Gibraltar Insight™ January 2018

community INSIGHT

“WEST”

A collection of poems by talented Gibraltarian poet, Giordano Durante, was launched on 14th December. Titled ‘West’, the book brings together 42 poems written in the last year and a half.

The poems are arranged into four sections. The first section is a series of poems about Gibraltar – the place, the people, the features, with poems such as “Main Street”, “Bishop Canilla House” and “Levanter”. The central poem of this section is “Alameda Interlude” which combines historical reflection and autobiographical reminiscence. For those with intimate knowledge of Gibraltar and its recent history, the poems are minutely observant, while his nostalgic look back at the Gibraltar that was and the Gibraltar that the city and its people have now become is sufficiently tinged with humour and cynicism to make it a delight to read.

The second section looks at Andalucía and its cities with Durante examining the rituals of Catholicism and the emotional tug they still exert in “Semana Santa” and “Folklore”. The third section inhabits the metropolitan gloom of England and contains the title poem “West”, a poem inspired by a westbound walk from Oxford Street as the sun was beginning to set. There are also meditations on the unacknowledged beauty of the “unloved” towns and suburbs. The final section contains the deeply personal “Katie” and “Ghost Train”, a tribute to a fairground entertainer. Speaking ahead of the launch, Durante said: “After over a year of sharing my poems among friends and trying them out at some poetry recitals, I decided to bring them together as a published collection so that they could reach a wider audience.” Fellow Gibraltarian author, Mark Sanchez, reviewed the book, saying: “Durante’s work is tinged with a sense of autumnal yearning and loss. In spite of this, many of his poems also attempt to construct a life-affirming response to physical decay and pessimism by celebrating the transformative power of minor pleasures and delighting in concealed everyday absurdities and the creative power of human memory.”

The book is published by The Dabuti Collective and is available in local bookshops and on Amazon.

For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/West-poems1438790159504269/

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES FOR PLATER YOUTH CLUB

At a time when many of us are giving some serious thought to making changes in our lifestyle in pursuit of better health and to take better care of ourselves, members of Plater Youth Club will be busy putting to use the tips and skills on healthy living that they learnt in the run up to Christmas. During the weekend of 1st to 3rd December, fourteen members from Plater Youth Club took part in a fun packed residential retreat. Held in the calm surroundings of the Gibraltar Retreat Centre, the weekend was the culmination of the hard work put in by the young people during the autumn programme delivered at Plater Youth Club on Healthy Lifestyle. The Healthy Lifestyle project included physical exercise, a balanced diet, education on portion sizes, reducing stimulants, reducing stress,

developing healthy relationships and emotional wellbeing. Over the weekend young people were challenged with sticking to a healthy eating regime and participating in plenty of exercise. This included a long walk up the rock, workshops on healthy eating and healthy snacks and a training circuit ran by a qualified local fitness trainer. The final activity of the weekend gave the young people the chance to produce their own Healthy Lifestyle posters which summed up their learning and how they would implement healthy lifestyle tips into their own lives.

For any general information about the Gibraltar Youth Service please contact Mark Zammit, Principal Youth Officer on gibyouth@gibtelecom.net or call 20078637.

TAKING A VIEW OVER GORHAM’S CAVE COMPLEX

A new viewing platform with interpretation panels at the Gorham’s Cave Complex World Heritage Site was officially opened on Wednesday 13th December by the Minister for Heritage, Dr John Cortes.

The viewing platform is the latest in a series of stages that are aimed at promoting and providing access to the World Heritage Site and part of the Government’s commitment to improving and enhancing the Complex. The caves themselves are subject to an annual quota of visitors because of their archaeological sensitivity and the new facility will provide spectacular views and interpretation of the site without risk of causing damage to the fragile archaeology within the caves. It also offers unique views of the entire World Heritage Site all the way to the highest point of the Rock at O’Hara’s Battery,

including the popular Mediterranean Steps.

The viewing platform will be managed by the Gibraltar Museum, who also run the UNESCO World Heritage Office and will initially be open Monday to Friday between 10am and 2pm. Access will be free of charge to holders of Gibraltar Identity Cards. Special arrangements to open additional hours will be made for organised groups by prior appointment. From now on, free access to the Gibraltar Museum will also be available to Gibraltar Identity card holders in line with Government policy of opening up Gibraltar’s heritage to the community. Specialist staff at the viewing platform will attend to visitors and explain directly the values that they are observing from this unique location.

SPRINGING INTO DANCE

The 16th Gibraltar International Dance Festival is set to brighten up the gloom of late winter and get us looking forward to the delights of springtime. This year’s Festival will take place from 15th to 17th February at the John Mackintosh Hall Theatre.

Organised by M.O. Productions and supported by the Government of Gibraltar and Gibraltar Cultural Services, the annual Gibraltar International Dance Festival is affiliated to the British Federation of Festivals and the Gibraltar National Dance Organisation. It is an event for individuals, groups and academies, providing opportunities for dancers to perform and showcase their talent in various dance categories and styles. The competition is open to everyone, and interest from various countries has already been received by the organisers. There are numerous prizes on offer, and competition is keen, with previous years’ entries having provided participants and audience members with a dazzling and inspirational spectacle.

The prizes on offer include:

M.O. Productions Bursary Award £600 and Trophy

Best Female Dancer of the Festival £200 and Trophy

Best Male Dancer of the Festival £200 and Trophy

M.O. Productions Sussex Award Flight and accommodation to participate at the 2019 Sussex Festival of Song and Dance, in Brighton

Best Choreographer £100 and Trophy

Most Promising Infant £100 and Trophy

business NEWS

GIBRALTAR PARLIAMENT SUPPORTS THE INTRODUCTION OF THE DLT FRAMEWORK

In a widely-anticipated and welcome move, on 6th December 2017 the Gibraltar Parliament unanimously passed a Bill for an Act to amend the Financial Services (Investment and Fiduciary Services) Act.

The purpose of this amendment is to prepare the legal basis for the introduction of the new Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) framework which comes into effect on the 1st January 2018 through the Financial Services (Distributed Ledger Technology Providers) Regulations 2017, which were published earlier this year.

Albert Isola, Minister of Commerce presented the Bill, which received fulsome cross party support, and commented, “Gibraltar is one of the first jurisdictions in the world to introduce a regulatory framework for DLT businesses thereby providing the regulatory certainty required by quality firms that we aim to attract to Gibraltar. I am aware that there are a number of businesses waiting to file their

applications with the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission on 1st January 2018 and this is excellent news. This is an exciting time for our community; we are being recognised globally for the leadership and innovation we are showing. At the heart of our proposals is the protection of investors and the hard won reputation that Gibraltar enjoys, I will not tire in restating this. We have undertaken a significant amount of detailed consultation publicly and privately over a 3 year period to arrive at where we are today. My view remains that this represents a tremendous opportunity for long term sustainable growth in our economy in a new and exciting area. We will seek to develop excellent long term relationships with operators of the highest quality and integrity.”

THIRD MEETING WITH ADVOCACY COUNCIL FOR HEALTH SERVICE USERS

Minister for Health, Neil Costa, met for the third time with the Advocacy Council for Health Service Users with Additional Needs. Presentations were made by medical professionals from the A&E department, Mental Health Services and the Audiology Department.

The presentation from A&E included detailed explanations on protocols followed when individuals with additional needs present at A&E. The Advocacy Council were also informed on the safeguards and practices in place for individuals with mental health issues who attend A&E. Mr Tony Loddo, Audiologist, explained protocols followed by GHA staff when persons with hearing impairments attend the Primary Care Centre. The presentations were followed by discussions which included ddebates of ideas for implementation.

Mrs Debbie Borastero, Council member and Chairperson for the Gibraltar Disability Society said: “These working groups are essential, as they ensure input and knowledge of groups such as the Gibraltar

Disability Society are not only heard by HM Government, but also used to help improve and adapt all services for the benefit of those with additional needs.”

Team Manager for the Community Mental Health Team, Mr Sukh Khaira stated: “It is important that we communicate with our service users, and, as in this case with the relevant advocacy groups, to ensure we can properly meet their specific needs.”

Minister Costa said: “I am firmly of the view that we must maintain strong and direct links with advocacy groups, as they provide invaluable insight and feedback which we, at the GHA, can use to assist us in further developing and improving on the services we provide.”

WATCHING HOW WASTE WORKS

Mayor of Gibraltar, Kaiane Aldorino, has demonstrated her commitment to increasing awareness of recycling by recently visiting the Ecopark in Devil’s Tower Road in order to learn how waste is managed locally.

On her visit, the Mayor gained a better understanding of the recycling process and of the role that individuals can play. Recycling is not a new concept for Gibraltar. 2008 saw the introduction of two specific waste streams; glass and tin. In 2012, waste streams for paper and plastics were added, with systems for recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) being introduced shortly after. Since then, recycling in Gibraltar has expanded and, in 2015, the Ecopark opened and provided a onestop facility for the disposal of all recyclable waste.

The Mayor is committed to creating greater awareness of recycling and to supporting the Government of Gibraltar and global initiatives. The benefits of recycling include the conservation of energy. One of the Mayor’s motivations in

focusing on recycling is also to support initiatives that reduce pollution and improve the overall cleanliness of our air, water and land, all helped by reducing the amount of waste products going to landfill. The Mayor encourages households to dispose of their waste appropriately in order to create a better Gibraltar for our community.

The Ecopark is a waste management facility run by Metalrok Ltd in a public/private partnership with the Government and no waste is treated on site. It accepts items such as waste electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, bulky items, mattresses, tyres, waste oils, glass, paper and cardboard, mixed packaging recyclables, scrap metal, paint, ozone depleting substances, end of life vehicles etc. The disposal of all items is free of charge.

GYBDA DEVELOPING

THE ROCK’S YACHTING SECTOR

Words by Jo Ward

ith an already strong connection to the yachting industry, Gibraltar is often used as a stop-off for yachts entering or leaving the Mediterranean. Historically, yachts will call into Gibraltar for fuel but remain in port briefly. Captains and crew are aware of Gibraltar, but only as a “pit stop” during their journey.

Gibraltar has so much more to offer. With the recently completed Mid Harbours Marina, together with the berths available at Queensway Quay marina and Ocean Village, yachts of almost any size now have a dedicated yacht berth available for a longer stay.

Formed in 2016, The Gibraltar Yachting Business Development Association (GYBDA) represents a broad spectrum of the local yachting industry including marine insurance, yacht agency, yacht registration, fuel supply, equipment supply / repair, chandlery and company management businesses in Gibraltar. The current board of the GYBDA comprises: Richard Felipes - Chairman, Mark LincolnVice Chairman, Gabriel Gonzalez - General Secretary, Andrew Camilleri - Treasurer, John Collins, Brett Bridge and Ed Baginskis. Mark Lincoln comments: “This broad array of skills and

spectrum of contacts within the industry place the GYBDA board in a strong position.”

Answering the question as to why there was a need for the GYBDA, Mark states; “It is our aim to further develop the yacht and super yacht sector in Gibraltar by creating the right business conditions for success, in close consultation with local businesses, authorities and Government.” Many of the initial members of GYBDA have been active in the industry for some time, travelling to various events in the promotion of individual businesses. It was felt that Gibraltar could be promoted and developed better by the industry coming together.

“Membership of the GYBDA offers its members the opportunity to be a part of the strengthening and development of the ‘Gibraltar yacht product’,” Mark states. A GYBDA event was held at the Monaco yacht show in September 2017 to which all members and a wide range of key industry players were invited. The event was also attended and supported by the Gibraltar Port Authority, Gibraltar Maritime Administration and Gibraltar Port Operators Association.

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At the crossroads between the Atlantic and Mediterranean, Gibraltar is better positioned than any other port in its quest to become a major yachting and superyacht destination.

It is our aim to further develop the yacht and super yacht sector in Gibraltar by creating the right business conditions for success, in close consultation with local businesses, authorities and Government.

Mark Lincoln

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The reputation and integrity of Gibraltar as an important financial centre combined with the benefit of falling under British legislation ensures that it offers valuable advantages to the yachting industry. Members of GYBDA are able to provide their services on a regional and global level in the financial services sectors; which include banking, accounting and asset management, as well as in the technical and safety yacht management areas. There are several well-known and reputable law firms that have been in practice for over a century with experience in shipping and admiralty.

GYBDA is working closely with the Gibraltar Government with the focus on the promotion of Gibraltar.

“We feel that much of the global industry is unaware of the broad range of services, facilities and benefits that exist in Gibraltar,” Mark explains, adding that the event in Monaco was held in close collaboration with the government. “GYBDA was delighted that The Hon Gilbert Licudi - Minister for Tourism, Employment, Commercial Aviation and the Port, attended the event and spoke to the attendees about the attraction of Gibraltar to the yachting industry.”

As well as the Monaco yacht show, GYBDA board members have attended boat shows and events during 2017 at METS (Marine Equipment Trade Show) in Amsterdam, Palma, Mallorca, Malta, London, Southampton, Dusseldorf, Singapore and the South of France.

The next event where the GYBDA will showcase Gibraltar is in April at the Palma superyacht show in Mallorca.

Looking to the future Mark confirms that the aim is to increase the number of members and to continue building on the solid relationships that are growing with local authorities, associations and the broader international yachting industry.

“We will focus on the continued promotion of Gibraltar as a place for yachts to stay longer than they currently do and of the broad range of services available on the Rock.”

What will Brexit mean for members of the GYBDA?

“Who knows?” Mark says. “Until the full reality of Brexit becomes clearer, it is difficult to judge. I am a firm believer that Brexit will present opportunities for Gibraltar in the yachting sector. I also believe that local industry, authorities and the government are agile enough to take advantage of any opportunities immediately.” Although Gibraltar is very firmly on the yachting industry map already, can it compete with other countries as an international maritime centre? “We see several of the largest yachts in the world on a regular basis,” Mark states.

“GYBDA aims to encourage yachts to stay for longer whilst in Gibraltar, make use of the wide range of services available, and to spread the word. Word of mouth is invaluable in this industry.”

THE NEW YEAR HANGOVER OF CHRISTMAS DEBT

Words by Jackie Anderson

Many of us start the New Year a little worse for wear for the excesses of the festive season and once we’ve checked the bank statement and the bills start arriving, that lingering hangover deepens; it settles over us in a familiar January gloom, when pay day seems for ever away. La cuesta de enero is a long uphill road.

Every year, we toast the start of a New Year and look ahead to the spring determined that next Christmas we will set a realistic budget and stick to it. And every year those resolutions fizzle away as fast as most New Year resolutions do – most barely make it half way through February – and if we have managed to make a gift list and set a budget, these tend to disintegrate at the sight of the glitz and glitter of all those Christmas offerings in the mall once autumn has returned. So, if we have overspent (again!) this year and the bank balance, not to mention the bank manager, is groaning as much as our waistlines, what can we do to deal with debt?

Despite the light-hearted tone at the start of this article, debt is a serious issue, especially if you have fallen prey to the temptation and expense of extra borrowing or the horror that are pay day loans to bridge the gap between what you earn or have saved and what you feel you need to spend. Debt can easily spiral out of control, especially if you have taken on a loan or extended your credit on your cards and interest is accruing, so it is essential to act fast.

One of the hardest things to do is to look the facts full in the face and acknowledge the situation. Check your bank balance, however glum that

may make you feel. It sounds a bit obvious, but studies in UK have shown that a third of us are too scared to check our bank accounts regularly enough even with the advent of online banking and mobile phone apps which can give you instant information. Then think about everything else you have bought but which has not yet cleared the account. Write it all down. That’s when you’ll have a picture of exactly where your money stands.

It may well be the case that with a bit of caution and a bit of trimming back, you will make it through to pay day and breathe a sigh of relief. But if it is clear that you don’t have enough to see you through and you are likely to fall into even more debt, then it is a good idea to seek advice quickly. The Gibraltar Citizen’s Advice Bureau is fully aware that people can run into financial difficulties during the Christmas season and tends to see a surge in the numbers of new debt inquiries received in the early part of the year. The CAB runs a regular Money Advice Clinic and offers financial, legal and other advice to people that have debt problems. The CAB will gladly arrange a meeting with one of their experienced financial advisers and they will try to help you find a way to resolve your debt issues.

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There are a number of ways in which you can trim what you spend and control your money:

• Talk to your bank and check what you are paying your bank or credit card in terms of the interest charged on money you owe. Unauthorised overdrafts, in particular, can really hike up your debt. All the time that you keep checking your bank statement, you will be able to predict when your balance may dip below zero and it’s a good idea to speak to the bank before it does. The bank may be able to authorize a temporary overdraft, for example, to help you through a short-term blip in your finances. This comes with costs, but these will be much more manageable than the runaway charges of an unauthorised overdraft.

• Plan ahead for the future. Once you have taken advice and been able to deal with the short term effects of all that extra spending, plan your spending on a week to week or, at the most, a month to month basis. Some people prefer pen and paper, some work on spreadsheets, or there are apps that help you track your personal finances from your mobile phone such as YNAB (YouNeedABudget), Wally and Goodbudget.

• Go on a spending hibernation and give your debit and credit cards, bank account and wallets a rest: resist temptation.

• Set goals, rather than resolutions. Resolutions tend to be broken whereas we look ahead to achieving goals we work towards. Set a realistic deadline

for paying off debt based on your income and all your necessary expenses. Then be ruthless with yourself until you reach that goal. You may also have to be ruthless towards the family, but rather than giving in to all their wants, you will be teaching them to set goals, plan and achieve within budget. Setting a budget is not restrictive, quite the contrary; people who can account for their money are far more likely to be able to control it.

• Take a long hard look at what you spend your money on and until your financial situation is under control, curb unnecessary spending. All those coffees out with friends, lunches in town, entertainment and so on may need to be cut back, at least for a while. Swap the lunches out for making your own, meet friends in the park rather than at the café and exchange the gym for brisk walks by the sea – or the Med Steps if you like a challenge.

• Tackling debt may also involve taking on part-tie work, even if just for a few months. Generating cash can also be achieved with a thorough declutter and selling unwanted items through boot fairs or online.

• As soon as you can, keep some money aside for emergencies such as a burst boiler, a car breakdown or a leaky roof.

• Above all, start right now to plan ahead for next Christmas!

If you are worried about your money and would like to seek expert advice, you can contact the Gibraltar Citizen’s Advice Bureau on 20040006 or alternatively email them at: infor@cab.gi

Set goals, rather than resolutions. Resolutions tend to be broken whereas we look ahead to achieving goals we work towards. Set a realistic deadline for paying off debt based on your income and all your necessary expenses.

PARTY TIME FOR THE GIBRALTAR WOMEN IN BUSINESS

The Gibraltar Women in business held their Christmas party dinner at The Rendezvous restaurant Queensway Quay on Thursday 7th December. The mentalist magician Levy Attias entertained and astounded with his unique style of magic. The festive event was enjoyed by all.

the ACQUARIUS TRUST TROPHY

On Sunday 10th December, Med Golf returned to Alcaidesa to contest the Acquarius Trust Trophy on the Links Course. The course is famous for its spectacular views of Gibraltar and the African coastline and was in top condition.

The event attracted 75 players, who set out fortified by coffee and bacon rolls and with goodie bags courtesy of Jyske Bank. All the players completed the course in the dry and were welcomed home to Christmas drinks and tapas.

The pin positions were challenging, as the greens were both true and fast, nevertheless, there were 27 scores of 30 points or better. The golf format was individual Stableford. The best result was 37 points scored by Peter Grüetter, which won him the Acquarius Trust Trophy and 2 green fees on the San Roque Club Old course. Peter also won the best senior prize. The best gross score on the par 3s went to Matthew Charlesworth with a score of level par. Richard Atkinson won the longest drive and the best team were Paul Appleyard and Roger Griffiths with a combined score of 65 points - a swan song for Paul, the triple World Blind Golf Champion, as it was his last Med Golf event before leaving Spain. Roger went on to claim the Category 1 winner prize.

The three best guests, awarded a one-year free membership to Med Golf were: Veronica Thompson; Brian Thompson and Dawn Milton. Our handicap category prizes were won as follows: Category I – Roger Griffiths; Category 2 - Paul Miles (also sponsor of the day); Category 3 – Ian Collinson. Nearest the pin winners were: Russell Blessett, Paul Miles, Tim Mitchell, Dan Banister and Linda Fletcher. Duncan Hamilton won nearest the pin in 2 on a par 4 and

Norman Savitz was winner of nearest the pin in 3 on a par 5. Guests are encouraged to attend and made welcome at all events and can take part in the various mini competitions.

Paul Miles presented the prizes on behalf of the Sponsor as well as the card draw prizes.

John Hunter, Med Golf Director, thanked the Sponsor and the players for supporting an enjoyable event and wished everyone the compliments of the season on behalf of the Med Golf Team.

The Jyske Bank Order of Merit:

The top 10 players will qualify for next summers Med Golf Masters, these being: Matt Charlesworth, Louis Calvente, Richard Atkinson, Roy Azopardi, Mike Cowburn, Chris Purkiss, Daniel Lomax, Joe Sanchez, Kevin Jones and Paul Nash.

The next tournament is the Gedime Motors Trophy at Almenara on Sunday 14th January 2018. Feel free to join in and check the website for further information and for membership details: medgolfmembers.com.

To keep up-to-date with Med Golf news and contribute to group golfing discussions, join the Facebook page – you can either search for “Med Golf” on Facebook or navigate via the website.

FEMALE BROADCASTING PIONEERS

Words by Jo Ward

The line-up at the fifth Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival held in November last year was full of fascinating and diverse speakers, including an impressive array of distinguished women authors. Insight’s Jo Ward chatted to two female journalists and broadcast professionals about their books and asked for their opinions on issues such as sexual harassment and their religious faith.

Dame Jenni Murray

With a long career as a broadcaster, Dame Jenni is best known for presenting BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour since 1987 and for her often controversial views as an outspoken feminist. The author of several books, Dame Jenni read passages from her most recent publication A History of Britain in 21 Women. She explained to the packed out audience at the John Mackintosh Hall that the 21 women featured were a personal selection rather than an attempt to objectively select the most significant and important women in British history. Why did she write the book? “I think it’s really important that we know about these women. Boadicea was the one I first knew about and as a young girl I remember people saying ‘it’s only men who did important things’, and yet still I find lots of young people don’t know about these women who pushed back boundaries and revolutionised our world.”

Answering the question that Dame Jenni says she wishes she had a pound for every time she’s been asked ‘Should it still be called Woman's Hour?’ she says; “I have a slightly flippant answer and a

very serious one. Firstly, yes!” Dame Jenni went on to say that when it was moved from the 2 o'clock slot to the morning there was a big ‘hoo-ha’, with questions asked in the House of Commons and the BBC Controller at the time suggesting that they called it the Jenni Murray show. “I said no, because I think it is really important that there should be a programme that just focuses on women and women's concerns, whether it's about health, home, or the complex politics of feminism,” Dame Jenni states. “Secondly, the 40% of the four million regular listeners that is male probably wouldn't be so keen on it because it keeps them intrigued and they think they will get an insight into women.”

Dame Jenni is well known for not holding back when it comes to asking her guests certain questions. For instance, she asked Hillary Clinton why she had stayed in her marriage despite its humiliations, and Monica Lewinsky about why she had kept ‘that dress’. Having interviewed nearly every significant woman of the past 70 years, ranging from Margaret Thatcher to Angelina Jolie, is there a burning question that she would like to ask and of whom? “I would like to ask Theresa May if she would please come on and be interviewed,” Dame Jenni replies. “We have spoken many times when she was Home Secretary but not since she became Prime Minister, and that worries me because, of all the politicians, she knows that if you come on Woman's Hour you don't get an easy ride, and that suggests to me that she is nervous of being really closely questioned.”

“Theresa May is having a terrible time at the moment and I want to know how she is handling 'the boys' - Gove and Johnson - that is the kind of thing that Thatcher would definitely have spoken about and which Theresa May needs to,” Dame Jenni states.

Recently issued with an impartiality warning by the BBC over her transgender comments, what are Dame Jenni’s views about the sexual harassment allegations that are so topical at the moment? “A woman of my generation is bound to be somewhat conflicted about it because you just want to say 'come on and grow up',” she says. “I am beginning to wonder if we haven't reached a really important moment where we have got a generation of young women who are saying that actually they are feminists and that they won’t put up with sexual harassment anymore.” However, Dame Jenni has also shared her concerns about how flirting is becoming a thing of the past. “If it is a mutual flirtation and the young woman makes it obvious that she fancies the guy like mad, then that’s fine, we don’t want to stop flirting,” she says, continuing: “but I think what has happened in the last couple of months regarding inappropriate sexual behaviour, or a woman being persuaded into something she doesn’t want to do because there is a powerful man who can influence her career, then she needs to shout about it and I think that men will stop doing it because they will be scared.”

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Kate Adie

Legendary BBC foreign correspondent and award winning journalist Kate Adie, OBE DL, is the author of five highly acclaimed books. It was her second appearance at the Gibraltar Literary Festival, the first being in 2013 at the inaugural event, but Kate has been here several times previously. “I came during the Falklands War, hunting a submarine at the time,” she recalls. “We were wondering whether or not one of the big submarines was going down to the Falklands and, as luck would have it, I went out for a walk very early on the first morning and saw it sliding off into the distance.”

In her book Fighting On The Home Front: The Legacy Of Women In World War I, Kate Adie hails the bravery of those who risked life and limb at the front but who also faced prejudice at home as they helped the war effort. Does Kate consider herself to be brave? “No, I’m not brave,” she says, describing how she spent three hours up a walnut tree in Serbia and hid under kitchen tables. “I’ve never used the word. I run fast and hide behind things. Journalists go as far as they should in order to bring the story back. That’s the bottom line.”

Kate Adie came to public attention as one of the first journalists on the scene when the SAS stormed the London Iranian Embassy during the siege in 1980. The BBC interrupted coverage of the World Snooker Championships as she reported live and unscripted, sheltering behind a car door. “Now they are making a film about it, but they didn't ask me to play myself,” she laughs.

It was whilst reporting the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 the she suffered a gunshot wound to the elbow. Despite being shot at, Kate said: “You don’t put yourself in danger. “You are not there to be heroic. You’re there to find out what is going on.”

Has her experience of war reporting had an effect on her religious faith? She shakes her head and answers that she doesn’t have one. “When you see a world that is full of unfairness and fantasy and you have great faith in education, facts and the human spirit, I don't see any logic in anything else. People do need legends, fairy tales and rituals and I understand the consolations of religions,” Kate adds, “but when it comes

to responsibility, we are responsible for our relationships with the people next to us and with the planet.”

Having encountered many despots or leaders of war in her time, what is it that makes a good person different from someone who is deemed to be evil?

“I don't believe in evil, or all that medieval stuff about devils or spirits descending on people,” she comments. “We are humans and there is always a reason why someone does something because people are shaped by life and events, and unfortunately some can be shaped in ways which become quite terrifying.”

The Kindness of Strangers is the title of Kate’s autobiography published in 2002, something that has resonated deeply throughout her life.

“As a news reporter you don't spend your time interviewing the most powerful or the richest,” she says. “Actually you spend a great deal of time amongst people, and what I am immensely impressed by is the kindness of strangers.” Kate went on to say that it is strangers who, unsolicited, give you information, food, help and sometimes hospitality. “Some people are so warm hearted and good spirited. When I came to write my autobiography some years ago, I nearly called it what so many people had said to me over the years, which was ‘You Should Have Been Here Yesterday’ because journalists don’t have a crystal ball and nearly always turn up after the event!”

Talking to the audience in the ballroom at The Convent, Kate addressed the hot topic of ‘fake news’. “There are citizen journalists now and everyone with a mobile phone thinks of themselves as a journalist,” she said. “Donald Trump considers the press to be the enemy, which for somebody at the head of a great democracy is a nightmare, because I regard the free press to be one of the pillars of democracy. When Trump gets news he does not like he terms it fake news, which is the paranoia of a dictator, but I am a journalist and I love facts.”

Insight Magazine is proud to be one of the sponsors of the fifth Gibunco Gibraltar Literary Festival www.gibraltarliteraryfestival.com

OUR CUSTOMS, TRADITIONS & QUIRKS

Words by Richard Cartwright

Being of a certain age and dedicating some of your free time to researching and writing booklets about our unique, social and shared past makes you a target for being approached in town to be told by likeminded individuals...`And don’t you remember this, that and the other we used to get up to...?’ 84year-old author Manolo Ruiz, simply loves it!

So much so, this is his third (and planning a fourth) account of `life as it was’ in decades gone by.

Already we’ve had `Childhood Games of my Era’ and `Life in Yesterday’s Patios.’ Now, Manolo’s been setting out many of the customs and quirks of our past in his latest offering and some of those customs remain, amongst the older generation. “The thing is, I don’t plan writing the books; they are just memories that come to me and I jot them down and then of course, there are those that chat to me on Main Street or over a coffee and more recollections come to mind. I gather so many bits and pieces I end up with more than enough to publish another booklet.” I can tell how Manolo enjoys getting stuck into trends of years gone by as we sit and chat over a camomile tea!

“What I find interesting is that many of our sayings and names given to certain items come neither from the Italian nor the Spanish, they are totally Gianito - as he likes to spell it.

“Remember, `Se caso por la policia? Well, that came about because the Registry Office was situated within Central Police Station in Irish Town and `El corredor’ comes from the English `corridor’ translated the Gianito way and better known in the Spanish as `El pasillo.’ `Llevame en cabalin,’ (give me a piggy back) has somehow crept in from the Spanish `Caballin’ which is to do with equestrian, horseback riding.” And so Manolo tells me it just goes on and on with those he meets, some who he’s never even met before, who encourage him to keep on writing about memories of days long gone.

But this third book is not just about sayings and phrases, it’s about quirky things and customs also. Taking infants to a photographer’s studio and having baby photographed in the nude, face down facing the camera, and later in life having him or her photographed sitting on a wooden donkey by Referendum Gate, where a Spanish photographer took a picture with his camera on a tripod which seemed to be the trend then! I remember that one but there are some I don’t remember which were clearly before my time, like standing a well hidden broom upside down to make sure guests didn’t overstay their welcome. The broom would be out of sight so guests wouldn’t take offence...but I do remember the brooms described in the book though, made from cane with some type of reeds attached to the bottom end for sweeping! The custom of having an `open door policy’ in patios was very prevalent in 50s and 60s which are the years I go back to. “Yes, neighbours would go from one home to another in those patios. Restaurants were few and far between during that time and friends would go to one home and have tea or a drink and perhaps something to eat, then repeat that the other way round on another occasion.” As a youngster we would pop in to see a relative, stay for a few minutes and then be given a few (old) pennies to buy some sweets.

(continued on page 31)

(continued from page 29)

More sayings not derived from Spanish or Italian...`Va de Pish pine,’ meaning you’re looking good. ‘Pish pine’ comes from the English `pitch pine,’ an expensive top notch wood the well-to-do would use to have their coffins made, of all things, hence anything `pish pine’ was symbolic of something good or expensive... `Valiente napia.’ What a nose! That expression came from Governor of Gibraltar, Lord Napier who had a larger than life nose. We also had, `pan de lata,’ `fideo de pipa,’ `pera de agua’ and so many more...`Our Customs, Traditions and Quirks’ is full of how the title reads – jam packed with bits of information, sayings and yes, quirk; like not picking a knife up off the floor by a member of the family. That was bad luck. A neighbour or some other unrelated person would have to pick it up. A woman wearing green was a no no! Not even a simple, green scarf... ill fortune would come their way if they did, and you must never eat pomegranates until it has rained first!!! There’s an absolute plethora of items in the booklet even down to El Petit Bar, the most frequented coffee bar in town where the Horsehoe Pub stands today... “Mr Llamas would serve you coffee using two kettles,” Manolo recalls, “One with coffee the other with milk. I’d have a crispy buttered role, three portions of Paloma’s Calentita and half a brandy, and that would

cost me two shillings (20p in today’s currency!)”

It seems to me as if there’s no end to Gibraltar’s stories and anecdotes of years gone by and Manolo had better stay home more often, if he wants to call it a day and give his writing a rest. “You know that’s true because a day doesn’t go by without someone stopping me to highlight some more of those stories, items or objects and customs, with so many of them that I like call...absolute quirks!”

`Our Customs, Traditions and Quirks’ has sold just under 1,000 copies with all proceeds going to a number of very worthy charities.

ANOTHER PLACE, SAME ISSUE

New York is one of the world’s greatest cities where the atmosphere is electric. It’s energetic, vibrant and it’s cool! By comparison, back on the Rock we live in a different, more laid back world. However I noticed our so-called problems, whinges, predicaments and dilemmas are nonetheless shared with those citizens living in what many would call, that celebrated metropolis!

Yes, New York is a great city and I will visit it again no doubt, but like most cities and towns in the west and other places for that matter, local administrations have to cope with the ever-increasing costs and problems that come their way. Following the daily life of the city’s citizens in the local `New York Today’ freebee newspaper and local TV stations, I was reminded the place was inhabited by human beings with their respective concerns, just like you and I. I found that by and large, we all share similar difficulties. Dare I mention traffic and parking which we complain about so much? That’s an issue that’s close to our hearts on the Rock. At peak times queues or lines of vehicles stretch along all entries to New York’s, main activity hub, Manhattan. Moving at snail’s pace, commuters, visitors and tourists slowly wind their way through to the island. One New Yorker told me four million bodies come onto Manhattan Island every day on a train or subway, in a car, bus or coach, by ferry or helicopter. All coming in for a purpose and the streets are busy, very busy, and the buses, taxis, and courtesy vehicles –many of them stretch limousines - are busy too, sometimes annoying other road users including pedestrians as is the case on our minute, by comparison, Main Street, with all those delivery vans often taking up the width of the road and parked on the pavement too...

Oh yes, just like Gib, relatively speaking of course, or any other place on any weekday morning when everybody’s busy shuffling around. And you know what, during my ten day stay I only saw two motor scooters – you know, the ones we have hundreds of on our streets. Yes, that was different! Incidentally, don’t be too hard on our local taxi drivers. In the Big Apple,

sometimes – this happened to me on both my visits - when one stops to see where you want to go and your destination is not to his liking he will produce a monosyllabic grunt, look away and speed off immediately. I didn’t find them very chatty either, although people in general were pleasant and well mannered so perhaps I just happened to choose cabbies having a bad day. Taxi drivers I must say, are pretty much the same everywhere. I recall at Malaga train station a couple of cabbies having a serious verbal confrontation over who was first in the queue, something you occasionally witness here too.

(continued on page 35)

Words by Richard Cartwright

But heading back to New York: Early evening arrives and queues, sorry `lines’ of eaters form outside restaurants and it’s often difficult to get into a favourite restaurant without having to wait an hour or so to get a table and nobody likes queues, do they, so mumbles and grunts are heard from hungry punters fed up with hanging around waiting. But New York is a fabulous place it has to be said. It never sleeps. Friday and Saturday nights around Broadway and Times Square are difficult to walk through when wanting to get from A to B again, not unlike Main Street on a, two or three cruise-liner-visit-day. Yes human bodies are packed like sardines and the atmosphere really is electric in the Big Apple. Theatres, café restaurants, revue bars and other entertainment venues are throbbing with patrons and the bright lights of the neon signs in the square exhilarating.

Despite what many think, I didn’t find New York to be a violent or dangerous place during my stay. We often hear it said Gibraltar is a safe place don’t we? Yes, there was news of a killing in an apartment block and police, fire department and especially ambulance sirens are a constant. You’ll come across a couple of homeless individuals and Vietnam vets, but I saw no fights, drunks or `hovering weirdos’ anywhere on this occasion, or on my last visit, so the `dangerous’ tag was not evident.

the bus but we still complain about the service. Senior citizens too were in a quandary as to how they were going to travel to their respective destinations when their bus route ceased to operate due to the cuts. Having to walk very long distances to a bus stop further away or even a short distance in the freezing New York winter wind was highlighted as no joke. I certainly felt the wind chill biting my face, nose and ears off, during my ten-day stay!

On TV, on an almost daily basis we had something we again take so much for granted, free health care - although we often complain about the GHA. It was a topic being debated by politicians and others analysing the pros and cons of what became known as `Obama Care,’ offering some form of free health cover to the millions of families who just can’t afford to get ill! So `Politics’ was just as evident there as it is here: never ending debates and points of view with one side claiming one thing and the other side rubbishing it.

On TV, on an almost daily basis we had something we again take so much for granted, free health care - although we often complain about the GHA. It was a topic being debated by politicians and others analysing the pros and cons of what became known as `Obama Care,’ offering some form of free health cover to the millions of families who just can’t afford to get ill!

But back to our moans and groans and cases of those with real difficulties: stories that obviously don’t reach our shores because they’re not for `world consumption,’ due to the fact they’re strictly local. New York’s Transport Authority was having cash problems and planned to cut down on some services on the subway and bus networks. The NYTA was also doing away with free travel for school kids and, despite what some may think not everyone in the US is rich and there was no sign of streets paved with gold! Mums were on TV worried and wondering how they were going to scrape together two or three hundred dollars a month to pay for their children’s subway or bus fares to get them to school – we travel free on

So wherever there are human beings there are issues and the grass is not always greener. Not everywhere is paradise as one may be deluded into thinking. But none of the above has to necessarily detract from visiting, or moving to great cities to enjoy what they have to offer. So my observations about life in the dayto-day for `normal human beings,’ in this case living in United States’ multinational city, are just an attempt to show that life on the old Rock, in many ways, despite our complaints is not that different to anywhere else, not even in New York...It’s more about swings and roundabouts, so let’s try and be content and look forward to another great year!

`Good Morning’ was a daily exchange between a New Yorker and myself as we sat for breakfast in the cafe he had frequented every morning for years, just like I’ve been doing at the Royal Calpe...See what I mean...Another place, same issues... and same coffee ritual!

(continued from page 32)

To place an advert in this section contact Domingo Santos on mobile: 54009957.

DANIELLA CARUANA

Pharmacist Assistant

Where did you first start your employment?

“I started at Valmar Pharmacy 2010, God how time flies when you’re having fun.”

How would you describe yourself?

“I would describe myself as a happy, positive and hard working young lady.”

Which person has been the biggest influence in your life?

“My parents, both of them.”

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

“Must be Great Expectations, also ‘How to lose 10 pounds in a week’. Weight that is.”

What’s your favourite music track?

“Too many to mention, a good melody/arrangement with good lyrics.”

What’s your biggest fear?

“MATHEMATICS lol.”

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

“To eat as much as I want and not put any weight on.”

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

“Yes, absolutely.”

What’s the worst advice you’ve ever been given?

“Do as you’re told.”

What makes you laugh?

“Serious people, they are funny.”

What’s your greatest ambition?

“To play piano professionally.”

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

“Thailand, it just put things into perspective for me personally.”

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

“To be surrounded by loved ones.”

Have you had any embarrassing moments?

“Too many to mention.”

Which word or phrases do you most overuse?

“Like & En serio lol.”

Do you have any regrets?

“I should have carried on my piano lessons when I was young.”

What keeps you awake at night?

“My dog.”

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

“Up close with wildlife in Thailand, amazing experience.”

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

“Los Cabos Mexico.”

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

“Jim Carey, would love to pinch his cheeks, his ears and his nose.”

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

“I would love to add a km. to the runway, long haul flights... emmm.”

What is your favourite hobby or interest

“Music is my passion, losing myself with my piano is bliss.”

Music is my passion, losing myself with my piano is bliss. ”

Daniella Caruana on her favourite hobby.

FROM UNDERSTANDING, TO RESPECT, TO PROTECTION: A MINDSET FOR RESCUING OUR SEA.

Words by Jackie Anderson

Lewis is a marine biologist, currently carrying out a research project for his PhD with the University of Gibraltar. As such, he is only too aware of the fragility of the marine eco-system, and, as a keen snorkeler and diver, he knows the indescribable beauty of the underwater landscape and the creatures that inhabit it. Growing up in Gibraltar, Lewis felt himself fortunate to be able to explore and learn first hand the diversity of life along our coastline and under the seas surrounding the Rock. Having obtained his qualifications as a marine biologist, he returned home feeling that he wanted to give something back to the community that had supported and facilitated his education in a subject for which he feels infinitely passionate. Through the Nautilus Project, Lewis and Melanie aim to raise knowledge and awareness of the intricacy and breathtaking magnificence of marine life. “CLR is our byword,” he smiles. Catch, learn, release is what he refers to. Through boat trips, coast crawlers (gentle explorations along Gibraltar’s coastline) and snorkeling trips, Lewis helps groups of people of all ages and backgrounds, to interact with marine life in its own environment.

Lewis has found that it is the direct experience of the marine environment that best teaches people about the ecosystem that surrounds us. “We take the sea for granted, despite the fact that we grow up almost completely surrounded by it,” he says, “we expect it to feed us, we use it as a resource for sport, entertainment and relaxation, we exploit its resources as food, as fuel, we even flush our toilets with it. We may fear it, because we fear or ignore those things that we can’t understand. And we don’t really know it all that well.” We both agree that the best way to learn is to do, that most really unforgettable learning experiences are those in which we are fully immersed and engaged. “Of course, part of raising awareness and learning about marine life can happen in the classroom, on TV or on social media, but nothing beats being in the sea or by the sea and really exploring the creatures and plant life and experience the sea itself,” Lewis enthuses, “so we take groups of school children to the beaches and wherever we can we show them not just the places that marine animals live in, but actually catch some animals for them to see and handle.” This comes with a caveat. “Health and safety is paramount,” he assures me, “as much for the animals as for the humans that are with us. We make sure if circumstances aren’t right for the animal concerned, we watch it but don’t catch it.” We comment on the fact that perhaps children seem to have fewer opportunities to freely explore the natural world about them, and certainly the Nautilus Project gives children the chance to do exactly that. “From minecraft, to bushcraft!” Lewis says with a smile.

(continued on page 42)

“Looking after our world, looking after our oceans, is a mindset,’ Lewis Stagnetto tells me. We are deep in discussion of the Nautilus Project, a community organization Lewis co-founded and runs along with his wife, Melanie. The Nautilus Project began in mid-2016 and, in testament to the couple’s vision, energy and sheer passion, is now well-established and steadily gaining immense support in Gibraltar.

(continued from page 41)

It is the future of the seas and the oceans that is of particular concern to Lewis and is the focus of the Nautilus Project, their primary audience being school children. “It is their coastline tomorrow,” Lewis explains, “and I believe that it is through direct interaction with the marine environment that we can help our children emotionally engage with it, to really care what impact we, as human beings, are having on it. Hopefully through the activities that we help them engage in, they will gain an alternative perspective from what is currently the norm. We hope to rekindle our community’s natural connection with sealife and foster a relationship of respect for the sea as an eco-system.”

The work of the Nautilus Project goes far beyond trips to the coast and nosing around rock pools and the shoreline. They are deeply involved in local campaigns. Lewis has taken part in public talks and presentations, but especially prominent have been the regular beach clean up events where increasing numbers of volunteers have given up time to clear the beaches of rubbish. In addition to this, the Nautilus Project has campaigned strongly to reduce the use of plastic bags in shops, and have persuaded many local stores to ban plastic bags, issuing stores participating in their #plastic2paper campaigns with “Implementor Certificates” and publicising this widely using social media. Their microbead ban petition to Government saw the recent banning of products with plastic microbeads as a move to improving our local environment, Lewis acknowledges, but we both reflect on the difficulties governments across the world face in creating a balance between economic activity that is so necessary for maintaining a decent quality of life, and the protection of the natural environment, that is just as important, or, some would argue far more so because we rely on nature for our very survival as a species.

“The response of the public to our campaigns has been great and is picking

up pace,” says Lewis. We spend some time talking about the usefulness of social media to get the message across and how there seems to be growing awareness of issues such as the pollution in the seas caused by plastics. Campaigns such as Sky News’ Ocean Rescue is widely broadcast and becoming wellknown, bringing a growing awareness of the terrible effects of marine pollution and highlighting ways in which diverse groups of people are taking action to clean up the sea and prevent the decline of marine life. Sky is employing its tremendous resources to helping bring this issue into greater focus, and regular airtime is given to reporting on different aspects of the campaign and following events around the globe relating to this issue. Earlier this year, Sky’s documentary, “A Plastic Whale”, showed how a model of whale was created using plastics taken from the sea, and this was taken on a tour of the UK in an awarenessraising series of events. Could the equivalent of “Plasticus”, Sky’s plastic whale, have a similar awareness raising effect here, I ask Lewis. He nods: “we’re open-minded and happy to take part in events that keep people focused on the importance of the natural world about them and emotionally engaged with the life within our seas.”

Whether through plastics, chemicals, waste, effluence and other pollutants, or anchor dragging, dredging, reclaiming and so on, it is human activity that has a deep impact on the sea and its eco-system. Ultimately, as human beings, we need to look at our lifestyle and the impact this has on the environment that sustains us. In Gibraltar, the sea surrounding the Rock is an ever-present feature of our lives, and it is only right that we should care for the cradle from which all life came in the first place.

For more information on The Nautilus Project, check out their Facebook page, or their website: www.thenautilusproject.co

To find out more about Sky Ocean Rescue log into their website: https://skyoceanrescue.com

Campaigns such as Sky News’ Ocean Rescue is widely broadcast and becoming wellknown, bringing a growing awareness of the terrible effects of marine pollution and highlighting ways in which diverse groups of people are taking action to clean up the sea and prevent the decline of marine life.

BEHIND THE SCENES AT

NO.6

Jo Ward was privileged to be granted an exclusive tour behind the iconic façade of No. 6

Entry is now through the white stucco portico (the old side door is gone), flanked by two impressive cannons, into the Reception foyer where visitors are met by a security guard before being allowed to continue through the security locked glass doors where they can watch world news broadcasts on the large TV as they wait. The whole area is contemporary, minimalist, sleek and glossy with white marble floors and white leather sofas reflecting the rest of the renovations throughout the historic building that houses several Government departments as well as the Office of the Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo.

Senior Press Officer, Stuart Green, greets me and leads me up a flight of stairs to the offices, eager to point out the wheelchair lift and ramps installed to improve access for people with reduced mobility.

On any day of the year you will see hordes of tourists heading towards the southern end of Main Street as they make their way to Convent Place to take photographs and selfies outside one of the most recognisable edifices in Gibraltar. Known colloquially as ‘No. 6’, to mirror its counterpart in London at No. 10 Downing Street, the building was recently refurbished and is now fit for purpose as the 21st century Headquarters of Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar.

Set out over three floors, we pass by the three Meeting Rooms set behind wooden slatted clad doors. “These can be used for interviews with external people or if we need to assemble people from different departments they come down here,” Stuart explains. We carry on to what is probably the most impressive section of No. 6; the state-of-the-art Civil Contingencies control rooms, where the task force for the command and control structure is based in the event of a major incident. Gold Command Room, the biggest room in No. 6, has replaced what was known as ‘The Bunker’ and has retained that name amongst the staff. However, whereas in the past The Bunker was little more than a cellar, this Situation Room looks more like something out of a James Bond film. The long table has enough seats for the Chief Minister (CM), the Governor and Heads of all the emergency teams, with a bank of screens mounted on one

wall allowing real time viewing of CCTV cameras and news channels. The Silver Command Room is the tactical area, full of monitors and communication systems, with desks for representatives of each organisation. “Gold Command makes the decisions, Silver Command is where those decisions are carried through,” Stuart states, continuing “and Bronze Command is based at the incident itself, responsible for implementing the tactical plan on the ground. ” For instance, if Bronze Command indicates that there are fifteen casualties but that there is only space for ten to be treated locally, they will inform Gold Command who will decide what to do and pass the decision through to Silver, where the team will find and allocate space for the other five casualties.

(continued on page 47)

The outer office is manned by staff who run the Civil Contingencies unit on a day-to-day basis. “They are busy planning a training exercise this week,” Stuart says. “We won't be on the ground, but Gold Command will meet in full and decisions will be made as if an emergency was really happening.”

Next stop on the Ground Floor is the Press Office which leads through to the purpose built Press Conference room. With either the Chief Minister or the Deputy Chief Minister undertaking a press conference at least once a month and with interviews occurring on an almost daily basis, the room has been set up to accommodate this with rows of seating and theatre style lighting. One end of the room is set up as a mini-studio for interviews - and the other for press conferences. “If a television station wants an interview, they can set up their cameras here well in advance and then the Chief Minister can come down when it is ready,” Stuart states. Everything has been thought of in the design of the room, even down to the cabinets along the wall containing ports into which the media can plug in their microphones. The media and members of the press are brought directly from Reception through a back door that leads into the Press Conference room and then out through another door that leads straight into the street. “This sounds a trivial matter, but it means that they don’t have to trail through the building.”

Following Stuart to another level, he points out the principal offices belonging to the Chief Secretary, the Financial Secretary and the Chief Technical Officer, before taking me up to the second floor. Visitors to the Chief Minister’s offices alight at the lift into a Reception area where they may be invited to take a seat, presided over by a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, whilst they wait to be ushered through. Walking down the corridors, the walls lined with artworks from local artists, we pass by the CM’s outer office and head for the Cabinet Room accessed through two grand black doors with carved handles depicting the Royal Coat of Arms. “This is where the Cabinet meets,” Stuart explains, “and also where the CM holds most of his meetings.” Although the same room that the previous Chief Minister, Peter Caruana, used as his working office, this has now been renovated and improved. There is the ubiquitous highly polished Cabinet table surrounded by chairs, with a platform at one end where visiting dignitaries (including MEP’s and MP’s) can sit. At the other end are doors leading onto a terrace. “The current CM is tech savvy and this is where he will do SKYPE

interviews with foreign television stations,” Stuart says, indicating the digital equipment on a side table.

We continue our tour, popping in and out of busy offices, and Stuart points out the ‘Clinic’s’ area. “This is where people who write in, maybe with social problems that they can’t solve, come to put their stories forward.” We bump into Denise Ghio, who is introduced to me as Agony Aunt Supremo, and the CM’s Principal Private Secretary, Peter Canessa.

The third and final floor is where ‘the ladies with the best view’ reside. This is the Registry; a large office full of filing cabinets and yet more paperwork. Further along is the office of the Protocol Officer to the CM, Joyce Diaz. But that is not her only role; Joyce is also Secretary to the Charities Commission, Secretary to the Housing Tribunal and works for the Chief Secretary. What does a Protocol Officer actually do? Joyce plans and orchestrates ceremonies and events, depending on what is required at any particular time.

“For standard ceremonies like Remembrance Sunday I organise the whole ceremony, working in conjunction with the MOD, and then when we have National Week I arrange all the functions, receptions and make sure that any visiting guests are well looked after,” Joyce comments. No small task!

Moving on to the Deputy CM's area, we pass the Lands Office and head for what Stuart labels as the administrative side of No. 6. “This is the Accounts Department where all No.6 bills are organised and paid from” Stuarts says, “and where they keep a tight control of the money.”

The last department that Stuart shows me is where research is undertaken for Parliamentary questions. “The CM has to have the correct facts to hand when he answers questions in Parliament, so this is a vital part of No. 6,” Stuart states.

Complementing those who work at No. 6 are the members of staff such as the drivers, messengers and cleaners. “They are all very much part of the team,” Stuart affirms “and those who work here enjoy a really good family atmosphere.”

No. 6 is very much a working headquarters for the Government and the much needed refurbishment will future-proof the building, serving Gibraltar for many years to come.

(continued from page 45)

TIME FOR CELEBRATION FOR GIBRALTAR’S BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY

The two-hundredth anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s birth was celebrated in Gibraltar over the penultimate weekend in October with an intimate and moving ceremony held in the inspirational surroundings of the Garrison Library.

The celebration was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia and a cross-section of invitees from most religious backgrounds. They enjoyed a quick recap of the Bahá’í faith’s founder’s biography and teachings, excerpts from devotional poems, before listening to Carmel Khalilian’s stirring a-cappella hymn, and finally singing along with the Gibraltar National Choir’s solemn rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine. Carmel had opened the ceremony earlier, introducing Fiona Young’s informative talk on Bahá’u’lláh’s life, travels, teachings and preachings.

Bahá’u’lláh spoke a revolutionary uncomfortable and overdue truth for the political and social context in which he lived: he called for ending slavery, absolute equality between men and women, as well as between races and nationalities, identifying Earth as one nation and earthlings as one people, equal in their diversity, and - nodding at the millenary Fertile Crescent traditionestablished the importance of being environmentally conscious within the newly found Industrial Revolution consumerist frenzy.

The Bahá’í community of Gibraltar is supported by the UK National Spiritual Assembly and first registered its presence within the local

multicultural society in 1992 with a British couple of Persian origins, the Firoozmands, and later Anne Diamond, whom many lovingly remember from her frequent visits to the Yoga Centre. Ramin and Rozita Khalilian have made Gibraltar their home since they moved here in the mid-Nineties to raise their young family. Settled on the Rock in 2003, Fiona is fifthgeneration Bahá’í from her Persian mother’s side, actually the descendant of Jinabi Ashraf, one of Bahá’u’lláh’s original disciples who faced martyrdom after him. Her parents met at a Bahá’í summer camp: “Bahá’í spiritual assemblies are scattered all over the world and families often travel to various resorts where spiritual, educational and recreational activities are organised, for children and adults to meet and network, promoting mutual betterment and exchanging news on each other’s hometown lifestyles,” she says. “My dad came from a Methodist background but in the late Sixties he was drawn to explore other faiths and joined the Bahá’í faith, so this is how he met my mum. My brother and I were brought up in the faith, keeping an open mind on other cultures.”

Bahá'ís on the Rock mark milestone with all-inclusive event and now are preparing for Naw Ruz

Words by Elena Sciatiel

Fiona Young

Bahá’ís don’t perform proselytism and never demand abjuration and conversion (the very concept doesn’t even exist for them) for marriage; everyone is welcome to join their devotional gatherings and everyone is welcome to contribute with the principles of their own faiths, as the Bahá’í faith is not meant to overrule them but to actually top them up, transform them proactively. “It’s a gift of hope to you, but it is up to you whether you refuse it immediately, accept it but toss it in a drawer at the back of your mind, use it for a while and movie on, or whether you treasure it for life. It’s a spiritual journey paved with opportunities. We believe in the continuous progression of the soul, not through metempsychosis, but moving from one realm to the next, of which we can only comprehend earthly life at present, while doing our best to prepare to move to the next level.”

When I was nineteen, I travelled to Swaziland to volunteer,” Fiona recalls, “and there I am, from middle-class urban England to rural landlocked south-east Africa! Surely, it was an eye-opener and what struck me the most was how the Bahá’í community worshipped, with loud drumming and fast dancing, fully embracing local culture.

Children’s education is highly regarded, and supervised fun activities are held regularly, to promote their interaction with the community at large, their knowledge of all religions that built up towards the Bahá’u’lláh’s message (Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam), and their respect for the environment. Bahá’u’lláh is introduced as the ‘divine physician’ who diagnoses the world with a condition and prescribes the remedy to it. Acts of Random Kindness are organised individually or in groups to reach out to the vulnerable, lonely and needy, and fun brainstorming sessions to discuss pros and cons of the society they live in are often presented in the form of games: for example, at the bicentenary celebration, a handful of pre-teens played a special version of Snakes & Ladders in which they had to identify the snakes, i.e. the prejudice or behaviour that can bring someone down and away from Bahá’u’lláh, as opposed to the uplifting thoughts expressed every time the dice pointed at ladders.

Young adults are encouraged to actively serve, because Bahá’u’lláh frowned upon ascetic or monastic life and maintained that devotion without action is devoided of purpose. “When I was nineteen, I travelled to Swaziland to volunteer,” Fiona recalls, “and there I am, from middleclass urban England to rural landlocked south-east Africa! Surely, it was an eye-opener and what struck me the most was how the Bahá’í community worshipped, with loud drumming and fast dancing, fully embracing local culture.” There she learnt how to acknowledge unity in

diversity and how the planet is truly one, inhabited by one people who have in space and time devised innumerable ways to extol God’s infinite wisdom. The concept is explained through the metaphor of a garden, where flowers of many colours, scents, shapes and sizes grow, nourished by the same soil and rain, and all equally pleasing. Bahá’ís perpetuate the middle-eastern tradition of awe for green landscaping, such as the famous Hanging Gardens of Haifa, in Israel, near the Acre, or Akka, gaol where the Bahá’u’lláh died on 29th May 1892, and where some of his children are buried. Fiona was eighteen when the centenary commemoration of Bahá’u’lláh’s death was held, and today she feels privileged for having organised the celebration of the bicentenary of his birth: “As his death is marked at 3am, we stayed up all night with candles and songs, which as teenagers staying up all night for the first time, was exciting! These days we can film our local celebrations and post to social media, so that we can share our festivities with our brethren all over the world in real time!”

Because the congregation has no priests to interpret the scriptures for them, everyone is required to learn to read and to form their own analytical judgment from a young age; luckily a collection of Bahá’u’lláh’s philosophic and poetic writings were translated in English from Farsi by his great-grandson, who studied at Baliol College Oxford, and are now being translated to several languages as the faith spreads to the four corners of Earth, second only to Christianity in geographical distribution. Meetings are held on the first day of a new month, and their calendar features nineteen months, the last of which is spent fasting from sunrise to sunset, preceded by five extra-calendar days devoted to charity work and righting any wrongs. Nineteen is an important number and so is nine, with the nine-pointed star being the very symbol of the Bahá’í light. Their next celebration is Naw Ruz, the new year, on the vernal equinox, celebrated by all the family and their friends.

Those interested are welcome to join the next devotional meeting or Monday evening arts & crafts classes for children: find Bahá’í Faith Gibraltar on Facebook for updated times and venues, or email bahai@gibraltar.gi.

FESTIVE FUN WITH GM INTERNATIONAL HOMES

Vanessa, Jeanine and staff from GM International Homes welcomed friends and family to their Christmas party held at My Wines Chatham Counter Guard on Monday 18th December. The event was very well attended and was a great success.

RESOLUTIONS AND HOW TO KEEP THEM

Words by Jackie Anderson

Almost as soon as Boxing Day is done, we are looking ahead to the New Year, and not just the fun of the New Year’s Eve Party with its champagne, anis-soaked grapes, chiming of the clocks, Auld

Lang Syne and fireworks.

Midwinter has been a time of introspection and reflection for millennia. Since ancient times, people have used the start of the year to resolve to make changes to themselves and to their lives. The tradition of making New Year resolutions goes back at least till Roman times. The Romans worshipped a god, Janus, after whom the first month of the year, January, is named. Janus had two faces, one looking backwards into the past and one looking forwards into the future. The Romans believed that, as the year turned around the midwinter solstice and the days gradually became longer, Janus would forgive them their transgressions if in turn they promised to live better lives in the future i.e. reflection and planning ahead – which is what New Year Resolutions are.

The reasons why people make resolutions are many. New Year represents a fresh start, so it seems a good time to change something that is negative in your life. This is why people try to change their eating habits, or stop smoking or even toxic relationships. As we look towards the spring time, New Year also seems a good time to set goals – resolutions don’t have to be about changing negative things and tend to be more successful when set as realistic, positive goals. “Eat less sugar” becomes “eat what is healthy and good for my body” – a subtle change of emphasis, but the resolution suddenly focuses on what you can do, rather on what you shouldn’t. Life is littered with abandoned resolutions, mostly because we naturally veer away from negatives. Working towards achieving positive goals, however, is much more motivating.

New Year resolutions can help us to improve ourselves and our lives, or they can be hopes for the future, and it’s always fun to compare your resolutions with those of friends. Gibraltar Insight Magazine asked some local people what their resolutions for 2018 are:

Gerry Searle – Founder/Director of Fit 4 Life says:

“I want to make 2018 my best year ever: I haven’t brought my business this far to just let it stagnate, so my focus will be on customer care as without my clients I would have no business. So I’m planning to give back to my community by supporting/sponsoring local organizations and charities. And since wealth is useless without health, after 13 years of running Fit 4 Life I’ve decided to find an acceptable level of work-life balance. I need to take time for family and friends, and rest a little more so I can be healthy and happy.“

Charlie Bear, Chairman of the Gibraltar Pool Association:

“My New Year resolutions are to focus more on myself and not always put the needs of others above my own, as I usually tend to do. I am going to lead a better and healthier lifestyle and keep my diabetes under control. I especially want to make the Gibraltar Pool Association as successful as possible: we represent Gibraltar in international tournaments, have a thriving league, we coach under 18s and also devote time to help people with a variety of special needs enjoy the sport. In 2018 I aim to get some sponsors on board to help us with the task of expanding the work of the Association and making this the most successful year to date.”

Marlene Dalli, teacher and gender equality advocate, tells us:

“I would like to spend more of my free time at weekends in natural settings walking, hiking and cycling. I also hope to become a more responsible consumer, making more environmentally friendly choices in my day-to-day living.”

Julian Byrne, Managing Director of Piranha Designs Gibraltar and Chairman of the GFSB:

“In 2018 I want to make sure I spend good quality time with my wife and daughters; we’re going to take a day off together once a month and I’m determined to encourage my daughters to do their best

in everything they do. I’m setting out to achieve the business goals I have set out for this year, and will push the GFSB as far forward as possible. I plan to surf more and as a family we’re going to use our VS van more often; I also want to remain committed to the gym, be the fittest I have ever been! I aim to help those in need as much as I can and I will also spend time each day meditating and thanking God for all the blessings in my life.”

Tanya Santini, actress and drama teacher:

“I am going to try to eat more healthily and remember to take vitamins; I am going to be better at keeping in touch with friends and spending time with them; I’m going to make time to push myself creatively and, above all, I plan to enjoy each day as a gift.”

Mark Sanchez, author:

"My New Year’s resolution is not to take political developments too seriously. I follow the whole Brexit process very closely and sometimes find the whole thing really demoralising. I’m hoping that in 2018 I will be able to read about Brexit and Trump and other things without getting too worked up about them! "

Of course, making resolutions is far easier than keeping them. Everyone is different and what motivates them and their determination is different, but here are four tips to help you keep focused on what you want to achieve in 2018:

1. Make a concrete plan with small steps that you are going to take to reach your goal. Write it all down: somehow the act of writing it down makes it real. A plan also gives you a path to follow to reach your goal. You can check this regularly and it will help keep you on track.

2. Make it meaningful, perhaps by putting something of some small value on the line. For example, if trying to lose weight, how about forfeiting a one-pound coin if you don’t lose any weight that week/month? Or the same for every time you fall into temptation and smoke a cigarette? Or for every time you defer calling your friend till the next day? Once you’ve achieved your goal you can use any money you have gathered either for a reward to treat yourself, or you could donate it to charity and make your resolution work for your community as well as for you.

3. Put your temptations all in one basket and tackle them together. This was a suggestion I mentioned to my sister who put it into action in her attempt to lose weight. It helped her drop two dress sizes and get fit to boot! She had found herself avoiding exercise because she works long hours and didn’t want the bother of going to the gym. Enter treadmill into the garage. But she then found herself avoiding the exercise by doing other things – catching up with episodes of her favourite programmes, reading a novel, listening to music. So she set up a screen in front of her treadmill and exercises while watching Peaky Blinders, or listening to Judas Priest (enough to you run for miles, perhaps).

4. Get support from others. People who group together to achieve a goal appear far more likely to succeed. Groups act as motivators and members help each other during weak moments. This is why weightloss groups are so successful and team sports keep people committed week in, week out. So wherever you can, join a club or society: dance, art or cooking classes, for example, writer’s groups or reading clubs.

Whatever you decide to do in 2018, here’s hoping it will be a fantastic year for everyone!

UNLEASH THE CRIMINAL W

ell, like every Gibraltarian granny guards her own secret ingredient for a winning calentita, the novelist must concoct spectacularly brutal felonies as hors-d’oeuvre to the mystery, whether it is a whodunit, a thriller or a police procedural drama. And while they are it, why not let the soufflé rise into the most hideous crime of all, hence the sub-genre ‘murder mystery’? Not just any murder, but a vividly gruesome one to have you thank the Muse of literature that it is just fiction, albeit loosely inspired by real cases.

Thankfully, as actor-turnednovelist Robert Daws claims, the real crime rate is always lower than in the literature; indeed it is refreshing to know, once you learn that his trilogy is set in Gibraltar, that there is a very real background to fictional characters abiding by real laws. Keeping mum on the actual police officers on whom his characters may be based, Robert was nevertheless a speaker at the Gibraltar International Literary Festival, where he paired up with another habitué, Felix Francis, to promote his new book Pulse and a dozen previous titles. Wittily bouncing off each other like Sherlock and Watson, Poirot and Captain

Hastings (or shall I say Sherlock and Poirot?) they shared with the audience their tips about the making of a best-selling crime novel.

Surely the fact that one is already a well-known actor such as the former, and the heir to the Dick Francis franchise like the latter, contributes to taking the leap of fate needed to upgrade from selfpublishing to publishers’ deal. However, there are some rules that apply to all writers, debutant or seasoned, and they regulate the relationship between the plot and the characters, and the characters and their creator. Felix claims that asking writers if they care more for their plot or for their characters is akin to asking the vicar who is more important to the ceremony, the bride or the groom. And Robert adds that characters must feel genuine and congenial to the writers as if they were witnessing and reporting their actions, so he reveals how he constructs their detailed backstories from birth to present day, their family history, childhood, education, personal interests, sense of style. He picked Gibraltar because he is a returning visitor to the home of the second oldest police force in the world, so he was familiar enough to its topography and people to set his debut novella here, aware that the crime rate is so low that his purported sudden murder rampage wouldn’t worry the local community.

(continued on page 57)

What is the recipe for the perfect - where perfect is code for sellable - crime novel, if by definition there is no such thing as the perfect crime?

Words by Elena Scialtiel

Robert Daws

Simply titled The Rock, this novella introduces the character of Met Police detective sergeant Tamara Sullivan, reluctantly posted for a twelve-week ride-along, to disdainful Royal Gibraltar Police chief inspector Gus Broderick. The positive reception of this strange bedfellows’ strife to shed light on the fifty-year long shadow that claims a life from their ranks prompted Robert to write a sequel – a second episode, as the two aren’t strictly connected so that you can read them independently – titled The Poisoned Rock, whose prologue is rooted in wartime Gibraltar. The next adventure, The Killing Rock, is due soon, and we might find out whether Tamara eventually makes the Rock her home.

Is there a love interest at stake?

Robert says he’s more focused on the investigation than any romantic subplot, because murder mystery readers are into solving a puzzle –yet, there is a hint at romance in a comprehensive crime novel, not just as an excuse to pile up the extra pages but mainly to add depth and humanity to the protagonist, whether he is the tall, dark and handsome detective women swoon over, or the confident independent beauty they’d love to identify with – indeed most crime fiction readers are women nowadays. On the other hand, Felix, who mostly writes stand-alone novels without shunning the occasional reoccurring character, and customarily writes in the first person according to his jockey father’s legacy, told us how it is paramount for a character to grow with the plot, so that at end they will have changed for the better. Obviously, in the following episode, their psychological journey will be picked up where it was left, but if you don’t read them in the correct order you may find yourself questioning their consistency and credibility.

One needn’t know about Gibraltar or horseracing to be able to enjoy Felix or Robert’s novels, yet they warn how in this technology-driven world, investigation is less and less down to intuition and more and more up to DNA testing and mobile communications, so it is becoming increasingly tricky to weave a

credible plot that couldn’t be solved by simply swabbing some spit or triangulating the suspect’s mobile phone. Think of Sherlock Holmes and his subtle reasoning and acute observation: nowadays his unrivalled inimitable acumen, unorthodox questioning methods and alleged consorting with recreational drugs would have him disciplined or made redundant. This consideration has lured several authors towards the challenging possibilities of historical crime fiction, indulging the deductive mind over and above the marvels of machinery: how can’t we mention at least the sevenfold adventures of our very own Giovanni Bresciano, Mary Chiappe and Sam Benady’s brainchild mingling with historical personages, or S.J. Parris’s fortunate series about excommunicated Nolan monk Giordano Bruno’s spying and sleuthing exploits in Sixteenth Century England and France?

A novelist must read what others wrote to measure up with and improve their craft, performing constructive self-criticism, while avoiding the temptation of borrowing their style and stylisation. Because great minds think alike, it is inevitable that similar situations may be unknowingly devised by different authors, or worse still, pop up in the faits divers bulletin, without having necessarily to cry out plagiarism.

So what makes mystery the top-selling genre in contemporary literature, in a blurred photo-finish contest with romance? Readers relish the suspense in thrillers and the challenge to solving a puzzle in whodunits, Robert says: they like to follow, actually anticipate, the protagonists’ progress, discover if their early hunch was correct, but they absolutely love to be misled by false clues leading up to the twist. The genre enjoys paperback popularity like never before, with shelves flooded by hundreds of new titles every week – yes, they write faster than you can read, but Felix confesses it takes him on average one year to complete one book, so that he asks his fans not to breeze through it in an overnight sitting!

One needn’t know about Gibraltar or horseracing to be able to enjoy Felix or Robert’s novels, yet they warn how in this technology-driven world, investigation is less and less down to intuition and more and more up to DNA testing and mobile communications.

Gibraltar Racecourse at North Front.

Aries

(Mar 21 – Apr 21)

For your indepth horoscope call: Weekly Monthly

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The good news, Aries, is that 2018 is set to be a very good year for you. Any health issues you had over the last twelve months or so will be sorted once and for all and you can look forward to a year of good luck and good health. Certain changes will take place early in the year with you realizing that it is simply time to let go of friendships which are no longer bringing mutual pleasure and growth. While a little uncomfortable, this is a natural flow of events and will create space for new and more empowering liaisons to develop. Family life will go from strength to strength, with minor irritations of the last year being ironed out and bigger concerns finding solutions. Financial decisions will need to be made in early summer and this is a good time to be thinking about a new investment. Relationships have a happy and contented energy and for those of you not yet settled into a long-term relationship, this could well be your time to meet the love of your life. Career changes are best put into place towards the end of the year and in this matter you are well advised to follow your heart rather than your head! As the year draws to a close you may have to have firm words with a close friend or family member regarding a point of principle. Don’t worry, it will work out for the best all round. Have a great year, Aries, and remember to do unto others as you would be done by! Happy New Year!

Taurus

(Apr 21 – May 21)

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Well, it looks like 2018 could be your year for doubling your income, Taurus. New and exciting opportunities will present themselves and fill you with energy and excitement. About time too, I hear you say, but you need to be out there and ready to grab your chance with both hands. Your domestic set up may go through some changes in the spring time, with certain highs and lows, but just roll with it and try not to expect too much of your loved ones at this time. If you feel a bit overloaded with responsibility over the summer months then your best approach is to learn some relaxation strategies. For some of you a strong friendship will begin to change into a love relationship providing a sense of security and support which you have been missing. October is the best time for those of you who are thinking about children - either having your own or looking forward to welcoming grandchildren. Towards the end of the year you are reminded to appraise your health and fitness. No problems, just don’t take good health for granted! Eat well and exercise regularly and if you do have any nagging issues then go get them seen to. Have a great year, Taurus and remember to listen to the wisdom of your dreams. Happy New Year!

Gemini

(May 22 – June 22)

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This will be your year to mend some broken fences, so to speak Gemini, and to make amends for some of the misunderstandings of the last year. You are the great communicator and you have the ability to help others find the clarity they need, thus benefitting all concerned. Take care with financial investments early in the year but do take time to make overdue changes in your living environment. This could be a move of house or it could be upgrading where you already are and creating more inspiring surroundings. If you choose to buy a property then early in the year is best…for those of you starting a family then later in the year would be better. Summer time will be the best time to take a good long look at your love life! Are you stuck? Are you bored? Are you happy? Something needs changing and it’s up to you to initiate those changes. On a health note things are very good but you still need to be aware of your stress levels as you do tend to take on too much and this can cause your stress levels to rise. Maybe taking up yoga or meditation would be work for you now. You’ll be on the move in December and this may well be to do with work – if so then it will be lucrative and fun! Enjoy your year Gemini, and remember that every problem in life has a solution just around the corner! Happy New Year!

Cancer

June 23 – July 22)

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You are likely to start the year feeling frustrated, Cancer. Frustrated about various things and really it seems that you simply need to expand your horizons a bit. You need to meet new people, hang out in new places and take on some new challenges or hobbies. In this way, those of you who are single and fed up with it may well meet the partner of your dreams. But you have to be out there and proactive. By the time spring is giving way to summer you’ll be feeling like a whole new person. Your particular life journey this year will lead you to interesting places where you will meet likeminded people who share your tendency to get involved in projects with a passion. You’ll find that this will lead on to all sorts of possibilities on both a personal and on a professional level. Those of you already in a relationship may need to cut your partner a bit of slack during August and September and you’ll need to commit to de- stressing your life. This will include taking up a new exercise (possibly just walking) and also practicing mindfulness. Check your diet as well and make sure you are not overdoing carbohydrates. Towards the end of the year you may find work colleagues a source of irritation so don’t allow yourself to engage in silly nonsense. Those in charge are aware of your skills and appreciate what you have to offer so rise above it all and it will pass. Enjoy your year, Cancer, and remember that all things come to those who wait! Happy New Year!

8913 8934 Leo

July 23 – Aug 23)

You can expect things to go well this year, Leo; even when they look a bit overwhelming just take a deep breath and give thanks to the Universe for taking care of it all. Make this a habit and your life will be so much easier. In this way you’ll find that money flows more smoothly, your career will improve and life will be altogether more satisfying. Have the confidence at the start of the year to take a good look at your relationships – both personal and professional. You’ll see that there are several areas where you are being undervalued and it may be best to cut your losses and move on. There are better options just a little down the line. April is a good time to consider moving house or perhaps buying a second property. Enjoy a new relationship in early summer but be aware that it may be based on physical attraction rather than emotional compatibility. If you have a health niggle in August then have it seen to but also explore the use of natural remedies for relief. Friends and family will be around over the Xmas period creating a very enjoyable time and reminding you just how important they are. Remember to always look for the best in everyone and have a very Happy New Year!

Virgo

(Aug 24 – Sep 23)

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Well, Virgo, it seems that 2018 will find you actually putting into place several life changes which you have been procrastinating on for some time. Spend some quality time early in the year just sorting through old stuff on a physical and emotional level…and leave it behind. Create space for new and good things and have the confidence to move out of certain comfort zones. We don’t grow in comfort zones! By Easter time you will be in a whole new place and feeling much better for it. Summer brings with it the promise of travel so maybe a holiday to some far-flung spot will be your choice. Certainly there is a long distance trip coming up which will bring fun and adventure into your life. Health is good this year although you may still feel the urge to have an overall checkup later in the year. A new job opportunity will present itself before Xmas and this could prove to be another exciting challenge. So, brush up on skills you haven’t used for a while and be prepared! Have a great year, Virgo and remember that hugs are super important! Happy New Year!

Libra

Sep 24 – Oct 23)

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An unexpected meeting gets 2018 off to a good start for you, Libra, and inspires you to make clear decisions about the goals you have in mind for the year. This may take those close to you by surprise and even cause them to feel a little insecure but they’ll see the benefits fairly quickly and by Easter time you’ll have their full support. The summer will bring a mixed bag of emotions as you will realize that you feel ready to make certain changes which will involve the bitter sweetness of something coming to a natural conclusion and also the excitement of the new space opening up to you. Physical activity will be good for you at this time and lots of time outdoors. As the months progress into autumn you’ll be feeling more of a home bird and appreciate the cosiness and security of home life and its comforts. Make sure you include loved ones in your routines and thus consolidate feelings of companionship and mutual support. December brings a sense of purpose and productivity and you will look back on the year with an inner glow and sense of success. Enjoy your year, Libra and remember to practice random acts of kindness now and again. Happy New Year!

Scorpio

Oct 24 – Nov 22)

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This year you will be making sure that you have the right strategies in place for keeping a sense of balance in your life, Scorpio. The balance between your personal and professional lives has been out of alignment recently and this has been having a negative effect on you in more ways than one. Stop expecting so much of yourself and hand back responsibility to others – you know who they are! You like to feel in control but it can backfire and you need to hand certain things back. A family member needs to be listened to around Easter time and though you may not like what they have to say, it does make sense. Summer time finds you focusing on your health and wellbeing and even undertaking a new eating regime which you will benefit from enormously. Career comes to the fore in September with this being the time to put your best foot forward and make your mark. If a house move presents itself later in the year then give it careful thought, as it could be just what you need even though it may involve rather a change of direction. This is also a good time to be thinking about updating your investment portfolio, or creating one. Enjoy your year Scorpio, and remember to cultivate an attitude of gratitude in all things. Happy New Year!

Sagittarius

Nov 23 – Dec 21)

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Well, you can expect some pretty impressive successes in 2018, Sagittarius and they will indeed be well deserved. This is a tremendous lift for you and gives your confidence a much-needed boost. Any legal issues you’ve been dealing with also look set to be resolved with a favourable outcome for you. Be prepared to work hard this year without necessarily reaping the benefits right away. You may well start the year wanting to forego certain responsibilities and viewing them as someone else’s but this will cause disharmony and tension so be careful. During the summer months you will find that you are a bit at odds with which particular hobbies and social activities you want to share with your family and compromise will be required. Those of you seeking or becoming involved in new relationships may find yourself a bit confused by certain events, so best to wait it out a bit as things will become clearer by autumn. If you are already attached, then take time to let your loved one know how important they are to you. As the year comes to a close, spend time with older family members and let them know they are appreciated. Enjoy your year Sagittarius, and always remember that smiling is so very important! Happy New Year!

Capricorn

2018 finds you appraising your general approach to life, Capricorn. The frustrations of last year spur you on to see a more three dimensional picture of events and therefore a more informed and less traditional way of tackling such things. This way you will approach certain stresses and strains early in the year much more efficiently and everyone will benefit. March/April finds you travelling and any hesitations you may have can simply be put to one side. All will be well and your fears will disappear as you let go and enjoy each day at a time. In relationships you tend to be practical rather than romantic but over the summer period you will find yourself softening and enjoying feelings of love and tenderness…and expressing them as well. As the year progresses you seem to trust your inner self more and more and this will have a positive effect on your overall well-being. Your physical health is good and you will feel strong and in control, which is how you like things to be. As autumn becomes winter take the time to pamper yourself and give your body the love and care which it deserves. Any career hitches will iron themselves out towards the end of the year and for many of you there will be a rise in income. Enjoy your year, Capricorn, and remember to send invisible love and light ahead of you wherever you go. Happy New Year!

Aquarius

Jan 21 – Feb 19)

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This year, 2018, will find you finally undertaking a long awaited project, Aquarius. It seems that your plans have been on hold for some time while you support others but this is your year and your time. There may well be a lot stuff flying around you but your sense of inner peace and confidence will remain in place. Those of you with children will be justly very proud of them this year and those of you just starting out on the family journey will be blessed early in the year. Family connections are strong throughout the year with celebrations and get-togethers bringing much joy and reviving happy memories. For those of you looking for long term love, late summer will present the opportunity but you must be open to something new or it will slip through your fingers. Be warned! Your health is good and no major issues there but you still need to take a rain check and keep yourself in good shape. Be a little gentler with yourself and others will do the same. Your career is looking good in November/December with a very welcome opportunity coming your way. Enjoy your year Aquarius, and remember that every journey begins with a single step. So, put your best foot forward and have a Happy New Year!

Pisces

Feb 20 – Mar 20)

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So, you may well find that you have a few challenges to face in the early part of 2018, Pisces, and there will be moments when you feel a tad overwhelmed for sure. However, be reassured that this is a temporary state of affairs and things will be in a very much better place as spring comes along. It is often very difficult to let go of things and move on with life but it is also a wonderful feeling when you realize that you have successfully created the space you need to truly grow into yourself, unhampered by other peoples’ expectations. As the year progresses you will be pursuing personal projects which have been on the shelf for far too long! Your social life will be full on throughout the summer so take care of your energy levels. Those of you thinking of starting a family: now is the time to set things in motion. Family life is calm and nurturing and gives you a sense of stability and security. Take time during the months of autumn to attend to your health and fitness…you may want to shed a few pounds or increase your energy levels – or both. Now is the time. Finances are healthy and career aspects are looking good. If possible, take some time out before the Xmas period begins and charge your batteries so you can make the most of quality time with family and friends. Remember, what goes around comes around so keep your heart in a state of gratitude for all things. Happy New Year!

Juan Inma Arantxa

Raquel

Cristina Victor

Celia

Elite Travel’s office at 14 Parliament Lane, which has recently been completely refurbished, and with the full Team having fun… I hope you enjoy these photos:

Dear clients,

I hope you enjoy and like our new refurbishment – this is all for your comfort and wellbeing when you visit us to plan your next holiday… But these photos show that although we work a lot and very long hours, we still at times have energy releasing fun!!!!!!!!

WELCOME CLIENTS TO ELITE 2

This is a second back office we have in other premises, but the sole use of this office is to be more effective in researching holiday information, documentation, marketing and administration. The extra space allows us to enhance all our duties to a higher level of professionalism

HAVE YOU GOT A FAVOURITE IN THE ELITE TEAM?

And low and behold, do not despair; no one in our team will pull their hair out, if you don’t vote for them! This is just an idea I had out of curiosity… I would vote for all of them! BUT YES!!!!!!!!!

Your vote for one of our team members will go into our suggestion box and in mid December 2018 (we’ll keep you posted when we fix the exact date), an innocent hand of someone passing though our office on that day, shall pick out a lucky winner, who’ll get a weekend away in a 4 Star hotel of their choice on a half board basis!

Juan Inma Arantxa Raquel

Cristina Victor Celia

www.elitetravelltd.com

is linked to our Facebook page and it’s 3-2-1 and BLAST OFF!!!

Please check all our latest updates through our Facebook page: Elitetravel Gibraltar……

Juan Andres and Victor are just churning out bargains, left, right and centre!

There are so many ways in which having your website married to your Facebook page is so, so, so great…

Firstly, every month Elite Travel brings out raffles for all our clientele, with great travel prizes to be won… just click and share and you’ll enter the draw! Andres, one of our Team members, will be on top of all this.

Elite Travel launches the most top of the range website which will satisfy many, many clients, for sure…

MEET VICTOR CARDONA CEO AT ELITE TRAVEL LTD

Victor, websites have been around for quite some time, why have you been carrying out this enhancement so late?

“I know its ben a long time in coming – I launched Elite Travel back in 2002, but then again, there’s the saying ‘It’s never too late!’ PLUS, we never had time; we were always too busy.”

So everything can be reserved through your new website?

“Well, the website has an email that clients can use to contact us with their request, and in 24 hours they will have their holiday all in place, with the most competitive price. But you can book through the website as well.”

What about documentation, hard copies that clients need, like vouchers, etc?

“All this will be done via email, or alternatively, clients can pop into our office at 14 Parliament Lane and pick up their documents from there. This is highly advisable.”

We love your letter, titled ‘Once Upon A Time’, which appears on your website… Do you have any more stories like that one?

“Oh, yes, Elite Travel has always been very down to earth, and believe me, that is the way we are still growing, so you now know the answer about our website… Of course there will be much more as we go along, and we’re going to publish it in our Facebook page.”

“Elite Travel’s products always, always, always….. Beats any internet price…. Don’t even bother wasting your precious time, clients, please don’t.”

‘BREATHE EASY’BREATHE LOCAL

The ‘Breathe Easy Society’ is a registered charity founded five years ago with the purpose of raising awareness about most lung conditions coming under the umbrella of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It aims to improve the quality of life of those diagnosed with respiratory diseases that can affect anyone at any time in their lives and, because of their chronic nature, can only worsen if not supported by appropriate treatment and rehabilitation.

At a recent World COPD Day, founder, John Milanta, successfully called for the GHA to offer pulmonary rehabilitation in Gibraltar to spare patients frequent travels to the UK for their fortnight admission in specialised facilities, a journey that weighs on the general health and finances of patients and their families. In fact, not everyone can afford it, even if subsidised by the Sponsored Patients service, because of the time investment demanded (patients may experience difficulties in obtaining lengthy sick leave, or leaving their children behind for such long spells) or they simply may be too unfit to fly. Consequently many patients suffer a decreased quality of life through no fault of their own.

“I’m just back from Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, arguably the best facility in the UK for respiratory ailments, where, every two years, I am administered my rehabilitation treatment, after which I feel a new man,” John tells me in a steady voice and with optimistic disposition. “But before flying there, I feel at my lowest: tired, breathless and just looking forward to my time there, although the journey is long and strenuous with so many hours sitting in planes and in cars. Conversely, if a rehabilitation centre is opened at the local hospital, I could attend regularly and maintain my fitness throughout the year, instead of suffering highs and lows before and after my overseas trips. I am lucky that my wife is my full-time carer, because I wouldn’t be able to live on my own as there are days in which I get short of breath only by putting my shirt on.”

Those who live alone aren’t that lucky as they face molehill-into-mountain issues that can make their day miserable, like being unable to pop out to the shops for groceries or struggling with stepping in and out of the shower. All patients must steer clear from sources of seasonal contagion like colds and flu; for example crowded or closed spaces and air-conditioned halls are a big no-no, because they can cause serious and even potentially lifethreatening complications. “The saddest time is when my grandchildren are not allowed to visit me because they’re suffering from just a hint of a runny nose, for fear of infecting me!”

John goes on to state that approximately 10% of the prescription costs that the GHA has to front is claimed by respiratory medicine, and he believes that respiratory rehabilitation offered locally would cut those costs as well as help patients understand better their condition, and take constructive action towards working with advice dispensed by dedicated doctors and nurses. He also disputes the efficacy of oxygen, which recent studies dismiss as expensive, inconvenient and addictive: “Because portable bottles are uncomfortable and costly, patients tend to stay at home, close to their big bottle, and that sparks other health problems connected to sedentary life.”

John Milanta maintains that Gibraltar already counts with the excellent Dr. Haider in the medical ranks as the specialist consultant for lung conditions. He has done a sterling job in damage control and enabling patients to deal with their strengths and weaknesses to slowly but surely recover their independence with simple tasks like carrying shopping bags or picking up dropped objects. It should be pointed out that anyone feeling breathless and concerned about their lungs’ reduced capacity should discuss with their doctor whether a referral to the specialist is in order.

‘Breathe Easy’ asserts that St. Bernard’s Hospital’s cardiac rehabilitation centre is the appropriate starting point for COPD patients, as existing machines can be adapted to them, and re-training for nurses could be set up as ad-hoc sessions. Furthermore, the charity would like to see the provision of specialist lectures on the lifestyle adaptations required for patients and their families, as well as tips and life hacks to ease the day.

They also call for prevention campaigns, because some of these diseases are avoidable: most are due to tobacco and cannabis smoking, John Milanta claims, while a sizeable percentage is genetic, all worsened by air pollution. A radical change in the quality of the air we breathe could alleviate the stress on our lungs, and stop the healthy lungs of today from waking up breathless tomorrow. “It’s a feeling you cannot imagine if you haven’t experienced it, or watched someone suffering it: your lungs just don’t fill, don’t expand, as if a stone sat on your chest, and you cannot move or speak to call for help.”

If you would like to contact John, email milantaj1951@gmail.com or ring him on 56002211. A Facebook page is being set up with advice, news and links. More information is available from the British Lung Foundation website: www.blf.org.uk.

John Milanta and the Breathe Easy Society – campaigning to help locals breathe better through local treatment right here in Gibraltar

Words by Elena Sciatiel

‘Breathe Easy Society’ founder, John Milanta

UNDER PRESSURE

Words by Elena Scialtiel

This article is for awareness purposes only. Have your blood pressure checked regularly at your surgery or pharmacy and always seek medical advice if in doubt.

When figures were published about half of the Gibraltar population suffering from hypertension, many fretted: surely that’s a whopping percentage, way higher than the western average, so everyone was quick to speculate on probable cause.

It’s hereditary, some suggested; it’s our diet, others retorted… wait: isn’t the Mediterranean diet one of the healthiest in the world? Indeed, but what about all that pescaito frito, English fry-ups and churros?

I was intrigued by the suggestion an actual health professional advanced that it is mostly the fault of the chemicals spewed from the refinery, coupled with traffic pollution – in other words, clogged thoroughfares cause clogged arteries! I tend to agree that gasoline is toxic and I deem it plausible that it may put the extra pressure on our hearts when too saturated in the air we breathe – and fuel should come with the warning ‘exhaust fumes may exhaust your heart’.

My bubble of doom was luckily busted when stats were rectified to about 5,000 diagnosed hypertension patients in Gibraltar, comparing relatively low against the European average and mostly reflecting the number of over 60’s referred to the Hypertension Clinic. A worrying estimate claims that one third of western countries’ adults may suffer from hypertension (and by adults they mean over 20!) but a staggeringly lower percentage is actually aware of it. Indeed – because the scariest trait of hypertension, besides tending to become chronic if not tackled at its onset, is that it is virtually undetectable unless one regularly checks it from a young age, as its symptoms are subtle at times and not exclusive, so that it can be easily underestimated and go undetected unless the good old sphygmomanometer and stethoscope are brought into play.

The most common symptom is the occipital headache, a.k.a. ‘tension’ headache, which nevertheless can be the telltale of other ailments. If you are someone who spends a lot of time curved over books or tablets, like students or clerks, it is easily mistaken for posture headache, as painful but medically less serious. If you experience headaches regularly, book an appointment with your GP to investigate what they are sparked by. Exhaustion is another warning sign, when your heart is pumping too hard and struggling to keep up with what it perceives as lifestyle’s hectic rhythms.

Nausea isn’t usually associated with hypertension but it can be a ‘side effect’ of it, although hunger, indigestion, food poisoning are the first causes to spring to mind. Anxiety and sudden or sporadic claustrophobia are symptoms too, as well as change in skin tone, quite easy to oversee in its association with hypertension. Ears which won’t pop or prolonged buzz in your ears should definitely ring an alarm bell and prompt you to seek

medical advice immediately: eventually it may turn out to be a false alarm, or lead to a diagnosis of something else completely, like tinnitus or vertigo.

If you experience nose bleeds especially after a flight or a drop in altitude when travelling down or across the mountains, you may need to monitor your blood pressure. Bloody spots or capillaries in the sclera are usually linked to diabetes, but they can indicate raised pressure inside the eyeball, with the potential outcome of glaucoma, a serious condition that may lead to blindness if untreated. Fortunately, nowadays ophthalmologists do routinely monitor blood pressure levels in your eyeballs if you present risk factors (for instance if it runs in the family or you are a cataract patient), or over ‘a certain age’ - remembering however that you may have low blood pressure in your arteries and high pressure in your eyeballs and vice versa, so a checkup in both departments is highly advisable.

It is current perception that obese people are prone to hypertension, so in some ways they have it easier, because they would tend to monitor it more closely but a direct link between body mass and hypertension is not proven and plenty of ‘fit’ people still suffer from hypertension at some point in their lives. The good news is that moderate exercise (like at least half an hour of steady-pace walking daily) and a sensible diet, low in saturated fat and especially in salt, the worst enemy of the ‘hyper’ patient, work their wonders so they are always recommended and encouraged. These also work at preventing and minimising other health problems caused by a sedentary lifestyle. Lowering your body fat and your cholesterol levels significantly contributes to lowering your blood pressure. It’s hard work, but you can do it naturally under your GP’s guidelines, before finding yourself popping losartan, amplodipine and statins for the rest of your life.

States of mind also affect blood pressure fluctuations, and the best advice is ‘keep calm and lay low’, yet a healthy system should feature the diastolic reading virtually constant through thick and thin, not higher than 8085mmHg, while the systolic should hover at 120-130, but is allowed, for limited time, to spike to 140-150 under physical or emotional stress, positive or negative, like sitting exams or job interviews, jogging, screaming your lungs off at a rock concert, or getting a phone call from your secret crush. The single greatest no-no of hypertension is obsessing and over-worrying about it: relax and train your mind to listen to your body, for them to heal each other. Oh, yes: cut down on smoking and alcohol –your heart and kidneys will thank you.

BEATING THE WINTER BLUES

Short days; dark, cloudy days; chilly, harsh air and the feeling that the winter is never going to end are all enough to make us feel a little blue. Add to that the need to fight off colds and other viruses that are prevalent during the first few months of the year and our bodies are wont to need a little boost now and again. While we are lucky in Gibraltar to be able to enjoy lots of sunlight all year round, we do sometimes find ourselves cast under the shadow of a thick winter Levanter for days on end. Add to that the need to spend most daylight hours in air-conditioned, artificially-lit offices, and the winter can have a negative impact on our bodies.

During winter months many people complain of aches and pains, especially in their joints and bones, and a low mood. We get 90% of our Vitamin D from sunlight, and it can be a little tricky to obtain sufficient vitamin D during winter months: even when we are out in daylight, we are likely to be pretty well covered up and not exposing our skin to sunshine. In particular, people over 65 or who are retired are more likely to spend less time outdoors and tend to be less efficient at absorbing Vitamin D from sunlight, and they can be at greater risk of low Vitamin D levels. Besides its beneficial effects on the bones and joints, Vitamin D is essential to the supply of serotonin. Serotonin is also known as the “happy hormone” which is why during darker days, we often feel in low spirits, or find that our sleep is disrupted and we feel tired and irritable. Here are some ways in which you can defend your body from the effects of low sunlight.

1. Make sure you have a good, steady routine for getting up in the morning. Give yourself time to stretch and yawn and start the day gently rather than jolting awake and leaping out of bed in a last minute rush. With a good stretch and deep breathing, you are encouraging oxygen to flow into your blood stream, muscles and brain, essential for becoming alert and feeling a surge of energy.

2. The amount of time you need to spend outdoors to boost your levels of Vitamin D depends on numerous factors, including your skin type and age (the older you are, the less efficiently your body metabolises the sunshine). The best time of day to make the most of the strength of the sunlight is between 11am and 3pm, so whenever you can, take a brisk 15 minute walk in your lunch break, or make a point of popping to the shops or taking a walk round the block at this time. If you can’t make it out on a particular day till the sun is low in the sky, try to sit by a window during those important mid-day hours.

3. Consider taking a Vitamin D supplement, either on its own, or as part of other supplements like cod liver oil tablets.

4. Try to eat a diet rich in foods that help your body make Vitamin D, such as oily fish (sardines, salmon and mackerel, for example) and eggs. Many products such as breakfast cereals and some dairy products are fortified with vitamins, including Vitamin D. Avoid sugar in your diet as this can have a bad effect on mood, with peaks and crashes of mood as sugar surges then dips in your system. Instead,

try to eat more fruit and vegetables, brown rice and pulses which contain slow release carbohydrates to keep your sugar and energy levels steady.

5. It is very tempting to hide away and hibernate during winter months, but it is important to exercise through the winter. Exercise boosts your metabolism and serotonin production and can provide an instant mood lift. It also keeps you supple and strengthens joints and muscles. Winter aches and pains can often be eased with a gentle swim – outdoors if you feel brave enough!

6. If you’re still feeling a bit low this winter, try some colour therapy. Trick your body into feeling better by brightening up your surroundings with summer colours, especially splashes of yellow –cushions, throws and flowers being easy, instant ways to bring colour into your day.

7. Smile! Even if you don’t feel like it, smiling compresses the blood vessels in your face and relaxes your brow. This sends oxygen into the brain to trigger a genuine “happy” response, and it makes people around you smile back!

If you have tried all this but still feel that your low mood is becoming difficult to deal with, have a chat with your GP as there may an underlying problem that needs professional help or treatment. Depression can be serious and if your low mood is persistent, then please be sure to seek your doctor’s help.

Mr Laurence Stewart - Urologist (Edinburgh University Hospitals NHS Trust)

Dr Robin Reyes – Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon

Dr. Eva Carneiro - Sports Medicine Physician

Dr Barry Monk - Dermatologist (BMI Manor Hospital Bedford)

Mr. Ammar Alhasso, BsC FRCS (Urology, male and female)

18th & 19th January 23rd January 26th January 29th January 15th & 16th February

REGULAR SURGICAL AND MEDICAL SPECIALISTS

Mr David Deardon – General and Venous Surgeon

Dr Robin Reyes – Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon

Mr Thomas Boerger – Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon

Dr Ramin Pakzad – Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Dr Waqar Haider – General and Respiratory Physician

Dr Francisca Dominguez –Paedicatrican

Dr Antonio Segovia - Psychiatrist

Monday and Wednesday afternoons

Alternate Tuesday mornings

Thursday and Friday evenings

Mondays and Thursdays

Tuesday evenings

Mon/ Tues/ Thurs/ Fri mornings, Wednesday afternoons

Evenings

GENERAL PRACTICE - FAMILY MEDICINE

Dr Patrick Nerney – including Occupational Health

Dr Monique Risso – including Naprotechnology

EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCES AND THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR EVERYDAY INTERACTIONS.

The ways in which we experience what goes on around us can lead us to do or say things that are helpful to ourselves and others.

They can empower us to make changes, to fight to improve our situation, and can lead us to act in ways that improve our interactions and relationships with those around us. All this helps to make life run more smoothly, improve our circumstances and helps us to reach our potential.

Emergency and routine appointments available every day

TRAVEL CLINIC - VACCINATION INCLUDING YELLOW FEVER

Sr Susan Rhoda – Full travel needs assesments

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

Dr Chris Rodriguez – Consultant Radiologist Ultrasound scanning, Xray and scan reporting Wednesday evenings.

ALLIED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Kayron Pozo

Miss Joyce Evans

Frances May and Geraldine Canepa

Pricilla Chelleram Jeffries

Sr Susan Rhoda

Karen Surridge

Sr Ros Bown

Alan Stone

Laura Sanchez Soiza

Krisanne Pozo & Delyse Crome

Susan's Aesthetic Service-Skin Care

Juan Garcia

Podiatry and Prolotherapy

Physiotherapy and Sports Injury

Counselling and Psychotherapy

Osteopathy & Manipulation

Sclerotherapy and Nursing Services

Clinical Psychologist

Botulinum Toxin and Dermal Fillers

Hearing and Audiology

Nutritional Nurse

Cambridge Weight Plan

Injectables, Skin and Body treatments.

Cardiac Physiologist

Clinic times may be subject to change. Some appointments will be rescheduled by agreement.

However, the way we experience things, can also lead us to act in unhelpful ways. Ways, which we don't even notice. Sometimes these unhelpful things we do or say can have knock-on effects and they have the potential to make our lives more difficult.

Our ways of reacting to people and events are developed throughout our lives and become second nature. We repeat these patterns, unknowingly, in all areas of our lives and in different interactions with different people.

It can be useful for us to identify our unhelpful patterns. We can then learn to stop ourselves from repeating them. We can learn skills for behaving in ways that are more helpful to ourselves and others, in turn developing new patterns to improve our interactions and ultimately our relationships (from romantic relationships to our relationships with our children, parents, siblings colleagues and bosses).

Working to change our interaction patterns can also lead to noticeable differences in the way we experience emotional moments, manage our stress; and can even change the directions in which our lives are headed.

If you are having difficulties resulting from unhelpful interaction patterns or you think it may be helpful for you to have some personal development sessions, then contact the Specialist Medical Clinic.

Unit F7, 1st Floor, ICC Building, Casemates Square, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 200 49999. Fax: +350 200 68999. www.specialistmedicalclinic.com

Direct billing arrangements with major insurers.

Find us on Specialist Medical Clinic

on the Rock Just Married

Crissie & Rich married on 22nd November 2017.

Photo by Radka Horvath.

Derek & Sarah, married on 14th November 2017.

Photo by Radka Horvath.

on the Rock Just Married

Cherry Piscaere & Michael Kittlety , married on 24th August 2017.

Photo by Nicky Sanchez.

Emily Harrett & Kevin Reid, married on 30th August 2017.

Photo by Nicky Sanchez.

1. A civilized, educated, sensitive, or wellmannered man. (9)

5. Have not; has not. (4)

7. Famous London based Football Club. (7)

9. Nu_ _, being or amounting to nothing. (2)

11. The defense by an accused person of having been elsewhere at the time an alleged offense was committed. . (5)

12. To throw or fling with great force or vigor. (4)

13._ _ _ _ate, to shake or move briskly. (4)

14. Snakelike marine or freshwater fish. (3)

15. A breed of small horse. (4)

16. An earring consisting of a small, buttonlike ornament mounted on a metal post. (4)

1. The result or achievement toward which effort is directed.(4)

2. A combining form meaning “nine, ninth,” in Latin. (4)

3. The light of the moon. (9)

4. Paid no attention or too little attention to. (9)

6. A serving cart, as one used to serve desserts. (7)

8. An Italian island in the Mediterranean, between Corsica and Italy. (4)

10. A retail store, especially a small one. (4)

11. P_ _ _ _t, a father or a mother. (4)