to disappoint since sensationally winning the US Open as an A-level student in 2021. Knocked out in just the second round of this year's Australian Open, the charge against the Bromley girl is that there are too many distractions in her life, modelling commitments, multiple changes of coach etc, and becoming a multi-millionaire at such a tender age. This is Emma's opportunity to recapture the magic that saw her stun the tennis world in New York two years ago, and emulate her idol Virginia Wade by winning Wimbledon in front of an adoring full house. Girl, would that blow the Centre Court roof off!

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL WORLD CUP

(July 20th – Aug 20th)

FOOTBALL came agonisingly close to ‘coming home’ for the men in both the Euros and recent World Cup before the scourge of the penalty shootout and Harry Kane's ‘pigeon killer’ came into play to cruelly shatter Three Lions' dreams, but no such doorstep stumble for the ladies on that glorious 31st July night at Wembley Stadium, when the Lionesses devoured Germany 2-1 to clinch their first Euro Championship.

And now for the big one – 32 nations, including England and Ireland, will take part in the FIFA 2023 World Cup Fi nals, to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, with the final scheduled for Sydney on 20th August. Defend ing champions, the United States are strongly fancied to retain the title, but if the Lionesses recapture the spirit of that unforgettable last night in July, then football may well be truly coming home.

RUGBY WORLD CUP

(Sept 8th – Oct 28th)

FRANCE hosts the 10th Rugby Union World Cup which starts on September 8th, with the opening group game being an absolute awe-inspiring snorter, featuring the hosts taking on the mighty All Blacks – Les Bleus vs New Zealand – a pairing that could well be repeated seven weeks later, in the final itself. Of the nine previous world cups, southern hemisphere giants New Zealand and South Africa are tied with three triumphs each, with Australia successful twice, leaving England as the sole European winner, an historic victory gained in 2003.

France, as hosts, probably represent Europe's best hope of repelling southern hemisphere giants, defending champs South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, but Ireland, currently worldranked number one, and a resurgent England should not be overlooked.

2023 ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP

(Oct – Nov – Dates TBA)

INDIA hosts the ODI World Cup this autumn in the 13th edition of the competition, rearranged because of delays in the qualification schedule due to the Covid-19 pandemic and, as the home nation, no surprise that they feature high on most experts’ lists as favourites to claim their third world title.

Recently crowned T20 World Cup winners England, unrecognisable from the side that were whitewashed by the Aussies in the Ashes Down Under just 18 months ago, pose the biggest threat to an India triumph, but never under-estimate the Three Roses’ recurring ability to throw in at least one wobbly among the googlies, as was perfectly illustrated by defeat to minnows Ireland in the group stage, a result that nearly wrecked their triumphant T20 campaign.

Traditional heavyweights, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan can never be discounted, so buckle up for an exciting finale to a stellar sports year.

FEATURE FEATURE

WORDS BY STEVEN GONZALEZ GFA

A BUSY START TO 2023 FOR GIBRALTAR’S REFEREES AND MATCH OFFICIALS

Gibraltar’s Referees and match officials held their annual five-day FIFA Winter Camp, in January, on the Rock.

The Winter Camp, part of the continuous development of the Associations Refereeing Teams saw all Gibraltar Football League Match Officials taking part as well as selected other Gibraltar Referees and Referee Observers.

FIFA Referee instructor Alan Snoddy delivered technical presentations on incidents including upper body challenges, handball, persistent player misconduct and holding offences.

The five-day camp also focussed on the physical aspect of refereeing with FIFA Refereeing Fitness Instructor, Simon Berivik with YoYo/Ariet assessments, Sprint tests carried out alongside Fitness Theory and Analysis sessions.

Match situations that have arisen throughout the current season in the Gibraltar Football League were presented by the Gibraltar FA’s Refereeing Department as well as video analysis of three specifically arranged friendly matches that formed part of the camp.

This year, guest speakers featured prominently starting with Nadine Pardo-Zammitt and Siobhan Gregory who delivered a presentation on International Netball umpiring and the setup at the Gibraltar Netball Association

Current Gibraltar international, Scott Wiseman, was also a guest speaker at the camp, talking to Gibraltar’s Referees

about a player’s perception of a referee and an officiating team.

Speaking about the FIFA Winter Camp, the Gibraltar FA’s Referee Manager, Adrian Bacarisa, stated:

“Once a year we take the opportunity to hold a FIFA MA Course for referees. This is the fifth time that we have held such a FIFA supported training camp which has been held either abroad or in Gibraltar. These camps provide referees, assistant referees, referee observers and selected lower category referees the opportunity to live as a team spending five days together sharing experiences and team building. The camp also exposes them to more professionalism as we work on getting our match officials to be better and minimising mistakes.

This year, a number of guest speakers took us through their own expertise pro-

viding a variety of topics increasing the knowledge and awareness of our match officials. I would also like to thank Gibraltar FAs U17 & U19 teams, FCB Magpies, Glacis Utd, Manchester 62 and Europa Point for providing teams to play friendly matches during this training camp.”

Gibraltar Match Officials

FIFA Listed for 2023

Gibraltar has once again had four of its Match officials FIFA listed for 2023. The four match officials who have gained their international status are:

• Referee: Jason Barcelo

• Assistant Referees: Michael Mascias and Daniel Gomez

• Futsal Referee: Zyl Sheriff FIFA listing means that the officials are able to officiate in International and European competitions.

All four were presented with their FIFA badges for 2023 by the Gibraltar Referees' Committee Paul Grech and Gibraltar FA Referee Manager Adrian Bacarisa at last weekend's Winter Camp.

International recognition is the pinnacle of every referees career and shows how much room for progression and development there is in perusing a career in refereeing in Gibraltar. Anyone interested in becoming a referee can visit www.gfarefereeing.com and start their journey in becoming either a football or Futsal Referee.

GIBRALTAR’S REFEREES AND MATCH OFFICIALS HELD THEIR ANNUAL FIVE-DAY FIFA WINTER CAMP, IN JANUARY, ON THE ROCK.

The Gibraltar Women`s National League has just concluded with Gibraltar Wave FC losing our last match on the 19th of January 2023 against a good Lynx side by 4-2. Had we won this match, we would have ended 3rd rather than 4th in the league standing. However, we are still very proud to have completed the second league season of our existence. Now planning for the up coming ROCK CUP 2023 due to start shortly.

As was mentioned in the previous article, despite other clubs in the league taking the players we bring on to the Gibraltar women`s football scene, we still managed to bring

WAVE FC ON TO ROCK CUP 2023 AND SOCCERISE! SOCCERCISE

on new players and firmly believe that we can keep improve our standard and results.

To build a strong foundation and help the female community in Gibraltar to get fitter and lead a more active life, we are embarking on a new scheme to encourage all female over the age of 14 to register interest and join us in our trainings. Playing and exercising with friends and colleagues also brings in the following Psychological and Social benefits.

FITNESS FOR A HEALTHY BODY AND MIND

An active life makes a happier life

CAMARADERIE

A sense of belonging and the opportunity to make new friends. Some may even become buddies for life! A great chance to make a new social circle.

LEARNING TO LOSE

And learning to do it graciously. Bad sportsmanship is an ugly thing. No one likes a sore loser. Of course, there’s no harm in being competitive and expressing frustration in a non-aggressive manner. However, losing with integrity to a better opponent is honourable. Which leads us on to the next point quite nicely…

RESPECTING AUTHORITY

Following set rules, taking direction and accepting decisions is a large part of playing football. The regular interaction with coaches, teammates, referees and opponents makes us all

learn to respect.

CONTROLLING EMOTIONS

Both positive and negative emotions are learnt from football with Gibraltar Wave. This helps in tackling other life challenges.

SELF-ESTEEM

Many studies suggest that physical activities in football contributes to the development of self-esteem. A pat on the back, a high-five from a friend or teammate, or a handshake with an opponent at the end of a match, whether you win or lose, is all character building for a better person by focusing on one's effort and enjoyment of football. The supportive relationships of coaches and teammates all positively builds self-esteem. Enjoying is the key to happiness.

PATIENCE

We all know to improve at anything you ned to practice. As practice makes perfect, then perfect takes patience. In

Beach Handball has done an excellent job in promoting the sport and increasing its popularity among players of all ages. Inspired by this success, I came up with the idea to patent a new sport, #3x3eachSoccer, that uses the same small court as Beach Handball.#3x3eachSoccer is a fast-paced, action-packed game that is perfect for football players and fans alike. I believe it is ideal for a small place like Gibraltar and has the potential to become a major sport, with a world tour and TV rights available for investors.

Beach Soccer is already in the European Games, and with the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics, I see this new sport as a perfect addition to the Olympic program.

reality, perfect simply means improving just that little bit more than the day before.

DEDICATION

Similar to patience, the discipline of training and the commitment it takes to pursue a sport like football is a trait transferrable to many other aspects of life.

TEAMWORK

Teamwork makes Dream work.

A team can’t succeed without working together. No matter how good the individual players. Communication is key and learning to be part of a team is synonymous with learning to value the effectiveness of teamwork..

RESILIENCE

The highs. The lows. The wins. And the losses. Football is an emotional roller-coaster, like life itself. Football is about bouncing back, and learning from mistakes.

I am confident that #3x3eachSoccer has the potential to become a major sport, and I am excited to see it grow and gain popularity among players and fans worldwide.

Do get in touch with Gibraltar Wave FC if interested in supporting the development and promotion of #3x3eachSoccer. The most spectacular and cheapest sport to play.

Get in touch if you want your brand to be associated with Gibraltar Wave FC. We have many interesting sponsorship packages that will ingrain your brand in the Gibraltar sporting circle and beyond.

WORDS BY STEVEN GONZALES WORDS BY XXX

WORDS BY JOHN GONTIER

WITH GIBRALTAR WAVE FC FOR

It is, of course, positive to want to achieve at the highest level we can but the problems may begin when we give ourselves unrealistic goals.

Always wanting to reach the highest point can make us anxious and unfairly, disappointed with ourselves.

We are surrounded by so many images of perfection and high achieving - no wonder we feel compelled to match their dizzying heights. When did the word average become a description for less-than or not good enough? If we genuinely feel something is good or positive for us, why is it downgraded to average in other peoples eyes? It is incredibly easy to believe that a middle ground of anything is not desirable - we are often led to think that only the highest level is palatable.

The truth is we are all pretty average at most areas of our lives. We all have our own strengths and weaknesses. But the fact is, most of us are pretty average at most things we do. Even if you’re truly exceptional at one thing — say math, or jump rope, or making money off the black gun market — chances are you’re pretty average or below average at most other things. That’s just the nature of life. To become truly great at something, you have to dedicate time and energy to it and because we all have limited time and energy, few of us ever become truly exceptional at more than one thing, if anything at all.

It’s good to be aware that success looks different for everyone. And to be aware of nepotism, classism, ageism, racism and misogyny in the workplace that presents obstacles for some of us. To succeed in our careers we need grit and determination, yup, but also a tremendous amount of luck.

Cutting ourselves some slack is not lazy, it is being realistic and kind to ourselves. It is

about not stressing why you still have not secured that promotion, larger house or romantic success. It is all good, it is absolutely fine. We are all doing our best, within financial means and emotional state of mind. Some self care is definitely what is needed when we are being critical about ourselves and our choices.

Aiming for middling runs counter to how most of us function in our winner-takes -all society. Who wants to be average? We want above-average results in all areas of our lives: careers, relationships, children, even regarding airplane seats and hotel rooms. We are always jockeying to improve our position relative to others. Despite a few pockets of low self-esteem, we generally think of ourselves as above-average in most areas of life. A simple example is a well-known study showed that most people consider themselves to be above-average drivers, clearly, that is statistically impossible.

There are only a finite number of top spots in every area of work and life - that is a fact. How can we all possibly fit into those at the same time? It is not as if opportunities only lie at the top. In fact, I believe there are plenty more opportunities in the average zone. That is where growth, learning and acceptance exist. Why not take advantage?

Remember to feel fulfilled and avoid those feelings of being average. it is about more than just liking or being good at something. The secret to a joyous and impactful life is finding something that lies at the intersection of three things: what you are good at, what you enjoy doing, and what the world values.

Finding that will take trial and error, so do not be afraid to try out many different passions. What you end up loving and feeling great at might be very far away from the expectations you have always had for

WORDS BY KATHLEEN NORTH

yourself. Experiment intentionally with different things until you find that magic combination of ability, interest, and value. How to help you aim for average:

• Set your own limits - Remember that you can choose what time, effort and energy you give to everything you do – and sometimes doing less, means that you can give more to things that are more important to you.

• Keep a gratitude diary. Focus on what you have, not what you lack. Write down 3 things each day that you are grateful for. This moves us from a focus on striving to a focus on thriving.

• Keep an ‘I did it list’. Appreciate the progress – however small – you have made at the end of each day. This is a great way of giving you a real feeling of satisfaction. You did enough – well done!

• Fall in love with stopping. Like an artist painting a picture, it can be easy to over paint and never stop – always in search of that final touch. But there’s nothing quite like putting the metaphorical brush down and saying ‘that’s good enough’. Savour the moment when you stop.

Enjoy being an average without a pang of guilt. You may never know, there is someone who would give anything to be in your shoes. People genuinely will not remember any particular success story of yours for long. However, they will always remember how you made them feel. Start each day afresh and have the confidence to live your life at your own pace.

So divert your eyes from the top, explore different opportunities and find contentment in the middle ground. As challenging as it is not to look at others lifestyles, financial situation - or even likes on social media - it is empowering for us to be ourselves and believe in ourselves.

AIMING FOR THE TOP, BEING THE BEST, STRIVING FOR PERFECTION. WANTING TO ACHIEVE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL IS SURELY A GOAL WE SHOULD ALL AIM FOR? WELL, NOT NECESSARILY.

PANCHO CAMPO CREATING CHANGE FOR THE FUTURE PLANET

WORDS BY JO WARD

FEATURE FEATURE

Born in Chile, Pancho Campo was a talented tennis player in his youth.

“I wish I had been more talented, that's why I did not climb in the ATP rankings, but I became a very successful coach,” he explains. Pancho was Captain of the Chilean Olympic Team in Barcelona 1992, then travelled the ATP Tour for a couple of years, working for the Academy with students such as Andrea Agassi and Pete Sampras.

“It was whilst I was coaching on the Tour that I was hired by the Government of Qatar to be their tennis director and their Davis Cup coach,” Pancho states, going on to add that he was very honoured to be the coach of the current Emir and the President of the Paris Saint-Germain football team.

Pancho Campo is a man who has managed to combine his passions in life with his business life. “My role model has always been Richard Branson, and like Richard Branson I have tried to turn all my passions into business - so therefore sports, music, wine and lately in the last ten years the environment.”

When he retired from tennis about thirteen years ago, Pancho created his own events management company. “By default we started organising tennis exhibitions and tournaments with the likes of Pat Cash, Stefan Edberg, Andre Agassi and Emilio Sánchez Vicario, but eventually we moved into organising music concerts with artists such as Sting, Pink Floyd, Tom Jones and the Gypsy Kings.”

“Music was always a big part of my life and it was always a dream of mine to be able to organise a concert, so our first concert was in the year 2000 with Enrique Iglesias when he was number one in the charts, and that went so well that we continued organising events for many years,” Pancho says.

Admitting that there are still things he can't do in this life, Pancho says that he is terrible at playing an instrument or soccer. “If you ask me what my number one asset is, it is event management. I am a good organiser whether that is a concert, a conference or a sporting event.”

At an age when many people think about retiring, Pancho decided to something meaningful. “I have been very lucky in life and that is what led me to create the Planet Future Foundation as a legacy to my kids, but also you have got to be thankful and when life has treated you well I think it is nice to give back to society,” says Pancho.

It was in 2003 when he started taking climate change seriously. “I love snow skiing and I started listening to people complaining that the quality of the snow was not the same any more, that the seasons were different - sometimes shorter, sometimes longer,” he explains.

In those days it was called global warming and at the same time Pancho was preparing to become a Master of Wine. It was in 2006 when he realised there was a direct link between wine and the changing climate and this led to him to organise an international conference on climate change and wine. “It was a crazy idea,” he laughs. “A big flop, because in those days nobody spoke about climate change.” Only about 80 people showed up to what Pancho hoped would be a 200-person event, however two very good things did come out of it. Many of those who attended were journalists from international media outlets like National Geographic, the BBC and the wine media who “were all very curious to know who the crazy guy was talking about climate change and the wine industry,” Pancho jokes. The second important thing is that two months after the event Pancho got a phone call from the office of Vice President Al Gore inviting him to attend a two-day training in Seville for climate change leaders. “I told him everything that we

had learnt about climate change and wine in our first conference and I convinced him to be my key note speaker at the next edition.” Eighteen months later VP Al Gore had released the documentary ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ - he won an Oscar, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and won Spain’s prestigious Prince of Asturias Award. “So when he showed up in Barcelona he was probably the most famous human being on earth at the time.”

“The conference that had started out with just eighty delegates on the first edition then went up to eight hundred people coming from more than seventy countries in just two years - all the big names of the wine industry were there, and that allowed us to recover what we had lost in the first edition, but it also gave use the encouragement to continue doing this.” In future editions as well as VP Al Gore who came to five of the events, Pancho welcomed Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and in 2018 he managed to convince US president Barack Obama to be the key note speaker at an event in Porto, Portugal.

It was during the pandemic lockdown period that Pancho managed to put together everything that was required to set up the Planet Future Foundation, an NGO registered in Miami. “It is a fully non-profit organisation with the main goal being to create awareness of the impacts of the climate crisis, the damage we are doing to the environment and to show the solutions available. We are doing this through expeditions and trips we started organizing early this year to enable us to gather data and record documentaries,” explains Pancho.

The first fund raiser that Pancho is putting together is an event in Gibraltar on 16th March at The Sunborn called Exploring the Climate Crisis. “We are going to show some footage that we have recorded in Greenland, in the Caribbean and in Florida about how climate change has impacted different parts of the world and how we are all connected, and then we are going to have a panel with local experts including Minister John Cortes, Lewis Stagnetto from the Nautilus Project and Dr Keith Bensusan from the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens.”

This will be followed by a Charity Wine Gala Dinner with wines provided by a winery that is involved with environmental issues where each wine will be presented by a representative of the winery trying to explain to the audience what the relationship is between wine and climate change.

The most important message that Pancho wants to get across is to “vote for leaders who have a climate program compatible with our ideas.” This is particularly important when addressing young people who are going to vote for the first time. “Don't vote for the person that is better looking, don't vote because your pal is voting for that candidate or your family has voted for them, read their program and it has to be compatible with your beliefs.”

Pancho concludes by saying that once you elect a politician, a business leader or a community leader, you have to make them accountable. “It is your right as a citizen and your obligation to question your leaders if they are not doing what they promised to do and if we start choosing the right leaders that care about the issues that are important to us then we can start seeing some change.”

To register for the dinner email: info@planetfuturefoundation.org

For more information go to: www.planetfuturefoundation.org

who beat the odds The Taxi man

WORDS BY JOE ADAMBERY

The best stories are always the ones that test individuals to their limits and as we embark on telling Dylan Ferro’s story, it seems remarkable that he had to overcome huge odds to speak and sing again. Twenty years ago at the height of his singing career, he was diagnosed with three polyps on his vocal chords, which led to surgery and loss of his voice for eight months. Today at a concert venue we chat as he sips tea, ahead of his sold out ‘Taxi Homecoming‘ concerts at the Sunborn Hotel. They say that fortune favours the brave and Dylan Ferro is excited at the prospect of raising money for charity by donating the entire proceeds of their fourth and final concert on 11 February. He never once stopped believing and worked very hard to recover his voice so now he is in a happy place, with music still at the centre of his life.

“When I was young I liked to dance and I realised that rhythm is what makes people want to dance and that drew me to play drums, but earlier on I had learnt keyboards on my sister’s instrument and then basic chords on a guitar until eventually I found myself writing songs and started as a drummer in my first band ‘Sympathy for the Blonde’. From there we became Treehouse, then Melon Diesel and then Taxi.” Ideally Dylan would have played another instrument in the band but my guess is that it suited everyone to have a singer who could sing his own songs, so he was first pushed and then drawn into the spotlight. ‘Melon Diesel’ had enough belief and band skills to venture beyond our shores and they became a huge band in Spain where they were signed by Sony and had chart success. When they were touring their album ‘El Hombre en el Espejo’ Dylan reckons that he was already damaged goods through overworking his voice.

“We had played over a hundred gigs for the first tour and during our second tour I was forcing myself, even if I couldn’t sing properly I would shout even more, which made it worse, until we came back here for a gig (2002) and I made the decision to get seen by a voice specialist in Madrid. There I was diagnosed with early cancer in two polyps which had grown in my vocal chords. Within two weeks I was under the knife and after the operation the news was not good, they had found a third polyp and had to sacrifice about a half of my vocal chords in the surgery. The surgeon said that if I was going to recover my voice it would take about eight months but I would never be able to sing again. I was devastated and went into a massive depression. All the hard work to carve for myself a career in music and suddenly the dream had gobbled me up. After a few difficult months here in Gib I had to leave and I decided to live in Madrid for a while to seek professional help.”

His vocal coach was not very hopeful of a complete recovery because Dylan was a ‘Rock’n’roll casualty’ with all its implications, but Dylan is headstrong (‘Cabezon’ he says…) “I was determined to sing again as soon as I could talk. During recovery I was only allowed to use my voice for ten seconds a day. It was hell and I don’t wish that on anybody but somehow I managed to start singing again after the eight months. I now had technique for the first time and my healing had been very good. The surgeon who operated me was impressed and I squared up to the challenges ahead but always aware that as I am still damaged goods, I have to work much harder than anybody else to deliver the hundred and one percent that I always give in concerts.”

Dylan writes songs constantly and in various ways. His ideas can be melody-led when he comes up with a melody that he hones into the shape of a song, or he plays a bunch of chords into a pattern that suggests a melody then at the end of that process he writes a lyric to suit the style. “The last thing I ever do is add the lyric. I don’t do that ever. My style is when I have developed a piece of

music which moves me or that I find cool, I ask myself what does that piece of music suggest to me or makes me want to tell in a story through a song? ”

“Nowadays the big advantage is that most musicians can create music at home in their little desk top studio computers. In the old days you would have to book a studio and turn up in the hope that songs would come together during recording. It made the process very expensive and hit and miss because maybe on the day the band was not too inspired or the song just didn’t work out. Now you can try things out beforehand and if they don’t work you change them, or drop them completely and move on with another idea. The down side of that is that everyone has the same tools for music recording so that is why home produced music tends to be very predictable and ‘samey’ with very few exceptions.”

I steered our chat along to talk about a recent collaboration with Albert Hammond and Christian Hook which was conceived for a charity project but also serves to highlight the three most important contemporary Gibraltarian artists who have successfully exported their talents to the wider world. “I am grateful for the opportunity to help create a piece of art which brings us together for charity, the merging of our handprints on canvas as devised by Christian Hook, means that our DNA as artists is captured in our handprints and that is something of historical significance for the future generations. Of course there is also the possibility of making music together and the three of us are open to that collaboration if it can happen in the future. Each of us have distinctly different styles in music but that makes the idea of coming together even more exciting.”

Our conversation centred for a bit on the huge achievements of Albert Hammond and Christian Hook. Dylan remains in awe of the former and had this to say “He is probably in the list of the top ten composers in the world and has sold over 360 million albums through his songs and many artists. I believe that he should be recognised in Gibraltar at the highest level because there is no bigger export of local talent than Albert Hammond. I mean what is there more to say… the guy is one of my idols and I love him because I am old school, I love Dylan, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and Albert once told me that Roy Orbison had been one of his favourite guys to work with. We clicked on a lot of things and I still have a framed autograph by Albert Hammond from many years ago and I told him that.”

Talking about Christian Hook, Dylan and I both agreed that there is no one quite like him. He is supremely talented and his quest to be original is by deconstructing everything and pushing the creative envelopes all the time. “When I went to see Christian for the first time he said to me that he didn’t need to work with me and that was quite a shock - but then he also said that my band ‘Melon Diesel’ were his idols growing up and that we inspired him to make music. When you think you’ve done everything and seen everything you meet Christian Hook and he floors you with his original way of working and his genius concepts. It took me a while to tune in to him as he kept me on my toes and made me work in ways that I wasn’t used to. He made me rap and that is not my style, but he pushed me to try that and many new concepts. He opened my mind and told me not to ever become stale and complacent, always pushing for new horizons”.

By the time you are reading this Taxi will have played their four concerts at the Sunborn Hotel, the last one added to the sold-out first three after they decided that they wanted to give the entire proceeds from the last concert to charity. Trying to sell out concerts and succeeding are two different things, I wondered whether the fourth concert might have been a bridge too far. “ Not at all, we thought

that this is a way to say thank you because the old Spanish proverb ‘Nadie es Profeta en su Tierra’ (no one is a prophet in his own land) has never applied to us, on the contrary, we always manage to sell out our comeback gigs here and we are grateful for that”.

“This year is twenty four years since as ‘Melon Diesel’ we launched our first album and somehow we sold out our first concert on 26 January within minutes, which is pretty amazing”… I quickly interrupt him to point out that there is a generation here for which ‘La Cuesta de Mr Bond’ is a part of the soundtrack of their lives…”We have kept it up also, always bringing in fresh material which some students tell me are in the albums that make them feel like home when they are away from home. That is a sobering thought, as also when someone who has been close to suicide comes up to you and says ‘this song saved my life’…I can never fathom the power of music or the impact that a song can have. Disabled people have told me that our music has helped them cope with their daily challenges, so that is why the proceeds of our fourth concert will go to those who are in need.”

It's nine years since Taxi released their last album (the pandemic accounts for two lost years) and I wondered whether they have new material to share with us now.

“Well musically we are in a very good place at the moment. Some of our new material may see the light of day within three months or so. There is also a very good chance that we might play one of the new songs in the concerts. In ‘Taxi’ we each have our forte, I mainly write most of the time. Dani Fa is very strong in the studio and records and mixes all the time and Danny Bugeja is the guitarist who is closest to playing live and involved in music and together we have this strong bullet proof friendship and we can take each other’s criticisms. I mean I get my ideas shot down by them many times as each one is a solid musician but it always works out well in the end.”

In 2010 Taxi were nominated for a Latin Grammy for their album ‘Aqui y Ahora’. That is a huge achievement, up there with them selling over 350,000 albums (250,000 as Melon Diesel and 100,000 as Taxi). ‘Perdido en la Calle’ was the single from that album which sparked it off. The story of how that song was born came up in my chat with Dylan. “I simply woke up one night with an idea and quickly put down a melody and chords over which I sung a rough vocal and I can tell you it was the driver for the finished song. The following morning when I played it back to my wife I remember saying that it was the song that I had been waiting for all these years. Anyway months later when the Grammy office rang me to tell us of the nomination, I was in such disbelief that I thought it was a prank call and hung up. They called back and confirmed and I remember that I had been forceful in the studio with ‘Taxi’ and I fought for that song not to be shot down. Which goes to show that sometimes you just know when your mind is not playing tricks and you rightly feel that you have a winner. A refined version of that song came from a midnight inspiration which blossomed into the single from the album that was up for the Latin Grammy. Over 6000 Latin records had been edited in 2010 and Dylan’s song ‘Perdido en la Calle’ from the Taxi album ‘Aqui y Ahora’ was up there in the top five album nominations. The stuff of legends - the sort of thing that makes one proud to be Gibraltarian and share in the glory.

Here’s to more success from Taxi and a strong parting message from Dylan Ferro to all who struggle to seek recognition and fame in music, Jermy Perez, Guy Valarino, Jesse Maclaren, Simon Dumas and many more…”You can do it if you believe and work hard to make your dream come true.” Albert Hammond, Christian Hook and Dylan Ferro are all living proof of that.

FEATURE FEATURE

Mrs Classic Universe

Angela Traverso MGC 2022 winner, made her travels to Sofia, Bulgaria just 3 days after her winning to participate in the Mrs Classic Universe 2023 finals. She managed to place Gibraltar once again firmly on the map by placing Gibraltar the winner of the competition.

FEATURE FEATURE

R.I.P

Perhaps not a household name outside of guitar music circles but certainly a master of the instrument and held in awe for his melodious, quirky and unique style of imagining and playing guitar. The legendary Je Beck a British virtuoso died last month aged 78. His passing leaves a large hole in the hearts of his family, friends and guitar fans worldwide. Certainly my guitar hero, I saw him in concert various times over half a dozen years ago. I was so impressed by what I saw and heard that I followed his videos and his albums until the most recent one last year ‘18’ in which he collaborated with Johhny Depp..

1944 – 2023

I have his biography ‘Hot Wired Guitar’ by Martin Power and have watched countless videos of his performances over the years, always trying to relive the magic of seeing him live at the Albert Hall and at the O2 in London but it doesn’t come close. There is nobody that could play beautiful melodies like ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’ or an operatic theme like ‘Nessun Dorma’ and take it into the sublime territory of melody heaven. A rare thing that no one thought possible with an electric guitar. Guitar greats from across all music genres were falling over themselves to pay tribute to him. He could as easily play Jazz, Blues Rock, Fusion, Hard Rock and even Opera, which he announced as ‘Italian Rock’ when I saw him.

Je Beck was the most sought after guitarist that artists wanted on their albums. He was essentially the guitarists’ guitarist. The late great Pavarotti featured him on one of the best known Italian themes ‘Caruso’ on the album ‘Ti Adoro’. Years later Je beck was inspired to take on the Opera master by covering his ‘Nesun Dorma’ and Beck’s outstanding rendition of that was for me a spellbinding moment to see from fifteen metres away at the Albert Hall. In the O2 arena London, in a concert that I had seen prior to the Albert Hall show, he was featured with Eric Clapton who is also a fan of the unique guitar style of Beck.

Je Beck was inducted into the Rock’n’roll Hall of fame in 1992 with the Yardbirds his first band and again in 2009 as a solo artist. He had eight Grammy awards to his name as well as an extensive catalogue of solo albums and many artist collaborations. From the tributes that came in from all over world after his demise he was it seems, a great human being as well as a very talented one and that is a great legacy to leave behind. I can honestly say that no other musician has touched my soul so deeply as Je Beck, may he rest in peace.

WORDS BY JOE ADAMBERY

Refresh your morning Routine

The seasonal shift into spring is symbolic of rebirth and renewal, and for many of us, it is a hugely beneficial time to check in, plant new intentions, and nurture their growth.

If you are unsure where to start, how about tomorrow morning? We all know how much a grounding routine can set the tone for your day.

Put simply, a morning routine is a sequence of actions that are regularly followed to make your life easier, less stressful, and more productive. The morning routines of successful people are followed daily so much so that, eventually, these practices become the new normal and are implemented without being noticed.

WAKE UP EARLIER

While sleeping in is amazing, early mornings are extremely underrated. An intentional early wake-up call can help you feel less stressed and rushed in the morning. Whether it’s 15 minutes or 1 hr before your normal wake-up time, this extra time in the morning can give you space to fill your routine with enjoyable activities.

This can give you time to start a habit from meditation to a hot shower to making breakfast, all of these activities start with having more time to do so.

Pro-tip: Try your hardest not to hit the snooze button on your alarm clock! When you sleep that 5 extra minutes, it may be doing more harm than good — making you feel groggier than before.

SET AN INTENTION

Getting in the right mindset first thing in the morning can guide your entire day. This can be as simple as making small goals for yourself. For example, attempting to get outside today or cherish the small moments of your day more than usual. Setting these thoughts and intentions is more powerful than you may think.

DO SOMETHING YOU LOVE

Journaling, reading, exercising — even though we love some activities or hobbies they can easily fall to the bottom of our pri-

ority list. With a busy daily schedule, it can feel the days fly by. After a day full of work or other activities, our energy level can be too low to do anything else but lay on the couch. Time management can be hard so it often feels there are not enough hours in the day.

Getting up and starting your day with something you love can help reel your hobby back to the top of your priority list.

EAT BREAKFAST

Many of us are in the habit of running out the door with little to no food in our bodies. As much as many love a can of energy drink to kick off the day, it cannot sustain us. As cliche as it sounds breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Any healthy morning routine must include breakfast.

Listen to your body. If you are hungry whip up the classic scrambled egg and toast, perhaps with avocado or smoked salmon. If you usually skip breakfast, try to eat something light like a smoothie, green juice, or yogurt. You do not want to run on an empty stomach.

GET MOVING

Exercise is the perfect way to release some steam, plus it releases endorphins too - it is a win-win situation. Customise your workout to something you actually enjoy doing and what you have time for. Whether it’s a bike ride, a yoga class, or a 20-minute walk around the neighbourhood, starting off the day healthier will carry over to the rest of your day.

TAKE TIME TO REFLECT AND EVALUATE

Life is full of change, and we thrive on those changes. Change can be scary, but without change, we are not able to grow and push ourselves out of our personal bubbles. So

take some time to reflect on your current life, on your routine. How is it helping to improve your life? If it isn’t, what about it is hindering your life?

Evaluating your routines can help you find what is working and what isn’t. Discovering where the areas of complacency are in your daily routine allows you to fix them to help make important changes. Sometimes our routines become stale because they are no longer pushing us in the direction we want to go. They are holding us back, which is dampening our creativity, preventing our new inspirations to flourish.

Make sure to take time to evaluate your current daily routine, your current goals, and whether these routines are adding to the output in your life. Or if they are hindering you from accomplishing what you want to.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF

Don’t stress about the small things. Let yourself take breaks when you need to and don’t worry about always being ‘on’. Many people want to work until they physically cannot work anymore. It is inbuilt. It is perfectly fine to step away from the computer, turn off social media, and just be. We cannot successfully work if you don’t take the time to replenish ourselves, take stock and rest.

Our daily routines are always fluctuating, as they should. You are a multifaceted human being, constantly changing and viewing the world in a new perspective every day. Do not worry about time or running out of it. As long as you are happy and feeling fulfilled, it’s always time well spent. Sometimes, you just have to remind yourself that just being you in your stillness is fine.

A positive way to do this is through daily affirmations. Make a list of things you love about yourself everyday. It is not narcissistic, simply an appreciation of who we are and what we can contribute to others, the world around us and importantly, ourselves. However you achieve it, sometimes the smallest tweaks in our morning routine can reward us with positive daily outcomes.

WORDS BY KATHLEEN NORTH

HEALTH & WELLBEING INSIGHT

THE BEST OF HEALTHCARE IN GIBRALTAR

Aria Medical group Cosmetic surgery College clinic Regal House Gibraltar

Vithas Xanit Medical Centre Unit 1 Lexinton Midtown Queensway Gibraltar.

HC Cancer Centre

HC Marbella International Hospital Spain

Holland & Barratt

53 & 160 Main Street

John W Miles State registered Chiropodist

Midtown Clinic Unit 1 Providence Midtown

Queensway Gibraltar

1. Make realistic resolutions

I personally didn’t participate in dry January because I knew I had my work leaving do, and two birthdays that I wanted to celebrate with my friends and champagne! I did however decide that I would limit my drinks to just the weekend instead of catching up with a friend over wine on a Wednesday for example.

2. Learn to say no

I’ve learnt that just because you have a free day in your diary, doesn’t mean you should automatically consider yourself ‘available’. I’m often guilty of having things planned for almost every day of the week, and it can get tiring when you don’t give yourself enough time to do nothing. Personally, I’m trying to keep Mondays free so I know I can just come home and relax for the rest of the evening.

3. Perfect a meal

Instead of promising yourself that you’re going to become the next Gordon Ramsay this year, start small by perfecting a dish. On my trip to Thailand last year, we attended a cooking class and we all said we would come back home and make everything we learnt. It took me about 5 months before I actually got round to making a thai green curry. That being said, I've made it a few times now and can confidently say, I make a good one!

4. Do more things independently

If you look back on your 2022, how many things do you think you missed out on because no one wanted to do it with you? Whether it’s trying out a new restaurant or going to the cinema for a new movie only you’re interested in, try and find comfort in doing things alone. I actually went to a gig on my own a few years back and I had a blast.

5. Make a positive change in your diet

If you started the year by telling yourself that you’re not going to eat any more chocolate, will never order a takeaway and will only eat keto, then you’re setting your-

Good Habits For 2023 Good Habits For 2023

As we move into the second month of 2023, a lot of people often start to slip up with their new year's resolutions. Usually because they’re made too many or have unreasonable expectations. Here I’ve shared 10 good habits that you can try to implement in 2023, which you might want to keep!

self up for failure by restricting yourself too much. Try and implement one thing at a time and that way it will become more of a lifestyle than a diet. One thing that I started doing again the last few months is intermittent fasting, where I keep my eating window between 12pm - 8pm. There are lots of benefits to doing this, but I suggest you do your own research on it to see if it is right for you!

6. Mak

e a positive change for the world

Whether this means taking the bus to work instead of driving, or cutting down your use of plastic, implementing just one good habit can make a lot of difference. If you feel like you’re already doing your bit for the environment, maybe focus on a different way you can help. Try volunteering for a charity or join the corporate social responsibility team in your company, if this is available.

7. Practice

gratitude

I’ve been doing this for a few years now, and it really does help you see the positives in even the most mundane days. I have a note on my phone called ‘365 days of happiness’ and at the end of each day, I write down the highlight of my day. Sometimes this could be something as simple as the french toast I made myself for breakfast, or something funny my boyfriend said.

8. Save more money than you did last year.

Last year I did the ‘penny challenge’ where you put 1 extra penny a day to a vault or savings account and by the end of the year you would have £674 saved. This is great for saving for Christmas presents or just to treat yourself at the end of the year. This year I’m trying a new challenge where you add in 1 extra pound at the end of the week. As an example, on week 1 you would add £1, week 2 you would add £2 and so on.

9. Invest in your relationships

Sometimes we take for granted the people we have in our lives, and I know we are all busy but there’s always time to check-in. Spend more time with your family, call your grandparents more often and don’t forget to ask your friends from time to time how they’re doing. If you’re in a relationship, one thing I also recommend doing together is finding out what your love languages are (there’s plenty of tests online that will be able to do this for you). This is a great way to bring you closer together and understand each other better. As one person might prefer quality interrupted time and another might require more words of affirmation in the relationship.

10. Practice self-reflection

Finally, use this time to look back at how you have grown as a person over the last 12 months, and areas that you think you could improve on. If you’re brave enough, you could also ask the people closest around you. How could I be a better partner? What do you think are my best personality traits? When do I seem my happiest? Are all questions you could be asking.

WORDS BY GIANA SPITERI

Giana Spiteri is a local writer, specialising in lifestyle, beauty & travel. instagram.com/ teawithgi

“Feeling good with Wellwoman”

Tess Daly

TINNITUS

Tinnitus itself is not actually a condition but a symptom of an underlying condition. This maybe age-related, as a result of hearing loss, injury or disease.

Tinnitus can be difficult to live with, however there are things you can do to try to help cope better.

• Do not have total silence. Listening to soft music or sounds (sound therapy) may help distract you.

• Try to avoid things that can make tinnitus worse, such as stress or loud background noise.

• Try to find ways to improve your sleep. Sticking to a bedtime routine or cutting down on caffeine can help improve sleep and reduce stress.

Join a support group –talking to other people with tinnitus may help you cope.

1. Ask the GHA General Practitioner (GP) to be referred to the ENT Department.

2. You will then have a hearing test followed by a consultation with the ENT Doctor who will examine your ears, review the hearing test, advise on management options and possibly request a scan of the ear (MRI).

3. Patients with both tinnitus and hearing loss will be considered for hearing aids. These amplification devices can sometimes also help with the ringing.

4. Patients with severe tinnitus will be referred to London for tinnitus rehabilitation.

5. Send a message to GHITA on +35054066055 or contact via email, info@ ghita.gi

FEBRUARY 6-12TH MARKS TINNITUS AWARENESS WEEK 2023. TINNITUS IS THE SENSATION OF HEARING A SOUND WHEN THERE IS NO EXTERNAL NOISE FOR THAT SOUND.

WORDS BY ALASKA SANZ, GHA

do you know what

radiotherapy treatment involves?

Dr Paula Sedano, Radiotherapy Oncologist at HC Cancer Center, explains the process. By helping patients to understand the steps that theyhave to take, patientsfeel safer and calmer.

What does the radiotherapy process involve?

Before treatment is given, a series of steps and quality checks are required.These ensure that we deliver the correct dose to the appropriate place, thus minimising the doseto healthy tissue and deliveringthe required dose to the treatment area.

First consultation

Once the specialist has referred the patient for radiotherapy, they have their first consultation with the Radiation Oncologist to assess the results. If they are a candidate for treatment, the process, benefits and objectives,as well as the possible side effects,are explained. Once the patient has understood all the information provided, theycan accept or reject treatment.

Simulation

Following the first consultation, when treatment has been accepted, a CT or PET-CT scan is required. This helps us to obtain an image of the region that must be treated, it is needed to plan the most appropriate dose and the exact place wherethe dose is to be targeted.

During thescan, the patient is helped into a determined position in which they can remain comfortable and for which a special immobilisation system (thermoplastic mask or vacuum cushion) may be required. Reference points are marked in permanent ink on the patient’s skin. The image obtained is transferred to our

Radiotherapy

Treatment

Normally patients attend for treatment on an outpatient basis (from their home) and without the need to fast. Sessions are daily or on alternate days, and with an approximate duration of 15-20 minutes per session.

In each session, the patientlies on the treatment table whilst the table enters into an arc which moves around them. They do not see or feel the radiation, although the machine may make a noise as it moves. During treatment they are alone in the room but are monitored constantly by staff outside the room using cameras and speakers.

out.

system and the patient is then able to go home.

Planning

Once the image of the treatment zone is in our system, we begin working on it. This processinvolves the Radiation Oncologist andthe Radiation Physicist.

The process consists of marking the treatment zone and checking that the required dose reaches the tumour, whilst ensuring healthy tissue and organs receive the minimum possible dose and always a dose that can be tolerated. After treatment has been approved, the patient is contacted by phone to inform them of the start date and time.

A CT image is taken by the treatment machine to confirm that the patient’s position is correct, treatment is then given.

Radiation does not remain in the body after treatment, patients are therefore able to return home afterwards, there are no restrictions on being with children or pregnant women.

During treatment,patients have a weekly consultation with the Radiation Oncologist to monitor toxicity and provide supportive treatment if they have any side effects.

Total treatment duration can vary from 2-8 weeks, treatment may even be a single session.

If you need to undergo radiotherapy treatment, the HC team will be pleased to answer any of your questions. We have a second medical opinion service where our Radiation Oncologist can study your case and assess which is the most appropriate treatment for you. Book a consultation with us, we are here to help.

WORDS BY SARA DELGADO

treatment is a process which includes simulation, planning and fnally the treatment itself. Many patients feel unsettled when they fnd out they need to have radiotherapy and have a number of questions on what treatment will be like and how it’s carried

INNOVATIVE RADIOTHERAPY OFFERS MORE PRECISE, EFFECTIVE AND SAFE TREATMENT.

Cancer remains one of the world's leading causes of death. Although its incidence continues to increase, early detection programmes, continuous technological advances and the emergence of new drugs have significantly improved survival in recent years.

Currently, oncological treatment isconsidered using a multidisciplinary approach, many cases involve combined treatments, o ering greater control of the disease.

One of the fundamental tools in the localised treatment of cancer is radiotherapy, used for treatment in60-70% of patients with cancer.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Technological advances over the last few decades have allowed the development of increasingly precise machines, enablingimproved control of the disease without complications. The aim of innovative radiotherapy, in addition to being curative, is to help the patient as much as possible torecover the quality of life they had prior to their diagnosis.

This is made possible usingtargeted and more precise radiotherapy. HC Cancer Center'sradiation oncology team uses helical TomoTherapy, withan integrated tumour tracking system (Synchrony system), a pioneering radiotherapy technique in Spain. This type of radiotherapy ensures that the highest doses of radiation reach the tumour whilst the doses delivered to healthy tissue near the tumour are minimal. Additionally, its advanced technology allows tracking of the tumour in real time,

WORDS BY SARA DELGADO

directing treatment with maximum precision. Treatment is therefore possible in fewer sessions, with equal or improved results.

These advances translate into a better quality of life for the patient, with a reduction in radiation dermatitis, inflammationand fibrosis. In the long term, theyfacilitate the maintenance of important functions for the patient (swallowing, continence, sexual function). They are an encouraging development in cancer treatment which will allow patients not only to live for longer, but also to live better.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

LOVE YOUR WELLNESS

Are you ready to make the diet and lifestyles changes to help you live a happy and fulfilled life?

What goes on inside your body is as important as what is happening on the outside. Did you know that there are trillions of microorganisms living inside your gut? Scientists are still discovering exactly how our gut impacts our wider health and wellbeing, but we do know that friendly, or ‘good’, bacteria play a key role.

Bacteria are tiny living organisms –usually consisting of just one cell – that can be found just about anywhere, including our guts! Many strains of bacteria are ‘good’ and help our body perform certain tasks. However, some are harmful and can cause infections and illness.

A healthy gut is important because it allows you to receive vital nutrients from the foods you eat. We also need good quality gut health to thrive in all aspects of life, with on-going research showing that having a healthy gut may have an effect on immunity and sleep.

What we eat has a big impact on the health of our gut and our individual microbiome (the name for the collection of bacteria and microorganisms that live inside our bodies) can affect our metabolism, digestion and weight. Eat a microbiome diet full of foods that help to support levels of good bacteria in your gut. A healthy gut diet plan is rich in whole foods and nutrients – basically, foods that help your digestive system work at its best - and less processed and harder-to-digest foods.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

Getting your 5 a day is essential for a healthy, balanced microbiome. Aim to fill your plate with a variety of fresh fruit and veg like broccoli, spinach, carrots, blueberries, apples and strawberries.

HERBS AND SPICES

Flavour your food with aromatic spices like ginger and turmeric. Research suggests that adding herbs and spices to your food could positively affect the gut microbiota composition

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF POOR GUT HEALTH?

Bloating, Heartburn, Indigestion, Diarrhoea and Constipation, Stomach pain, Acid reflux, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Fullness and Heaviness, Gastroesophageal reflux disease and Gastritis and Regurgitation.

Inside and OUt

There are some more serious conditions which would be diagnosed by a doctor. These include: Ulcerative colitis -a long-term health condition where the colon and rectum are inflamedand as a result little ulcers develop on the lining of the colon; Crohn's disease - a type of inflammatory bowel disease; and Coeliac disease - a disease caused by bad reactions to gluten.

For good gut health, try probiotic supplements. They can help fill in the gaps in your diet, support your good gut bacteria and even strengthen your gut lining. Holland & Barrett’s Probio 50+ is a new combination of probiotics, vitamins, minerals, ginkgo biloba, curcumin & omega 3 fish oil specifically formulated for those over 50 wishing to retain youthful health & vitality. It is specially formulated to help maintain healthy brain & cardiovascular function, support collagen formation for the normal formation of blood vessels, cartilage, teeth, bones, gums and skin & reduce tiredness & fatigue.

ASHWAGANDHA

You may have never heard of Ashwagandha, but this ancient medicinal herb is a small evergreen shrub that

WORDS BY JO WARD

originates from parts of India, the Middle East and Africa.

As well as being an ancient herb, it’s also known for being an adaptogencontaining a mix of amino acids, herbs and vitamins that can help the body manage stress.

Try Dr Dunner PhytoVitality Ashwagandha, Basil & Biotin Capsules from Holland & Barrett, a mix of beautifully balanced botanicals that are rich in phytochemicals and nutrients blended with Biotin, which contributes to normal psychological function and the normal functioning of the nervous system. Alternatively, opt for USN's Ashwagandha which uses a patented Ashwagandha extract to ensure high quality and concentration. This helps improve the body's resistance to stress and helps maintain mental balance whilst supporting the onset of sleep, and it also supports learning, memory and recall.

GLOW FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

More and more studies are linking good skin to a healthy gut, so not only will you feel good inside but you will look good on the outside. If your hair, skin and nails are looking and feeling healthy then the chances are that the rest of you is too!

BIOTIN

Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7, is found in natural food sources like pulses, nuts and fish and also in a wide variety of foods, including liver, egg yolks and yeast. Biotin supports the maintenance of normal skin, hair, and mucus membranes, amongst many other body functions. We need Biotin for processing the nutrients from our food, energy release, healthy hair, skin and mucous membranes and normal nervous system and mental health. Biotin is a water-soluble nutrient, so we can’t store it in our body, but the bacteria that live in our guts can produce a small amount. Boost your Biotin levels with Solgar Biotin Capsules available from Holland & Barrett.

ADVISORY INFORMATION:

Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medications or are under medical supervision, please consult a doctor or healthcare professional and always read the label before use.

PARENTING AND SOCIAL MEDIA GOOD BAD? OR

SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOW A BIG PART OF OUR LIVES, WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT.

Nearly everyone is on one form or another. It is a great resource that has many benefits for when it comes to parenting. You can seek help and advice from parents all around the world, you can share the highs and the lows of parenting, and you can keep in touch with friends and family a long way away. However, have you ever stopped to consider the impact of sharing information about your children can have on their ‘digital footprint’ in the future and how they might feel about what has been shared about them without their consent.

This is called Sharenting. Now until recently, I had never heard of this term before, but it was first coined by Steven Leckhart, a writer in the Wall Street Journal in 2012. It can be defined as;

“the habitual use of social media to share news, images, etc of one's children.” Now, there are many benefits of social media for you as a parent but there can be some negative impact from this on your children.

Posts on social media sites can put children privacy and safety at risk. A supposed harmless picture of your child at their local dance club could give your child’s location away. What a parent think is cute now like a picture of your child on the potty, may be very distressing for your child as they grow.

As parents we post about our children from before they are even born. We create a digital dossier of their lives which will stay with them for ever and at no point do their consent to this,

TOTALLY TODDLERS - MONDAYS 10.00 - 12.00PM

Mid Harbours Family Centre. Come join us for Storytime, craft and play.

BUMPS & BABIES - WEDNESDAYS 9.30AM - 12.00PM

The Living Room Café (Methodist Church). Our regular social catch up for parents to be and babies in a home from home atmosphere. This is a relaxed session where parents can meet up with their young babies to enjoy a cup of tea, make friends and talk about the highs and lows of parenting.

COOKING CLUB – WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY 12.30 – 2.15PM

The Methodist Church. A fun session aimed at toddlers aged from 2.5 upwards giving children the chance to make and try different foods. Booking required.

PLEASE LIKE AND FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR REGULAR UPDATES ON ALL OF OUR GROUPS.

and this already created ‘life’ could very likely be affecting their ability to develop their own story and sense of self as their grow as teens and young adults. For example, a child could be bullied for a picture or video their parent has shared, that they think is funny but might be fuel for a bully.

As a parent of now teenagers, I have recently reflected on what impact my social media has on my children. I am always telling them that once something is on the internet it is always there, however, I have never thought about what impact my posts about them will have on them and their future. Although I can’t change the past, I will definitely be thinking more careful about what I post in the future.

SENSORY STORY TIME – THURSDAYS 1.00 – 2.00PM

The Methodist Church. Come join us for some interactive Story Time Fun! Different themes every week!

DIDDY DISCOVERERS – FRIDAYS 9.45 -11.45AM

The Methodist Church. Come join us for free play, story time and song time fun!

MONTHLY CRAFT CLUBS

Ages 2.5 upwards. Details will be announced on our Facebook page.

VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS NEEDED!

If reading that inspired any of you, we are always on the lookout for new volunteers. Any help is always well received, and you’ll be working with a great bunch of people. There is never a dull moment! Please contact us through our Facebook Page if you’d like more information!

WORDS BY THE PARENT AND CHILD SOCIETY GIBRALTAR (PACS)

WORDS BY THE PARENT AND CHILD SOCIETY GIBRALTAR (PACS)

FEATURE FEATURE

Valentine's Day PROPOSALS

Valentine’s Day is often claimed to be the most romantic day of the year, but how did the 14th of February come to be celebrated as a day of romance? It goes way back 270 AD when, according to legend, Saint Valentine of Rome was beheaded

Interestingly, there was not just one Saint Valentine but three who lived during the 3rd century AD, but the patron saint of lovers is most likely to be Saint Valentine of Rome who was allegedly jailed by Roman Emperor Claudius II for his deceit and unwillingness to obey the emperor's orders to stop performing Christian marriages and aiding persecuted Christians.

With Valentine’s Day now being synonymous with love and relationships, it makes it the perfect day to propose to a loved one and there will be no forgetting the memorable date. So how should you go about creating that magical proposal?

There was a trend a couple of decades ago for dropping an engagement ring in a glass of bubbles or popping it in some sort of food over a romantic dinner! Beware… this could lead to a disastrous mishap, a broken tooth, a choking incident or maybe even a trip to A&E if the ring is swallowed!

How about a beach proposal? What could be more romantic than being beside a beautiful ocean, feeling the soft sand between your toes, maybe at sunset with not many other people around you? Take your partner for a romantic stroll and just happen upon the proposal that you had written in the sand earlier (during low tide of course), or lead them to where you have spelt out your request with sea shells.

Water has traditionally said to be a lucky setting to ask the question. Whether that's sitting by a lake, river or the ocean, in a yacht, boat or canoe, being on or near water is the one of the most perfect private and intimate places for a proposal. Just hold tight to that engagement ring as there was an infamous marriage proposal in a romantic lakeside setting that went horribly wrong when the groom-to-be dropped the ring through decking and into the water.

Nothing says ‘I love you’ louder than a ‘will you marry me’ banner flying behind a light aircraft high in the sky for all to see. This is the ultimate way to deliver your romantic message, although it may be a bit costly. Aerial letter banners can be customised with your own special proposal and can be flown in certain areas. Arrange a date and take your partner for a day at the beach or another suitable venue, and once you spot the plane, ask them if they can read what it says on the banner.

For something that little bit extraordinary, proposing at the top of a mountain during sunrise will certainly create that unforgettable memory. One of the most beautiful places in Gibral-

One of the most beautiful places to pop the question is somewhere surrounded by nature amid beautiful greenery and stunning flowers in a calming environment. The Alameda Botanic Gardens lie at the foot of the Rock of Gibraltar and are an oasis of tranquillity in a busy city. Once your proposal has, hopefully, been accepted, the Gardens are also the perfect location for an intimate dream wedding ceremony. The Italian style garden, known as 'the Dell', is a spectacular spot in which to tie the knot.

Incurable romantics would love the incredible experience of a fairy tale proposal in a castle. There are beautiful castles in Europe that could offer the ideal setting. Think about organising a private dinner just for two where you would be surrounded by roses, candles and serenaded by musicians.

If you’re feeling brave, ask your loved one to marry you over an aeroplane's loudspeaker system, maybe channelling your inner Adam Sandler when his character Robbie enlisted Billy Idol and some flight attendants for an in-flight song and proposal to Julia (Drew Barrymore) in the film ‘The Wedding Singer’.

tar is at the top of the Rock. Take the cable car or, if you are both feeling fit, climb the Mediterranean Steps for the perfect proposal location. Another spectacular venue is Gibraltar's Skywalk which offers breath-taking views spanning three countries and two continents.

Lighthouses are beacons of hope, so proposing to your loved one by a lighthouse could be symbolic of your hopes for the future. Gibraltar’s Trinity Lighthouse at Europa Point is situated on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula, at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. With views of North Africa across the Strait of Gibraltar on a clear day, it could be the perfect setting for a proposal – but try to arrange for someone to be around to photograph the surprise event for posterity.

WORDS BY JO WARD

If flying high isn’t for you, getting engaged at the top of a Ferris wheel is definitely something different. Ask the operator for a private cabin and if they can stop the wheel at the very top, then drop down on one knee in the expectation that you will hear the word ‘yes’. Most large cities have skyscrapers with observation decks from which you can see the whole area or rooftop restaurants and bars which would be impressive places in which to get engaged.

Whether you're popping the question on Valentine's Day or any other day of the year, at home or in some other magical place, in a private setting or a public place, no matter where you choose to propose - it’s what comes from your heart and the words that you use that will make it unforgettable.

FEATURE FEATURE

The sign of Rabbit, in Chinese culture, is a symbol of wisdom, of longevity, peace, and prosperity. 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope. And we can all do with plenty of that!

Rabbits are considered to be gentle, quiet, elegant, and alert as well as quick, skillful, kind, and patient. They tend to be responsible, sometimes reluctant to reveal their minds to others and having a tendency to escape reality, but always faithful to those around them.

MALE RABBITS are inclined to treat people politely, with a simplicity that makes people feel valued and respected. They are not easily discouraged but instead remain persistent in their endeavors to find solutions to life’s problems.. This means they eventually achieve success.

FEMALE RABBITS are personified as having a pretty and demure appearance, whilst also having a pure heart.

The Rabbit is considered to make the best love partners with Goat, Dog, or Pig and worst with: Rat or Rooster

So what does 2023 hold for us?

I think it is fair to say that 2022 was more than a little hectic. However, the next 12 months could offer opportunities for relaxation, quietness and contemplation.

As the Year of the Tiger comes to an end on Jan. 21 and the Year of the Rabbit begins, we can expect rather an abrupt change of pace as we say goodbye to the roaring tiger and hello to the milder rabbit.

The rabbit is historically known as the gentlest and most tender of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, the traditional classification scheme based on the lunar calendar that assigns an animal and its attributes to each year.

Rabbit energy is also good for inner growth, personal and spiritual development and reaching a sense of peace with your place in the grand scheme of things in the Universe. This could involve undertaking workshops and webinars, reading, studying and taking part in support groups.

This is naturally a perfect year for Rabbit people to engage on a deeper journey of personal and spiritual development. This is always the case for the animal celebrating its own Chinese Year

As 2023 is the year of water Rabbit, this suggests a year of calm after the storm. A time of recalibration and self-reflection, of developing heart centred awareness. Chinese zodiac animal signs are grouped in six pairs according to the balance between yin and yang. Each of these groupings is associated with one of six destiny aspects known as Houses. These Houses influence

According to Chinese Astrology, each year corresponds to one of twelve animals (Rat. Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig) and this cycle repeats every twelve years. The Chinese base their New Year celebration on the lunar calendar instead of the solar one that is used in the west. Therefore, people who follow the solar calendar always celebrate New Year on January 1st. But the Chinese New Year depends on the moon. Usually it is celebrated in February, but the exact date does vary from year to year depending on the phases of the moon’s cycle. This year it falls on January 22nd. The most recent Rabbit Years are 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999 2011 2023 and so this year, of 2023, is The Year of the Rabbit. The Water Rabbit.

the overall characteristics of the time period in which the animal sign rules.

The second House is the House of expansion, which is associated with the Tiger and the Rabbit (sometimes known as Cat). In the year of the Rabbit there is likely to be expansion through diplomacy and wisdom which will be essential to repair the damage caused by the Tiger’s aggression. In life and love, the Rabbit is a gentle and caring partner, always looking out for their partner’s wellbeing and happiness.

The animal energy of the year affects everyone. In this Year of the Rabbit, 2023, many people will develop the inner wisdom to take better care of themselves and this will extend to wealth and financial stability as well as to health and happiness. So, take time to focus on your finances, think of investing in stocks, in property or other types of savings’ plans.

Remember also, to be cautious in all your actions. It is important to retain a trusting and easy-going attitude but equally essential to be vigilant regarding potential frauds or scams.

Because 2023 is the Year of the Water Rabbit, there will be abundance available and coming to those who trust. Water represents the flow of life, our vital force and good health and the very essence of the Rabbit spirit. However, Water Rabbit is tuned in with Mother Earth and so ever aware of potential pitfalls, and vigilant enough to avoid or circumvent them. Water Rabbit always trusts its instincts.

Under the influence of Rabbit energy, we can all take risks with being vulnerable in the confidence that within our vulnerability lies our greatest strength. Thus, we are safe both romantically and financially and success is assured.

Rabbit is also associated with creativity and artistic talents so channel your inner artist this year and explore your creative side. The possibilities are endless whatever you choose to do. Be more flexible, gentler with yourself and surround yourself with others who share a gentle and loving approach to life.

Rabbit energy is beautiful and just what the world needs to rebalance itself right now. So, relax and enjoy the year. Enjoy your journey and the new and exciting things you find along the path. May your path be smooth.

Kate Mchardy MA(Hons) PGCE MSPH

Spiritual coach, teacher and healer. katemch@gmail.com

The University of Light Group

www.thehealingretreat.net

Tel: +44 7712889534

WORDS BY KATE MCHARDY

YOUR FUTURE IN THE STARS

FEBRUARY

ARIES (Mar 21 - Apr 20)

You may feel as though your efforts are lost in the vastness of the Universe, Aries, but be reassured that you have wisdom in abundance and it is appreciated. Trust yourself and your instincts this month, and give yourself permission to be heard.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21)

This month you will be called upon to channel your inner visionary, Taurus, and thus you’ll be tested to stand firm in your truth. Remain calm and centred at all times, keeping your focus on your objective.

LEO (Jul 23 - Aug 23)

If you’ve been feeling self-protective recently, Leo, then now is a good time to come out of hiding and trust the process of life with your usual courage and fortitude. We all need some healing time, it’s what keeps us healthy and balanced.

VIRGO (Aug 24 - Sep 23)

If you’ve taken a bit of a knock recently, Virgo, then step aside from the overwhelm and give yourself time to process things. If you need to make changes and reset some boundaries then some meditation time will help you to do so.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 - Dec 21)

Little people will make your heart light up this month, Sagittarius. By sharing their innocence and love with you they will remind you of the importance of shining your own light. Do this and your troubles will seem much lighter.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 - Jan 20)

You need to expand your horizons this month, Capricorn. Try something new and dismiss that inner voice that says you can’t do it. You don’t have to be an expert you just have to dive in and lead the way!

GEMINI (May 22 - Jun 22)

Knowledge is power, Gemini, and when properly used and applied, it begets wisdom. Wisdom leads to transformation and this month you are ready to emerge from a period on introspection and growth. Like a beautiful butterfly..

CANCER (Jun 23 - Jul 22)

There are angels all around you, Cancer, in different forms. Angels do not always manifest wearing white robes and with huge wings. They manifest in the way we can best receive them as beloved pets, dear friends or an unexpected encounter with a stranger.

LIBRA (Sep 24 - Oct 23)

Be true to yourself this month, Libra, and dare to be different! Rejoice in your own uniqueness and take that step to change the dynamics of a situation that is not sitting comfortable with you. Go on… you can do it!

SCORPIO (Oct 24 - Nov 22)

You may feel a push me pull you effect on yourself this month, Scorpio, between your male and female selves. Remember you have both and they need to love and respect each other. Listen to your heart and healing will happen.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 - Feb 19)

Remind yourself that you are truly lovable, Aquarius, no matter how others treat you. Nurture yourself the way you do others and show compassion to those who have less understanding than you do.

PISCES (Feb 20 - Mar 20)

‘Being’ is your key word this month. Pisces. Allow yourself to just be in the flow of the Universal energy. Take time to appreciate your food, smell the flowers and breathe in the sea air. There is beauty everywhere and it is a reflection of you!

DON'T SHOP

ADOPT CALO

Calo arrived at the pound in Oct. He is a gorgeous German shepherd, about 5 years old. Calo went into foster due to the pound flooded. His foster told us, that Calo is very sociable with other dogs and very easy to have. He is just friendly to everyone. He learned fast to come when we call him.

More info: www.spanishstraydogs.org.uk

LUCY

Lucy is a lovely young girl who is really well behaved and gets on well with people and other dogs. She is friendly and calm and is looking for someone to give her a chance of a permanent home where she can be a loving companion.

More info: www.ainf.gi

CULTURA PODER

Cultura is around 6/7 years old and absolutely adores cuddles and being pampered. She is extremely friendly and loving to everyone, gentle with children and gets on great with other dogs. She has been in foster care for a long time and really thrived there, but due to a change in family circumstances she’s found herself back in the shelter this winter which is absolutely heart-breaking.

Poder arrived at the pound in September. He is an older chap that craves human attention and loves cuddles. He gets on well with other dogs. He appears to be a well balanced dog that adapts easily to new situations.

More info: www.spanishstraydogs.org.uk

Spanish Dogs Spanish Stray Dogs UK

Spanish Dogs Spanish Stray Dogs UK

Fireworks

AND YOUR PETS

FIREWORK DISPLAYS AND LOUD FLASHY SHOWS OF EXUBERANCE SEEM TO BE PART OF THE HUMAN CONDITION WHERE OUTLANDISH DISPLAYS OF GRANDEUR SEEM TO BE NECESSARY TO EMBELLISH ONES SUCCESS OR PASSING A SPECIFIC ANNIVERSARY ETC. PERSONALLY I HAVE NEVER BEEN PARTIAL TO THESE DISPLAYS OF CHEST BANGING AND NEITHER DOES THE REST OF THE ANIMAL WORLD.

Sadly we can’t do much to protect most of the world’s animal kingdom from fireworks however we can do what we can for the animals under our care so that they don’t have to be scared as a result of this behaviour.

Make sure your dog or cat always has somewhere to hide if they want to and has access to this place at all times. For example, this may be under some furniture or in a cupboard. It’s not the best scenario but at least it finds a degree of sanctuary and does not feel so exposed. Don’t try and force the animal out, remember it is scared so might be aggressive as a result of this. What you might feel is comforting is not necessarily the case for the pet.

Make sure your cat or dog is always kept in a safe and secure environment and can’t escape if there’s a sudden noise. A petrified animal that has escaped into an environ ment where elements are out of your control could be a danger to themselves and to others.

During fireworks seasons, walk dogs during daylight hours and keep cats and dogs indoors when fireworks are likely to be set off.

At nightfall, close windows and curtains and put on music to mask and muffle the sound of fireworks. Never punish your pets if they are freaking out because they are scared, this will just compound the problem and make the animal more anxious.

Each evening before the fireworks begin, move your dog to the play area and provide toys and other things that they enjoy.

Do try not to leave a pet who has severe adverse reactions to fireworks alone. Your presence will be a comfort for the animal.

Ignore the firework noises yourself. Play with a toy to see if your dog wants to join in, but don’t force them to play.

Pheromone diffusers and pheromone collars are available from the vet clinic. These disperse calming chemicals into the room and may be a good option for your dog. The collar centralises the pheromones around the dog so in some cases is more effective.

In some cases your pet may prescribe medication. These are tranquilisers that will sedate your pet and make him less aware and therefore less frightened of fireworks. The effect varies with each individual animal but might be necessary especially in highly urbanised communities like ours.

The best solution is to go to the country over the firework season far away from high population densities, probably the best way for you and your pet to de-stress.

For more information please phone Gibraltar Vetinary Clinic on 200 77334

WORDS BY MARK PIZARRO

DON'T SHOP ADOPT

MISSY WILLOW

Willow is a loving, trusting, gentle and easy going girl who doesn’t ask for much other than love, a warm bed and a full tummy. At 14 years old it’s Willow’s time for a quiet and understanding home, somewhere she can live her remaining years in peace surrounded by love.

More info: (Facebook) @SaveGibStreetCats

Missy is looking for a home as her owner is sadly unable to keep her due to health reasons. She is a friendly, affectionate 11 year old girl who is best suited to a home that is experienced with cats, but one without other cats or young children.

More info: (Facebook) @SaveGibStreetCats

Vegan Mixed Bean Taco

Tacos, burritos or fajitas , we love them all. So we created a recipe you can adapt to suit either, with a sweet vegetarian filling.

INGREDIENTS

8 Large Taco Boats

1 Large Red Onion

1 Butternut Squash

1 Broccoli

Mixed Beans tinned

1 Red Bell Pepper Spinach

6 Cherry Tomatoes

METHOD

Dice the butternut squash (peeled), bell pepper and broccoli into small chunks and lay them out on a baking tray with the cherry tomatoes. Drizzle them with oil over the top, season with salt, pepper, cumin and cinnamon and place in the oven for 30 minutes at 200C until soft ad the edges are charred.

Whilst these are in the oven, wash your lettuce and spinach, separate the lettuce leaves and put them in a bowl. Slice the red onion and add this to the bowl too.

Fresh Coriander

1 Baby Lettuce

1 tbsp Ground Cumin

1 Tbsp Cinnamon

Black Pepper

Salt

Tomato Salsa

Vegan Cheese

When the roasted vegetables are ready, take them out of the oven. Drain and rinse the beans and mix it together with the roasted vegetables, making sure to combine all the oils and flavours well.

Now it’s time to stuff your tacos. First scoop the ingredients in the bowl, such as the leaves, beans and onion into the taco, then layer it with the roasted vegetables, and finally, dress it with tomato salsa.

For more delicious Mama Lotties recipes visit: www.mamalotties.com

& REPAIRS

Cash for gold, Jewellery repairs, Engraving, Watch straps and batteries

4/4 crutchett's Ramp - Gibraltar - Tel/Fax 20050478

GBZ Media is headquartered right here in the Rock, with global reach to a team of best-in-class experts in media and the creative arts. We can provide you with a one-stop media portfolio management solution for your business, whether it’s strategic & co-ordinated social media management, a rebrand, producing podcasts or a corporate video.

BMI Group are an established and a leading real estate agency with a strong presence in Gibraltar. Over the past three decades we have successfully played a key role within the local property market and acted as consultants for major residential and commercial developments such as, Atlantic Suites, Kings Wharf, Buena Vista Park Villas, The Sanctuary and The Anchorage to name but a few.

BMI offers sales, lettings, commercial, management and consultancy services to a wide portfolio, including banks, law firms, accountancy firms, gaming, high net worth clients and private clients.