Gibraltar Insight™ January 2020 by GBZ Media

JANUARY 2020

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GIBRALTAR SHINES IN LANDMARK BBC TV SHOW BARBA RY MAC ARE EU AQUES ROP RANGIN E’S ONLY FRE E G PRIM ATE ROCK O F GIBRA . THE LTAR IS HOME T O OVER 200. PHOTO GRAPH Y KIRI CA SHEL COPYR IGHT BB L C NHU

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JAN UARY ISSUE 44

Contents

Business Insight 13

BUSINESS NEWS

Sports Insight

BOOK REVIEW – MIRRORS OF SANCTITY

DEVELOPING THE HOLISTIC CHILD

SIMON DUMAS & KING CALAWAY

50 JAZZ FESTIVAL CONCERT 52 PARENT AND CHILD SOCIETY PROFILE

SUMMER OLYMPICS – EURO 2020

Football Insight 30 LYNX FC – “LOOK BACK TO LEARN, LOOK FORWARD TO SUCCEED “

History Insight 42

TANGIER – THE POISONED CHALICE

Features

Regular Features 9

COMMUNITY INSIGHT

GOLF NEWS

TECHNOLOGY INSIGHT

AT THE MOVIES

40 MOTORING INSIGHT 45

ON THE SPOT: MARK PIZARRO

VET COLUMN – CARING FOR YOUR ELDERLY CAT

MUM ON THE ROCK – RIGHT FROM WRONG, TEACHING CHILDREN MORAL VALUES HEALTH & WELLBEING INSIGHT

AUTHOR INTERVIEW – KITTY SEWELL

A MONACO QUEST

60 YOUR 2020 HOROSCOPES

20 WASTE NOT – WANT NOT

64 MAMA LOTTIES RECIPE

ANTHONY PITALUGA – GIBRALTAR GOVERNMENT ARCHIVIST

WEDDING INSIGHT

COHEN & MASSIAS CROSSWORD

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Gibraltar Insight Deputy Editor: Jean King

Gibraltar Insight - the Rock’s longest running magazine.

Production: Billy Couper

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

Accounts & Administration: Rosemary Salah-El-Din Advertising & Marketing: Emma Wood

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

Production Assistant: Steven King Superyacht Owners’ Guide Managing Editor: Sophie Blake

Creative Director: Ben Lewis

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.

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.

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COMMUNITY INSIGHT

LANDMARK 70TH ANNIVERSARY A Gibraltar couple celebrated an amazing marriage milestone by recently celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. John George (AKA Jack) Armstrong and Ana Lydia Armstrong (née Danino) married on the 17th November 1949 in St. Joseph’s Church. This year, they celebrated together with their daughter, Lyana Armstrong-Emery, grandson Adrian and great grandson, Jon Anthony. The occasion was marked with a slap-up lunch featuring friends and family from Gibraltar, Cornwall, the North of England and Norwich. There was one notable absence, however. Grandson Anthony was unable to be with them in person to join in the celebration but called from Dubai to wish them well. Also in attendance was Father Stuart Chipolina, the family’s new Parish priest from St. Paul’s Church and a blessing was given by Father Bonifacio, former St Joseph’s Church Parish priest and family friend. The Armstrongs received a congratulations card from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

CHRISTMAS CARD

Competition winners

His Excellency the Governor, Lieutenant General Edward Davis CB CBE KStJ, and Mrs Davis, in association with the Department of Education, presented awards to the winners, runners-up and the highly commended of the 2019 official Christmas Card design competition. Along with His Excellency the Governor, the judges included Mrs Davis, The Hon Mr Gilbert Licudi, Mr Darren Grech and Mr Ludovic Leroy. Winner:

Mathieu Busto, St Anne’s Middle School

Runner-up:

Isabelle Henry, Loreto Convent

Runner-up:

Nooran Tizniti, St Bernard’s Middle School

Highly commended: Lauren Brooks, St Joseph’s Middle School Isabella Messina, St Anne’s Middle School Mia Lara, St Bernard’s Middle School Emilia Astesiano, Bishop Fitzgerald Middle School Ricard Caro Gandia, St Bernard’s Middle School Noa Sanchez Cano, Bishop Fitzgerald Middle School Maisie Andlaw, St Bernard’s Upper Primary School The winner received an Apple 9.7-inch iPad, donated by Newton Systems Ltd.

MISS GIBRALTAR Miss Gibraltar 2019, Celine Bolaños, visited London ahead of the Miss World Pageant.

On arrival, she and the other 112 contestants, took in a full schedule of activities, receptions, filming, touring the Capital and rehearsing. Celine has already taken part in some of the fast track events which include the Top Model round, Talent round and the Sports Challenge. Catch-up with Celine’s latest adventures on her Social Media Channels including Miss Gibraltar Facebook, Miss World – Gibraltar Facebook, MobStar & Instagram.

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SOVEREIGN CORPORATE SERVICES Establish and Support your Business Market Entry Corporate Insurance Packages SOVEREIGN PRIVATE CLIENT Family Office Wealth Management Asset Protection Insurance SOVEREIGN RETIREMENT PLANNING Global Personal and Occupational Pensions

SovereignGroup.com To contact us email: gib@SovereignGroup.com or call +350 200 76173

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BUSINESS INSIGHT IN A NEW YEAR SPECIAL AND TO LAUNCH THEIR SPONSORSHIP OF BUSINESS INSIGHT, WE CAUGHT UP WITH SOVEREIGN’S NEW MD, JOHN BLAKE, AND ASKED HIM ABOUT THE COMPANY, GIBRALTAR AND FUTURE PLANS…

Could you give us a brief introduction of Sovereign?

Gibraltar is a well-regulated, transparent jurisdiction where financial services are supported by a modern environment with high-quality infrastructure. Gibraltar welcomes businesses who bring economic substance.

Sovereign was founded in Gibraltar in 1987 and has since grown into one of the largest independent financial services providers in the world. With 450 employees in 26 offices spanning 20 jurisdictions we provide innovative solutions for a wide variety of corporates, entrepreneurs, private investors and high net worth individuals.

Implications of the tax agreement between Spain and the UK regarding Gibraltar? The UK and Spain have signed a tax Agreement regarding Gibraltar and whilst it awaits ratification in Spain it is another important milestone as it means Spain finally recognises Gibraltar, a contentious point since 1713.

What’s the latest in Gibraltar? These are interesting times for Gibraltar, the transformation has been underway for a number of years but in recent times it has pushed forward to position itself as a serious and mature player on the world stage. Gibraltar continues to punch well above its weight. For the first time in its history Gibraltar has effectively been recognised by Spain and has also entered into its first Double Taxation Agreement, with more likely to follow.

The tax agreement provides clarity for businesses and individuals who straddle the two jurisdictions.

Has the threat of Brexit affected the execution of business in Gibraltar?

Whilst Gibraltar’s tax regime is competitive like most small jurisdictions that need to survive in the world it may come as a surprise that Gibraltar is preceded by a number of other jurisdictions on the 2019 Corporate Tax Haven Index. These include the BVI, Cayman Islands, Switzerland, Jersey, Singapore, Bahamas, Hong Kong, UAE, UK, Mauritius, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Cyprus, China, Malta and the USA. It is positive that the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party won the recent election retaining power for a third term. It reflects a politically stable environment, one where the economy is thriving and the relationship with the UK is becoming ever closer. Sovereign is certainly optimistic about the future. So much so that we are moving to a new property. This shows our commitment to Gibraltar. After all Gibraltar is Sovereign’s home.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your role in Sovereign I started my career in Financial Services in the Isle of Man roughly 15 years ago. Having moved to London 5 years ago where my journey began with Sovereign an opportunity subsequently arose in our Gibraltar office which has recently led to me taking on the Managing Director role for Sovereign Trust (Gibraltar) Limited.

How has Sovereign responded to an evolving and mature market place? The regulatory landscape that we operate in is becoming ever more challenging. Initiatives such as FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), CRS (Common Reporting Standard) and DAC6 reflects a new age of transparency and substance which individuals and firms such as ours can either embrace or ignore at their peril. Sovereign supports such initiatives. For some time we have been providing the support to create substance. Whether it’s merely setting up a business or structuring employee benefit packages and incentive plans for attracting and retaining key staff, accounting services, payroll, bespoke insurance packages, corporate and personal pension plans, obtaining local licences & permits, plus executive relocation. Sovereign has developed a compelling suite of corporate services to assist the entry, growth and sustainability of businesses in all major international finance centres.

How has the new double tax agreement legislation changed things? There was time in Gibraltar when it was not beneficial to engage in double taxation agreements. As mentioned above the jurisdiction has been undergoing a transformation. The Gibraltar-UK DTA is an incredible milestone which reflects how serious Gibraltar is in trading with mature jurisdictions. Gibraltar truly will be the the place for European (and non-European) business to establish in order to access UK markets.

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The major issue affecting business in Gibraltar regarding Brexit is uncertainty. Once the UK parliament finds closure on Brexit, on way or the other, Gibraltar will be able to respond to business accordingly. Despite the gloomy tone in Gibraltar following the Brexit referendum the attitude is now extremely positive. We expect business to increase post Brexit. Gibraltar is a perfect jurisdiction for European (and non-European) business to establish themselves to access UK markets. Think Gibraltar - Gateway to the UK

Why is Sovereign different to other providers in Gibraltar? Unlike the vast majority of providers in Gibraltar we have a global footprint. This enables us to service globally mobile multi-nationals and individuals. It is important to note that our offices across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East do not act as separate silos. We are united in our approach and recognise that the service clients receive is paramount in setting us apart from others.

Are you involved in the FinTech space? Yes indeed. We offer solutions to across the group of Sovereign companies but most importantly in Gibraltar. On 1 January 2018 Gibraltar became the first jurisdiction in the world to legislate on Distributed Ledger Technology (akin to the blockchain) becoming a hub for responsible FinTech and Virtual Assets (crypto) businesses. There are 13 FinTech businesses operating as licensed DLT Providers in Gibraltar to date with numerous applications in process. It doesn’t sound a lot but it’s all relative. DLT providers equal that of investment manager licensees, auditors, banks and exceeds that of E-Money institutions. It truly is a success story with a bright future. Sovereign offers a range of services to assist FinTech business establish in Gibraltar. From initial and ongoing consultation regarding the regulatory process, forming legal entities, introductions to key stakeholders, provision of bespoke corporate insurance, bank account applications, payroll services, company secretarial, assistance obtaining work permits, locating office space as well as the provision of non-executive directors

Any extra-curricular activities? I enjoy interviewing local business owners, professionals and government departments on Business Matters, a monthly magazine programme allowing viewers an insight into the unique and eclectic business world of Gibraltar. See it at www.yourgibraltartv.com/business-matters

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW

OVER THE PAST FEW DECADES THERE HAVE BEEN MANY WRITERS WHO HAVE WRITTEN NOVELS THAT FEATURE GIBRALTAR. INTERNATIONAL BEST-SELLING THRILLER WRITER KITTY SEWELL CAME TO THE GIBUNCO GIBRALTAR LITERARY FESTIVAL IN NOVEMBER 2019 WHERE JO WARD MANAGED TO CATCH UP WITH HER FOR A CHAT ABOUT HER LATEST NOVEL, THE FAULT. “I came here a few years ago for another reason,” Kitty tells me, “and I immediately fell in love with Gibraltar and thought it was an extraordinary place and a fascinating location in which to set a thriller, with many strange, mysterious and often sinister elements to it.” Kit-

ty was helped in her endeavours to find out more about the Rock when she went into a restaurant owned by local restaurateur Tim Turner, and after chatting with him about her idea for a novel, he became interested in the concept. “I asked if he knew anyone that

could help me get into the tunnels and possibly dive in the caves and he immediately introduced me to a whole lot of people including a structural engineer and a guy who owned the Diving Center.”

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW

The best writers are those that get direct experience in the real world, fully immersing themselves in the characters they are writing about. Kitty was taken potholing in the bowels of the Rock and although she can scuba dive she didn’t go diving, but she told me that she had it described to her in vivid colour by several people who had been looking at the treasures on the seabed. The Fault contains everything a good thriller should, focusing on secrets and lies, family relationships and a kidnapping, using Gibraltar as the backdrop for intriguing and unusual plot devices including the idea to build a cantilevered shelf city on the east side. The three main characters, Sebastian, a civil engineering prodigy, his teenage sister Mimi and his diver girlfriend Eva, are well developed but each seems to be dealing with their own demons, including mental health issues. Without giving away any spoilers, the claustrophobic labyrinth of tunnels are a crucial ingredient that are the perfect location in which to set the mystery. For those who know Gibraltar, the whole place is brought vividly to life in Kitty’s portrayal of a place with mixed traditions, religious diversity and a complicated history. The narrative is full of anecdotes and well observed nuances of everyday life that enable those who don’t know the Rock to fully immerse themselves into the setting and which hopefully leaves them with a desire to visit. Chatting to Kitty after her talk at the Garrison Library, she said that apart from filling her in with information about the tunnels and Operation Tracer, the audience were mostly interested in how she found the discipline to write. “You are your own boss,” she says, “and unless you’ve been commissioned, there is no deadline, so you don’t know whether what you are writing is good.” Kitty adds that she always gives drafts of her novels

to friends to read before sending them to the publisher. “I don’t want to know about the good stuff, I want to know what I have done wrong.” Kitty’s life has taken her around the world. Born in Sweden, but not having lived there for over half a century, she moved with her parents to the Canary Islands and then to Canada several years after that. She continued to travel and hitchhiked solo around South America, before settling in Spain where she lives on a fruit farm in the mountains of Andalucía. As well as being a best-selling author, Kitty owns a Sculpture Park and Botanical Garden. “I exhibit my own sculptures and also the works of nearly thirty international sculptors, and there are around 160 pieces, mostly carved in stone, on display there,” she explains. Kitty Harri’s Sculpture Garden - www.kittyharri.com There are many different threads to Kitty’s talents, and after finishing a degree in Urban Land economics, she took a degree in Law and then trained as a Psychotherapist. So where did her love of writing start? “It was almost a fluke because I was writing a weekly column about

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mental health for a newspaper group, which I did for 15 years, where it was the subject I wrote about that was more important than my skill as a writer,” Kitty says. “But then I got interested in perfecting my skill as a writer and I did an MA in Creative Writing and the dissertation for the MA was my first book ICE TRAP, which was subsequently published to critical acclaim and translated into 15 languages.” Asking what made the book such a success, Kitty states that it was based on the real story of something that happened to her and her husband. “We discovered a child that he didn’t know he had up in sub-Artic Canada.” Sometimes truth can be stranger than fiction! “It was a very dramatic incident in my life with a lot of complications and I wrote about it and I think it was because I put so much of myself into it that readers loved it.” ICE TRAP was the first of Kitty’s four novels, but her initial foray into writing came when she was practising as a psychotherapist in Wales. What Took You So Long? A Girl’s Journey to Manhood, was written with Raymond Thompson and recounted the journey of his life as the first known transgender man. Running a sculpture garden, which takes up a lot of her time, and writing best-selling novels would surely be enough for most people, but Kitty is now training to become a meditation teacher. “I’m very passionate about meditation and mindfulness and the role that they can have in saving the Earth in the future,” she states. Kitty’s next novel is already in the pipeline but, like any good writer, she won’t divulge too much. “It’s about organ transplants, something which I know quite a bit more about than most people,” she confides, “and it’s very sinister.”

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FEATURE

MONACO QUEST

WORDS BY RICHARD CARTWRIGHT 18

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FEATURE Thousands of yachts come our way entering and exiting the Mediterranean just like the larger vessels. The Rock’s two marinas are generally full to capacity 24/7, so it must follow there’s a need for more berthing slots to accommodate this busy trade... You may hear it said sometimes, Gibraltar could become another Monaco at this end of the Med. To my mind a somewhat grandiose idea considering that although our Main Street has much improved in what it has to offer over the years, the absence of top brand names in haute couture fashion, jewellery and other items in our shops and stores – bar one or two – as well as Michelin star eateries evidently found in top Mediterranean ports, indicates we’re still quite a few years behind. Not least, the lack of attraction for high end passengers on those glistening, luxurious, floating-palace-type, super yachts we see berthed at our marinas. They therefore come with no passengers and use Gibraltar as a service stop, unless the `parking lot’ is full! In the case of normal sized yachts, the lack of marina berths at peak times is an even greater problem “and then they head off to the Alcaidesa Marina around the corner which has plenty of berths,” Managing Director at Sheppard’s, Micko Capurro tells me. “Luckily we can supply those yachts a lot of what they want and don’t completely

lose out as they can walk in to buy equipment and spare parts and many other items which we have in our well stocked store here in Marina Court by Ocean Village.” So maybe, the `Monaco dream’ should perhaps be put on the back burner for now and time be spent concentrating on improving the product first. It was 1960 when, on a muddy piece of land which led out into the watery harbour where fish and other sea life lived, the idea of a marina came about. To the south of the mud was a stone quay (Water Gardens now), where commercial barges were berthed three deep ready to be tugged out to cargo ships bringing in goods for the local populace. Land was reclaimed and Micko’s dad Hector, whose idea it was - already a businessman in the motor trade, a director of AM Capurro on Line Wall Road - set up Gibraltar’s first Marina which was the only one in the Mediterranean at the time. Sheppard’s Marina had berths in waters now occupied by Ocean Village but it also had a chandlery shop and workshops on the current site of Royal Ocean Plaza. The whole thing was modelled on marinas set up in the 1950’s in the USA. In the 1980s, a boat yard was opened and the place became what is known as a full service marina. There was an increase in yachts coming into the port of Gibraltar in the late 60s so the mid 70s saw Marina Bay open up and larger yachts were arriving. Many will recall the slip way and crane that hauled out the small and larger boats to be cleaned and the pontoons which were part of Sheppard’s Marina also. “We had around 150 berths, about 50% of which were taken up by locals with a few boats used as living accommodation. We also had a pontoon which was exclusively for visiting yachts: those which are in for a week or so calling for supplies and spare parts and out again thus allowing for more business that also benefited local stores, bars and restaurants. That’s an idea that needs to be exploited in all marinas because most of the yachts currently in our marinas are berthed for long stays and contribute only minimally to the nautical economy, whilst visiting yachts coming in and out of GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

the Med will stop here, spend, do their business - some on their way across the Atlantic - and off they go again hence freeing up berths for more visitors. In the late 90s it became apparent that some re-investment was needed at Sheppard’s but Hector decided against it and surrendered the majority of the premises in favour of Ocean Village at the end of 2004. Michael took over the chandlery business, now in the ground floor of Marina Court, and retained the boatyard equipment and cranes with a view to setting up an operation on a planned land reclamation to the north of the runway. “Pending that development, we moved our workshop and hauling out operations to Coaling Island with our store remaining in Marina Court. We were meant to remain at Coaling Island for a temporary stay of about two years. We’ve now been there for 15.” Well, there are plans for a Victoria Keys development on Coaling Island Micko, so sit tight! Michael, or better known to everyone as Micko, always had an interest in the sea. Boats were his hobby since he was a child, and not surprisingly he raced his Victory class boat (with some success) at the Royal

Gibraltar Yacht Club for 50 years, eventually becoming Commodore (President) of the Club during the 1990s. Micko ran the old Sheppard’s - his dad’s business - from 1979. “I have to say we had some very good years in the boatyard business especially from the mid 80s to the mid 90s but the whole thing is now much reduced, with no marina and a boatyard too small for yachts”. Micko says they’re quite busy with the yearly servicing and bottom painting of some of the small boats owned by locals “Yes, all become encrusted below the waterline so they need to be hauled on land, properly cleaned and anti fouling paint applied. Also, outboard engines need to be serviced out of the water.” Yachts at the two marinas also need some service and repair work, which gets done subject to berth availability. So where does that leave our desire to enjoy a bigger bite of the visiting Mega, Super and smaller yacht cake? Yachts large and small which enter the Med in their hundreds come May and exit round about October, need to be attracted to berth for short stays at our marinas. Situated as we are at the mouth of this Mediterranean Sea, it’s clearly an area which needs to be exploited further. The Blue Water project on the eastside of the Rock has not yet materialised and in Micko’s view, due to the strong easterly winds and swell on heavy levanter days, the breakwater necessary to protect a marina would not be cost effective to any developer, not to mention the possible need to reclaim waters encroaching the controversial isthmus evidently contested by some! Of late it’s been mooted there’s a possibility of the ship repair operation in the dockyard closing down, freeing off `water space’ that could provide more berthing opportunities for visiting yachts and even liners. But that for the moment is only a plan. Consequently if we’re serious about making the most of the lucrative yacht support business and offering some competition to the likes of St Tropez, Palma de Mallorca and of course Monaco as well as many other marinas further into the Med in Italy and Greece - whilst not forgetting Alcaidesa just around the corner - perhaps more effort is called for if not already there. We need to build more marinas and despite our limited sea-space we have to create them somewhere. There is a clear requirement... so let’s keep on looking!

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FEATURE

WASTE NOT

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With the world’s recycling in chaos since China, once the largest importer of waste, decided to no longer accept recycled waste from other countries, there has been an upsurge in attempts to reduce the amount of material entering the environment which can’t be recycled. But why recycle when you can upcycle? We’ve been recycling since the late 1900s, but upcycling didn’t enter the collective consciousness until the early 2000s. Once a buzzword used by interior and fashion designers, upcycling has become a much more environmentally friendly option and is a way to give products that would normally go into the recycling bin a second lease of life. It used to be all about the ‘3 R’s’ - ‘Reduce’, ‘Reuse’ and ‘Recycle’ - but now businesses are being encouraged to turn to the ‘4 R’s’ – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Repeat. In effect, this is upcycling – turning waste materials into amazing new ‘stuff’! The difference being that whilst recycling breaks down products into their raw materials to be made into new things, upcycling repurposes old materials into a product of a higher quality than previously. The best part is that upcycling will save you money! Instead of buying new and expensive items, there is no shortage of money-saving hacks out there that will leave you with ontrend objects to grace your home or which you can transform into up-to-the minute fashion pieces. Make no mistake, it is not just home crafters, but big brands are also getting in on the act and using their waste to make stylish products. Every piece of the Adidas X Parley collection of shoe sportswear is made of plastic rubbish collected from remote beaches and coastal communities, whilst Procter & Gamble has launched a shampoo bottle manufactured partly from beach plastic.

we stop buying fast fashion, companies will stop making it. It’s no accident that clothes from fast fashion retailers are not made to last for several years. We can’t stop waste production entirely, but everyone can make a significant contribution. Think before you bin! It saves energy and natural resources, helps to reduce pollution and reduces the need for landfill. Don’t think you have to have any special skills to upcycle. Anybody can do it! Once you embrace the act of upcycling you will find beauty in everything. From repurposing toilet paper rolls into a cable organiser to upcycling your old books into some handy and useful book shelves, there are plenty of projects to be found online that don’t require a huge amount of skill. Before next Christmas approaches, maybe we should be thinking about organising our possessions and owning less rather than contributing to the growing problem of climate change and global warming. You can easily join the concept of circularity by starting small. Many of us already put our plastic water bottles in recycling bins so that they can go on to have a new life and a new use. Although not always an option, try to buy groceries from stores where they are sold in bulk and take along your own reusable cloth bags. Source products for the home that have been upcycled from reclaimed and recycled materials - recycled products have a lower carbon footprint than those from virgin materials. There are some innovative companies out there inventing new materials using waste without compromising on design, performance or function.

STUFF we’ve all got too much stuff and especially after the deluge of presents and gifts that have been received at Christmas. January is often a good time for reflection and decluttering, but now more than ever we should be thinking about how we can dispose of items responsibly.

The idea of reusing recycled materials isn’t new. The ‘takemake-waste’ linear economy where resources are taken from the ground to make products, which we then use, and, when we no longer want them, throw away, has to change. The system has to shift to a ‘circular economy’ - in which products are made, used, and then remade and reused. It is based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems.

With the global population predicted to approach nearly 9 billion people by 2030, we are using more resources than the planet can provide. Our future depends on reusing what we have in a sustainable way. Take the production of clothes and the fashion industry – there has to be a shift from the perception of clothes as a disposable item to a durable product. How can this be done? Think of renting clothes. This could provide us with a way to access a variety of garments, whilst decreasing the demand for the production of new ones. Look in your wardrobes. How many items of clothing do you actually wear? Making fashion circular will be a hard task, because the majority of us are addicted to cheap and fast fashion, but there are things that we can all do to help make fashion sustainable. We could try and make our clothes last longer by repairing items, restyling them, washing and storing them, instead of throwing them out. Embrace secondhand clothing and before you buy anything new, curate your wardrobe. Do you already have that white shirt you were thinking of purchasing?

However, be aware of ‘Greenwashing’. These is when companies falsely market products as eco-friendly and then try to make people believe that their company is doing more to protect the environment than they really are, when in reality the product or service doesn’t have, or hardly has, any environmental benefits.

Now that the season of excess is behind us, think about rejecting consumerism, embracing minimalism and make an effort to think how you could pare your life down to essentials. Research has shown that happiness comes from experiences rather than from owning stuff. That may be a difficult ask, because it is probably impossible to completely stop buying things, but we can start basing our happiness on the memories we make with family and friends instead. Disposing of waste correctly needn’t be complicated. Whether you are looking to throw out or recycle, from your home or your business, all waste has its proper place. More information about the local environment and the Gibraltar Government’s Department of the Environment’s Awareness initiative - working to ensure a healthy environment for current and future generations – can be found on the Thinking Green website: www.thinkinggreen.gov.gi

Try buying high quality and long-lasting items. Choose pieces that you will wear time and time again. Although difficult, staying out of high street stores will stop impulse buying. If

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FEATURE

Anthony Pitaluga GIBRALTAR GOVERNMENT ARCHIVIST

WORDS BY RICHARD CARTWRIGHT GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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THE NEED FOR A NEW HOME! He’s experienced the workings of many - if not all - government departments, ending up in Culture and Heritage which may have been a sign of what was to come next...`Can you look after Gibraltar’s archives?’ some senior body must’ve asked. Daunting as the prospect was, he took it on with unstoppable zeal... and the passion has grown within him to the present! Perhaps it’s not surprising, considering since childhood he’s always been interested in history, Gibraltar’s in particular. He’s been in the job now for the best part of five years constantly on the go. “If we just mention the work involved in digitising all our archives which includes newspapers, government pa-

pers, documents, press releases, parliament Hansard records etc., personal accounts and reports going back to the 1800s and beyond including UK dispatches, we’ve so far digitised just about half of one per cent of our records and we’ve been at it for a number of years now taking over from my predecessor Dennis Beiso, who got it started before I took over.” All happening in the archives offices which are becoming extremely cramped... and more documents and papers continue to arrive at the archivist’s door! But history buff Anthony doesn’t sit on his hands watching paint dry. Recently an exhibition celebrating 50 years of Gibraltar’s records has been on display at the Fine Arts Gallery in Casemates and the work continues. To date we’ve seen a number of exhibitions since Anthony took over: `Mapping our Past’ in 2016, `Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum’ in 2017 and `Archives at Night’ - a

scary event - later in 2017, `Centenary of the end of the First World War’ in 2018, `Frontier Closure’ anniversary at the beginning of 2019 and the latest one in November 2019 highlighting the archives’ 50 years. “A lot of work goes into setting up these exhibitions GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

and with the help of my staff, Gerard Wood and Owen Adamberry we get stuck in sorting out and choosing what to exhibit at each event.” Anthony tells me he never ceases to be amazed at the amount of interesting stuff they come across. “For example, the Dutch forces which assisted the British in taking Gibraltar in 1704 had already been this way sinking Spanish galleons in the Bay 100 years earlier. These were the days of the 80 year war when everyone was at war with each other.” I can imagine interesting gems popping up in archive rooms 1 and 2 when least expecting it. The first record of Gibraltar’s inhabitants goes back to 1777. That very old book set out in beautiful hand writing, was on show at the last exhibition in November. It’s a constant learning curve I’m informed. Work at the archives however consuming, is made a little easier thanks to the Parasol Foundation and the Friends of Gibraltar who have provided the department with two scanners which provide a great input to the work undertaken. 2018 was an important year for Gibraltar’s Archive Department as it became part of the Heritage and Antiquities Act, recognising the archives as part of Gibraltar’s public record whilst also recognising the office of the archivist as the custodian of the Gibraltar archives. The Act instructs the Gibraltar Government’s archive office to keep between 7 and 10% of anything emanating from the government that’s 20 years or older. On the lighter side, the archives department is also interested in personal accounts which may

be of historical interest and Anthony welcomes individuals who may hold stories or documents of events - personal or otherwise - which may be of wider interest relating to Gibraltar’s past. “They may be emotional for the individual but historical for us!” As historian and Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Garcia - whose idea it was to get the digitisation started - stated at the 50th anniversary exhibition: “Our history cannot be lost” he said, “misinformation is important to put right and must be recorded.” Too true, and archivist Anthony also spends time visiting schools to `tell the Gibraltar story.’ Also, as the digitising continues lots can be derived from visiting the website from the comfort of your home wherever you may be in any part of the world without having to visit the office, although many students from here and abroad and visitors to the Rock do, and they are very welcome. Anthony is a talker and is very happy to meet them and inform them of anything they may need to know and more, and as an example on the website, evacuation of Gibraltarian women and children to the UK and elsewhere during WW2 can be found online where you can search for what ship any family member may have travelled on to Casablanca, the UK, Madeira or

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Jamaica. Check the website at, www.nationalarchives.gi Meanwhile our busy archivist keeps in touch with archives in the UK and elsewhere which he finds very useful to ensure he’s kept well informed of the latest developments in the world of archiving and especially when it comes to storage, the need for which is forever growing. Clearly the Gibraltar archives can’t continue to live in their present premises at the back of the Governor’s residence in Governor’s Lane. “It’s fast becoming too small and cramped. Also, during winter water seepage is not uncommon when it rains heavily. I’ve had to come down at night on

one or two occasions when it pours down and the last thing we want is for our records to suffer water damage, we’ve even spent hours drying out page after page of some documents to minimise the harm done!” So yes, very interesting stuff can be found in our, bursting at the seams, archives. They are crying out, no, yelling out for a new home! Duke of Kent House in Cathedral Square has been earmarked as a possible location but we’ll have to wait and see where else might be suitable. Keeping them in the town centre or nearby would be ideal and perhaps in the next 12 months of 2020 we’ll see our historical documents move to a better home. In the meantime there’s no rest for the wicked and the ongoing recording or digitising `lifetime of lifetimes’ programme continues. Anthony’s degree in Information Technology and Computing with Natural Science is certainly being put to good use at our Gibraltar National Archives. There certainly is a lot of laptop, key tapping to keep Anthony and his staff busy at their bulging offices for some time to come... very, very busy!

SPORTS INSIGHT

SUMMER OLYMPICS EURO 2020

A thrilling year in prospect as 2020 gets set to deliver a sumptuous feast of spectacular sport, dominated by the Summer Olympics from Tokyo, football’s Euro 2020 finals, cricket’s T20 World Cup, golf’s Ryder Cup and boxing’s search to discover who is the true heavyweight King of the Ring, while at local level Gibraltar, revelling in the Rock’s ever-increasing participation in world sport, hosts three international events. Let’s take a look at how this treasure-laden year may unfold.

Summer Olympics The 2020 Summer Olympics scheduled to take place from 24th July to 9th August will be held in Tokyo, the second time the Land of the Rising Sun has hosted the Games, the first occasion being back in 1964. Fresh from staging Rugby Union’s World Cup, universally acclaimed as the most enjoyable and successful ever, despite the country being ravaged mid-tournament by Typhoon Hagibis, Japan has put up a staggering £3bn towards the cost of staging Tokyo 2020, the mammoth event that will see over 11,000 athletes from 206 nations competing in 33 sports, one of which is the newly introduced sport of skateboarding, its inclusion a stunt nothing short of sacrilege to a gnarled old traditionalist like myself.

Growing up, the Olympics generated the same excitement as football’s World Cup, legends such as Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis, Cassius Clay, Mark Spitz, the unforgettable duels between Seb Coe and Steve Ovett, Daley Thompson, later Michael Johnson and the phenomenon that was Usain Bolt, are all indelible treasured memories, but, alas, lately the love has waned, the magic has dissipated, state-sponsored cheating has tainted the Games, Russia has just been warned off for another four years but still the perception persists that the cheats continue to prosper. To reclaim public affection, Tokyo 2020 needs a new hero or heroine, and, perhaps, in Dina Asher-Smith, the fastest British lady sprinter of all time, there may well be one in waiting. Dina, a charming, delightful, effervescent, unaffected girl from Orpington, could emerge as the Games saviour, and she is the main reason I will be watching the Games this summer.

WORDS BY LIAM BEGLAN, SPORTS WRITER 26

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SPORTS INSIGHT Euro 2020 Finals Spread over 12 host cities the Euro 2020 Finals take place from 12th June with the final scheduled for Wembley on 12th July. England qualified impressively for the finals and with all their group games being played at home, as well as the semi-finals and final, confidence is high that Gareth Southgate’s youthful side can finally annexe the European Nations title to display alongside the World Cup of 1966 – now a dim, distant memory of 54 years. England have been drawn with old foe Croatia and the Czech Republic with the tantalising prospect of Scotland joining the group should the Jocks win their play-off spot. England vs Scotland in the Euros, forget the disparity in world ranking between the sides, tribal warfare will once again roar to the fore and level the score, an army of kilted warriors descending on Wembley with the sound of bagpipes resonating around the stadium - yes, should it come to pass, this will be a clash to relish, a titan test for brave hearts not faint hearts. Wales under the guidance of Ryan Giggs have also qualified for the finals and will fancy their chances while either Northern Ireland or the Republic could yet join the tournament if successful in the playoffs.

Boxing It’s way past time for the heavyweight division to sort itself out but, unfortunately, progress depends on the good will of boxing promoters, a species I rank alongside football agents and politicians, especially prime ministers and presidents of very recent

vintage, as grubbing along in the relegation zone of the Integrity League, racing without control on the road to Hell. Time to stop hyping dubious overweight boxing bums and give the public what they want, a Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua eliminator, way past time to give Fury the respect shamefully denied him so far, it’s time for the King of the Gypsies to become King of the Ring.

ELSEWHERE IN THIS SPECIAL SPORTS YEAR... In cricket England will attempt to add the T20 World Cup in Melbourne next October to last year’s One Day title, while golf will see the United States attempt to “ Make America Great Again” by avenging the humiliating defeat inflicted by Europe on Uncle Sam in the Ryder Cup in France last time. How sweet would it be to ram Trump’s moronic mantra down his throat by once again spanking the Yanks, this time in their own backyard. The Gibraltar International Chess Festival, regarded as one of the best in the world, takes place from the 20th to 30th of this month, and the world’s top darts players, including Michael van Gerwen, are expected to take part in the Gibraltar Darts Trophy, 25th-27th September. The Gibraltar Snooker Open, scheduled for March 11-15th , will see Stuart Bingham return to defend his trophy, and now that the event is sponsored by BetVictor, will the extra prize money tempt Rocket Ronnie to turn up - after his outrageous “pigsty” comments last year, he’ll be guaranteed a hot Rock reception.

SPORTS DIARY 2020 - A LOOK AT THIS YEAR’S SPECTACULAR SPORTS SCHEDULE JAN 1ST: DARTS

MAY 23RD: FOOTBALL

JUNE 29TH-13TH JULY: TENNIS

PDC World Championship Final – Alexander Palace, London

FA Cup Final

Wimbledon Championships

MAY 24TH : MOTOR RACING

JULY 16-19TH: GOLF

Monaco F1 Grand Prix

British Open – Sandwich, England

BDO World Championship – Lakeside, Frimley Green

MAY 24TH – JUNE 7TH: TENNIS

JULY 19TH: MOTOR RACING

JAN 19-30TH: CHESS

French Open

British F1 Grand Prix – Silverstone

Gibraltar International Chess Festival

MAY 27TH: FOOTBALL

JULY 24TH-9TH: AUGUST

JAN 20TH-2ND FEB: TENNIS

Europa League Final – Gdansk, Poland

2020 Summer Olympics, Tokyo

Australian Open – Melbourne

MAY 30TH: FOOTBALL

AUG 31ST-13TH SEPT: TENNIS

FEB 1ST – MAR 14TH: RUGBY UNION

UEFA Champions League Final – Istanbul, Turkey

US Open – New York

JAN 4-12TH: DARTS

Six Nations Championship FEB 2ND: NFL Super Bowl Final – Miami, Florida MARCH 10-13TH: HORSE RACING

JUNE 6TH: HORSE RACING The Derby – Epsom JUNE 12TH–12TH JULY: FOOTBALL

SEPT 25-27TH: GOLF The Ryder Cup – Haven, Wisconsin SEPT 25-27TH: DARTS Gibraltar Darts Trophy – Tercentenary Hall

Cheltenham National Hunt Festival

UEFA Euro 2020 Finals – hosted across 12 nations

OCT 18TH-15TH NOV: CRICKET

MARCH 11-15TH: SNOOKER

JUNE 16-20TH: HORSE RACING

ICC T20 World Cup – Australia

Gibraltar Snooker Open, sponsored by BetVictor

Royal Ascot Festival

MARCH 15TH: MOTOR RACING Australian F1 Grand Prix APRIL 9-12TH: GOLF

JUNE 18-21ST: GOLF US Open – New York JUNE 27TH–19TH JULY: CYCLING Tour de France

US Masters Tournament – Augusta, Georgia APRIL 18TH-4TH MAY: SNOOKER World Snooker Championship – The Crucible, Sheffield MAY 10TH: MOTOR RACING Spanish F1 Grand Prix

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JANUARY 2020

GOLF

NEWS

THE SACCONE & SPEED TROPHY The third event of the 2019-20 Med Golf season for the Saccone & Speed Trophy was held at the Rio Real Golf course in Marbella. The course had recovered well from the heavy rain 2 days prior to the event and there were very few wet patches. However, buggies were not allowed onto the fairways so players found themselves on the course for longer than normal and with much more exercise than they had planned for. Nevertheless, the weather held out and all went well on the day.

Our handicap category prizes were won as follows: Category 1 (handicaps 0 to 13): The winner was Matthew Bruce-Smith who won entry into the Med Golf Masters and the coveted Med Golf Masters shirt as well as a set of balls and tees. Category 2 (handicaps 14 to 21): In spite of a series of handicap cuts earned for previous good scores, especially as the Champion of the day at the last event,

Nearest the pin winners were: Matthew Robinson, Louis Calvente, Matthew Warner and Mike Cowburn. Nearest to the pin in 2 on a par 4 was Andrew Brown and Chris Warren was nearest to the pin in 3 on a par 5. The prizes were presented by Med Golf’s Judith Benezrah.

Steve Munns was Champion of the day, winner of the Saccone & Speed Trophy, a £150 voucher redeemable at Cohen and Massias, jewellers and agents for Tag Heuer, and a coveted Winner’s shirt that qualifies him for the Med Golf Masters at San Roque Club in July. Steve scored a very fine 37 points off handicap 11, six points clear of his nearest rival. Steve also won the best pair alongside Damian White with a combined score of 66 points. The best gross score of 78 was posted by Matthew Bruce-Smith, handicap 0. Matthew was also the Category 1 winner with 31 points beating Louis Calvente (12.6) and Joe Sanchez (12.8) - also with 31 points - on handicap. The best senior with a score of 32 points was Peter Yeoman. Peter was also the Category 3 winner as recorded below. Richard Atkinson had the longest drive and the best gross on the Par 3s was level par scored by Mike Cowburn. Les Housley won the best dressed golfer - best in show!

David Murphy won Category 2 with 31 points. As he was already qualified for the Med Golf Masters, David won a set of golf balls and tees and a 40 Med Golf voucher. Category 3 (handicap 22 to 30): The winner was Peter Yeoman with a score of 32 points. Peter qualifies for the Masters and wins the coveted Masters Shirt as well as the golf ball and tee pack.

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Guests are made very welcome at all events and are encouraged to join us and enjoy a great day out. While they are not eligible to win the trophy or category prizes, they can win the many mini-competition prizes and even a best guest prize if warranted by numbers.

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JANUARY 2020

FOOTBALL INSIGHT

“ LOOK BACK TO LEARN, LOOK FORWARD TO SUCCEED” So what have we learned as we look back on a busy 2019 for the Lynx footballing family? SENIOR TEAM. The last half of the 2018/2019 season saw steady performances from the Senior squad, but as part of our Strategic Development Plan, we did recognise that elements of our game and our approach would benefit from some improvement in the forthcoming season. A busy pre-season during the summer saw Lynx retain a robust core of players from the previous Senior and Intermediate teams, allowing some strategic transfers to be targeted with specific new players brought in to compliment an already structured group. Pre-season activity continued at pace with a number of successful games. This approach has provided a very strong foundation during the first half of the 2019/2020 season, and after 9 matches played, the Senior team sit in fourth place with a game-in-hand in the Gibraltar National League, very closely behind those in third. Unbeaten in 8 out of 9 matches, we look forward to continuing to build for a stronger future. This level of performance has also been recognised by the Gibraltar National team, with three Senior Lynx players chosen as part of the National squad for this season. FUTSAL PREMIER TEAM. Our Futsal team has also continued to develop from another amazing season in the Premier League, having qualified for the UEFA Champions League Futsal Competition for the fifth year in a row, a record achievement for Gibraltar football. The Preliminary Round held in the Netherlands provided an opportunity for all squad members to compete with professional players at very high footballing levels. The team is currently first in the Premier League and remains unbeaten in this year’s domestic season. We look forward to an exciting second half to the season as we daw towards next year’s UEFA Champions League.

INTERMEDIATE TEAM. The Intermediate squad have had an amazing season so far and currently sit in joint first-place after 9 matches played. A committed and focused group of players, pushing for penetration into the Senior squad provides us with healthy competition within the Club. YOUTH ACADEMY. Our Lynx Youth Academy continues to offer many opportunities for both boys and girls of all ages within the community; for those who wish to progress through their footballing development and for those that simply want to have fun with friends. We are so proud of all our Grassroots players, who show commitment and dedication week in and week out. They are the building blocks of our Club and already showing signs of future Senior players, competing at the highest of levels. The Youth Academy also had a busy summer, starting with a Lynx fun day at the Victoria Stadium, and then several pre-season matches. We are pleased to have representation at many youth levels, including U5; U6; U7; U8; U10 and U12. Our Youth ethos is very simple – play with enjoyment; respect and empathy. “The future isn’t something that we enter, the future is something that we create together”.

We live forever

FOR FURT HER INFORMAT ION, PLEASE CO NTACT THE CLUB ON LYNXFC@M AIL.COM OR 200 69 695.

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BOOK REVIEW

MIRRORS OF SANCTITY BY MANOLO GALLIANO Galliano’s last book - `Of Monks and Nuns’ - delved into four of Gibraltar’s `Lost Churches’... and you’d be forgiven for thinking that was it, topic completely covered. However, being a stalwart and stickler for detail with an incessant thirst for more, he dug up a couple of dozen more places of worship situated on the Rock!

Clearly the Catholic Church was very much in charge or at least had a great influence in Spain during that period. All and sundry within the church were closely watched over and kept under tight control. Despite that, human nature and temptation being what it is played a part which included confrontations, co-habiting and even a murder within the religious institutions.

tion researched by the author relating to the Tower of Homage and elsewhere. The Moors too built their places of worship and within the Tower the mosque there became a chapel when the Spanish took over Gibraltar once again. In the town centre there were a few `homes of prayer’ dotted around the area. What used to be the Cafe Universal - now Centre Plaza, the building housing Benamor on Main Street by Horse Barrack Lane - was one. Another was where Mothercare is situated today and yet another place of worship was located in Casemates Square, or La Barcina, as it was named then. Evidently, none of them any longer there! However, at the very end of Main Street in front of St Jago’s stone block now housing the Tax Office, the frontage of the Nuestra Senora Del Rosario Hermitage remains. Many of these churches and chapels - including some of those in the hinterland close by - were either destroyed, left in a dilapidated state, left to crumble or converted into barracks, hospitals, official residences, offices or store rooms when the British took the Rock in 1704 and during the following years. Many of the church items like statues, crosses, candles, vestments and other bits and pieces were removed and taken to towns and villages in Spain by the inhabitants who fled the Rock when the British took over, presumably thinking they would be mistreated or worse by the military: some of the inhabitants remained. But not all was lost or taken. One of the statues that resided in the hermitage of St John the Baptist in the Rosia area remained on the Rock and now holds pride of place in the church of Our Lady of Sorrows in Catalan Bay!

There is also much to read in `Mirrors of Sanctity’ relating to the Moorish occupa-

`Mirrors of Sanctity’ treasures many gems and anecdotes of those years of religious

So `Mirrors of Sanctity’ is about all of those places of worship and more, of not just Gibraltar’s lost churches but some of those in the hinterland also, which came under Gibraltar’s jurisdiction during the pre British period of Spanish occupation between 1462 and 1704. The population of the Rock during that time numbered no more about 5,000 inhabitants and we sometimes hear from those visiting places like Malta telling us the island’s full of churches and chapels. Well, during those early years Gibraltar - like the Mediterranean island and more importantly other places in Spain - boasted of no less than four churches, three monasteries, a convent, eight hermitages, seven chapels and two oratories dotted all over the Rock... no excuse not to pop in to a house of prayer somewhere near you!

or historical value. The work gone into this fourth and final volume of this series of books can’t go unmentioned. Research undertaken by the author has taken him, no doubt, from the Garrison Library to the Gibraltar Museum and the Gibraltar National Archives and back, probably visiting other sources and contacting informed individuals also. Much work has gone into this publication just like the other three and Manolo has no hesitation in heaping much praise on Victor Hermida for his illustrations, sketches and other drawings as well as contributing worthy ideas and suggestions. The author claims he’s not a historian per se, but someone who likes history and enjoys researching... Gibraltar’s, in particular. The editing of the book was undertaken by Joe Cortes. Thanks also go to the Minister for Education and Culture, the Heritage Trust and a great, big thank you for the assistance by way of the much needed sponsorship. Always more than handy to get projects like these off the ground. The bottom line is the importance of posterity for future generations for heritage and cultural reasons. It all helps to be better informed and aware, not just of Gibraltar’s military history and post British rule, but also what could be described as a forgotten period of the Rock’s very tumultuous past. Mirrors of Sanctity can be purchased from the Heritage Trust office in John Mackintosh Square priced at £15 and all four volumes of the series including, `Under the Shadows of the Crescent and the Cross,’ `The Franciscan Monastery of Gibraltar From House of Prayer to Seat of Power’ and `Of Monks and Nuns,’ sells at £50.

WORDS BY RICHARD CARTWRIGHT GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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TECHNOLOGY INSIGHT 2019 was a good year for consumer technology and the wider tech space. Smartphones became smarter and faster and Moore’s Law lost pace with reality. Gadgets in your hand or even something as simple as a lightbulb, now pack more power than possibly imagined even only 5 years ago. CES is the yearly event that showcases many tech companies’ latest products, services and innovations. Some of these go on to be amazing successes, but others can fade away from public view even if they seemed to be a great idea at the time - Microsoft’s touch-screen coffee table, for example. This year one of the main themes will be 5G and its integration into chips. Qualcomm will lead the way on this as Intel recently sold its entire modem division to Apple. Expect something from Cupertino later in the year, possibly even embedded on Apple’s own A series chips rather than a standalone unit. The actually rollout of 5G, however, has also been problematic. Fears over mast security using Huawei gear has limited its adoption, with Vodafone leading the way in the UK, but only on a city-by-city basis. 5G is not just another fast version of mobile data. It can also handle digital TV and radio signals. It could be a game changer for remote areas, starved of broadband, around the world. It could also be the catalyst for retiring standards like DAB/DAB+ in radios. Last year, Samsung made a splash with the 8K televisions it had in its product pipeline. Unfortunately, outside specialist natural history programming, not much content has been made to take advantage of the incredible definition 8K has to offer. Perhaps 2020 will be different, fuelled by sports events - the Olympics and Euro 2020 - but without an overall 8K offering, spearheaded by the likes of the BBC, such HDTV is likely to take another couple of years to breakthrough into the mainstream. Talking of streaming, 2020 will be the first year that a varied, high quality choice of TV streaming services has become available. There has been a degree of consolidation, and juggling of licensing rights as some shows get removed from third parties, like Netflix, and find themselves exclusively on parent networks. Disney+ is the big one, but in Gibraltar we await working out which IP law using the service would fall under. Brexit will possibly add further uncertainty since UK (and therefore Gib) IP law is aligned with EU law, for now. Plex is a hybrid streaming service that looks and acts like Netflix, but using your own media library across a network. What’s interesting, is that it now offers a limited catalogue of TV shows and films for free, of varying quality. It requires a payment to unlock all the home network features, but the Plex Pass is a one-off cost. This is a downside of the streaming revolution - subscriptions are required across multiple services and free trials can very quickly end up as £200+ a year bills. Gaming is normally also another big draw for CES. This year is the build up for the next-gen PlayStation and Xbox. Both are scheduled for release at the end of the year, and both offer resolutions of up to 8K. This could be one of the factors that aids 8K TV adoption, as hinted earlier. There are, of course, many other categories and vendors at CES - including transportation and photography - but without seeing the nitty gritty it’s difficult to even attempt to predict new trends. We’ll have a round-up of some of the best new gear, next issue.

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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.

A new year is here and as January bites these big screen offerings are the pick of the midwinter bunch. 1917: 15 Sam Mendes is back in cinemas and has directed this tale of two British soldiers at the height of the First World War. The boys (George Mackay and DeanCharles Chapman) are given orders to complete a ridiculous mission which involves crossing enemy lines. Impossible and suicidal. A thrilling race against time ensues, to deliver a message that will halt a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers including one of the boys’ own brother. A strong cast completes the line up including Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, and Colin Firth.

THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD: PG AAce satirist and comedy genius Armando Iannucci is back with his rich take on the life of one of Charles Dickens’ best loved characters. Iannucci is not only a fan of

Dickens but believes he is owed a debt of gratitude for the comedy he has gifted the world. Dev Patel plays David a good hearted and kind young man desperate to be a writer and surrounded by misery, wickedness and kindness in equal measure. The overall tone is upbeat without the acerbic and caustic nature of much of the director’s work. There is poverty and wealth and a lot of fun with Iannucci’s regular screenwriting partner Simon Blackwell giving Peter Capaldi’s Mr Micawber some delicious material. For example, when asked if he’s homeless, Mr. Micawber replies, “We do primarily exist alfresco,” cheerily adding, “Every meal is a picnic! Patel and Capaldi are alongside a fine cast including Ben Wishaw, Paul Whitehouse, Tilda Swinton and Hugh Laurie.

Also look out for… DARK WATERS : PG Inspired by the true story of a tenacious attorney played by Mark Ruffalo who uncovers a shocking dark secret that connects a growing number of unexplained deaths due to one of the world’s largest corporations. In the process, he risks everything; his future, his family, and his own life in order to expose the truth. As with the Oscar winning Spotlight this is the kind of film that is not often made and is likely to stay with you a while. The cast also includes Anna Hathaway, Tim Robbins, and Bill Pullman. Todd Haynes directs.

BOMBSHELL: 15 Fox News is just as famous for the occupant of the White House talking about it on social media a lot as it is for its news output. It found itself making the news recently thanks to the behaviour if its CEO Roger Ailes. Fox is one of the most powerful and controversial of media empires and the man who created it is the centre of a scandal thanks to the courageous women who brought him down with their exposure of his sexual harassment. Margo Robbie, Nicole Kidman Charlize Theron and John Lithgow all star in a film for our times, directed by Jay Roach

Download and subscribe to th e Gibraltar Insigh t: At The Movies – av ailable on both Apple Podcasts and Spot ify, and smart speakers.

WORDS BY PAUL ANDERSON 36

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FEATURE

DEVELOPING THE HOLISTIC CHILD WORDS BY JO WARD 38

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FEATURE Last year the Government created posts for four full-time School Counsellors and followed this up in the autumn term with the launch of a counselling service for Gibraltar’s schools. Jo Ward talks to Jackie Linares, Welfare Advisor at the Department of Education (DoE), about the initiative to develop emotional and mental wellbeing in education. Counselling can help children with personal, social and emotional issues that affect their wellbeing, their attendance, learning and academic achievements, and relationships; and enables children to develop skills to strengthen their resilience and deal with life problems and challenges. It is evident that a dialogue needs to be started in schools that normalises emotional pain and discusses the causes of mental ill health. “Our focus, in schools currently, is the development of the holistic child,” Jackie Linares explains. “This means giving children the skills to deal with life and this encompasses skills such as creative thinking, problem solving, collaborative work, communication, self-esteem and resilience. Our curriculum aims to build strong foundations through those skills so that in the long term children are better equipped to be able to deal with whatever life throws at them.” Jackie states that the Gibraltar Schools’ Counselling Service operational policy, drawn up by Wayne Barton, was based on

two very important documents from the UK. “One is called ‘Counselling in Schools a Blueprint for the Future’, and the other is the Welsh ‘School-based counselling operating toolkit’ which we have tailor-made to fit Gibraltar and which we will again develop further with the counsellors themselves” The implementation of counsellors for schools in Gibraltar is just one part of a bigger body of work undertaken by the DoE. “The curriculum will also be addressing the need to promote mental health and wellbeing and together with my colleague Wayne Barton, who has been seconded from the GHA, we continue to work on the development of mental wellbeing in education,” Jackie confirms. Teachers play an increasingly important role in the wider public health workforce. Jackie has delivered In-service days, to schools, on emotional wellbeing and the importance of PHSE (Personal and Social Health Education and Citizenship) to help teachers develop their skills in these areas. “It is about getting teachers to not only celebrate what they already do, because they have a huge role, but also to give them more tools and to make them realise they can really make a difference to a child’s education just by removing those barriers to learning.” To assist with this, child and adolescent mental health specialist and author Dr Pooky Knightsmith has come over to Gibraltar twice to work with teachers on their approach. Jackie says that Dr. Knightsmith will be returning to deliver a programme on developing the emotional wellbeing of children: helping students cope with anxiety; risk assessment tools; managing transitions in life and helping non-engaging students. There will also be sessions for parents and students themselves. “Mental health is on a continuum, you are not either mentally well or mentally sick,” Jackie clarifies, continuing, “so we discuss how as a teacher it is our role to help children - to stop

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them moving down the continuum, to help them move back up and to recognise the threshold when we need further expertise, help and intervention, and it is very important that this was understood before the school counsellors started.” Jackie tells me that that there has been a rise in issues such as stress, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, self-harm and low self-esteem and confidence, amongst other things, in both primary and secondary school children. “Many of these issues impact on a child’s ability to engage, which means that attendance can drop which will then have a significant impact on a child’s education,” she says. “From my perception, and also resulting from the research that we have done, we have identified that exam related anxiety is another big problem.” The newly built schools are going to make a huge difference because they are brighter and have fantastic resources, but it is not just about that, it has got to be about the actual emotional framework and not just the physical one.

Emotional pain and trauma for children and teenagers, which may be caused, for example, by family problems such as their parents separating, an illness or a death in the family, abuse, exploitation or relationship difficulties, can have a huge impact on a child and needs to be understood. The issues that stem from those can include self-harm, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts. “We are noticing this in younger and younger children because they are exposed to so much nowadays. Any worry for a child is a real and important issue and can’t be ignored, but it is all about unpicking those worries and finding out exactly what the source of the worry or anxiety is.” There are other techniques that can be utilised on building the emotional wellbeing of children. Jackie explains that mindfulness is one of those that some teachers see the value in. The new counsellors also bring with them a variety of tools and approaches including play therapy and drama therapy. “We have also had engagement from Christian Santos with the “I Am Me” project, a collaborative choir piece addressing issues of self-esteem & confidence building, and Dramatherapy founder, Nyree Robinson who has conducted sessions with selected pupils.” Jackie says that she is really interested in the therapeutic side of things and on building that up: “but little by little, it is very important to try and get children talking. Student mental wellbeing is just as important as academic outcomes, and needs to be treated as such.” The steps being taken to develop the holistic child in Gibraltar by Jackie Linares and her colleagues at the DoE seems to be really good news and a welcome boost within an area that has become a growing concern for parents and professionals alike over the past few years.

JANUARY 2020

MOTORING INSIGHT

F A C T F IL E

FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS RENAULT CLIO, UK PRESS EVENT, THE COTSWOLDS.

THE CLIO HAS BEEN A HUGE SUCCESS FOR RENAULT, SELLING OVER 15 MILLION GLOBALLY SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 1990, SURPRISINGLY THERE HAVE ONLY BEEN FOUR MODELS IN 30 YEARS, SO WHY MAKE CHANGES WHEN IT IS SELLING SO WELL. BUT NOW THE 5TH GENERATION HAS ARRIVED, AND WE DROVE IT IN THE COTSWOLDS. As you get in the car, you can instantly see and feel the much improved plastic and trim, and a whole new design. There is more space and the front seats are 26mm thinner which give more rear legroom. The interior now looks and feels more premium, there is more soft-touch plastic and materials. The cars we drove had the optional Smart-Cockpit which features both a 9.3-inch multimedia screen and a 10-inch TFT instrument cluster. Just about everything in the interior of the new Clio faces towards the driver, including the centre console, which does make the passenger feel a bit left out, they will say to the driver, ‘its all about you’…… the interior certainly represents a Revolution. The first car we drove was the second car in the range, the Iconic and was powered by the TCe 100 3-cylinder petrol engine and coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox. I did not realise while driving the 100hp car that it was actually a 3-cyliner engine, it certainly didn’t sound like one, or drive like one. It is fairly quick and goes from 0-62mph in 11.8 seconds. It has a combined fuel consumption figure of 54.3 mpg and has stop-start as standard and a C02 OF 99g/km. This new MK5 Clio is shorter by 12mm, but is 66mm wider and is slightly lower, but despite it being that tiny-bit shorter, there is more interior space that the MK4. The boot size has also increased from 330-litre to 391-litre, and a different shaped rear door helps loading and unloading much easier. The second car we drove around The Cotswolds was the R.S Line fitted with the TCe 130 and coupled to the EDC Automatic gearbox, and a smooth gearbox it is too. This 4-cylinder engine produces, as you would guess, 130hp, goes from 0-62mph in 9.0-seconds and has a combined fuel consumption figure of 49.6mpg. As we tootled around the lovely and scenic parts of Gloucestershire it was comfortable and effortless. The models in the range are: PLAY - starting from £14,295 OTR, ICONIC starting from £15,295 OTR, S EDITION starting from £17,295 OTR and R.S LINE priced from £17,795 OTR. The exterior has not really changed much, as it retains the familiar profile of the MK4, but the MK5 has now got a bonnet with sculptured ribs, the grille is larger, and has some subtle chrome embellishment. The front bumper is more pronounced, and a different central air scoop that enhances the cars lines, but also helps the engine cooling. The roof now has ‘Shark-Fin’ antenna and the ‘hidden’ rear door handles remain in the C-Pillar. But the most noticeable feature are the new lights, especially the front LED which now have the Renault ‘C-Shaped’ daytime running lights. The exterior is more of an Evolution. But it is underneath the car, and the bit you can’t see that has changed the most, as it gets a brand-new platform. Renaults new CMF-B (Common Module Family B-Segment) modular platform was developed at the Technocentre in Guyancourt. This new Clio structure and mechanicals are new compared to the previous generation Clio. This new platform adds improved safety, efficiency, refinement and technology integration. It also improves soundproofing and insulation. The windscreen is also new and this has been treated with sound insulation to reduce wind and engine noise. Joining the line-up in 2020 is the E-TECH with full hybrid powertrain which is a first for the Clio. This system will use a new-generation 1.6-litre petrol engine that’s mated to an innovative multi-mode gearbox and a pair of electric motors that are powered by a 1.2kWh Lithium Ion battery. This system limits energy waste and has quick regenerative battery charging. In terms of technology, engines, safety, platform and dynamics, and the interior this 5TH Generation Clio is a huge step forward and is clearly a Revolution, but the Exterior is really little changed, and is merely a facelift, and this is clearly an Evolution. But the Clio will still continue to be a popular small hatch, liked by both new and used car buyers.

WORDS BY MARTIN WARD 40

JANUARY 2020

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MOTORING INSIGHT

FIRST DRIVING IMPRESSIONS JEEP WRANGLER, UK PRESS EVENT – THE LAKES.

IT WAS UP TO WINDERMERE FOR THE UK PRESS LAUNCH OF THE NEW JEEP WRANGLER. On first inspection the Wrangler didn’t seem to have changed much, it was still a rugged looking, go-anywhere JEEP, and every inch this iconic vehicle. Jeep got its name when the US Government want a General Purpose vehicle, mainly for the Military, and became known as the General Purpose, or GP for short. The GP quickly turned into Jeep, and so the brand was born. We set off in the Wranglers in convoy along the shore of the Lake, and as soon as we got in, you could see, feel and smell the improved quality, it is now almost premium in the cabin. After climbing up into the seats, like getting into a truck, it is surprising to find such a luxurious interior. After a few miles on some twisty, narrow country lanes, where the Wrangler behaved perfectly, it was time to do a bit of off-roading.

We were warned it could get a bit severe in places – an understatement if ever there was one. The first bit of the off-road course was quite tame, just grass, mud and small stones to go over. Then we saw the hill we had to go up, and presumably, back down again. This section of the testing was gruelling, not only for the car, but for us too. Talk about being thrown around, up and down, left to right, right to left, and all virtually at the same time. The Wrangler took us an a mountain climbing exercise, we were literally climbing a mountain. Well probably not exactly a mountain as they don’t have mountains in the Lake District, but pretty close to it. Everything put in front of it, it managed to get over, up over it, or plough through it. After over an hour of being frightened to death going up, there was a JEEP at the top of the hill with tea, coffee and bikkies. Not sure how it made it up there without spilling everything out of the flasks. But a well earned short break – next problem… getting back down again, oh heck… another hour of being chucked about.

F A C T F IL E

The Wrangler is powered by two all-new engines: a 2.2 MultiJet 2 turbo diesel that produces 200hp, the other is a 2.0-litre petrol that produces 272hp. This new car has new styling all round, giving it a fresh appearance, but still on first looks, does look similar to the previous Wrangler, it does have a lowered beltline with larger windows for better visability, but there are enough changes to spot the difference. The interior is much improved with increased storage space, presumably to store more sick-bags..!! The Wrangler is available as a short wheelbase two-door, or the longer wheelbase four-door. With either model you can take off the roof panels making it an open-top. Back in the cars to make the descent, and back to civilisation. Checking we were in 4L (Full-time four-wheel drive – Low Range) took a deep breath, and headed back down the steep incline, littered with large rocks, boulders, slippery mud, streams of water, and just about everything nature could throw at us.

But all the systems worked perfectly, the four-wheel drive, the traction control, the hill-descent, all operated together, all in perfect harmony. To get us back on solid ground back down the hill, or as we preferred to call it, the mountain, just sounds better, and more realistic. This Wrangler is almost unique in the car world, just a handful of similar competitors that are luxurious that look as good in the city, as they do in rural settings. Cars that are fairly comfortable in every day situations on normal roads, but turn into really capable go-anywhere, do-anything vehicles – really clever engineering, not sure how they do it, but they do, and JEEP have had plenty of years to practice, and get it right.

Prices for the new JEEP Wrangler start from £44,865 and go up to £48,365. WORDS BY MARTIN WARD GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

JANUARY 2020

FEATURE

The Poisoned Chalice

ON A CLEAR NIGHT, WE CAN SEE THE LIGHTS TWINKLING IN TANGIER IN THE DISTANCE ACROSS THE STRAIT. VERY FEW REALISE THE TURBULENT HISTORY OF THIS TOWN, WHICH RIVALS EVEN OUR OWN.

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FEATURE The Phoenicians were known to have had a trading post here as far back as 500BC.

Governor and Captain General on the 6th of September 1661. In January 1662, the 2nd Regiment of Foot or Tangier Regiment

The Carthaginians were there for a while but were ousted by the Romans in 81BC and known as Tingis. Various Roman factions passed though its gates during the next five hundred years, ending up in the hands of the Julians of the Byzantine Empire.

arrived, followed shortly after by further troops from Dunkirk and Flanders in the new colony but found that the town was under constant attack from the Berbers. The it was run down and in ruin.

In 682AD the Arabs captured the town which then passed to the (Amazigh) Berbers in 707AD. It was from here that the conquest of Spain was launched in 711AD. In 951 Tangier fell to the control of the Umayyad dynasty under the Khlif of Cordoba. By around 1030 the Almoravids had the upper hand and Tangier returned to the Moroccans. Portugal was anxious to occupy Tangier but numerous attempts failed until 1471 when they finally overcame the Berbers. Most of us know about The War of the Spanish Succession, but how many have heard of The War of the Portuguese Succession? The Royalty in Europe has always been a bag of worms. Marriages of convenience were the order of the day. Most of the Rulers were and still are related in one way or another. King Sebastian I came to the throne of Portugal at the tender age of three. Various Regents ran the country until 1574 when his great uncle Cardinal Henry of Evora took up the Regency in 1557. In 1568, the King assumed power from the Regency. He soon had the idea of gaining possessions in North Africa. By chance, trouble between factions in Morocco led to Abu Abdhalla Mohammed II seeking asylum in Portugal in 1576. Following a meeting with the deposed Moroccan, he gathered a multi national army of seventeen thousand, many of which were mercenaries, and landed in Morocco where he was joined by six thousand Moors. His forces faced fifty thousand men under Abdul Malik II Saadi at Kasar Al Kibir on August 14th 1578. The Portuguese were soundly beaten, King Sebastian was thought to have died in the battle, however questions have remained as to what happened to him. His body is said to be buried in the Monastery in Belem. Following his death, since Sebastian never married, Cardinal Henry renounced the Cloth and became King and sought to marry in order to continue the Avis destiny. However, The Spanish King Felipe II convinced the Pope to refuse the Cardinal permission to leave the clergy. Henry died in 1580. without issue. Antonio Prior de Crato, the illegitimate grandson son of the Duke of Beja who had spent all his life in Portugal, declared himself King on July 24th with the support of many of the Portuguese people, but was defeated by his rival the Duke of Alba at the battle of Alcantara on August 25th and claimed the throne on behalf of Felipe II of Spain who was the eldest grandchild from the female line of his mother Isabella of Portugal. As a result of this victory, the Iberian Union was agreed in 1580 where Spain and Portugal became joined under the Spanish throne. This meant that Tangier became a Spanish colony until Portugal regained its independence in 1656. How did England got into the act? Portugal was having difficulty in maintaining its newly gained independence and sought help from England and as part of the bargain Charles II married Catherine de Braganza in 1661 and Tangier, among other territories, passed to England as part of her dowry. England provided troops to the Portuguese. The Admiral, Earl of Sandwich was sent out to take possession of Tangier with a small naval occupation force. Charles made the Earl of Peterborough

It soon became apparent that the harbour was unsafe due to the close proximity of the Moors who took every opportunity to attack any shipping in the port. Even the town was not secure. All the Portuguese residents left leaving only the English military families in the town. Further cause for concern was the fact that the harbour could not handle the British warships due to the water depth and there was little protection from the rough sea caused by the Easterly wind. Work started in November to build a mole which was to be fortified. A survey in 1676 showed that there were 2225 inhabitants all of whom were military and their families. The cost of maintaining the garrison was estimated at £140,000 (7m in today’s money) per annum. Sultan Mulay Ismail with his compatriot in Fez continued to harass the garrison which was forced to increase its strength to combat the threat. In 1680, the Royal Scots, 2nd Tangier Regiment, King’s Battalion formed from the Grenadier and Coldstream Guards arrived. Now having the strength in number, the English attacked the Moors who had laid siege and captured a portion of the town The defences were constantly being improved to combat the increasing attacks by the Moroccans. The cost of maintaining this useless colony was causing concern in Parliament. Expenditure was now reaching a total of £2.000,000 (£100,000,000). Religious concerns were also raised as mainly Irish and Catholic troops were stationed in Tangier. Fear of a Catholic uprising in England raised the suspicion that Charles was accumulating a catholic army in Tangier. The fact that his wife was an ardent Catholic did not help. Pressure was building up for the King to relinquish Tangier. Finally in 1683 Admiral Lord Dartmouth was given secret instructions to evacuate the colony. The troops reduced the fortifications to rubble, destroyed the newly constructed mole which was completed by February 1684. The Admiral was able to buy the release of some forty military captives from the Moors before he left. In 1844 the French attacked tangier by sea and the Spanish invaded Morocco in 1860. Britain was alarmed at what she saw as a threat to her dominance over the Strait. A Franco – Spanish agreement in 1902 made Tangier a separate international administration. This was followed by an Anglo – French agreement on 1904 which stipulated that the town would have a special status which was confirmed by the Algeciras Conference in 1906. From this the French, Spanish and British became joint Administrators. Some modifications were proposed in 1914 but due to the war they were not ratified until 1923. Five years further on more recommendations were proposed in which five countries formed the administration. In 1940, with the fall of France, Spain occupied Tangier but were made to withdraw in 1945 when the international administration was reintroduced. The United States and Italy were allowed to join at this time. This status remained until Morocco gained its independence in 1956.

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

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JANUARY 2020

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ON THE SPOT

MARK PIZARRO VETERINARY SURGEON Where did you first start your employment?

What makes you laugh? “My friends.”

life, my friends, best family holidays ever.”

What’s your greatest ambition?

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

“For my sons to be happy and successful.”

“Kids and my wife happy, healthy and successful.”

What’s the best country you’ve ever visited and why?

Have you had any embarrassing moments?

“Zambia, the people, the wild-

“Plenty, best not repeated.”

“Paddock Wood in Kent.”

How would you describe yourself? “Shy, quite happy in my own company, family man.”

Which person has been the biggest influence in your life?

Which word or phrases do you most overuse? “It is what it is!!”

Do you have any regrets? “I have a few but try not to dwell on them as you can’t change what is done.”

What keeps you awake at night? “Liverpool League.”

“No one specific person, I’m very self-driven.”

winning

the

What’s the best experience you’ve had in life so far?

What’s the best book you’ve ever read?

“Watching my sons being born.”

“’Long Road to Freedom’. Nelson Mandela.”

If you didn’t live where you are currently located where would you like to Live? (Money no object)

What’s your favourite music track? “Depends on my mood, at the moment – ‘Mr Brightside by The Killers’.”

“Zambia.”

What person historic or living would you most like to meet?

What’s your biggest fear? “Presently the turmoil and uncertainty that Brexit will bring.”

“Nelson Mandela.”

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

If you could change something about yourself, what would it be?

“The feeling of entitlement that our community suffers from. As Kennedy’s famous words, ‘ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.’”

“A decreased appetite and a higher metabolic rate.”

Have you ever been given advice that you wished you had acted on?

What is your favourite hobby or interest?

“No, at the time you make a decision it is the right one at that moment.”

“Golf, not that I’m any good at it.”

What’s the worst advice you’ve ever been given? “Don’t buy that house, in 1997.”

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JANUARY 2020

This Month’s

Dogs Of The Month

Johnny

Kiara

Hi my name is Johnny. I was found on the street and taken to kennels for my own safety. I am currently being fostered and looking for my forever home. I’m ever so sweet and gentle and love soft head rubs and back scratches. I would make a lovely companion if someone would give me a chance.

Kiara was abandoned in the shelter with her 3 pups. She was skeletal after a life time of breeding and they were all being given away to any passerby. She’s safe now, she’s been sterilized and now she needs a loving home. Kiara is full of life, energetic and she’s always smiling! She has no problem with other dogs and can perform basic commands. She enjoys walking with volunteers and she’s completely in love with children who she treats gently and loves to play with them. We’re sure that she’s grateful to us for finding loving homes for her children, now it is her turn.

To adopt Johnny, Kiara 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.

JANUARY 2020

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JANUARY 2020

FEATURE

WORDS BY JOE ADAMBERY 48

JANUARY 2020

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FEATURE

SIMON DUMAS

King Calaway WILL FAME HAPPEN IN 2020? What a year it has just been for Country Rock band ‘King Calaway’ who still remain hotly tipped for a big breakthrough success in 2020. They burst into the US Country scene amid concerns from purists who were deriding them as a manufactured boy band. Those critics were soon to eat their words because this exciting and talented six piece band released an EP which featured ‘World for Two’ a song which has already amassed nearly 3.8 million hits on music platform ‘Spotify’ alone. Ok, so ‘Eagles meet One Direction’ was one of the derisory comments made, perhaps inspired by true facts. Namely ‘King Calaway’ is a band that has been put together or assembled by CMA Awards producer Robert Deaton. They are a bunch of good looking lads who their marketing has squarely aimed at the female element. Someone has finally identified a market space for an ‘Eagles’ type of band who can pick up the baton and continue to enrich our world with spectacular harmonies. The facts are that these guys can play well and do spectacular harmonies as well as look good doing it and importantly they are still young troubadours so what’s not to like? Well let’s meet them in print so they are: Roger Deaton on drums, Caleb Miller on lead guitar, Jordan Harvey guitar and vocals, Chad Michael Jervis guitar and vocals and Austin Luther on bass plus one other guy from Gibraltar... One sixth of ‘King Calaway’ is local heart throb Simon Dumas (formerly of ‘Frontiers’) who sings, plays guitar and keyboards, whom I managed to catch up with briefly to look back and to look forward on the band’s achievements and future prospects. “In terms of updates this year has been incredible. We’ve made incredible memories with plenty of ‘living the dream’ moments. For me personally, performing on TV ‘The Late Late Show with James Corden’ was a big highlight.” They also did the Jimmy Kimmel Live! TV show in June. King Calaway toured the influential ‘morning’ radio stations playing live and unplugged and then crowned their ‘live performances’ achievements by playing live at the ‘Grand Ole Opry’ (twice!), the

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hallowed temple of Country artists. They opened for Country legend Garth Brooks when he played Minneapolis Bank Stadium in May (for over 66,000 fans) and personally introduced them on stage. “A huge highlight as well was our stadium show playing with Garth Brooks.” Brooks is the third biggest selling artist in US history after Elvis Presley and The Beatles. They have since done high profile national US TV and radio and keep notching up successes wherever they go. At the ‘Grand Ole Opry’ they also played with Grammy award winning Country legend Ricky Skaggs, a complex vocal harmony version of The Eagles’ ‘Seven Bridges Road.’ Their new album ‘Rivers’ ( a really good 12 song collection worth owning) keeps winning over converts and even plaudits from their peers, legends ‘Rascal Flatts’ who also wanted ‘King Calaway’ to open for them on tour dates. “We’ve flown over ninety five flights this year all over the States, to Australia and Gibraltar and hopefully next year will be bigger and better.” That kind of success only happens when talented musicians punch above their weight and prove their critics wrong. Their talented young guitarist Caleb Miller has recently been featured in a prominent US Guitar online magazine (Guitar.com – worth checking out). The spread is rare honour for a newcomer. ‘King Calaway’ closed the year with a stunning festive single. A cover version of John Lennon’s ‘Happy Christmas (War is Over)’ and with their new album ‘Rivers’ they are certainly well poised for their big break in 2020. Here last September for ‘Gibraltar Calling,’ they wowed the home crowd at the music festival with a polished high energy three quarter hour set which was memorable. “We want our music to reach as many people as possible and we hope that people across the world can start singing those ‘King Calaway’ songs as loudly as possible.” Amen to that say I, and also that as I write this I’m looking forward to catching up with Simon Dumas over the Christmas break when he visits so that we can expand our knowledge of his new horizons as he lives the dream of making it big in America. Will fame come to visit in 2020? Who knows but I know a very talented local musician who is well ready for that outcome.

JANUARY 2020

FEATURE

JAzZ FEsTivAL COnCerT

The seventh Gibraltar International Jazz Festival Concert took place at St Michael’s Cave over the weekend and as usual delivered a first class Jazz evening for the faithful fans who made it up there. The bill consisted of two local acts and an international band, Italian Saxophonist legend ‘Stefano di Battista’s Quartet. When the St. Michael’s Cave main chamber, now auditorium, was conceived as a concert venue in the early sixties, little did anyone at the time imagine that it would celebrate the variety of wonderful music that it has regularly been called to host in its majestic cavernous heart. It‘s a world class venue if only in its magnificence and natural beauty enhanced by the magic of coloured lighting.

Levanter Breeze are Peter Martinez on guitar, Brian Torres on keyboards, Louis Chipolina on bass and Francis Pecino on drums. On this occasion they were joined by Arturo Bonich on percussion. Together they spoke musically of our Moorish, Andalusian and Yanito Rock influences, peppered with deft touches of Pat Metheny, Stevie Wonder, Chick Corea and more, all seasoned with musical fairy dust. That they always get a standing ovation is a given because it is a fair reward for the time and heart they pour into their music and how well they perform it. Their set was balanced nicely with full flights of musical excursions from the individual solos and soulful atmospheric moments of great beauty and sublime music.

I say this because I have rarely if ever, come away from the Cave disappointed. Many Philharmonic Society concerts, World Music Festival concerts and lately Jazz Festival concerts fondly live in my memory and last Saturday was no exception. Local Jazz kings ‘Levanter Breeze’ kicked off proceedings with a compelling set of original music that left no one wanting and some spellbound.

We were privileged to enjoy them once again in full flight and we have to hope that we see and hear more of them. You can’t hide musical talent in rehearsal rooms-it belongs in the public realm. We still await their definitive album and a Jazz Festival without them nowadays seems almost inconceivable. Hats off to ‘Levanter Breeze’ although clearly we were all quite happy to be blown away by it.

Every time I see them they improve on the polish and content of what has become the Rock’s flagship Progressive Jazz band which you could slot into any similar Festival anywhere in Europe and they would win the audiences over. Nobody plays like ‘Levanter Breeze.’ They are all consummate musicians with a collective feel and vision which is capable of transporting the listeners into a musical dimension and holding them there, as they spin their melodic themes which are sweet and challenging and always creating spaces in your head and heart. This is exactly what good music should do and nothing else matters when you enjoy it.

Singer composer Surianne Dalmedo is not new to the Jazz Festival, she is however new to being in regal company when some members of ‘Levanter Breeze’ joined her on stage to perform five originals before the main event Stefano di Battista Quartet. The musical fraternity here is small but the ones I saw at the Cave on Saturday were full of praise and happy for her performance. I was too as she’s a determined musician who I know well and who has been around for a while. She is a charming artist to see progressing and finding her own niche as a songwriter and vocalist. She engaged the audience from the outset and

WORDS BY JOE ADAMBERY 50

JANUARY 2020

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FEATURE pulled off a very good set adding another string to her bow. The fifty year old Italian saxophone legend that is Stefano di Battista and his Quartet took to the stage for the and sailed into a strident Jazz groove as in a calling card. Steffano then introduced his band members all from Naples (he’s a Roman) and was ever engaging as a truly gifted performer and artist, with panache enough to go up to the audience at various points during his performance and engage with them on a one to one level while still playing sax and joking. ‘Simpatico plus’ would describe him. His band was of the highest calibre musicians whom he showcased and stood aside to

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enjoy and let us the audience enjoy too. Piano double bass and drums that’s all you need wrapped in a bouquet of gifted musical talents all three. He was enjoying them too. Steffano di Battista is a wizard on soprano sax and an effusive tenor sax player who often and seamlessly takes his fast solos off the scale as well as he breathes them soft and husky for musical contrast. Complex rhythms and inspired improvisations, which always engaged the band, made for an exciting set which was at times almost Brazilian in delivery and sound. Then he brought in ‘O Sole Mio’ in rhythmic ways that are hard to imagine, let alone describe, but a sight to behold and a feast

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for the ears. What a player, what a consummate showman and what an inspiring and humble artist who was in awe of performing at the Cave and said so too. Although I wouldn’t change anything of what I enjoyed about our seventh International Jazz Festival Concert it would be an even more intense experience to see the Steffano di Battista Quartet in a more intimate ‘club’ setting. To have experienced him put a spell on us last Saturday was unrepeatable and he ended the night with ‘Mack the Knife’ where he gave us the opportunity to join in and ruin his perfectly awesome jazz, but it worked a treat and that’s what we came for - a Jazzy musical treat.

FEATURE

PACS WAS ORIGINALLY STARTED BY A GROUP OF LOCAL PARENTS IN 2010. IT WAS STARTED TO GIVE FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN A PLACE FOR BOTH THE CHILDREN AND PARENTS TO SOCIALISE IN A FUN AND CARE FREE ENVIRONMENT. IN APRIL 2018 WE REGISTERED AS A CHARITY WHICH CONTINUES TO BE ENTIRELY RUN BY VOLUNTEERS. Over the last decade the philosophy of PACS hasn’t changed however both the offering and number of children has progressed way beyond expectations. Its popularity has meant we’ve expanded to offer four sessions a week, these include two playgroups on a Monday and Friday morning, a Cooking Club for pre-school children on Friday lunchtime and one session on a Wednesday which is dedicated to expectant mothers and parents with infants. Our Monday session is more structured. We offer story time at the beginning of the session, then a craft. To the delight of the children, we have a box of musical instruments which provide them with a fun and active song time before they go home. This year we have simplified our craft to make it achievable for young children. It’s not about the finished masterpiece but more about the new skills learnt and the inevitable mess along the way. On Wednesday mornings we provide something a little more relaxed to new and expectant mothers. Bumps & Babies is a place for carers to relax, meet new people and generally chat about the highs and lows of parenting whilst their babies happily play.

Both of our playgroups include a healthy snack and tea and coffee for the parents. On Friday lunch times we offer something a little bit different. Cooking Club is aimed at our older children (2 - 5 years). Each week the children cook something to take home with them. We try to ensure that we cook something healthy, but of course some weeks we get to eat chocolate! The fun doesn’t stop once the Cooking finishes, after some free play the children enjoy games such as “What’s the Time Mr Wolf” and “Simon Says”. It’s a great way to end the week!

We have always ensured that PACS groups are accessible to as many families as possible. Therefore, we do not charge for our sessions, rather parents and

We aim to provide tailored groups in a stimulated environment, where children can acquire new skills, whilst enhancing their health, well-being, social and emotional development. The sessions also allow potentially vulnerable members of society the opportunity to socialise with others, helping create a support network ensuring they feel part of a community and less isolated. Given the ever increasing popularity of the Charity we have some ambitious plans to see us through the next five years, the biggest of which will be to get our own premises. There are still children that we want to reach out to. Having our own premises will help us create the right environment for these children and their families. It would also allow us to set up safe and suitable play space and increase our timetable of sessions. We would also be able to offer the space to similar charities or organisations. The PACS space could become a Hub for Gibraltar’s Parents and Young Children. We are also keen to form closer relationships with other local support groups or charities. This year we formed a partnership with CHAMP (Children, Healthy, Active, Multi-Agency Program). Being part of Champs has allowed us to promote our sessions with children’s primary care.

Friday Playgroup is our more activity based group. We have invested in some play tunnels, climbing equipment and slides to whizz down to support more physical play. We have also put more of a focus on sensory play allowing our young toddlers to let their imagination run wild and explore different textures on our new tuff tables. Like Monday we also offer songtime at the end which is always a firm favourite.

As word of mouth has spread the groups continue to become more popular and on an average week our service now supports over seventy children and their families.

carers can choose to give a voluntary contribution for the play sessions. We actively fundraise throughout the year to cover the costs of putting the sessions on and it is only through the generosity of our members, local companies and the Gibraltar public that we break-even each year

We are already looking to the future and have planned our sessions for 2020. On a Monday in January we will read the Hungry Caterpillar and the Children will be fruit paint printing, sticking leaves & flowers on a caterpillar and butterfly painting. For sensory on a Friday we will offer activities such as flower planting with soil (chocolate cheerios), junk modelling, ice play and a jelly flood experience. Cooking Club will be going “Around the World”. The children will be able to cook food from countries such as China, Mexico, France and England. Our Flag Day for 2020 will take place on Friday 21st February. Children progress through our groups often from babies at Bumps & Babies to when they leave Cooking Club to start full time school. It is a real privilege for us to watch the children of Gibraltar grow.

“It really gave me a lift when life with two was getting tricky. Thanks so much for providing a place where you can come and feel like you are spending quality time with your children and have a cuppa and talk to people. Some weeks playgroup was all I had and it saved my sanity on several occasions.” Parent of two

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MUM ON THE ROCK

Right from Wrong TEACHING CHILDREN MORAL VALUES HOW TO TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO MAKE BETTER MORAL DECISIONS AND TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG CAN BE A TOUGH ASK IN MODERN SOCIETY. YOUR MORAL VALUES INCLUDE BOTH WHAT YOU TREASURE MOST; SUCH AS FAMILY, EDUCATION OR DEMOCRACY, AND WHAT YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE; SUCH AS HONEST, COMPASSIONATE OR HARD-WORKING. The truth is that as parents most of us are teaching our children values every day through our own actions. They observe everything that we do and unconsciously develop their own moral system, regardless of what we say and try to teach them, so if you are parenting with loving guidance, the chances are your kids will want to follow your lead. In his theory of cognitive development, Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget placed great importance on the education of children and how they learn to tell the difference between right and wrong; how they use this knowledge to arrive at appropriate decisions when faced with complicated choices; and how they have the strength and independence to act in accordance with that right decision (to “do the right thing”) despite the fact that it may not be a convenient thing to do. However, morality is shaped by many factors, and children aren’t only influenced by their parents but by other children, their family and other adults. Research has shown that babies can distinguish right from wrong before they reach the age of two and that by the age of five they should have developed a strong set of moral values. Some of the best qualities of humanity are compassion, consideration for others, respect and generosity. Here are some of those values that you can start teaching your children from an early age:

Honesty This quality rates highly amongst those that parents would like their children to achieve. All children tell lies, but how can you teach

your child the difference between those little white lies, for instance – did they eat the biscuit before dinner that you told them not to, or big whoppers which are blatantly dishonest? Teaching children the importance of honesty from an early age will go some way to giving them the tools that will let them resolve issues without having to rely on lying. Toddlers are too young to be punished for lying, but once they get to four and become more verbal you can explain what a lie is and why it is not acceptable.

life easier or more enjoyable can have a huge impact. Start with little things such as covering their nose and mouth when they sneeze or cough so that they don’t spread their germs. Praise their behaviour and they will value your responsiveness. Children who share learn important life skills about how to take turns, how to negotiate, and how to cope with disappointment. Talk to your child about sharing their toys with others and praise them when they do so. “Great sharing” works!

“That’s not fair!” Fairness and treating others in a fair manner is an essential value that will help children negotiate a complicated world as they grow into adulthood, but it is a trait that is difficult for young children to understand. Talk to your child about what is and isn’t fair. Watch a film together and point out moments of fairness or when someone was unfair and how it might affect the characters involved. Role-playing is a good way to talk about justice with older kids. Tell them that they should treat people in the same way they would want to be treated, teach them to think about how their actions might affect others, and help them construct their own value systems.

It is not just about respecting your elders but respecting everyone, regardless of age or social status. Set clear limits on how they should behave and enforce the importance of good manners. Making sure they say ‘Please’ or ‘Thank You’ when appropriate shows caring and respect. 5-year-olds should automatically be using those phrases. Remember that we cannot teach respect to our children by being disrespectful towards them.

Justice and Fairness

Considerate and Kind Considerate children grow up to be considerate adults. Being kind and mindful of others can make the world a better place. Explain to your child that taking the time to think of others and helping to make their

Respect

Intentional parenting and the choices we make can shape the lives of our children in the future, leading to them becoming responsible adults with good moral values. Our actions speak a thousand times more than words so we must lead by example and quite often it is the little things that may seem unimportant or insignificant that can have a huge impact on their moral development and on the person that they grow up to be.

WORDS BY JO WARD GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

JANUARY 2020

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Improve your

Digestive

Health

‘T’is the season to be jolly’… but now that the festivities are behind us we may be feeling the effects of overindulging! We feasted, we binged and gorged and we consumed food that we normally wouldn’t ever consider eating! Do we ever really consider what overeating does to our bodies? Overeating causes the stomach to expand beyond its normal size to adjust to the large amount of food you are putting in, resulting in your stomach feeling bloated. This is usually due to excess wind, created when the digestive system struggles to break down certain foods, or from constipation or food intolerance.

proteins into amino acids; and lipase – this converts fats (lipids) into fatty acids and glycerol.

Drinking too much fizz, such as Champagne, Cava or lager can leave you in discomfort as the carbon dioxide actually takes up more space than the liquid it came in, making the stomach feel swollen, stretched, and very uncomfortable.

Maintaining your digestive health is important, and peppermint oil has been found to be helpful in improving digestion and gut health generally as well as in reducing the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Holland & Barrett Extra Strength Oil of Peppermint rapid release softgel Capsules is an effective natural remedy for abdominal pain or bloating.

Heartburn is another painful side effect of eating too much. It can be caused by eating larger than usual meals with lots of different courses. Think about those prawn and salmon starters, that delicious turkey or nut roast, those roast potatoes, sausages, stuffing and gravy, and the Christmas pudding, trifle, cake and mince pies. Not something we have on a regular basis and consuming all that rich food with a high fat content means that the stomach will be slower to empty. The stomach produces hydrochloric acid to break down food, so the more food you eat the more acid it has to produce. Sometimes this acid can creep up into your oesophagus giving you that horrible burning feeling. Heartburn can also occur more frequently as we get older and become less tolerant to eating fiery and spicy foods.

If you want to get your colon back in shape, Holland & Barrett Aloe Vera Colon Cleanse Tablets can support gastrointestinal health by gently cleansing your colon & helping your body to better absorb essential nutrients. Digestive issues and stomach problems are horrible to put up with, especially if it’s an ongoing issue. Just take one of the tablets, a combination of Aloe Vera & botanical extracts, before you go to bed and let it do its thing while you sleep.

If you are not eating enough fibre, and apparently we should be eating 30g of fibre a day, this can slow your digestion down and lead to constipation. Ortisan Fruits & Fibre Cubes are a delicious, all natural fruity cube that can contribute to regaining normal bowel function. Just chew and swallow one full cube in the evening, with a large glass of water.

So what can you do to prevent that bloated, sluggish feeling and to tackle the effects of overeating? Holland & Barrett Gibraltar sell a range of products that can help you get back on track in the New Year.

Probiotics are thought to help restore the natural balance of bacteria in your gut when it’s been disrupted. Our gut is made up of over 500 bacterial species of flora, and when these are in balance they can contribute to a healthy digestive system, metabolism and hormonal health. Probio 7 100 Capsules give optimal levels of good bacteria and fibre. Each capsule of Probio 7 contains a simple and highly effective formula of over 4 billion active friendly bacteria from seven different strains, plus two types of fibre.

The aptly named Over Indulgence Milk Thistle Capsules are a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms associated with occasional over indulgence of drink and food such as indigestion and upset stomach. You could also try East Meets West Digestive Enzyme Formula Capsules or Holland & Barrett MultiDigestive Enzyme Tablets. Digestive enzymes are proteins released into the digestive system that help speed up the breakdown of food into easily absorbed nutrients that our bodies can use. There are many different enzymes involved in digestion but the three main types are: amylase – this breaks down carbohydrate into sugars; protease – this digests

A new year is the time to make resolutions, so make 2020 the year that you commit to ADVISORY INFORMAT improving your digestive ION: Food supp le health. Finding the motivabe used as ments must not a substitut varied and tion to improve your pere for a balanced diet and a healthy sonal wellness can be hard, lifestyle. If pregnant, you are breastfeed so don’t set yourself over ing, taking any medic atio medical su ns or are under ambitious goals, but gently pervision, consult a please doct start on your journey to a professiona or or healthcare l and alway healthier lifestyle by taking s read the label be fore use. care of your digestion.

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JANUARY 2020

HEALTH & WELLBEING Taking care of one’s appearance is important for self-esteem and lifestyle, not just socially, but also when you’re lounging around home for a lazy day or popping down to the shops for milk, psychologists say. So brush your hair and teeth, and slip on those yoga pants which just hug the curve of your buttocks so fine, and you’re ready to go! OK, perhaps another glance at the mirror, why not? Blow yourself a kiss, and, like Lizzo’s song advises, ‘do your hair toss and check your nails’. And off you go, to grab the day by the horns… How long do you spend getting ready in the morning? And how long to dress up for a night out? If you feel that you tend to be hypercritical of the person looking back at you from the mirror, or you linger too long on concealing your – real or perceived – flaws, and you find it difficult to notice and value the strong points of your appearance, particularly if you are in your teenage years or in your twenties, you might be suffering from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a mental condition that makes sufferers worry unnecessarily about the perceived shortcomings in their looks, exaggerating them and believing

back and approval from people you believe you trust. Excess self-consciousness may make you pull out facial hair, or compulsively wax arms, legs and torso (trichotillomania), or pick at your skin (dermatillomania) to rid it from flakes, blackheads and zits. This can become a serious health hazard if one picks out moles. Acknowledging that you or a loved one suffers from BDD isn’t easy, nor is a positive diagnosis. The most difficult step is the acknowledgement that there is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about your appearance, and the acceptance of the concept of individual beauty. Sometimes, relatives and friends’ goodwill in pointing out your skindeep and inner beauty with body pampering interventions can backfire big time, and actually exacerbate your symptoms, that’s why it is important to seek medical advice, if you feel that your worry about your looks severely affects your day-today activities and your career. It isn’t clear what causes BDD, although peer pressure, society expectations and social media may partly be blamed for it. If you believe that all your friends are more photogenic than you, or you spend

ing and dismissing their purported flaws and hence projecting positive feedback on each other. This helps learn about triggers, and how to rationalise and neutralise them. Sometimes your family will be involved in your therapy sessions, because parents and close relatives are alas one of the main triggers of their children’s BDD, with their own behaviour, example, mixed messages, core beliefs and cognitive dissonance, so that the whole family dynamics often need to be reprogrammed. When physiological causes are diagnosed, BDD patients will be prescribed a type of antidepressant from the ‘selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors’ family - the most commonly used being fluoxetine - for a maximum period of twelve weeks, during which patients, especially younger ones, are closely monitored for improvement and potentially life-threatening side effects. Support groups, as always, work wonders to help and heal. Visit BDDfoundation.org for updates on research, and to join online forums, about BDD and associated disorders like OCD, hoarding, trichotillomania, and dermatillomania.

The Monster in the Mirror them to dwarf and eclipse their (perceived) sparse strong points. Consequently, BDD sufferers invest a lot of time and money in improving flaws that aren’t there in the first place, and often feel insecure and miserable to the point they minimise or avoid social contact, because they are afraid to be teased or bullied. This is quite different from being self-obsessed or vain, because vanity makes you recognise your beauty for what it is or more, and enhance it accordingly, while BDD affects your self-image negatively. In severe cases, it may lead to poor performance in school or at work, social withdrawal, self-harm, depression and suicidal ideation. Red flags for BDD are excess effort in concealing perceived flaws with make-up or baggy clothes for example, or having the hairdresser dramatically change your hairstyle at every visit, checking yourself in every mirror or shop window you encounter or, on the contrary, outright avoiding mirrors, constantly seeking feed-

way too much time trying to capture a killer duck-face selfie, or applying animal filters, you may want to consider a trip to your GP, to discuss your concerns and devise strategy plans to rationalise your self-perceived inadequacy or awkwardness. The exact causes of BDD haven’t yet been unequivocally earmarked, but they’re likely to be both physiological and psychological. Identifying the main cause is fundamental to plan the administration of drugs or the prescription of cognitive behavioural therapy. Causes can in fact be genetic, chemical imbalances in the brain, or childhood traumatic experiences. Sometimes BDD pairs up with OCD and eating disorders. Cognitive behavioural therapy, as one-to-one with your counsellor or as group therapy, can be indeed beneficial, especially when comparing to other experiences, assess-

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Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 21) TAKEAWAYS

VEHICLE REPAIRS

Early 2020 will be a time of fun and games for you, Aries, when you will meet new people and find opportunities for change. Your confidence grows during this period and you find yourself having the courage to make much needed changes. You will have the satisfaction of putting these plans in place throughout June and July. As the summer months draw to a close you will find that romance is on the cards . . . . either in the form of a new romance altogether or in the feeling of having a second honeymoon with your other half. Enjoy this special time. Your creativity is strong over the autumn period with your production in your chosen field reaching an all time high by mid November. Acknowledge your own achievements and as the year draws to a close you will be ale to relax and look back at a challenging yet satisfying and successful 2020.

Taurus (Apr 21 – May 21)

BARS / PUBS

You start the New Year on a very positive note, Taurus, leaving behind the worries and stresses that seemed to be dogging you towards the end of the last year. This propels you to clear much of the deadwood out of your life and that included people as well as habits and time - consuming things that no longer serve you. Set yourself a goal of around end of March to be feeling free and much to see much more clearly where you are going and who you are taking along! The summer months find you feeling a little tense so recognize this and make the choices to be in a more relaxed headspace. Come October there will be the opportunity to take up a new hobby which will involve being with others in a creative space and maybe even developing some community work. As the year winds down you will enjoy preparing for a family Christmas and sharing quality time with people who are important to you.

Gemini (May 22 – June 22) As we enter another New Year, Gemini, you would do well to make a promise to yourself to engage in less new projects and to complete some of the ones which are lingering on. If you feel that someone has been taking advantage of you then the end of February/beg of March is a good time to confront the situation and sort things out once and for all. As Easter gives way to Summer and the weather heats up you will feel more relaxed and more back at the helm of your life which is how you like things to be. You will even find that you can comfortably hand over some responsibilities to someone who is keen to learn. August and September bring travel and you will be excited to spread your wings and discover new places. In October an unexpected meeting will help you change direction in a particular area of your life and you will look back on this and smile in years to come. You may want to invite far flung family for Christmas and this will be an idea welcomed by all even if someone is a little hesitant to begin with.

INDUSTRIAL

Cancer June 23 – July 22) You will feel quite relieved to be leaving behind the old year and ringing in 2020, Cancer. You just know that this is going to be the year when so many of your dreams can be brought to fruition. You worked hard throughout 2019 and at times you wondered why you were doing this and was it all worth it?? Well, this year will show you that indeed it was! New training and learning over recent months has given you access to the way forward. You will be able to slow down and let go of much of the madness. By June and July you will be branching out and you will find that others are seeking you out for help with their issues. As summer gives way to autumn, so the pace of your life will be more relaxed and balanced and you must plan a holiday to someplace completely different from anywhere you have been before. Make time for a family Christmas and don’t stint on the preparations. Gather them around you and spoil them and enjoy the recognition and acknowledgement that comes from a time well spent.

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Leo

Sagittarius

July 23 – Aug 23)

Nov 23 – Dec 21)

Financial issues which have been dogging you over the last year look like being resolved within the first couple of months of 2020, Leo. This is good news and will take a weight off of your shoulders allowing you to concentrate on other projects. To this end you may want to also take a health check. It is long overdue and if you have been feeling tired and a bit out of sorts it is likely due to stress. A change in your eating habits is also to be recommended as you have been a little less careful of late and need to get back on track. By the time the long warm summer days come along you will be ready to enjoy them. Early mornings are highly recommended . . . . . you’ll get lots done and then have time to relax and enjoy your days. As the year comes to a close you’ll be feeling strong and prosperous. That’s a good way to end the year . . . . . setting an example to those around you and celebrating the joy of life.

If you have been thinking of moving house and/or changing car, Sagittarius, then 2020 is the year to go right ahead and do so. Allow yourself to believe it will all go smoothly and make a list of your priorities regarding these changes. Doing this will eliminate wasting time. Then get browsing and get excited!! Easter will be a time of challenge when you feel that nothing is going right but this is a temporary setback and just remember that every cloud has a silver lining. It will pass. Take advantage of the long summer nights. Either to work on a project or to enjoy the time with family and friends. Do not allow worry to sneak in and cloud things and the same goes for negative people. Simply remove them or remove yourself from being around them. October finds you reaping the benefits of your recent decisions …… on several levels and by the time Autumn has given way to Winter and Christmas festivities, you will be feeling strong and positive and well on track.

Virgo

Capricorn

(Aug 24 – Sep 23)

(Dec 22 – Jan 20)

2020 finds you straining at the bit to see pastures new, Virgo. You may need to travel or seek a new job in a different part of the world. Either way you need the stimulation of being in a different place doing different things. So, capitalize on the energy of a new year and get things in motion before January is out, You don’t need to know exactly where you want to go or what you want to do, you just need to put it out there to the Universe and the leads will appear! Be adventurous and enjoy the challenge. All going well you will be on a new path by the time the warm days are here and the world will then be your oyster. September time brings family gatherings and celebrations. You may have to miss one which will be a disappointment at the time but can’t be helped. A younger person needs your strong shoulder towards the end of the year so be aware of this and be there for them. It will be very much appreciated.

You like your finances to be safe and secure Capricorn, and 2020 is a year for you to save money and establish long term financial security. You may want to open a retirement or savings fund. You may want open a college fund. If so then January is your best time to get started. After Easter you may find yourself going on a trip, perhaps overseas, and this may have something to do with studying or teaching. Over the summer months and on into Autumn will find yourself wanting to recharge your spiritual batteries so retreating to a quiet hideaway will be absolutely ideal. Time for solitary pursuits and really getting back in touch with your core values is essential at this time. November finds you feeling much more sociable but also more relaxed and comfortable in different social contexts. You will also find yourself being able to be more patient with people …especially over the Christmas period which you sometimes find quite challenging. Not this year!

Libra

Aquarius

Sep 24 – Oct 23)

Jan 21 – Feb 19)

Someone may well start the year feeling rather out of sorts with you, Libra, but there isn’t actually anything much you can do about it. Better to just keep a low profile and it will pass. It’s really more to do with things in their own life so don’t take it too personally. So, use the early part of the year to pinpoint the areas of your life where you would like to grow and maybe even undertake some study. This is not in any way selfish but really, quite the opposite. When you expand your knowledge and skill base you have so much more to offer others. Life should be tranquil and easy over the summer months and as summer moves into autumn you will be deeply involved with family matters with others looking to you for guidance. This, in turn, will pave the way for a harmonious Christmas period bringing people together and appreciating each other’s company. All in all, a successful year indeed!

Although you are a very independent character, Aquarius, you may well find yourself embarking on a passionate romance this year with someone very special!! However, giving your heart to someone who is warm and giving in return may be a very wise move. If you already have a partner, the two of you may feel like your love has just been rekindled. Whichever, the fact is that two heads are far better than one for you now. Easter brings lots of social activity and connecting with new people. Remember to be as selective as possible when making new friends. Without doubt there will be a few manipulative types seeking favour with you. Be warned! Do not listen to those who encourage you to follow a more conventional line of work when a new job offer comes along. Be ready to accept this position as it may not be available for long. Hold the backs of those around you who are accomplished, loyal and ambitious and have the courage to ask for help if needs be. Friends will help you reach incredible heights this year.

Scorpio Oct 24 – Nov 22) As you enter the New Year, Scorpio, you do so with a great sense of relief that certain matters, which have been weighing heavily on you, are now finally settled and in the past! So you have, in a way, a clean slate to move forward on. First of all, you would be well advised to stay in the one place for a little longer than you thought you might. Just to settle into a new way of being and then enjoy planning new ventures. A summer trip is a very good idea …. An extended trip to somewhere new whilst taking in some familiar sights including visits to extended family. As younger family members grow up and find their feet, then you can also grow into new shoes yourself and this will be occupying much of your thoughts throughout September and October. Be open to the suggestions of someone you may not normally listen to. This time they are making a lot of sense and are looking ahead. Relax and enjoy the festive period … there is lots to be grateful for and you can have a lot of fun expressing that gratitude!

Pisces Feb 20 – Mar 20) Personal development seems to be the area in your life that you will be paying most attention to in 2020, Pisces. Perhaps, it is time for you to concentrate your efforts into an area of creativity which has long interested you but you haven’t had the time or space to focus on it. Now, you must make the time. You may be very busy during the first three months of the year but in good ways. The energy you are giving out is attracting all the right people and you can cultivate an excellent clientele at this time. Ignore those who tell you that you cannot make your living in the arts. You can and you will and this will become obvious over the summer months. During this period you must be relaxed but vigilant as many opportunities are there and ready for you to grab them. You will coast through the Autumn months and arrive at Christmas feeling inspired and very glad that you have believed in yourself and implemented these necessary changes.

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Just Married on the Rock Anne & Joseph, married on 29th October 2019. Photo by Radka Horvath.

Irina & Oliver married on 30th October 2019. Photo by Radka Horvath.

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Chickpea Fritters

Ingredients • 110gms chickpea flour. • 1/2 onion chopped • 1 and 1/2 cups of water. •Salt • Ground black pepper • Fresh parsley Method 1. Place flour and onion in bowl and slowly add in the water (you may not need it all) and stir, add parsley and season to your liking. Set aside for an hour. 2. Before frying check flour is well dissolved, if too thick add a little more water or if too watery add a little more flour and wait a few minutes for flour to dissolve; mix thoroughly. 3. Fry in hot oil and place fried fritters on a plate lined with kitchen towel to remove excess oil. Mixture keeps well in fridge for at least two days Recipe by Ngaire Freyone

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Arron & Aliza Becket, married on 2nd December 2019. Photo by Nicky Sanchez.

Erica & Clive Gregory, married on 25th October 2019. Photo by Nicky Sanchez.

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