The Gibraltar Magazine December 2009 by Rock Publishing Ltd

interviews • arts • dining • finance • leisure • property • history • business • health

ibraltar magazine the

December 2009

Vol.15 No. 02 FREE

Santa’s Dilemma

Smile for the Camera Underwater Wonderland The Gibraltar Adventure Red Hot La Rouge

Tickling Your Fancy Doggie Dilemmas...

and much more

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • JUNE 2007

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what’s inside? features 20 22 38 60 78

Have Yourself a Memorable Christmas What’s in a Word? Underwater Tactics: Cecil Ladislaus Massetti’s Story Our Underwater Wonderland €

business & ﬁnance 8 9 12 14 16 18

8-19

Business & Finance Guide Santa’s Dilemma - Financial gifts for all? Smile for the Camera - Technology & Tax Residence Working in Formation Career Focus Strait to Gibraltar to Stay Career Move Joanne’s Going for Ghana €

leisure & lifestyle 28 Where the Shoe Fits 32 ‘Pointes’ Dances into History 34 Red Hot Waves with La Rouge € 36 The Pearl Revolution 42 Boudoir Photography: with Film Noir 44 Events: Something to Tickle Your Fancy 46 Art: What a Colourful World € 48 Sarah Linares: Telling Tales 49-52Childline Magazine 53 Sound Advice from GHITA 63 Shopping & Beauty Guide 74 What’s On December 76 Leisure & Tuition Guide 77 Pet Problems: Doggie Dilemmas 80 Methodism in the Madness 82 Can I get Fries with the Band? €

history & heritage 30 40 54 73

Verne’s Gibraltar Adventure The Mystery of the Black Satchel & other things A Small Boy’s Paradise Celebrity Weddings: The Cardigans

ah at home

IN GIBRALTAR

56 57 58

interviews • arts • dining • finance • leisure • property • history • business • health

Christmas’ll be All White € Sweet Dreams Come in Tubes Cheers to Chandeliers Property Directory

gibraltar the

December 2009

Vol.15 No. 02 FREE

magazine

Santa’s Dilemma

Smile for the Camera Underwater Wonderland The Gibraltar Adventure Red Hot La Rouge

Tickling Your Fancy Doggie Dilemmas...

and much more

Cover: Ocean Village Promenade by David M. Parody

Vol. 15 No. 02 December 2009

56-59

food & drink

84-90

health & medical

66-70

96 Wine Column Go out & Buy 84-90 Restaurant & Bar Guide 26 66 68 69 70

Living with Dyslexia Care from the Specialists Emily’s Reward First Aid Changes Health & Fitness Guide

regulars 72 92

Puzzle Page Around Town

information

65-65 106

City Centre Map Gibraltar Information

The Gibraltar Magazine is published monthly by

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

finance

Santa’s Dilemma

by Ian Le Breton

It’s not easy being Santa Claus. “Face it Santa,” he grumbled to himself as he looked in the mirror. “You’ve passed your first flush; you’re not getting any younger.” Anyway he was looking forward to a few days R and R in Gorham’s Cave in Gibraltar where he could relax, whilst considering his options. And so it came to pass that this most famous of characters became the latest to sample the delights of a Gibraltar summer. Not of course that he could enjoy the atmosphere at the marinas nor sit on one of the beaches. He might be recognised. But the cave suited him just fine. So what was the old chap to do? Retire? Unthinkable. Go part time? Hardly likely. Simply resign? What with no redundancy package and not even a hint of foresting leave? He didn’t think so. No, there was nothing for it but to carry on as he had for centuries before, back to the days of his wise forebear St. Nicholas. But in these days of Wiis and iPods and heaven knows what else, how was he to stay hip and à la mode? How did he know what everyone wanted for Christmas? Then he hit upon a cracking idea. Why not set up a steering committee? “You know the sort of thing,” he mused. We need a high profile chairperson and a few good sorts from the real world. Now he’d read all the Gibraltar Magazine articles throughout the year by that odd chap from Sovereign with specs. What was he always going on about, again? G20, TIEAs, tax thingys. All those people he talked about seemed like

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

good eggs. Why couldn’t he canvas their opinions? Yes, that would do nicely. They’ll know what everyone wants for Christmas. And so it came to pass. A steering committee was set up. Of course the first meeting was a complete waste of time as no-one could agree on a chairperson. The second meeting wasn’t much better as the key result areas and terms of reference were argued over. But by the time the third meeting happened, still some way from the festive period, all was set for some constructive discussion. So, said Santa Claus, “what should I be

Santa asked the committee to identify a typical Gibraltar family. It didn’t take them long and that’s how he met the Rock family

bringing the good burghers of Gibraltar for their Christmas this year?” It had to be politely mentioned to Santa that not everyone in Gibraltar celebrates Christmas as a religious festival as there are many faiths represented on the Rock, each with their own celebration. But the steering committee agreed (after a PowerPoint presentation) that really the season of giving and goodwill was for everyone so Santa could proceed. Good job really because he had already booked out 24th December in his Microsoft Outlook and he didn’t know how to change it — so he had to go on. Mind you, why was the time in Lapland not automatically changed to Gibraltar time? Hmm, he was going to have to call that nice Mr Gates about that one he thought. But all in good time. There were presents to be arranged for the 2009 festive period first and that had to take priority. “Now,” said the steering committee, “why don’t we consider the average Gibraltar family and sort out presents for them and just repeat the order for all 30,000 people.” Santa thought this was a jolly good idea and he asked the committee to identify a typical Gibraltar family. It didn’t take them long and that’s how he met the Rock family. Mr Rock is in his 60s, a retired government

business & finance employee. His wife of 40 years, Mrs Rock, is a housewife (Santa didn’t stand for any of this PC nonsense). He knew what a housewife was, so he was happy to see her described as one. Then there were the two sons, one aged 31, married with a baby that was just a year old. And last, but not least, the second son, just 18 — the twinkle in his rather dazed Dad’s eye when he turned up rather unexpectedly in the October of 1991. So what did they all want for Christmas? Santa went round to see them. Mr Rock was adamant. He wanted a nice big inflation-matching rise in his pension. When Santa said that inflation was very low at the moment Mr Rock wasn’t at all happy. He mumbled something about it all being the Americans’ fault and went into the other room. Mrs Rock was next. She loves going into Spain with Mr Rock and wanted a lot of euros for her pounds so she could afford more in Mercadona this Christmas. But Santa said that due to the exchange rate differential and the relative state of the UK economy this was not going to be possible this year. “And,” Santa reminded her, “the plural of euro is also euro. Not euros.” Mrs Rock didn’t care much what the plural was. She just knew that nearly one pound to one euro didn’t amount to much of an exchange rate, whatever several of them were called. What about interest rates? Mr & Mrs Rock wanted higher rates so their savings would earn more. “Sorry,” said Santa, “Low rates are here for some time to come.” No 1 son works at a bank and asked Santa for a bonus. But, said Santa, banks aren’t meant to be doing bonuses this year. His wife runs a shop in Main Street selling knick knacks. She wants

lots of tourists to come and spend. But, said Santa, there aren’t meant to be so many tourists this year, mind you when they do come, they get more pounds for their euro so she should be happy. At that point Mrs Rock who wants more euro for her pounds started to scream — “it’s all the fault of Main Street!” What about interest rates? No 1 son and his wife wanted lower rates so their mortgage would cost less each month. “Sorry,” said Santa, “you’ll have to get ready for higher rates soon as the economy improves.” Santa thought he’d try his luck with No 2 son. He asked the lad, “Do you want more euro or less euro. High interest rates or lower?” “Dunno,” came the less than articulate reply. “I just go out with my friends in Casemates.

Mrs Rock didn’t care much what the plural was. She just knew that nearly one pound to one euro didn’t amount to much of an exchange rate whatever several of them were called

When we go to Spain we get euro but it’s getting more expensive so we don’t do it so often.” “Crikey,” thought Santa Claus. It’s not easy buying financial presents for a typical Gibraltar family. They all want something different. How could he please everyone? In the same family, some wanted high interest rates, some low, lots of euro per pound, not so many. No, it really wasn’t going to be easy this year. After much thought, he wound up the committee, bought pairs of socks for each member of the Rock family and, having arranged a courier delivery for 24th December, he went back to Gorham’s Cave. And I believe he may still be there. No, it’s not easy being Santa this year. But I hope readers of the Gibraltar Magazine have a fun filled and peaceful holiday season and that you can forget about the world economy at least for a short while. A very merry Christmas from me and indeed all my colleagues at Sovereign Trust here in Gibraltar. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

tax wise

Smile for the camera!

Technology & Tax Residence The last time I drove to Spain I noticed, what appear to be cameras at the border. It is understandable in this day and age of terrorism, drug trafficking and cigarette smuggling that cameras at borders would become an inevitable fixture. I would not be surprised if in the next six months passport scanning machines also appeared at our borders. What does this have to do with tax? Many people commute from Spain to Gibraltar on a daily basis to work here. Their source of income is Gibraltar, which means their income is taxable in Gibraltar and the majority of these workers pay their taxes in Gibraltar. However these workers are not necessarily Gibraltar tax resident; they are more than likely Spanish tax resident or, if they have accommodation available in Gibraltar as well, both Gibraltar tax resident and Spanish tax resident. On the other side of the coin there are High Net Worth Individuals who have to have accommodation in Gibraltar and therefore are

Gibraltar tax resident but may have fallen into the trap of being Spanish tax resident also. How can the same person be both Spanish and Gibraltar tax resident? This happens because of the different jurisdictions’ rules on how they regard an individual as being tax resident. If the individual is a UK ex-pat who likes to visit the UK on a regular basis, it is even possible that they may be tax resident in the UK as well. What are the rules? Gibraltar – to be regarded as tax resident in Gi-

braltar you must have available accommodation (please note this could be rented or purchased) and you have only to set foot in Gibraltar once during the tax year. Spain – there are two tests which establish whether you are tax resident in Spain. You will be regarded as tax resident in Spain if; You spend more than 183 days in a tax year in Spain Or Your centre of vital interests is in Spain. The centre of vital interests is where your family home is, where your children go to school or where your main business interests are. UK – if you spend more than 183 days in a tax year in the UK you will be regarded as UK tax resident regardless. However if you are someone who has not already resided in the UK for an extensive period the decision is usually taken on the 90 day rule. i.e. whether in a period over three years you averaged more than 90 days per year in the UK, you would be regarded as UK resident. For someone who has been resident in the UK for any length of time not only do they have to beat the 90 day rule, they must also show that they have left the UK for a fixed and settled purpose. HMRC on occasion refer to this as making a definitive break although there is no legal support at all for that concept. I will explain HMRC’s view on residency and their investigation techniques in my next article. As you can see the residency requirements for each country are quite distinct from each other and it is relatively easy to fall into a situation where you end up being tax resident in all three jurisdictions. Example 1: Joe Bloggs moved to Spain in 2006, his wife and children moved with him. His children attend a private school in Spain. Joe works in Gibraltar as a financial consultant for an insurance company. Joe is an Arsenal season ticket holder and returns to the UK for all the home and away matches and other family reasons. He spends approximately 110 days in the UK each tax year and has done so since 2006. Joe pays tax on his salary from the insurance company in Gibraltar. However Joe is actually Spanish tax resident as he lives there for more than 183 days a year and, as his family live in Spain. His centre of vital interests is Spain. Joe is also UK tax resident as he spends more than 90 days on average per year in the UK. This means that Joe is tax resident in both Spain and the UK (perish the thought that if he buys or rents a flat in Gibraltar for emergency overnight stays he would have scored a hat trick and be tax resident in all three jurisdictions). There is a tax treaty between the UK and Spain which would look at his centre of vital interests to decide which jurisdiction had priority in taxing Joe. Because his centre of vital interests is Spain the likelihood is Spain would be the treaty residence jurisdiction. However this will not help Joe a lot as the treaty only relates to income arising in Spain or the UK. Gibraltar has no tax treaties and therefore no double taxation relief agreements. He will have to rely on the unilateral tax relief usually given by Spain and the UK which deducts the amount of tax paid in Gibraltar from the tax due in those jurisdictions.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

tax wise

by Angela Smart, Smart Tax Consultancy If the tax paid in Gibraltar is less than the tax due in either Spain or the UK he would have to pay the difference. At this stage Joe realises that life is not that simple and he does need a tax advisor. To make matters worse, Joe has forgotten to tell the Spanish tax authorities he exists and has never claimed unilateral tax relief or paid the excess Spanish tax due on his income. He has always relied on the fact the Spanish would never know he was resident in Spain and if they asked about his house in Spain he would say it was a holiday home. Unfortunately for Joe the camera never lies and the odds are the Spanish will have evidence to prove he has being going home to Spain every night, together with a lot more information he would never have guessed they would have been able to obtain. Example 2 – HNWI: Barbara and her husband left the UK in 2004, they bought a two bedroom flat in Gibraltar and obtained HNWI status. Six months after they moved, Barbara bought a six bedroom villa in Spain and since that date the couple have spent the majority of their time in Spain visiting Gibraltar relatively infrequently. Barbara and her husband have never declared their presence in Spain to the Spanish tax authorities. Barbara and her husband still visit the UK on a regular basis, however they never go above the 90 day limit. It came as a shock to Barbara when she received a demand for information regarding her lifestyle and financial matters from HMRC

— she believed she had left the UK six years ago and could not work out why the UK was asking questions after all this time. Throughout the correspondence with the HMRC Barbara maintained that Gibraltar was her main residence and she only made casual visits to the properties in Spain and England. After a couple of years of correspondence (see next month’s article) HMRC stopped asking questions but then the Spanish tax authorities started to ask questions. If HMRC mount an investigation and realise the person being investigated is tax resident elsewhere they will not simply just shut their books and forget about it; first of all they will send all the information they have to the other jurisdiction, in this case Spain, and the process will start all over again. Barbara may find it more difficult to convince the Spanish tax authorities that she is not resi-

Unfortunately for Joe the camera never lies and the odds are the Spanish will have evidence to prove he has being going home to Spain every night

dent in their jurisdiction than she did the UK tax authorities. The UK and Spain have been exchanging tax information for some time now and it is an efficient and well oiled process. It is now just a press of a button. They don’t even have the cost of a phone call. The permutations are endless and the benefit of the border crossing information applies both sides of the border. Those who are taking advantage of Gibraltar’s generous educational provision while living in Spain are just as likely to fall foul of the authorities as those who are playing games with one or the other tax authority. Technology whether in the form of cameras at border crossing or the use of computers for efficient exchange of information between jurisdictions means the world is becoming a much smaller place, with nowhere to hide. Where there is any doubt as to where you are tax resident, rather than bury your head in the sand it is far better to take advice to ensure you can prove you are resident where you want to be. n If you are worried about residence please contact Smart Tax Consultancy – Angela Smart Mobile 58008575 or email angelasmart7@aol.com

AI International Couriers Ltd 11 Engineers Lane PO Box 532 Gibraltar Tel: (+350) 200 73775 Airport office: (+350) 200 41076 Fax: (+350) 200 74389 email: gibsn@dhl.com GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

company profile

Members of the Form-A-Co team with Jonathan Stagnetto (back)

Working in Formation by Brian McCann

“When Form-A-Co was founded 20 years ago there was no Financial Services Commission in Gibraltar,” said Jonathan Stagnetto. “The regulatory framework for the good conduct of financial services business in Gibraltar today, is light-years ahead of how things were in 1989.” 14

Jonathan, managing director of Form-A-Co (Gibraltar) Limited agrees that the degree of regulation of the finance industry is something of a burden — three of his staff of 12 are engaged purely on compliance, for instance — but he wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s 100% better!” he says; “it’s important to be able to sleep at night, and if you’ve done your homework properly on your client base it gives you peace of mind.” Jonathan was referring to the requirement to make thorough checks on anyone wishing to open a Gibraltar company to ensure as far as possible that they and their business are legitimate. “High standards of regulation are essential for the good reputation of Gibraltar PLC, which is ultimately good for all of us. Ironically though,” he added, “the present regulatory system, would not have allowed me to start business on my own as a Company Manager as I did back in October 1989. For a start, there is no way a single operator would be able to obtain a licence; the regulations require a minimum of two experienced and qualified people operating under a ‘four eyes’ principle!” So, how did Form-A-Co come into being? “My studies at King’s College, London University were nearing their end, and I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life. My parents owned and ran La Bayuca Restaurant in Turnbull’s Lane, and an old friend of theirs, an Englishman from Hong Kong, came to visit them. Hong Kong was about to be ceded back to China and this man felt Gibraltar would be ideally placed to capitalise on a presumed exodus of Hong Kong business to lower tax jurisdictions all over the world. To cut a long story short, he offered to train me in the basics of the business and to take me on as its manager, with my parents as co-directors. It was my late father who suggested the name Form-A-Co. “So we set-up the new business in an adjacent premises to the restaurant, and awaited the ‘rush’ of business from Hong Kong. This, of course, never materialised, so it became a real struggle. I became managing director and had to source all of our business. I was keen to protect my parents’ good faith and investment in me, and after about four years everything that the business amounted to

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

company proďŹ le was down to me and me alone. But our Hong Kong partner saw his idea as an investment â&#x20AC;&#x201D; heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d planted an acorn and wanted to reap the rewards later, however if the business was to progress, I felt that it was important to buy him out as soon as possible.â&#x20AC;? Jonathan explained that by 1993 the Financial Services Commission had started regulating financial services business in Gibraltar, and although small businesses like Form-A-Co did not yet need a licence, he saw this as the way forward. By 1995/96 Form-A-Co was licensed by the FSC and Jonathan and his parents had bought-out the Hong Kong interest. Form-A-Co remained in Turnbullâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lane for 10 years until December 1999, and then moved to their present, larger ofďŹ ces at Victoria House on Main Street. Jonathan feels conďŹ dent that his company has the right systems in place to attract quality business to Gibraltar. He agrees it is not that straight forward to form a company in Gibraltar: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We ask our clients to comply with some pretty stringent conditions, but the legitimate applicant will always accomplish that with

relative ease.â&#x20AC;? He added that it is always comforting when a new client is referred to him by an existing client or by an established professional introducer. Form-A-Co expanded its range in 2003/4 when they pursued a Trust Licence, which led Jonathan to team up with Andrew Tucker, an accountant with 25 years experience of Trust work, and Les Roberts who has been involved in Trust and Company Management in Gibraltar for 20 years. Andrewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father, Roy Tucker, also joined the Board. Jonathan says he ďŹ nds it hard to credit any government initiative in the last 20 years with the success of the finance centre in general and Form-A-Co in particular. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has all been down

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

to the efforts and vision of local finance industry professionals. Almost in spite of local politics, they have managed to carve out an important niche for Gibraltar. Appropriate legislation in all sectors, from insurance to the gaming industry, has invariably been driven by private sector initiatives, with government reacting rather than leading from the front.â&#x20AC;? On the Tax Information Exchange Agreements which are being signed with other countries, and allowed Gibraltar to become white-listed by the OECD, Jonathan says it remains to be seen what effects they will have on his business. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We struggle to offer peace of mind to clients who have

We ask our clients to comply with some pretty stringent conditions, but the legitimate applicant will always accomplish that with relative ease

â&#x20AC;?

been panicked by the news that Gibraltar has gone from having signed zero to 13 TIEAs in just over eight months, and are keen to understand the implications for them. The agreements may have been signed by government but would still have to be ratiďŹ ed by parliament, so may not even be in effect yet.â&#x20AC;? On the 10% tax rate, he is far more optimistic. Will it give the business a boost? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh, absolutely, yes!â&#x20AC;? he replied. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about time it happened and I see only positive things for Gibraltar and for us. It should start in January 2011; so any company formed today â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and which does not have to present accounts for its ďŹ rst 18 months of trading â&#x20AC;&#x201D; should get the full beneďŹ t of the new rate immediately.â&#x20AC;? Full details of Form-A-Co (Gibraltar) Limitedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s services and prices, covering companies, trusts, yacht registration and Gibraltar residency are on its website www.formaco.gi. â&#x2013; Situated at Suites 41/42, Victoria House, 26 Main Street, the telephone number is + 350 200 79959; email formaco@gibraltar.gi.

! "# $ % & % ' # ( # ) * ++ , -.. , / % ' $ # * $ 0 # (1 0 # # 1 / 1 * 2% ' + , / 1 # 1 + * $ 1 * 3/ % . # * # , . . # * * 2% ' 2 / * (1 ( 0 4 , 5 % 6 $ * %, 1 7 / ## 8 7

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;˘ DECEMBER 2009

events

Alan Baker:

Strait to Gibraltar to Stay

It seems water or rather the sea around us is more than just a place to cool off in the summer. It’s a place where we can glean food, pleasure or even the odd wash. More recently it has been a stick with which the more politic minded of our neighbours raps us across the knuckles. The greatest of all uses for the sea around us however is work. With probably the busiest stretch of water in the world and something like 1 in every 5 ships passing through the Strait of Gibraltar it is hardly surprising to discover many a mariner has pegged his sea boot socks across a line and decided this is where his captain’s hat is laying. Alan Baker is one such man. Born not a few years ago in Liverpool, Alan has spent virtually all his working life at sea or around ships. Even from a young age he had an interest borne from a long family tradition of life at sea going back some 200 years. “The funny thing is my parents themselves didn’t work on ships but uncles and grandparents and many ancestors certainly did,” says Alan. During his teenage years he joined the Sea Cadets in Liverpool, and learned how to handle small boats. Interestingly, there were many ships’ pilots in Liverpool at the time with it being such a busy port. “When some of the regular helmsmen for the pilot cutters had a weekend off we were allowed to steer the pilot cutters. The cutters transported the pilots to the pilot boarding area for ships heading into port. From the age of 14 onwards it became a regular occurrence, and one I don’t think you could do today for many reasons, but it was a great way of learning a trade first hand.” As his education progressed he decided he wanted to be a pilot too. The ‘catch 22’ to get a pilot’s job was that you needed experience, to get experience you needed the job. So to set himself on his dream to be a pilot he applied for

a different kind of role as Navigating Apprentice with BP tankers and set sail as it were. “I joined tankers,” Alan remembers, “because they travelled more of the world. Some ships’ trade just took them to Asia or South America, with BP tankers you went everywhere and I really had in mind to see all parts of the world.” It wasn’t all plain sailing, as after a time at sea Alan went back to his native Liverpool and didn’t fancy leaving again too soon. “This was the ’60s,” he says. “Liverpool was the place to be with bands and music all over the place. Nearly everyone I knew was either in a band or worked somewhere that had music or worked within the music industry. I’d just completed a winter in the Baltic and it was particularly strenuous as the company didn’t provide winter clothing. I even got a touch of frostbite so you can imagine how I felt getting back home after that.” His father worked in a department store so he

“

Some ships’ trade just took them to Asia or South America, with BP tankers you went everywhere and I really had in mind to see all parts of the world

”

decided to try his hand at working ashore and got a job in the store. He enjoyed the job and, although it didn’t do his sea legs any good, it certainly helped his love life as one night at a friend’s 21st birthday party he met his wife-tobe, Pam. Although hard to leave, it was obvious his life lay at sea, shipping was booming and the work and the wages were not to be sniffed at. Not only that there was such a shortage of qualified officers, companies were doing anything they could to take on staff. Alan got work as an unqualified officer then went back to college to complete his licensing. By now it wasn’t just tankers he wanted to work on, he wanted more variety and luckily a company called Canadian Pacific provided exactly that. Great news for Alan but no sooner had he signed on the dotted line for the company, they bought two tankers and needed an experienced tanker crew. Alan continues; “It was almost fate but in fairness to the company they realised it was better to move crews around, so after a trip or two on tankers I did all sorts of trips all over the world and enjoyed it so much I stayed with them for five years. In fact the only reason I moved was following a conversation I had one night passing the Cape. It is often the practice that you contact other ships nearby particularly at night and chat whilst you are within range of each other via VHF radio. That night there was an English officer on a Danish Maersk tanker and he

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

career focus

by Frankie Hatton explained the job, the perks, pay etc. It sounded rather good so I joined them for two years before heading back home and joining Bibby Line, a UK company. Tankers reared their heads again with Bibby but by about 1975/6 I was on LPG tankers as the Chief Officer.” So how did you Alan end up in Gibraltar? “Well as you know ships pass through the Strait and often anchor here, it was the same for me. In fact sometimes transiting with the gas between USA, Gibraltar, Spain and the Gulf, I could be at anchor here for a couple of months at a time waiting for orders. We often transhipped cargo here and having spent a lot of time in Gibraltar I got to know people; more importantly the pilots, who were mainly local men. I applied for a job as a pilot and was told that no vacancy existed at that time but maybe in a couple of years when a retirement came up I could get lucky. “Well a couple of years later I had just joined a ship and was sailing off South America when I received a letter from a pilot. His father was about to retire and asked if I was available to take the job when he did. Having just signed I completed the contract with the ship and no sooner had it finished than I uprooted Pam (who I’d married in 1969) from UK and we headed to Gibraltar. “It was a big move at the time and I first lived on my own in the Government hostel down Devil’s Tower Road before finally sorting a home out. Good decision though.” Alan cut his pilot teeth here in Gibraltar, particularly moving ships in and out of the, by now, privatised dockyard and then as the Gibraltar port grew, manoeuvring Naval ships

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

in and out as well. For the last 30 years he has been here in Gibraltar doing the job he always wanted. He and Pam have two daughters, Lee and Louise, who were born and raised here. Lee is studying at Coventry University at the moment. Louise is a team leader/assistant manager at the Museum of London. He officially retired two years ago at the age of 61 but it isn’t easy to retire sometimes. Alan enjoys his wine and is a member of the Anglo Hispano wine club which meet regularly for tastings. Through this he met Craig Thomas from New York who was to tempt him out of retirement. Craig via various companies ended up as the General Manager for Bunkers (Gibraltar) Ltd. Craig has since formed his own company to deal with the problems a lot of ships have in trying to keep up-to-date with regulations brought about through international law when transiting through Gibraltar or bunkering. In order to do this he needs consultants to help from time to time especially when Craig himself is away. It was this consultancy style job that interested Alan and he’s loving it.

“

Sometimes transiting with the gas between USA, Gibraltar, Spain and the Gulf, I could be at anchor here for a couple of months at a time

”

“Agile Marine was established in July 2009 by Craig,” says Alan, “and they provide that needed link between vessel owner/operators and government authorities, insurers as well as financial and legal entities.” So it seems Alan is back out of retirement if only on a part-time basis. It doesn’t end there though. Alan also has time for a hobby or two. In fact he is a volunteer on a UK steam railway. The West Somerset Railway line runs from near Taunton to Minehead and Alan discovered it about 20 years ago while on a holiday in the area. “I saw a station with the name Blue Anchor and with the sea nearby it looked very interesting so I enquired and got involved. Nowadays I go back and work as a Travelling Ticket Inspector, after working as a Booking Clerk on the stations and all sorts of other odd jobs we volunteers do. One thing it does do is stop me thinking about shipping for a while,” he said with a smile. It seems Alan will never be able to fully retire and maybe that is the secret— find something you like and keep the old grey matter ticking over for as long as you can enjoy life. “Yeah that’s true and being here is one of the best parts. I would never move away from Gibraltar. Pam and I love it here. It’s nice to go back to UK to see family or friends but it is here we belong.” n If you want more information about Agile Marine check out their website www.agilemarine.com and if, like Alan, you fancy becoming a steam railway enthusiast, as Alan says, just type West Somerset Railway into Google and you’ll find it. One way to let off steam!

career move

Joanne’s Going for Ghana Joanne Barabich has become the first Gibraltarian to sign up to work for Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and she will be leaving the Rock in February for a year or two working on VSO’s education projects in Ghana. Voluntary Service Overseas made its first appearance in Gibraltar this year at the Ocean Village open day thanks to Kusuma Trust. The Kusuma Trust (Gibraltar) is a charitable trust which was founded by Dr. Soma Pujari and her husband Anurag Dikshit in the beginning of 2007. Currently dividing their time between India and Gibraltar, the couple have been generous benefactors to a wide scope of charities for a number of years and in August this year arranged for VSO to hold a recruitment stall for

“

From the day I received confirmation of having passed the assessment, it has taken over my life and I have continued to feel very enthusiastic and motivated

”

a few hours at Ocean Village. “This was not the first time that I had contemplated doing voluntary work but as some of you will know, there are various companies which charge high fees for an opportunity to work in a developing country,” explains Joanne Barabich who will be leaving Gibraltar in February 2010 to work for VSO. “VSO was in fact the first company I had heard of that could take care of your expenses for getting abroad as well as giving you a basic salary while on placement,” she adds. As a supply teacher, Joanne had just completed a year’s contract at St Ann’s Middle School so the timing seemed perfect. As soon as she heard about VSO she got straight onto the internet and had a browse through the Trust’s website (www. kusumatrust.org). She was then able to email VSO directly, register with the company online and check their website www.vso.org.uk. “I found that VSO is divided into two main age groups for working in development,” she explains. “These are classified as six month placements for the non-professionals aged 1825 and one to two year placements for skilled professionals over the age of 25. Needless to say, as a 33 year old teacher I was immediately placed in the latter category.” At the open day at Ocean Village Joanne filled in the application form. “Both the registering and application process can be completed online but it was great to be able to ask questions and see some of the friendly faces behind the company,” she says. “I remember feeling excited all day at the prospect of being given the fantastic opportunity to share my skills in a developing country. The girls took my form in personally and for a couple of weeks I forgot about it. It was on Gibraltar’s National Day having just got back from a family lunch that I received a phone call saying VSO had accepted my application and that I was invited to an assessment day in London at the end of September, I was over the moon!” There has been a great deal of preparation for Joanne in getting ready to work in a developing country. “I can firmly say that from the day I received confirmation of having passed the assessment, it has taken over my life and I have continued to feel very enthusiastic and motivated by it.” She is in the process of raising £900 as a predeparture requirement and would like to take this opportunity to thank all the local companies who have sponsored her so far — Shell, Carboni & Jardim, Omrod Electricity, and St Ann’s Middle School. Training for VSO has involved two four-day courses at their residential training centre in Birmingham. “These are run very intensely, enjoyably and professionally,” she says. “I have had the chance to learn a great deal about development and how we can each make a difference no matter how little. I intend to spread the word in Gibraltar so that others can follow and have the opportunity to both take part in this life-enriching experience and become more aware of the hardships which exist in these countries.” Joanne’s departure is set for 14th February 2010. She will be starting a blog on VSO’s website to keep sponsors, friends and others informed. Questions and offers of donations can be directed to: jbarabich@hotmail.com. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • JUNE 2007

Have Yourself a Memorable Christmas Christmas is almost here. The lights are sparkling on Main Street and the shops are playing Christmas tunes, the parties have begun and everyone seems to have had their spirits lifted a notch or two. We thought we’d ask ﬁve of Gibraltar’s prominent people for their thoughts on the festive season, and their memories of Christmases past. Here what they had to share.... We started by asking the panel about their most memorable Christmas. For some it is special childhood memories that evoke that special Christmas feeling. The question takes Fabian Picardo back to when he was just four years of age: “Scalextric was the thing in those

days and there it was,” he says. Edwin Reyes cherishes the many childhood memories of Christmases shared with the extended family at his maternal grandparents’ home. “I clearly remember being very young and looking forward, together with my cousins, for Father Christmas to personally visit

us,” he says. “The age of innocence leaves great memories.” For others it is the arrival of their own children which ﬁlls Christmas with a whole fresh excitement. Olga Zammit’s most memorable Christmases were “the ﬁrst ones when my children were old enough to look forward eagerly to Christ-

mas,” and George Gaggero agrees saying for him it was 1997, “after my 1st daughter was born. What a joy. It brought back the essence of Christmas.” As Gibraltar is such a great place for family, and family get-togethers, it is not surprising that Dominique Searle best remembers Christmas

The Christmas Panel ...

Dominique Searle - Editor of The Gibraltar Chronicle

Her Worship the Mayor of Gibraltar, Olga Zammit

Shadow Finance Minister, Partner at Hassan International law firm, Fabian Picardo

Local businessman - George Gaggero, Managing Director MH Bland

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

festive season lunch every year “with the family all together at home — the kids, my parents and sister — a memorable landmark. “Now my own children are past the innocence stage,” he adds, “it’s not so much about reliving those electric train-set days as just being together and having a slow day.” Dominique then recalls a funny childhood Christmas event to make him smile: “On a silly note, I remember, when I must have been eight or so, us rushing up to Sacred Heart Church midnight mass, arriving late, breathless, and, though the church was packed, we miraculously found an empty pew. ‘Pew,’ the guy in front had stepped in a dog turd! We wept with ‘joy’.” At this time of year most people’s thoughts turn, inevitably, to shopping — looking for that perfect gift for a family member or friend. So we thought we’d find out the panel’s view of their most memorable gifts. “Again as a child I went to stay in the UK with my Aunt Lydia who has just published her book The Snake and the Tiger (available at all quality bookshops),” — good plug Dominique! “It was just before Christmas and I’d never seen snow and kept asking when it would fall. The church was very stuffy — Catholics in UK are a serious lot — and as I walked out for some fresh air, snow was dropping. I made a joke that the priest saying ‘Dominus Vobiscum’ meant ‘Dominique wants snow’. The joke turned out to be that everyone thought I actually believed that!” Thanks Dominique, but that’s not helping with our Christmas lists! Now with our plentiful sacks of gifts it’s easy to forget that not so long ago presents weren’t as grand

questions by Frankie Hatton

Minister of Culture, Edwin J. Reyes

but were just as eagerly anticipated. “Even books were difficult to get hold of then,” remembers Dominique, “but material goods are easy to come by in today’s Gibraltar with Amazon et al.” Edwin recalls his most memorable present as a bicycle. “I learned to ride using this bike which lasted me for years,” he says. For George it was “a rocking horse from my godmother.” Olga has a more recent memory of her special gift —“A beautiful gold necklace my husband gave me.” Husbands take note... But for Fabian, nothing can beat that Scalextric! Dominique adds that these days, “My best present is closing the year with health and hope for family and friends.” Which takes us nicely onto our next question... What comes to mind when you think of Christmas? Family, was the emphatic reply! “Christmas brings to mind that time of the year when we share quality time and the best of home cooking with family members — the more that come together at any given location the better,” says Edwin. “Mum, dad, family, home,” agrees Fabian. “Always family together,” says George, adding that he reads The Night Before Christmas every Christmas Eve to his kids. “Love it!” he enthuses. But a word of warning from Dominique: “I think people tend to overdo it just a bit. I love those days between Christmas and New Year when the binge is over and the streets are calm.” Then he adds that he has a “deep respect for people who take a more religious approach to the occasion even though I am not myself religious.” For Olga it is the true spirit of Christmas which comes to mind: “A wonderful message from over 2000 years ago, of peace, harmony and goodwill towards others,” she says. And finally, we wanted to know if Father Christmas really does exist? While Olga feels it’s “The spirit of generosity which always exists... and it can continue throughout the year,” Fabian adds that “Life is best when we think he does.” But Edwin and George are emphatic: “Santa Claus must exist! He is the one that gives true meaning to family and close friends,” says Edwin, and George adds “Of course he does. He lives in the North Pole!” Dominique seems to have a clearer view of Father Christmas — “Of course! I see him in the mirror every year.” n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

Contact us: ICom House 1/5 Irish Town Gibraltar Tel: 200 73158 or 200 76216 Fax: 200 48697 email: steven@icom.gi stef@icom.gi

What’s in a Word? Are we kidding ourselves by getting above ourselves?

I love the English language even though French sounds so much better (in fact, beautiful) and Italian is seductive and Spanish pleasant to hear, unlike Welsh, German and Portuguese (as examples). I love it because with more words than any other language on the planet and twice as many as French and German, only English has as many individual words that convey exactly what the user intends, without the additional use of adjectives or long-winded explanations. Many words may apparently mean the same, but the use of a particular word instead of an alternative, has subtle emphasis or distinguishes a category or type of something from another, otherwise similar by definition. For instance, at its extreme, English has numerous words for colours containing the primary colours red, whereas Welsh uses the same word for all including red, pink and orange. English even has words that originally had identical meanings, but now imply a difference, where other languages have to use adjectives to obtain the subtle difference. It springs from the long period after the Norman conquest when French was spoken by the ruling class and Anglo-Saxon (German) was spoken by the conquered. So one called their dwellings his “maisons”, and the other their “houses”. Upon amalgamation of the two languages into English, mansion became a large house (the type the ruling class had) and house a standard dwelling. In France, all houses are maisons and secondary schools are colleges. However, the last few egalitarian-driven decades has seen the use of words change in a dumbing-down fashion in order to placate the ambitions of a competitive population that demands to feel individual progress of one person over another. Of course, if all do the same, the word in question completely loses the original meaning it had for centuries, and yet another word has to be adopted afterwards by those who wish to distinguish themselves from the

masses. So, for instance, whereas a “secretary” was an individual working to a named person and was competent to both type and understand the nature of the work of the boss and act for him/her, “typists” usually were employed just to type. Because there were fewer opportunities for women, many well-educated girls became secretaries. Now those same girls are likely to be university-educated and many enter traditional professions (but, like us all, may well still type, albeit perhaps reports and e-mails on a computer) and typing letters is more likely to be done by those who would, in previous generations, had manual jobs which are now either defunct, done in other countries (like manufacturing in China) or done here by foreigners. But we now call the

The former secretary is now, at least, a personal assistant or an executive secretary, if not something grander. I wonder if it actually makes the postholder feel more valued and happier

typist a secretary even if the typing is done in a typing pool, without any responsibilities beyond that. And the former secretary is now, at least, a personal assistant or an executive secretary, if not something grander. I wonder if it actually makes the post-holder feel more valued and happier. Remember how the hospital secretary was not a typist, but an administrator. That job became re-styled “administrator” and later, “chief executive” (a much-used expression applied elsewhere to various categories of management). Therein lays another much-abused word. Banks started this. To placate those who were going to miss the former powerful official with powers to grant credit, all manner of lower positions were re-labelled “managers”, so that “director” became adopted by those who might have been managers before, even though not actually in charge of anything. Barclays now have relationship directors to convince clients that their affairs are managed by a top-rank official. This may have started in America where corporations, and even small companies, have countless vice-presidents, but we have followed the practice with a passion. Ironically, when the UK Government tried to downgrade the status of the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland to Chief Executive in 1974, the incumbent refused the title and called himself “Chief Minister”. Subsequently, The UK Government chose to give both Scotland and Northern Ireland “First Ministers” and Wales a

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

opinion

by Paul de Beresford “First Secretary”, and called Scotland’s government an “Executive” and Ulster’s parliament an “Assembly” (when it had legislative powers unlike the Assemblies of Wales and London). So the trend of self-upgrade led later to the adoption of “Chief Minister” by the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands heads of government, a change of the designation of Assembly members in Northern Ireland to MLAs, the Scottish Executive to Scottish Government and Welsh Executive to Welsh Assembly Government (not Welsh Government, which it is not). Ironically, although the Chief Minister here, under the new constitution, could have led to the use of “Prime Minister” (since Southern Rhodesia set the precedent as a self-governing colony with that), we have been content with the past perceived status of the existing title. It is amusing for me to hear UK parliamentarians sometimes mistakenly refer to our “First Minister” — which linguists will argue with me means the same as “Prime Minister”— but the truth is more subtle, since the UK Government has allowed the Welsh to call the head of a nongovernment “First Minister” (although drawn from a non-legislative assembly). So calling ours a “First Minister” may be a put-down. By contrast, Scottish Executive Ministers have recently become Scottish Government Secretaries. Obviously bucking the trend of “secretary” having low-level connotations, does not apply to the UK Government, or a Scottish Government attempting to demonstrate equality with England. Confusingly, when the UK Government started re-naming its Ministries as “Departments” and its Ministers as “Secretaries

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

of States”, it never re-named the MoD, and then re-introduced “Ministry” with the introduction of the Ministry of Justice (although both have Secretaries, rather than Ministers). So all this chopping and changing has seen wages clerks become personnel managers, then human resources managers, and even human resources directors. How on earth sociologists and statisticians who desire to measure the progress of social classes, particularly in connection with educational advance and access, as well as income comparisons do it now, I just do not know how, since they use the occupation of the subject or parents as the identifying factor, and questionnaires must be completed with managers galore as the answer. It is just as well that qualified lawyers employed as chief executives of local authorities are no longer called “town clerks” (even of cities), otherwise they might be recorded by sociologists as semi-skilled (which many would say the current legal profession

It is just as well that qualified lawyers employed as chief executives of local authorities are no longer called “town clerks”, otherwise they might be recorded by sociologists as semi-skilled

is, of course!). In my view, a good plumber, electrician, housekeeper, wife or mother is a real skill we grossly under-value. So as former Partner of a Top-20 firm, but now a self-employed consultant (another over-used and now meaningless word), perhaps I can be allowed to style myself a “relationship director” since I consider my relationship with my clients as my main function and I am in charge of myself. Ha ha! n

PAUL de BERESFORD is a UK-qualified local tax practitioner specialising in residence, domicile and re-location with its UK and Gibraltar tax implications from his office in Main Street (by appointment) and can be contacted by email to flagship@gibtelecom.net or by telephoning (+350) 54004414 or 200 400 93 or (from UK) 020 8144 1249.

events

Modern Jive on the Rock Learn to dance Modern Jive — a fusion of Salsa and Jiving — every Thursday evening at Boyd’s in the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre. No need to book, just turn up at 8.30pm with or without a partner. The evening lasts for three hours and the cost is £8.00 per person. (Age range 18 - 100!). Every night is a teaching night and beginners are very welcome.

Award Leaders In the middle of November a group of 21 new and existing Duke

of Edinburgh Award leaders undertook training which was led by two members of the Europe, Mediterranean and Arab States (EMAS) Regional Training Team — Deirdre Flanagan, from Portugal, and Justin Felice, from Gibraltar — supported by local Award Director, Michael Pizzarello. The training, took place at the Rock Hotel, and covered all aspects of the Award programme including its philosophy and basic principles, plus discussions, ice breakers and role playing; all in an enjoyable and fun way. The Award is an exciting youth development programme open to all young people between the ages of 14 and 25. For further information contact the Director, Michael Pizzarello, on 200 59818 or email mjpizza@gibtelecom.net

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

appointment

New European Board Chairman for Argus Argus Insurance Company (Europe) Ltd last month announced the election of Sheila Nicoll as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Ms. Nicoll was elected Chairman of Argus Group Holdings Limited, the parent company of the insurance group in July 2009. Ms. Nicoll succeeds Dr James King as Chairman who retired in July following the annual general meeting of AGH, having reached the mandatory retirement age. Ms. Nicoll has been a Director of Argus Insurance Company Limited since 2004 and became a Director of AGH when it was formed in 2005. She also chairs the Argus Group’s Compensation Committee. Ms. Nicoll has over two decades experience in the insurance industry. She is currently a Senior Vice President of White Mountains Re Bermuda Ltd in Bermuda where she is responsible for operations. She also has experience working at Lloyd’s of London, Johnson & Higgins in Bermuda and at the New York Insurance Exchange. Ms. Nicoll is a past President of the Bermuda Insurance Institute,

the leading training organisation for the industry in Bermuda. She also serves on the Insurance Advisory Committee. Ms Nicoll has a master’s degree from Oxford University. Ms. Nicoll said: “It is a great honour to have been elected as Chairman and I am grateful to the European Board for their support. I look forward to contributing to the continued growth of the Argus Group across its operations in Gibraltar, Malta and Bermuda.” Andy Baker, Chief Executive of Argus Insurance, says: “We welcome Ms. Nicoll as Chairman of the European Board. Ms. Nicoll’s concurrent responsibilities for both the European and Bermudabased operations demonstrate the Argus Group’s equal commitment to growth of the parent company and its subsidiaries.” n

Sheila Nicoll

Micro Business Systems Ltd

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

health

the way forward...

aiding dyslexic students in our schools

The Department of Education and Training recognises dyslexia as “...a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling.” (Rose Report 2009)

A spokesperson from the Department of Education and Training explained what schools are currently doing to aid students with dyslexia: “Both teachers and parents are in a good position to spot dyslexia. The term dyslexia, sometimes known as ‘specific learning difficulties’, refers to a functional analysis of what learners can or cannot do in relation to literacy skills and development. “Identification is often based upon psychometric assessment, but looking for unexpected contrasts between ability, IQ, and attainment in literacy as a single diagnostic approach is not fully supported by research since dyslexia occurs across the range of intellectual abilities. “Assessment through teaching and learning is valuable not least because it gives a measure of the persistence of the problem. One of the aims of assessment is to enable young people to demonstrate their potential in examinations. “Teachers have been released for specific training for Level 1 and Level 2 courses delivered by the British Dyslexia Association and jointly funded locally by the Department of Education and Training and the Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group. This has provided schools as a whole and teachers with strategies to support pupils with specific learning needs. Teachers have also taken advantage of the evening classes offered by the Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group with reference to dyslexia to further enhance their professional development. “Schools work closely with the Psychology and Advisory Services to provide additional support to promote pupils’ access to all aspects of the curriculum. “The Department has delivered In Service Training to schools and this continues to be offered. n

Andrew Ferrary, of BIA on Irish Town, was one of the first people in Gibraltar to be diagnosed as dyslexic

living with dyslexia

a different type of development Among the first people in Gibraltar to be diagnosed with dyslexia was Andrew Ferrary, a man who lists as one of his keenest interests reading. It sounded quite surprising to me, but then, up until now I’ve only taken a passing interest in a syndrome which affects 10% of people in the UK and, which until recently, has been a bit of an enigma for all. Dyslexia was still a relatively new field in medicine when Andrew was first diagnosed 36 years ago at the age of ten. “My mother was reading an article a UK doctor had written on the subject and took me back to visit him,” he explained, adding: “Shortly after that she packed me off to boarding school! “It wasn’t quite like that though. I was quite privileged to go to Ravenscroft School in Bath which specialises in helping children with dyslexia. Classes were of 8-10 students and we were given extra help after the normal schooling day with those areas we found most difficult. I also attended Brickwall House in East Sussex — which sounds a bit ominous, but it was a great place too.” Now, at 46 years old he’s been running BIA

after effectively taking over from his father around 20 years ago. “I always knew there would be a job opportunity for me within the family business once I returned from studying, which again has been a great help. Dad made me start from the beginning in the warehouse and then in the evenings I’d sit with him as he went through the orders. Over the years I gradually came to help him more and more and was eventually running the business. I really don’t know what I would be doing now if that opportunity hadn’t been there. Would I be running a company, handling the orders and doing the jobs I do now? I’m not sure that would have happened,” he mused. According to Andrew, Dyslexia doesn’t need to be a disability and it is down to awareness. I

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

health must admit that up to now when I’ve heard the term ‘Dyslexia Awareness‘ I’ve immediately assumed they’re talking about awareness to the general public. Although this is important, Andrew explained that it’s much more important for the person with Dyslexia to be aware of their limitations and reasons for them, as this is how they can overcome the difficulties they face. “There are different grades of Dyslexia as well as different areas which it affects too,” he continued. “Some people, like me, are very bad with maths, whilst others don’t have a problem here, but in other areas. Generally reading and writing are a problem to all sufferers to varying degrees. I struggled with writing and reading, but my mother was a teacher at the Convent school after the Second World War until I was born — she was invaluable giving me one-onone lessons after school when I was younger. I was brought up to appreciate reading and now I don’t have a problem with it now really, although when I’m writing I always double check what I’ve written and check with the dictionary, I’ve a digital dictionary the size of a calculator which get endless use.” “Dyslexia is not related to how intelligent you may be, it’s more how to get information in and out of your head,” Andrew says. “You can have great ideas to express and really struggle to put them on paper. It’s the same when you take information in. Some types of information you can store really well, but others are near to impossible to store in memory. For example, you can show me how to do maths with fractions and I’ll be quite happy to do the sums for the course of the day, and may remember enough to tackle the problems in the evening too, but by the next day I’m back to square one.” Andrew believes that children today in general are in a better position to overcome the difficulties they face with dyslexia. “I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go to specialist schools, but for many children it wasn’t — and still isn’t — an option. The extra tuition needed to help you move forward can be quite expensive. Today there’s more support in schools and from charities which provide extra support too,” he explains. A self confessed hoarder, Andrew enjoys collecting things. Apart from a large stamp collection, he also inherited his father’s large collection of model soldiers and is currently collecting old postcards of the Rock. “I’m slowly working up from the 1800s, and eventually I’ll be looking at the more modern photographed cards, but I much prefer the historical types which show a little of the evolution of Gibraltar over the years.” He said. “It’s something I’m doing as much for myself as for my nine year old daughter, and I hope it’s something she’ll be able to appreciate in the future.” n

“

specialist

support The Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group is very much involved in helping children outside of school hours as well as raising public awareness. Jackie Lane told us a little about their work. “We run a monthly Open Evening on the 3rd Monday of every month from 6-7pm at the John Mackintosh Hall,” explained Jackie Lane, Chairperson of the charity. “This is a walk in session where we answer peoples queries on dyslexia. Every other Wednesday we run a Homework Club for children from 5-6pm at the John Mackintosh Hall and have two retired dyslexia trained teachers, a retired special needs teacher, a psychologist, a speech and language therapist and several helpers. The session is equipped with six laptops which the children can use and have a variety of software programmes including Wordshark, Numbershark and 2Type along with a large selection of resources available at the Homework Club. “In order for the children to benefit from these sessions they need to attend regularly, otherwise it is difficult for the appropriate support provided to be effective. During the summer we run a Reading Club and we have also run 3 inset days for schools. One of our achievements is to help facilitated dyslexia assessments and visual stress testing in Gibraltar too.”

“In the past two years we’ve had the British Dyslexia Association tutors give two one week courses for teachers and they have also covered 6 workshops for parents, children and teachers. We have also had two lectures by Dr David McLoughlin on the dyslexic adult which was aimed at Heads of Human Resources and for adult dyslexics. Other past events include a presentation by Brainwaves (Spain) on dyslexia from the point of speech and language therapy, a 4 day course by Dr Steve Chinn on dyscalculia and the showing of Susan Barton’s DVD on Could it by dyslexia and classroom Accomodations.” The association has also delivered talks to various companies, clubs and associations and all their events are free of charge. If you’d like futher information on how the Gibraltar Dyslexia Support group can help you or your children, they can be contacted by calling 200 78509, 54007924. w w w. g d s g . co.uk n

The charity is run completely by volunteers and their main aims are to raise awareness and funds to provide teacher training. “We try to arrange several workshops/ seminars/lectures/dvd showings a year,” Jackie continued.

Dyslexia is not related to how intelligent you may be, it’s more how to get information in and out of your head

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

shopping

Where the

by Brian McCann

Shoe

fits

“More and more men, as well as women, are now discovering our range of our stylish and supremely comfortable shoes,” says Di, of the shop called Shoe. Shoe is a gem of a shop that sells exquisite footwear and accessories, catching the imagination of local people since opening in Main Street in March 2008 by sisters Di and Jen. “We have been delighted with the response we have received, particularly from our local ladies, from age 12 to 90. We try to have something for everyone, at a range of prices;” said Jen, “but of course we also cater for the men of Gibraltar too, not just the ladies — we have a fully comprehensive range of top quality and beautifully styled men’s footwear.” This is mainly comprised of two prestigious British makes — Jeffery West and Hudson — and has a choice of shapes, styles and colours to suit just about any man. Both makes are noted for superb comfort as well as their good looks, and Di and Jen have found that once men have bought a pair they tend to return to buy a second. Ladies are very well catered for, not surprising when you learn that the bright, friendly sisters, originally from Macclesfield in Cheshire, have

been in retail for up to 20 years. Jen has been in Gibraltar for ten years, while Di has spent seven years here, both of them originally working for one of Gibraltar’s largest clothing stores before branching out on their own venture. “We could see that there was a niche for good ladies’ shoes and handbags, offering a more

“

We do aim to offer really good service and we listen to our customers and try to tailor our range accordingly

”

premium product than can generally be found,” Di explained. The ladies’ range is as extensive as it is beautiful, and no wonder — Di and Jen go to the Milan Shoe Fair (one of the biggest in the world) every season to make their choices. “We go a bit further than just ordering what’s there,” they explained. “We choose the best designs but then have some made to our own specifications for colour and trimmings, thus creating unique pieces.” Newly introduced this year is a full spectrum of bridal and occasion shoes. These are specially ordered after seeing and trying the models available in the shop, but can take as little as one week for delivery. There are shoes for the whole event, as well as for the bride; the bride’s mother and the guests can all find the ideal shoes for the occasion, with a choice of heels from flat to stiletto, and a pick of prices from inexpensive up to those with special trimmings such as Swarovski crystals, all of which can be handdyed to the exact colour of your outfit or even made in your own specific fabric, with bespoke taking four to six weeks. “We were very proud to have provided the shoes for two of the Miss Gibraltar contestants, including the eventual winner. They both selected shoes and had them coloured to match their dresses for the competition.” The other styles at Shoe include a range from Shelly’s of London which they describe as displaying a bright, girly feeling with its own identity. Another top make in the shop is Chie Mihara, named after the Japanese designer who has achieved international acclaim for her exquisitely made and fashionable footwear. Then, with cold weather creeping up on us, there are Ugg boots, which look comfortable enough (if not big enough) to sleep in, while latest additions to the shop’s stock include Fitflop boots, described as “the epitome of fitness meeting fashion — get a workout as you walk.” For Christmas, Shoe is also bringing in Ugg slippers for ladies, which will make a much appreciated gift, along with funky wellies, some beautiful men’s and women’s umbrellas, purses, gloves, and scarves. Shoe also carries an excellent range of Italian leather handbags; buys are kept to one or two pieces per style and colour, frequently changed so they will always be exclusive in Gibraltar. A peep into the shop will immediately show that quality is supreme; but, equally, customer service is something Di and Jen are fully dedicated to. Di said, “We do aim to offer really good service and we listen to our customers and try to tailor our range accordingly.” Shoe also provides gift vouchers for any amount you wish, which is something that will certainly be received very gratefully. There are also Wish Lists; come in and select a few items that you like then leave the final choice to the purchaser; they know they have something you really want and love but still with an element of surprise! Customers are mostly local people, but there are some who come from abroad to Gibraltar and Spain on a regular basis and always make a point of looking in at Shoe; and everyone I have spoken to locally has said, “Oh, yes, that really is a lovely shop!” n Shoe is next door to the Royal Calpe pub, at 178 Main Street. It’s open from 10 to 6, Monday to Friday; and 10 to 3 on Saturday; Tel: 200 48480

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008

science fiction

Jules Verne’s

by Dave Wood

Gibraltar Adventure

Serious historians of the genre, science fiction, take its history back as far as the Greek writer Aristophanes, citing his play The Birds as an early example, but most people would probably agree that science fiction as we know it began in the 19th century with the work of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne. We can safely ignore Wells, who mentioned Gibraltar a handful of times out of necessity in his Short History of The World, but otherwise took little note of it. Verne, however, is another matter. Verne’s interest in the Rock, by comparison, approached obsession. A little known story published in 1887, clumsily entitled Gil Braltar, had a hero with that unlikely name leading a rising of the apes against the British garrison. Before he wrote the tale, Verne had twice visited Gibraltar, in 1878 and 1884, aboard his steam yacht, Saint-Michel. Jules Verne was the oldest of five children (three girls, two boys), and was born in Nantes on 8th February 1828. Since we are concerned here with two very brief episodes in his fairly long life we shall say little of his first halfcentury, except to mention that his literary career began in 1863 with the publication of Five Weeks in a Balloon, or Journeys and Discoveries in Africa by Three Englishmen. Africa was then still largely unexplored and even the wildest conjecture about the wonders waiting to be discovered in its interior was as valid as science. The scarcity of genuine knowledge of Africa’s interior can be gauged by the fact that Verne’s hero, Dr Samuel Ferguson, travelling with his friend Dick Kennedy and, inevitably for the time, a trusty manservant named Joe, discovered a desert in a region now known to be verdant grassland. The novel was an instant hit, and as a result, Verne’s publisher, Peter Hertzel, asked for more. He hit the jackpot only a year later with the ground-breaking and still endlessly re-cycled Journey To The Centre of the Earth. By 1878 Verne’s books had made him rich and famous. Among his extravagances was the purchase of a 70 ton, 107-feet long iron-built steam yacht, Saint-Michel III which, with a crew of ten, enabled him and his family and friends to cruise around Europe at whim. It was on Wednesday, 19th June 1878, that his whim brought him for the first time to Gibraltar. If a world-famous

photo - Jules Verne

When I was a boy televisions were primitive and rare. They had tiny screens with pictures in black and white, and were owned only by the rich folk living on the other side of town; the ones who had inside toilets and telephones. When my father was a boy radios were called crystal sets and relied for their reception on a coil of wire called a cat’s whisker. Everything else was science fiction.

Lord Napier was a tough old soldier with a stern visage and a soup-strainer moustache who probably didn’t care much for Frenchmen

author was to berth his yacht in Gibraltar next Wednesday, we can imagine the excitement it would cause, and how enthusiastically the event would be covered in the pages of the Gibraltar Chronicle, but in 1878 the paper was still little more than the garrison’s newsletter, and its acknowledgment of Monsieur Verne’s arrival was modest. Thursday’s edition reported: “R.Y.C. steam St. Michel (J. Verne, Esq., owner on board) Mr E. David (captain), 4 hours from Tangiers – cleared to Sea.” I’ll bet the fellow who wrote that never bought a yacht. Verne and his brother, Paul, had been to Tangiers and were headed for Málaga before returning to Morocco, and they decided to stop off briefly at Gibraltar to take in the sights. After coming ashore at Waterport Wharf, and disappointing the awaiting customs man by proving not to be carrying contraband or suffering from yellow fever, they left him to ruefully kick his cat, and walked slowly along the Line Wall fortifications to the Convent, where they paid a courtesy call on the Governor, Lord Napier of Magdala. Odd, isn’t it? If what we are compelled, for want of something better, to call ‘an ordinary person’ was to take it upon him or herself on arrival in a foreign land to immediately make for the town hall or Government House to ‘pay their respects’ to the local dignitaries, they would be considered at best mildly eccentric. For a ‘famous’ visitor not to do so would be considered an unforgivable snub. Where, precisely, do we draw the line? Exactly where and when does ‘celebrity’ become ‘stature’? If Barack Obama was to visit Gibraltar and not turn up on the steps of the Convent to pay his respects, it would cause a sensation, and possibly an international incident. But Sarah Palin? Mr Caruana would surely turn out the lights, hide behind the sofa, and pretend to be out. A courtesy call by, say, venerable entertainer Bruce Forsyth, might be considered a welcome photo opportunity, but a young runner-up on the X Factor? Would he be ushered respectfully into Mr Caruana’s office? Diplomacy is a far more difficult discipline than we might imagine. In 1878, Jules Verne was certainly celebrated enough to approach the Convent with confidence (and, of course, he had yet to write Gil Braltar), but brother Paul might have been well

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

science fiction advised to wear a t-shirt reading, “Ne pas tirer! Je suis avec mon frère!” On second thoughts, perhaps not. Lord Napier was a tough old soldier with a stern visage and a soup-strainer moustache who probably didn’t care much for Frenchmen to begin with and may have clutched at any pretext to have the pair of them instantly strung up by the barracks. But the Verne brothers survived their audience with him unscathed, and after bidding His Excellency goodbye, they continued their leisurely stroll along the Line Wall fortifications until they reached Southport Gate. Jules had long been fascinated by cannons and fortifications, and when he pointed out a particularly fine example we may be sure that Paul was suitably enthusiastic. After all, it was ultimately his brother’s quirky tastes that had paid for the Saint-Michel and made their life of perpetual travel and endless adventure possible. At Southport Gate they paused on hearing the stirring sounds of military music. A band was playing on the Grand Parade ground. Two regiments were sharing the garrison in 1878 — the 4th Black Watch, and the 7th Highland Light Infantry. Which regiment’s band was playing at that moment Verne couldn’t be bothered to determine, so we shall never know. There are historians who would sweat blood to solve the mystery, and they all wear sensible shoes and woolly jumpers. The brothers spent some time amid the peace and beauty of the Alameda Gardens, and then walked back into town along Main Street. They got as far as Commercial Square (the Piazza) where they were attracted by the imposing fourstorey façade of a brand new hotel, the Royal. It had been a long, enjoyable day, and after so much walking the pair were ravenously hungry. The hotel served dinner at 7pm. No doubt Verne was by that time used to dining regally à la carte, but that wasn’t available. He would have to make do with the new hotel’s menu del día, although having some pretensions to gentility they called it, much to the Frenchman’s approval, table d’hôte. All days, even the most enjoyable, must come to an end. Sated and satisfied, with aching feet but happy hearts, Jules and Paul were back on board the Saint-Michel by ten o’clock. It wasn’t long before they turned in. They needed a good night’s sleep because they had to make an early start the following morning. If this was a film, the director would now dissolve into an entirely gratuitous dream sequence with no historical basis whatsoever. Pure speculation. But since pure speculation was Jules Verne’s stock in trade, what better way to tell his story? Jules Verne, rich and famous spinner of fabulous tales, slipped into his bunk and drifted into a fitful sleep. It had been a glorious day. He had seen many wonders, and he had dined well — perhaps a little too well. His imagination was crackling like a log on a fire, as it had all his life. As he moved seamlessly into and out of his slumbers his halfconscious mind fashioned a powerful dream. He was inside the dark, mysterious vault of St Michael’s Cave. Strange that the cave should bear the same name as the yacht on which he now struggled for sleep. In the darkness he saw a crouching figure. Not one of the famous Barbary Apes, but so like one of them as to be almost indistinguishable.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

Jules Verne’s Gil Braltar leads the apes’ uprising against the British

Verne’s imagination gave the creature a name. He was Gil Braltar, once a respected scion of a noble Spanish house, now driven mad by his inability to accept the loss of Gibraltar to the British. The Rock was his, and his alone. Didn’t his very name, Gil Braltar, prove it? It was his, and he would have it back. He would take it with the help of his brothers, the apes. He dresses himself in an ape skin and leads them in rebellion against the British garrison and

its commander, General MacKackmale. But the rebellion fails. Gil Braltar is captured, and General MacKackmale confiscates his ape skin, dons it himself, and thus disguised leads the ape army down Main Street and back to its lair. Verne woke. Outside the first glow of dawn was brightening the horizon. What a curious dream he had had. He might be able to do something with that someday. He filed it neatly away in his memory, knowing that he would not forget it.

Jules Verne’s first visit to Gibraltar had been brief, but it had left his mind bursting with ideas. Everything he experienced left his mind bursting with ideas

Early in the morning of Thursday, 20th June 1878, the Saint-Michel slipped out of Gibraltar and headed for the Algerian port of Oran. The weather was bad, and what should have been a single day’s journey stretched into two. Jules Verne’s first visit to Gibraltar had been brief, but it had left his mind bursting with ideas. Everything he experienced left his mind bursting with ideas. It would take six years, but he would be back, and the story of his second visit will have to wait until the next edition of the Gibraltar Magazine. n

Little Mermaid 2004

‘Pointes’ Dances into History

In the world of entertainment, work should never become a chore. When the little bell rings in your brain telling you the activity is no longer fulfilling, then the last curtain call is beckoning and it’s time to bow out gracefully. “We thought about this for a long time, we’ve spent several years thinking about it in fact, and four months ago, in August, we decided to call it a day,” Cheryll, co-director of the now defunct, Gibraltar Pointes Dance School, announces. Together with her sister Sabina, they have managed the group for 26 years and decided to bring this labour of love to a close — not any easy decision. “Well, the girls were upset, which is understandable, but most mothers understood. The problem was they hadn’t actually finished their dance exams when we made up our minds to close the school and in order not to trouble them at that crucial point we waited until it was over. By then the new term was coming up so it may have seemed a bit drastic when they received the news in the post. They know we will always be there to advise any of them in whichever way possible.” Their ‘princesses’, as Cheryll calls them, will miss them for sure but no doubt will continue with their love for dance by joining one of the many other dance schools on the Rock. The Gibraltar Pointes Dance School was set up in 1983, but that’s not when the Bossino

girls, Noelle, Cheryll and Sabina started in the world of dance. “Our desire for performing, I think, was influenced by our parents and even further back, by our grandmother who used to sing in choirs and was very much on the classical scene,” Cheryll explains. “My mother, Marie Carmen, had a passion for classical ballet and my father, Jimmy, was forever playing Dean Martin and Perry Como records.” From the age of four, Sabina and Cheryll took ballet lessons withMrs Frost at the Loreto Convent.When they were 10 and 11 they joined Jennifer Psaila’s group at the Catholic Community Centre and slowly progressed to the point that, when Jennifer left the Rock, the girls were ready to take over. “We weren’t able to keep the name of the school so we formed our own group and many of the kids there joined us in what was then called

the Cheryll Academy of Dance.” The offshoot dance group was up and running with Sabina choreographing at 15 years of age and taking the ‘modern’ classes, but continuing with her ballet training and Cheryll concentrating on the classical. “At 17 I did a correspondence course and periodically took my dance exams. We were very focussed on classical and modern and later tap dancing with our tap teacher, Shelby Mesilio, in fact, becoming the first and subsequently only dance school to teach tap dancing here!” Sabina says. The dance experience continued and the outfit was to become the Gibraltar Pointes Dance School. Cheryll qualified as a ballet teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, RAD(TC), and Sabina with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance, AISTD. Noelle, at 13, quit dance to concentrate on sports but, as an adult, ended up taking

Noelle, Cheryll, Sabina and Tyrene (Cheryll’s daughter)

Cheryll and Sabina always loved to dance

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

dancing days

by Richard Cartwright her ISTD exams also. Career pressures (she’s a school teacher) prevented her from teaching dance, however she continued to play her part in the Bossino dancing trio. Through its 26 years this first local ballet school in Gibraltar taught ballet, jazz, contemporary and tap. They produced 13 dance productions including Thumbelina, Rhythmic Strides, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, The Magic of Musicals, Aladdin and Peter Pan.They’ve also performed in five Miss Gibraltar shows, and taken part in many musicals including Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat, Arrow and the Sound of Music. Sabina adds “We’ve worked with many well known local artists and producers. We’ve participated in local and international dance competitions winning top prizes, and represented Gibraltar in the World Dance Championships in Germany.” The Pointes Dance School also took part in international and local dance workshops, notably with Wayne Sleep and other wellknown professional ballet dancers. “Our pupils took exams and passed with flying colours in ballet and modern. We’re also very proud to have raised £22,000 for many different charities over the years.” And over the years many dancers have come and gone and groups change. “Yes, unfortunately many leave at 15 or 16 because of studies or boyfriends or both, but luckily a few stay on.” The mention of Wayne Sleep prompts me to ask about boy dancers. How do they fair? “Nowadays you’ll find one or two here and there and it’s slowly getting better but it’s always been difficult to get them to come and join in and of course girls are more eager to do so,” Cheryll explains, adding “We ended up with well over 100 pupils when we closed the school.” There are quite a few dance groups around these days so planning a year-long programme for any school or academy, which includes booking halls to put on performances, must be a task in itself? “We tended to aim for exam days for both Ballet and Modern. In fact we dedicated one year for exams and the following year we concentrated on putting on a show. More than that becomes too complicated for the younger pupils,” she explains, “but having said that, Sabina took on the choreography for other modern performances during the year like Miss Gib shows, dance competitions, summer festivals and musicals for the older students.” Cheryll and Sabina are proud that they took on much of the work themselves. “When we’d

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

Children of the World — centre Noelle, Cheryll, Sabina and Shelby Mesilio

Ready for the first show — 1986

“

We got involved at every stage: from set design, music, choreography and especially the very painstaking business of designing outfits

”

set ourselves up for a show, the work started in August, aiming to stage the production following May. You have to decide what show you want to put on, book the hall and then the work starts in earnest from then on. We got involved at every stage: from set design, music, choreography and especially the very painstaking business of designing outfits. “We’d like to add clever details onto the costumes to make them look more spectacular so we normally roped in some friends and we all got stuck in and started sewing sequines, ribbons etc. We’d sew and we’d sew and we’d sew! Hiring someone to do it for us was not only expensive but the design invariably differed from what we intended and we ended up having to remodel the costumes ourselves, so it really wasn’t worth it. Also we’ve been let down on a number of occasions when individuals assured us they would definitely do a specific job we’ve asked them to do, then, the performance night approached and they’d done nothing!” When you consider what’s involved in putting on a show, plus lessons, which meant Cheryll and Sabina going down to their splendid spring floor studios at the Europa Business Centre from 3.30pm to 10pm every weekday, paperwork and other bits of administration, it doesn’t come as a big surprise that the dancing teachers, who are now all in their early 40s, have concluded that the vocational inclination was slipping somewhat and it was time to call it a day. Cheryll adds, “Yes I think we’ve had our fill of wearing ballet tights and leotards and it was really becoming a bit of a chore for us, so after much soul searching we sadly decided to call it a day.” The end of an era, but others are just beginning to take an interest in this energetic art form. Judging by the number of youngsters in the many dance groups which have emerged in Gibraltar in the last few years, Cheryll and Sabina can relax in the knowledge that those of their little dancing princesses who uphold dance as a true vocation, will find a home in another dance academy — different style, different rules, another treatment or method and certainly, different teachers, but hopefully happy in their work. The Gibraltar Pointes Dance School’s achievements have been spread over a quarter century and now it’s time for its mentors to retire... Girls, make it a happy one! n

Red Hot waves with La Rouge Smooth and cool, bubbly and upbeat, whenever the Rouge is in da house, radio gets down and funky with jokes, anecdotes and pearls of wisdom to brighten your day. Brandishing her Frenchie-chic alter ego, she lulls your weekend lie-ins, energises your housework, entertains you in the frontier queue, sugar-dusts your churros and possibly offers a secular alternative to mass with her string of classic anthems — between 11am and 2pm every Sunday, Radio Gibraltar plays serious competition to your oven in heating the air up while the roast gets crispy. The ‘she’ in question is Michelle, who earned her glamorous nom de plume when businessman David Bentata suggested she stylishly shorten her married name Rugeroni, a bit of a tongue-twister in her deejay gabbing. So it stuck, like glue. Part of the magic of radio for Michelle is that while listeners can visualise her as a dash of paprika in the ether, she can forsake the make-up and bouncy hairdos, sporting what she calls ‘radio hair’ and ‘radio skin’. No pressure to

look good for the camera: as long as she’s got a good supply of mints handy, her comforting, peppy, dulcet tones will do the talking — and steal the show. But when you actually meet Michelle at one of the road shows she’s always eager to present, you’ll be star-struck by her girl-next-door charm, friendly smile and her ability to always see the positive side of life. This is the challenge she loves to face whenever she hurls her homemaker’s hat at the doorknob

outside the studio to don her chapeau. She’s committed to go on presenting even if the world imploded and she was left floating in the vacuum with nothing but mixer and mic! Confidence and congeniality are they keys to success when locked up for three hours in a tiny booth full of buttons, levers and faders she’s got to handle with great hand-eye-mouth coordination to keep the dead-air menace away — juggling jingles, BBC news, weather and commercials down to

This Captain of the red planet cruises the airwaves, guessing and hoping someone out there is actually listening to her

the split second. “It’s like driving a spaceship while focusing on making sense of speaking to the wall,” she says. And so, this Captain of the red planet cruises the airwaves, guessing and hoping someone out there is actually listening to her. Michelle keeps interactive with her audience through e-mail, SMS, and blog, treasuring the listeners’ feedback and learning from constructive criticism –‑ and she prides herself of her loyal Facebook fan club of 30- and 40-somethings who tune in every week, but she always hopes to eventually reach out to a younger audience. Michelle’s passion for the media comes from her mother who was a GBC presenter half a century ago, so she was in seventh heaven when she got the ‘gig’ — her proverbial Virginia Woolf’s room of her own — which allows her to follow her dream and take a break from her hectic week caring for her two

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

people

by Elena Scialtiel young children. Being sociable, talkative and selfconfessed nosey, a three-hour onewoman show is Michelle’s scene indeed, and she doesn’t switch off from it for the 165 hours in-between — she keeps her radar well tuned to gather the odd tales and practical advice she passes on to her listeners the following week, from health dos and don’ts, to what she spies with her little eye from her window. Living proof that ‘40 is the new 30’ and full-time parenting is not a consolation prize to relinquishing one’s career, Michelle is satisﬁed with her decision to settle down in Gibraltar again, after her exciting youth when the world was her playground. Acing her BA Hons in Business Studies and Languages, she spent her 20s in Oxford, where she bagged herself precious work experience and life lesson skills

by temping in the most varied ﬁelds, from selling memory sticks in Neolatin-speaking countries, to handling angry tenants’ grievances on behalf of the City Council — “such a rewarding job! I loved it!” — to sorting post at the Royal Mail depo, to organising training courses for the “blokes” down at the car spare parts warehouse. Living outside the box for over a decade was an eye-opener which she recommends to everyone, and she will encourage her children to ﬂy the nest and follow her footsteps. Globetrotting made her the fun-tastic easy-going person she is now, whether she came in contact with distant cultures or with the well-guarded secrets of Caleteños culinary traditions hosting a show in Catalan Bay. We can’t wait to hear more from Michelle, painting the town red on Radio Gibraltar all week round! ■

DECEMBER 2009 DOA Wed 02 Sat 05 Sun 06 Mon 07 Tue 22 Thu 24

Vessel ETA ETD Pass Capacity From To Aurora 0800 1330 British 1975 Tunis S’thampton Grand Princess 0700 1700 American 2600 Barcelona Casablanca Azamara Journey 1300 2000 American 700 Alicante Funchal Louis Majesty 1030 1430 International 1462 Marseille Funchal Costa Serena 0800 1300 Italian 3800 Alicante Lisbon Aurora 0800 1330 British 1975 Cadiz Tunis Queen Victoria 0800 1330 International 2000 Cadiz Arrecife Sat 26 Island Escape 0800 1800 British 1512 Almeria Tangier MSC Fantasia 1300 2000 Italian 3300 Casablanca Malaga Sun 27 Silver Spirit 0800 1800 American 540 Malaga Cadiz Mon 28 Amadea 0700 1300 German 584 Cadiz Ceuta Tue 29 Louis Majesty 0700 1200 International 1462 Marseille Tangier Total Number of Vessels calling this month = 12 Approximate Number of Passengers calling in this month = 21,910

Globetrotting made her the fun-tastic easy-going person she is now, whether she came in contact with distant cultures or with the well-guarded secrets of Caleteños

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2008

gift ideas

the

revolution “The concept that pearls are for the older generation has been thrown out of the window over the last decade or so. With the increased popularity of fresh-water pearls and prices accessible to the every-day man (or woman) on the street, they are the fun break from tradition which has given the cultured pearl a new lease of life,” said James of Sakata.

Japanese Akoya cultured pearls and sapphire, ruby and diamond clasps

Sakata — King of Cultured Pearls, was founded back in 1962 by the late Pepe Holliday, seven years before the border closure (1969-1984). A pioneer in the region for the sale and wholesale of cultured pearls, Pepe spent time travelling between Gibraltar, London, Barcelona and Madrid where he lived for some time. Lillian, Pepe’s oldest daughter, was the driving force behind Sakata from her teenage years until her sad death. Pepe’s youngest son, James, who took over the business nearly six years ago remembers: “Lillian was pivotal in the continued growth and survival of the firm throughout the years. Lillian was Sakata and Sakata was Lillian — she was the heart and soul of the business.” Sakata is recognised by customers from all walks of life thanks to their incredible range of quality pearls and the unique jewellery design service on offer by James and his staff, Gianella and Jenny. It is interesting to note that Sakata is not just a shop on Main Street, but also an original Gibraltar brand with nearly 50 years of history both on the Rock and internationally. “Sakata was the name of the first pearl farm my father bought from in Japan and although that farm doesn’t now exist, we still have many of our original suppliers and contacts who can supply us with some quite unique pieces,” James explained. Today Gibraltar’s Sakata has a loyal customer base with a good combination of ex-pats, locals and tourists. “Gibraltar has created quite a name as a commercial centre for jewellery,” James told us, “and the competition along Main Street keeps business healthy both for the traders and clients. Although there are many jewellers in Gibraltar, it’s important that each one finds its niche.” Gianella has been with Sakata for the last 15 years and is a wealth of knowledge on all aspects of pearls. Jenny joined the team just a year ago and her main strength is in design which goes part and parcel with the unique services on offer from their Main Street business. James explained a little more: “Our pearls come on strands 45cm long and are priced per strand depending on the different qualities. Once the client chooses the pearls and clasp we’ll make up the required design while they wait and in around 20 minutes they’ll have an original piece of jewellery, totally personalised for themselves.” Pearls should be re-strung every 18 months or so according to James, but this has great advantages over other types of jewellery too. You can choose to re-string a necklace as a bracelet, or if you have a choker, you can always add in more pearls for a longer necklace, and with

Susan, Lillian and Anita looking after the business in the ’90s

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

gift ideas

take part in creating your own piece of jewellery as well as having the possibility of changing to match future trends too Jenny’s help you can re-design the look and feel to create a totally new piece to wear. “Pearls are a unique purchase in that the higher end variety compare to diamonds in many ways, but as a natural product, they need care,” James emphasised. “Pearls can last you a lifetime as long as you look after them. They should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off.” South Sea pearls are the queen of pearls, with a strand costing in the thousands of pounds, due to their size, time to cultivate and the rarity of the oysters which produce them. Japanese Akoya come in a close second for quality, and again, you’ll pay the price for quality. It’s only in the last seven or eight years that freshwater pearls have come into their own in the market and are the only pearls you’ll find in the widest variety of colours. The prices of freshwater pearls can start as low as £20 a strand. “The pearl industry has revolutionised recently and has changed much to accommodate the commercial market,” said James. “We stock bracelets from as little as £6, so whatever our customer’s budget, we can work around that. “What I would say though is to go for the best pearls you can and maybe a slightly cheaper clasp to begin with. Remember we re-string your pearls from as little as £8, so at a later date when you can afford it you can add a more expensive and fancy clasp without any problem at all.” There’s a lot of designer jewellery available elsewhere, where the only real value is in the design itself. With the skills from the dedicated team at Sakata, you can take part in creating your own piece of jewellery as well as having the possibility of changing to match future trends too, which is really something unique on offer in the market. So, while in the past, pearls have been limited to tones of grey, white and black, cultured pearls today offer a shower of colours, adding new dimensions, both fashionable and fun. What was once classed as the family heirloom is suddenly accessible to all. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

Pepe and the team back in the 1960s

Sakata in the early days

Freshwater pearls James, Gianella and Jenny of Sakata

motoring

HMS Turbulent leaving Faslane

underwater cecil ladislaus

tactics As the Tactical Systems Officer, Cecil Ladislaus from Gibraltar is one of the two Watch Leaders onboard HMS Turbulent, a Trafalgar Class nuclear submarine based in Plymouth, UK. Responsible to the Captain for the safe and efficient running of the submarine, he leads a team of trained officers and sailors who together operate equipment and sensors to place the submarine in the best position to achieve tactical objectives. These range from gathering intelligence and pursuing targets to recovering from an emergency situation. 38

by Jon Bull

Cecil’s parents decided to make Gibraltar the family home after moving from Tamil Nadu, India, in the ’70s. His father worked for the NAAFI and Cecil was privileged to have dedicated parents who, in spite of limited resources, brought up three children. “We have all successfully completed our university education (all qualified as graduate engineers) and have gone off to have rewarding careers,” he told us. “Music played a major part of my life,” Cecil remembers. “In particular the Rooke Volunteer Band and the Band of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment. I still play

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interview from time to time but have been a little slack in terms of practising let alone performing.” Cecil always wanted to pursue a career in the armed forces as a Commissioned Officer and served in the Territorial Army before joining the Royal Navy. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the TA; the opportunity to travel and see the world from a different perspective won me over,” he added. Cecil explained his career path from there on: “After my initial training I joined my first submarine, HMS Victorious where I served as the Torpedo Officer and Communications Officer. “I left HMS Victorious in 2004 to do my Intermediate Warfare Course before joining HMS Turbulent as a Watch Navigator. This was a two year assignment which prepared me for my Advanced Warfare Course. Having successfully completed this course and my Initial Staff Course, I joined HMS Turbulent again as the Tactical Systems Officer for my third submarine assignment.“ The most satisfying part of my work I find in the challenges of managing a highly trained and motivated team, although the job does have its down side too in the lack of stability. But if I wanted stability I would have been an office worker!” he continued. Navy missions have evolved beyond conventional warfare, and emerging requirements often mean a shift in focus. Cecil told us a little more about the Navy’s role: “Today’s Navy maintains the core role acting as a safeguard for the UK’s interests world-wide, delivering a combination of land, air and sea capabilities. Of note, the Navy has provided large contingents to operations in Afghanistan through the presence of Royal Marines and Naval helicopter squadrons. The Joint Harrier Force is manned by both Naval and RAF aviators. “Additionally, numerous officers and ratings continue to man key posts at headquarter and frontline units in theatre. Whilst supporting this, the Navy also operates a capable force which continues to maintain traditional roles such as the strategic nuclear deterrent and anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa.” And the special requirements which Cecil feels you need to handle the stress and close confines of life onboard? “A good sense of humour is a must! Submariners have a particularly dark sense of humour which maintains our sanity when

Cecil Ladislaus onboard the HMS Turbulent with the Rock in the background

deployed for prolonged periods away from our families and friends. The lack of contact with the outside world means that we have to rely on each other — everyone has an important role to play to ensure mutual survival. “Relaxation is important too and our recreation spaces have televisions for watching movies, media centres, gaming machines and more traditional entertainment Cecil Ladislaus mans the periscope such as card games. Many of the crew will also watch films or play computer games in their bunks. We ever built, but where does the oxydon’t have a dedicated gym space gen and fresh water come from to but we manage to squeeze in two supply such a large crew? “We have complex systems to rowing machines, a spinning bike and lots of free weights. They get distil fresh water from the seawater which surrounds us,” Cecil lots of use.” Nuclear submarines can stay explained. “Basic chemistry tells us that ‘under’ for months, limited only by the food supply for a crew of up to water is made up of two parts of 120 members. The lack of fresh air hydrogen to one part of oxygen. and sunlight are the only real draw- Split the two and you have oxygen backs on what are some of the most to breath. Through the nuclear reactechnologically advanced machines tor, we produce steam to drive our

“

Submariners have a particularly dark sense of humour which maintains our sanity when deployed for prolonged periods away from our families and friends

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

”

propulsion and electrical systems in a much more efficient way than any other fuel.” Spending anything up to 90 days at a time at sea does mean that Cecil doesn’t see as much of his family as he would like, but he takes it in his stride and makes the most of the time he does have. “I am due to get married next year,” he explained. “And whilst the time apart can be a challenge, it makes the getting back all the more exciting. I suppose it’s like having the ‘honeymoon’ period of a relationship back every few months! “When I do come home I can usually be found down at Casemates or Ocean Village enjoying a beer with one or both of my brothers over the summer, Christmas and Easter holidays! As for stopping by with the Navy, I have been lucky to come alongside in Gibraltar on three occasions.” One of the highlights for Cecil is the opportunity his career gives him to travel, one of his great passions. “It is often the most surprising places that are the best ‘runs ashore’. Gibraltar, Puerto Rico and Singapore are old favourites of mine,” he said. “Tromso in Norway has probably been one of the most stunning places I have visited. A small town within the Arctic Circle, the people were friendly, the scenery was astounding and the nightlife was as active as any other university city. It was a shame the beer was so expensive, but the opportunity to see the Northern Lights from a dog sled made it worthwhile.” Cecil moved to Cornwall after joining the Navy and has been bitten by the surf bug, and enjoys splashing around in the water when weather conditions permit. “The beauty of living in the West Country is the unlimited access to the stunning beaches, the countryside and reaping the benefits of a rural lifestyle. “As far as moving back to the Rock, if the right career opportunity presented itself at an appropriate time in my life, I would not rule out the possibility, but my immediate plans are to leave my unit early next year to work out in the Gulf at the Maritime Command Headquarters in Bahrain. This would allow me to broaden my career portfolio and enable me to work in an operational headquarters using my current experience in a joint environment.” n http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/

history file

by Reg Reynolds

the mystery of the

black satchel and other things Last month I was lucky enough to happen upon a television documentary on the death of Polish President in-exile Wladylaw Sikorski in an airplane crash at Gibraltar. The programme was part of a series titled Infamous Assassinations and appeared on the television channel Yesterday. It was 30 minutes long and there were excellent black and white photographs and film of Gibraltar along with Sikorski, Governor Noel Mason-Macfarlane and Russian Ambassador to Britain Ivan Maisky. I have written about the Sikorski incident on numerous occasions but this programme provided new information that adds to the mystery — was it an accident or was it sabotage? As most readers will be aware General Sikorski and 15 others were killed when the B-24 Liberator he was flying in crashed on take-off at Gibraltar. The sole survivor was the Czech-born pilot, Max Prchal, who was rescued by a RAF launch. Prchal blamed the crash on the controls of the Liberator jamming and a court of inquiry found “…the aircraft became uncontrollable for reasons which cannot be established. The pilot having eased the column forward to build up speed after take-off, found that he was unable to move it back at all, the elevator controls being virtually jammed somewhere in the system.” So officially the crash was put down to an unexplainable accident but there are several inconvenient coincidences to fuel the sabotage theory — Maisky was on Gibraltar at the same time as Sikorski and his

plane was parked right next to the Liberator; traitor spy Kim Philby was also in Gibraltar; and a Polish courier named Jan Gralewski had arrived at the Rock the previous night with a black leather satchel containing highly sensitive information destined for British Intelligence. I had heard of the Polish agent and the black satchel before but what this television programme revealed I found intriguing. The day after the crash a British dive team headed by Lt. Lionel ‘Buster’ Crabb retrieved the black satchel and turned it over to MasonMacfarlane. According to the programme the black satchel then

‘disappeared’. One would think Mason-Macfarlane would have made the protection and safe delivery of the satchel a top priority. What information did it contain? What did MasonMacfarlane do with it? Most likely the satchel held evidence of the murder of thousands of Polish Officers by the Soviets. When the Soviet Union invaded eastern Poland in September 1939 thousands of military officers, policemen and intellectuals were taken prisoner. Lavrentiy Beria, head of Soviet Intelligence, proposed that the entire Polish officer corps be wiped out and as a result more than 4,000 were executed in what is Mason-Macfarlane with Churchill

known as the Katyn Massacre. The Germans pushed the Russians out of Poland in 1941 and in March 1943 discovered a mass grave in the Katyn Forest. The Germans blamed the Russians and in turn Russian President Josef Stalin said it was the Germans who had committed the atrocity. Much to Stalin’s displeasure Sikorski was publicly demanding the International Red Cross carry out an investigation. Stalin would have been highly embarrassed if the truth had come out and it is conceivable he would have done anything possible to keep from being exposed for the butcher he was. The timely death of Sikorski, the most powerful and influential of the Poles, meant it wouldn’t be until many years later that it would be confirmed it was the Soviet NKVD who exterminated the Polish Officers. Supporters of Stalinist Russia preferred to believe the Soviet leader rather than the equally despicable Nazis but clothing worn by the victims, documents they carried and letters they had written to loved ones conclusively proved the Russians were the killers. After the fall of the Soviet Union a document (dated March 5, 1940) ordering the executions of the officers came to light and it contained the signature of Stalin and all members of the politburo. Another curious coincidence of this whole gruesome affair is that

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

history file prior to taking over as Governor of Gibraltar in May, 1942 MasonMacfarlane, a trained intelligence officer, spent 11 months in Moscow advising the Russian army. In late June 1941 he was promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed head of the Interservices Mission to Russia. Before departing on the mission Mason-Macfarlane met with Sikorski, Commander in Chief of the Polish forces. Of the meeting he wrote: “…this was the beginning of much intimate collaboration between myself, the Polish Government in London and the large number of Polish prisoners-of-war in Russia, and I little realised at the time the extent to which this side of my work was going to affect my relations with the Soviet authorities or the complications which were going to ensue.” Besides liaising with the Russian military, Mason-Macfarlane had a remit to arrange the release of Polish prisoners and their transport to the Middle East. He was somewhat successful but later wrote: “It is almost impossible to describe the procrastination and difficulties with which we had to contend in getting General Anders and his Poles out of their camps in Uzbekistan and to the Middle East, via Persia. Those Poles who got as far as Uzbekistan had an indescribably terrible time in the rigorous winter and on one occasion a trainload of Poles arriving at Bosluk from the north contained 18 men who had died on the way. No explanation was ever provided for the thousands of Polish officers who did not turn up. Katyn eventually gave the answer.” Mason-Macfarlane may have done his best for the Poles during his time in Russia but he also developed an affection for Stalin. “My admiration for Stalin’s amazing and unusual qualities grew with every month I spent in the Soviet Union.” Mason-Macfarlane is quoted as calling Stalin “a great man” and even approved of his ruthless industrialization schemes. In his biography of Mason-Macfarlane Ewan Butler wrote: “Stalin’s third Five-Year plan had concentrated upon the development of the ‘Ural Zone’ where, far removed from possible enemy interference newly established factories were beginning to pour out

the weapons and munitions which the Soviet Armies needed. That this great industrial complex was established at a high price in human lives and human misery was a matter of no concern to Stalin, and with this Mason-Mac, a ruthless man himself, was inclined to agree.” A final strange coincidence that arose from the Yesterday programme was the mysterious disappearance of Buster Crabb 13 years after he had retrieved that same black satchel chained to the arm of the unfortunate Polish courier. Crabb, one of the hero divers who protected shipping in Gibraltar Harbour during the War, went missing on 19th April, 1956 while making a reconnaissance dive under the Soviet Cruiser Ordzhonikidze, purportedly to investigate its specially designed hull. Crabb was never seen again but in June that year a headless, handless body in a frogman suit was found floating off Pilsey Island. Although neither Crabb’s wife nor his girl friend could positively identify the body the coroner ruled he was satisfied the body was that of Crabb. In their book Frogman Spy, M.G. and J.A. Welham speculate that Crabb was captured and taken back to the Soviet Union where he trained divers and eventually became a Commander in the Soviet Navy. The writers believed Crabb was an agent for MI6 and allowed himself to be caught so he could operate as a double agent. But could it be that both he and Mason-Macfarlane had been in the service of the Soviet Services all along? If the Welhams are to be believed Crabb died in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. Mason-Macfarlane was an avowed anti-Communist but in 1944 this pillar of the Establishment ran as a candidate for the Labour Party in the constituency of Paddington North. In one speech he declared: “For a long time I have been a convinced supporter of the Labour Party’s socialist principles.” Whatever his loyalties MasonMacfarlane had the last laugh turning a 13,000 Tory majority into a 6,545 seat victory for Labour. He served only a year before resigning due to poor health and died in 1953 (aged 63) leaving us to wonder if he knew a lot more about the death of Sikorski than he ever let on. Was a black satchel part of his estate? n

a Polish courier named Jan Gralewski had arrived at the Rock the previous night with a black leather satchel containing highly sensitive information GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

Boudoir Photography with Film Noir

Film Noir is an exciting new concept in portrait studio photography, specialising in shooting boudoir style portraits of brides-to-be who are looking for a very personal gift for their groom. However, with the average cost of a wedding increasing every year, a present for the groom may not be high on the couple’s priority so many clients look at this as an after service say for an anniversary, birthday or Christmas gift for their husband. But it’s not just for brides. Many women are having pictures taken as a personal gift to themselves. Artfully lit shots, tastefully done, Diane says she uses pieces of fabric amongst other accessories and of course very low-key shadowy lighting to hide the parts the client doesn’t want revealed. “It’s just as much about what you don’t see as what you do,” she emphasises. “Suggestive images work really well to give woman the confidence to have a sexy portrait done.” Most women would admit that they would not feel comfortable having their pictures taken in this way by a male photographer, but Diane can put them at ease. “There’s a salon style feel to my studio, it’s all female, lots of make up, lots of giggles and generally a girlie feel to the place and I think that’s key to Film Noir,” she says. “The secret to giving people the confidence

Diane Morton founder and director of Film Noir says she can put any woman at ease and leave them with the best pictures of temselves they’ve ever had.

needed to have their picture taken is technically all about the lighting and the way in which the shots are posed. However, the real secret to a successful picture is being able to communicate with the client exactly what you need them to do, while making them feel at ease and relaxed.” Diane has found that all clients are nervous when they first enter, so she provides a three stage service. Stage 1 — go to see her. “We sit down over a coffee and have a chat about what they want from the photo shoot. This is designed to put the client at their ease by meeting the photographer first and discussing exactly what is it they want from the shoot — it’s their portrait after all.

“

It’s just as much about what you don’t see as what you do. Suggestive images work really well

”

“We go through a portfolio of sample shots so the client can see and visualise themselves in the various poses and select the ones they prefer and ones they would like to try. I encourage clients to bring along any pictures they particularly like either from magazines or websites. “We will discuss props, studio settings and lighting styles and I encourage the clients to bring along their undies and accessories at this stage as these influence the settings and lighting as well.” Also included in the initial stage are a couple of normal test shots to help determine any special lighting requirements. This initial meeting also enables Diane to build up a story board of the shoot, ensuring no time is wasted during the photo session. Stage 2 — the photo shoot. Generally about an hour long with the client being directed every step of the way into the various poses. “Posture and styling advice is at hand throughout and, be warned, if the pose is comfortable then it’s not being done right!” adds Diane. Stage 3 — a private viewing. “Every single person I’ve spoken to was absolutely focused on the retouching and really would only feel confident to have a photo shoot like this if they knew retouching was involved.” Any little flaws or imperfections can be retouched and fixed basically, as Diane says “You don’t think

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

photography those fabulous cover photos on today’s glossy magazines are straight from the camera do you?” So before the viewing any slight imperfections are airbrushed and the images softened and turned into black and white. The client is shown the before and after images and they select whichever they prefer. “We normally do this over a glass of wine or two and clients are encouraged to bring along friend and to bring a hanky as this can be quite emotional,” Diane adds with her bubbly enthusiasm. The £75 package includes two portraits of any size up to A4 (approx 21x 30cm) but clients can purchase additional photos, including a full album, at a reasonable price. “A lot of studios charge extortionate amounts for additional prints. Film Noir is designed to be accessible and affordable to all.” Film Noir also caters for couples and men but, due to the business being primarily designed for woman, these have to be booked in advance and are only available for selected dates when no other shoots are scheduled to take place. Contact Diane Morton Tel: 200 41199 Mobile: 540 20613 Email: diane@filmnoir.gi Website: www.filmnoir.gi

“

Clients are encouraged to bring along friend and to bring a hanky as this can be quite emotional

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

events

Calendar Launch Party at 55 A sparkling event was hosted at Fifty-Five Private Membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Club, 267 Main Street, last month to celebrate the launch of the Tickled Pink 2010 Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar calendar. The event was a chance for the calendar girls to let down their hair with partners and friends, while saying a big thank you to all those involved in producing the calendar. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;˘ DECEMBER 2009

events

something to tickle your fancy

Isobel Ellul-Hammond of Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar with Minister of Culture Edwin Reyes

The new Breast Cancer Support calendar is now available in Gibraltar, with 26 different models, each with their own story having won the battle over the disease. Their inspirational quotes along with some excellent photography are testimony to these courageous ladies and a lesson to us all.

with all proceeds going to Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar — a perfect gift this Christmas for the receiver and the charity too. n

Local talents and businesses gave their time and skills to help make the calendar a professional and attractive product which will remind you each day is special. Sponsored by 55, La Senza and Figgy Photography, the models found themselves under the expert direction of Deepak Ramchandi and Debbie Goodman for make-up together with Jane Richardson and Vanessa Baldachino from Classic Cuts for hair.

The calendar girls at 55

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

The Calendar, printed by Easiprint is dedicated to the memory of Mariluz Lavagna, Michelle Parody and Janice Leon and is on sale for just £5 from La Senza, Classic Cuts, 55 and Stephanie Florists,

What a colourful world! What a treat the House of Sacarello’s has in stock this Christmas! No, it isn’t a special blend of coffee home-grown by North Pole elves, but something perfect to quench your cultural thirst. It’s the absolute debut of a fine artist who has never exhibited in Gibraltar — or elsewhere — before, not even in collective venues, despite having been painting for as long as she can remember. Having dedicated herself to the exhibition virtually every single spare hour in her busy schedule of working mum for almost a year, Marie Fox unveils her bold creations. There are over 20 large canvasses ranging from landscapes to abstracts and a dip into portraiture which she confesses isn’t her cup of tea, unless she’s allowed to explore the quirky ways of caricature. However, her two portraits of the Guardian and the Keeper, a man and a woman, which play on the contrast of hot and cold colours, are the highlights of the show, flaunting her innovative style which seems to distance itself from Gibraltarian trends, in a bid to become a trendsetter in its own right with its exploitation of the vast expressive potential of monochrome. The infinite nuances of one colour are in fact enough to set the mood oozing from these two imaginary people whose facial features ‘just came to her’ — one the desert knight scouting an old trail in the dunes, the other the ice queen peering nostalgically into the infinity of the midnight sun shining on the icepack. Two opposite

states of mind, paradoxically designed to face each other in a diptych. More scorching heat and a disturbing shiver of loneliness in the surreal Desert where the seemingly last mammoth on Earth heads towards a sunset loosely reminiscent of an atomic bomb mushroom cloud. Marie’s sanctuary of relaxation goes Japanese in her soothing verdant view of a cool waterscape on the backdrop of snowy peak. Her quest for spiritual peace will have, however, to cross two wobbly rope bridges over the river and the frothy falls before fully attaining the Oriental Gaze. She finds painting therapeutic, her ‘own little corner’ to escape the routine of her day job, indeed hoping one day she will be able to make fine art her livelihood. That’s why she mostly goes for serene landscapes where the sky is always blue and the grass always green. Well, sometimes dotted with bold red, like in her Poppy Field which, if you are a film fan, will spark comforting flashbacks to The Wizard of Oz as much as the two above mentioned works may do for Ice Age and Kung-Fu Panda! If this summer-day divertissement on poppies and daisies seems to evoke carefree oblivion, Marie was actually inspired by the solemn reGIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

art file

by Elena Scialtiel membrance symbolised in Poppy Day. There’s an almost hallucinatory element in the abstract of a tree blooming with baubles made out of concentric circles like archery targets — a contemporary take on the traditional Christmas tree and tree-of-life iconography or desperate outcry against deforestation? Whichever interpretation may suit your sensibility, this surely is one of her most creative and iconic pictures of the exhibition. Marie enjoys setting her imagination free with expressionism and abstracts, in paintings that are ‘really her’, because they express her immediate emotions and what she feels strongly about. Going ‘large and messy’ spares her from being meticulous with small brushes and tiny detail, or waiting for oils to dry. That’s why she moves in her natural element with murals — a bit of physical challenge though, when it comes to perching on a ladder to decorate ceilings! Her love story with murals started when her mother let her beautify her bedroom with dolphins, and continued with the jungle scene she created for her daughter’s bedroom, prompting her sister to commission an aquarium scene for her own little boy. She would love to knock boundaries down with trompe-l’oeil of windows swinging open on make-believe lush gardens or fairytale realms to illuminate dull walls and add depth to hallways. Sometimes Marie drops the acrylics for ink or charcoal sketching, which fits her expertise as book illustrator, an interesting branch of figurative arts which sadly isn’t always credited standalone value. She signs her artwork with the initials MA, from her maiden name Avellano, for she reckons that her prolific inspiration springs from her very essence as a young woman and fine arts university student, positively influenced by her graphic designer background. Had she picked a title for her exhibition, it would have been ‘Introduction’ or ‘Revelations’, because she is finally ready to bare her soul before the general public and become a familiar feature in our homes thanks to reasonably priced pieces to afford everyone the joy of owning original art. n The exhibition is on throughout December. For info, contact canvasinspirations@hotmail.com.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

Had she picked a title for her exhibition, it would have been ‘Introduction’ or ‘Revelations’ because she is finally ready to bare her soul before the general public

book release

Sarah Linares: Telling Tales Children’s author and illustrator Sarah Linares was born in England but came to Gibraltar in 1984 with her parents — her mother was a teacher in Bayside School, now retired. Sarah left Gibraltar to work in Dubai in 1989, returning in 1992. Since then she met and married her Gibraltarian husband Jeremy, who owns Calpe Pharmacy. The couple’s two children Alicia 6 and J-J aged 3, inspired Sarah to write her children’s books. “From birth my daughter, Alicia, has adored books. Her love for reading has grown and grown over the years,” Sarah explains how it all began. “When I visited Australia, my daughter asked me to buy her a book on the Whitsunday Island resort where we were staying. I visited the resort shop to ﬁnd there wasn’t one, so I decided to write her a story based on an existing legend of the Island. Encouragement from my family, the resort staff and the beautiful surroundings inspired me to write and illustrate several more stories and Tales from Daydream Island was written.”

Sarah’s children have always enjoyed stories written in rhyme, like classics such as The Gruffulo so it is no surprise that Tales from Daydream Island comprises ﬁve short stories written in rhyme to captivate children’s imagination about life on a beautiful Australian island. The book features tales of sailors, mermaids, divers and Australian wildlife, with colourful illustrations on every page. The reading age for the book is aimed at 4-10 years old and it is currently selling in Australia and Gibraltar. “Having written for an Australian Island, I then decided to write a Gibraltar based book,”

Sarah says about her latest book The Rock On Which We Stand. This book looks brieﬂy into what Sarah considers to be the ﬁve main events in the history of Gibraltar; Neanderthal Man, The Naming of Gibraltar, The Great Siege, The Battle of Trafalgar and The Evacuation of Gibraltar. “The book is written in a simple form to be enjoyed by both adults and children and therefore doesn’t really have an age range,” she says. “It is unique in so far as it is written in a poetic form. I hope it will serve as an interesting and informative book and perhaps, be enjoyed by both locals and tourists to Gibraltar.” Sarah plans to write a further series of lighter children’s books based on Gibraltar, for a young audience, in 2010. A special gift package of the two books combined at a discounted price will be available for purchase, making it an ideal gift for Christmas. The books can be purchased from various outlets in Gibraltar. For further information, please contact Sarah Linares, sarahlinarespublishing@yahoo.com or visit the website www. sarahlinarespublishing.webs.com. ■

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

you can confide in Childline

DECEMBER 2009 ISSUE 4

does my parents’ relationship

affect me

when parents fight

Chances are you’ve had an argument or twenty with your parents recently — about clothes, homework, friends, curfew — pretty much anything. But what’s going on when your parents fight with each other?

I have the right to be uniquely myself

“Do all parents argue?

You may be a little relieved that, for once, you’re not the one arguing with a parent. But most people worry when they hear their parents argue. Sometimes parents can feel so strongly about their differences that it may lead to arguments. Most of the time, these arguments are over quickly, parents apologize and make up, and the family settles back into its usual routine.

would you describe ➊How your parents’ relationship?

a. We all live together and they have a healthy relationship ➊ b. We live together but they argue quite often ➋ c. They are separated/divorced but they are friendly to each other ➊ d. They are separated/divorced and there are a lot of problems between them ➌

your parents argue/row ➋ Do in front of you?

a. Never ➊ b. Rarely ➊ c. Sometimes ➋ d. Often ➌

sort of arguments ➌ What do they have?

a. They argue in private ➊ b. Just day to day disagreements ➊ c. Long arguments leading to shouting and insulting each other at times ➋ d. They argue constantly and at times this escalates to violence ➌

do I react to their ➍ How arguments?

a. They have never been a problem for me ➊ b. I go to my room or find something to do outside the house ➊ c. It makes me feel anxious and I find it hard to concentrate on anything while I hear them so I don’t know what to do ➋ d. I am terrified that someone will get hurt and try and get them to stop by screaming or crying ➌

How does my parents’ ➎ relationship affect my daily life?

a. They support me and I have a healthy relationship with both of them ➊ b. I do not like it when they argue but I try not to let it affect me and usually it doesn’t ➊ c. When I witness a big argument this can affect my friendships and school work at times ➋ d. I constantly dread being with my parents in case they start arguing and hate going home. I cannot sleep at night or concentrate in school and often get in trouble myself ➌ (answers on page 4)

“My parents fight a lot, does this mean that they are they going to get divorced?”

When your parents are fighting, thoughts might start rushing around in your head: Why are they shouting at each other? Does this mean they don’t love each other anymore? Are they going to get a divorce? Like you, when your parents get upset with each other they might yell, cry, or say things they don’t really mean. Most people lose their cool now and then. So if your parents are fighting, don’t always assume it means the worst.

“I’m worried that the fighting is getting too much”

If you or someone you know lives in a family where the fighting goes too far, let someone else know what’s going on. Talking to other relatives, a teacher, a school counselor, or any adult you trust about the fighting can be helpful. Sometimes parents who fight can get so out of control that they hurt each other or other family members. If this happens, letting someone else know is the best thing you can do to get support for you and for your parents.

Remember: You are not alone

No matter how alone you might feel, you’re not; many children whose parents separate also go through the same thing. Part of dealing with divorce is learning how to understand it and adjust to it.

It’s not your fault

Many children think that they have caused their parents’ separation through doing badly in school, getting into trouble or slacking off on chores. However, things like these don’t make husbands and wives end their marriage, even if they argued about it before the separation.

It’s ok to feel down

No one expects you to act like nothing is wrong! Your whole world has turned upside down and you do not have to act like nothing is wrong. Many times it helps to talk to someone outside the situation, someone you trust.

You are not the go-between

You should not have to relay messages between your

parents because they’re not together anymore. Sometimes your mom or dad will ask you questions about what the other is doing, what’s going on in their life, etc. This can make you feel uncomfortable and you should let your parent know that it does. If this happens, ask them to speak directly to each other instead of through you.

I have the right to be treated with dignity and respect

It should get better over time

Once everyone has adjusted to the situation, things between your parents will settle down. Family matters after divorces don’t always run smoothly, but if you keep an open line of communication with your parents about your feelings, it will help the situation a lot.

Be understanding

Try to be open-minded and helpful to your mum or dad

in trying to make things work. Remember, they’re also going through a change in their lives. They’ll appreciate your concern and cooperation more than you can imagine!

Never Lie

Never lie to please your parent. You are not responsible for their wellbeing. They are the adults and know how to care for themselves. They are the ones who have to look after you and make sure you are happy

Financial changes

Money matters change for your parents too. A parent who didn’t work during the marriage may need to find a job to pay for rent or a mortgage. Your family may not be able to afford all the things you were used to before the divorce.

when one parent moves out Dear Childline My parents are getting divorced and my dad is packing his things and moving out. It’s very upsetting as we used to have loads of fun playing the xbox together and watch football matches. I won’t be able to see him as often anymore as I will stay in the house with my mum and my dad works long hours. I’m 14 and I wish I was 18 so that I can make my own decisions and meet my dad whenever I want.

Liverpool Fan

I have the right to my own needs for personal space

Divorce isn’t always negative

Divorces are not always a bad thing. Many find their parents are actually happier after the divorce or they may develop new and better ways of relating to both parents when they have separate time with each one. Others may find they have a larger family who they like to spend time with, including stepparents and step-brothers or sisters.

l Fan, Dear Liverpoo

mily ove out of the fa one parent to m r r fo l te ra af tu k na loo is n it who ca During a divorce with the parent ur mum and would then live e living with yo ar u yo , home and you se ca ur yo ean that you In m t st. no be s es often, this do your daily need as d da ur arranged yo ee pr n’t se there will be although you wo just means that It d. da ur yo e will never se to see him. days and times s and the will suit all familie ngements that ra between t ar ou of t ed se rk ht wo There is no rig will have to be ily m fa ur yo r ent fo best arrangem d you. your parents an d be enjoyable an d are meant to da ur e yo th th in wi r, d ve you spen ip. Howe The times that e your relationsh it and u both to continu ll have a time lim wi u yo e us a chance for yo ca be d rtain ar ce kw at aw up t n seem e effort to mee beginning it ca u probably have to make th yo to e, e lik ag el ur fe yo to At it may start ur friends. d most rather be with yo d want to spen times when you’d hool activities an sc r te af d s. an bs rent er than your pa have various clu your friends rath of your time with g on these visitin rents to agree pa ur e yo ar r fo ey th rd If ha ry raw. At first, it may be s can still be ve ent is as their emotion at an arrangem th re su e arrangements ak m ll wi t ur co e th s. nt unable to agree, both your pare spend time with made for you to nts to have e with your pare if you can agre ul your dad at lpf t he ee m be to n try It ca dule. However, he sc ity, making the g inu itin nt vis co a flexible n help create ca is th ys da d have more fun th to relax and regular times an bo u yo lp he d sier an situation a lot ea together. s you well as the thing t your ideas as t, watch ou ou t ab s ea nt , re re nt pa Talk with your go to leisure ce g. e. d rest with da s ur ion yo with at the final decis would like to do ber however, th em m Re . ch at a football m your parents!

why are my parents divorcing? Parents divorce for many reasons. Usually it happens when ... Couples feel they can no longer live together due to constant arguments and heated discussions The love they had when they married has changed. If one parent falls in love with someone else

Or when more serious problems arise from addictions like drinking, drugs, or gambling. It’s common for children or teens to think that their parents’ divorce is somehow their fault, separation and divorce are a result of a couple’s problems with each other, not with their children.

“I’m leaving you, Gilbert. You can keep the bowl, but I’m taking the water and all the coloured stones!”

TRUE STORY:

when my parents

separated

Now as an 18 year old this still affects me. My father’s side of the family did not agree with the separation so they unconsciously made me feel sad, sorry and responsible for things. My parents went their separate ways and they eventually met other people. My father met someone and is now married. That got to me the most as my dad was and is very important and special to me. His partner at the time who is now his wife used to tell me things that happened when my parents spilt up with the intention to make me feel dejected, enraged, sad and sorry for my father. Those of you who are going through this should speak up, if you let time go by it will be worse at the end. I think I should have spoken up from day one like my brother has always done or just ignored everything going on because in reality it had nothing to do with us. I advise everyone to not bring themselves down, keep your head high and leave it to your parents to sort out their problems without bringing you into it in any way. Speaking to others apart from your parents, for example another family member that is aware of what is going on is also a good idea as they can give you good advice and give you the comfort you need and want at that moment. Childline also has very helpful people who will listen to you and help you out. You can call them free on 8008. Childline is also conﬁdential, which is great because sometimes you might be worried that a family member might talk to your parents without your permission. You obviously cannot forget the past, but you can change the future!

Learning to accept and understand the changes the family is going through is important. Divorces are not always a bad thing. Many ﬁnd their parents are actually happier after the divorce or they may develop new and better ways of relating to both parents when they have separate time with each one. Others may ﬁnd they have a larger family who they like to spend time with, including step-parents and step-brothers or sisters. Coping well with divorce also can bring out strength and maturity. Some become more responsible, better problem solvers, better listeners, or better friends. If your parents are going, or have gone through this remember to give it time, be open with your parents, talk to others about it and learn to acknowledge your new lifestyle and the positive changes that come your way.

I have the right to express all of my feelings, positive or negative

HOW YOU SCORED

5 to 7 You are very luc ky to ge t you ne the support ed fro m yo ur parents wh are together or ether they separated.

The only comfort and the only person that understood me and helped me was my mother. I consider my father to be a closed person; him being closed didn’t and doesn’t help situations, as an adult I would have thought that he would take actions and try to make situations better rather than awkward.

positive

8 to 11 Yo u mi gh t ﬁn d yourself in fortable sit uncomua tio ns at tim es and this ca affect your da n ily life to some extent. Read on to ﬁnd ou t wh at yo ur rights are as child and how a to de al wi th any unpleasan moments. Re t ad ‘When Paren ts Fight’ on page 1

By the time I was 10 years old I would go and speak to a counselor to help me with the problems I used to have. Now I feel as if I wasted my time for the simple reason that it hasn’t opened up anyone’s eyes to make them realize that I was the one that was suffering. Nothing was done about it, nothing was said and no one seemed to care.

bringing out the

12 to 15 You are very affected by your parents’ relati onsh ip an d ne ed to ﬁnd ways to deal with thi s to mi nim ise the this causes to damage you. Yo u are no t alone and you are not to blame for this. Read on and you will ﬁnd wa ys point you in the in which Childline can right dir ec tio n so you get the protection you deserve. Read ‘When Parents Fight’ on page 1

As a young girl I went through a lot due to my parents separating. 11 years ago when my parents separated I found it very hard to talk about anything and everything that used to bother me, and not talking about it had its consequences... I used to keep it all bottled up till I couldn’t handle it anymore and then used to have heavy breakdowns.

festive season

Sound Advice by Edgar A. Triay

from GHITA

Oh, so amateurish! Don’t miss Dramatis Personae’s winter production The Coarse Acting Show, a classic by Michael Green, debuting on 9th December at Bayside Drama Studio. For the fiver entrance ticket, you will be let in the perhaps autobiographical secrets of amateur theatre and its hiccups, and share the effort that wannabe actors put into their hobby and the challenges they face trying to measure up to professionalism and avoiding turning tragedy into comedy and vice versa! An ode to stiff upper lip, this laugh-out-loud play will give your feet a break from frenzied Christmas shopping and get you in the mood for the festive season with five short plays — spoofs of different drama genres from whodunit to Shakespeare. Despite having all the best intentions and commitment in the world this fictional drama group sucks and ends up humorously delivering the finest example of Murphy’s Law where anything that can go wrong does, from missing lines to collapsing sets! The cast features Pearl Serruya and tennis ace Lionel Chipolina, back in the limelight after long time, side by side with regulars like Julian and Sylvana Felice, Laura and Anna Felices, Tim, Harriet and Margaret Seed, Charlie Bishop, Nicholas Piñero, Karen Martinez, Kim Soiza and Mario Prescott. Don’t miss it. n

Santa Claus Sponsored Walk The Santa Claus sponsored walk in aid of Leukaemia Research will take place on Saturday 12th December from Casemates Square. Registration is £5.00 from 10am, walk starts 11am.

Dress as Santa Claus or just wear a Santa hat!

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

We are exposed to loud sounds sometimes voluntary and others imposed upon us. From a tender age we are taken to the fair by our parents and as we reach puberty we get to use iPods to listen to our favourite songs. On average youngsters between 14 and 20 years of age spend more than 3 hours a day listening to music using iPods and similar MP3 players oblivious to the fact that everyone around can also hear what they are listening to. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer (4 Nov 2007) stated that 1 in 8 between the ages of 6 to 19 years of age suffers from hearing loss. Users should remember the 60-60 rule for safe use, in other words volume should be kept no higher than 60 percent of the maximum and it should be used for no more than 60 minutes a day (www.youth.hear-it.org). As adults we entertain ourselves by going to concerts (not necessarily rock ones), discos, nightclubs, raves and the list goes on. Society and culture conditions us to believe that the louder the sound the better it sounds. Unfortunately evolution has not provided us with ears able to withstand and survive that kind of sound loving. According to Health & Safety at work regulations any sound above 85 decibels would cause irreversible ear damage thus the use of hearing protection would be recommended. Anyone listening to music for just five hours a week at more than 89 decibels would be already exceeding EU limits for noise allowed in the work place. There is no reason why we should not apply these safety rules to our leisure time. According to a survey conducted in Switzerland where 533 young men and 167 young women aged 16 to 25 years were interviewed,

the researchers estimated that three-in-five of the respondents are often exposed to sound levels above 87 decibels. A British study among 23 DJs found that 17 of them experienced tinnitus (permanent ringing in the ears) and 16 reported they had suffered from temporary hearing loss. On average the 23 DJs worked for 1 hour and 53 mins without a break with noise levels of 103.2 Decibels. Looking at such statistics one can expect the same results in our community. Local clubs, pubs and organised live events exposed the general public, and those working, to unhealthy sound levels. This is partly due to ignorance and lack of education about health and safety practices. For this reason government and relevant authorities should be proactive in protecting the health of its citizens. Proactive legislation can be found elsewhere — for example the San Francisco Police Ordinance for Entertainment Venues requires businesses and organisers to provide earplugs for free or for sale at a reasonable price. Gibraltar has the opportunity to lead and be an example to the world on how to protect our hearing by education and statutory control. Further advice can be found on the Gibraltar Hearing Impaired and Tinnitus Association website http://ghita.gotdns.org.

A British study among 23 DJs found that 17 of them experienced tinnitus (permanent ringing in the ears) and 16 reported they had suffered from temporary hearing loss 53

the past

by Reg Reynolds

Gibraltar: A Small Boy’s Paradise Lt. General Sir Brian Horrocks biography is entitled A Full Life and it is perfectly apt because he certainly lived one. Born in India in 1895, the son of a doctor in the Royal Medical Corps, Horrocks travelled extensively as a child, joined the army and trained at Sandhurst, was captured at Ypres in October 1914, spent four years in a prisoner of war camp, after the war was sent to fight in Russia, again was captured and spent 18 months as a prisoner. He remained in the army between the wars, married and had a daughter but concedes that he spent much of his time playing games. He won the National Modern Pentathlon Championship and represented Britain in the 1924 Olympic Games. During the Second World War he commanded Corps under General Montgomery and saw action at El Alamein, was severely wounded at Bizerta, but recovered to fight in Belgium and France. Following the war he worked as a television presenter, wrote books on military history and was Black Rod in the House of Lords for 14 years. And through it all Gibraltar was never far from his mind. He wrote in his book: “Unlike, as it would seem, many children of today, I had an extremely happy childhood. My father was Lancashire born and after taking his BSc at the age of 19 he became a doctor, joined the Royal Army Medical Corps, and was sent to India. It was here that he met my mother who had all the gaiety and charm of the Irish.” Horrocks was born in Ranniket, a hill station in India. Later his father was posted to Gibraltar for four years (1904-1908) to study the causes of ‘Malta’ fever * [See author’s note]. Although young Brian was sent to boarding school in Durham outside of term he had plenty of opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of Gibraltar. “I used to travel out by P&O Liner every holiday from my preparatory school in Durham and the Gibraltar of those days was a small boy’s paradise, much more so than today, as we had free access to Spain. Life consisted of bathing, hunting with the Calpe hounds, cricket matches, race meetings and children’s parties — all great fun.”

Sir Brian Horrocks

“

Life consisted of bathing, hunting with the Calpe hounds, cricket matches, race meetings and children’s parties — all great fun

”

Horrocks’ father was posted back to the UK in 1909 and a few years later Horrocks enrolled at Sandhurst. He records that he was a poor cadet: “I was a games addict, did as little work as possible and seemed all set for a normal, somewhat humdrum, military career, but the First World War altered all that.” Horrocks was shipped out with the British Expeditionary Force but his first war was a short one as his platoon was surrounded at the beginning of the Battle of Ypres and he was shot through the stomach and taken prisoner. Later he would state that being a prisoner of war benefited his career. “Yet, odd though this may sound, I now realise that being a prisoner-of-war was probably the best apprenticeship for the difficult business of command in war. The lessons were there for the learning, and unquestionably the most important was self-reliance.” After recovering from his wound Horrocks made several unsuccessful escape attempts, once getting within yards of the Dutch border. He wasn’t freed until the signing of the Armistice on 11th November, 1918. As a prisoner he was housed with a group of Russians and as a result learned to speak the language. Subsequently in 1919 he was sent with British troops to Siberia to help the White Russians in their fight against the Reds. When it became clear the White Russians were losing, the British were ordered home but before he could get out he fell ill with typhus and was taken to hospital. He eventually recovered but was held in custody until an exchange was arranged in October 1920. The highlight of the between-wars years was his participation in the Paris Olympics. The Modern Pentathlon at the time was a militaryorientated event consisting of shooting, fencing, swimming, athletics and horse riding. Surprisingly, considering his wounding and years as a prisoner of war, Horrocks best event was athletics where he finished third. He was 12th in the equestrian event, 14th in swimming but 34th in fencing, 35th in shooting and finished 19th

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

the past overall in a field of 38. Surprisingly the Swedes swept the medals. During World War II Horrocks had the opportunity to return to Gibraltar. In August 1942 he was promoted to corps commander, ordered to Cairo and flew on a Liberator via Gibraltar. “Suddenly Gibraltar lay below us, with its rather precarious looking runway jutting out into the sea. It is always a heart-warming sight to arrive at Gibraltar by air and see the famous rock looming like an old lion guarding the western entrance to the Mediterranean. All the same on this occasion I couldn’t help feeling that if Spain were to enter the war, or if German forces were allowed to operate from there, this British fortress would receive short shrift. I had seen just how useless those elaborate fortresses in the Maginot Line had proved the test of battle. I suppose I was very anti-fortress-minded, but it didn’t seem to me that Gibraltar, with its teeming civilian population packed like sardines on the side of the rock, could hold out for long in face of a modern air attack.” It would be an air attack that would knock Horrocks temporarily out of the fighting. He and other officers were in the street inspecting the effectiveness of a smoke screen when they were strafed by a German fighter. Horrocks was hit in the chest and the wound was so severe the

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

“

1905 with sister Jean in Gibraltar

It is always a heart-warming sight to arrive at Gibraltar by air and see the famous rock looming like an old lion

”

chief doctor was convinced he could not be saved. He remembers coming around to hear an American doctor tell him, “General, you are not going to die, I didn’t think it was possible until I operated — but you are not going to die.” Although Horrocks would return to fight in the European theatre, complications from the injury would force him to be invalided out when the war was over. He was honoured with the appointment as Black Rod in the House of Lords. He was later recruited to a host a television programme for the BBC titled Men in Battle. At its peak the programme attracted more than eight million viewers but its jingoistic nature outraged some viewers. One woman wrote to him: “You annoy me so much that every time you appear I throw an orange at the television set.” Sir Brian Horrocks lived his final days sailing his dinghy Ilona around Emsworth harbour, occasionally reflecting on those splendid boyhood days at Gibraltar. He died in 1985 aged 89. n * Scientific name Brucellosis, also called Bang’s disease, Gibraltar fever, Malta fever, Maltese fever, Mediterranean fever, rock fever, or undulant fever. It is a highly contagious zoonosis caused by ingestion of milk or meat from infected animals, or close contact with their secretions.

ah ah

IN GIBRALTAR

at home IN GIBRALTAR

Christmas’ll be all-white

It doesn’t matter that we’re in Gibraltar, celebrating Christmas is the time for snow... snow on cards, snowflake decorations and even spray snow to frost your windows. It’s all about setting the scene and creating that traditional Christmas feel.

o when you chose your Christmas decorations should you go for traditional red, green or gold, or dabble with your own allwhite, or white and silver wintery wonderland? The choice is yours, but even on a limited budget, there’s no need to despair. You can achieve any look you desire with a few innovative and creative ideas. Bring the warmth and joy of a traditional Christmas into your home with a few simple and easy ideas for decorating your Christmas table. For example, a wreath placed in the centre of your table makes a perfect centerpiece and works to tie all the elements together. If you have a theme in mind, whether it is traditional or contemporary, Christmas bells or red velvet bows, use the wreath as a starting point. Spray it any colour you choose (silver looks good). Poinsettias and holly look striking against a traditional green wreath that is swathed in a broad gold ribbon. One large red or gold candle or a candlebra with differing heights placed inside the wreath adds elegance and warmth to this beautiful centerpiece. It’s easier to decorate the rest of the table once you’ve completed your wreath; just carry out the same theme with your napkin ties and other table decorations. White napkins tied in curly red, gold and green ribbons look beautiful and classy while keeping with your

colour theme. Or use two napkins of different colors, try white and gold, roll them tightly and separately and tie them together with a beautiful wired ribbon for an elegant yet funky look. If you’ve got bells on your wreath, attach a bell to a piece of natural string or sparkly braid to tie your napkins to keep with the theme. Table mats, in complementary colours, complete the look and tiny glitter snowﬂakes scattered everywhere like confetti will make things sparkle. A row of white candles tied with gold bows down the centre of your table creates a completely different look (remember to leave table space for the food!). Glitter and glitter balls twinkle and shine by the light of the candles adding a magical touch to your Christmas table. Use long strands of party ribbons in various combinations and let them ﬂow around your other decorative pieces on the table. Handmade decorations add warmth and charm to any Christmas table. For a one-of-a-kind Christmas table decoration, you could use a miniature Christmas tree for each member of the family and ask them to decorate their tree any way they want to before the day. Placing the decorated Christmas trees down the centre of the table will add a warmth that can rival the most sumptuous Christmas table decoration. ■

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

at home IN GIBRALTAR

sweet dreams come in tubes Baby Zone Gibraltar, has recently opened premises just off Main Street and launched its website www.babyzonegibraltar.com where it is delighted and proud to introduce the award winning Dream Tubes. Dream Tubes is an easy to use and completely portable double sided bed guard, consisting of a fitted sheet with two integral pockets and two sturdy inflatable tubes. Simply place the fitted sheet onto the bed, inflate the tubes and zip them into the pockets of the specially designed, beautifully tailored, soft cotton sheet. Dream Tubes is the perfect solution to overcome the problems of young children falling out of bed and this revolutionary bed guard provides a soft and safe nest for your little one to snuggle up for a good night’s sleep. Not only are they perfect at home, but for sleepovers at granny’s house and holidays. Light and easily packed away they make a perfect travel companion for parents of young children. “The idea for Dream Tubes arose after the countless sleepless nights every parent experiences. We were looking for a soft and reassuring solution to cope with the often difficult time when young children move from a cot to a bed. The idea of a cosy double sided, portable bed guard was formed and Dream Tubes created,” say Amanda Allerton and Venetia Fuller the two energetic and busy mothers who are very passionate about their invention, Dream Tubes. This revolutionary new product was launching in Spain via Baby Zone who exhibited in the prestigious Feria Bebes & Mamas in Madrid in

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

November. Dream Tubes will soon be available from stockists throughout Spain, but is currently only available online from www.babyzone. es or by calling 00 34 666321285. Trade enquires welcome. In Gibraltar, the Dream Tubes are available exclusively from Baby Zone Gibraltar, but will soon be available from other stockists. This revolutionary solution to sleepless nights

is amongst the new products being introduced by Baby Zone Gibraltar, many of which have not been available locally before and which are exclusive to Baby Zone. The launch of a new website, with many new products coming on stream, combined with a Gift Registry and Service make shopping at Baby Zone Gibraltar a must this Christmas, and throughout the year! With a delightful range of room accessories, furniture and innovative parenting solutions such as Dream Tubes, BabyZone Gibraltar is committed to continually upgrading their product range with new quality products and to providing a high level of customer care whether you are enjoying preparing for the new arrival or creating a ﬁrst bedroom. ■ Dream Tubes Feature: • Available in two sizes

— single bed and cot bed

• Quick and easy to use • Ideal for travel, lightweight

and compact folding up to the size of a beach towel

• Protects both sides of bed • Provides a reassuring and bedtime environment for children aged 18 months to 5 years

• Aids the often difﬁcult

transition from a cot to a bed

• Keeps the duvet on and teddies in

• Excellent quality — 100% cotton 233 weave sheet

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Cheers to Chandeliers

at home IN GIBRALTAR

by Jane Hart of Denville Designs

Christmas is around three weeks weeks away, and now is the perfect time to start thinking of adding attractive touches to your home. This is the time when you have the most family, friends or neighbours over, and what could be more perfect than having an attractive home to show off? It’s the perfect time to add special new touches to your home because everything just gets emphasised further with the beautiful Christmas decorations, festive lights and the laviscious family dinners, and the fantastically wrapped presents under the Christmas tree. And the best part is you can do this cheaply — but give yourself time. You can naturally start decorating your home at any time but especially during your Christmas holiday, you’ll find everybody exceptionally involved in decorating their houses and looking for unique ideas. As the festive season is a yearly event, everybody has a tendency to go all out to fill their houses with decorations and ornaments. Last Christmas, I decided to update my rugs. The year before that, I updated my dinnerware. This year, guess what, I have decided I will be updating my light fixtures. Light fixtures and hanging chandeliers can be found at great prices in Gibraltar. Chandeliers are known to add timeless beauty, class and distinction to a home. Be adventurous and try various types. Chandeliers, and any type of hanging light fixtures, should be considered the jewels of a home. I personally prefer the ones with hanging crystals as they are so mesmerizing. A growing trend with chandeliers is to have them in the kitchen and bathrooms. They signify luxury, class, and beauty. They become the jewel; the diamond piece that beautifies the room. Typically smaller and more delicate chandeliers are used elsewhere in the home, like the hallway, and chandeliers in bathrooms can transform the look of a room while providing elegant, soft overhead illumination.

From traditional to contemporary chandeliers are available in Gibraltar from Denville Designs (Engineer Lane), Westex (New Harbours), Irish Town Antiques (Irish Town), and Pure Lighting (Ocean Heights)

58 58

Chandeliers have a romantic appeal that transcends time. Chandeliers are versatile and come in many shapes, sizes, colours and variety. The popularity of chandeliers stems from people being very aware of how they make a home beautiful and inviting. They add a lot of drama and romance to just about every room in the home — and people love romance. ■

GIBRALTARMAGAZINE MAGAZINE••DECEMBER DECEMBER2009 2009 GIBRALTAR

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

turn to pages 96-97 for property directory

59 59

profile

by Mike Brufal

Henry Massetti

Massetti’s Story Henry William Massetti BEM, 75, is an example of the incredible artistic talent to be found on the Rock. What is so amazing is that this engraver, sculptor, watercolourist, restorer, gold/silvermith, designer and calligrapher is totally self-taught and his artistic career went from one discipline to another by word of mouth recommendation. He would be commissioned, accept and then find out how to do what he had agreed to do! Henry is married to Pauline and they have two daughters and four grandchildren. He was born in Gibraltar in 1934, then his father tragically died when Henry was four years old. He has painful memories of the evacuation as getting out of a taxi in Casablanca its driver unexpectedly closed the door and caught Henry’s finger but fortunately for his eventual career his guardian angel ensured there was no permanent

damage. Upon arrival in London the family was sent to Dr Barnado’s home in Barkingside. It was here during an air raid, as he ran for cover, he fell and had to spend ten days in hospital. The day after his discharge a flying bomb fell on the hospital killing a Gibraltarian who was in his former bed and the patient’s mother who was visiting him. Henry’s mother was a gifted craft and needle

woman who would travel to London every day to sell her work and those created by a team of Gibraltarian women whom she had taught her skills. Such was her industry that she would crochet table mats while on the bus and sell them for 2/6 each. In 1944 the evacuees were sent to Northern Ireland where Henry and family were sent to Camp No 2 in Ballydugan, Co. Down. He remembers with considerable affection two teachers at Bonecastle school — Miss Killroy and Miss O’Driscoll. It was the latter who taught him Latin and to serve at Mass which he still does when and where he can. As the family’s tea ration was surplus to requirements his mother and other women in the camp would cross the border into Eire, sell the tea, and with the proceeds buy what was scarce in the camp. Henry would help in the farms at harvest time for which he was paid 7/6 a week. He stayed behind to say the rosary with the farmer and his wife and would be given fresh eggs, milk and vegetables to take back to his family. There were no restrictions in the camp and the evacuees were free to come and go as they pleased. Alas for the men in the camp there were few job opportunities but they were able to transfer to a camp near Belfast where there were jobs. Magda, Henry’s eldest sister, was at college in Downpatrick and as his mother did not know what to expect in Gibraltar, she would cross out their names whenever they were placed on the repatriation list. It turned out they were in the last party to be repatriated. Henry paid tribute to his mother, a staunch Catholic, as she had spared no effort in bringing up the family (she died last year aged 96). Henry enjoyed his time in Ireland and on a recent holiday there met up with some of his school friends. The family returned to the flat in which they’d lived before the evacuation but it was too small for four children. Fate came to the rescue as his mother obtained employment as a cook to Major Balfour whose friend Captain Lucas came to dinner every evening and who fortuitously was in charge of the Resettlement Board. He thought the flat was too small and so arranged for them to be moved into a new large flat in Ross House in the recently constructed Humphreys buildings. Henry went to the Sacred Heart School run by the Christian Brothers and remembers excellent advice given to him by Brother Ellis who said, “Henry, an idle mind is a devil’s workshop which yours will never be.” Unfortunately the need to contribute to the family budget meant he left school in 1949 aged 15 and managed to get a job in the power station. The years passed and from working as the switchboard attendant at the power station he went on to be promoted to Shift Charge Man. He remained at the power station for 20 years where he acquired considerable knowledge and experience in serving the public. In 1969 he successfully applied for a position in the waterworks which also meant he was working outdoors. He was sent to the UK on a course on water supply and administration. While at the waterworks he built a special effects water fountain with the help of Gibraltarian and Moroccan workers, to mark the visit of the Lord Mayor of London.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

profile The first time he was asked to craft a gift for a Governor was in 1969 when, as he walked to Catalan Bay, he was approached by Arturo Ferrary, Charlie Gaggero and Willie Piccone who were go-carting on Winston Churchill Avenue, and asked whether he would be able to create a replica, complete with engravings, of General Eliott’s walking staff (the original was in the Gibraltar museum). At this point in time Henry had done little artistic engraving on brass but his automatic reaction was to say “Yes”, find out what was required and find a way of delivering the finished replica which was to be presented by the Gibraltar Museum Committee to the new Governor, Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Varyl Begg upon his arrival on the Rock. Companies in the UK had been asked for quotations, but these exceeded the budget and could not be executed before the date of the presentation. The tall wooden staff was relatively easy to make but the bell shape with its domed fourinch high top had to be made. It was constructed from an old piece of brass pipe and the domed top engraved with a sketch of an exploding Spanish floating battery which was done by using beeswax and sulphuric acid. The wax was removed and the engraved copper placed in a bucket of water for several days. It emerged with exactly the same patina as the original. Arturo Ferrary was unable to tell the difference between the original and the replica. Henry said praise from the Colonel was worth more than any fee he might have charged. Since then he has been involved in crafting a gift for almost every Governor except for General Sir Robert Fulton as Henry retired at the age of 75 and now has many other commitments. His limited free time is dedicated to painting in watercolour. Among the many presentation pieces crafted was one for General Sir Gerald Lathbury. This was to take a 13 inch Spanish unexploded grenade found in the area now occupied by Ocean Village, fuse it onto a piece of rock from King’s Bastion and mount it onto a piece of wood from a sunken floating battery salvaged by Luis Payas! Henry then made a two-inch gun powder keg out of silver from Spanish coins and filled it with gun powder from the grenade. Henry was employed for 20 years by Cellini

Henry with Sir Richard Luce, then Governor of Gibraltar GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

The model depression carriage

The pew ends at the King’s Chapel

Henry had done little artistic engraving on brass but his automatic reaction was to say “Yes”, find out what was required and find a way of delivering the finished replica

Henry’s beautiful calligraphy

Goldsmiths as a gold and silversmith and he crafted many silver mementos. Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Terry, at the start of his distinguished career, was a member of the Royal Air Force Regiment whose members are universally known as Rock Apes. The Garrison Officers’ Mess asked Henry to create a Rock Ape in silver. The ape was sculpted in wax, a mould made from this and by using the lost wax process the ape appears as a silver ape. The ape was mounted on a black plinth complete with engraved silver plate. Henry made a set of silver keys, an exact copy of the ones used by the Governor on ceremonial occasions, to be presented to Admiral Sir Derek Reffell, upon his departure from the Rock. A few weeks earlier Sir Derek commissioned Henry to create a special anniversary brooch for his wife Janne. He designed a Castle and Key in gold surrounded by Gibraltar candytuft. The Governor chose to walk to the Dockyard to say his formal farewells upon his departure from Gibraltar and Lady Reffell wore the brooch during the walk. Henry was standing outside

profile Cellinis, along with many other Gibraltarians, waiting to say goodbye to the popular pair. Sir Derek saw Henry and came over, took off his white gloves and shook his hand saying “Thank you for all you have done for us, the keys and the brooch are wonderful, well done”. During their stay Henry had made several other pieces for Lady Reffell. Disaster struck when some time after their return to Surrey the brooch was lost and Sir Derek wrote and asked Henry to make a replacement. Although he could remember the design he was not certain of the measurements. A flash of inspiration struck him which led him to ask his friend, Luis the photographer, if he had taken any photographs of Lady Reffell wearing the brooch. He had and so a brooch was made identical to the lost one. Field Marshal Sir John Chapple owned a beautiful collection of silver figures of most Ghurkha regiments some of which over the years had become damaged as wherever Sir John went, so did this collection. Henry restored all the damaged ones. Before the Governor left, he was made life president of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment and Henry was commissioned to make a gold Garrison key, the same as the one shown on the Castle and Key emblem. This was mounted in a frame with the background cloth taken from the same bale as the Royal Gibraltar Regiment tie. During his time Henry has made sets of keys for various Governors and several dignitaries but the key he is most proud of is the set of Gibraltar keys which were given to Pope John Paul II by the Chief Minister on his official visit to the Vatican. Henry also has two pictures hanging in the Convent — Lady Lathbury asked him to paint a small copy of the large painting of The Defeat of the Floating Batteries at Gibraltar September 1782 in which General Eliott is shown with a group of Garrison officers, and key in the names of all those in the painting. This painting hangs below the original and eliminates all questions about who is who in the picture. The second painting is of a meeting at Apsley House in London with a key to all the people present. When the artist responsible for the calligraphy on the scrolls of the Freedom of the City of Gibraltar died and the Freedom was about to be bestowed on Sir Robert Peliza, Charles Collinson, the Mayor’s PA came and asked him whether he would be able to do the illuminations and calligraphy on the scroll. He agreed despite never having been involved with calligraphy of this

importance. The end result was a huge success and since then he has crafted scrolls to mark the Freedom of the City granted to the Royal Navy, the Boy Scouts, Ballymena and Lords Merrivale and Bethell. In 1982 Momy Levy organised a collection from the Gibraltarians to fund a gift for General Sir William Jackson. It was decided a sculpture in marble of the main porch and front of the Convent should be commissioned and the commission was given to Charles Anes. Henry’s contribution was to make an exact replica in silver of the main entrance wrought iron gate, windows and shutters which were added to the sculpture. Sir William considered it to be one of his favourite pieces in the considerable collection of gifts accrued over the decades. However it was so good and as it had been contributed to by so many Gibraltarians, Momy said the gift was for the General’s lifetime and upon his death it should be returned to Gibraltar. After Sir William’s death Lady Jackson wrote and asked whether she could keep it until her death. When she died it was returned to Gibraltar and is now in the Gibraltar museum. As if this was not enough, Henry is an amateur architect responsible for the design of the

During his time Henry has made sets of keys for various Governors and several dignitaries but the key he is most proud of is the set of Gibraltar keys which were given to Pope John Paul II

Village Inn in Catalan Bay. A commission that gives him considerable pride and pleasure is one from Monsignor Charles Azzopardi to restore the Crown and Sceptre on the original statue of Our Lady of Europe. He has also made two Celtic crosses, threeinches high, one in gold, the other in silver, for Bishop Bernard Devlin. He was greatly touched to receive a note from the Bishop saying these were the two most beautiful possessions he had ever been given. In 1989 he retired and was awarded the British Empire Medal for service to the Power Station and Public Works. Over the years Henry painted family crests for some of his friends. His friend and fellow artist Mario Rodriguez used to paint the shield of each Governor’s coat of arms which would be hung in the Convent dining room. Upon Mario’s death Henry was asked by the Major Domo if he would carry on with the tradition. He accepted and created the shields for five governors, the last being Sir Francis Richards. A further commission was received to engrave on wood the same coats of arms on the right hand front pew in the King’s Chapel. This requires a deft touch with the chisel as this wood is not suitable for deep engraving. Henry has also made a model of the Koehler depression gun. Some years ago he found himself on holiday in London at the same time as Colonel Arturo Ferrary. They went down to Woolwich museum and took measurements and sketches of many historic guns, the Koehler being one of them. His sketchbook, alas, was loaned to someone and has never been returned. One fact about the Koehler gun is that its wheels were made of wood not metal, since the Koehler was built on gun carriages removed from captured enemy ships. Gun carriages on board ships were fitted with wooden wheels so as to not damage the deck. Needless to say he has designed and made many items, in particular nativity scenes, which he donates to be raffled by charitable organisations. Recently one was painted in ten shades of pink and raffled in aid of Breast Cancer Research, pink being the colour of its emblem. Henry Massetti could not be more modest but his life shows what can be done when a man is blessed with natural talent and demonstrates what can be achieved without any formal training or instruction. Although three times retired, Henry is still full of energy and his artistic talents remain very much alive. n

Irish Town Antiques Antiques & Collectables Irish Town Gibraltar Tel: 200 70411

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

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184 Main Street Tel: 200 72133 open: from 8am (10am on Sun) Accountants Durante Carboni Jardim..............X3 ESV Hassan & Co........................ I4 Business/Financial Services AI Couriers (DHL)......................K3 Almanac......................................O2 Barclays...................................... M4 EFPG........................................... E0 GibraltarAssetManagement....... M5 Hassans............................................ Jyske Bank.................................. L4 Masbro Insurance........................N4 Norwich & Peterborough............Q5 Phoenix Solutions........................ J4 Sovereign Trust...........................N4 STM Fidecs.................................H7 Business Services Call Centre..................................V4 Global Business Centre................S3 Waste Management......................a6 Business Supplies Beacon Press...............................N6 Glasshouse..................................N5 Image Graphics...........................N3 Stitch Design................................P3

Motoring & Car Sales A. M. Capurro & Sons Ltd ........ N6 Computers & Cableing BSG...............................................I4 Image Graphics........................... N3 Newton Systems.........................M5 PC Clinic..................................... U3 Food & Drink Al Baraka.................................... X7 Amin’s The Office....................... K5 All Sports Bar ............................ N3 Birdie Cafe Restaurant................ D7 Brunos......................................... B3 The Boatyard................................Z6 Buddies Pasta Casa..................... Q4 Cafe Rojo.................................... K5 Café Solo..................................... G3 Casa Pepe.....................................Z6 El Patio........................................ H2 Final Whistle............................... N3 Fresh .......................................... G4 Garcia’s Take-Away.................... C1 Get Joost...............................H4, S4 Get Stuffed.................................. A3 House of Sacarello.......................L5 Just-a-Nibble.................................I4

Just Desserts...................................I4 Khans............................................C8 London Bar...................................R2 Lord Nelson................................. H2 Marrakesh Restaurant...................R3 Mumtaz........................................ N2 El Patio......................................... H2 Picadilly Gardens.......................... b4 Pickwicks Bar...............................R3 Pig and Whistle Bar..................... D7 Pusser’s Landing . ........................C5 Roy’s Cod Plaice.......................... H4 Royal Calpe.................................. Q5 Saccone & Speed...........................J4 Sai Darbar.................................... Q2 Smiths Fish and Chips................. V4 Solo Express................................ H4 Star Bar........................................ K5 The Three Roses.......................... Q2 Trafalgar Sports Bar.......................a3 Verdi Verdi................................... N3 Waterfront.................................... Y7 Funeral Services Codali Funeral Services............... U3 Hair & Beauty Salons Classic Cuts..................................M3

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Property Sales / Estate Agents BFA..............................................D3 Bray Property...............................B3 Property World.............................. I4 Solomon Levy . ...........................U3 General Services Anything Goes............................. P2 Art Gallery...................................R4 Balban (electrician)......................H2 Balloqui . ..................................... P4 LP Borge......................................X3 Denville Designs.........................M3 Fashion House Interiors............... P2 Greenarc.......................................X5 Larbi upholstery...........................R3 Queensway Quay Laundrette.......X7 Seekers.........................................L3 Space Interiors.............................. I3

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health

The team

Care from the Specialists 18 months ago the Specialist Medical Clinic opened its doors to its first patient. The project was the brainchild of a group of local consultant doctors and has heralded the beginning of a new era in private secondary healthcare provision for residents of Gibraltar and the Campo area. By bringing together a group of experienced, accredited and practicing specialist doctors under one roof the Specialist Medical Group has now pooled the services of over 20 clinical specialities which offers the discerning patient a one-stop solution to most secondary health care problems. The four founding partners initially provided a core service of general medicine, general surgery and radiology, however the group has now expanded to include a whole host of disciplines from cardiology and neurology, to obesity surgery and gynaecology, even encompassing psychiatry and non surgical aesthetics. Prevention is an important focus of the clinic with cancer and degenerative disease screening, baby scanning and well man/woman assessments on offer. Specialists selected and headhunted from within Gibraltar, Spain and the UK have one overriding pre-requisite — accreditation in their specialist area and to have been recognised as a specialist in their field within their home healthcare system. Furthermore, each clinician is required to have a proven track record of delivering the best of evidence-based medicine and to be a fluent English speaker. While half of the clinic’s specialists are based locally, the rest either work on the Costa del Sol or in the UK, visiting the clinic on a weekly or

4D baby scanner

Patients can self-refer to the clinic for treatment (you don’t need your GP to refer you) particularly for services such as baby scanning

fortnightly basis depending on demand. English is not the only language spoken in the clinic, however, and it is not unusual to hear Italian, German, Slovakian, Danish, Russian, Spanish and of course Llanito. Nevertheless, all consultations take place in English as the primary language which makes the clinic ideal for those who are unhappy dealing with healthcare in a foreign language/country. Through its well-established network of associate organisations, the clinic has the ability to access services in all of the major private hospitals on the Costa del Sol, plus of course many private institutions in the UK, Germany, Italy and Scandinavia. From the diagnostics point of view Mammograms, CT, MRI, PET and Isotope scans are rapidly obtained from the best Spanish institutions while malignant disease is treated in association with one of the senior oncologists from Madrid’s leading oncology services. Patients can self-refer to the clinic for treatment (you don’t need your GP to refer you) particularly for services such as baby scanning, aesthetic/plastic and obesity surgery and conditions where there is a specific problem. However, 60% of the referrals to the clinic come from other health care professionals locally, and patients now regularly visit the clinic from as far afield as Malaga, Cadiz and the UK. So what’s now available at the Specialist Medical Clinic? Well, in short, nearly everything!

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

health Of course the clinic does not have in-patient facilities so dire emergencies need to be seen at the local hospital’s A&E department, however sub-acute disease can be dealt with. The group has admitting rights to at least four private hospitals within the Costa del Sol and patients requiring surgery or in-patient stays are treated within these institutions. If necessary, English-trained nurses can be provided through a Spanish-based UK nursing company to oversee the admission and liaise with the hospital’s resident healthcare professionals. The clinic’s surgical team is growing rapidly and now apart from the original general surgical services (hernia, colo-proctology, minimally invasive varicose vein treatment, laparoscopic gall bladder removal, obesity surgery etc), the clinic offers orthopaedic and sports injury surgery (including soft tissue injury management, knee, hip and shoulder surgery and hand and foot surgery — the latter which has been complimented by the forthcoming move of the Well Foot Clinic to the SMC premises in the ICC), plastic surgery (including aesthetic and reconstructive procedures and non surgical treatments), office based ENT surgery, ophthalmic surgery and gynaecology. With the small on site operating theatre, it is now possible to perform many of the day case surgical procedures within the clinic, including local anaesthetic varicose vein treatments! That’s quite a lot of progress in just 18 months — we wonder what the Specialist Medical Clinic will be offering in their extended ICC premises in another 18 months time.... Watch this space. n The operating room

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

health

by Sonia Golt

The Queen Honours Emily Due to her immense efforts Emily Adamberry Olivero was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list last month, and awarded the MBE for services to the community in the field of mental health. Emily, who has four brothers and an older sister, is well known locally for her pleasant character and empathy for others. Many of us remember her as a young girl running in and out of her parent’s shop in Main Street, Adamberry Newsagents. Emily believes life can be really be worth living at any age and we should all strive to achieve a quality of life especially within our inner selves. She talks with deep feeling and understanding as she has experienced mental illness herself and knows what it is to feel worthless. “Loving ourselves is as important as loving others and being able to reach out and touch others’ hearts is one of the greatest gifts of all,” she adds. Emily was diagnosed as having Bipolar disorder and has experienced living with mental illness from another angle too as some family members also suffered from metal disorders. This experience has helped her become the person she is today, with a unique understanding of the emotional and psychological turmoil people can experience within when they suffer from mental illness. Since 1992 she has dedicated her spare time to helping people overcome, or prevent them from developing, mental illness through personal support and creating awareness with public campaigns. She was recently instrumental in opening a daytime drop-in centre to which she would like to extend an invitation to those interested. “I push myself to do two fulltime jobs and I reach brain drain when I cannot churn out my creativity,” she says. While the disorder affects people differently, some studies have found a significant correlation between creativity and bipolar disorder (also called manic depression). Sir Winston Churchill, for example, used the euphemism “The Black Dog” to conceal his mental illness. “Over the years I have had psychiatric treatment for my diagnosed bi-polar disorder but I have also weaned myself off the treatment by using spiritual guidance, as well as psychological,” Emily explains.

Emily Adamberry Olivero, MBE at Buckingham Palace

“I am glad that coming out and saying I was suffering from this helped many others and this is why I started the Psychological Support Group.” Emily undertook an Open University degree on psychology and became a graduate member of the British Psychological Society. She worked very hard following this with a professional diploma in Counselling and a Masters in Psychology — all this from a girl who at school had hated studying and did barely enough to get her through.

“

Mental health illnesses are sometimes misdiagnosed from the start, and therefore the numbers who suffer may be far higher than statistics indicate. Depressive disorders and schizophrenia are the most common forms of mental disorders throughout the world. Emily explains that Mentally Ill and Mentally Disabled are two totally different concepts to be dealt with differently. This past October, Emily attended the 15th International Clubhouse Seminar in Florida which she says was a real eye opener and a great

I am glad that coming out and saying I was suffering from this helped many others and this is why I started the Psychological Support Group

”

manifestation of the Clubhouse model in action. Clubhouses are a source of support and hope: they offer people with mental illness opportunities to reach their full potential. “Something which I would like to introduce to Gibraltar when circumstances permit,” she says. “I also attended a one day conference on ‘Raising Funds from the Rich’ on 14th October and I met Sir Richard Branson who was a keynote speaker at the conference. I have various projects in mind including a charity shop and would appreciate help from volunteers with time on their hands during the day or evening to assist with different tasks.” At the present time, Emily says “We need more psychiatrists and at least two more house doctors to share the current burden as we are understaffed within this health area. Our psychiatrist are also the only consultants in the GHA who do not have house doctors under them! It is bad enough to have stigma and prejudices associated with mental illness but to have discrimination against the professional staff is terrible. Recently we have had a situation where Mental Health Nurses have been imported to meet the shortfalls of staff locally and this has been at great expense as it also included accommodation in one of Gibraltar’s top hotels! Surely we should have a pool of local nurses to cover leave or sickness and avoid this happening again?” Emily is pleased however that things are better than they were in the past. “We have indeed come a long way, I am pleased that we have made people more aware about this illness and those who suffer from it are now more open to seeking help as they are not as fearful as before.” Those who need help can call the Psycholocial Support Group on 200 51623 or email: psgcare@yahoo.com. Emily received her MBE on 20th November in London. The awards are presented by the reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II. The majority of people who know Emily will feel happy that, at long last, she has been recognised and appreciated for giving of her experience to help others. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

health St John Ambulance courses in Gibraltar are exactly the same courses as those in the UK, conforming to UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines. Responding to feedback from employers and First Aid training providers, the new regulations are designed to give greater flexibility to businesses and organisations, while still providing quality learning to students.

First Aid at Work is also a useful qualification as back up support for Full First Aiders. There is no final assessment, candidates are continually assessed by the instructor throughout the day. Whilst not as intensive as the three day course, it still gives the skills and confidence to deal with emergencies and minor injuries. Next available date is 14th December.

As before, all employers must provide adequate first aid cover and are required to carry out a risk assessment to decide on the numbers of first aiders required and the level of training needed. There are now just two risk categories; Low Risk and Higher Risk.

St John Ambulance will provide all students who successfully pass one of the workplace courses (1 or 3 day and including those already currently qualified) with Associate Membership Insurance cover for the duration of the validity of their training qualification.

First Aid Changes

The HSE First Aid at Work has changed from 4 days to 3 days. Recent simplification of first aid protocols, including CPR and casualty movement, mean that less time is needed to teach these and other subjects. Certificates are valid for three years. Next dates available are 9-11th December.

existing 3 year certificate is still valid. Next dates available are 3-4th December.

The requalification course is still 2 days. This course updates the first aid skills for people who need to renew their statutory ‘first aid at work’ certificate and whose

The HSE now strongly advises that all qualified First Aiders attend a short annual refresher (3 hours) to prevent inevitable skills fade. During 2010, these refreshers will be

There are some important new changes in HSE First Aid which all employers need to be aware of.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

offered free of charge by St John to qualified First Aiders. The Emergency First Aid in the Workplace course, is designed for lower risk businesses where a risk assessment has indicated that a lower level of First Aid cover is sufficient. Emergency

Additionally, the range of courses now available from St John has recently expanded to include: • AED (Automated External Defibrillator) Training • Emergency First Aid for Babies • Emergency First Aid for Toddlers and Children • Early Years First Aid (meeting Ofsted standards) • Schools First Aid • Sports First Aid St John is happy to answer any questions. Please call Kerrie on 200 77390 or email training@stjohn.gi

health & medical directory

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Member of the British Chiropractic Association

Back to better health with Chiropractic for headaches, dizziness, neck and lower back pain, sciatica, osteoathritis and sports injuries. College Clinic, Regal Hse. Tel: 200 77777

Treatment of Back Pain, Neck Pain, Headaches, Limb Pain & Sports Injuries Tel: 200 44226

CHEMISTS Bell Pharmacy 27 Bell Lane Tel: 200 77289 Fax: 200 42989

PASSANO OPTICIANS LTD

Louis’ Pharmacy Unit F12, International Commercial Centre, Casemates. Tel: 200 44797

British Registered Optometrists

Chiropodists

38 Main St Tel: 200 76544 Fax: 200 76541 Email: passano@sapphirenet.gi

completefitness Sports Massage Therapy & Personal Training Unit G3, Eliott Hotel Gibraltar Tel: 200 51113

The Health Store

GUARANTEED

Suppliers of Glucosamine, Ginkgo Biloba and all vitamins. Body Building Products (Creatine etc) Open: 9am - 1pm & 3pm - 6pm

You pre-pay at today’s prices, we provide your chosen service whenever it is eventually required and whatever it eventually costs Brochures on Pre-Paid Funeral Planning Available from:

11 Convent Place Tel: 200 75747

Codali Funeral Services

For all your Pharmaceutical needs

STATE REGISTERED CHIROPODIST Treatment of all Foot Problems • Ingrown Toe-nails including Surgical Removal • Biomechanical Analysis for Insoles / Orthotics including Children

DUTY CHEMISTS

December 2009-January 2010

1-7 Dec Mill Pharmacy 8-14 Crown Pharmacy 15-21 Calpe 93 22-28 Trafalgar 29-4 Jan Bell 5-11 Calpe ICC 12-18 Valmar 19-25 Bagllietto 26-1 Feb Morrisons The duty chemist is open 7- 9pm Monday - Friday and 11am-1pm & 6-8pm weekends/public holidays

Primary Care Centre Tel: 200 77777

College Clinic, Regal House, Queensway TEL: 54029587 FOR HOME VISITS

Need somebody to talk to?

2nd Flr International Commercial Centre

Weekend and Public Holiday Opening Hours (use Irish Town entrance)

7 days a week 6-10pm

DentAL SURGEONS Daniel N. Borge BDS MSc MFDS RCS(Eng) Borge Dental/Medical Centre 7-9 Cornwall’s Lane Tel: 200 75790 Keith J Vinnicombe BDS (Wales) LDS RCS (Eng) MFGDP (UK)

Unit F5B ICC, 2a Main Street Tel/Fax: 200 40747 Emergency: 200 78756

Physicians

• Wart (Verruca) Clinic • Diabetics

Dr Carsten Rudolf Steiner BSc, DC Steiner Chiropractic Clinics, College Clinic, Regal Hse Tel: 200 77777

Dr Hasse Lundgaard DDS Borge Dental & Medical Centre 7-9 Cornwall’s Lane Tel/Fax: 200 75790

Open: 9 - 7 Monday - Friday, Saturday 10 -1.30pm, Closed Sundays Unit F12, International Commercial Centre, Casemates. Tel: 200 44797

BSc (Podiatry), M.Ch.S

Gillian Schirmer MA, DC, MMCA McTimoney Chiropractor, Clinic (Claudia’s), 1st Flr, 58 Main St Tel: 200 41733 After hours: 200 40026

ORTHODONTISTS

Louis’ Pharmacy JOHN W. MILES

ChiropraCtors Dr Steven J. Crump BSc, DC, MCC ICC F5C 1st Flr, Casemates. Tel: 200 44226

ICC Suite F5C 1st Floor, Casemates, Gibraltar Member of British Chiropractic Association

5 City Mill Lane, Gibraltar. Tel: 20073765

John W Miles BSc (Podiatry), MChS College Clinic, Regal House Tel: 200 77777

Saturday: 9am - 11am, 5pm - 6pm Sunday & Public Holidays : 10am - 11am, 5pm - 6pm

64 whataapage pageturner! turner!www.thegibraltarmagazine.com www.thegibraltarmagazine.com 70 what

Dr Norbert V Borge FRCP (London) 7-9 Cornwall’s Lane Tel/Fax: 200 75790

Health Stores The Health Store 5 City Mill Lane. Tel: 200 73765

Opticians / Optometrists Gache & Co Limited 266 Main Street. Tel: 200 75757 L. M. Passano Optometrist 38 Main Street. Tel: 200 76544

PERSONAL TRAINERS Simon Coldwell Complete Fitness Unit G3, Eliott Hotel Tel: 200 51113 Isabella Jimenez BSc (hons) 3/8 Turnbull’s Lane Tel: 54002226 email: jimenez.isabella@gmail.com

SPECIALISTS Specialist Medical Centre Unit F7 ICC Casemates Square Tel: 200 49999 Fax: 200 49999 Email: info@smg.gi www.smg.gi

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

beauty

products: beauty elixir for your hair Roots on George’s Lane has a great new product on sale, and they are so confident you will love it they will give you a free demonstration so you can judge the results for yourself. Orofluido (Fluid Gold) is a no rinse treatment suitable for all types of hair. Its quickly absorbed silky texture leaves no residue and promises incomparable silkiness, incredible lightness, extreme softness, and at the same time repairs and provides body and volume to the hair. The formula of Orofluido includes a mixture of biological oils from around the world: First there is Argan oil for strength, shine, softness and lightness. The Berber women, who live in the arid and windy Moroccan countryside, protect their bodies and hair with the Argan Oil. Its many virtues have given it the nick name “Liquid Gold of Morocco”, and it is extracted by hand from the stone of the Argan Argania

spinosa fruit. Next comes Cypress oil for detangling, volume, shine and lightness. Numerous papyri have been found in the Egyptian pyramids, containing recipes for cosmetics and beauty care for the skin, body and hair. Among the ingredients listed are alabaster powder, honey, donkey’s milk, sea salt and cypress oil (Cyperus esculentus). And ﬁnally there is Linseed oil from the Mediterranean shores. The oil of Linseed or Flax Plant (Linum usitatissimum, Linaceae) emulsiﬁes and provides shine, protection, density/texture, and is used as a straightener.

With its delicate and sweet scent of the Orient, Oroﬂuido is a pleasure to use

With its delicate and sweet scent of the Orient, Orofluido is a pleasure to use. It can be used on both damp hair, as a blow-dry aid or on dry hair as a finishing product to control and give shine — as often as required. The results after using Orofluido is said to be healthy weightless hair, with an intense shine, and repaired at the same time. Call at Roots to ask for a free demonstration and judge the properties of this marvellous, yet inexpensive product for yourself. Orofluido – Fluid Gold is available in Gibraltar exclusively at Roots, 9 George’s Lane, Gibraltar. Tel 20073786 at £19.50 per 100ml bottle — the ideal gift for your hair, or your friends and family’s hair, this Christmas.

58 Main Street, 1st Floor. Tel: 200 74040 Regular Clinics Claudia Schiel Health/Beauty Therapist Auriculo Medicine for Stop Smoking Dermatological Peels Non Surgical Lifting Specialising in all kinds of skin problems Holistic Therapies for various conditions - Reflexology - Medicinal Pedicures - Hair Extensions Gillian Schirmer MA DC UK McTimoney Chiropractor Gentle and Effective Chiropractic Treatment for all Muscular and Joint Pains, especially Sports Injuries, Pregnancy. Headaches, and Migraines. Suitable for all ages. Alison Prior Health/Beauty Therapist

Lymphatic Drainage Sports Injuries - Cervical Problems Collagen Implants Botox Injections - Sclerotherapy (Thread Vein Treatment) New Clinics FAKE BAKE NEW in Gibraltar - revolutionary fake tanning system Exclusive Agents Laser Clinic Permanent Hair Removal, Pigmentation and anti-aging Health / Weight Loss Unique personalised nutrition programme Ultra Sound NEW fat removing technique

- Facials - Waxing - Massages - Slimming Treatments NEW! Skin Tag & Thread Vein Removal Hollywood & Brazilian Waxing

BOOK NOW FOR: Various evening courses in Beauty Therapy

Registered & Licensed by Health & Environmental Department

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com 71

puzzle page

SUDOKU Win a lunch for two at

by Alan Gravett 2

The Cannon Bar

14 15

25 26

Send completed suduko to: The Cannon Bar, 27 Cannon Lane Gibraltar. One entry per person. Closing date: 24th December 2009 Winner notified in next issue of The Gibraltar Magazine.

Across 1) Exactly in the middle (4,6) 6) An unfree person (mediæval) (4) 10) Machine for extracting wetness from washing (5) 11) Good king who looked out on Boxing Day (9) 12) 1) ac. on a darts board (8) 13) Fabric from which jeans are made (5) 15) Louis Bleriot, perhaps, or Charles Lindbergh (7) 17) 11) looked out on this saint’s feast day (7) 19) 11) was king of this old country (7) 21) Book; shyness (7) 22) Bird of the thrush family noted for its red chest (5) 24) Adjective especially applied to Rudolph (3-5) 26) Fixation (9) 28) Loathe (5) 29) Thrill; propel a football legally (4) 30) Quality of dough, for example (10)

Down 1) Extinct bird of Mauritius (4) 2) Whatever you prefer (2,3,4) 3) Type of song associated with Christmas (5) 4) What starts on January 1st. (3,4) One entry per person. Closing date: 24th December 2009 5) Campanologists; look-alikes (7) Winner notified in next issue 7) ----- Terry, old actress (5) of The Gibraltar Magazine. 8) Purveyor of haddock, cod etc. (10) 9) Unnecessary (8) Last month’s winner: 14) Lewis Carroll animal creation (10) Valerie Austin, San Felipe, La Linea 16) Quality of being docile (8) 18) (Lucky) equine footwear (9) LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS: 20) EasyJet for example (7) Across: Brotherhood, Bear, Stingray, Adapter, Lough, Mouse, 21) Rats, mice etc. (7) Cruelty, Probated, Rome, Smokescreen. Down: Soar, Whiskey, Bruin, Mongoose, Breadboards, 23) Fundamental (5) 25) Relative of the giraffe (5) Draughtsman, Passbook, Predict, Otter, Reek. 26) Greek equivalent of the Roman Cupid (4)

Send completed crossword to: The Clipper, Irish Town, Gibraltar.

FIRST PRIZE: Lunch for 2 at The Clipper

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

history

by Reg Reynolds

Celebrity Wedding:

the cardigans

Many celebrities have tied the knot on the Rock, John Lennon and Yoko Ono (famously), and Sean Connery (twice) are among the more notable of recent times but in the mid-19th Century the celebrity wedding one year was that of Lord Cardigan. The famed leader of the historic ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’ sailed into Gibraltar harbour aboard his luxurious yacht Airedale and accompanied by his beautiful and much younger bride to be. On 28th September, 1858, 61-year-old James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan and 33-year-old Adeline de Horsey were married in the King’s Chapel, Gibraltar. Despite the fiasco of the Light Brigade charge — 156 killed, 122 wounded — commemorated in Tennyson’s inspiring poem, which includes the famous line “Into the valley of death rode the 600,” Cardigan escaped any blame and was welcomed back from the Crimean War as a hero. Cardigan was wealthy, cut a handsome figure, had a reputation for being a bit of a rouge and despite his age was considered a good catch. More than one woman was playing the waiting game as first wife Elizabeth lay bed-ridden with a fatal illness. During the final year of her life Cardigan and Adeline caused a scandal by

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

carrying on a very public affair. In her autobiography My Recollections Adeline wrote: “There was another and a stronger reason for the wagging tongues of slander, for they were prompted by jealousy. Lady Cardigan was then very ill, and every one knew that her death was only a question of a year or two. Once free, Lord Cardigan would be a prize well worth winning by match-making matrons with marriageable daughters, and his openly avowed affection for

Cardigan was wealthy, cut a handsome figure, had a reputation for being a bit of a rouge and despite his age was considered a good catch

me had put an end to these hopes.” Cardigan was a friend of Adeline’s father and he had had his eye on her long before they finally got together. She certainly was beautiful. In his book The Homicidal Earl, Saul David gives this description: “With her long dark hair, sparkling brown eyes, vivaciously pretty face and elegant figure, Adeline could not fail to provoke the admiration of a man twice her age.” Importantly for society of the time Adeline was an expert pianist, had a beautiful singing voice, could speak Greek, Spanish, Italian and French and could dance the cachuca with castanets. When Elizabeth finally passed on Cardigan rushed to Adeline’s house in Park Lane. She recalled the moment. “On the morning of 12th July, 1858, I was awakened by a loud knocking at the front door. I looked at my watch, and saw that it was not seven o’clock; I was, needless to say, very alarmed, as I wondered whether anything had happened to my father or my brothers.” Adeline only had time to slip on a dressinggown before Cardigan rushed in and exclaimed, “My dearest she’s dead... let’s get married at once.” “Then I knew that the trying period of our probation was over, and that we were free to be happy together at last.” But Adeline insisted that she did not want to insult the memory of the woman, “who had shown me so many kindnesses,” and refused to marry Cardigan, “…until some time had elapsed”. That time was precisely two months and sixteen days. In September she left London for Cowes where she boarded the Airedale to join Cardigan. There was a party with friends and family and then they sailed for Gibraltar. The voyage was uneventful but on arrival there was a terrific storm. Adeline described it as almost tropical in its violence: “Roofs were torn off houses and whirled, light as dead leaves, through the air, great trees were uprooted, heavy masonry fell everywhere, and the ships tossed about like cockle-shells in the harbour.” During the storm a French vessel was seen to be in distress and Adeline urged Cardigan to send the Airedale to try to save the crew. “He assented, and through this timely aid from our yacht, 14 men were rescued, and we also took a French poodle off a raft to which he was clinging, his owner doubtless having been drowned.” Adeline wore a white silk gown draped with a blue scarf for the wedding and a large hat adorned with many feathers. Cardigan’s friends the Pagets were in attendance along with Adeline’s brother Algernon de Horsey. A celebration on the yacht followed and the happy couple spent a “gay week” in Gibraltar before setting off on a long honeymoon that took them through the Med by boat to Turin and Genoa and then by train to Paris and finally back to London. Lord Cardigan died on Friday, 28th March, 1867, two days after being thrown from a young horse he had recently purchased. He was 70. Adeline remarried to Don Antonio Manuel de Lancastere Soldana, Conde de Lancastre and went by the title Countess of Cardigan and Lancastre. She died in 1915 aged 90. n

what’s on December Saturday 12th December Gibraltar Botanic Garden Tour - meet George Don Gates (at the south end of Grand Parade) at 10.30am. There is no fee but donations are welcome. Contact Tel: 20072639 Email: alameda@wildlife.gib.gi Father Christmas look alike competition at Ocean Village, Leisure Island from 7pm. Tel: 200 40048. Santa Claus - Sponsored Walk in aid of Leukaemia Research at Casemates Square. Registration £5.00 from 10am. Walk starts at 11am. Dress as Santa Claus or just wear a Santa hat. Thursday 15th December Carols by Candlelight with the Gibraltar National Choir at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Tuesday 15th & Wednesday 16th December GSPCA - Gibraltar Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - Painting Exhibition “Christmas Cards” at John Mackintosh Hall, Lower Exhibition Rooms 10am11pm. Entrance free. Wednesday 16th December Calpe Band at Ocean Village- Leisure Island 5pm. For further information contact Tel: 20040048

Tuesday 1st - Saturday 12th December Gibraltar Model Soldier Society exhibition at Casemates Vaults. Theme ‘World War II’ - one of the vaults will be used to display these; other figures, dioramas and collections on display in other vaults. Workshops will concentrate on demonstrations of Warhammer war-gaming and painting of figures etc. Open 10am7pm on weekdays and 10am-1pm on Saturdays. For more info or to join the Society contact Chairman Alan at 200 40240 or 54117000. Wednesday 2nd December Switching on of Christmas Illuminations and Carol Singing at Ocean Village, Leisure Island 6pm. Tuesday 8th December Christmas Market at Waterfront Restaurant, Queensway Quay. Craft stalls, mulled wine, mince pies and carol singing, plus a visit from Santa. From 5.30pm.

GBC Open Day (in aid of Local Charities) at 9.30am to 6pm – Radio Road Show at the Piazza followed by a variety show live on GBC Television from 9pm. For further info contact Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation Tel: 200 79760 or email: openday@gbc.gi Saturday 19th December Sexy Santa at Ocean Village, Leisure Island 7pm. An anthology in prose and verse about dogs takes place on 9th & 10th December

Wednesday 9th December Calpe Band at Ocean Village, Leisure Island 5pm. The Coarse Acting Show, a classic by Michael Green, debuting at Bayside Drama Studio. £5. Wednesday 9th & Thursday 10th December An anthology in prose and verse about dogs, past, present and to come, devised and presented by Cecil Gomez. Woofing by: Peter Canessa, Maite Gracia, Nicky Guerrero, Lizzie Neish and Tony Loddo. At the Leslie Zammitt Drama Studio, Westside Comprehensive School at 8.30pm. Tickets on sale at

House of Sacarello during opening hours. Price: £4. Thursday 10th December Carols by Candlelight with the Gibraltar National Choir at Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned, Main Street. Thursday 10th & Friday 11th December Tiny Tots Nursery - Christmas Show “A Musical Wonderland” at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre 6pm. Tickets £5 from Tiny Tots Nursery, Grand Parade.

Tuesday 22nd December Children’s Entertainment with carol singing and late night shopping at Ocean Village, Leisure Island. Friday 25th December Savannah Christmas Ball - DJ’s Rez, Savannah Star, NoiseBomb, Doug Holland - MonkeyBoy on Bongos + Go Gos. Saturday 26th December Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) Polar Bear Swim at GASA, 10 Europort Avenue 11am. For further information Tel: 20072869 Traditional Boxing Day Polar Bear Swim at Catalan Bay Beach 11.30am. Contact Caleta Hotel 200 76501. Thursday 31st December HedKandi presents Glitterball 2010 @ Savannah - DJ’s Jay Da Funk, Desmond Paul. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

competition

Where in the World? We are always amazed at where people say they have picked up a Gibraltar Magazine, from pubs in Ireland and the Isle of Man to hotels in South Africa and Texas it seems they travel around. We thought it would be fun to get pictures of Gibraltar Magazines on their travels. As you can see the one above is staying 5 star in Vietnam (thanks Heather and John for that piccie) and on the right Craig and Marjorie are enjoying a good read in front of a very famous city landscape... But where in the world is it? Send you pictures to us here at the Gibraltar Magazine gibmag@gibraltar. gi and letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s see just how far the magazines can go!

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;˘ DECEMBER 2009

pets&accessories Protect Your Dog Against Fatal Summer Diseases Heartworm, Leishmaniosis, Tickborne Diseases Phone Gibraltar Veterinary Clinic for details 200 77334 Emergency: 8977

www.medgolf.gi medgolf@gibraltar.gi Tel: 200 79575 Fax: 200 44307

newsagents

hobbies&pastimes

Sun Daily Mail Star Express Mirror Available Daily on the Rock Every Morning from

L. SACARELLO 96 Main St Tel: 200 78723 Fax: 200 78723 HORTICULTURAL CONTRACTORS Tel: 200 43134 Fax: 200 50648 Convent Gardens, Convent Garden Ramp

photography

Booksellers, Newsagents & Stationers

leisure & tuition travel&hotels

Gibraltar Connections by Reg Reynolds

60 riveting true stories of people and events connected to the world’s most famous Rock.

lessons&tuition

leisure&sport

Frost Language Centre

GACHE & CO LTD

(Co. Registered in Gibraltar)

EST. 1830

• Giftware • Jewellery • Sports Trophies • Awards & Engravers

Spanish lessons. Private Tuition. If you would like to learn Spanish or improve your knowledge of the language, please contact Margaret for more info

on 956 173384 or e.mail rmf2@telefonica.net

266 Main St, Gibraltar Tel: 200 75757

Queen’s Hotel Gibraltar Excellent Prices • Centrally Located • Easy Access • Parking • Bar • Restaurant

Tel: (+350) 20074000 Fax: 20040030

The Flowers of Gibraltar by Leslie Linares, Arthur Harper and John Cortes

Book on sale at Gibraltar Book Shops

76 76

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • APRIL 2009

pet problems

Puppy Love... Fads come and go, but as far as children’s Christmas wish lists go you just can’t beat two wheels or a puppy, but while bikes are always a good option, do puppies make good Christmas presents? Yes kids love puppies. They have soft fur, and big brown eyes and are often free to good homes. Children plead, “Please can I have a puppy? Please!” They promise they’ll take care of them, and never forget to feed them, or give them water, or take them for a walk, and they’ll even agree to scoop the poop. But is all of that really enough to make them good choices for a Christmas gift? The fact is, more puppies are abandoned after Christmas than at any other time of the year. And it really isn’t surprising. Owning a dog is a big commitment, for the whole family. Puppies chew things, including furniture, children’s toys, and shoes and you need a lot of patience for this kind of behaviour. Puppies bark a lot, and some whine and cry all night long, during the first few weeks after being separated from their mother, and brothers and sisters, putting a strain on the whole household. Puppies pee on the carpet. This is something many people aren’t prepared to deal with. They will ruin carpets, furniture, and flooring. House training takes time and effort — and needs to happen even when you have other things to do. A puppy is a big commitment, not just in the short term. Dogs can live for 20 years, and may be in the house long after the child has gone to university or left home. If you do decide to get your child a puppy for Christmas it is important to make sure you are committed to training and taking care of it for its entire life, and that means taking it out several times a day, EVERY day, for many years.

If you are still sure a dog is for you and your family this festive season, consider adopting one of the lovely abandoned older dogs from the GSPCA (you can view them at the kennels in Rosia Road). Their characters will already be apparent, they will probably be housetrained and past the chewing stage, and they’d be grateful for a loving home. n GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

Doggie Dilemmas... Dear Charley, I’m at my wits end with Siren, he is a 4 year old male terrier cross, and is terrified of loud sudden noises. No matter what I do, to try and comfort him he just does not calm down and is a wreck. He barks and shakes every time he hears thunder or fireworks and it’s as if I’m not even there when he is in this state. I don’t want to give him sedatives but I am at the point now where I can’t think of anything else to do. Alex

the correct way to react and the correct state of mind to be in when this noise occurs. When you know fireworks or thunder are due, begin by tiring the dog out before the noise starts and give him a feed. A full and tired dog will settle down into a calm state of mind. This is the time for praise, fuss and attention. This is the state of mind we need to keep him in. So once the loud noises start you need to stay calm and relaxed, send out the signals that noises are no big thing. It is just noise. Let your dog see you calm and relaxed. The second you see your dog begin to worry just say in a firm voice “No” and put him in his bed, get him in the “down” position, hold him down without any talking until he is calm, then a quick “good boy” and return to whatever you were doing. Do not stroke him or pet him until he is calm and relaxed. Remember it is the relaxed/calm state of mind we need to reward and reinforce, and not the panic. The things we do and feel, have an impact on our pets. Our dogs do sense our state of mind. How many times have you been sad and your dog has come over to see what is wrong? So surely it stands to reason that if we are relaxed and calm our dogs will notice this too and soon realise there is no need to panic. After all if the pack leader is not bothered it can’t be that bad can it? If your dog has been on sedatives or especially if he is still on them, you will need to discuss the training programme with the vet before beginning. Your dog may need to continue his sedatives during the programme and then gradually reduce the dosage. It is important this is done with veterinary supervision only!

Charley says.... This is typical of the emails I receive during the festive season and they all say the same thing. “No matter how much I try to comfort or calm the dog he won’t listen.” So how do we solve this problem? First, look at how we reward our dogs for good behaviour. We stroke and pet them and give them treats, we praise and talk to them calling them a good dog, reinforcing any desired (and sometimes undesired) behaviour. How do we comfort a dog? We praise, stroke and pet them offering treats and calling them a good dog. Sound familiar? We as humans anticipate our dog’s behaviour, so, the next time fireworks or thunder are due we react accordingly and get ready to ‘comfort’ our dog. The dog itself, however, was not thinking about any past reactions, in fact, he might well have ignored the noise if we had Why not Email your pet problems to positivedognot reinforced and given attention to his panic traininggib@yahoo.com. For behavioural advice or to in the first place. We sent the message that the book a training session with Charley call 540 19968 way he worries and frets over certain noises is www.dogtraininggib.co.nr.

The marine life in Gibraltar’s waters is astonishing, from colourful sponges and sea fans to ever-changing octopuses, bright sea slugs and fish of every description. When we look out to sea, all we see is the surface, but Jason Mercieca takes us underwater through the lens of his camera to show us what a wonderland awaits the adventurous. Octopus

underwater wonderland

text & photos by Jason Mercieca

Ship Wreck 482M Cable Laying Barge This barge was sunk in 1990 to form part of Gibraltar’s artificial reef project and with a length of about 30m it’s now host to many forms of marine life. It lays at a depth of 16m and is one of the most easily accessible ship wrecks around Gibraltar due to its shallow depth and location near Camp Bay shore. This wreck is a favourite with many divers and serves as the first introduction during wreck diving courses. This dive site also has lot’s of potential for photography, whether you want to compose for Macro, close-ups or wide-angle photography this site doesn’t disapoint. A large variety of

NB: Most of these pictures are captured video frames, also some have colour correction applied to them in the edit

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

Elegant Sea Slug

marine life can usually be found around and inside the barge. The inner compartments of the barge are easily accessed through open hatches, one of them leading to its engine room. Occasionally some night time creatures can be seen resting within the darkest regions of the inner structure. n

Our Elegant Sea Slugs The ‘Elegant Sea Slug’ is one of the most commonly seen around Gibraltar waters. They are shell-less molluscs and form part of the sea slug family. They can be very colourful and grow quite big, sometimes measuring more than 15cm (one of the largest to be found in the Mediterranean sea, in other oceans they can be as large as 31cm). There are over 3000 known species and new ones are found frequently. All are carnivorous and have a set of gills at the rear of their body. The colour pattern of the Elegant Sea Slug’s body can vary — some specimens are brillant yellow others violet or green. Some scientists believe the different colours represent different species, others believe the colour difference is just related to diet in various locations in the Mediterranean sea. Their diet is known to consist of encrusting hydroids and coral polyps. Elegant Sea Slugs are most commonly seen at depths over 8m. Certainly a wonderful creature to see, and one of my favourite subjects to photograph since they move very slowly allowing a lot of time to compose a picture. Quite a number of nudibranchs can usually be found in the Camp Bay area especially within the wreck structures of several sunken barges including 482M. n GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

Elegant Sea Slug

Sea Fans

Elegant Sea Slug

Rock Fish

Swallowtail Perch

Sponge

anniversary

methodism in the madness

The Church as it is today . The stained glass window was donated to replace those which were destroyed in the Bedenham blast.

Methodists have been present on the Rock since 1769. Their 240th anniversary in 2009 was celebrated in conjunction with the launch of a new book, Dr. Sue Jackson’s History of Methodism on the Rock, which will take readers through the rocky start and hard work which laid the foundations for the faith in Gibraltar. Although the exact date of the foundation of Methodism on the Rock is unclear, the first recorded information comes through correspondence between Sgt Major Henry Ince and John Wesley, founder of Methodism in Great Britain. Ince is, of course, one of the more prominent figures from Gibraltar’s history, although more from his instigation and involvement in the digging of the tunnels through the Rock to place guns on the ‘Notch’ which are now known as the Upper Galleries, or Great Siege Tunnels. It is less well known that he wrote to John Wesley in April 1769 to describe how he had set up a Methodist Society in Gibraltar. This action was followed by an order from His Excellency the Governor, General Cornwallis which stated: “‘Whereas divers, soldiers and inhabitants assemble themselves every evening to prayer it’s the Governor’s Order that no per-

Plaque at the Methodist Church commemorating the work of Sergeant Henry Ince

son whatever presume to molest them nor to go into their meeting to behave indecently there.” The roots were set, and since then, Methodism has had a presence in the continually growing multi-faith society for which Gibraltar is well known — but its presence was not always welcome on the Rock. Regimental Orders in 1803, by the Colonel of the Queen’s Regiment, stated “It having been observed that a great number of the men are constantly attending the Methodist Meetings, and have induced the youngest boys of the regiment to do the same, Lieutenant Colonel Ramsay is determined to put a stop to it; it will therefore be considered as a standing order of the regiment that no man will ever attempt to preach, or attend the Methodist Meetings, or induce others to do the same, under pain of being tried for disobedience of orders, unless a particular permit is granted by the Commanding Officer.” Five members, who believed they had been given permission to meet, were arrested one night as they left a private house. They were tried by Court Martial for ‘unsoldier-like conduct, in attending a Methodist Meeting, contrary to regimental orders’. The two Corporals and three Privates (one who was only 14 years old) were sentenced to 500 lashes apiece. Corporals James Lamb and Richard Russell were reduced to the ranks and were both given 200 lashes. The rest of the punishments were suspended on condition they did not attend another Methodist meeting. With Napoleon threatening to invade England however, the military had better things to worry about and soon after that the Methodists were left to themselves. Their role in society developed quickly and it is interesting to note that about 35 years later you find the records of two free schools run by the Methodist — Dr Rule, one in the town, opened in 1833 and another in the South District which was opened in 1839, with a strong emphasis on religious education. These were the first free schools in Gibraltar and in 1839 there were 291 children attending them, plus 27 young men attending an evening school. The Methodists set a precedent for free schooling in Gibraltar, and were soon followed by the Catholics and other denominations. In December 1898 the Welcome soldiers’ and seamens’ home was opened in Main Street. It had a wide variety of facilities including accommodation. In June 1933 it moved into the old King Edward VII soldiers’ and sailors’ institute, now known as Wesley House, situated at the south end of Main Street. The building was initially leased but, after it was purchased, it was decided to unite all the Methodist work on the one site. For over 100 years people felt that the former premises on Prince Edward’s Road were out of the way and difficult to find. In addition there was no longer any need for accommodation and the Welcome was big enough to house church, manse, a canteen and meeting rooms. The change took place in 1956 and the old premises were sold. The largest change since then was the closing of the old canteen on the ground floor and the

Corporals James Lamb and Richard Russell were reduced to the ranks and were both given 200 lashes. The rest of the punishments were suspended on condition that that they did not attend another Methodist meeting GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

anniversary Sue Jackson’s work, In The Shadow of a Mighty Rock is actually a condensed from the material collected whilst researching her doctorate. You’ll find it on sale in local bookshops and at the Methodist Bookshop, Words Aflame, 297 Main Street.

Full HD sports coverage Irish Breakfast from 7am (Sunday 9am) Soups

All soups are served with a

Freshly cut Sandwiches,

crusty roll. Rolls & Tortilla Wraps Leek & Potato Soup ......................£4.50 Pub Club Classic ..........................£4.75 Chef’s Soup of the Day ................£4.50 Irish Fillet Steak Roll ....................£5.50 Fish Chowder (Traditional Irish creamy fish Chicken Caesar Wrap ..................£6.20 soup) ................................................£4.50 Chicken Roll or Sandwich ............£4.75 Appetizers Tuna & Salad Roll or Sandwich (V)..£4.50 Irish Crispy Skins ..........................£4.90 Pizza Extra toppings - 50p Prawns Pil Pil ................................£5.25 Traditional Margherita ..................£7.00 Prawn Cocktail ..............................£5.25 Hawaiian ........................................£7.95 Nelson’s Nachos ............................£5.20 Three Cheese ................................£8.00 Molly’s Mussels..............................£6.20 Deluxe ............................................£8.00 O’Reilly’s Bruschetta ....................£4.25 Vegetarian ......................................£7.50 Spicy Chicken Wings ....................£4.95

inauguration of the Carpenter’s Arms (an alcohol-free lounge) in 1991 which serves light snacks and meals to all-comers as well as being a point of outreach to the community. Interestingly, it was also the first non-smoking bar in Gibraltar. Today the Church is a bustle of activity under the minister, Fidel Patron, who was converted in 1979 and has been a member of the congregation ever since. He explained a little about the more modern history and how Methodism fits in with the local community today. “From 1903 oversight of the work in Gibraltar was given by the Forces Board of the Methodist Church rather than the Missionary Society. This was largely because most of the attempts to establish missionary work in Spain itself had come to nothing. “At times the work in Gibraltar was self supporting, through the takings at the Welcome and, in more recent years, there were several dockyard canteens too. At other times the work had to be

supported by the Forces Board and by private fund raising. “In 1998, with the withdrawal of many British Forces from the Rock, Gibraltar became a part of the London South-West District of the Methodist Church and is now part of the South-East District.” The modern outlook of the congregation is an interesting mix of both ecumenical (uniting the different Christian Churches) and evangelical (emphasising the importance of the four gospels) worship and as such they not only cater to all denominations of Christians, but can also serve as a bridge between them, helping to set up multi-denominational events. To celebrate the anniversary, a reception was held at St George’s Hall in the setting of the Upper Galleries, on 24th October, where Dr. Sue Jackson’s book In the Shadow of a Mighty Rock was presented. The in-depth history runs to 400 pages and includes much of the research from her thesis presented for her Doctorate. n

Salads O’Reilly’s Salad ..............................£5.50 Classic Tuna, Prawn or Feta Cheese Salad ..............................................£7.00 Chicken Caesar Salad ..................£7.25 Cajun Chicken................................£7.25

Jackets A freshly baked jacket potato served with a salad garnish. Baked Beans & Irish Cheddar Cheese............................................£5.50 Chilli Con Carne & Irish Cheddar Cheese............................................£5.50 Tuna Mayonnaise ..........................£5.50 Prawn Mary Rose ..........................£6.25 Chicken, Bacon Bits & Mayo........£6.25 Bolognaise Sauce & Irish Cheddar Cheese............................................£5.50

Main Meals Beef & Guinness Ale Pie ..............£7.00 Chicken & Potato Pie ....................£6.95 Cottage Pie ....................................£7.50 Fish & Chips ..................................£7.00 Atlantic Salmon..............................£8.75 Molly’s Mussels..............................£7.50 Traditional Irish Breakfast ............£6.50 Kildare Chicken (Chef's Special) ..£8.50 Drunken Swine ..............................£9.00 Gaelic Sirloin 10 oz Steak ..........£12.50 Farmhouse Vegetable Bake..........£6.75 Prime Irish Fillet Steak ................£16.50 Crab Cake Dinner ..........................£8.50 Chilli Con Carne ............................£6.75 Spaghetti Bolognaise ....................£6.75 Bangers and champ ......................£6.75 Rock Burger ..................................£8.50 O’Reilly’s Burger ............................£7.50 Vegetarian Burger..........................£7.50

Boxty Dishes

Award winning breakfasts from 7.30am Great meals & snacks all day Evening Steak House menu Med Golf Clubhouse Tottenham Hotspur HQ

A homemade potato pancake cooked on the griddle and wrapped around a variety of delicious fillings. Boxty comes from the Gaelic word “bactasi” which refers to the traditional cooking of potatoes over an open fire, which still takes place in Ireland. Ploughman’s Boxty........................£6.75 Chicken & Coriander Boxty ..........£8.00

Homemade Desserts

Rustic Rhubarb Tart ......................£4.25 Apple Pie ........................................£4.25 Baileys Cheesecake ......................£4.25 Chocolate Brownies ......................£4.25

Ice Cream Sundaes Monkey in the Middle....................£4.75 Knicker Knocker Nelson ..............£4.75 Fudge Factor..................................£4.75 Sugar Daddy ..................................£4.75

Choose a Scoop Choose from coffee, banana, vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, mint-choc-chip or Smartie ice cream. 1 scoop ..........................................£1.00 2 scoops ........................................£1.80 3 scoops ........................................£2.40 Milkshakes ....................................£3.00 (also available to take-away) Just choose your flavour, coffee, banana, vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, mint-chocchip, or Smartie ice cream. Diabetic Ice Cream........................£2.10 Vanilla & Chocolate - 100% sugar free.

, Special Coffee s

Traditional Irish Coffee ................£3.75 Bushmills Coffee............................£3.75 Maria’s Coffee ................................£3.75 Nutty Irish Coffee ..........................£3.75 Keoke Coffee ................................£3.75 Calypso Coffee ..............................£3.75

Side Orders Homemade Chips ..........................£2.00 Homemade Chips with Cheese....£2.25 Garlic Bread ..................................£1.90 Garlic Bread with Cheese ............£2.15 Olives ..............................................£2.00 Champ (homemade mash made with potatoes, spring onion & chives) ......£3.00 Homemade & especially for under 12's

Kids Menu Chilli and Rice ................................£4.00 Fish and Chips ..............................£4.00 Sausage and Chips........................£4.00 Chicken Nuggets and Chips ........£4.00

Find out about all our entertainment, click onto

Parliament Lane Tel: 200 75924 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

music scene asked about the upcoming gig said “This time, we’re doing songs we related to when we were growing up. Songs the crowd will know, and will sing along to, and that will never get boring. Our main aim is to make sure everyone has a good time.” The band’s vocalist, Shawn Cabezutto sees the band as a way of giving enjoyment to people: “I just believe that music is the best way to express yourself. I used to be very shy, and music used to be my release, its good that I can do it in a way that can give enjoyment to other people.” When asked about the band’s popularity so far, Anand and Shawn stated “It’s kind of surreal and shocking to have people shouting out your band’s name when you’re on stage. It’s a really good feeling.” The band, whose name started off as a joke made by Shawn, have gained almost instantaneous success after their first gig and have a popular following on sites such The Hamburger Theives - Anand Aidasani, Shawn as www.facebook.com (search for Cabezutto, Gerry Martinez, and Peter Gustafson ‘Hamburger Thieves’ in the groups section) and fans can expect, if all goes to plan, original music from the band being played at the upcoming gig. Starting at 10pm, and entrance estimated at costing £3.00 per person (however, there may be With a fresh, energetic take on the local music scene, one of Gibraltar’s latest changes posted on the band’s and liveliest bands of this year, The Hamburger Thieves, is set to play on 26th Facebook page nearer the date), the band’s 7th gig sounds to be December at local music club Rock on the Rock reports Matt Parker. even more promising than their previous ones, and fans can be sure Formed just four months ago, the band has becoming well known on the local music scene, of a good atmosphere on the night. already gained a popular following, and has had and they aspire to broaden their list of venues to Supported by another local band, Sugar Plum numerous events to flaunt its already growing other places, such as Lord Nelson in Casemates Fairies, the night will be a chance for people to when they have enough material. reputation as a serious live act. witness some of Gibraltar’s best local musical The band’s bassist, Anand Aidasani, when talent. n Recognisable music from The Killers, Sum 41, Snow Patrol, Kings of Leon and Coldplay represent just a few of the groups whose songs have been on the agenda for the band’s gigs, and fans can expect new songs to add to the band’s already impressive repertoire. Already having played six events, including a performance on National Day, the band is fast

Can I get fries with that band?

Already having played six events, including a performance on National Day, the band is fast becoming well known on the local music scene, and they aspire to broaden their list of venues

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

music scene Gibraltar National Choir:

Christmas Carols The Gibraltar National Choir now in its 6th year has an exciting christmas season planned. Firstly, they will be singing at the Mount Alvernia Chapel, which has now become a tradition for them, to delight the elderly residents. The choir will also be holding their ever popular ‘Carols by Candlelight’ concerts with special guest performers. These will be held on 10th December at the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned and on 15th December at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Concerts start at 8.30pm and tickets are £10 sold at the Cathedral book shop, Sacarellos Coffee Shop, from choir members and on the door (if still available). The choir is an independent association and relies on concerts and sponsors to survive. Please support

‘Carols by Candlelight’ concerts will be held on 10th and 15th December

Gibraltar’s choir and show your appreciation for the many singers that have given their time during rehearsals year after year! The choir is always looking for bright, enthusiastic singers who want to sing for Gibraltar. Contact Choir Director Lili Olivero liliolivero@msn.com or 54831000 for info.

Choir Director Lili Olivero

Modern

Relaxed

Dining

Open: 10am - late Closed Sundays + Saturday lunch

Christmas menu now available

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

Irish Town Tel: 200 51738 to reserve

food & drink Queensway Quay’s

winter

wonderland Residents of Gibraltar and visitors to the Rock are invited to discover the Winter Wonderland Christmas Market starting at 5.30pm on Tuesday 8th December 2009 at the Waterfront Restaurant, Queensway Quay Marina. That date is a school holiday to celebrate the Immaculate Conception and the event has been organised with families in mind. Christmas market stall holders include Gibraltar Arts and Craft Association members who will be selling a wide variety of exclusive hand crafted quality gifts. Gifts produced from local artists, silver jewelery makers and children’s illustrated books will also be on sale. For the children there will be fun face painting and the chance to make decorations to hang on

the real quayside Christmas tree. A name and win the cuddle toy competition will be running, with the proceeds being donated to the GBC Open Day charity. The King’s Chapel choir will be entertaining visitors with Christmas carols and other seasonal favourites. Father Christmas will also be calling in en route to the North Pole! Mulled wine and mince pies will be available and the restaurant will be operating their usual service that evening. If the weather is inclement the event will be staged inside. n

mull it over The wine-lover’s equivalent to a hot toddy, mulled wine is a favourite during the festive season. What could be better than supping a toasty mug of this traditional Christmas treat.

Sweetened, spiced and slightly heated, it gives a delicious alternative to to beverages we’re accustomed to throughout the rest of the year. With only five minutes to prepare and 25 minutes on a moderate heat, what are you waiting for? One bottle (750 mL) of red wine One peeled and sliced orange Orange peel 60ml cup of brandy 8-10 cloves 150g (aprox. 1/3 jar) honey or sugar 3 cinnamon sticks 1 tsp fresh or 2 tsp ground ginger or all spice

more than just a nibble

Actually, there’s enough in the Christmas hamper at Just a Nibble in the ICC to feed a small army. And it’s not just for show either. Bob and the team will be giving all the goodies away to a lucky winner to be drawn on Wednesday 9th December at their premises. For a free ticket, all you need to do is to spend £5 or more in their cafe for your chance to really cut your Christmas budget this month. So call in, have some great food and make sure you’re number is in the draw! n

Serves 4-6 Combine all ingredients in either a large pot or a slow cooker. Gently warm the ingredients on low to medium heat (avoid boiling), for 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to make sure that the honey or sugar has completely dissolved. When the wine is steaming and the ingredients have been well blended it is ready to serve. Strain into mugs or glasses and enjoy! n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

food & drink

enjoy relax

Contemporary Mediterranean Dining

enjoy relax delicious Grand Casemates Square

a new face at the cannon

FREE WiFi

Tel:

200 44449

Charleen is the latest addition to the team at the Cannon Bar and she’s already gearing up for the festive season. The Cannon has always been a cosy corner just off Main Street and Charleen, from Liverpool, will be greeting with you with a smile and a little Christmas cheer. She’s so enthusiastic in fact, we caught her serving with her

Santa hat on and it was still midNovember! The Cannon Bar will be open right through the Christmas season, so call in for a winter warm-up or a taste of their traditional pubgrub. ■

Sexy Santa Competition A sexy Santa competition will take place at Ocean Village, Leisure Island on Saturday 19th December from 7pm. Men and women may apply!

Entrants over 18

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

wine column

Angels singing from on high, tell us to...

Go Out & BUY! The commercialisation of Christmas is nothing new. We can largely blame Prince Albert who revitalised a rather moribund institution — and of course Charles Dickens who sentimentalised it. Hallowe’en, of recent memory, is an even worse example of money-making. The eve of All Saints’ Day would not immediately appear to be a reason for getting out broomsticks but full marks to the American entrepreneur and pumpkin grower who realised he could offload a large part of his merchandise. However, unlike Hallowe’en, most people are actually aware of what is being celebrated at Christmas or at least have a vague notion it is a time of peace and goodwill to all men. Better to make money from that concept than out of supposedly scaring people. Nevertheless, you are still obliged to BUY. Cards are required. Presents are required. Massive amounts of food and drink are required. Sellers, knowing this, are naturally keen to cash in. This column, ever with your interests at heart, offers proper advice on how to enjoy the holiday season with minimal expense and effort while still exuding peace and goodwill. There might even be something about wine. First, and most important, do not even think about, let alone look at, a turkey. Like Hallowe’en, this is an American import which is unnecessary and tasteless. A goose is acceptable (and was thoroughly enjoyed by the Cratchits — even Ebenezer Scrooge eschewed turkey) and the fat does the potatoes a treat in the same roasting tin. But a proper whole fillet of beef cannot be beaten. It can be dressed up a bit as a Beef Wellington or given a mustard and pepper sauce but, if you have got a perfect cut, why bother? The meat should speak for itself with perhaps a dash of creamed horseradish. I have jumped ahead of myself. First it is necessary to consider cards and presents. Both are tedious chores but must be done. E-cards are no bad plan, in these days of postal strikes and general inefficiency, but depend upon the recipient being in possession of e-mail and, often more importantly, looking at it occasionally. As for presents, I suggest socks, shirts, scent and scarves. Alliterative, so you don’t need a shopping list to remember what to buy and, provided you get the sex of the recipient right, no need to spend hours working out who gets what; they can just be indiscriminately labelled. Now — at last — the wine. Sorry, but with the beef it has to be claret decanted a couple of hours in advance. Assuming your ancestral cellars do not contain the Chateau Batailley 1982 which you laid down 25 years ago then a visit to any of Anglo Hispano, Saccone and Speed or Stag Bros will reward you. Allow

about £25 and look for 2000 or (rather cheaper) 2004. There is a St Georges (Medoc) at Saccone’s at £25.50 and numerous prospective delights at Anglo Hispano. If this is a bit above you, then Morrison’s is offering a very reasonable Chateau Caronne Ste Gemme at £8.95. And, of course, there remains the Ordinary Claret, under various labels, which is not to be sneered at although you might want to push the boat out a little further. Given that claret is cabernet and merlot, why not have an Australian or other New World blend of these grapes? Cheaper and, as often as not, as good or nearly so. True, but I am a creature of habit and I like the reassurance of an unbroken tradition, rather like having a tangerine at the bottom of my Christmas stocking despite the fact the fruit is now plentiful and no longer a special seasonal treat. But let that not stop you: Beringer from California (Anglo Hispano, £7.50) is hard to beat especially at that price and if decanted in advance who is to know... Beef and claret should suffice for the whole season. However, some chaps, normally in the shape of women, seem to think a bit of variety is required. Keep her happy with a slice of foie gras and a bottle of Alsace Gewurztraminer (most places at about £9.00). Flowery, fruity and spicy, this goes far better with the pâté than the usual sweet white such as Sauternes. Of course, champagne is acceptable at all times and there is something very seasonal about that cheering pop of the cork. But, as mentioned in previous columns, avoid Cava at all costs. n

Roast Potatoes

A final thought, as you consider the reasonable economies to be made by avoiding the clarion calls of salesmen and follow the advice above: the roast potatoes are important. Get a decent variety (Maris Piper or King Edward), peel and cut so no one side exceeds 5 or 6 cm. Boil for 5 minutes, then drain and shake hard in the saucepan to roughen the sides. Place in a preheated roasting tin with enough goose fat to give a decent covering. Roll the potatoes around so all sides are covered in fat. Roast at 190ºC for about 1 ½ hours, turning occasionally. This eminently simple method will produce the perfect roast spud but it seems few people know it. You do now. Make proper use of it. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

Traditional Pub Serving Traditional Pub Fare, Bass Beers, Wines & Spirits

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Full menu served inside or on our terrace including British Fish & Chips, Jackets, Salads, Burritos, Homemade Pizzas, our special Fresh Local Mussels and much more. Visit us and buy yourself a souvenir, T-shirts, beer glasses, lighters etc Live music every evening, join our Jam Sessions on Wednesday or Sunday. GLMS Music Venue of the Year. Ofﬁcial Home to Gibraltar Rugby Club Free WiFi

restaurant bar guide &

10 Casemates www.lordnelson.gi Tel: 200 50009

turn to pages 88-90 for full restaurant and bar listings

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Marina Bay Tel: 200 42006

57 Irish Town, Gibraltar Tel: 200 70652

Take-Away, Sandwiches & Hot Food Different Special EveryDay salads, quiches, pastas, pies, mufﬁns, all home made Open 8am-6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat

Indian Cuisine to Eat In or Take Away Unit 1.0.02 Grnd Flr, Block 1 Eurotowers Tel: 200 73711

Wembley Bar 10 South Barrack Ramp. Tel: 200 78004 • Hot & cold bar snacks • Function room

BUDDIES pasta casa

Come and enjoy real Italian meals in Gibraltar’s leading pasta house 15 Cannon Lane Tel: 200 40627 for reservations

now also in Casemates

Just A Nibble Licensed Cafeteria Let the ‘A’ Team serve you up a snack or a meal. Daily Specials • Varied Menu

Open from 9am First Floor ICC, Main Street THE PLACE TO MEET

Wines, Spirits, Tobacco, Beers & Soft Drinks Distributors Est. 1839

35 Devil’s Tower Road, Gibraltar. Telephone: (350) 200 74600 Telefax: (350) 200 77031 e-mail: mail@sacspeed.gi A Member of The Saccone & Speed (Gibraltar) Group of Companies GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2009

87 87

salads and oriental food. The specials menu is changed daily and includes starters of lobster and prawn cocktail, fresh soup which is made daily and served with crusty bread, or Alaskan crab salad. The specials menu also tempts you with dishes such as Coca Cola marinated lamb shank served with oven roasted garlic and rosemary mashed potatoes, and the ever popular in-house aged steaks that can be served with a variety of sauces, or fresh Dorada, sea bass and salmon. For those who enjoy the sweeter things in life there is proper homemade banoffee or apple pie, and selection of Mövenpick luxury ice creams and sorbets. Open: 7 days a week from 9am to late.

restaurants l Café Solo Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 200 44449 Modern Italian eatery set in the lively Casemates square. Everything from chicory and crispy pancetta salad with walnuts, pears and blue cheese dressing, or king prawn, mozzarella and mango salad to pastas(eg: linguine with serrano ham, king prawns and rocket; smoked salmon and crayfish ravioli with saffron and spinach cream) to salads (eg: Vesuvio spicy beef, cherry tomatoes, roasted peppers and red onions; and Romana chorizo, black pudding, egg and pancetta) and pizzas (eg: Quatto Stagioni topped with mozzarella, ham, chicken, pepperoni and mushroom) and specialities such as salmon fishcakes, beef medallions and duck. Good daily specials menu on blackboard. No smoking inside. Free WiFi. l Cafe Rojo 54 Irish Town. Tel: 200 51738 Sleek modern comfort in this relaxing little restaurant. Red comfy arm chairs in separate area for a relaxing drink or coffee. Brunch menu (10am-12pm) includes ciabatta, granary, foccacia sandwiches with fillings such as pear and blue cheese, smoked bacon and brie, cheese and honey roast ham, delicious desserts (chocolate mousse in a must). Lunch 12 - 3pm and dinner 7-10pm includes Roast Pumpkin, Mushroom, & Spinach Curry; Marinated Tuna Steak & Sesame Crust; Roasted Lamb Shoulder; pasta dishes such as Langoustine, Lime & Coconut; Pear, Walnut & Blue Cheese; and Creamy Mixed Seafood; and salads such as Warm Goats’ Cheese, Fresh Spinach & Chargrilled Aubergine; and Roast Duck, Chorizo & Pancetta Salad. Open: from 10am. Closed all day Sundays, and Saturday lunch. Casa Pepe 18 Queensway Quay Marina. Tel/Fax: 200 46967 Email: casa.pepe.gib@gmail.com Situated right on the water front at Queensway Quay, Casa Pepe has a comprehensive a la carte menu which includes dishes such as melon & Serrano ham, stuffed piquillo peppers and filled mushrooms to start, followed by a choice of salads, rice and noodles and fish, poultry and meat dishes which include King Prawns Macarena (cooked with fresh ginger, tomatoes, mangos and bananas served with basmati rice, fried bread and bananas), Medallions of monkfish cooked with white wine and lobster sauce, duck breast Armanac-style (with Cognac, mushrooms and pine nuts), Medallions of pork loin cooked with Serrano ham and dry Jerez sherry, and fillet steak Malagueña cooked in creamy garlic mushrooms and sweet sherry sauce topped with prawns. Wide range of tapas/raciones also available. Open: Monday to Saturday 11am till late. Nunos Italian Restaurant and Terrace Caleta Hotel, Catalan Bay For a reservations Tel: 200 76501 E-mail reservations@caletahotel.gi Nunos Italian restaurant and terrace at the Ca-

leta Hotel, overlooks the Mediterranean and is extremely popular with both hotel guests and the local market. Their new Spanish chef with three star Michellin experience will always be offering something interesting and different on the menu. Recognised for its eclectic interior, atmosphere and cuisine. Bread, pasta and desserts from the a la carte menu are all home-made and contribute to create a genuine and exciting dining experience. The Mexican Grill and Bar Unit 2B The Tower, Marina Bay Tel: 200 46668 The Mexican Grill and Bar serves all the favourite Mexican dishes from Nachos, Quesadillas and Chimichangas (rolled flour tortilla with spicy chicken, chilli beef or vegetables, deep fried, served with Mexican rice and salad and guacamole, salsa or sour cream), to Burritos (like Chimichangas but oven baked), El Gringos Chilli con Carne, or Cheese Holy Mole Enchiladas. Don’t forget Big Eat Homemade Burgers (5 to choose from) and from the grill barbecue combos, steaks and chicken. Salads and sides to order. Decorated is warm Mexican colours with comfortable seating in the no-smoking, air-conditioned interior or outside on the patio, great for a fun night out. Available for private bookings and children’s parties. Open: lunch and dinner 12 noon to late

The Water Margin 5 Ocean Village Promenade, Tel: 200 73668 Gibraltar’s premier Chinese restaurant serving freshly cooked traditional Chinese dishes in the beautiful Ocean Village marina. Check out the outstanding aromatic crispy duck, the special duck slow cooked with honey and chilli or the freshly caught seabass delicately steamed with ginger and spring onion, popular with families looking for a relaxing night dining. No microwave oven or flavour enhancer (MSG) used in this establishment. Home delivery service. Open: 7 days a week, evening from 6pm, lunch from 12:30pm

informaleating Amin's The Office 30 Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 40932 Sit down, informal and friendly restaurant. Amin is well known in Gibraltar for his Moroccan, Spanish and international cuisine. Open early for breakfast at 7am right through the day. Try the Moroccan soups, couscous, lamb tagines and kebabs. Open: 7.00am to midnight.

Buddies Pasta Casa 15 Cannon Lane. Tel: 200 40627 Italian specials in pleasant ambience. Large selection of starters from garlic bread to calamari. Main courses include spinach caneloni, spaghetti alla carbonara, fusilli al Savannah Lounge salmone, and peppered steak to name a few. 27 Heart Island, Ocean Village Tasty desserts and variety of wines. Tel: 200 66666 Open: Monday - Thursday 11am - 5pm, Friday www.savanna.gi Aimed at Gibraltar ’s dining and night-life 11am-3pm and 7pm-11pm, Sat 11am-4.30pm scene, Savannah has been created with fun and style in mind. Offering contemporary European Get Joost cuisine a wide selection of drinks, cool decor 248 Main Street & Casemates. and good music. The venue hosts regular events Tel/Fax: 200 76699 Smoothies are vitamin packed super-food and with invited DJs and shows from abroad. Open: Sunday-Thurs midday-midnight, Friday increasingly popular for the health concious. Get Joost makes delicious fresh fruit juices and and Saturday midday-5am. smoothies made from natural ingredients. The top five smoothies they sell are wild strawberry; The Waterfront breakie on the run; energy blast; raspberry ice; Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 45666 The Waterfront is a very popular restaurant and tropical surrender. located right on the quayside at Queensway Open: 8-7 Mon -Friday, 10-7 Sat, 10-6 Sunday. Quay Marina. There are different areas for eating and drinking, including the restaurant Get Stuffed and bar, a large covered terrace with chande- Marina Bay. Tel: 200 42006 liers and an open quayside terrace. There is an Take-away, sandwich bar and hot food. Serving extensive menu to cater for all tastes including all homemade sandwiches, salads, quiches, meat, fish and vegetarian dishes, along with pasta, pies, muffins, plus hot and cold drinks

l = full menus online at www.thegibraltarmagazine.com 88

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

and smoothies and a different special every day. Outside catering for corporate parties. Open: 8am - 6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat.

Solo Express Ground Flr, International Commercial Centre Solo Express, located right next to Pizza Hut, serves a good variety of salads and baguettes (white, brown & ciabatta) filled with a wide deli selection of things such as roast chicken; smoked salmon & mascapone; ham, cheese and coleslaw; or hummous, avocado and roasted red pepper. The salads are fresh and tasty and include Greek, Waldorf, cous cous, tuna pasta, etc and are great value. Jacket potatoes, quiches, tea, coffee etc plus cakes (such as flapjacks and muffins) are also available throughout the day. Eat-in available. Soups in winter months. Free Wifi.

Just A Nibble 1st Flr ICC Tel: 200 78052 Full licensed cafe serving English breakfast, vast range of toasties, rolls, and snacks. Meals include, Bob’s famous chicken curry/chilli con carne, and a great new range of pies (from Bob’s chicken and leek to steak and kidney plus a whole range of tasty alternatives) plus all the old favourites; jacket spuds, burgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, and daily specials. Ideal meeting place. Open: Monday - Saturday from 9am. Just Desserts 1st Floor ICC. Tel: 200 48014 Bright and airy, recently redecorated cafe on the first floor of the ICC. All home-made food including daily specials, vegetarian options and desserts. Eat in or take-away. Try their daily roast with everything on or their all-day breakfast. Non-smoking restaurant with terrace smoking area. Friendly, cheerful and fully licensed with sensible prices. Open: 8am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

homemade ice-cream and hot/cold drinks. Business lunches, parties and kids parties also catered for (for party and office platters phone or fax order by 5.30pm day before - minium orders for delivery £12). Open: Mon - Fri 8.30-7, Sat 9 - 4, Closed Sun.

Picadilly Gardens Rosia Road. Tel: 200 75758 Relaxed bar restaurant with cosy garden terrace just across the road from the cable car. English breakfast, churros, tapas, hamburgers, fresh London Bar/Bistro fish, prawns, squid, clams and a variety of meat 76-78 Governor's Street. Tel: 200 77172 Tucked away on Governor's Street just opposite dishes. Eat in or take away. Menu of the day the Elliot Hotel, and hosted by Pili, this pub only £6. Open: early to late. serves modern bistro food in a traditional pub environment. Try out some of the favourite l Sacarello Coffee Co. dishes such as baby beef Wellington, fillet steak 57 Irish Town. Tel: 200 70625 (with mushroom & brandy, port & stilton, or Converted coffee warehouse, ideal for coffee, peppered sauces), chicken (Kournik or Nati), homemade cakes/afternoon tea, plus menu traditional fish, chips & mushy peas, and all including excellent salad bar, specials of the day breakfasts. Sunday roast lunches and day and dishes such as lasagne, steak and mushroom Guinness pie, hot chicken salad, daily specials. toasties, club sandwich and baked potatoes. Art Open: 9am to midnight every day. exhibitions. Available for parties and functions in the evenings. Mumbai Curry House Open: 9am-7.30pm Mon-Fri. 9am-3pm Sat Unit 1.0.02 Ground Floor, Block 1 Eurotowers Sai Darbar Tel: 200 73711 Home delivery: 50022/33 Good Indian cuisine for eating in or taking 6a Prince Edward's Road. Tel: 200 61312 away, from snacks such as samosas, bhajias, and Pure vegetarian Indian take-away with a wide pakoras to lamb, chicken and fish dishes with selection of mixed vegetables, sandwiches, sauces such as korma, tikka masala, bhuna, do burgers and rolls. Sai Darbar can cater to your piaza... in fact all you would expect from an own requests for dishes too, if you contact them Indian cuisine take-away. Large vegetarian in advance. selection. Halal food is available, as is outside Open: 10am-3pm and 6pm-11pm catering for parties and meetings. Sunday specials include all Mumbai favourites such as Smith’s Fish & Chips 295 Main Street. Tel: 200 74254 Dosa and Choley Bhature. Open: 7 days a week 11am to 3pm, 6pm -late. Traditional British fish and chip shop with tables/seating available or take-away wrapped in newspaper. Menu: Cod, haddock or plaice in Munchies Cafe 24 Main Street. Tel: 200 43840 Fax: 200 42390 batter, Cornish pasties, mushy peas etc. Also A great sandwich bar/cafe offering an unusual curries, omlettes, burgers. Open: 8am-6pm range of sandwiches on white or granary Monday-Friday. Breakfast from 8. bread, plus salads, baguettes, soups, desserts, Located: Main Street opposite the Convent.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

The Tasty Bite 59a Irish Town. Tel: 200 78220 Fax: 200 74321 Tasty Bite has one of the biggest take-away menus around with home cooked meats, filled baguettes, burgers, chicken, kebabs and everything else you can think of! Open: Monday - Saturday. Verdi Verdi 44 Cornwall's Lane. Tel: 200 60733 Verdi Verdi offers morning and afternoon coffee as well as all home-made vegetarian and vegan dishes, fresh baked bread and deserts. A wide selection of sandwiches to eat in or take away. Open: Mon-Thurs 9-6pm, Fri 9-4pm, Sun 104pm

bars&pubs All’s Well Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 200 72987 Traditional pub in fashionable Casemates area. Named for the 18th century practice of locking the Gates to the city at night when the guard announced ‘All’s Well’ before handing the keys to the watch. All’s Well serves Bass beers, wine and spirits plus pub fare. English breakfast served all day, hot meals such as pork in mushroom sauce, sausage & mash, cod and chips and steak & ale pie are complemented by a range of salads and filled jacket potatoes. Large terrace. Karaoke every Monday and Wednesday until late. Free tapas on a Friday 7pm. Cannon Bar 27 Cannon Lane. Tel: 200 77288 Jane is still there and still packed out with tourists and regulars! Word has it that she nearly managed to escape, but wasn’t allowed to. The famous fish and chips, the odd French speciality, there’s always something happening in the Cannon! Located between Marks & Spencer and the Cathedral just off Main Street. Quiz night on Tuesdays, get there early as it is definitely the place to be on a normally quiet Gibraltar Tuesday.

Trafalgar Sports Bar 1A Rosia Road Tel: 200 45370 Situated just past the south end of Main Street through Southport Gates, the Trafalgar Sports Bar offers a traditional British pub environment enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Serving a hot buffet Monday to Saturday and a roast carvery on Sundays they also serve many other dishes such as spare ribs, currys or lasagna. The establishment also has three large 62” screens where they cover all major sporting events. Open: 9am-1am Monday to Saturday, Sunday 9am-midnight

The Final Whistle 4, Cornwall’s Parade Friendly sports bar with six screens. If it’s live, it’s on, and often more than one game on at a time for full sports coverage. Fun atmosphere with special offers during premier matches. All sports fans welcome. Open 10am until late, 7 days a week. The Gibraltar Arms 184 Main St. Tel: 200 72133 www.gibraltararms.gi Good food served all day at this typical pub right on Main Street. Everything from all day breakfast to Irish fillet steak roll, burritos, and the popular fresh local mussels. Draught lager, bitter, cider and Murphys plus free WiFi. Terrace seating right on Main Street to watch the world go by. Open: from 8am (10am Sundays) until late. Lord Nelson Bar Brasserie 10 Casemates Tel: 200 50009 www.lordnelson.gi E-mail: reservations@lordnelson.gi Attractive bar/brasserie in historic Casemates building. Done out to represent Nelson’s ship with cloud and sky ceiling crossed with beams and sails. Spacious terrace Starter s& snacks include fresh local mussels, blue cheese and rocket bruschetta, Lordy’s potato skins, spicy chicken wings and calamares. Main courses cover a range from chilli con carne and chicken and mushroom pie, to crispy aromatic duck burrito and British fish and chips. Try one of the salads or Nelson’s platters. Jacket potatoes, burgers and children’s menu. Credit cards accepted. Live music Venue of the Year, with live music on stage every night. Free Wifi. Open: from 10am till very late. The Lounge Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 61118 Stylish bar right on the quayside with very reasonably priced drinks and light bites. Free WiFi, quizzes on Sundays (8pm) and a relaxed friendly atmosphere. Great place to chill out. Open: 7 days a week 1pm-late. O’Reilly’s Leisure Island, Ocean Village. Tel: 200 67888 Traditional Irish bar with full HD sports coverage and Irish breakfast from 7am (Sunday from 9am). Guinness on draught. Food includes salads, jackets, beef and Guinness ale pie, Molly’s mussels, drunken swine, Boxty dishes (potato pancake wrapped around delicioius fillings), sandwiches, rolls, Kildare chicken and much much more. And just like in Ireland there’s no smoking inside, so a great atmosphere for all.

The Three Owls Irish Town The Three Owls is a traditional bar serving best of English beers. Three separate bars/floors: ground floor — big screen TV, pool table, poker machines, games machines, bar — open from 10.30am daily. First floor ‘Hoots’ — 2 match pool tables, poker machines, darts board, games machine, bar — open from 1pm daily. Second Floor ‘Nest’ — American pool table, poker machine, games machine, card table, bar — open from 5pm daily.

Pickwicks Governor’s Parade. Tel: 200 76488 Run by well-known friendly face, Mandy, this small pub with a large terrace is situated in Governor’s Parade away from the traffic and safe for all the family. Good food available including the best freshly made sandwiches and jacket potatoes, salads and burgers. Open: Mon - Fri from 9.30am Location: turn off Main St at Marks & Spencer, go up steps to Governor’s Parade (opposite the The Three Roses Governor’s Street. Tel: 200 51614 Elliot Hotel). Now under the management of Peter and Ian, previously of the Coach & Horses, this bar is The Pig and Whistle fully air-conditioned with 3 plasma TVs and pool Unit 18, Watergardens. Tel: 200 76167 A comfortable pleasant little pub with pool table table. Happy hours Mon-Fri 5-6pm. Home of the and terrace on the quayside. Big screen televi- Esteporkers Golf Society. Open: 7 days. Mon-Sat sion for all sporting events. Open: 10-midnight from 11am, Sun from midday. (Fri-Sat 11-1am) Wembley Bar 10 South Barrack Ramp. Tel: 200 78004 Savannah Lounge 27 Heart Island, Ocean Village Tel: 200 66666 Popular bar for hot and cold bar snacks, function Aimed at Gibraltar’s dining and night-life scene, room, in south district. Fridays 10am for breakfast. Savannah has been created with fun and style in Air conditioned. The home of the Real Madrid mind. Offering contemporary European cuisine Supporter’s Club. a wide selection of drinks, cool decor and good Open: 11am - midnight Sunday - Thursday, 10am music. The venue hosts regular events with in- - 1am Friday, 11am - 1am Saturdays. vited DJs and shows from abroad. Open: SundayThurs midday-midnight, Friday and Saturday midday-5am. acrosstheborder The Star Bar Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 75924 Reputedly the oldest bar in Gib, this small cosy bar opens early for breakfast (English or toast & cereal). Lunch/evening menu includes fillet steak, fish and chips and salads. Home of Med Golf and Tottenham Hotspur FC supporters club. Outside seating. Open: from 7am every day. Located: first right off Main St (walking from N to S).

The Dog & Duck Next to Plaza de Constitucion, La Linea Tel: 00 34 956173453 Little pub on the square serving British beers at great prices. Pleasant sun terrace and all live sporting events shown. Open: 3pm-late Mon - Fri, 1pm - late Sat & Sun. Located: 400m straight across from frontier (next to Taste Indian Restaurant).

Pickwicks on Governor’s Parade

Tel: 200 76488 (opposite the Eliott Hotel)

The Best Sandwiches made especially for you as well as Jackets•Salads•Burgers and a whole lot more

open Monday to Friday from 9.30am

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

recipes charity

550 km in five days for local charities A team of six riders, most of them from local law firm Isolas, made their triumphant return to a heroes’ welcome after covering 550km in five days on bicycles last month. The team left early on a Friday morning for Cape St Vincent, Portugal’s Southeastern-most point and set out on the challenge first thing on the Saturday morning. Averaging about 110 kilometres per day, the team spent most of each of the five days in the saddle, spending the evenings nursing sore legs in a number of motel/pension-type accommodation. On Wednesday, after a gruelling five hour ride from Medina Sidonia into fierce headwinds, the team arrived at Isolas’ offices in Portland House and were greeted by all members of staff from both Isolas and Fiduciary. Speaking on their arrival, Selwyn Figueras, one of the riders, spoke about the experience. “It’s amazing how, over the course of a single

A group of friends meet for a drink at a bar in Gibraltar, any bar. The four spend the night drinking, chatting, messing about, having fun. It’s a night out and they just want to enjoy themselves, as we all do. One of them won’t touch the booze. He, however, pops away once in a while and has a quick reefer. Then comes back, quiet but smiling. One drink leads to another, then another, until the smiles are brimming, speech is slightly slurred, but all three still feel as if they are sober enough. It’s just a bit of merriness, and no harm is being done, or is it? Do you recognise this type of scenario? The friends have ended their partying and part ways. One heads off to the taxi rank as he decided to leave his car behind, conscious of the consequences of drink driving and did not want to risk driving home after going out for some drinks. The second, who lives just around the corner, decides to walk home. The third, well, he had his car parked close by and didn’t feel he was that drunk. The world wasn’t swirling before him. There was no way he was too

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

long ride, never mind the whole five day ride, you endure an emotional rollercoaster: one moment you’re absolutely fine, almost ashamed of how easy it seems to be and the next you’re wondering how on earth you got yourself in-

“

One moment you’re absolutely fine, almost ashamed of how easy it seems to be and the next you’re wondering how on earth you got yourself involved in such a crazy challenge

” over the limit? under arrest!

drunk to drive. There were no cars about, and he had only had what, three, four, five beers, it couldn’t be more. He drives away. On his way home he comes to a police traffic road check. He is signaled to pull to the side of the road and is asked if he has been drinking. His breath smells of drink, he is informed that he was stopped because his vehicle was swerving somewhat as he came down the road. Why is it so difficult to understand what the police man is saying? Why are they stopping me? He was asked to turn off his engine and step out of the car and informed he was under arrest. The first man, he got home safely and is now in bed. The second man, he is opening the door to his flat and getting himself ready for bed. The third man is now being driven in a police van to the

volved in such a crazy challenge.” As always with these things, having now completed it, the team is happy that they were involved and, in particular, very satisfied with the amount of money raised for local charity. At the time of going to press the team had managed to raise close to £13,000, and this figure is still growing. Local charities Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar and the Happy Faces trust will be receiving part of the funds raised. Also amongst those organisations destined to benefit is St Martin’s School with whom the PJ Isola Foundation (which administers the funds raised) has worked in the past. The PJ Isola Foundation wishes to thank all those who donated and assisted in making this possible. n

police station where he will be asked to blow into a breathalyser machine and he faces a night in cells. At the station he is asked to provide two breath samples. He blows and the machine reading is 79ug/100ml, well over twice the legally prescribed limit. He is charged and placed in cells. The fourth, he popped away to have a quick smoke again. Like the third one he also decided to go for a drive. He wasn’t drunk at all, so there was no reason he thought to worry, or was there? At court they were both found guilty and disqualified from driving any type of vehicle for 18 months and fined £500 each. One lost his job as a delivery driver and as a result his girlfriend left him. The fourth had to pay an additional fine of £50 after being found guilty of being in possession of a controlled drug. It could have been worse though, he could have killed someone instead! As it was, a night of fun ended in regret. This is an all too familiar occurrence. It’s all very simple... if you are over the limit and you drive, you are liable to be ARRESTED!

A ro u n d To w n .. .

a light-he arte d look at Gibralta r soc iety

Tis the season to be jolly, and everyone seems to be entering into the festive spirit. Crackers were already on some restaurant’s tables by the end of November! The mad rush of Christmas shopping and parties has begun, and on Christmas Eve we’ll see all those who leave their shopping to the last minute desperately scouring the shops as they close. Hoots Mon! The days are getting shorter and the evenings a little cooler so if you’re looking for a warm and cosy environment with a great social atmosphere, Val at the Three Owls, Irish Town, says she now opens the first floor Hoots pool room Enjoying the from 5pm, and for those of you who like a little American ambience nine-ball, the Nest on the second floor opens from 7pm at at 55 the latest. (Right opposite the swish new-look Corks on Irish Town). For a bit of fun before Christmas local band Thrifty Malone will be mastering the Irish tunes at the Royal Calpe on Fridays 4th and 11th December.

Sue of Lloyds and sky-diving Rob enjoying dinner at Cafe Solo

A Young Man’s Fancy March is springtime, and that’s when a young man’s thoughts turn to romance, and that’s also probably why we have a lot of birthdays this month! First it’s Marjorie of Fiduciary on 7th, then James Frendo on 9th, Hamburger Thief Peter Gustafson celebrates on 11th, followed by Mr Finance Marcus Killick and Mr Cafe Solo Alistair Locke on 12th, Rebecca Figueras celebrates on 17th and Just Consultants’ Christopher Bruno on 20th, Bianca Yeo gets scorchingly close to Christmas on 23rd, and Peter Isola celebrates on Boxing Day, followed by Newton Systems’ Ludovic Leroy on 27th and Cohen & Massias’ Joseph Benggio on 29th. After all those birthdays and Christmas parties, we’ll all be too exhausted to celebrate on New Year’s Eve this year — we might even get woken up by the fireworks! A belated happy birthday goes to Sue of Lloyds who reached the big 4-0 last month (pictured left) and is certainly proving life begins at 40 with an adventure in Morocco followed by a sky-dive. (Is it true Sue once bought a pair of right-footed boots by mistake, and wore them out on the town all evening because

Emily at Buckingham Palace

Craig looking cool

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Halloween at Savannah

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2007 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

Linda

Linda retires

Champagne for Robert

it was too late to change them?) Congratulations to Nev and Alex Brill who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in style at Cafe Rojo last month (thanks to them for sending in the picture - below - keep them coming chaps). And a big congratulations to Emily Adamberry Olivero who received her MBE at Buckingham Palace last month (pictured left) — well deserved it is too. Rugby Heroes The Pillars of Hercules rugby 7s travelled to New York on 25th November to take part in the New York 7s tournament which they won last year. Players are mostly Gibraltarians who are based in different parts of the world with some friends and colleagues from university etc. They’re also lucky enough to have Iain Balshaw (now of Biarritz) the England and British Lions player, and Justin Marshall the most capped All Black scrum half of all time, playing for them, so they are sure to put on a good show! By the time this magazine hits the street they should be playing the tournament and we wish them all good luck and great scoring... do us proud.

Georgous girls’ night out

Girls on the town

Festive Wishes This is our last issue of 2009, another enjoyable year, and the team at the Gibraltar Magazine would like to wish all our clients, readers and friends, old and new, a very very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2010. See you all on Main Street for some festive cheer!

Nev and Alex celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2007 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

Halloween fun at Savannah

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clubs&activities Arts & Crafts The Arts Centre, Prince Edward’s Rd. Art classes for children (5-6pm Mon, 5-6.30pm Tues, 5-7pm Thurs), adults (Mon - Tues 6.30pm-8pm, Wed 6.30pm-8.30pm, life painting Wed 7pm9pm). Tel: 200 79788. The Fine Arts Association Gallery 1st Floor above Gibraltar Crystal, Casemates. Open 11am-2pm, 4-6pm Mon - Fri, Sat 11am - 2pm. Arts & Crafts Gallery (next door) opens Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5pm (summer) -6pm (winter), Sat 9.30am - 3pm. The Poetry Society meets on 20th of each month. Tel: Audrey Batty on 200 44355 . Board Games Chess Club meets in Studio 1, John Mackintosh Hall 8-10.30pm Tues. The Gibraltar Scrabble Club meet John Mackintosh Hall Mondays. Bank holidays changed to Thursday same week. 7pm-11pm All welcome. Tel: 200 73660 or 200 75995. The Subbuteo Club meets Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall 7.30 - 11pm. Dance Adult Dance Classes Wednesday evenings at the Youth Disco Room, Kings Bastion Leisure Centre from 7-8.30pm. Cha-Cha, Salsa and Merengue. Lessons £5 and all proceeds to GibMissionAfrica Charity. Contact Dilip on 200 78714 or dance@trainingtm.net Salsa Gibraltar Salsa classes held Tuesdays at Laguna Social Club, Laguna Estate. Beginners 7-8.30pm, £5 per lesson. Intermediates 8.30-10pm, £6 per lesson (all profits going to the charity Help Us To Help Them). Contact: Mike 54472000 Email: info@salsagibraltar.com website: www.salsagibraltar.com Modern & Latin American Sequence Dancing Mondays Catholic Community Centre 8.30pm (beginners 7.30). Over 15s welcome. Old & Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at the Catholic Community Centre at 8pm, beginners at 7.30pm, Wednesday. The DSA Old & Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at Central Hall Fridays 8pm, beginners 7.30pm. Tel: 200 78282 or e-mail manvio@ gibraltar.gi Everybody welcome. Senior Citizens Teatime Dances at The Youth Centre, Line Wall Rd on Mondays 2 - 5.30pm. All senior citizens welcome for coffee, tea and biscuits. Entrance free. Classical Ballet classes for children 4+, Spanish dance and hip-hop at Liza School of Dance, 3rd floor, Methodist Church, 297/299 Main St. Classes Weds & Fri from 6pm at Chiltern Court (4Cs). Tel: 58111000. Hip Hop classes for adults Mondays 6.15pm to 7.15pm, Hip Hop classes for boys and girls Tuesdays 4.15pm to 5.15 - Urban Dance, Jumpers Dance Studio The Gibraltar Pointes Dance School - R.A.D ballet, I.S.T.D modern and tap, jazz and contempory dance. Unit 19F Europa Business Centre. Contact Cheryll or Sabina at Studio: 200 45145, Home: 200 51187/ 200 46400. History & Heritage The Gibraltar Heritage Trust Main Guard, 13 John Mackintosh Sq. Tel: 200 42844. The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association Dedicated to preservation of Rock’s transport/motoring heritage. Assists members in restoration / maintenance of classic vehicles. Members/vehicles meet 1st Sunday of month, Morrison’s car park from 10am. New members welcome. Tel: 200 44643. Music The Gibraltar National Choir and Gibraltar Junior National Choir rehearse on Monday & Thursday 7.30 - 9pm. New singers of all ages welcome. Tel: Lili 200 40035, 54006727 St Andrew’s Music Academy Musical Monsters Club, musical workshops. Group musical activities for kids 3-7 years. Singing, rhythmic games etc. Tel: 200 42690 email: samagib@ hotmail.com Outdoor Activities The Calpe Ramblers This group walks on last Sunday each month, except July and August. Meeting place is the Spanish side of the frontier 8am just to the right of and opposite the Aduana vehicle exit. For any information contact co-ordinators Ray Murphy 200 71956 or John Murphy 200 74645.

Don’t be bored... do something fun! The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an exciting self-development Programme available to all young people worldwide equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world. To date over 5 million young people from over 100 countries have been motivated to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities. Contact Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Montagu Bastion, Line Wall Road, Gibraltar Tel: 200 59818 Reg. Charity No: 61 Quizzes Cannon Bar quizzes are held on Tuesdays starting with a warm up, then two other quizzes, including a theme quiz. Starts at 8.30pm, all welcome and prizes are given. Free entrance but a donation to charity is requested. Tapas served after the quiz. The Tunnel in Casemates has a pub quiz and entertainment on Sunday nights. Social Clubs Scots on the Rock: Any Scots visiting the Rock can contact Charles Polson (Tel: 200 78142) for assistance or information. Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (Gibraltar Province) meets RAOB Club, Jumpers Bastion on these days: Provincial Grand Lodge, 1st Monday/month, 8pm. Executive Meeting, last Mon/month 7pm. Knights Chapter, 2nd Mon/month 7.30pm. Examining Council, 3rd Mon/month 7pm. William Tilley 2371, Thurs 8pm. Buena Vista 9975, Weds (fortnightly) 7pm. Por Favor 9444, Weds (fortnightly) 7pm. Farewell 10001, Tues 8.30pm. Goldacre 10475 (social) last Fri/month 8pm. Special Interest Clubs & Societies Gibraltar Horticultural Society meets 1st Thurs of month 6pm, John Mac Hall. Spring Flower Show, slide shows, flower arrangement demos, outings to garden centres, annual Alameda Gardens tour. All welcome. Gibraltar Philosophical Society devoted to intellectually stimulating debate. Frequent lectures and seminars on a range of topics. Contact 54008426 (after 6pm) or email gibphilosophy@ live.co.uk for further information. The Gibraltar Photographic Society meets on Mon at around 8pm, Wellington Front. Basic courses, competitions etc. Harley Davidson Owners’ Club www.hdcgib. com UN Association of Gibraltar PO Box 599, 22a Main Street. Tel: 200 52108. Sports Supporters Clubs The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Club meet at the Star Bar, Parliament Lane, when Spurs games are televised - call prior to matches to check the game is televised. Great food for a lunch if the KO is early or an early supper if the game is later. For info call Mario on 56280000. Gibraltar Arsenal Supporters Club meet on match days at the Casino Calpe (Ground Floor). Gooners of all ages welcome. Tel: Bill 54010681 or Dion 56619000. Website: www.clubwebsite. co.uk/ArsenalGibraltarSC/. Gibraltar Hammers meet on match days at the Victoria Stadium Bar, Bayside Road. All league games are shown live. All West Ham supporters and their families are welcome. For details visit www.gibraltarhammers.com or e-mail gibraltarhammers@hotmail.com Sports & Fitness Artistic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Artistic Gymnastics Association club for beginners, juniors and squad at Bayside School in evenings. Tel: 200 Angela 200 70611 or Sally 200 74661. Athletics: Gibraltar Amateur Athletics Association holds competitions throughout year for juniors, adults and veterans. Two main clubs (Calpeans 200 71807, Lourdians 200 75180) training sessions at Victoria Stadium. Badminton: Recreational badminton weekdays at Victoria Stadium (Tel: 200 78409 for allocations). Gibraltar Badminton Association (affiliated to IBA & EBA) has leagues and training for adults and secondary school. Tel: Ivan 200 44045 or Linda 200 74753. Basketball: Gibraltar Amateur Basketball Association (affiliated FIBA) leagues/ training for minis, passarelle, cadets, seniors and adults at a variety of levels. Tel: John 200 77253, Randy 200 40727 or Kirsty (minis) 200 49441. Billiards & Snooker: Gibraltar Billiards and Snooker Association (member IBSA) round

leagues and competitions at various venues. New members welcome. Tel: Eddie 200 72142 or Peter 200 77307. Boxing: Gibraltar Amateur Boxing Association (member IABA) gym on Rosia Rd. Over 13s welcome to join. Tuition with ex-pro boxer Ernest Victory (200 75513 w, 200 42788 h). Canoeing: Gibraltar Canoeing Association. Tel: Nigel 200 52917 or Eugene 58014000. Cricket: Gibraltar Cricket Association (member ICC) runs leagues/competitions at Europa Point/ Victoria Stadium. Junior/senior training. Tel: Tom 200 79461 or Adrian 200 44281. Cycling: Gibraltar Cycling Association various cycling tours. Tel: Uriel 200 79359. Darts: Gibraltar Darts Association (member WDF) mens/ladies/youth leagues/competitions. Tel: Darren 54027171 “Secretary”, Dyson “Youth Rep” 54024149, Justin “President” 54022622 Email: info@gibraltardarts.com Football: Gibraltar Football Association leagues/competitions for all ages October-May. Futsal in summer, Victoria Stadium. Tel: 200 42941 www.gfa.gi. Senior Tel: Albert 200 41515, Junior Tel: Richard 58654000, Women’s Tel: Brian 200 52299. Recreational football for over 35s Tel: Richard 200 70320. Golf: Med Golf tournaments held monthly. Tel: 200 79575 for tournament venues/dates. Gibraltar Golf Union has competitions through year, EGU handicaps. Tel: Bernie 200 78844. Hockey: Gibraltar Hockey Association (members FIH & EHF) high standard competitions/training for adults and juniors. Tel: Eric 200 74156 or Peter 200 72730. Judo: Gibraltar Judo Association UKMAF recognised instructors for all ages and levels at Budokai Martial Arts Centre, Wellington Front. Tel: Charlie 200 73116 or Peter 200 73225. Ju-jitsu: Gibraltar Ju-jitsu Academy training and grading for juniors/seniors held during evening at 4 North Jumpers Bastion (Rosia Rd). Tel: Tony 200 79855 or club 200 47259. Karate-do Shotokai: Gibraltar Karate-do Shotokai Association sessions for junior/seniors, gradings and demos at Karate Clubhouse, 41H Town Range Tel: Andrew 200 48908. Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Racing Association Tel: Wayne 200 75211. Netball: Gibraltar Netball Association (affiliated FENA & IFNA) competitions through year, senior / junior leagues. Tel: Moira 200 41795 or Suzette 200 41874. Petanque: Gibraltar Petanque Association plays at Giralda Gardens, Smith Dorrien Ave. New members welcome. Tel: 200 70929. Pool: Gibraltar Pool Association (member EUKPF) home and away league played on Thurs through season. Tel: Linda 200 74753. Rhythmic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Rhythmic Gymnastics Association runs sessions for 4 years of age and upwards weekday evenings. Tel: Christine 200 74661 or 54015533. Rugby: Gibraltar Rugby Football Union training sessions for Colts (14+), seniors and veterans. Play in Andalusia 1st Division Oct - April. Tel: James 200 72185 Sailing: Gibraltar Yachting Association junior/ senior competitive programme (April - Oct) Tel: RGYC 200 48847. Sea Angling: Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers (members FIPS-M & CIPS) Superb calendar of events with four clubs participating. Tel: Mario 200 72622 or Charlie 200 74337. Shooting: Gibraltar Shooting Federation (over 14s). Rifle, Europa Point range (Joe 200 74973); clay pigeon, East Side (Harry 200 74354); Pistol, near Royal Naval Hospital (Fidel 200 71990). Skating: Gibraltar Skating and Xtreme Sports Association. State of art ramps for Xtreme/aggressive roller blading /skate boarding. Leisure skating facilities provided within excellent rink (when not used for roller hockey training). Tel: Eric 200 70710 (after 5). Snorkelling & Spear Fishing: Over 14s for snorkelling, over 16s for spear fishing. Tel: Joseph 200 75020. Squash: Gibraltar Squash Association,

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Squash Centre, South Pavilion Road (members WSF & ESF). Adult/junior tournaments/coaching. Tel: 200 44922 or 200 73260. Sub-Aqua: Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Association taster dives for over 14s, tuition from local clubs. Voluntary sports clubs: Tel: Phil 200 44606, Noah’s Dive Club Tel: Leslie 200 79601, 888s Dive Club Tel: Martin 200 70944. Commercial sports diving schools also available. Swimming: Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association (member FINA & LEN) opens its pool for leisure swimming Mon - Fri 7-8.45am, 12- 4pm, 8- 9pm. Junior lessons, squad for committed swimmers, water polo (Rebecca 200 72869). Table Tennis: Gibraltar Table Tennis Association (members ITTA) training / playing sessions, Victoria Stadium, Tues 6-10pm and Thurs 8-11pm with coaching and league competition. Lizanne 200 45071/54020477 or Eugene 58014000. Taekwondo: Gibraltar Taekwondo Association classes/gradings Tel: 200 Mari 44142. Tai Chi: Children’s fun Tai Chi at the Yoga Centre, 33 Town Range, Saturdays 11-12am. Beginners Tuesdays & Thursdays at Kings Bastion Leisure Centre. 6.30-8pm. Adults £5, Children £2, all proceeds to GibMissionAfrica Charity. Contact Dilip on 200 78714 or rocktaichi@traningtm.net Tennis: Gibraltar Tennis Association, Sandpits Tennis Club, excellent junior development programme. Courses for adults, leagues / competitions. Tel: Frank 200 77035. Ten-Pin Bowling: Gibraltar Ten Pin Bowling (members FIQ & WTBA) leagues, training for juniors and squad. Contact Charly on 56014000 or Paul on 54029749. Triathlon: Gibraltar Triathlon Union (members ITU) Chris 200 75857 or Harvey 200 55847. Volleyball: Gibraltar Volleyball Association (members W & EVF) training, leagues, competitions for juniors/seniors. Tony 200 40478 or Elizabeth 58306000. Yoga: Integral Yoga Centre runs a full programme of classes from Mon-Fri at 33 Town Range. Tel: 200 41389. All welcome. Theatrical Groups Gibraltar Amateur Drama Association Ince’s Hall Theatre Complex, 310 Main Street E-mail: gibdrama@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 200 42237 www. geocities.com/gibdrama Trafalgar Theatre Group meet 2nd Wed of month, Garrison Library 8pm. All welcome. Theatrix: Contact Trevor and Iris on Tel: 54006176 or email theatrixgib@yahoo.co.uk Clubs, Associations, should submit details to The Gibraltar Magazine gibmag@gibraltar.gi

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

support

sports

Support Groups/ Associations Alcoholics Anonymous meet 7pm Tues and Thurs at Nazareth Hse Tel: 200 73774. A Step Forward support group for single, separated, divorced or widowed people. Meet 8pm Mondays at St Andrew’s Church. Childline Gibraltar confidential phone line for children in need. Freephone 8008 - 7 days a week 6pm - 10pm. Citizens’ Advice Bureau Open Mon-Fri 9.30-4pm. Tel: 200 40006 Email: info@ cab.gi or visit 10 Governor’s Lane. No appointment necessary, no charge. Gibraltar CAB outreach clinics at St Bernard’s Hospital every Tuesday. Advisors available at 1st floor reception, Zone 4, 9am-3pm. Info and advice is free, confidential and impartial. COPE Support group for people with Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Formed to ease day-to-day challenges of individuals, families and care partner. Meetings at Catholic Community Centre Book Shop at 7.30pm first Thursday of each month. Contact Sue Reyes Tel: 200 51469 Email: copeadsupport@hotmail.com Dignity At Work Now. Confidential support and advice for those who are being bullied at work. Tel: 57799000 Mon - Thur 8pm-9pm Families Anonymous Support group for relatives and friends who are concerned about the use of drugs or related behavioural problems. Meetings are held alternate Thursdays at 9pm at Nazareth House. For more details Tel: 200 70047 or 200 73465. Gibraltar Cardiac Rehabilitation and Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 8.30pm at the John Mac Hall, except for July and August. Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group 3/8 Serfaty’s Passage Tel: 200 78509 Mobile: 54007924 website: www.gdsg.co.uk Gibraltar Marriage Care. Free relationship counselling, including pre-marriage education (under auspices of Catholic Church, but open to all). Tel: 200 71717. Gibraltar Society for the Visually Impaired. Tel: 200 50111 (24hr answering service). Hope. miscarriage support Tel: 200 41817. Narcotics Anonymous Tel: 200 70720 Overeaters Anonymous support group of those with compulsive overeating problem. Tel: helpline for details of meetings 200 42581. Parental Support Group, helping parents and grandparents with restrictive access to their children and granchildren. Tel: Richard 200 46536, Jason 200 76618, Dominic 54019602. Psychological Support Group, PO Box 161, Nazareth House. Weekly Meetings Tuesdays at 7pm, Fridays 8pm. Tel: 200 51623. SSAFA Forces Help Gibraltar, is a national charity, to assist serving and exService personnel and their families. Tel: (5)5481. E-mail olivero@sapphirenet.gi With Dignity Gibraltar support group for separated, divorced, widowed or unattached people. Meetings Weds 9pm, Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Rd. Outings/activities. Tel: Flor 54007181 or Marie 200 79957. Women in Need. Voluntary organisation for all victims of domestic violence. Refuge available. Tel: 200 42581 (24 hours).

Youngsters with their certificates for taking part in the Gibraltar Footbal Association skills course during the mid-term break

Squash Bass Tournament The annual Bass squash tournament, sponsored every year by Anglo Hispano, was held last month. Eight teams of three took part, each team comprising one player from each seed category. Here are the results of the tournament. Winning Team : Team 8, Stephen Shacaluga (1), Pat Nerney (2), Keith Vinnicombe (3) runners Up: Team 3, Ivan Vinales (1), Steve Crump (2), Gareth Gomez (3) Each of the finalists was presented with a crate of Bass beer donated by the tournament sponsors, Anglo Hispano (Charles Isola made the presentation). Visit www.gibsquash.com for more info.

The tournament winners collect their prize from Anglo Hispano’s Charles Isola

Bowling News The results for the November ranking held at the Kings Bowl Gibraltar were as follows: (in order of photo) - 2nd Ladies, Kimberley Turnbull; 1st Ladies, Julie Jackson; 2nd Men’s, Tony Galea; 1st Men’s, Matthew Stott. Matthew Stott took the honours with a total score of 1179 = 197 average, 2nd was Tony Galea total score 1114 = 186 average. High game, a fantastic 264 was also achieved by Matthew. Julie Jackson took the honours for the Ladies with a total score of 1031 = 172 average, 2nd was Kimberly Turnbull who fought back from a bad first series to score 976 = 162 average. She also took high game with a 215.

Religious Services Baha’i Faith Tel: 200 73287 www.gibnet. com/bahai email:bahai@gibraltar.gi Bethel Christian Fellowship Tel: 200 52002. Queensway. Sunday service 11am. Church of England Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Tel: 200 78377. Sung Eucharist, Sunday 10.30am. Sunday School. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Suite 21a Don House, 30-38 Main Street. Tel: 200 50433. Sundays 10am. Church of Scotland St Andrew’s, Governor’s Pde. Tel: 200 77040. Worship

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

& Sunday School 10.30am. Bible Study Tues 7.30pm. Evangelical Bretheren Assembly, Queensway Quay. Sun 11am, Tues Bible Study 6pm, Thurs Prayer Meeting 6pm. Hindu Engineer’s Lane Tel: 200 42515. Jehovah’s Witness 6 Europort Avenue Tel: 200 50186. Jewish 10 Bomb House Lane Tel: 200 72606. Methodist 297 Main St Tel/Fax 200 40870 email minister@methodist.org.gi Minister: Revd Fidel Patron. Sunday 11am Morning Worship, 8pm Evening Service. Prayer meetings Monday+ Wednesday to Friday

7pm and Tuesdays 8pm. Communion celebrated on 2nd and 4th Sunday mornings of the month, and other special occasions. Alpha Course: held Thursdays 8pm. House Groups meet for Christian fellowship, prayer and study on a regular basis Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Sunday School meets Sunday mornings alongside morning worship. Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned, 215 Main St Tel: 200 76688. The Cityline Church 13 Castle St Tel: 200 75755 email: citylinegib@yahoo. com. Meet: Tues 8pm, Sundays 11am.

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General Suppliers

Hire & Sale of Portable Cabin Units (Office, Toilet Units etc) Unit F17 Europa Business Centre PO Box 476, Gibraltar Tel: 200 73119 Fax: 200 45008 E-mail: portman@gibtelecom.net

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Curtain Makers Home Interiors Fabrics Bedding Bring your own fabric or choose from our range The Fashion House Ltd 85 Governor’s Street. Tel: 200 52938 E-mail: thefashionhouse@gibtelecom.net Fax: 200 52988

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AUGUST 2009 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009

information

dmission 9.30am to 7pm by tickets (includes entrance to sites within the Park - St. Michael’s Cave, Monkey’s Den, Great Siege Tunnels, Military Heritage Centre, ‘A City Under Siege’ Exhibition and Moorish Castle). (Facilities closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.) Adults £7/ Children 5-12 years: £4, Children age 4 and under free, vehicles £1.50. Private vehicles may be restricted at certain times and it’s advisable to take a Rock Tour by taxi/mini bus. The Natural History & Heritage Park is also reached by cable car (leaves Grand Parade 9.30am-5.15pm Mon-Sun. Last cable down: 5.45pm).

he flora and fauna on the Upper Rock are considered to be of great conservational value. It’s a perfect place for birdwatchers, as migratory species use Gibraltar as the shortest crossing between Europe and Africa, but botanists will also be interested to see over 600 species of flowering plants, including some unique to Gibraltar. Watch out for colourful lizards, non-venemous Horseshoe Whipsnakes, butterflies and pipistrelle bats. Info on flora and fauna is found at the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society’s information centre at Jews Gate. St. Michael’s Cave: The cave comprises an upper hall with five connecting passages and drops of 40-150ft to a smaller hall. A further succession of chambers, some at 250ft below the entrance, is reached through narrow holes. The Cathedral Cave is open to visitors and is used as an auditorium for concerts and theatre. The cave was prepared as a hospital in WWII, but never used. A further series of chambers ending in a mini lake is called Lower St. Michael’s Cave and can be visited with a guide. The Monkeys’ Den: There are around 160 monkeys in the Park and around 30 can be seen at the Monkey’s Den. Often called apes, they are tail-less Barbary Macaques and Europe’s only free living monkeys. £500 fine for feeding the monkeys - don’t do it! The Great Siege Tunnels: Tunnelling in the Rock began during the Great Siege (1779-1783) when France and Spain made an attempt to recapture the Rock while Britain was busy with the American War of Independence. Governor General Elliot offered a reward to any man who could tell him how to mount a gun on the north face of the Rock. It was a Sgt. Major Ince who suggested tunnelling and there are now over 30 miles of tunnels inside the Rock with various exhibitions inside the tunnels.

of the earliest British building on the Rock. Original graffiti, drawn by duty soldiers to stop themselves falling asleep, is still visible, the earliest dating back to 1726. The Moorish Castle: actually just part of a Moorish town and castle which was built up during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, spearheaded from Gibraltar in 711AD by Tarik-ibn-Zeyad (“Gibraltar” is a corruption of the Arabic words “Jebel Tarik” - Tarik’s mountain). The part we see today, The Tower of Homage, dates back to 1333AD, when Abu’l Hassan recaptured the Rock from Spain. Natural History & Heritage Park Walks: Med Steps is a stunning walk with the steep climb at the end rewarded with spectacular views of the Rock and Spain. Another recommended walk is St Michael’s Cave through to Charles V Wall but walkers should be relatively fit for both. It is also pleasant walking along the upper rock roads. Brochures available free from all Tourist Board offices. Botanical Gardens: Opened in 1816, the Alameda Botanical Gardens fell into disrepair but are currently being restored to their former glory. Visitors can enjoy a stroll beneath pines, dragon trees and palms, and see many of Gibraltar’s native plants as well as exotic species. The shop sells environmentally friendly gifts, plants and seeds. Tel: 200 72639/200 74022. Parking. Nelson’s Anchorage: Rosia Road 9.30am - 5.15pm Monday to Saturday (last entry at 5pm). Closed on Sunday. Admission: £1.00 (free of charge with Nature Reserve ticket. Tickets for the nature reserve can also be bought at this attraction). Parson’s Lodge: Rosia Road. A narrow limestone outcrop with a labyrinth of underground tunnels surmounted by an impressive battery, which has witnessed the development of coast artillery over 300 years. Once housed three 18 ton 10-inch rifled muzzle loaders positioned behind a

unique sandwich of armour plate and teak, known as ‘Gibraltar Shields’. TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. Flat Bastion Magazine Flat Bastion Road, Geological Research Station and Lithology of Gibraltar. To visit contact: F. Gomez Tel. 200 44460, P. Hodkinson Tel. 200 43910. Shrine of Our Lady of Europe (Museum within premises) Europa Road. 10am-7pm Monday to Friday, 11am-7pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays. Closed 1pm - 2pm. Trafalgar Cemetery: Trafalgar Road, open 9am - 7pm daily (admission free).

Business Information

Gibraltar Financial Services Commission ......Tel: 200 40283/4 website: www.fsc.gi Chamber of Commerce.......Tel: 200 78376 Federation Small Business.Tel: 200 47722 Company Registry...............Tel: 200 78193

Useful Numbers

Airport (general info.)..........Tel: 200 73026 Hospital, St Bernards..........Tel: 200 79700 Weather information.................Tel: 5-3416 Frontier Queue Update.......Tel: 200 42777

General Information

Gibraltar Museum.............Tel: 200 74289 18/20 Bomb House Lane Open 10am - 6pm (Sat. 10am - 2pm). Closed on Sunday. Admission: Adults £2/Children under 12 years £1. Special exhibitions also held at museum premises in Casemates gallery. Registry Office...................Tel: 200 72289 It is possible to get married on the Rock within 48 hours of arrival. A fact taken advantage of by stars such as Sean Connery and John Lennon. Rock Tours by Taxi............Tel: 200 70052 As well as offering normal fares, Gibraltar

Emergency Services Emergency calls only: Fire/Ambulance.......................Tel: 190 Police...............................Tel: 199/112 Emergency Number...............Tel: 112

The Military Heritage Centre: Housed in one of the Rock’s many historic batteries, the Military Heritage Centre displays information on the development of Gibraltar’s military defences through the ages. A City Under Siege Exhibition: Exhibits depicting the lives of the civilian population during the many sieges, are housed in one

History Alive

Every Saturday morning the Rock’s past is brought alive by a troop of soldiers in 18th century period uniform. The soldiers march from Bomb House Lane at 12 noon to Casemates. At Casemates they carry out a “Ceremony of the Keys” and then march back up Main Street to the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned.

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Gibraltar Bus Company Routes

taxis provide Rock Tours taking in the Upper Rock, Europa Point and other sites of interest. It is the best way to see the Rock’s major features in a short time. Tourist Board.....................Tel: 200 74950 Gibraltar Tourist Board, Duke of Kent House, Cathedral Square, Gibraltar. UK Tel: 0207 836 0777 giblondon@aol.com John Mackintosh Hall.......Tel: 200 75669 Centre of Gib’s cultural life, includes a cafeteria, theatre, exhibition rooms and library. 308 Main Street 9.30am - 11pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends. Bicycle Racks Bicycle parking is provided at the following locations: Europort Road, Casemates Tunnel, Land Port Ditch, Fish Market Road, Commonwealth Car Park, Reclamation Road (by English Steps) + Line Wall Road.

Public Holidays 2009

New Year’s Day 1 January Commonwealth Day 9 March Good Friday 10 April Easter Monday 13 April May Day 4 May Spring Bank Holiday 25 May Queen’s Birthday 15 June Late Summer Bank Holiday 31 August Gibraltar National Day 10 September Christmas Day 25 December Boxing Day 26 December Spain Fixed: New Year’s Day 1 January, Epiphany 6 January, St Joseph’s Day 19 March, Labour Day 1 May, St John 24 June, St James 25 July, Assumption Day 15 August, National Day 12 October, All Saints 1 November, Immaculate Conception 8 December, Christmas 25 December Moveable: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Corpus Christi Non-urgent calls: Ambulance Station..........Tel: 200 75728 Police...............................Tel: 200 72500 Gibraltar Services Police: Emergency Nos: ....Tel: (5) 5026 / (5) 3598

The Gibraltar Magazine is published and produced by Guide Line Promotions Ltd, 1st Floor 113 Main Street, Gibraltar. Tel/Fax: (+350) 77748

Natural History & Heritage Park

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2009 July 2004

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