Gibraltar Insight™ October 2019

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OCTOBER 2019

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OCTOBER ISSUE 41

Contents

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Business Insight 12

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SENIOR CITIZEN’S ASSOCIATION – TWO DECADES ON

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FILM REVIEWS

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RED ARROWS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2019

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JONATHAN TEUMA

OCTOBER – A MONSTER MONTH OF SPECTACULAR SPORT

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A GIBRALTAR PHILATELIC EVENT

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GIBRALTAR CALLING 2019

GOLF NEWS

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BRAVO BOCELLI

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THE HAPPINESS FOUNDATION – WORKING TO CHANGE FUTURES

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JONATHAN LUTWYCHE’S LEAP OF FAITH

Forces Insight 30 ARMED FORCES NEWS

Football Insight 30 LYNX FOOTBALL CLUB

History Insight 44 GIBRALTAR IN 1810

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Features 18

BUSINESS NEWS

Sports Insight 26

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Regular Features 8

COMMUNITY INSIGHT

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TECHNOLOGY INSIGHT

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MOTORING INSIGHT

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VET COLUMN – OBESITY – A HUMAN DISEASE INFLICTED ON OUR PETS

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ON THE SPOT: HELEN (DOT) REILLY

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MUM ON THE ROCK – BULLYING

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HEALTH & WELLBEING INSIGHT

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HOROSCOPES

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MAMA LOTTIES RECIPE

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WEDDING INSIGHT

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COHEN & MASSIAS CROSSWORD

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Gibraltar Insight Deputy Editor: Jean King

Gibraltar Insight - the Rock’s longest running magazine.

Sales: Jeff Strange

Published by GBZ Media Limited, 5 Governor’s Lane, Gibraltar GX11 1AA.

Production: Billy Couper Accounts & Administration: Rosemary Salah-El-Din

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

Advertising & Marketing: Emma Wood Production Assistant: Steven King

Copyright 2019. All rights reserved.

Superyacht Owners’ Guide Managing Editor: Sophie Blake

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.

Creative Director: Ben Lewis Executive Editor: Ross Ford For advertising & general queries, contact: +350 200 40913 Email:

hello@gibraltarinsight.com

Web:

www.gibraltarinsight.com

Socials:

@GBZinsight @MumOnTheRockGBZ @BermudaInsight @SYOGuide @GBZmedia

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

MEDIA LIMITED

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COMMUNITY INSIGHT

The Rock played its part to support International Coastal Clean Up Day by heading to Rosia Bay to help cleanse the environment of man-made-mess. NatWest International Gibraltar joined forces with The Nautilus Project and a total of 64kg of refuse was retrieved and removed in just under an hour by RBS staff, helped ably by the KPMG rugby juniors. Although part of the international initiative, The Nautilus Project continues to push environmental issues at a local level since the health of Gibraltar’s marine areas affects everyone on the Rock.

G FOR HUMANITY HAS THE THIRD HACKIN GIRLS IN TECH. BEEN ANNOUNCED BY WHOSE MAIN FOCUS IT’S AN OPEN EVENT AL COMMUNITY SOLVE IS THE HELP THE LOC LLENGES. THEIR BIGGEST CHA

It’s sponsored by Playtech, William Hill and Lottoland (with further prize sponsors yet to be announced) and will take place the weekend of 26-27th of October 2019 at Supernatural and World Trade Center. Participants, both female and male, do not require any technical skills to enter the competition. It’s open to marketers, technologists, strategists, creatives, humanists and students. The entrants will start from the germ of an idea to a working proof of concept within the weekend, guided by the mentors on the platform or technology chosen for the event. At the end of the two days, the ideas will be evaluated by an experienced local panel of judges; every participant will be rewarded for their contribution and extra prizes will also available for outstanding contributions.

from At least one solution and each edition went live the by d use tly is curren local community. nd at: More info can be fou 2019 ack hH Tec bit.ly/GirlsIn

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COMMUNITY INSIGHT

A GORGONEION

DISCOVERY

Gibraltar is home to many hidden treasures and myths, but one of these became reality and was unveiled at the 2019 Calpe Conference. A ceramic representation of the Gorgon Medusa was found in Gorham’s Cave. The Gorgoneion forms a breakthrough in the thin line between classical mythology and modern archaeology. One of the classic stories in Greek mythology is the beheading of the Gorgon Medusa by Perseus. This intricate story in which Perseus finds his way, with the help of the gods, to the lair of the gorgon sisters and decapitates the most evil of the three – Medusa – appears according to tradition to have been set within the confines of the Strait of Gibraltar and adjacent regions of North Africa. This revolutionary find indicates that, in eyes of ancient mariners of the 8th and Centuries BCE, Gorham’s Cave, situated at base of one of the Pillars of Herakles, was actual home of the Gorgon Medusa.

the 7th the the

LAST CALL FOR NATIONAL HONOURS NOMINATIONS Nominations should be submitted no later than Friday 18th October 2019 on a Gibraltar Honours Board (GHB) Nomination Proforma for the attention of:

GBZ MEDIA FLIES THE FLAG

GHB Secretary Office of the Governor

Keeping the theme of promoting Gibraltar abroad, GBZ Media Limited - the publisher of Gibraltar Insight - has recently acquired and branded a Land Rover commercial vehicle to spread the message of this magazine, Bermuda Insight and the Superyacht Owners’ Guide in the UK, especially London.

MEDIA LIMITED

Main Street Gibraltar GX11 1AA. Nominations can be submitted by anyone. A copy of the GHB Nomination Proforma, along with detailed guidance on its completion, can be obtained at The Convent Rear Gate Reception or from the GHB Secretary at enquiry.gibraltar@ fco.gov.uk Nominations can be supported by up to two letters of endorsement from people with a personal knowledge of the nominees’ contribution or service.

BERMY’S QUARTERLY GUIDE

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The Convent

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BUSINESS INSIGHT THE ROCK HOTEL WAS THE VENUE FOR THE GIBRALTAR HEALTH AUTHORITY AWARDS, WHICH CELEBRATES THE NEW “WE CARE” VALUES ENSHRINED IN THE GHA’S NEW CONSTITUTION. Nominations were invited from patients, relatives, carers and GHA staff.GHA Medical Director, Dr Daniel Cassaglia commented, “The GHA has many incredible staff; people who regularly go above and beyond to help patients. It is right that we properly celebrate that work and hold up these people as an example to inspire oth-

ers. It is also a great way of embedding the “WE CARE” values and showing how important these values and behaviours are to the work we do every day. We know how much this matters to patients, which is why the values are a core part of our Constitution.”

THE AWARDS WERE WON BY: 1.

Leadership Impact Award – Ms Sandie Gracia, Director of Nursing Services, and Human Resources Manager, Mr Christian Sanchez (joint winners)

2. Working in Partnership Award – The Bed Management Team 3. GHA Values Award – Hospital Attendant, Mr Henry Danino 4. Healthcare Team of the Year Award– The Dialysis Unit and the team at Mount Alvernia’s 2nd Floor (joint winners) 5. Outstanding Contribution Award – Consultant Urologist, Mr Tamas Takacs

6. Support Services Award – Human Resources Department 7.

Lifetime Achievement Award – Registered General Nurse at the Critical Care Unit, Ms Estela Cascado Martinez and Sister/Charge Nurse at the Day Surgery Unit, Ms Angie Morgan (joint winners)

8. Patient’s Choice Award – Ms Marta Morales, Sister/Charge Nurse at the Dialysis Unit Mrs Paula Galliano was also presented with a bouquet during the event in recognition of her outstanding contribution to health services in Gibraltar.

THINK BUSINESS

think gibral tar

A new two month campaign has been launched to promote Gibraltar in the heart of London’s financial district. The advertising points to ThinkGibraltar.gi and can be found displayed on the side of 300 taxis, 100 buses and across 40 key commuter stations in the City of London and the West End including London Bridge, Liverpool Street and Waterloo. The ThinkGibraltar.gi site focuses on five main financial pillars: insurance, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), gaming, funds and private client activities. These have been strategically identified as industries where Gibraltar excels and provides world-class business environments and frameworks. Albert Isola, Minister for Commerce at HM Government of Gibraltar said: “Gibraltarians are some of the most adaptable and resilient people in the world. As the Chief Minister has men- tioned on numerous occasions, we are a world class jurisdiction with world class talent. This campaign is intended to highlight that and show the world that Gibraltar is open for business.”

CHAMBER WELCOMES NEW GFSC CEO Gibraltar’s Chamber of Commerce has applauded the appointment of Kerry Blight to the role as the new CEO of the Financial Services Commission. It has noted that the strategy of the financial sector has not always been a subject of uniform agreement among its members. The Chamber is optimistic that someone with intimate knowledge of the local and international financial services industry, and a reputation for being fair and reasonable in challenging situations will thrive in the post. The Chamber also noted that at this critical juncture for Gibraltar’s businesses, it will look forward to supporting Mr Blight in his work wherever possible.

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Despite the pendulum of Brexit swinging from one extreme to another, HM Government of Gibraltar’s Brexit Executive Group has continued to meet in order to safeguard and plan for each eventuality.

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TECHNOLOGY INSIGHT

Apple’s September product launches are firmly fixed in the technology and consumer electronics calendar, and this year proved to be a bumper event. Aside from the expected revisions to iPhone, Apple also announced more detail regarding its games subscription service, Apple Arcade and also the TV subscription product Apple TV+. Both offer unlimited use of either games or original Apple-produced television and film for £4.99 across multiple devices. Also on show was Series 5 of the Apple Watch. It has been improved incrementally as with previous iterations, but the major new feature is an “always-on” display in place of the battery-saving screen off behaviour of prior versions. The speakers were at pains to highlight the health monitoring features of the watch, including a moving video from people who

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have thanked their Apple Watches for intervening in potentially life-changing circumstances. Of course, iPhone took pride of place with iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro being unveiled. These showcased iOS 13 and include a circa 20% battery life improvement from iPhone X and the cameras have been redesigned from the ground-up in both hardware and software terms. This has resulted in incredible results for photos taken in low-light conditions and the ability to change the aspect ratio of videos, the latter of which was only really possible using Avid or Premier on a desktop and not “on device”. At the time of writing, iOS 13.1.1 has been released sweeping up some of the bugs from the initial release as well as an upgraded version specifically for iPad.

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TECHNOLOGY INSIGHT

Samsung Electronics has released the Galaxy Fold for the second time. The first launch was aborted after multiple devices became defective after only a few hours of use. It is available in Cosmos Black and Space Silver with a 5G-ready option in some countries. It has been designed to create a new user experience ... when closed, access to the essentials on the cover display can be done comfortably with one hand, and when opened, there are a variety of new ways to multitask, watch videos, and play games, on its 7.3-inch “Infinity Flex Display”. DJ Koh, President and CEO of IT & Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics said, “The category-defining Galaxy Fold is a device that defies the barriers of traditional smartphone design. Now, we’re excited to release this pioneering mobile technology, and allow consumers to experience it for themselves.”

SONY XPERIA 5 The drive for technological advancement continues apace at Sony. Their Xperia phone is now in its 5th iteration and even features Dolby Atmos sound processing. “With Xperia 5 we’ve brought what our customers loved from Xperia 1 into a smaller design with the latest award-winning technology from Sony,” said Mitsuya Kishida, President, Sony Mobile Communications. “Xperia 5 continues to bring uncompromised performance and leading experiences to a smartphone, only possible with Sony.” It features a 21:9 display that can be split to run two apps at the same time. The camera features 12 megapixel sensors and the latest version of Sony’s image stabilisation. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform processor, it also counts fast-charging and a high capacity battery among its key features. It comes with Android v9 “Pie” software.

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FEATURE

SENIOR CITIZENS’ ASSOCIATION

Two decades on A HARD WORKING COMMITTEE HEADING TOWARDS THE ASSOCIATION’S FAST APPROACHING 20TH YEAR, MOST OF ITS MEMBERS IN THEIR 80S BUT YET UNRELENTING, GIVING THEIR ALL, DOING ALL THEY CAN TO BRING ABOUT COMFORTS TO THOSE IN THEIR TWILIGHT YEARS. A POINT IN TIME TO BE NOTED... ARRIVED AT BY ALL! Head of the team since day one is 86 year old Manolo Ruiz - Gibraltar Parliament just awarded him the Medallion of Honour - who can easily take many, many minutes to get from A to B anywhere along Main Street or its environs as he’s continually stopped to reply to queries from our men and womenfolk. Manolo is forever chasing government departments and their bosses – including Ministers – in an effort to get issues put right or improved. “There have been some successes but there are still concerns that need ad-

dressing yet seem to take forever to get seen to,” Manolo tells me: maybe a case of matters `falling on deaf ears’ you could say! Panic buttons continue to be popular amongst the elderly and in keeping with the trends can now be used on the user’s mobile phone when out and about. Handrails have been installed in government offices, on some steep thoroughfares and in shops, in Main Street in particular. “But many Irish Town and City Mill Lane businesses have still to come on board, and whilst on the subject of shops

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and stores the 10% discount on production of your Senior Citizen’s card is also up and running and can be used on buses and at the GASA swimming pool too.” Manolo is quite proud at having achieved the onestop-shop for settling matters when a senior passes. Family members can now clear up all those loose ends as in outstanding bills, debentures and other issues by visiting just ONE office at Joshua Hassan House (the Secretariat). The outside lift at the hospital has eventually been installed which Manolo and the team are very grateful for, but point out the fact that everything seems to take so long – four years for this and four years for that. “One issue we’re very keen to see implemented is mobility scooter topping-up points around town. There are more and more users and those top-up stations would be a great help as seniors tend to be a little forgetful sometimes and forget to charge the scooters at home.” Another sore issue is the payment of rents. “Seniors have to go to New Harbours to pay those. The building is cumbersome to negotiate and yes, for a time the department opened a `window’ at the Post Office in Main Street but that was short lived.

there are very helpful.” Manolo attends the centre at least once a week and chats to seniors and listens to their concerns, and loneliness often comes up. Research shows men are more vulnerable to social isolation than women. Over time, women have built family and social networks through more interaction, having been carers themselves. That apart, many seniors won’t ask for help through pride.

The department is keen on seniors paying their rent via Direct Debit which most elderly citizens are not keen to get into at this time in their lives, so we’ll just have to keep trying to achieve a more convenient place.”

the sun was included as well as a Serrano ham for the seniors to bring home with them. An incredible treat! In the meantime the phone never stops ringing, Manolo says. “There’s an ongoing issue with the prices of beverages at different establishments which can vary from £1.40 or 50 to £2.00 or £2.10 for a fizzy drink. Priced menus are exhibited, so why not the price of drinks, and then we won’t be shocked by the bill which is only presented at the time of leaving?”

Of late the association has been highlighting the question of loneliness which is more widespread than we tend to think, even in Gibraltar being such a close knit community; `all the lonely people, where do they all come from’ so sang the Beatles! They come from everywhere and anywhere including next door. “That’s right. We’ve been asking neighbours to knock on an elderly person’s door, living on their own, to check and see how they are, perhaps just once or twice a week and have a chat or see if they need anything from the shops. Family members may pop round but living next door to one would be a welcome gesture for them. Evenings and night times are the worst and that’s when loneliness really kicks in. The Day Care Centre at Waterport Terraces is doing a wonderful job and members of staff

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`Grandparents Day’ seems to be a ‘no-no’! Manolo and the team have tried to get it going just like Valentine’s Day, Halloween, or even comparable to, or as important as, Mother’s and Father’s Day, especially when you think of how vital young couples’ mortgage payments are. Mum and dad both have to work so who looks after the kids? Speaking from my own experience, one celebratory day a year for grandparents would be nice, but Manolo tells me it’s been a task trying to get it up and running. Yet it works in other countries so why not here? And the committee’s work continues in earnest. At the Governor’s residence, a morning coffee party was organised by the committee attended by about 50 seniors and more monthly coffee or tea party events are planned like the `Seniors Tea for Two.’ An initiative led by local language school Little English and B2 Projects, with monthly tea parties at the IPA police club. More info at seniorsteafortwo@gmail.com - and there’s more. At the time of writing, a wonderful trip to the hinterland’s Alpujarra region had been organised but support, at that stage, was not as healthy as hoped. For a mere 170 Euros a day for three nights, everything under

As you grow older and time moves on, with the advances in technology and general practices becoming more advanced and increasingly difficult to comprehend, these become more alien for the older gents and ladies in our midst, I guess. So patience is of the essence. Also, a little time spent - just a few minutes in some cases - with our seniors would not go amiss, I’m sure. That simple, kind deed will make you feel good and be much appreciated by the recipient. Give it a thought!

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FEATURE PAUL ANDERSON IS AN ARTS BROADCASTER, RADIO PRESENTER, PRODUCER AND JOURNALIST. HE’S KNOWN FOR WORK ON BBC 6 MUSIC, XFM, CAPITAL AS WELL AS HOSTING HIS OWN ONE-HOUR FILM SHOW ‘AT THE MOVIES’ ON SMOOTH RADIO. PAUL IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE LONDON FILM CRITIC’S CIRCLE. FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @AFILMGUY.

Welcome to the new term with some familiar faces awaiting at the cinema this October. Just to ease the transition from summer to autumn are TV favourites in the huge cast of Downton Abbey, a Horror favourite with Pennywise the clown and Sylvester Stallone returns to bookend Rambo in Last Blood. First up it’s the return of no one’s favourite clown

It CHAPTER TWO : 15

DOWNTON ABBEY : PG

RAMBO LAST BLOOD : 15

Twenty-seven years after their first encounter with the Pennywise, evil resurfaces in Derry as director Andy Muschietti reunites the Losers to finally bring the curtain down on one of the most successful horror films ever. They thought they had defeated the clown in the drain but oh no, the town is terrorised once more. Kids are disappearing again, so the only member of the gang to still be living there, (why Mike why), calls them all back. This group of individuals is not at peace with themselves or what happened. It’s a mighty cast that includes James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain and Bill Hader.

We are on somewhat safer ground with the film version of TV monster hit Downton Abbey. The cast is too big to list but everyone you loved or loathed in the TV show is here with a couple of extras.

Here’s a man for whom the phrase ‘just leave it’ is not part of his vocabulary. John Rambo burst onto our screens almost four decades ago as a wronged and mentally injured Vietnam Veteran. He has unleashed all kinds of merry Hell over that time, including as a mercenary in Burma, and now faces his past and his demons. He brings his own particular set of skills and weaponry to a knife fight, uses a bow and arrow to good effect and then there’s all that combat fighting. Lots of stuff gets blown up, there’s deep and meaningful dialogue and lots of blood all with the aim to exact revenge for a final time. Sly Stallone is 73 years old. This is the last one. No really it is. Honest.

The lives of the Crawley family and the servants who worked for them at the turn of the 20th century in an Edwardian English country house, could be written yesterday in some ways. Scandal, intrigue, Royals, and romance. The King and Queen are popping by for a few days and so the Crawleys and the servants must step up to the plate. However, an advanced guard of butlers and maids is sent to prepare the ground which, as you can imagine, rubs everyone downstairs up the wrong way. Pans rattle, bells are rung, words are said and it’s not just the pots that boil over. Maggie smith is back at her withering best and Carson comes in from the cold.

Check listings at

.com

leisurecinemas

WORDS BY PAUL ANDERSON GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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ARMED FORCES INSIGHT

NEW RAF STATION

COMMANDER RAF Gibraltar has a new Station Commander. Wing Commander Annella ‘Nel’ Doherty has taken over from Wg Cdr John Kane, who will now take up his new appointment as Base Commander Ascension Island.

PC LEE CASCIARO One of the Gibraltar Defence Police’s most ubiquitous officers has been awarded the Gibraltar Medallion of Honour and Distinction for Services to Sport. Lee has become a an inspiration and local hero to many in Gibraltar, young and old. His position as striker has provided many moments to remember, including his historic goal against Celtic, securing the first leg win for Lincoln Red Imps, in the UEFA Champions League. His ability to balance his working life with his sporting life is a motivating sign to all. The GDP’s senior management noted its continued pride in having Lee as part of their team. Everyone at Gibraltar Insight congratulates him too!

Nel joined the Royal Air Force in 1998, following an RAF university scholarship where she studied BSc Psychology at Leeds University. She qualified as a Weapons Controller in the Fighter Control specialisation (now Air Operations Branch) and completed multiple tours as an operator and as an instructor. In 2005 she graduated as a Qualified Weapons Instructor. She has frequently deployed on operations and exercises around the globe, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Bahrain, the Falkland Islands, Lithuania, the USA, Canada and Kenya. Wing Commander Doherty has had a broad career, encompassing the Joint environment (Air Support Operations Centre), the British Army (19 (Light) Brigade), the Civil Aviation Authority, and in roles with significant cross government profiles within the National Air Defence Operations Centre and the Operations Directorate of the Ministry of Defence. Whilst employed as Squadron Leader Operations at RAF Northolt she was responsible for the military and civil air transport activity at the airfield. In addition, she was made Project Officer for the London Olympics, which saw the transformation of the combined civil and military business jet airfield to one which could accommodate fighter aircraft operations, with the deployment of four Typhoons of the Quick Reaction Alert Force for the duration of the Games. For her efforts, she was awarded an MBE in 2013. Nel is married to Kieran, and they have two young children and a dog. She enjoys triathlons and snowboarding. In addition, she recently set herself the task of picking up where she left off thirty years ago, and re-started her efforts to learn to play the violin. Welcome to the Rock!

RAF GIBRALTAR PERSONNEL RECEIVE CERTIFICATES Four vehicle technicians from Royal Air Force Gibraltar attended a ceremony where they were awarded their level 3 NVQ certificates by The Honourable Sir Joseph Bossano, Minister for Economic Development, who also has responsibility for training. (L-R) Thomas Mercer, Willie Machin, Sir Joseph Bossano, Sqn Ldr Andrew Climie, Kyle Nicholson and Daniel Barrett. 24

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The Royal Gibraltar Regiment has experienced a particularly busy summer, culminating in a change of Commanding Officer as Lieutenant Colonel David King handed over Command to Lieutenant Colonel Simon Dyson.

ARMED FORCES INSIGHT

ALL CHANGE AT RGR

With over 20 years with the Army, Lt Col King’s last two years in service have been as CO RG. Lt Col King’s tenure in Command has overseen rotational deployments for the Regiment to Bahrain, supporting Op KIPION. His replacement Lt Col Simon Dyson, the Regimental Second in Command, arrives with over 20 years’ significant operational experience, having previously been an officer in The Royal Irish Regiment. Major Alex Stone has moved from his stint as the Regimental Careers Management Officer to Quartermaster (Technical), handing over to Captain Lance Mauro who has commissioned from WO2. Major Tim Cumming will shortly take up his appointment as the Regimental Second in Command, moving from his current post as Training Officer at Headquarters British Forces Gibraltar. Other changes to the Officer cohort at the Regiment sees Captain Doug Hayton-Williams return to regimental duty as Adjutant, following his employment as Aide de Camp to His Excellency the Governor of Gibraltar. Commissioning in April 2004 to The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding), he joins with operational expe-

Lt Col David King

Capt Lance Mauro

Lt Col Simon Dyson

Major Tim Cumming

Major Alex Stone

Capt D Hayton-Williams

rience of three tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, and as a previous instructor at the Infantry Battle School Brecon. He succeeds Capt Garcia-White who has recently been selected for promotion and has left the Regiment to attend the Intermediate Command Staff Course (Land) at Shrivenham. The Regiment is now bidding a sad farewell to Major Julian Valverde at the end of a long and very distinguished service to the Forces and wish him well for the future. Second Lieutenant Matthew Lewis has also left, having served three years in Gibraltar. There has been a change of Regimental Sergeant Major sees WO1(RSM) Chris Canepa, who is at the end of his service after 22 years, hand over to WO1(RSM) Patrick Canepa, his brother who joins from being Regimental Quartermaster (Technical). The new RSM said, “This is a huge honour and the pinnacle of my career so far – I am very much looking forward to supporting the new Commanding Officer and the other ranks in the Regiment.”

Capt Jose Garcia-White

Major Julian Valverde

WO1(RSM) Chris Canepa

WO1(RSM) Patrick Canepa

WO1 Richard Burton

WO1 Jonathan Spencer

Finally, at the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer level, WO1 Richard Burton handed over the role of Royal Gibraltar Bandmaster to WO1 Jonathan Spencer. WO Spencer’s background includes the Irish Guards Band and the Band of The Royal Logistic Corps, and joins the Regiment to assume responsibility for the Band.

HMNB GIBRALTAR HAS HOSTED THE FIRST GDP BIKEATHLON CHARITY EVENT IN AID OF GBC OPEN DAY AND LITTLE SMILES CHARITY. The event, which attracted a healthy number of cyclists - 66 in total - started at 9 am and concluded 12 hours later at 9 pm. Among the VIPs for the event were His Excellency, Commander British Forces Gibraltar, Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Commissioner of Police and Deputy Chief Police Officer. Among those participating in the Bikeathlon were personnel from British Forces Gibraltar as well as members from the local community and members from the Royal Gibraltar Police. The organisers of the event would like to officially thank all the sponsors for their support and also St John’s Ambulance Service for providing medical cover. Special mention to those who volunteered on the day and also to the Gibraltar RAF Cadets for their assistance. GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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SPORTS INSIGHT

WORDS BY LIAM BEGLAN, SPORTS WRITER 26

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A MONSTER MONTH

OF SPECTACULAR SPORT October is set to unveil an exciting menu of mouthwatering fare spread across the global sporting spectrum – football sees the return of Euro 2020 qualifiers, and in the Premier League such is the superiority of Man City and Liverpool the contest has already become a two-horse race. Horseracing sees Enable attempt to win the Arc for a third time, while Rugby 2019 World Cup, featuring the four Home Nations, rages on in the Land of the Rising Sun. Come with me while we take a closer look at three of the main events.

HORSERACING

that burned so bright that first fiery night against the Irish, get the Stadium rocking again, and with the last two qualifiers being daunting ties, away to Denmark and home to Switzerland, victory over Georgia has to be the pressing goal.

ENABLE SET TO JOIN THE EQUINE GODS EUROPE’S richest and toughest flat race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, is set for the off at ParisLongchamp on Sunday October 6th when the top thoroughbreds of the planet go head to head to establish which equine star’s name will be added to the roll of honour of turf legends, but this year there’s an extraordinary extra dimension, for among their number is a runner attempting to create history by winning the great race for an unprecedented third time, a member of the fairer sex who, on countless occasions, has routed male opposition, a view of her lovely rear the only reward for vain pursuers as she powered to victory in 12 Group races spread over two continents, winning total prizemoney of £9,382,243 and counting, step forward fantastic filly ENABLE, trained at Newmarket by genius handler John Gosden and ridden by the mercurial Frankie Dettori. When one recalls the equine giants of the past, Arkle, Red Rum, Sea Bird, Nijinsky, Frankel, hallowed names all, an all-male cast of stellar stars, with no representative from the fair sex... until now ... welcome oh so elegant Enable to the Equine Hall of Fame, the most regal lady ever to illuminate the Sport of Kings, impressive winner of the last two Arcs and about to challenge for a third, an incredible feat never before achieved. The fabulous four-legged filly is quoted by the bookies at a current top price of Evens to capture the impossible Arc hat-trick. Hail Enable, soon to be crowned Immortal Queen of the Turf!

FOOTBALL GEORGIA VERY MUCH ON OUR MINDS QUALIFICATION for Euro 2020 resumes this month and Gibraltar will gain no solace from a glance at the Group D table which shows Julio’s men languishing at the bottom, five games in, winless, pointless and sadly, goalless, but with 16 goals conceded. The early promise of the Rock’s opening two fixtures, narrow defeats home and away against the Republic of Ireland - indeed, a draw at a frenzied Victoria Stadium that March night would not have flattered the home side – has failed to materialise, and heavy defeats in the next three games, 6-0 at home to a Christian Eriksen-inspired Denmark, 3-0 and 4-0 away to Georgia and Switzerland respectively, bring into question just how much progress has been made since that never-to-be-forgotten Nations League double over Liechtenstein and Armenia last year. Group D is a tough division, Denmark and Switzerland are two of Europe’s elite, Ireland also are no mugs, but Gib sights should be set on Georgia, the visitors on October 15, who are within realistic range of the Rock and should be targeted to at last gain that so elusive first group victory. So, come on Gibraltar, rekindle the fire

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Gibraltar, give us a win or give us a draw, but, at least, please, please give us a goal!

Gibraltar v Georgia – Tuesday 15th October (KO 8.45 CET) Elsewhere in the football world, the Premier League is once more being dominated by the Big Two, Liverpool and Manchester City, the Big Four is no more, the Reds and City opening up an ever-widening class gulf between them and the distant chasing pack. Champions League holders Liverpool appear unbeatable this season, steamrolling all league opposition and opening up an early lead over defending PL champs City, while Pep Guardiola’s charges suffered a rare setback with a surprise 3-2 defeat to league new boys Norwich, a result that prompted the popular Spanish coach to jokingly congratulate the Mersey men on already being crowned league champions! Well Pep, many a true word has been spoken in jest, and by the way the Red Machine has been obliterating all opposition, those mocking words may well come back to bite you!

RUGBY UNION WORLD CUP ENGLAND’S CHARIOT SET TO SWING HIGH THE GREATEST SHOW on Earth roars on in Japan this month, with all four home nations heavily involved as they attempt to wrest the mantle of superiority back from constant and always arrogant Southern Hemisphere domination, a task this correspondent considers eminently achievable. The World Cup warm-up games were a bit of a mixed bag with England and Wales winning and losing against each other, while Ireland beat Wales home and away whilst being crushed by England at Twickenham. Despite this record defeat the Irish, puzzlingly, are in Japan as the world-ranked No1 side and, along with England, are the Six Nations’ main hope of spanking the Springboks and our Antipodean cousins, Australia and New Zealand. Welsh hopes have taken a nosedive with the shock expulsion of assistant coach Rob Howley, amid allegations of betting impropriety, given the critical timing the issue must be significant and must harm Taff chances. I still expect them to qualify for the quarter finals – as I do all four home nations – but, if pool results go to form, I expect Wales to perish by Saxon sword in a last-eight encounter. The opening games saw comfortable wins for Ireland over Scotland and Wales over Georgia, but England’s romp over Tonga would seem to signal that the chariot’s wheels are well oiled and whirring nicely and Eddie’s boys are in drive position, destination Yokohama, for a final date with destiny on Saturday 2nd November. Could this be the Cup that really is coming home?

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GOLF

NEWS

THE FAMOUS GROUSE TROPHY OUR HANDICAP CATEGORY PRIZES WERE WON AS FOLLOWS:

The Famous Grouse Trophy tournament was held at El Paraiso on Sunday 15th September. The event not only opened the Med Golf 2019-20 Season, but also heralded some exciting new changes to the Med Golf format. The key aim is to increase the number of potential qualifiers for the Med Golf Masters from 10 to 38 who will now also play for a luxury Tag Heuer watch. The value of the event winner’s prize has also been increased as shown below.

Category 1 (handicaps 0 to 13): Roy Azopardi was the winner with 34 Stableford points. Category 2 (handicaps 14 to 21): Ross Harkins opened his account on his debut as a Med Golf member in grand style with a score of 36 Stableford points to win the Category. Category 3 (handicap 22 to 30 for men and 36 for ladies): Not for the first time, Eddie Diaz (hcp 24.4) won the Category with 34 Stableford points beating Miranda Granlund (hcp 36.0) on Handicap..

While the day began under lowering skies and a sprinkling of rain with the promise of much more to come, it all came to naught and everyone finished in glorious sunshine enjoying the stunning views that the course offers. Because of the overnight rain, buggies were restricted to the paths so everyone was treated to more exercise that they had hoped for but it did not spoil the day. The champion of the day with a score of 39 points was Darren Anton. Darren was the first to benefit from the new prize structure and not only won the Famous Grouse Trophy, but also a £150 voucher by Cohen and Massias, a key sponsor of the Med Golf season. Darren also won a coveted winner’s shirt that qualifies him for the Med Gold Masters at the end of the season. The best gross score was Javi Hunter with a score of 79. The best gross score of level par on the 3 holes was Roy Azopardi. Roy was also the Category 1 winner and best senior. The best pair was Ross Harkins and David Murphy with a combined score of 70 Stableford points. The longest drive was won by Robbie Jones. The Category winners now get a coveted Med Golf winner’s shirt and qualify for the Med Golf Masters. The category winners were as follows:

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Nearest the pin winners were: Joe Sanchez, John Robbins and Kevin Jones. Louis Calvente was nearest to the pin in 2 on a par 4 and Paul Nash was nearest the pin in 3 on a par 5. The prizes were presented by Med Golf’s Judith Benezrah and the members were thanked for their support. Qualifiers for the bigger and better Med Golf Masters to date are: 1. Darren Anton – Event winner

2. Roy Azopardi – Cat 1 winner

3. Ross Harkins – Cat 2 winner

4. Eddie Diaz – Cat 3 winner

Order of Merit The top ten in the Gourmet Catering Order of Merit at the end of the season will also qualify for the Med Golf Masters. Here are the top ten, after the first event: Darren Anton

Ross Harkins

Roy Azopardi

David Murphy

Eddie Diaz

Miranda Grandlund

Robbie Jones

Carlo Nuvoletta

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Javi Hunter

Hans Henrik Jansen

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FOOTBALL INSIGHT Welcome to a new feature in the pages of Gibraltar Insight dedicated to football on the Rock, and in particular Lynx FC. Gibraltar Insight and its parent company GBZ Media, are both proud to be a partner with Lynx FC in the season ahead. It joins the other strategic relationships with Gibraltar Cricket and Bermuda Rugby (the latter in conjunction with sister title, Bermuda Insight). As such, it seems fitting to hand over to Lynx’s Albert Parody to recap part of the club’s history and philosophy.

It was back in 2007 when Lynx was created alongside my son, nephew and close friends with the simple goal of enjoying the game of football. I remember as if it was yesterday playing for Lynx in the early days as a centre forward finishing as top scorer of the league for 2 consecutive years. As the club took formation, the competitiveness grew even more in the Premier League and although it was in my nature to give 150% on the pitch, I decided to take up the role of Player-manager of the first team. There was always an interest to integrate a women’s team at the club but it was to prove a challenge. We have tried on many occasions but recruiting female players has been difficult due to the available numbers of interested females in the sport. We are now starting to see rapid growth in women’s football, pulling great attendance at international level and it is visible on Spanish and UK TV. UEFA brought great opportunities to the sport in 2013 but there was also a financial responsibility that came with it in order to sustain the club afloat. Training facilities are limited in Gibraltar and require clubs to train abroad which cost money. In order to maintain a high level of professional football, we had to invest in qualified personnel. The level continued to grow with financial support remaining the same, it never stopped our Futsal Team becoming 5 times Premier League Champions consecutively.

es such as Gibraltar Alzheimer’s & Dementia Society, Alcoholics anonymous, Little Smiles and Mental programs. The work was praised by the Minister at the time Mr Edwin Reyes back in 2008. Lynx is a family and I could not have done it without my CEO Jonathan Costa and President Jack Noble who has been instrumental to the growth of the club. It is admirable the amount of time and dedication they have given to the club on a voluntary basis. I have wonderful people on board like Sergio Revelli, Deirdre Copello, Scott Houghton, Kathy Noble, Jimmy Cavilla, Jeky Buhagiar and Lenny Wornall, completing the Committee circle. I sincerely believe I have the best committee in the league. Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision, the ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives and we are thankful for the unconditional support of the Casais Group and Bhisham’s Trends for being there for us on a long term basis. We have applauded their efforts and acknowledged their support by going the extra mile. When we all help one another, everybody wins.

Regardless of our financial commitments, we never allowed it to affect our Youth Development and it is a testament in being the club that holds the lowest registration fee for a youth player and covered the costs of the parent’s second child. Lynx has always lead by example by opening their doors to all walks of life, regardless of their history. There was a season prior to becoming a member of UEFA when most of our players were given a “second chance” to do something right in their lives and 2007 was no stranger. We’ve always had a humanitarian collaboration alongside worthy caus-

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Gibraltar Insight is grateful to the RAF Press Team, in particular Wg Cdr Martin Tinworth, C2 Andrew Morton and MOD Chief Photographer & Deputy Defence Imagery Editor, Harland Quarrington.

THE ROYAL AIR FORCE’S RED ARROWS RECENTLY EMBARKED ON A TOUR OF NORTH AMERICA.

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FEATURE

JONAT

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ATHAN Whichever way you look at it, his influences over time have led him to shore up the needs of the underdog and the underprivileged in one way or another as a union member on the Rock, supporting rallies in Madrid and championing partner Susana’s work with migrant minors... it’s in the blood!

It comes as absolutely no surprise considering his upbringing. Strong union leader for many years Jose Netto is his grandfather, whilst uncles Jaime and Michael were also heavily involved in the union movement and even Jonathan’s mum took part helping out where needed. His cousin Daniel is well into helping those in need too, involved in the LESBOS NGO in Greece, assisting with the immigrant state of affairs. “Yes, my childhood and adolescent years were certainly full of it with lively discussions (which is what I love taking part in to the present) always going on in the home. I loved joining in and by the time I was 12 my political leanings were already to the left.” 40 year old Jonathan tells me: “Even in school, I was always very chatty with the boy sat next to me and being told off for only displaying the date at the top of the page of the work I was supposed to be doing.” Paradoxically, in later years he gained an MA in creative writing! Jonathan also recalls the Netto family were mainly atheists, although he says he would describe himself now as more of an agnostic. However, just like many others, teenager Jonathan joined the scouts and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme and then went off to Middlesex University to study English Literature, Philosophy and later, not surprisingly, Race & Culture which dwelled on the colonised. Whilst in the UK he joined a Scandinavian NGO called `Humana People to People’, clearly pursuing one of his core drives to help where possible. Back on the Rock he worked in the Doctor Giraldi Home looking after disabled adults. “I’ve always loved dealing with people. Whilst on the Rock I wrote for the VOX newspaper dealing with people’s issues, spent some time in Tangier and set off to South America with my friend Stephan Rodriguez. Whilst there we went our separate ways and I ended up visiting Colombia, Brazil and other places, as well as Mexico. I also taught a bit in Gib and round about 2008 headed off to Madrid, my present home, where I teach English in the Rey Juan Carlos University.” Jonathan ended up in the thick of it in those years as Europe was going through a financial crisis. “Yes, I attended

TEUMA

main as we are or not, so it’s not a problem really. Anyway I always say you can’t make peace with your friends, you have to make peace with your (potential) enemies!” So Jonathan the lecturer enjoys living there but misses the Rock and the sea and would like to come back at some stage. “As a compromise towards my partner Susanna, I wouldn’t mind moving to a town nearby in Andalucía but at this stage it’s just a thought, a subject to think about that’s perhaps more in the future.” With regard to Gibraltar politics he finds our system too adversarial and Gibraltar itself very politicised. “I think I would like to see a system of direct democracy, where anyone can first of all have their background checked, sit an exam, need to be bi-lingual etc. and then put their name on the electoral slate and wait to be elected or otherwise, with no political parties contesting the election,” Jonathan suggests, “and that’s it,” he says, with 15, 20 or whatever number running Gibraltar’s affairs. He might have thought of becoming a politician here in his younger days, he says, but insists it’s too personal. “Gibraltar itself has also changed. To my mind we’re less Yanito. We’re losing all those words and expressions you no longer hear as the older generation passes on. Words like, `El teepa,’ `el sospen,’ `comprame una shinga’ and so many other words and phrases which have been lost with our kids speaking English all the time. Our bilingualism was richer in years gone by, it’s being lost and I think there should be more languages being taught in schools also.” At home in Madrid Jonathan travels to work on the Underground or El Metro and sometimes on his bike, biking being one of his hobbies along with reading, watching movies and attending sessions of Poetry Slam in a local cafe where poetry reading is taken in turns and a good time is had by all. Debates on almost anything are something that Jonathan also likes to get his teeth stuck into. “Yes debates and discussions, I love them. As far as world affairs go, I’m not against immigration which is a hot topic these days, whilst appreciating anyone who is anti-immigration is not a racist as seems to be the thinking with many individuals.” So Jonathan Teuma’s background and rearing have certainly struck a chord throughout his life to the present. These days the dreadlocks have gone, his demeanour is toned down but the `people are important consciousness’ and philosophical traits are clearly evident.

the 15M rally in La Puerta del Sol demonstrating against austerity measures and the right wing elite. It seemed to hit Spain a few years later around 2011/2012 and times were tough, but like with most things you come through it and move on.” During his decade living in the Spanish capital Jonathan says he’s rarely quizzed about the Gibraltar `perennial issue’. “When it does come up I find many Spaniards are either uninformed or ill informed and I keep myself more or less up-to-date about how things are going on the Rock, but by and large - and young people especially - many Spaniards don’t care much about the Gibraltar problem and are not concerned about whether we re-

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FEATURE

A GIBRALTAR

PHILATELIC EVENT

n important philatelic event is planned for October 2019, and it will take place at the Garrison Library, Gibraltar over three days. The event is in part to mark the Sesquicentennial (the 150th Anniversary) of the Royal Philatelic Society, London. This is the oldest, and perhaps the most prestigious philatelic society in the world. It was founded in 1869, seventeen years before Gibraltar issued its first postage stamps, which was on 1 January 1886. The first day of the year was an ordinary working day in 1886, and it had not yet become a public holiday so it was possible for the new stamps to be placed on sale then.

collectors have also been invited. Many of the visitors are members of two philatelic societies, the Gibraltar Study Circle and the GB Overprints Society. The Study Circle members are specialists in the field of Gibraltar philately. The members of the GB Overprints Society include specialists in the field of Morocco philately, with particular reference to the British postal service in Morocco, which used overprinted stamps of Gibraltar and subsequently Great Britain. Some of the visitors will be displaying sheets from their collections of stamps, postal history and postal stationery. The philatelic event is generously supported by the Kishin Alwani Foundation, which supports numerous cultural events and activities. The Gibraltar Museum and Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau Limited will be assisting in making the display frames available and transporting them to the Library.

Richard Garcia, the organiser of the event, is the Overseas Representative for Gibraltar of the Royal, as the Royal Philatelic Society, London is affectionately known. He is also a Fellow of the Society, and an Academician of the Academy of European Philately. The only other Gibraltarian Fellow of the Royal is Stephen Viñales, who will be taking a very active part in the programme. “A number of events have been held in different countries to commemorate this landmark anniversary of the Royal,” commented Richard Garcia. “The main celebrations were held in Stockholm, earlier this year, and were attended by the King of Sweden. The week before the Gibraltar event, there will be a celebration at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington DC. Another is planned for Hong Kong. The event now being planned for Gibraltar will be the only commemorative event for the Sesquicentennial in the Iberian Peninsula.”

There will be three days of philatelic displays. The first, Monday 21 October, is dedicated to the Sesquicentennial of the Royal. Fellows and members of the Royal who will be in Gibraltar will be showing material from their collections. The subject matter of these displays will be wide-ranging. In addition, there will be an illustrated talk and presentation of a book to be published later this year by the Royal on the philately of Morocco in the 1890s, with particular reference to the Sultan’s Sherifien Post and the Local Posts. It has been written by Richard Garcia and Maurice Hadida, who are both specialists in this field of philately. The profusely illustrated book is a dual-language edition, with the English text on the left hand pages and the French text on the facing right hand pages.

The second day, Tuesday 22 October, is dedicated to the philately of Gibraltar. Members of the Gibraltar Study Circle will be displaying a selection of items of Gibraltar postage stamps, postal history, maritime mail, revenue stamps, postal stationery and the use of Gibraltar stamps in Morocco at the time that the British post offices in Morocco were operated from Gibraltar by Postmistress Margaret Creswell. The third day, Wednesday 23 October, will be the GB Overprints Society “Morocco Day IV”. This follows on from “Morocco Day III”, which was also held in Gibraltar. The focus on this occasion will be on the philately of Morocco, with particular emphasis on the British postal service. The early years were managed by the Gibraltar Post Office, and present a unique example of a colony operating a postal service in a foreign country – at its expense – for the benefit of the prestige of the Colonial Power. Other displays will feature subjects ranging from the Algeciras Conference of 1906 to the German Post Offices in Morocco. The displays will all be staged at the Gibraltar Garrison Library, with the kind permission of the Library’s Director, Dr Jennifer Ballantine-Perera. Admission is free. The displays will take place from 10.00 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. and from 2.15 p.m. to 3.45 p.m. on each of the three days. Each display will be up for 45 minutes, and the material in the display cabinets will then be changed in order to allow for the maximum number of pages to be shown. Each exhibitor will speak briefly on their display, highlighting the items of particular importance. In addition, the philatelic visitors to Gibraltar will be participating in a series of non-philatelic events, to widen the enjoyment of their stay.

A number of important philatelists will be travelling to Gibraltar to participate in this three-day event. They include specialists from France, Germany, Morocco and the United Kingdom. Spanish and Portuguese

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FEATURE

WORDS BY JOE ADAMBERY 40

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FEATURE

FESTIVAL WEEKEND ACTS

Photos by Aaron Baglietto, Lesley Posso and Neville Zammit

My remit as usual was to support local talent and try to catch some of the big names on both stages and sometimes I could not stay for a whole set but would catch a handful of songs from each act. Saturday kicked off with local four piece Rock outfit ‘The Views’ who played some originals and some good covers like ‘Can’t Feel My Face’ (Weekend) ‘Can’t Stop’ (Chilli Peppers) and closed with ‘Dirt Bag’ (Wheatus). They sounded competent and tight even as they played to a near empty stadium. They did well.

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‘Escape’ an 80’s covers band were next and they had previously told me how they had worked hard on their set and were confident that they would smash it on stage. They did with the likes of ‘Stuck in the Middle with You’, Def Leppard’s ‘Hysteria,’ Phil Collins, Scorpions, Whitesnake, Billy Idol’s ‘Rebel Yell’ and to finish AC/DC’s ‘TNT’. This was a rousing set which lifted the gathering crowd and ‘Escape’ sure made their mark on the ‘good times scale’. I had previously caught them at the recent beer festival and was impressed by their repertoire. I stayed on the main stage and witnessed how international act ‘Sigala’ blew everyone away with ‘Sweet Lullaby’ at 6pm and half an hour later he was still killing them with ‘Give Me Your Love.’ The stadium was heaving and it was only a daytime set but festival revellers in vast numbers were letting their hair down. ‘Came Here for Love’ crowned the happy ‘Sigala’ moments which soon faded as Pete Doherty bravely tried to conquer the stage with a guitar strapped on and a bunch of songs. It was a tough mountain to climb and the Liam Gallagher fans were getting restless. Boom! Bang on time the thumping beat of ‘Rock’n’Roll’ star saw the former Oasis front man start his assault on the senses. He managed to get the word Gibraltar early into his announcements but it was preceded by an F word- no surprises there. ‘Shockwave,’ ‘For What it’s Worth’ and ‘Greedy Soul’ followed on and then he introduced a new one from his album. ‘Once’ is a melodic ballad which the cheeky Mancunian has the knack for coming up with. A great many expats were well into his set and some locals too had been looking forward to the no nonsense ‘Oasis’ legend. He did much more than not disappoint. The classic stage saw ‘Thrifty Malone’ celebrate life as they regularly do with good time Irish music and a crowd of supporters from their

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pub gigs, although these guys have played UK festivals too and are doing well media -wise with their single ‘6 Miles Down the Road.’ The sound system and poor acoustics did not give them credit but they soldiered on and topped their great set with a fast version of ‘Whiskey in the Jar.’ These guys are the ones to check out if you like blues harp and mandolins in your pub music. They entertain and are good at it too. The knock on effect of delayed start times at the classic stage prevented me from staying on for locals ‘Bob and The Boys’ and I made my way to catch Enrique Iglesias who topped the Saturday bill with a spectacular show in which the technical excellence of his hot Miami band combined with a humble artist who doesn’t really possess a huge voice but who has sold millions of records can win everyone over and then some. The hits unfolded one after the other and the dazzling lights and smoke guns all added to the sense of epic entertainment. Enrique bent over and kissed the stage floor on two occasions and despite technical problems which were not visible to us, he came upstage to the catwalk with part of his band and performed ‘Hero’ and various encores from there - where they could hear themselves better. Many fans around the catwalk were quite enjoying this proximity and Enrique was gracious and enjoyed it too, as did we from a safer distance. My final mission on Saturday after ‘Enrique Iglesias’ was to watch our own ‘Jetstream’ headlining at the classic stage - a first - but they too were delayed with sound problems and even when they got started, the half dozen songs I that I stayed for before giving up on the sound were no credit to Nolan Frendo whose excellent vocals were lost in mushy sound and were unintelligible. They played their new single ‘Worth the Wait’ and also a new song ‘Hold On’ but I know it didn’t go well. Sorry ‘Jetstream’ but you know you are better than dodgy sound and I will happily review your next local gig.

When the levanter storm settled over the Rock on Sunday lunchtime a collective prayer went up that it wouldn’t spoil the second day of our music festival. It didn’t but it was a close call. When I arrived at 3.45pm the power to the main stage was still off but the downpour had stopped. We started with a stellar performance by ‘King Calaway’. Simon Dumas and the band were to be the highlight of the afternoon... but let’s review the day first. Local outfit ‘Crimson Clover’ were first on the main stage and were soon spreading their music gospel with tunes like ‘In My Line of Sight’ and ‘I’ll Come Calling.’ They have an accomplished guitar led Rock sound and delivered on a well paced set which proved to be the antidote to the post-stormy blues which had tested our faith in meteorology barely hours before. A promising band with a fresh approach to strident guitar grooves. ‘Dead City Radio’ now featuring a new promising young drummer Nick Anson, were opening the Classic stage and doing it with the authority and experience of being the local band that has played more GMFs than anyone. Singer James Culatto released his ‘inner Zeppelin’ and his guitarist Robin Batchelor and bass man Daniel Ghio played an authoritative set to defy the poor venue sound which we had experienced on the Saturday. Their song ‘Valkyrie’ ruled the roost and was the strongest statement in their set. James was not holding back (he never does) on high range vocals and DCR are grunge kings because they can rule with their quality material. ‘King Calaway’ all the way from Nashville and featuring Simon Dumas were the revelation of the day. Their polished high energy set on the main stage drew many fans forward to the catwalk stage front. They have an album release this October and have already done sixty five gigs promoting their debut EP across the US. They treated us to new songs like ‘I’ll Be in the Driving Seat’ and ‘She’s Out of My League’ and to their new album opener ‘Oblivious’ plus their established numbers like ‘No Matter What’ and ‘I Do’ which excelled. The Eagles’ Take it Easy’ was a smart cover choice and well worthy of mention as was a ‘Rascals Flats’ cover of ‘Life is a Highway.’ King Calaway crammed twelve songs and announcements into their debut performance which left no one in any doubt that these fresh faced bubbly guys are not a manufactured band. They are a polished, hugely talented band and ‘Kings -in- waiting’... the crown will come. Albert Hammond’s ‘It Never Rains in Southern California’ got a resounding reception as did a nod to local legends ‘Melon Diesel’ after which the Dumas brothers were invited to perform with them on ‘Sev-

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en Seas.’ It was an emotional and brilliant homecoming gig which will not be forgotten. I had to miss The Layla Rose Band at the classic stage because of a clash of timings with King Calaway but a miracle had taken place and the sound which had been dodgy cleared up for them and my friends who saw their set swear that it sounded awesome and that she came through as the developing talent that she is, with a great band which includes daddy behind her. Guys I owe you a review as well. ‘Reach’ another great bunch of local legends were next - ‘Calling All Stations’ at the Classic stage which had filled up for their new album’s live debut. As with DCR earlier, you can’t keep these guys down, their stage presence and sound is commanding attention with every song - old and new and their album is rich in these. They revisited classics ‘La Puerta de Cristal’ and ‘Sigo Sin Dormir’ ending a brilliant set with ‘A Girl named Marilyn’. If the sound at Classic stage needed testing (it did), Stephen Maclaren, Giles Ramirez, Mike Martinez, Francis Pecino and Trevor Guilliano certified it almost fit for purpose. They certainly ‘rocked’ and proved that they are still a force who put a lot of heart and hard work into the Rock’n’Roll brilliance that is ‘Reach.’ Tom Walker on the main stage with his band sounded as good as his huge songs. He is so strong and original in vocal approach that he has carved his name with ‘Leave a Light On’ which had thousands singing at the top of their lungs, crowning his set. He played drums in one of his complex songs and when he introduced a new song (‘You and I‘) he said it was ‘mellow and a little bit special.’ It was a great ballad and in fact all his songs sound like big hits even if you’ve only ever heard them once. He’s not just a guy with a woolly hat strumming a guitar but an attention grabbing seasoned performer who has been on a journey of seven years to get to where he is now. Rick Astley (vintage 1987) was another Sunday revelation with his great voice and charisma and a talented band behind him. He has a new album out and sung ‘Try’ from it. He threw everything into Rag ’n’ Bone Man’s hit ‘Giant’ and the main stage area erupted in approval. Many hits unfolded to the festival audience acclaim, which proved you’re never too young or too old to enjoy a hits machine man in concert. ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ upped the ante, the audience sang it word perfect, he then showcased each musician and his two lady singers whom he called ‘angels on my side’ in the dedication to them. There were many happy bunnies after all that but I had to move on quickly and catch legends ‘10cc’ on the classic stage. On this their second Gibraltar visit the 70’s legends rolled out their hits catalogue but the sound was not doing them any favours and vocals were indistinguishable from the ball of sound coming at me. You could tell that they were doing it very well and ’Art for Art’s Sake,’ ’Life is a Minestrone’ ‘Good Morning’ and ‘The Things We do for Love’ were the ones that I liked, though I couldn’t hang around too much waiting after their delayed start because it would delay me catching the biggest boy band in the world hitting the main stage to close the festival. The biggest crowd draw and their loudest roar went up when legends ‘Take That’ opened with ‘Greatest Day’ and a spectacular confetti bomb caught in the dazzling lights confirmed that this was what we came for. A total of eighteen hits from their thirty year career were rolled out. They had the moves, the panache and the perfect vocals to take this concert to the next level. Gary Barlow is a gifted composer and the main singer but his two side men Howard Donald and Mark Owen are the pillars of the TT charm offensive. As the inevitable finale was approaching so too was the capacity audience’s approval. This was going to end in big smiles all round and ‘Rule the World’ was officially their last song, but they were called back for more. They gave us ‘Invincible’ which they are, whatever their put-downs might say. It had been a truly spectacular tour final concert, winding up a Sunday Festival that might not have been but for a weather break. Next year who knows who we might see in the new chapter of music festivals that has just opened at Europa Point. The venue has certainly proved itself but for the Classic stage area. Perhaps alternating smaller stages on the main stage area might be an answer or even a one day music festival. Surely a September music festival is now a must-have. Confident that many thinking caps are on and that the big wheels are turning, my gut tells me that Gibraltar will ‘call again’ and we will turn up and be proud because that’s who we are. Here’s wishing for ‘mucha musica’ and happiness. Government and organisers, staff and artists, capacity audience too, we salute you all.

OCTOBER 2019

GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM


FEATURE

Bravo

BOCELLI

Blessed with one of the most distinctive voices in the world, legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli thrilled a sold out Europa Point Stadium at the southernmost tip of the Rock on Monday, 9th September. After the release of his new album, “Sì”, Andrea Bocelli embarked on a worldwide tour of select cities and was invited by the Gibraltar Government to perform as part of the celebrations in the build up to National Day. Credited with being amongst the most significant singers of our times, the 60 year old superstar has sold an incredible 80 million plus albums worldwide and is undoubtedly the best-selling crossover solo artist nowadays, blurring the boundaries between classical, pop, and operatic music. Having performed for three Popes, Royalty, Presidents and Prime Ministers, Bocelli is not short of accolades for his rich, unique voice and it was Céline Dion, with whom he’s often collaborated, who said “If God had a singing voice, he would sound like Andrea Bocelli.” Born in Lajatico between Pisa and Volterra, Bocelli was musically gifted as a child and despite his visual impairment he learned to play the piano, flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, and drums. At the age of 14, Bocelli won his first competition singing the Italian song “O Sole Mio.” Eventually, he went on to study law at the University of Pisa and worked as a court-appointed lawyer for one year after graduating law school.

medley of American Themes composed by Ennio Morricone featuring the theme from the film “The Good, Bad and the Ugly”. If opera wasn’t your thing, although it would be difficult to deny the vocal gymnastics performed by the virtuoso, the second half of the evening was devoted to some of the more popular songs in Bocelli’s repertoire. Surprisingly, nobody sings Elvis Presley’s’ Love Me Tender’ quite as romantically as he does!

Having performed and recorded numerous duets alongside some of the world’s most talented pop stars, it was fellow Italian Ilaria Della Bidia, who has accompanied Bocelli on many of his tours, who came on stage to give a beautiful rendition of a song better known as having been sung by Louis Armstrong, “What a Wonderful World” before Andrea returned to perform the duet “If Only”, with Ilaria taking on the sections sung by Dua Lipa on the album “Si”. During their rendition of “When I Fall in Love” Bocelli, ever the consummate professional, tapped Ilaria on the shoulder midway to ask for a slow dance, an intimate and special moment that added to the evocative theme of the song. However, there were also several heel tapping upbeat moments which brought a light-hearted vigour to the evening, including the joyful “Funiculì Funiculà” from the album “Incanto”. Throughout the concert, Andrea Bocelli was expertly accompanied at different times by the Gibraltar Choir Collective made up of a selection of specially chosen local singers. How proud

were their families and friends in the audience who could be seen excitedly pointing when someone they knew appeared on the screens either side of the stage. An added extra were the interpretative ballet performances by local dancers Nicole Valverde and Jordan Bautista. Near the end of the evening, El Maestro told us in a short speech that “Gibraltar had his heart”. Well one thing is for sure, he certainly has ours. As the orchestra played the opening refrain to one of Bocelli’s biggest hits “It’s Time to Say Goodbye”, a song he has performed in duet with many a global star, we thought that the finale had come but happily for us it turned out to be his penultimate performance of the night, and there is no doubt that Andrea Bocelli can hold a lengthy final note. If the stadium had a roof it would have been lift-off time, as we were treated to a magnificent finale of an impassioned rendition of the aria “Nessun Dorma” from Puccini’s opera “Turandot”, with images of Pavarotti, his friend and the man he credits with discovering him, displayed on the screen behind. After three standing ovations and several encores, the two hour concert came to end. In an arena bathed by the light of the moon under a twinkling carpet of stars overhead, Andrea Bocelli lifted our emotions, warmed our hearts and touched our souls with his angelic voice, with many a tear seen being wiped away amongst my fellow spectators for what was, for some of us, a once-in-alifetime experience.

How privileged were we in the audience to not only be entertained by the velvet-voiced tenor, but to also be fortunate enough for him to be joined on stage by one of the world’s finest symphony orchestras, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Marcello Rota. The excitement in the crowd was palpable as the orchestra struck up the first tones to Bizet’s Carmen, one of the most popular operas, as we waited for one of the world’s most popular singers. The concert was in two parts with a short twenty minute interval, the first part consisting of opera arias and choruses as well as duets with guest soprano Alessandra Marianelli, and it is safe to say that the Italian maestro’s high notes were just as smooth as the wine from his personal vineyards in Tuscany! When the vocalists stepped off the stage it was the turn of flautist Andrea Griminelli to delight with his fleeting fingers as he played ‘La Czardas’ with its juxtaposition of fast and slow music, and who then came back in the second set with an instrumental

WORDS BY JO WARD GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

OCTOBER 2019

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FEATURE

in 1810

GIBRALTAR Through the eyes of a visiting Officer From the Diary of Lt General Cockburn

ADAPTED BY PAUL BAKER 44

OCTOBER 2019

GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM


FEATURE

16th July 1810

and San Phillip on the west, with their flags proudly flying; no living creature between the advance posts of the two armies.

I sailed from Portsmouth in the frigate Lively, commanded by captain M’Kinley and some other military passengers. The vessel was rated as thirty eight but carried forty eight guns. The inner cabin was fitted as a library and furnished with some good books. We had a convoy of fifty two sail and a man of war brig.

12th July 1810

Sailed at noon from Cadiz; before dark we got into Gibraltar Bay, and anchored opposite Ragged Staff. The views in passing the Gut (Strait) are very grand, comprising of Apes Hill, the Barbary Mountains, and those of Spain. The appearance on entering the Bay is most striking.

13th July 1810

Went on shore early this day and first called on Major General Campbell, who sent an officer of the Engineers to attend me round the works; we visited all the town and lower batteries, from Southport to Landport. They have been all repaired since the famous siege, and are in the most complete order. The convent where the governor lives, is also in good order and well calculated to resist the heat, which this day was very great. The gardens have been much improved. A large handsome building has been erected by subscription in the town; the lower room contains a library, and the upper is used for the garrison assemblies; though I should think dancing in such a climate, anything but pleasure. I walked out towards the old Spanish lines, which (with Fort Philipa and Barbara) have been entirely demolished. The Rock looks grand from thence I proceeded to the Devil’s Tower. It is built on a rock, just large enough for its foundation. All the rest from Gibraltar to San Roque is a heavy sand. The town of Gibraltar is very poor and miserable in appearance; I never saw worse shop, and yet there is a great deal of trade here. The Moles and bay are now full of ships, and the view, taking in the Spanish mountains, Apes Hill and Ceuta in Africa is as beautiful as can be conceived. All nations and all sorts of dresses are to be met here. Colonel D observed that when he first landed he thought himself at a masquerade. The barracks appear very indifferent and while millions have been expended on the fortifications, the barracks have been neglected. The inns are the worst, and the innkeepers the most imposing in the world. Such imposition is very intolerable, for the necessities of life are at present cheap. This place was always remarkable for drunkenness and from what I see, it keeps up its character. I could not help contrasting the appearance now. With that when I was here during the siege. Then a dismantled town, a large garrison, and scarcely any other inhabitants, - no shops, shot and shells flying about, and lying in all directions – traverses of barrels; and many of the works, in particular the Old Mole, almost in ruins from the fire; no merchant vessels in the bay – no appearance of trade. The isthmus between Gibraltar and San Roque covered with works, camps and all the implements of war, Fort Barbara on the Mediterranean,

At present the works are repaired and in the highest order, all peace and a garrison so small, as to be almost inadequate to peace duty. The moles and the bay full of ships, the town full of busy inhabitants. The Spanish forts and lines destroyed. No camp on that isthmus, which at the former period had a French and Spanish army on it of 50,000 men. Now all is silence, and the dead and quiet sand without anything to vary its sameness, except the traces of the 64 gun battery, and the old Devil’s Tower, is at present covered with miserable men, women and children, who are encamped like gypsies all around the tower, and under the rock. On enquiry, I found these people had Come from San Roque and the neighbouring towns and valleys for fear of the French. One would imagine their misery would be ample protection, and they might make the answer once made by the Irish peasants, when told by a gentleman to be ready to resist the French, Pat answered “Sure, Sir, hey won’t eat us, and if not what harm can they do us, we cannot be poorer.” These poor Spaniards, however, do not appear to think like Pat; or to have his courage, for on my reasoning with them, their only answer was “Señor, mataron nos.” Not long since, a body of 2000 Spanish cavalry stationed at San Roque, hearing of the entry of a few French at Algeciras, distant some miles, and with two rivers between them, immediately abandoned a fine barracks and good position, with a country below exactly such as cavalry must succeed in with common spirit; they galloped off till they arrived at Gibraltar. It was impossible to admit such a body into the garrison, so they remained all night, and many hours longer, although fully equipped, under a most severe rain and could not be induced to return to San Roque till the small party of three hundred men had evacuated Algeciras.

15th July 1810

After breakfasting with General Campbell at the convent, I proceeded to Dayly’s. I rode to the place where General Elliott used to breakfast and dine, and spend the day, for he always slept at the Convent. The trees about the Prince of Wales’s Lines are grown, but not so much as might have been expected in the time. Some reflections naturally occurred. What changes in the world since I was last on this spot; how many hundreds who were then in spirit and activity, are now no more! And of the twelve thousand persons on the Rock at the period I speak of, most likely not twenty of tem including myself. Are on it this day! I was much surprised at the number of burying grounds and tombsstones now in Gibraltar. I should think the plague, which was there years ago, bad as it was, could not have sent such numbers to the grave. Twenty five years ago, the only burying place of consequence was on the neutral ground; now the Red Sands appear like an immense church yard, and there are several others up the hill. Half of South Port Ditch is also covered with graves and tomb stones, and the neutral ground burying place is much enlarged. I am told, however, that Gibraltar is very healthy; the heat is only intolerable in July, August and September. It was October, November and December that I was there formerly, and I certainly did not feel much inconvenience from the heat at that time, the mornings and evenings were very cold. The rest of the diary is of little interest as it deals with his departure. Article supplied by History Society Gibraltar. Email: historysocietygibraltar@hotmail.com

GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

OCTOBER 2019

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MOTORING INSIGHT

A REBIRTH? CONJURE UP IMAGES OF THE HALCYON DAYS OF MG DAY IN A TWO-SEATER NY SUN A TIMES-GONE-BY … PER COUPLE SMILING AS OPEN-TOP CAR, WITH A DAP IR TRAVELS. THE THEY GO ABOUT

The troubles at MG Rover were well-documented, so it’s not worth going over old coals, but here is MG – once again – proving that their current owners have the stamina to continue to believe in the iconic brand. Although not officially distributed in Gibraltar, this new vehicle is a statement of intent by MG, and given the brand’s historical significance we decided to take a look. The shift to Electric Vehicles (EV) is undeniably the largest direction of travel for the automotive sector. There will always be internal combustion options for certain sectors (agriculture and military being two), but in crowded places like Gibraltar, the EV could, and should, be game-changing for significantly reducing air pollution and toxins. Diesel particulates could be banished to the history books. Most EVs have occupied the small and sport sectors of the market, and it’s with the improvements in battery technology that larger vehicles are now coming to the fore. This latest MG is produced in China by SAIC Motor Corporation, one of the world’s biggest automotive companies … and one that most people have never heard of. The ZS EV is a full electric hatch, and has a range of around 160plus miles on a full charge, and has water-cooled batteries to help with increasing range. The battery powers a single electric motor producing 141bhp and goes from 0-62 mph in in a sprightly 8.5 seconds, and has a top speed of just 87 mph, but that’s enough to keep up with motorway traffic. SAIC recently opened a new battery factory that can supply up to 300,000 vehicles per year, so no shortage of batteries… The ZS is a practical SUV and sits in size between the popular Nissan Juke and Qashqai, it has adequate room for five adults, and a good sized boot that has a good shape, as the batteries are stored under the seats, and well out of the way. Two models will be available the Excite and Exclusive, with UK prices starting from £24,995 after taking off the UK Government Grant, so is cheaper than some other manufacturers, but it does not have the same range as the Korean cars that are similar in size.

and that is all that matters, it is the technology you want in this type of car, and not a luxurious interior. Out on the road in London, is was, as we expected, crowded, and didn’t really get chance to get any speed up. But on the couple of occasions where there was a gap between us, and the car in front, put your foot down, and its off, soon up to the 30 mph limit on Marylebone Road, 3.2 seconds in fact 0-30 mph. But maybe MG were being clever having the launch in a busy City, as maybe this is the sort of environment where most of an EV driving is done. Or maybe they just wanted it near their upmarket HQ, with some lovely examples of some old and classic MG’s - we might never know. MG certainly see Electric Vehicles as their future and the ZS EV is not where they are stopping, but more where they are starting, as they will be introducing a 4x4 Sports car in 2021, though I doubt any tweed caps will be seen anywhere near this very pretty Coupe. They will also bring another two EV’s to the market in the coming years. This new MG EV like all MG’s will have a 7-year 80,000 fully transferable warranty, which will give much peace of mind to customers. There are currently 90 dealers in the UK, but MG are aiming for 120. There are plenty of nice features on the ZS EV: 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, keyless entry, air-con, cruise control, LED running lights, rear parking sensors, 8-inch infotainment system with navigation, The ZS Exclusive adds: roof rails, panoramic roof, electrically operated and heated door mirrors, leather effect seats, heated front seats, rain sensor wipers and a rear parking camera. So, for an extra £2,000 looks like the one to have. This new Electric SUV from MG should change the perception of many people. It looks good value drives well (in traffic), has plenty of room, and seems to be well-built. The interior lets it down a bit, but for the money is good value. Maybe the lesson for us all to learn is: does having a car launch in a big city make sense, but that depends on the city, London I guess is not one of those cities that is harmonious for car testing. Hopefully we will see this picked up and distributed in Gibraltar one day soon.

The cabin is at the budget end of the market, and this is reflected in the price, but it is very acceptable and no real criticism, it all works

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OCTOBER 2019

mArtin Ward

GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM


MOTORING INSIGHT When I first drove the Toyota Camry last summer, it was on a test track facility near Barcelona. Once again, I’ve found myself over the Frontier to take another look at the car. On arrival to the track there were just a couple of Camrys sat there, all shiny and looking like a large Toyota. It was three to a car, driver, instructor and back seat passenger. On the first run, I was in the rear, and first thought was, there’s plenty of room in here, very nice. Then it was my turn to drive, it felt very capable, and for a large car went around the corners on the track well, felt safe and solid. But we didn’t get chance to really see what the car was really capable of, in normal driving circumstances. Fast forward a few months, and Toyota GB sent a test car for a few days to Huddersfield for me to rendezvous with. A bright blue one arrived, and the delivery driver was full of praise of it. The initial reaction is just how much room there is, loads of rear legroom, plenty of shoulder room for three rear passengers, and enough headroom for the tallest person. The quality is tip-top throughout and as good as any premium British or German saloon, and leather seats are standard on the Camry.

of the petrol engine is so quiet, and effortless, you just do not hear, or notice it. If you come to a slight downhill, and take your right foot off the accelerator pedal, the engine immediately cuts out, and any energy goes into the battery, effectively charging it up. This power is saved, and used when it is needed. Every time you brake, the same happens, engine stops, and charging commences. On the few motorway trips I did, the same happens, if you are up to motorway cruising speed, and take your foot of the accelerator for just a few seconds, engine stops, and the energy goes straight to the battery, so nothing is lost. Every bit of what would normally be lost electricity is kept, for use later. This power in the battery is also very useful if you need to creep in home, up your road and drive either late at night or if you are leaving early in the morning. You simply press the ‘EV-Mode’ button and it stays in pure electric for as long as you want, or until it runs out of electricity. You do find yourself driving it in a very different way, trying to get the battery charged up, taking your foot off the accelerator as much as possible, it almost becomes a game trying to charge the battery up as much as possible, and keeping it charged.

The Camry has had a long and successful life, starting in 1979 where it was originally known as the Celica Camry, but in 1982 the Camry badge was standalone. In its history it has been a narrow body, a wide body, and different lengths depending on the market. The United States and the Middle East love the Camry and bought them by the bucket-load. But Europe fell out with it many years ago, and so it hasn’t been available for 15 years … but now it’s back.

During the time we had the Camry it achieved 55.6 mpg, over a wide selection of journeys, on different roads, at different speeds, a good result for a large saloon with a 2.5-litre petrol engine. The Camry’s boot is vast, and it is deep as the Hybrid systems batteries are under the rear seat. And if something is in the boot, right at the back, you almost have to climb into it to recover any lost shopping or parcel, it is that big.

The Camry follows now in the tradition of all Toyota’s powertrain policy. It is powered by a four-cylinder 2.5-litre petrol engine and a small electric motor and battery that produces a combined total of 215bhp. The power is sent to the front wheels via a CVT automatic gearbox. It has a 0-62mph of 8.3 seconds and a top speed of 112mph, where allowed. CVT has had good ones, and not so good ones, and the CVT in the Camry, is about as good as you’ll get. But it is the Hybrid system that is the clever bit, and something we didn’t get to test, or try in Barcelona. On the centre of the dash there is the normal screen, that operates everything, including the radio, phone, sat-nav, heater etc. But on Toyota Hybrids you go to the ‘CAR’ button and you can see exactly what is happening to the cars power systems in an instant. There is an image of a large battery, the petrol engine, and how the energy is flowing. When you press the start button, there is no sound, except for a ‘beep’ that tells you the car is ready to go. You press the accelerator and off it goes - quietly and quickly. And on the screen you just see power going from the battery to the wheels. After a short while, the engine fires up, and takes over. The starting

It is full of standard equipment the list is too long to mention, but like the Hybrid system, the kit will last forever, with little chance of anything going wrong, it is a Toyota, so will be ultra-reliable Does the Camry have any real competitors, well it does, but from different and quite a wide spread of manufacturers. It is almost as big as a BMW 5 series, but costs less than a 3 series. The Mondeo Hybrid, the Plug-In Passat, Superb, or even the Insignia, though no hybrid versions of the Skoda or Vauxhall ... The exterior design is crisp and a handsome looking large saloon. The front end is very bold, it is a good-looking car, and did attract attention during the time we had it. The Camry has been a huge success over the years for Toyota with 19 million being sold in 100 countries. But not really a big hit in the UK, but this new one could change that, although Toyota GB say they do not intend to bring many into the Country, but the ones they do, should sell well, as it is a great car to look at, great to drive, economical and has that very clever hybrid system.

mArtin Ward

WORDS BY MARTIN WARD GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

OCTOBER 2019

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THE

HAppiness Foundation WORKING TO CHANGE FUTURES HAPPINESS AND UNHAPPINESS HAVE FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES. HAPPINESS IS GOOD FOR EVERYONE AND NOT JUST FOR THE PERSON WHO’S HAPPY. WITH THAT NOBLE AIM A NEW CHARITY CALLED THE HAPPINESS FOUNDATION WILL LAUNCH HERE ON THE 16TH OF THIS MONTH AT THE CONVENT. IT’S UNDER THE MENTORSHIP AND DIRECTION OF KATH TEMPLE WHO IS KNOWN AS THE SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS PSYCHOLOGIST IN THE UK AND IS NO STRANGER TO THE ROCK. I SPOKE TO HER TO FIND OUT FIRST HOW SHE CAME TO FORM THE FOUNDATION IN THE UK. “My brother died in 2007 at age 42 and from that tragedy a great gift of good flowed. Because he had a bad back he was put on painkillers and anti-depressants and was then prescribed other medications to overcome the side-effects and sadly he was soon on a cocktail of prescription drugs, which took him away from us. The European Commission estimates that adverse reactions from prescription drugs cause 200,000 deaths, I believe my brother was one of them, and I decided to use my psychology, which I practice in my clinic, to help others overcome life problems without using prescription medications as far as possible.” In 2007 Kath Temple and her sister set up ‘The Happiness Foundation’ in the UK to honour their brother who was Community Relations Officer at UMIST. In 2009 they applied for NHS funding and got it: “I was able to show doctors and people in their surgeries how the cycle of depression gets locked into the brain but more importantly how it’s possible to unlock that cycle. Depression and anxiety account for 87% of all mental illness.” The Foundation also works with young people and others who had suffered trauma or PTSD, recoding and releasing it to reinstall peace of mind. Untreated trauma changes the landscape of the brain, pre-disposing it to depression, anxiety, and addiction, which in turn can lead to crime. In summary, tapping into a person’s unhappiness can help them turn their life around for the greater good and as THF was born out of unhappiness and is successful in helping people, it is keen to share its experience here working alongside other local agencies including education. They want to ‘change futures.’ A few years back teacher Natalie Abudarham and Emma Montegriffo stayed behind after a talk that Kath had given at ‘BrightMed’ World music Festival and asked her to set up ‘something’ here to help children deal with grief and loss. Kath said: ‘I will if you’ll help me’, “and after talking to them we were in agreement that even though Gibraltar is one of the world’s most charitable countries there are gaps in the charitable services and in the statutory services. Organisations like Gib Sams, Childline and Clubhouse already seem like sister organisations and we feel that we can help fill the gaps that there are in Gibraltar.”

and loss as well as parents of people who have committed suicide, so we need somewhere to work from.” They have several projects - among them the ‘Serenity Project’ helping navigate through grief from loss and they have enough volunteers to roll that out to children. It is happening at present, but they would like to extend that help to adults next year: “because there is that gap in Gibraltar and we have made a big difference and our ‘Little Angels’ project has helped parents through stillbirths and anxious pregnancies and to parents who’ve lost a child.” “We have also worked with people who have disclosed abuse, releasing the PTSD that resulted from the abuse.” “We have 24 volunteers at the moment and expanding. I spend six months a year in Gibraltar and in our team here we have people from all walks of life. Some with teaching backgrounds, some with social services experience, some with therapeutic backgrounds and some with life coaching backgrounds.” The Happiness Foundation want to roll out a mentoring programme here for disaffected children who can be taught how to manage their behaviour before they get into a cycle of crime and alienation. “It’s called World Change Agents, and has a motto of ‘Each One Teach One’, and young mentors will be taught how to pass on the tools needed to help turn lives around and take advantage of learning new life skills at no cost to them financially.” For this to happen the Foundation needs to create awareness and hopefully through that, invite financial support to convert their objectives into a reality that will change futures. “We are promoting positive psychology in Gibraltar. We’re building emotional intelligence and emotional resilience in young people to prevent the problems of tomorrow and there isn’t anything like this here. We’re not duplicating anybody’s services therefore we’re not competing against anyone. We wish to be of support to them.”

The Happiness Foundation is registered here (Charity No.306) and has a board of trustees and Kathryn Temple will not take any money for the work that she will do for the Foundation but she is keen that ‘a shout goes out’ (my words) because they will need premises in which to meet. “Even if it’s only a room on loan we need to meet and see the people that we are helping. We have already helped people coping with grief

There are noble objectives behind all charities here and this new Foundation will strive to complement the services which they provide. We wish them a successful launch and future among us.

WORDS BY JOE ADAMBERY GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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ELECTRIC UNDERFLOOR HEATING -

FAQS DOES IT ACTUALLY WORK? Article by Nathan Green, The Light & Power Shop.

Yes - Radiant heat rises from the floor and directly heats people and objects in the room as opposed to a radiator which focuses on heating the air. Is it safe? Obviously it must be installed by a competent person and if done correctly there is no risk of electric shock. Because it’s an invisible system there are no hot parts exposed as such there is no risk of heat injuries unlike heaters with exposed elements. Radiant underfloor heating is also very good for those living with allergies as dust and pollen circulation is much lower than other forms of heating such as hot air fans.

the heating mat under fitted furniture. If you have a set space for a sofa you could leave that free of heating mat too. What about the controller? Controllers can be as simple as a manual thermostatically controlled switch or one that is wifi enabled which can be controlled from your smartphone anywhere in the world. We advise you to use a programmable controller that allows you to set timer schedules. This way the room will be warm when you want it to be and help to reduce running costs.

Is it economical? Yes - Warm up times are much quicker than other forms of heating and as such running costs will be lower. Costs can be further reduced by using smart controllers, which will only turn on the floor when required using set parameters and by using insulation boards below the heating mat. Here in Gibraltar the “payback” time weighed against the purchase cost and cost of installation will be longer than that of countries in colder climates.

How much will it cost to run? Heating mats generally consume 150w per square metre. If you have a bathroom with 3m2 of heating mat you will be using 450w (3x150w) per hour when the mat is on. Assuming you’re paying about 13p per unit (1000w per hour) and it’s is on 3 hours per day your running cost will be around 18p per day. Another example; a lounge of 25m2 using 16m2 of heating mat the running cost is 31p an hour. Remember when your mat has warmed the floor; the controller will be on just enough to maintain the temperature.

How does it work? The heating mat is simply a special sort of cable that heats up when a current is passed through it. There is a thermostat in the floor that is connected to the controller which helps regulate the heat.

How much will my floor level raise up? The heating wire is less than 2mm in diameter and this ends up being embedded in the tile adhesive. This means you can have it in one room and not in another without having any noticeable change in level. The only thing to consider is if you’ll use an insulation board which is 6mm thick so it will raise the floor level.

Will it work with wood and laminates? Yes - there are heating mats specifically designed to work with wood and laminates up to 16mm thick. You will need a thermally insulated underlay - this is used instead of the standard underlay. Do I cover the whole floor? In a bathroom its advisable to cover as much “free floor space” as possible. Free floor space is anywhere that doesn’t have furniture or bathroom fittings on it. In a lounge you would generally leave 50 to 60cms of clear space around the edge of the room to allow for furniture and again not have

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If you have any other questions or would like an estimate of running costs for your specific project please call in to The Light & Power Shop: Tel: 200 62602, with your plans.

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This Month’s

Dogs Of The Month

Rocky

Zulia

We first heard of Rocky when a clip of his alcoholic previous owner beating him up went viral. Thankfully, he was rescued and taken to the Shelter. When we first met Rocky we were touched by his very gentle, loving and balanced nature. Despite all his sufferings he was reaching out for love. We have taken him to private kennels where he loves the beach walks, he particularly loves swimming and sitting on laps! He is a joy of a dog! Please consider adopting Rocky, he really is a special boy.

Zulia is a sweet young girl who was becoming invisible in the shelter. Luckily she was spotted by volunteers and thanks to some kind sponsors was moved to private kennels. Do not be fooled by her white hair, Zulia is a young girl who really enjoys life! She is one of the dogs who most enjoys her walks on the beach and loves being cuddled by volunteers. Can you adopt Zulia?

To adopt Rocky, Zulia or one of the many dogs awaiting their forever home: https://www.ainf.gi Facebook: Animals In Need Foundation (Adopt a Rescue Dog Gibraltar) If you would like to make a donation to our society, please see info on the right.

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FEATURE

Jonathan Lutwyche’s

Photo: Elliott Howe

LEAP OF FAITH

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FEATURE

Coming to prominence to a global audience through his appearance on Britain’s Got Talent at the age of 15, Jonathan was already a home-grown star having won the IDF World Dance Championships nine times. “I had a few seconds and bronze wins as well,” he tells me, “but I was world champion three years in a row.” Jonathan has three older sisters, Danyel, Samantha and Natasha, two of whom danced. “My mother Patricia says that she remembers putting on music as she was cooking and we would all dance in the living room, so I think that copying my sisters is where I first got my love of dance.” At the age of six, Jonathan says he tried dancing for a while with the Tarik School of Dance, now known as the Transitions Dance Academy, and took part in a show, but stopped after a few months. He got the dancing bug seriously when some of his friends from Bishop Fitzgerald School, with whom he was taking part in a school

Jonathan’s breathtaking judge’s audition brought the entire audience to its feet, with Amanda Holden saying she had ‘never seen anything so beautiful and heartfelt’ and he went through to the semi-finals, winning rave reviews from the judges for his beautiful interpretive contemporary routine involving leaps of movement across the stage. Although he didn’t make the finals, the television appearance led to several new opportunities for Jonathan, including working in Germany on TV shows, taking part in music videos, dancing back-up for the Pointer Sisters, as well as for fellow BGT contestant Calum Scott with whom he appeared on stage during Summer Nights in 2015. When Jonathan dances it incorporates musicality, timing and an emotional connection that is great to witness on stage, but it is also evident that he used to train in gymnastics. “I did that for about two or three years and now I like to integrate aspects of gymnastics in my dancing when I can.” Once the excitement from appearing on BGT had died down, Jonathan headed for New York to take up his four year scholarship at the Joffrey Ballet School. “It was inspiring seeing talented dancers from all around the world, especially those from South Ameri-

Unfortunately about three quarters into the first year Jonathan tore the meniscus in his left knee and had to have surgery. “I couldn’t dance for about three or four months and then I had to repeat the first year, but my second year went really well and now I am just starting my third, hopefully graduating in the summer of 2020. The world will presumably be Jonathan’s oyster, but his dream is to join either dance troupe BalletBoyz or to become part of choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne’s company, which Jonathan explains incorporates performing and telling a story through characters in dance, something that he did when he trained in Gibraltar. “So that would be refreshing and it would be a piece of home away from home.” The length of a dancer’s career is similar to that of a professional athlete, depending on their individual body and avoidance of injuries, and Jonathan knows that the average retirement age amongst male dancers is 37. “When you go out on stage you never know what can happen and, especially since I have already had an injury, you worry that it could get worse and all go horribly wrong.” So does he have any long term ambitions? “If my body can last that long I would defi-

“I have been taking a leap of faith in every aspect of my life so far.

nitely like to be a teacher in a ballet school like the Rambert, because I just love how they motivate us to want to be better and I aspire to have a career as good as theirs.” Somebody who also inspired Jonathan was Simon Boland. “He had already left the Danza Academy by the time I enrolled, but would come back sometimes and it was really encouraging to see someone who had gone off into the real world and successfully achieved what I wanted to do.”

production, encouraged him to take dance classes. “I told my Mum about it and said that I was interested and she told me to take a class to see if I enjoyed it, so that is how it all started.” Jonathan began his formal training at the Danza Academy which he attended between the ages of twelve to fourteen, and it was during his time there that he went on to compete in international competitions. It was whilst Jonathan was half way through his GCSE exams that he got the offer of a scholarship to attend the Joffrey Ballet School in New York. Although he was achieving great things with his dancing, life took a swerve and it all changed when he was at home one night on his computer. “I saw an advertisement for Britain’s Got Talent so I entered - I didn’t even tell my mum about it I just sent my submission in explaining what my act was and where I was from and a couple of months later I got an email back saying I had an audition in London,” Jonathan explains. “My mum came with me to the first audition - it wasn’t on the stage it was just for the producers in a big hall – and I performed for them twice there and they said they would call me back in a few months if I had got through, and they did.” For a boy from Gibraltar, going to London to audition for BGT at the age of 14 was beyond his wildest dreams. “It was crazy being so young, and it was a whole new level for me especially coming from Gibraltar where everything is so small - it was like being out in the big world,” he says. “I knew that in London dance was popular and that there were a lot of dance schools, so just being on TV where people could see me was an amazing experience.”

Gibraltar’s Jonathan Lutwyche has fitted a lot into nineteen years. He talks to Jo Ward about his love of dance, his hopes for the future and the many leaps of faith he has taken in different aspects of his life, including Britain’s Got Talent, going off to New York at a very young age and then moving to London.

Jonathan is also a budding choreographer and choreographed a piece for Gianella Ochello when she went to the World Dance Championships where she came fifth. Talking about how Gibraltar turns out so many successful creative people, Jonathan comments that without sponsorship and support from the Gibraltar Government and local companies it wouldn’t be as easy. “It’s not just dance but the arts in general, and there are many places around the world where there is a lack of funding, so the fact that Gibraltar supports us is amazing.”

ca,” he says, but after completing one year Jonathan was accepted into the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance and moved to London in 2016, then only sixteen years old. “Ballet is one of the main foundations we need as a dancer, so it is really important for me to be able to do that, but contemporary is my passion and at the Rambert School we are encouraged to be creative and to develop a style that is our own.”

Are there any regrets for the 19 year old on the threshold of a burgeoning career? “I think that I did give up a little bit of my childhood for dance,” he muses, “moving away from home so young and focusing all my time on dance meant that I lost some of the memories that my friends have together back home that I don’t have with them - but I think in the end it will all be worth it.” “When I dance it gives me a little bit of time to forget about everything else, all the problems you have as a young adult, and it allows me to disconnect from the outside world so that I can just focus on my dancing.”

WORDS BY JO WARD GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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ON THE SPOT

HELEN (DOT) REILLY ON THE SPOT WITH DOT Where did you first start your employment? “I started working part-time jobs from around the age of 14, mainly hotel and hair salon work. I worked for a short while at an estate agency, however my true employment history started when I was 19 and I joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) in which I happily served for 9 years.”

How would you describe yourself? “A quiet optimist - but with a liberal helping of sarcasm, often!” Which person has been the biggest influence in your life? “For me it’s persons not person - because it’s my children as all three are truly amazing people, despite my flaws! They’ve taught me so much about myself, to take into account other perspectives as well as embracing understanding and forgiveness. I love the way I get to see life through their eyes and I’m humbled to be part of their adventures. So many times they have guided me, made me laugh, infuriated me yet made me stop and think. I’ve definitely been blessed because I wouldn’t be who I am today with them xxx.”

What’s your biggest fear? “Does spiders on a plane count? However, on a truly terrifying note; the future that awaits our children. What a mess we’ve made to date!”

If you could change something about yourself, what would it be? “Oh to be less tearful because I cry at everything, happy, sad, cute etc ...and yet knowing this I still forget to pack tissues.”

Have you ever given advice that you wished you’d acted on? “Years ago, whilst serving in the WRNS, I was a great advocate of checking out how to transfer to the Australian Navy. Others seized the moment whilst I didn’t, always intending to finish that later!”

What’s the worst advice you’ve ever been given? “‘Go on - try this Thai salad dressing, it’s not that hot...’” It was as hot as ore and as a result

I have trust issues - particularly where salad dressings are concerned.”

What makes you laugh? “Animals being funny, babies being cute, observational humour, jokes, films, singing, dancing, tickling.”

What’s your greatest ambition? “To have a book published.”

What’s the best you’ve ever visited?

“I’d have to say most memorable rather than best is the States it was a few years ago and I found the Americans so agreeable, charming, helpful, enthusiastic and a sense of pride that was contagious.”

What’s your idea of perfect happiness? “Being able to truly let go of any expectations and appreciate, everything!”

Have you had any embarrassing moments?

Which word of phrase do you most overuse? “Oh that’s easy, Living the Dream, I say it all the time!”

Do you have any regrets? “I haven’t travelled nearly as much as I envisaged I would when I was younger.”

What keeps you awake at night? “Alas, at the moment it’s age related shoulder pain.”

What’s the best experience you’ve had in life so far? “Working in radio - it was so much fun. I love the spontaneity and team spirit.”

If you didn’t live where you are now, where you would like to live? “New York, New York and it just has to be an apartment overlooking Central park.”

What person historic or living would you most like to meet? “There are a number of historical people I would be interested in asking “why...?” and “what did you think would happen” - I’d really quite like to meet Keanu Reeves. From all the social media around him, he still appears to be very humble and down to earth despite facing huge challenges. Maintaining compassion and optimism under such circumstances is rare.”

Best book you’ve ever read? “Many decades ago I read the Silver Brumby books by the Australian author, Elyne Mitchell. Still to this day I remember being captivated, engaged and enthralled (and dismayed) by these books.”

If you could change one thing about Gibraltar, what would it be?

What’s your favorite music track?

“Having just returned from a week away its obvious to me that Gibraltar has a noise pollution issue. I really find it overwhelming, stressful and so intrusive, particularly as there’s few places you can go to escape.”

“This is a very tough question as there’s a number of tracks I’d be distraught at never hearing again. However, one track I repeatedly listen too, particularly when I don’t know what music mood I’m in, is Santana - Smooth ft Rob Thomas. For me, it’s one of those songs you can totally lose yourself in.”

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country

“Without a doubt - next question.”

What is your favorite hobby or interest? “Writing - fiction and non-fiction I really don’t mind.”

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MUM ON THE ROCK

BULLYING

AS PARENTS, NONE OF US LIKE TO THINK THAT OUR CHILD IS BEING BULLIED, OR THAT THEY MAY BE THE ONE THAT IS TAKING PART IN BULLYING SOMEONE ELSE. ULTIMATELY, BULLYING IN ANY FORM CAN HAVE DEVASTATING AND SOMETIMES FAR REACHING EFFECTS ON CHILDREN WITH RECENT RESEARCH CONFIRMING THAT SHORT AND LONG TERM PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM CAN RESULT FROM BULLYING AND CAN LAST WELL INTO ADULTHOOD. Bullying can exist in many forms, with certain vulnerable children more easily targeted.

PHYSICAL BULLYING

When parents imagine their child being physically bullied they may think of a fullblown fight with hitting and kicking involved, but sometimes physical bullying can be more subtle, such as tripping, pinching and pushing someone else or touching them in unwanted and inappropriate ways, as well as damaging or stealing their belongings.

VERBAL BULLYING

This can include name calling, insults, teasing, sarcasm, gossiping, spreading rumours or mocking them and making offensive comments. Sometimes verbal bullying can start off harmlessly but it can then escalate to levels which start affecting the target. Verbal bullying can also involve insulting someone about their physical characteristics such as their weight or height, or other attributes including race, sexuality, culture, or religion.

SOCIAL BULLYING

Social bullying, sometimes referred to as covert bullying, is often harder to recognise and can be carried out behind the bullied person’s back. It is designed to harm someone’s social reputation and/or cause humiliation. It includes: lying, initiating fake rumours and spreading gossip, encouraging others to turn against someone, leaving someone out constantly and encouraging others to do the same

CYBERBULLYING

Technology is moving so fast nowadays that most parents have a hard time keeping up with what is going on in the digital sphere.

Communications watchdog Ofcom recently reported that one in 10 young people aged 12-15 have been bullied online. Their findings showed that 23 per cent of children have been cyberbullied in the last year, while 39 per cent have been subjected to offensive language online. Many of these children don’t tell their parents about this online abuse. Cyberbullying can be overt or covert, with mobile devices allowing bullies to continue their harassment at any time of the day. Sometimes cyberbullying can be easy to spot - for example, if your child shows you a text, tweet, or response to a status update on social media that is rude, mean, or cruel. It can also happen where a child is excluded from online games or from friendship groups. Trolling is different from cyberbullying in that the troll anonymously abuses or harasses others. The best advice to give your children for dealing with being trolled is to ignore rather than engage with a troll.

WARNING SIGNS

Some of the signs of a child being bullied are easy to spot and others are more subtle. Recognising some of the warning signs can be an important first step in taking action. Remember, not all children who are bullied or who are bullying others ask for help. Symptoms of bullying include disturbed sleep, bed-wetting, head and stomach aches, problems with concentration, and not wanting to attend school. Has your child become withdrawn or is there a change in their behaviour?

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CHILD IS THE BULLY

What if you suspect that your child is the one taking part in bullying someone else? No parent wants to get a call from school or to be told that this is the case from a bystander. There can be a variety of reasons why one child bullies another. For instance, sometimes bullying is the product of peer pressure or a sense of entitlement. It could also be a reaction to having been a victim of bullying themselves, and sometimes the bullying results from your child’s inability to control impulses or manage anger. Regardless of the reason behind your child’s actions, you have to address their behaviour and if possible take disciplinary action, but firstly you should find out why your child chose to bully another child. Talk about the consequences of bullying and be sure that your child considers how they would feel if they were being bullied. If, for example, you find out that your child is engaging in cyberbullying, this should be met with an immediate loss of Internet or phone privileges. Liaise with the school, especially if they are not aware of the bullying, but above all, don’t take matters into your own hands and do not openly name and shame those you suspect of being bullies online. As parents, we all want our children to enjoy their time both at home and at school. Talking to your child and explaining the different types of bullying and discussing with them how to handle a bullying situation, may help.

Bullying can lead to feelings of anxiety, shame, guilt, anger, powerlessness and a loss of confidence, hope and personal identity. At its worst, bullying results in severe clinical depression, self-harm and even suicide.

WORDS BY JO WARD GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

BEATING THE

AUTUMN BLUES

Autumn is upon us. It’s a time for change, not just with shorter daylight hours, longer nights and cooler weather, but for our bodies as well. Just like animals we begin to gather supplies for hibernation and it’s the perfect opportunity to build up our internal body systems in preparation for what is to come. Some people, especially in Northern Europe, suffer from SAD (Seasonal Adjustment Deficiency), but there are also those of us in more southern climes that get the ‘Autumn Blues’ with symptoms that can include a lack of motivation, feeling depressed, tired, irritable and a general lethargy in doing things that we normally enjoy. Researchers have found that light has a significant impact on our circadian rhythms. In simple terms this is our 24hour internal clock with a rhythm that sets the pace for our bodies and minds. For example, ever wonder why we tend to get sleepy and hungry at the same time of day? That’s your circadian rhythm at work.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO BEAT THOSE AUTUMN BLUES? Whilst you may feel like slowing down in all aspects of life, it’s a good idea to keep up with a gentle exercise regime, or if you haven’t been exercising try incorporating a light fitness workout into your daily routine. Exercising releases all those lovely endorphins that make you feel happy and energised and that are good for your heart! Try going on long reflective walks, start swimming or take up yoga. Don’t drink coffee to stay awake or to give you a quick pick-me-up. Likewise don’t use alcohol to help you get to sleep. Both these stimulants can make the matter worse. Instead, stick to a routine of going to bed and getting up at the same

time, and try a natural sleep remedy that won’t leave you drowsy in the morning, such as Holland & Barrett’s Valerian Capsules, a traditional herbal medicinal product containing Valerian root extract, one of the most commonly used sleep-promoting herbal supplements. Natural light is thought to reduce the production of sleep inducing hormone melatonin and increases the production of mood boosting hormone serotonin. A deficiency in serotonin can result in feelings of depression and lethargy so taking Holland & Barrett’s 5-HTP (5Hydroxytryptophan) Capsules could lift your mood. 5-HTP cannot be sourced from the diet but is made by the body from the amino acid tryptophan, which is then changed into the neurotransmitter known as serotonin. Serotonin is also known as the ‘happy hormone’ and a reduction in serotonin makes us crave serotonin-boosting carbs such as pasta, potatoes and rice, which can quickly pile on the pounds, eventually adding to that feeling of fatigue. Resist the urge to gorge on carbs and try eating low-fat foods rich in antioxidants. Bright orange vegetables such as sweet potato, pumpkin and swede are great sources of fibre, vitamin C, and the antioxidant beta-carotene. Salmon is an oily fish and a source of omega-3 fatty acids, that can help support strong bones, healthy skin, and eye function. Natural aromatherapy products are a great way to help you wind down and relax. One of the best-known essential oils is lavender, acknowledged for its calming effects on the body and mind and its ability to lessen anxiety. Miaroma Lavender Pure Essential Oil from Holland & Barrett is s 100% pure, high-grade essential oil suitable for a variety of uses to help you relax. Blend with a base or carrier oil, such as sweet almond oil, and add a few drops to your bath or use for a relaxing and aromatic massage.

As well as depression and low physical and mental energy, you may notice a difference to your hair and skin, both of which may be showing signs of dryness. There are many different types of supplements out there to soothe that dry, itchy redness that comes with dehydrated skin or to help with hair growth and condition. Vitamin E can be used as both a supplement and as a topical remedy for dry skin. When taken orally, Vitamin E’s powerful antioxidant properties can help to protect the skin from further damage. When used as facial oil, it can help to prevent water loss from the skin and keep it moisturised. Holland & Barrett 100% Natural Vitamin E-Oil provides skin care for most skin problems and is used for moisturising dry and sensitive skin. Improve your dry hair by trying Hairburst Heart Hair Vitamins Chewable Gummies. These are an easy way to make sure you’re taking the essential vitamins – biotin and selenium - as well as the zinc and minerals to maintain healthy hair growth. If we tune in and tend to our needs when we first begin to notice the seasonal imbalance of autumn creeping up, we should be able to keep our bodies and minds happy and healthy.

N: ADVISORY INFORMATIO t not be Food supplements mus a varied used as a substitute for healthy and balanced diet and a nant, lifestyle. If you are preg breastfeeding, taking any ical med medications or are under sult a supervision, please con doctor or healthcare read professional and always the label before use.

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FEATURE& HEALTH WELLBEING

CLUMSY ME! DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND WAYS ROUND IT to four times more likely to occur in boys than girls, its incidence spikes with girls who live with female relatives, especially mothers and older sisters suffering from BID (body image distortion) or indulging in complex cosmetic routines, as well as in girls from ethnic backgrounds encouraging modesty in behaviour and bearing.

Last month we discussed dyscalculia, a fairly uncommon condition that may dampen maths and sciences’ congeniality in young children. Now, we take a look at another disorder that can distress children’s performance in activities requiring mobility, precision or dexterity, not just academically: dyspraxia, medically described as ‘developmental co-ordination disorder’ (DCD) or ‘specific developmental disorder of motor function’ (SDDMF).

A DCD diagnosis is not definitive until past the age of four-five, when it becomes clear that motor skills are significantly below average, and when the lack of thereof affects severely the child’s quality of life and school achievements - and won’t improve with targeted exercise and coaching.

Here, we’re focusing on DCD, which affects the patient since birth or early infancy, but dyspraxia can be acquired later in life as a consequence of stroke or head injury, akin to dysphasia (difficulty in articulating speech) and sometimes dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing solid food). The core causes for DCD haven’t been pegged solely as genetic, hereditary, environmental or random, but the condition is more likely to affect preemies, or children born underweight, although it isn’t clear whether this is actually secondary to complications and extra precautions applied in the care of tiny babies’ start in life. Being born to an alcoholic or drug-addicted mother can be an added risk factor, but it hasn’t been demonstrated whether this is just due to alcohol and drugs being one of the top causes for premature and underweight births. It is likely to be hereditary, but the gene(s) responsible for triggering it haven’t yet been identified. DCD can run in families, but it isn’t always possible to retrace an accurate clinical history about parents, grandparents and great-grandparents by discerning fifty-plus year-old records of them simply being ‘vivacious’, ‘restless’, ‘mediocre at sports’ or ‘clumsy’ from actual misdiagnoses. Still nowadays, it isn’t in fact easy to diagnose DCD unequivocally before the age of five, due to the relative flexibility of timescale within which children are expected to meet and ace development milestones, but concerned parents should seek paediatric advice immediately for ad hoc tests. A clumsy child isn’t necessarily suffering from DCD, but poor dexterity when handling toys and food or during any leisure activity should raise the red flag. Your child will be assessed by the paediatric occupational therapist in a safe and comfortable environment on daily tasks like getting dressed and handling utensils, while the physiotherapist can evaluate motor skills. A paedi-

atric mental health clinician is likely to be added to the equation to assist children with any emotional distress arising from setbacks in negotiating their way to practical independence as well as academic performance, since DCD can affect writing and drawing skills and more severely sporting proficiency. Gross and fine motor skills are assessed and compared to the normal range of scores for the child’s age. Mental ability and muscle-skeletal function must be included in the investigation, to rule out cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy diagnoses, which are separate and unrelated conditions that might better explain any purported clumsiness, particularly when lack of strength is involved. Speech and language therapists have their input if articulation is affected, and this usually bears outstanding results in progress, despite sometimes being stressful for the patients and for their parents watching their little ones having a lot to say but struggling to voice it clearly. Senses-related issues must be ruled out, such as short-sightedness, deafness, and acute or chronic labyrinthitis, the first usually being an inner-ear viral infection that, if left untreated, may lead to permanent damage to balance. Awkwardness could also be connected to self-image and own perception, particularly in overweight subjects and, although DCD is up

It is paramount for parents, educators and clinicians to always keep in mind that DCD does not affect children’s intelligence, although it might cause distress with key tasks like penmanship, bringing grief to those who have to decipher homework scrawls. Producing tidy written work can be helped with special-grip pencils or allowing the student to type instead. Unfortunately, DCD patients are unlikely to excel in sports at a professional level, but they are encouraged to take part in sporting activities for fun, to exercise, and to improve their balance and aim skills. Drawing and sewing are hobbies that may need perseverance, but do wonders to adjust dexterity. DCD usually improves in adolescence but it can continue into adulthood, causing grief in job hunting, socialising or living unassisted. Some professionals recommend training your skills to refine them and overcome gaucheness, while others swear by aromatherapy, meditation and mindfulness: willing your hands and feet to be sharp, channelling your mental energy into every move and do it over and over again until it grows sharper. Visit DispraxiaFoundation.org.uk for information, testimonials, professional contacts, support groups and helpline. Errata: the very last paragraph in my article COUNT ON ME published in our September edition is not to be read as part of the condition’s description but must be referred as a footnote to illustrate what Turner Syndrome is, as mentioned in paragraph five. This article is aimed at being informative only with no medical or diagnostic pretenses. Consult your GP if you suspect someone is suffering from the condition described.

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uis

329c Main Street Gibraltar Tel: 200 50710 luisphoto@gibtelecom.net

PHOTOS Commercial Photographer Finest collection of old photographs on the Rock

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Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 21) You don’t like feeling stuck, Aries, and so you need to step back and appraise your situation. It’s as simple as a slight change of focus and then you are back in charge again.

Taurus TAKEAWAYS

(Apr 21 – May 21)

VEHICLE REPAIRS

If you feel pulled in different directions, Taurus, then simply step back. People don’t hear what they don’t want to hear so let them get on with it and don’t waste your energy.

Gemini (May 22 – June 22) Sometimes you have a few too many things going at the one time, Gemini, and right now you need to set one or two aside. Concentrate on completion at the moment . . . it’s the way forward!

Cancer June 23 – July 22) You have been super busy these last couple of months, Cancer, and are buzzing with ideas and plans. But for this month, it would be really good to take some time out – do some meditation and yoga… and just be.

Leo July 23 – Aug 23) For those of you thinking of adding a kitten or puppy to your family then this is the perfect time to do so. Other Leos just need to take some time to self - pamper and prepare for the winter months ahead.

Virgo (Aug 24 – Sep 23) An upcoming trip will bring you lots of fun and will recharge your batteries, Virgo. So, don’t hold back …… push the boat out, so to speak, relax and enjoy it.

Libra Sep 24 – Oct 23) Education and personal development are high on your agenda this month, Libra. So, whatever has been lurking around your mind needs to be brought forth, acknowledged and started.

Scorpio Oct 24 – Nov 22) Your intuition is at an all - time high right now, Scorpio, so listen well. Decisions made from your gut will stand you in good stead even if it seems a bit crazy to others!

Sagittarius Nov 23 – Dec 21) You have achieved much Sagittarius. Not always one for planning and goal setting, you are now reaping the benefits of having taken these actions. Well done!

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

INDUSTRIAL

Be gentle with yourself this month, Capricorn. A younger person is looking to you for mentoring and you can truly help them shine.

Aquarius Jan 21 – Feb 19) It would be wise to have a health check this month, Aquarius. You have been feeling a bit tired and anxious and its probably stress but a good check will put your mind at rest.

Pisces Feb 20 – Mar 20) He who hesitates is lost, Pisces, so just go for it …. now! No more hoping for a magic answer. You’ll just wonder why you took so long. 68

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Email: katemch@gmail.com Facebook Group: Horoscopes Gibraltar


Pollo Al Ajillo - Garlic Chicken

Ingredients 500G Chicken thighs or 2 diced Chicken breasts 6 Garlic Cloves Fresh / dried rosemary Fresh / dried thyme Salt Black pepper Olive oil Splash of White Wine

Method Begin by thoroughly cleaning your chicken thighs or chicken breasts and seasoning them with plenty of salt and pepper. In a large pan, heat up a generous pouring of oil and place your seasoned chicken thighs or diced breast. Fry your chicken until it becomes a golden colour all around. Crush your whole garlic cloves and add them to the pan along with the rosemary and thyme. Stir and continue cooking everything together until the chicken is cooked through and the outside is golden. Add a splash of white wine and stir everything together to blend all the flavours. Allow the wine to reduce and serve.

For more delicious Mama Lotties recipes visit: GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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Just Married on the Rock Bruna & Thomas married on 2nd August 2019. Photo by Radka Horvath.

Kate & Thiago married on 20th August 2019. Photo by Radka Horvath.

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Krishna Kishora Dasa & Atri Devi Dasa, married on 23rd August 2019 at B.L.I.S.S Temple Fuengirola. Photo by JK

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FEATURE

Gibraltar

in a Brushstroke Gibraltar is red, white and proud, we chant on National Day. And in the run-up to it, the Fine Arts Association launched a painting, sculpting and photography competitive exhibition, sponsored by the Alwani Foundation and the Self Determination for Gibraltar Group, for members to express in their own words and images their sentiments for Gibraltar and for them to direct art consumers to look closer at what makes the nation unique, its ‘Hidden Gems’ to say it with artist Ashley Patrick, awarded second prize. Cosier than past editions without compromising on quality, the show featured a flavoured mix of established artists and newcomers, as well as styles, media, sizes and subject matters, although the silhouette of the Rock and the red-and-white combination featured prominently, popping from the brick and limestone ancient walls of Casemates Gallery. First prize went to a young promise of the local talent pool, Christina Rodriguez, for her original solution in pairing contemporary and traditional with a three-dimensional collage of woodwork and ambience photography that suggests the quaint charm of the yesteryear alleys, brought together by flashes of tomato-red strips, and embraced in the composition’s angular outline to suggest and trail the Old Town’s nooks and crannies in order to satisfy the topic’s longing: ‘llevame donde naci’. Third prize was awarded to Derek Duarte’s loud and sticky ‘Rock Works’, yet another protest against building sites, cranes and tar smearing the Rock, delivered in protest placard fashion without sparing textured detail and tactile smudges.

Indeed the message irradiated as clear as air on a Poniente day, but it overrode the subtler and more poetic one from Derek’s other entry, a romantic and perhaps idealised grayscale portrait of Catalan Bay on a crisp winter morning of about a century ago, featuring a group of children in the forefront and their mothers watching over from the thresholds of their sugar-cube houses, expectantly lined along the shore, ready to welcome the fishermen back safely. Amidst familiar faces and styles, like Paul Cosquieri with his larger-than-life Rocks, Lorraine Buhagiar with her usual watercolour views of local milestones, this time with a supernatural twist, and Shane Dalmedo making a point as weighty as a brick with her metaphysic installation, the revelation of the event was newcomer Raluca Negus who breathed bubbles of blue beauty over the dwindling local production of abstract art with her ‘Swimming in the Strait of Gibraltar’. This is a small, elegantly gilded-framed rectangle of fingertip-painted background barely containing four marbles of swirly sky and woodland, which collide and bounce off each other like blue planets and satellites, perfectly portraying on canvas the vertigo one may feel when watching Earth from outer space or indeed when swimming between two coastal lines. Another welcome surprise was the number of photographic entries, some actually fusing painting and photography in a unique vintage flare, such as Rose Viñales’s work, or showing off parallel talent in both disciplines, like Rina Devine.

A humorous note was sprinkled in Caroline Canessa’s ‘Bañito Yanito’, featuring three young-at-heart bathers gingerly striding into the cool waves, wearing blue bañadores and white sunhats, under the watchful eye of a fourth friend flaunting her curves in candy-cane striped costume – oh, so patriotic. The contrast of colours and the down-to-earth realism of a popular beach scene make this painting an icon of our social summers. Gil Podesta deserves a mention for his small but mighty trip down memory lane with his ‘Cows by the Land Frontier 1900’ to remind that where asphalt and queue are now, once was grassland for grazing cattle. It cannot be a true consecration of Gibraltarian identity without at least one picture of our furry cousins, and this was catered for by Sheridan Povedano’s ‘No Man’s Land’, featuring posing apes and luscious vegetation. And with a passing mention to habitués Maribel Matthews, Gail Francis-Tiron, Christine Borge, David Fothergill, and Tamara Shaw, the piece that most stole my heart was the only pottery on display, so simple in conception and structure and yet so striking and thought-provoking. In ‘Unity in Diversity’, decorative and at the same time abstract artwork, Willie Chiappe sends out the message that no matter size, colour or function, we are all little containers floating on board a large dish, and if we don’t rally around to support each other, we are bound to break down and separate.

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Just Married on the Rock

Mobile: 58897000 Email: nicholas64@gibtelecom.net

Sabrina Williams & Daniel Mathews, married on 8th August 2019. Photo by Nicky Sanchez.

Sophie & Kevin Gascoigne married on 25th August 2019. Photo by Nicky Sanchez.

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