The Gibraltar Magazine February 2010

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

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ibraltar magazine the

Social Climbing

Our Miss World Broadway Bling The Euro Revealed

On their Marks... getting set and much more inside

February 2010

Vol.15 No. 04 FREE

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what’s inside? features 30 34 36 38 40 54 70

Social Climbing € Is Gibraltar Beautiful?

Beauty Queen of the Rock € Dominique’s Days Gibraltar Birth Denied him US Presidency Chocks Away for Ray The ’60s Live on Stage

business & finance 8 9 12 14 16 18

8-19

Business & Finance Guide The Euro Revealed Cheques for Charity International Law Olympus!

Tax Avoidance & Tax Evasion Bunkering: what’s going on out there €

leisure & lifestyle 20 24 26 32 42 58 65 69 71

On Their Marks & Getting Set Not All Camp Fires & Cookies Music: A Touch of Irish Walking the Rock Art Scene: Kaleidoscope € Going for a Song Ask Charley: Pet Problems On the Crest of a Wave: with Tom Boy Sailing € Broadway Bling

property & interiors 44 46 48 49 50 51

44-53

Industrial Espionage, Global Warming & Retro Fabrics Live Wires at Westex Property Directory Filomena: The Time to Buy Baby Space Are You Ready for Rental? €

health & medical 62 63

60-63

Health & Fitness Guide Why Don’t You?

regulars 64 86

Puzzle Page Around Town

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

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City Centre Map Gibraltar Information

ibraltar magazine the

February 2010

Vol.15 No. 04 FREE

Social Climbing

Our Miss World Broadway Bling The Euro Revealed

On their Marks... getting set and much more inside

Cover: Climbing on the Rock

by Chris Durante (see pages 30-31)

Vol. 15 No. 04 February 2010

22 28 56 76

Learning fro Auschwitz A Not So Glorious Mystery Honours for Battling Bob Book Review: Papa Spy

food & drink

information 66-67 90

history & heritage

76-85

78 Dining with Aphrodite 80 Wine Column 81-84 Restaurant & Bar Guide 85 Time to Dine: Savannah

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

finance

The Euro Revealed

by Ian Le Breton

Eagle-eyed readers of my monthly ramblings will have noticed that I refer frequently to the exchange rate between the pound and the euro. Most of us who work and live in Gibraltar — or nearby in Spain — change pounds at local banks and bureaux de change into euro.

For over a year now, the exchange rate has been horribly close to parity (that is one for one), and any higher rate does not seem to last for more than a few days. As I have written before, a high exchange rate, whilst better for anyone wishing to spend money in Spain, can be a double-edged sword. This is not the place to enter into a full discussion about the whys and wherefores of the exchange rate, nor can I predict where the rate will go during the coming year. Instead, I thought I would take a closer look at the euro itself.

So what is the euro all about? Has it achieved the lofty ambitions set for it by European policy makers a decade ago? In other words, can we describe the euro as a success?

First of all, perhaps we should remind ourselves how the euro came about. It was launched in January 1999 as an electronic currency. Notes and coins arrived on the scene three years later when they became legal tender across the first 12 European Union member states that adopted the currency.

There are currently 16 members of the euro zone and the previous currencies used by these states have all been replaced by the euro. Full members are Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal,

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City have also adopted euro notes and coins. These three are not however formal euro zone members, nor are they represented on the board of the European Central Bank (ECB)

Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. As well as the full members, three smaller European states — Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City — have also adopted euro notes and coins. These three are not however formal euro zone members, nor are they represented on the board of the European Central Bank (ECB). Andorra also decided unilaterally to use the single currency but once again not as a formal member of the group.

The European Union now comprises 27 member states and, of the remainder, several are hoping to join the euro in due course. Membership rules are strict so it is likely to be several years before all those countries that wish to join can do so. The situation for three other countries — the United Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden is quite different. Both the UK and Denmark obtained opt-outs

business & finance from the Maastricht Treaty that set out the rules, while Sweden rejected euro membership in a referendum.

For the general public, the most visible effect of the euro is the ability to use notes and coins across a vast area of Europe without the hassle of changing money every time a border is crossed.

It makes life much easier when comparing prices in different countries. In general, Europeans seem to have accepted the euro despite the emotional wrench of losing familiar currencies such as the peseta, deutschmark, French franc, escudo and the rest.

Of far more significance economically, the European Central Bank (ECB) now manages monetary policy across the euro zone. Amongst other things, the ECB sets interest rates across the whole area and, in common with many other central banks around the world, it is currently pursuing a policy of low interest rates in an effort to stimulate European economic growth.

The ability of the ECB to set interest rates, and therefore effectively to direct monetary policy instead of allowing individual member states to do so is fundamental. It is one of the main reasons why the British government, among others, have so far resisted the EU’s calls for Britain to join the euro zone. It is always assumed that the British people would vote against joining in any referendum but this has not been put the test, nor are there any current plans to do so.

For the member countries, the “one size fits all” interest rate policy is sometimes very difficult to manage. For example, before the onset of the global financial crisis, both Spain and Ireland were enjoying boom years and the relatively low interest rates that were then in force contradicted normal economic theory where rates in those countries should have been

rising at the time. Of course, in the last couple of years — and as I have commented several times in these pages — normal theory has been blown out of the water.

So is the euro working? Well, as always there are a number of areas to consider. Certainly the visible bit — the use of notes and coins — is accepted across the EU. For sure there are pockets of resistance. Some shops, for example, still accept payment in what are known as “legacy” currencies, but most people are now accustomed to using the new currency. Personally, I am still astonished whenever I see a €500 note — compare that to the largest British and US denominations of £50 and $100 (in the US, higher denomination notes ceased being printed in 1946 and were officially withdrawn from circulation in 1969 by President Nixon because they were used primarily by organised crime!).

Neither can I get used to the tiny one-cent coins that are just too fiddly to deal with. It may be a fiendish plan to get us to round up to the closest five cents or even ten cents. Inflation creep indeed.

Aside from the physical notes and coins

I am astonished whenever I see a €500 note — compare that to the largest British and US denominations of £50 and $100 (in the US, higher denomination notes were withdrawn because they were used primarily by organised crime!)

though, has the euro succeeded in becoming a major world player — or “reserve currency” as the economists would call it? I would answer yes, and with good reason. It is becoming increasingly accepted by non-EU countries and is often used as an international currency in place of the US dollar. Certainly the US dollar remains the principal reserve currency around the world but the euro is catching up. I think that this is due in no small way to the global crisis.

As the US struggles with its economic problems, the dollar continues to be weak (alongside the pound) and as a consequence the euro appears strong by comparison. This is not good for European exporters with customers paying in US dollars (and pounds!) and it is certainly the stated intention of the ECB to get the exchange rate back down — but for the moment, economic reality is taking hold.

And that gets me back to where I started. The pound continues to be weak against the euro and forecasts are that this situation is unlikely to change in the short term. We are just going to have to get used to it. Governments all over the world are encouraging us to spend more so, provided you can stomach the exchange rate, you can spend this one currency from just over the border in Spain all the way to Berlin without once having to change. And, if you find any of those €500 notes, look after them carefully! n

Fund Industry Award for Hassans International Law Firm

Hassans International Law Firm has been named “Best Gibraltar Law Firm” at the Fund Domicile Awards that took place at the Chesterfield Hotel in London on 14th

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well attended and followed a full days’ conference on the issues pertinent to the offshore fund industry.

The winners were selected as a result of a two stage procedure. Award winners were selected as a result of votes received as well as being based on the views of a panel of judges.

A total of 223 votes were cast for 115 service providers in 14 domiciles.

Members of the judging panel were: Grant Fuller, Managing Director, Axicorda; Christi Gujral, Chief Operating Officer, Zan Partners; Dallas McGillvray, Managing Director, FM Consult Ltd; Paul O’Donnell, Managing Director, The Canonbury Group and Simon Osborn, Editor, International Fund Investment.

The panel was chosen as a result of their independence, knowledge of fund service provision and the many years of experience they all have had dealing with organisations in the fund domiciles.

James Lasry (pictured right, receiving the award), partner and Head of Funds at Hassans said “I am delighted Hassans has been recognised as Gibraltar’s best law firm for January 2010.

This award is recognition of the prominence funds. Our Funds Team has worked very the firm plays in the fund industry in Gibraltar. hard over the years to develop Gibraltar as a The event, hosted by FundDomicile.com was jurisdiction of choice.” n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

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Built on solid foundations

A full service international law firm, offering tailor-made services and advice to help you meet your objectives, since 1982 For further information contact: info@isolas.gi

Portland House Glacis Road PO Box 204 Gibraltar Tel +350 200 78363 www.gibraltarlawyers.com

events

PJ Isola Foundation: Cheques for Charity The PJ Isola Foundation, established in 2006 in memory of Peter J Isola with a view to raising funds for charity, has recently donated funds to a number of local charities. The funds donated have been raised over the course of the last couple of years by staff members at Isolas and Fiduciary, through their participation in events such as a gym marathon and a marathon cycle from Portugal to Gibraltar in October last year.

The charities which have benefited from the funds are various.

Women in need were presented with a cheque for £1000, which will be used for a variety of projects.

Happy Faces Gibraltar has been presented with a cheque for £2,000 as the first in a series of donations the foundation will make to assist them in a number of their projects. This first donation is to make a terminally ill young boy’s dream come true — to meet Manchester United players and watch them play at Old Trafford.

Secondly the Foundation will be donating £1,000 for the purchase of a special chair for a severely disabled 8-month old baby. Thirdly and finally, a donation of £2,000 will be made for an electric wheelchair for a disabled young boy for use to

travel to, and get around, school.

St Martin’s school have also benefited from a donation which will assist with the purchase of a highly specialised wheelchair designed for the purpose of moving some of the pupils at the school.

In addition, the foundation also donated a flat screen TV to Bruce’s Farm, a much needed addition to the impressive and improving facilities at their premises on the Upper Rock.

Finally, the foundation donated the sum of £500 to Save the Children as a contribution towards the support of a local boy currently awaiting a liver transplant in Cordoba, Spain.

The foundation will also be making a donation to Breast Cancer Support Group Gibraltar to help them in the continuing good work for cancer sufferers and their families in Gibraltar.

One of the Trustees of the Foundation, Christian Rocca, explained that this was in keeping with the law firm’s desire to be active in the community, by helping out where it is needed the most.

A number of events are planned for 2010 and the foundation would like to thank the staff at Isolas/Fiduciary for all the support over the last few years as well as thank all those who kindly donated funds for making all this possible.

To read about each of the donations and to keep up to date with the foundation’s efforts, the news pages at www.gibraltarlawyers.com have more detail. For any suggestions of fundraising activities, contact selwyn.figueras@isolas.gi

Fiduciary & Isolas

Party Time

Fiduciary and Isolas 1892 held their joint Christmas reception with drinks and canapés in December at Sacarello’s Coffee Shop. Attended by many professionals from within the finance centre, the event was a great success. n

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

charity projects

FLIP Students’ Charity Drive The first intake of students on the Future Leaders in Philanthropy (FLIP) project have been set the target of raising £2,000 for their local chosen charity. With help from family and friends, each student has to organise a fundraising event of their choice. For many of the Year 13 students, this will be their first experience of organising such an event. and therefore the charities will receive a very attractive donation of at least £4,000 for each event”.

The first event, in January, was a Charity Bingo Night, in aid of Leukaemia Research organised by Francine Anes.

Dhiraj Nagrani, another FLIP student, is planning a Corporate Quiz Night in aid of the Happy Faces Charity. This is due to take place at Savannah’s on Thursday 25th February and companies are invited to enter teams of 4-10 participants.

Other events include a fashion show, an art exhibition and a sponsored run from Gibraltar to Speaking on behalf of the Bonita Alcaidesa. All the events have to be Trust, which is responsible for the completed by 31st August 2010. charity aspects of the FLIP project, Moe Cohen remarked, “We hope FLIP is a joint venture project the local community will support organised by the Bonita Trust and the FLIP students, who are all Credit Suisse (Gibraltar) Limited. For working very hard to plan their more info please contact Ros Astengo, events. Bonita has pledged to match FLIP Project Manager on 200 60175 whatever is raised by the students or e-mail info@flip.gi.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

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

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Keith Azopardi

International Law Olympus

by Elena Scialtiel

Among the many books published by Gibraltarians in 2009 — a fruitful year indeed for our history of literature! — one stands out, perhaps not for being your typical novel for beach days, but for contributing to international law with punctual analysis on sovereignty and the stateless nations’ position, in the precarious balance between borderless umbrella institutions and localised identity awakenings.

Former GSD Government Minister, key persuasion comes with his lawyer’s job deplayer in the 2006 Constitution, Keith Azopardi scription after all — about the way forward was asked by prestigious Oxford publisher, for Gibraltar in the context of European Union Hart, to submit a spruced-up version of his Constitutional Law doctorate thesis, with which the panel of examiners were very impressed.

And so Sovereignty and the Stateless Nation, the opus of a decade and hopefully of the decade, has become the 24th volume in the publisher’s international law series.

Devised primarily for consultation, this essay doesn’t require special initiation to jargon, and can be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in the history and evolution — or perhaps morphing — of the concept of sovereignty from the post-war crumbling of colonial empires to its grand entrance in the third millennium.

He makes a compelling point — power of

Secession is a legal hot potato nobody is really too keen on peeling nowadays, but stateless nations galore are baking in the embers worldwide

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interdependency and the right to self-determination, which may be the trampoline for his political campaign in the next local elections, when his Progressive Democratic Party will tickle weary voters with their common-sense Goldilocks’ manifesto: not too red, not too blue, but democratically warm enough to make the voice of our ‘stateless nation’ heard in the UK, UN and EU. It goes without saying that the PDP leader is a paladin of retaining links with the Crown and most importantly with Europe and laments the lack of Gibraltar’s own locally elected MEP to the European Parliament as a ‘democratic deficit’.

Interestingly, in his chapter Between Three Flags the three flags in question are the Union Jack, the Spanish one (no surprise here) and the European Union’s ring of stars.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

book release Why? Because Gibraltar is deeply rooted in the European Union and the inter-dependence of its member states, whose nations have relented their claims to independence in favour of some kind of association with the European ‘super-state’.

Thus has evolved the theory of sovereignty in the past century, or at least since the invention of the European Union (or reinvention, because historically it is a bit of dĂŠjĂ -vu recycled from the Roman Empire or Charlemagne’s utopia): a nation needn’t necessarily secede to realise itself as a nation, since it will anyway remain one of the little squares in the EU patchwork blanket; instead, a nation needs its customised constitution tailored to the claims of its people, but cut to ďŹ t the overall pattern.

Secession is a legal hot potato nobody is really too keen on peeling nowadays, but stateless nations galore are baking in the embers worldwide. Gibraltar bears resemblance with most of them for many different reasons, which altogether make it quite a legal oddity to the academic community and an enthralling case study.

There are strong analogies for Gibraltar status among the stateless nations within the two States claiming sovereignty on the Rock: Scotland, Wales, CataluĂąa, the Basque country... although the foundation to their independence lies on different history and identity grounds, and they are not the bone of contention between two sovereign states.

Outside Europe, yet not too far away, the example of Western Sahara springs to mind,

disputed (like us) between Morocco, Algeria and prevailing independence claims (unlike us).

If Gibraltar doesn’t feel as strong about independence as the Polisario, Saharawi and Yanitos have something in common, more than Yanitos and Euskaldunak: they are listed in the UN Non-Self-Governing Territories, and hence Gibraltarians are entitled by international law to self-determination and to a democratically devised solution based on the advantages afforded by their bespoke theory of sovereignty.

This makes us unique in our aim to decolo-

Does it give an unequivocal solution?

No. It offers a full menu of possibilities to ďŹ t the people’s wishes and national, if not nationalistic, sense of belonging to the nation beyond the nation

nisation without however relinquishing our self-government, or our loyalty to Britain, deeper than a standard Commonwealth-type free association.

Sovereignty and the Stateless Nation isn’t a history book, although the first part gives an overview on the factual background from where Azopardi’s thesis stems, but it’s a legally valid instrument for those who have their hands in that kind of pie, or simply a very comprehensive stocktaking of where sovereignty has come to so far, and the true state of the stateless nation.

Does it put Gibraltar’s case before the legal community? Does it reject labels in favour of essence? Yes, and it also acknowledges its political and democratic leaps and bounds, with no dramatic effects, yet inevitably fuelled by the passion of someone who has lived them ďŹ rst hand and in great part has shaped them with his own political hands.

Does it give an unequivocal solution? No. It offers a full menu of possibilities to ďŹ t the people’s wishes and national, if not nationalistic, sense of belonging to the nation beyond the nation.

Born from hours of hard-disciplined perusing through legal resources, cases, articles and dusty documents, with little, alas, ďŹ eld research Ă la Indiana Jones, this jacketed hardback 456-page essay is available from local bookshops, or online from www.hartpub. co.uk or www.amazon.co.uk. And if the author jokingly rules out the chance of a ‘sequel’, the debate is pretty much open. â–

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

15

Tax Avoidance

& Tax Evasion

Tax authorities and the press worldwide are currently vilifying tax avoidance along with the terms offshore jurisdictions and tax havens.

They are freely associating these terms with terrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering, to ensure that the general public believe that anyone or any jurisdiction that is involved in tax avoidance is aiding terrorism, drug trafficking and depriving jurisdictions of monies to provide public services.

The recent articles I have read regarding tax planning use the terms avoidance and evasion interchangeably and do not distinguish between the two terms. In this article I would like to highlight that there is an immense difference between the two terms and that even though the former Chancellor of the Exchequer Denis Healy once described the only difference as being “ the thickness of the prison walls” case law does not back this up.

Tax Avoidance Tax avoidance is the legal use of a jurisdiction’s tax regime to the taxpayer’s advantage, to reduce the amount of tax payable within the law.

A prime example of the lack of understanding of tax avoidance and the vilification of it was highlighted in The Sunday Times last December.

Google was the company under attack even though it has always been acting legally.

The Sunday Times front page stated how many

16

more policemen could be put on the streets of the UK, how many extra hospital beds could be provided, how many extra teachers could be provided etc. etc. had Google paid UK corporation tax.

However the basic fact is that Google is not a UK company, it is not subject to UK corporation tax and has not done anything illegal by using good tax planning in order to minimise its tax liability in another jurisdiction which has a more favourable tax regime than the UK.

Tax evasion in most developed countries is a criminal activity and those who are guilty of this or guilty of aiding a person in tax evasion are subject to fines and/or imprisonment

Google has set up its operations in Southern Ireland to take advantage of the low tax rate (please note Gibraltar will have a 10% advantageous rate from 2010). The structure of the company has been arranged in order to minimise the company’s tax liabilities, which will in turn lower the costs for its advertising customers.

Tax evasion Tax evasion is where the taxpayer makes deliberate efforts not to pay tax through illegal means.

An example of this would be deliberately hiding profits or falsifying records to show that the tax due was less.

Tax evasion in most developed countries is a criminal activity and those who are guilty of this or guilty of aiding a person in tax evasion are subject to fines and/or imprisonment. The punishments for tax evasion vary from country to country, the most severe punishment is in China were tax evasion carries the death penalty whereas in Switzerland tax evasion is not a criminal matter but a civil matter and dealt with in the tax courts not the criminal courts.

Tax evasion is wrong, immoral and should not be tolerated under any circumstances and I personally agree with HMRC’s views on this., however I feel that China’s penalty system is

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

tax wise

by Angela Smart, Smart Tax Consultancy slightly harsh.

The pot calling the kettle black What I disagree with is the views of HMRC, the press and MPs who cannot or who do not wish to distinguish between avoidance and evasion.

For Example: Stephen Timms, Financial Secretary to the Treasury told parliament “ This Government will not tolerate tax avoidance or tax evasion in any form, and will tackle both of these” I find a comment like this abhorrent, as he appears to not be able to distinguish between a legal activity and an illegal activity. He also appears to have forgotten that many of the MPs he was addressing have claimed expenses from the public in order to receive tax avoidance advice.

Many of them have used tax avoidance methods in order to reduce their own tax liability.

An example being Ms Blears MP who had used legitimate tax avoidance to avoid paying Capital Gains Tax on her property as she claimed Principle Private Residency relief. When claiming this relief you can chose which of your properties you wish to use the relief on, many MPs claimed this relief on their second properties, which were funding by the taxpayers. This is tax avoidance and perfectly legal, however Ms Blears decided to pay the Capital Gains Tax once it was made public, due to her constituents not being impressed.

David Hartnett the permanent secretary for tax at HMRC or the top man in HMRC assured Ms Blears that she was not due this and therefore did not have to pay.

This scenario would appear to give the impression that Dave, as he likes to be known is quite happy with tax avoidance and supports tax avoidance and sees it clearly as a way of reducing a person’s tax liability legally.

However when discussing tax avoidance in other situations which do not involve high profile MPs, Mr Hartnett’s views of what constitutes tax avoidance and what constitutes tax evasion appear to be completely confused and he appears not to be able to distinguish one from the other.

Mr Hartnett has often lumped avoidance and evasion together, which is misleading to the public and an example being his comment on Lloyds: “Brainstorming in the context you’ve just used suggests to me some complex arrangement for tax avoidance. Or, worse still, potentially facilitating tax evasion… We simply cannot tolerate that sort of behaviour.”

HMRC have had to make changes to their customer charter and vision as in their charter previously stated that “they would pursue relentlessly those who bend and break the rules”, the revised version states they would “ distinguish between legitimately trying to pay lowest amount and bending the rules through tax avoidance” The revised version is implying that tax avoidance is illegal, again Mr Hartnett as the man in charge of HMRC is trying to mislead readers into assuming that tax avoidance is illegal.

Even worse the new “code of practise” for tax inspectors states “Avoidance is not defined in the Taxation

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

Acts. One definition is: “a situation where less tax is paid than Parliament intended, or more tax would have been paid, if Parliament turned its mind to the specific issue in question.”

At a practical level the problem is then essentially one of deciding what Parliament would have intended and identifying who should decide this.

Inspectors need to have in simple terms a working concept of “avoidance” in order to properly identify cases which can be worked…

The starting point should be that one would normally expect taxpayers to pay tax on their income or profits…It is reasonable to assume that where a commercial transaction is carried out in a particular convoluted way, then tax avoidance is afoot.”

This is a long way from the position accepted only a few years ago, that it was trite law, this meant that taxation could only be levied by clear words of statute.

HMRC appear to be putting themselves above statute and parliament and taking on the roles of, judge, jury and executioner with regard to taxation and the interpretation of tax law.

They appear to be ignoring previous case law such as Ayrshire Motor Services and Ritchie v

Tax avoidance is legal and companies wishing to relocate to Gibraltar in order that they may take advantage of the Gibraltarian tax rates are using good tax planning to maximise their shareholders’ wealth

Any queries regarding information in this article, please contact: Angela Smart, Smart Tax Consultancy Gibraltar mobile: 58008575 or email angelasmart7@aol.com

CIR (1929) where Lord Clyde said “ No man in this country is under the least obligation, moral or otherwise, so as to arrange his legal relations to his business or to his property as to enable the Inland Revenue to put the largest possible shovel into his store” Mr Harnett is also praying for the death of the IRC v Duke of Westminster case where the judge Lord Tomlin said “Every man is entitled if he can to order his affairs so that tax attaching under the appropriate Acts is less than it would be otherwise.”

Mr Hartnett would like each inspector to be able to decide on his own what the law should be. Who needs parliament?

Tax Avoidance Today HMRC have had the power since 2004 to demand details of all tax avoidance schemes in the UK. Once they have the received these details, the legislation can be subsequently changed in order to close down any loopholes.

HMRC are now threatening to name and shame tax advisors who help people avoid tax, however as this is not a criminal offence (i.e. evasion), HMRC should not be publicly discussing the tax affairs of individuals or companies.

HMRC are planning to take this stance with tax advisors who have acted “improperly” but have not described what “improperly” means.

There is no statute which defines improper conduct.

Offshore jurisdictions – Tax Havens A recently published treasury report ironically highlights the importance played by the offshore tax havens in funding banks in the UK. The report notes that in the second quarter of 2009 £195bn was provided to banks in the UK from offshore tax havens. Due to the current economic climate these offshore tax havens obviously play a vital part in the UK’s economy.

Therefore it is ironic that HMRC has described these offshore tax havens as “evil” havens for tax avoiders and evaders.

Gibraltar is not a haven for tax evaders, it is a legitimate finance centre, which offers a low tax rate to those companies and organisations that wish to minimise their tax liabilities.

Tax avoidance is legal and companies wishing to relocate to Gibraltar in order that they may take advantage of the Gibraltarian tax rates are using good tax planning to maximise their shareholders’ wealth.

Gibraltar is a well- regulated jurisdiction that does not tolerate tax evasion. Gibraltar has agreed to tax exchange information agreements with many jurisdictions in support of eliminating tax evasion.

Therefore as a tax advisor in Gibraltar I find the deliberate muddying of waters by HMRC and the press of tax avoidance and tax evasion a deliberate effort to smear well regulated offshore centres in order to intimidate companies and wealthy individuals into staying in the UK with the threat of costly and timely investigations into tax planning which is legal.

With the increase of income tax for the wealthy rising to 50% and the high corporation tax, the UK is facing a mass exodus of individuals and companies it will be the low tax jurisdictions that will attract these individuals and companies. n

17

Bunkering: What’s Going On Out There

?

by Craig Thomas, General Manager, Agile Marine

For many, the shipping activities of ships passing through the Strait and anchoring in the Bay may be as alien and remote as complex surgical procedures, airport operations or bridge building. Given all the television coverage of these latter activities, I would guess that more people know about surgery or bridge building than they do about bunkering. So what’s it all about?

What Are Bunkers?

Wikipedia defines “Bunker fuel” as any type of fuel oil used aboard ships. It gets its name from the containers on ships where it used to be stored. In the days of steam they were coal bunkers, but now they are bunker-fuel tanks.

There are differing levels of bunker fuel which, as you would imagine, are used for different type of engines; just as vehicles use petrol and others diesel.

Most ships are operated with one or two main engines for propulsion. Dependent on the size of the ship, these engines can be as big as a large house. For economic reasons and engine performance most of these engines burn (black) fuel oil (FO). FO is a generic description as there are several types/grades for specific engines; 380 (heavier) to 180 (FO-Diesel mixture) and others. A number of generators are installed on ships to operate the electrical, hydraulic, air and other ship systems independent of the main

18

engine. These generators are normally powered by marine gas oil (MGO), which is very similar to the diesel used in vehicles.

Fuel (bunkers) types and grades have been getting a little more confusing and complex in the past few years. International regulations were implemented in 2005 to reduce Sulphur Oxide (SOx) and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions from ship’s exhausts. These regulations also introduced “SOx Emission Control Areas”

Many waters in and around Northern Europe were designated as SECAs, which had an effect on the bunkering industry in Gibraltar

(SECAs) with even stricter emission standards (less than 1.5% sulphur in FO) in specific parts of the world. Many waters in and around Northern Europe were designated as SECAs, which had an effect on the bunkering industry in Gibraltar. Ships on their way to Northern Europe would need to purchase this low sulphur FO, or LSFO, to legally transit a SECA zone.

This regulation also addressed NOx standards, with stricter standards on Marine Diesel engines (normally the generators on board).

On 1st January, 2010 the European Union (EU) implemented further sulphur limits on ship fuels. Ships “at berth and at anchor within the EU” must burn FO with a sulphur content of less than 0.1%. With these new requirements Bunker suppliers were obliged to provide a variety of fuels to the customers (ships) from various grades of FO, MGO and varying sulphur levels.

How Does Gibraltar Fit Into the Bunkering

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

industry World?

The Strait of Gibraltar is one of the key crossroads or “choke points” in the world of international shipping. It is a strategic position for ship owners and their ships seeking to take on fuel before heading to their next destination.

As further evidence of this fact, ship owners also take advantage of our location to have their ships drifting or anchoring nearby while awaiting orders for their next port of call. The other crossroads in the world are the Malacca Straits, Suez Canal (still have to pass through Gibraltar) and Panama Canal (limited vessel-sizes).

In 2009, Gibraltar’s bunker operators provided over 4.7 million tons of fuel (bunkers).

This was a substantial increase from 2008 and a remarkable figure considering just 0.84 million tons were delivered in 1990. So who are these bunker operators and how does the bunkering system work here in Gibraltar?

small car attached to the Mother Ships for these STS deliveries.

Smaller, bunker company owned/operated bunker barges then come alongside their respective Mother Ship to load different types of fuels.

These bunker barges are much smaller, typically 4-8,000 tons, more maneuverable and fitted with onboard metering and delivery systems to deliver the exact quantity and quality of fuel to a customer.

The customers/ships pre-order the type and amount of fuel required well in advance via a local shipping agent. Once they arrive off the port and, dependent upon weather and port activity, the ships enter the port under the guidance of a local Pilot and anchor in the bay. The bunker barge, which is fitted with smaller, pneumatic fenders, then moors alongside the customer’s ship, delivers the fuel and then completes all quantitative and qualitative measurements. The customer’s ship normally heads for her next port with the necessary fuel on board and the bunker Who Are The Bunker Operators?

There are four large bunkering companies in barge heads to the next customer or back to the Gibraltar (in no particular order); Aegean Bun- Mother Ship for a re-fill. kering (Gibraltar) Ltd. (BGL), VemaOil, Bunkers How Safe Is Bunkering?

(Gibraltar) Ltd. and Cepsa (Gibraltar) Ltd. All of these bunker barges and Mother Ships Three of the bunkering companies; Aegean, Vema and BGL operate “Mother Ships” (ap- are double-hulled and meet the requirements proximately 70,000 ton tankers) in the bay, set forth by the GPA, which inspects and moninamely; Leader for Aegean, Europa Venture for tors their operation. They also must meet Flag BGL and Vema Baltic for Vema. These vessels State (country where the vessel is registered) and remain permanently moored in the bay. How- Classification Society (independent standards) ever, they will move out as a safety precaution requirements.

You may be interested to learn that Gibraltar is during inclement weather.

Cepsa (Gibraltar) Ltd. is jointly owned by a “Flag State” and many vessels in this trade and Cepsa and Gibunco Holdings. All of their fuels others (containerships, freighters, tankers, etc.) are provided by the Cepsa refinery and, as such, elsewhere in the world are registered under the they have no need of a Mother Ship. The refin- Gibraltar Flag. These vessels are monitored and inspected by the Gibraltar Maritime Administraery is, effectively, their Mother Ship. tion (GMA) on an ongoing and frequent basis.

The GPA is installing a sophisticated Vessel TrafHow Does Bunkering Work?

The three Mother Ships are supplied with fic System (VTS) to better monitor and manage various types of fuels, as discussed above, port movements and operations. A Bunkering based upon their bunker sales/throughput. The Code of Practice was introduced in 2002 and a bunker company purchases large lots of fuel In 2009, Gibraltar’s bunker elsewhere in the world and brings these larger fuel parcels to their respective Mother Ship on operators provided over 4.7 other chartered (leased) tankers.

These deliveries are made via a Ship-To-Ship million tons of fuel (bunkers).

(STS) transfer that is conducted in accordance This was a substantial increase with internationally recognised safety standards and monitored closely by the Gibraltar Port from 2008 and a remarkable Authority (GPA), as are all activities associated figure considering 0.84 million with bunkering and port movements. You may notice the large, pneumatic fenders the size of a tons were delivered in 1990

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

Bunkering Superintendent appointed to police all bunkering and STS operations.

The GPA has a counter pollution plan that was formulated in conjunction with all the relevant agencies and NGO’s within Gibraltar.

The plan ensures that sufficient equipment and trained personnel are available to respond to an incident. In conjunction with this the GPA is an Associate Member of Oil Spill Response Ltd (International leader in counter pollution response) The plan is tested regularly with oil spill drills and exercises. But an oil spill is no respector of boundaries and cooperation and coordination are required between neighbouring ports. This cooperation was evident between the GPA and Algeciras during the winter of 2008 when the Fedra (Gibraltar) and Tawe (Algeciras) grounded This required with coordinated salvage and counter pollution activities using shared aerial reconnaissance and spill response teams.

Local ship Pilots ensure a safe transit and anchorage position. Stack emissions are monitored for compliance with all international and EU requirements.

In summary, everything is being done to ensure that bunkering is conducted safely in Gibraltar with an eye to constant improvements.

How Does Bunkering Impact Gibraltar’s Economy?

In addition to the direct benefits to the bunker companies, and the numerous employees employed in this industry, there are associated “knock-on” benefits to Gibraltar. A bunkering port call provides ship owners with a perfect opportunity to change crews (one to many officers and crew) and to purchase food, supplies and other services. There are several shipping agencies, with numerous staff, to handle all of these requirements.

Tug boats, launch boats to/from the ships, Pilots, fendering companies and even the Cammell Laird shipyard, and their staffs, are used to service and support this industry.

The GPA, GMA and Customs’ employees are employed to ensure that the port is operated safely and effectively. All of these people who work directly or indirectly in the bunkering industry pay taxes and purchase goods and services in Gibraltar, which has a positive contribution to Gibraltar’s robust and diverse economy. n Agile Marine Limited, Suite 23, Portland House, Glacis Road, Gibraltar. Tel: 56000545 Email: cthomas@agilemarine.com.

19

sport

on their marks

getting set &

President of the Commonwealth Games Association of Gibraltar, Charlie Flower (left) with Joe Schembri, General Team Manager

2010 is a year full of international sport, and once the World Cup is out of the way, Gibraltar can look forward to its participation once again in the Commonwealth Games which kick off in Deli, India on 3rd October. We met with the President of the Commonwealth Games Association of Gibraltar, Charlie Flower and Joe Schembri who will be the General Team Manager accompanying local athletes to the games to find out all about Gibraltar’s participation.

“I attended the 1958 games in Cardiff, which was the first time Gibraltar was represented,” Charlie told us how Gibraltar’s representation in the games started in the same year the name was changed from the ‘Empire Games’ to the ‘Commonwealth Games’. “Athletics was my sport and I ran in the 440 yard track event — as it was measured in those days. The equivalent today would be the 400m which is just slightly shorter.

“It was incredible for me as a young 20 year old to find myself amongst some of the world’s elite athletes and to actually have the opportunity to train alongside some of them on track.”

20

This friendly atmosphere is something which lives on 54 years later as Gibraltar’s participants look forward to the opportunity of competing against today’s elite athletes — just one example is Usain Bolt who broke the 100m world record last year who will be attending.

“Obviously much has changed since then,” Joe continued. “The first games we participated in hosted around 1,000 athletes and in

2006 there were 4,500 athletes from 71 nations. But although the games have grown in size, there’s still the friendly, competitive atmosphere to the event.”

As President of the assocation, Charlie is looking forward to enjoying the games, possibly for the first time in a while: “For the last five games I have attended the games as the General Team Manager for Gibraltar, a job

This friendly atmosphere is something which lives on 54 years later as Gibraltar’s participants look forward to the opportunity of competing against today’s elite athletes

in which you are mediator between the host country and your team.

The position is very demanding, with meetings every morning to iron out problems such as transport, training times and any other issues which invariably arise no matter how well the event has been organised beforehand,” he explained. “Thankfully, this year I’ve handed over the reins to Joe, so I’m looking forward to enjoying a little public relations and taking more of a back seat as it were.”

At this stage, eight months before the games are inaugurated, the onus is very much on the individual athletes and their coaches to prepare themselves for qualifying

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

sport for participation.

“We are observers at the moment and don’t get involved in who is training and how,” Joe continued.

“The games have a minimum entry requirement for each event and it is up to the coaches and athletes to work to achieve these standards.”

Charlie cut in: “With timings taken in Gibraltar, we are on hand to ratify the results whenever necessary, although if the standard is achieved during a competition internationally, in the UK or Spain for example, those results have obviously been ratified by a qualified body so are automatically accepted.

“We also keep track of athletes once they have attained the grade to see they don’t drop their standards in the run-up to the games, but that rarely happens. You usually see they take a dip after the competition when they take a break from the hard work.”

So which Gibraltar athletes can we expect to see in the games this year?

“Possibly our strongest participation will be in the shooting events,” Joe told us — his own background is small-bore rifle shooting. “Though it’s one of the few disciplines which has a limit to how good you can get as the rules are set out. Once you’re scoring perfect you can’t go any further. It would be nice to think we can get into the final eight, that would be a great achievement for Gibraltar, but it’s very much down to how well the participants do on the day itself.

“We also have two young rhythmic gymnasts who are very good,” Charlie added. “They’ve actually been picked to train with the British squad, but as this is the first time rhythmic gymnasts from Gibraltar will be participating, the discipline

is very much an unknown quantity.

The standards from other countries are at world competition level, so in any event for a Gibraltarian to pass through the first round is a big achievement.”

“Although we’re not raising our hopes to bring home any medals, Gibraltar’s participation is important to us for a couple of reasons,” Charlie continued. “We are representing Gibraltar and flying the flag. Then there’s the competitive perspective, where local athletes can compete against others of world class calibre which is extremely good for their motivation to improve.

“Reaching a very good standard and maybe becoming one of the top athletes on the Rock is one achievement, but unless athletes have the opportunity to compete at a much higher level they are unlikely to work towards that goal. The Commonwealth Games gives our local athletes that extra motivation to work as hard as possible I think.”

So with the games just eight months away, and athletes training hard to qualify for their events, Charlie, Joe and their team from the Gibraltar Commonwealth Games Committee are working away in the background to smooth the way for a successful participation.

“Paperwork, visas and other requirements for the trip to Deli are very much part of our administrative role,” Joe explained. “All country representatives will be getting together in the coming months to discuss requirements and one of the specifics in the current climate is security. I’ll be flying out to Deli, along with other country representatives, specifically for a security briefing, but I’m sure we can look forward to a safe and successful event.” n

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

Sporting Recognition for Charlie Flower “I’m not quite sure what I’ve done to deserve it. I suppose I’ve been around for a long time — maybe that’s what it is for,” Charlie Flower said, brushing off his incredible achievement of coming second for the award for Lifetime Achievement in the Commonwealth Games.

Charlie’s participation in sport over the years has already earned him an MBE and BEM, to cap that, he was nominated last November to compete with members from other countries for a Lifetime Achievement in the Commonwealth Games.

When we interviewed Charlie at the beginning of January he’d just been given the news he had come in second place for the award, pipped at the post as it were by the legendary athlete, Sir Chris Chatterly from England. The achievement includes a

certificate and a cash prize, although the latter is nominal.

“The Committee awards the funds with the idea that the winner puts it back into his sporting community. It’s just one of the ways the Commonwealth Games Committee helps financially towards those who are competing in the games,” he explained how the funds would be put to good use.

The Gibraltar Magazine would like to congratulate him on his incredible achievement, and wish our athletes the best in the run-up to the games.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

21

charity project

The Holocaust

Auschwitz in Poland — the largest concentration and extermination camp in the Nazi regime.

The Holocaust (1939-1945) was the systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and murder by the Nazi regime of approximately eleven million innocent people, including six million Jews.

Groups such as the physically and mentally disabled, gypsies, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Catholics, Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, political dissidents and others were persecuted by the Nazis because of their religious or political beliefs, their physical defects, or their failure to fall into the “Aryan” ideal of the pure race.

‘Holocaust’ is a word of Greek origin meaning ‘sacrifice by fire.’ The Nazis, who came to power in Germany in January 1933, believed that Germans were ‘racially superior’ and that Jews, were deemed ‘life unworthy of life.’

Learning From Auschwitz Gibraltar Charity Launched At the end of January a new charity, Learning from Auschwitz, based in Gibraltar, was launched. The charity aims to educate local young people about what happened during the Holocaust by organising trips to the former Nazi extermination camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland. The aims of these trips will be to learn the universal lessons of the Holocaust and its relevance for today.

Speaking on behalf of Learning from Auschwitz, Naomi Hassan-Weisfogel, Chairperson, remarked, “We are delighted to launch our charity today, on the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. We feel this is a fitting tribute to the millions of people who lost their lives during the Holocaust and we hope that their legacy will live on in Gibraltar and our young people will learn valuable lessons in tolerance from these educational trips.”

Such trips are commonplace in the UK, cofunded by the Government, ensuring that two young people from every secondary school in the UK are given the opportunity to participate.

Since 1999 over 7,000 sixth-formers have taken part in these visits.

The new Gibraltar charity is offering a fourstage project to local Year 12 students. This project is fully supported by the Government and Department of Education and Training. In the first stage participants will learn about life in Poland before the Second World War. This will be followed by a trip to Poland, accompanied by teachers and educators, in July 2010. There they will stay in Krakow, walk through the former Ghetto area, Oskar Schindler’s factory (made famous by the film Schindler’s List), and learn about other relevant sites. They will then spend a day at Auschwitz-Birkenau, visiting the

22

museum and the remnants of the gas chambers and crematoria.

All participants will be expected to undertake a project upon their return, informing others about what they have learned.

The experience is intended to demonstrate the consequences of allowing prejudice of minority groups to take root in our society. As well as developing historical understanding, participants will be given the opportunity to learn about who they are, learn about the dangers of stereotyping and reflect on their responsibility as citizens in society. It will broaden their understanding of

The experience is intended to demonstrate the consequences of allowing prejudice of minority groups to take root in our society. It will broaden their understanding of cruelty at every level and what can happen if it is allowed to get out of hand

Auschwitz Auschwitz in Poland was the site of the largest concentration camp and extermination camp. 1.1 million people died there, about 90% of whom were Jews from almost every country in Europe.

Most victims were killed in Auschwitz’s gas chambers using a poison gas called Zyklon B; other deaths were caused by systematic starvation, forced labour, lack of disease control, individual executions, and purported “medical experiments”.

cruelty at every level and what can happen if it is allowed to get out of hand.

Most of the costs are being funded by private sponsors, so participants will only need to contribute £75, an amount the charitiy feels will not exclude any student wishing to take part.

The charity thanked main sponsors the Gaggero Foundation, joint sponsors Bondcare Ltd, Credit Suisse for sponsoring two students and Finsbury Trust, S.M.Seruya and Hassans for sponsoring one student each, and Mr Momy Levy for his kind donation. The charity has also been supported by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. Further sponsorship opportunities are available for local companies or individuals as more funds will enable more students to participate.

Year 12 students from all schools in Gibraltar, and the college, are invited to apply to take part in the project. Application forms are available from the schools and must be returned to the schools by Wednesday 3rd February.

The Gibraltar charity has appointed Naomi Hassan-Weisfogel as Chairperson, Jo Abergel (Secretary) and Isabella Sheppard-Capurro (Treasurer). These three are also the Trustees of this new registered charity, number 208. n For further information, contact lfagibraltar@ gmail.com or call Naomi on 200 41432.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

achievements

Anger Management at Security Express As part of its ongoing training programme, Security Express is putting its staff to the test in anger management and violence reduction courses, in small teams, with Frontline Services, the business training side of the Bushido Jujitso Academy on Rosia Road.

The second team of three students — Paul Smedley, Amy Nicholson and Ramon Rus-Lara — recently found themselves under the expert eye of Anthony Joaquin, black belt 5th Dan in the sport.

An ex-police officer, Anthony explained that the course has been tried and tested and really works to help those who work in the security industry to understand how better to communicate and disolve situations through dialogue and body language so avoiding confrontation.

Success for the three students from Security Express: Paul Smedley, Amy Nicholson and Ramon Rus-Lara who are flanked by Anthony Joaquin, instructor, (left) and Charles Polson (right), Managing Director of Security Express

Charlie Polson, Director of Security Express added: “This is an extremely useful course which we will slowly apply to all our employees over a period of time, as part of our ongoing pol-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

icy of promoting high standards within the industry.”

Although the main focus of the course is to avoid physical confrontation, the three students were also taken through techniques to

imobilise an agressor as well as self defense.

Having complete the course, the three participants were awarded their certificates by Charlie and Anthony at the end of January. n

23

events

by Elena Scialtiel

At the Cancer Relief Walk for Life

not all Camp Fires & Cookies

After the Scouts were conferred the Freedom of the City in 2008 for their centenary, now it’s the Guides’ turn to look ahead to the next 100 years, kicked off by an array of fun activities to introduce local Girl Guiding to the world and the world to the Rock.

More than just an association or a youth club, Girls in Guiding is a lifestyle, a sorority and a state of mind which connects women around the United Kingdom, the overseas branches and other sister organisations adhering to WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) in a close-knit net of friendship, common grounds and outlook on their place in society, going well beyond their promise of doing ‘their best to love their God and be kind and helpful’.

On Thinking Day this 20th February, also known as Founder’s Day to Scouts, they will try to link up with other Guides abroad, during their afternoon event following the traditional Church service.

In Gibraltar, Guides are a small army of 19 groups (ages ranging from four to 25), 50 leaders and premises conveniently located in Varyl Begg Estate, Alameda and the South District area.

They come under the umbrella of the UK organisation and they link with it by exchanging feedback and organising intensive training weekends for leaders and helpers and adapting the UK ‘credo’ to local cultural and climatic conditions.

That’s why Guiding Gibraltar is celebrating with the UK, although here the movement started in 1925. And what a celebration it is, kicked off last 20th October with a launch party for the whole association and guests including their then president, former Governor Sir Robert

24

Fulton, the Mayor and Council members.

Shortly after, various Guides participated in a Media Camp in Foxlease, UK. The girls reunited to launch their cookery book in December, which features an anthology of local recipes based on a previous edition published in 1956.

The festive season gave them the chance to light the Casemates Christmas tree they decorated using recycled materials. They also won the junior section’s first prize in the Three Kings’ Cavalcade with a fab float they built during the Christmas break.

January witnessed the Guides peacefully invading Eurodisney and Paris on their own Great Guides Getaway.

The highlights however will come in summer with a camp held in Harewood House, Leeds, in which slots have been already allocated for

Competition is kept at healthy, educational levels and everyone is lead to better themselves not by comparison with a theoretical alpha-female, but with their own personal best

two local leaders and eight guides.

Furthermore, the camp will extend to a private affair for the nine overseas branches to mix and mingle, and Gibraltarian Guides will exchange cultural tips with their fellows from exotic countries like St Helena and Bermuda.

Senior Section’s leader Katrina visited Namibia a few years ago and describes the experience as an amazing eye opener.

Eventually in August local Guides will play host to the much anticipated ‘Rock On 100’, with a one-to-one ‘tutoring’ experience, when 50 girls will come from the UK for a camp in Gibraltar. Albeit small, Gibraltar boasts great facilities for the great outdoors: a hut tucked away in the Upper Rock, booked virtually every weekend for some safe hiking and basic survival challenges.

Girlguiding activities are structured but not strict. The ultimate aim of this organisation is to develop girls into pulled-together, self-assured, independent and confident young women. Nobody is pushed to do what they don’t feel ready to, and every girl is listened to and encouraged to go at her pace.

Competition is kept at healthy, educational levels and everyone is lead to better themselves not by comparison with a theoretical alpha-female, but with their own personal best.

Badgework comprises a wide range of disciplines from dancing to cycling, beyond the cliché helping elderly ladies cross the road or lighting

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

events a fire with twigs.

The only requisite is being a girl aged between 4 and 25!

Ages four to seven join a Rainbow unit, whose promise is quite basic and whose ‘syllabus’ is learning by having fun, as much as possible out of a traditional classroom environment. Brownies are aged seven to 10 and wear the familiar brown and yellow uniform.

The Brownie promise is: “I promise that I will do my best to love my God, to serve the Queen and my country, to help other people and to keep the Brownie Guide Law.” A Guide (aged 10 to 14) is expected to be honest, reliable, polite and considerate, to use her time and abilities wisely, to face challenges and learn from her experiences, to be a good friend and a sister to all Guides, respect all living things and take care of the world around her.

The Senior Section (aged 14 to 25) is a group of young ladies who run their own programme with the guidance of their Leaders. Members of the Senior Section not only attend their weekly meeting but help other Leaders in their respective groups. They have many awards and qualifications to work towards including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.

They also form part of ‘In4mers’, a peer-led education group for girl-to-girl talks about issues that can worry them or are relevant to their age such as bullying, eating disorders, plastic surgery and body image.

Assistant Commissioner Marie Bocarisa describes Guirlguiding as “a school for life” which looks good on job applications! Wherever she’s travelled in the world, once she has mentioned

Joining in the 3 Kings’ Cavalcade 2010

‘In4mers’ is a peerled education group for girl-to-girl talks about issues that can worry them or are relevant to their age such as bullying, eating disorders, plastic surgery and body image

she’s in guiding, she has always found several other women who were as well — and new friendships were instantly tied!

The local organisation needs volunteers to meet the adult-kid ratio (one adult to every four Rainbows, every six Brownies and every 10 Guides, and even more closely watched when outdoors of course!).

If you’re passionate about spending quality time with the youth, have some talent to share, or are simply willing to give up few hours of your time and be trained on the go, contact girlguidinggibraltar@hotmail.co.uk. n

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25

music scene

Thrifty Malone in action

a touch of Irish

If you’ve passed by the Royal Calpe on a Friday evening over the last few months, you’ll know it’s become a bit of a venue for early evening live music. Often it’s blues, sometimes rock, and quite surprisingly Irish music too with tunes played by Thrifty Malone, Gibraltar’s only Irish Folk Band.

The band slowly came together during 2007-08, after Neal Higgins, a construction project manager, moved to Gibraltar with his wife Deborah.

“My Grandfather was from Ireland,” Neal told us, “which does make me quarter Irish.”

Neal’s main forte is vocals and in the run-up to playing in his first band, Scot McNeal, he picked up the guitar to accompany his singing from what he insists in its day was the bible for all would-be guitarists — Bert Weedon’s Play in a Day — which even came with a free plectrum to get you started!

“I’m not really a guitarist though and I played to accompany myself when I was doing solo gigs in the UK,” he continued. “I jammed a little with two friends and the sound was good, at which point Deborah suggested the friends came on the gigs too. That was great, except all of a sudden the money was split three ways as bars didn’t pay more just because there were more artists in the band.

“But I’ve never been in music for

26

the money and it’s not an issue. I appreciate getting my music over to a public and there’s no better reward than when they enjoy what you’re doing.”

Although the band played mainly in the UK, Neal had the opportunity to play in a few small venues on a visit to Ireland. As someone who’s learned the style while living in the UK we thought this might be quite a daunting experience.

“

the ultimate accollade in an Irish session is when the old bloke in the corner just says ‘good man’ at the end of a song

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

music scene

February, March 2010

Left to right: Trevor (Malone) Emmett, Paul (Zooney) Alexander, Paul Picardo, Neal (Thrifty) Higgins and Mark (Sticky) Alexander on stage at the Lord Nelson

DOA

Vessel

ETA

16 Feb

Louis Majesty

Pass

Capacity From

0730 1100 International 1462 Alicante Total Number of Vessels calling February = 1 Approximate Number of Passengers calling February = 1,462

10 Mar Sovereign 18 Mar Zenith 24 Mar Melody

“Not at all,” Neal replied.

“Whenever I played in folk clubs, the venue was extremely friendly and the public was really supportive. But probably the best compliment you can get from them is just the quiet ripple of applause at the end of a song — that’s when you know they don’t think you need any more encouragement and sit back and enjoy the show.

“The ultimate accollade in an Irish session is when the old bloke in the corner just says ‘good man’ at the end of a song.”

After a mix and match line-up of band members last year, Thrifty Malone has now settled into a band with Neal (Thrifty) on lead vocal, guitar and bodhran (Irish drum), Trevor (Malone) Emmett (the ace on the bass), Mark (Sticky) Alexander on lead guitar and Paul (Zooney) Alexander on harmonica and vocals, Paul Picardo on cajon and occassionally Deborah on bodhran and train whistle.

Neal told us this line-up is really working well: “We normally do a first set of Irish music which is very folk orientated. Think The Clancy Brothers who took off in 1959 and were very popular through to the ’70s, and other folk based groups of that era, such as The Dubliners.

“Zooney is a great support for voice, and I can normally take a bit of a break on the second set while he covers a bit of rock and blues and get my breath back for a third set where we get back into the Irish theme.”

The live music scene in Gibraltar does seem to be dominated by rock music, and we were interested to find out how Thrifty Malone go down locally: “With all Irish music, our style is definitely a niche market on the Rock,” Neal mused, “and we play because we enjoy what we do and it’s good to bring a little bit of different influence to the local scene.

“We often play sets along with other local groups such as the East Side Blues Band and often follow each other to venues. You can often find us all down in the Lord Nelson

ETD

1100 1600 Spanish 2250 Lisbon 1000 1600 Spanish 1375 Lisbon 1300 1900 Italian 1098 Casablanca Total Number of Vessels calling March = 3 Approximate Number of Passengers calling March = 4,723

“

To Tangier

Malaga Malaga Malaga

we play because we enjoy what we do and it’s good to bring a little bit of different influence to the local scene

”

having a jam on a Sunday evening.

“You can see how this early style music is starting to take off though, by the growing public attendance over the last six months or so at the Royal Calpe. Another great venue was when we played at O’Reillys for the 250th Anniversary of the Arthur Guinness Brewery last year.

And recently we’ve actually gone international!” Neal added with a grin.

International turned out to be the result of an impromptu jam at a bar in Jimera de Libar on the way up to Gaucin. The band was then invited back to play at their Oktober Bierfest event “It was quite incredible,” Neal explained.

“This is a small English bar in a little village in the hills behind Jimera. They more or less took over the main square for the day and the turnout was great. Not just from the British and Irish who live in the area, but it seemed like the whole village turned out to enjoy the event. It was just great fun, which is what music is all about.” ■ If you haven’t had the pleasure of listening to Thrifty Malone, pop along to the Royal Calpe when they’re next playing (5th February). If you want to find out where they’ll be for the rest of the month, or if you’d like to book them for an event, they’ll be delighted to hear from you. You can call them on mobile 54007574 or email debneal204@ gibtelecom.net

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

27

past uncovered

by Reg Reynolds

A not-so Glorious Mystery

Glorious: a. Splendid, excellent. OxfordDictionary HMS Glorious may have been splendid to look at but her record of achievement was far from excellent. She was deadly in peace and most of her crew perished in war.

It was 1st April, 1931 but in the Strait of Gibraltar it wasn’t a day for practical jokes; it was a day of tragedy. The only fool would have been whoever gave the order for HMS Glorious to carry out training exercises in dense fog with the result that the 22,500-ton converted aircraft carrier sliced into the side of the 9,961-ton French passenger ship SS Florida.

The Florida was carrying 500 passengers on a voyage from Buenos Aires to Genoa when she was hit

by Glorious.

The passenger ship was in danger of sinking while the Glorious only suffered damage to her bow and was seaworthy so the two ships remained locked together while the surviving passengers were evacuated to the carrier. After separating, the Florida was taken in tow to Malaga. Glorious sailed to Malaga to disembark survivors and then returned to Gibraltar for repairs.

The next day’s newspapers carried an Associated Press report: “MALAGA: Victims of a terrific head-on collision between the French steamer Florida and HMS

28

Glorious yesterday, more than 30 bodies and upwards of 50 injured persons were brought ashore today from the two vessels.

“While the wreckage of the Florida still is being searched, the dead tentatively was placed at 33.

They include 17 Italians, four poles, one Russian, three Yugoslavs, five Syrians and one Spaniard, most of whom were returning to their native lands from Buenos Aires.

“Captain Raymond Blanc of the Florida said the usual whistles were blown before the crash occurred.”

The lone death from Glorious was the lookout Seaman Ernest John Bicker who had been stationed at the forecastle. His body was brought to Gibraltar where he was given a funeral with full naval honours.

Because Glorious was on a training exercise at the time of the collision many of her fighter and torpedo bombers were in the air.

Gibraltar had no runway in those days so permission to land on Spanish territory was hurriedly obtained and the 17 planes landed safely at a Malaga airdrome.

HMS Glorious was originally a battle-cruiser launched in 1916.

She saw only one action in World War I. When her 15-inch guns were fired, a weakness in her decking was revealed. The big guns were removed and replaced by 4.7 inch guns which meant in future Glorious would be punching well below her weight if called to action against enemy ships of equal size.

In 1930 Glorious was converted into an aircraft carrier. She quickly

Because Glorious was on a training exercise at the time of the collision many of her fighter and torpedo bombers were in the air

became a frontrunner in the practice of night-flying. The planes, slow-flying Hawkers, Nimrods and Fairey Flycatchers were guided by a primitive radio signal. This might explain why it was thought reasonable to train in dense fog.

The flyers had to be a brave lot for Glorious was not equipped with an ‘arrester’ gear and several planes were lost overboard.

Despite the collision and the dangers inherent in the training exercises, the Glorious was said to be a happy ship spending most of the 1930s in the warm waters of the Mediterranean, mainly at Malta.

Her crew often won awards at fleet regattas.

With the onset of World War II Glorious was pressed into service providing aircraft for the defense of Malta. She was responsible for leaving eight Sea Gladiators on the island prior to Italy declaring war.

Three of these planes — Faith, Hope and Charity — were responsible for holding off the German and Italian air forces until Hurricanes and Spitfires could be flown in. A fourth surviving Gladiator was used to

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

past uncovered provide spare parts.

But Glorious’ war would be short and sad.

Soon after the outbreak of war Britain landed troops for the defence of Norway but by June 1940 the situation was precarious and evacuation was necessary. Two convoys were organised and by 8th June all troops were evacuated without incident. The aircraft carriers Glorious and Ark Royal were ordered to the area to provide air cover.

Glorious took on board 20 Hurricanes and Gladiators. Also on board were 10 other fighters and five torpedo bombers of the Fleet Air Arm. Both Ark Royal and Glorious were to escort one of the convoys but Captain G. D’Oyley Hughes requested from the Admiralty that Glorious sail ahead separately. Permission was granted and she was escorted by destroyers Ardent and Acasta.

Fatally this trio of aging, lightlyarmed warships (the destroyers were both 11 and Glorious an ancient 24), were confronted by the modern heavily-armed warships Scharnhorst and Gneisnau. The German ships, nicknamed the ‘ugly sisters’ had been launched just four years earlier and their biggest guns fired 11-inch shells at high velocity.

The grave of Ordinary Seaman Ernest John Bicker (aged 18) at Gibraltar’s North Front Cemetry. Ernest was killed in the collision between HMS Glorious and SS Florida on 1st April 1931

Glorious fought bravely but it was no contest.

Scharnhorst’s third salvo knocked out Glorious’ boilers while a fourth killed most of the crew on the bridge. Ardent managed to shell the Scharnhorst but received multiple

hits in return and sank at around 5.30pm. Glorious had been spared for a short time by a smoke screen laid down by her destroyers but the Scharnhorst soon found the range again and Glorious went to the bottom at 6.10pm.

The naval disaster was a huge embarassment for the Admiralty. Dozens of questions went unanswered and remain unanswered to this day

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

The brave Acasta continued the fight on her own and managed to launch two salvos of four torpedoes. The Scharnhorst suffered significant damage and was forced to reduce speed but still managed to finish off the gallant little destroyer which sank just ten minutes after Glorious.

In all 1,519 men from the three ships lost their lives, more than 800 died of exposure after being left to drift in the ocean for three days.

There were only 45 survivors, one each from Acasta and Ardent. 38 of the survivors were picked up by the Norwegian ship Borgund. They were taken to Norway and then repatriated to the UK. The naval disaster was a huge embarassment for the Admiralty.

Dozens of questions went unanswered and remain unanswered to this day as a 100-year moratorium was ordered by the Government.

Why didn’t the Admiralty pass on the information that the Scharnhorst and Gneisnau were likely to be in the area? Why had Glorious been allowed to separate from Ark Royal?

Why didn’t Glorious launch any of her aircraft?

Naval historians will have to wait until 2040 to learn the truth about the inglorious end of HMS Glorious. n

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adventure Barbary Rock Adventures has been operating in Gibraltar since the middle of 2009 offering alternative excursions and courses for those who want to try something a little different. Climbing, trekking and ‘Via Ferrata’ are just some of the adventures on hand from Steve, Simon and Chris — experienced veterans in the great outdoors.

Chris, Simon and Steve - Camino del Rey

photo: Jon Bull

social climbing I

t’s not all giddy heights and a full day work out when you book yourself in with Barbary Rock Adventures, as their excursions cover such a broad range of options to include everyone from children to pensioners, although their main skills and passion can be found in climbing.

The company, set up by Steve, Simon and Chris just over six months ago came about from the success of the inauguration courses for the climbing wall at the Sports centre where more than 300 participants have successfully achieved the basic knowledge needed to safely use the facility.

“The main goal of the business is to encourage outdoor activities within Gibraltar, and in Spain if necessary, across all levels and ages,” explained Steve. “At the same time encouraging participants to adopt safe practices in outdoor sports and activities, as well as to teach novices and experienced climber’s skills that will enable

them to fulfil their climbing ambitions.

“The end game would be to have Gibraltar placed firmly on the map, and as popular with outdoor activity seekers as such places as Malta and Kalymnos. These two holiday destinations have recently embraced climbing and Deep Water Soloing (cliff climbing above deep water) as a means of using their naturally abundant features to encourage visitors. We believe the services we offer will complement the numerous water based activities that Gibraltar currently offers.”

If all goes well Steve and Simon hope that any expansion in business will provide local job opportunities as well as promoting environmental awareness and respect as they go about their business.

Steve originates from Lancashire and, spending much of his free time in the Lakes or North Wales, started climbing seriously in his midteens.

“I joined the RAF as an engineer and took

Steve shows the ropes in Tarifa

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

“

adventure

There is an untapped opportunity here in Gibraltar to install and operate a Via Ferrata on the Rock

”

every opportunity to be involved in adventure training exercises,” he enthused. “The natural progression was to become an outdoor activities instructor.”

With 35 years of climbing experience behind him, Steve is highly qualified not just in climbing, but in mountain and emergency first aid and, for the last five years he’s supplied the rope access support for the ESG clean-up Gibraltar weekend.

“Apart from adventure (and although my wife thinks I just collect ladders, torches and fleeces) I like to think of myself as a bit of an art expert,” he added. “I’m particularly interested in the Early Renaissance artists such as Van Eyck, Campin and Memling.”

Simon, who along with Steve was one of the original founders of the Gibraltar Climbing Association in 2006, caught the bug in his teens too.

He sport climbs to 7C+ (a grading system which start around 5 and to give an idea, grade 7 upwards to most of us looks like a flat wall).

“I have climbed many famous routes in the UK including Right Wall (North Wales) and Footless Crow (Lake District),” Simon told us. “I’ve also had the opportunity to climb in many famous areas throughout Europe including Fontainebleau, Paris; the Teplice, Czech Republic; Saxony Sandstone, East Germany; and the Trondheim, Norway.”

When he’s not helping out at the Alameda Wildlife Park, you can often find him Deep Water Soloing below the Dudley Ward Tunnel, or bouldering down at Camp Bay. Chris is the youngest in the team and the one full-timer in the business of the three. At 21, born and bred in Gibraltar, Chris has grown up trekking in the area of Spain and Morocco since a very early age and has an exhaustive knowledge of the area. Since he took up climbing in his teens it has become a way of life which is also reflected in his position as instructor with the recently formed Gibraltar Army Cadets, where one of his roles is the provision of adventure training.

“My girlfriend, Skye, thinks I love my climbing gear more than her,” he told us. “But that’s not true. I love them both the same.”

There’s also the rumour that he likes CocaCola and has a strange OCD attitude to the way he eats his Jaffa cakes but we’ll leave you to ask him about that yourselves.

Rock Climbing courses and guided climbing experiences are the main thrust of what the company is about.

“However, there is an untapped opportunity here in Gibraltar to install and operate a Via Ferrata on the Rock,” Simon added.

Presently, the company uses the Via Ferrata at Antequera and Camino Del Rey in El Chorro in order to provide this extremely popular and exhilarating activity.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

Gibraltar is a place for adventure — Chris and Simon doing some real Rock climbing

Chris explained more: “For the uninitiated, a Via Ferrata is a means of scaling and traversing a rock face by using a ladder and wire system that is attached to the rock.”

One of the other popular features is the team building days Barbary Rock Adventures offers.

“Essentially, this can take the form of trekking, climbing, abseiling or a Via Ferrata; or a combination of all,” explained Steve. “These activities lend themselves very well to the objectives and aims of team building days and events. They promote confidence in oneself and others, communication across all levels, group bonding and cohesion. It also provides an insight to managers of untapped employee potential.

“The overriding factor in all activities is safety

and enjoyment and this is evident in the way that, as a team, we ensure the instructor-to-participant ratio always fits the activity. Needless to say, this approach is a great reassurance to the individual whenever we encourage a client to take a tentative step outside their personal ‘comfort zone’,” he concluded. n If you are interested as an individual, a group, or a company looking for something different for a team building experience, contact the boys at Barbary Rock Adventures. If they don’t already have the perfect day out for you, they’re more than happy to tailor-make a schedule to fit your requirements and if you dare, your wildest dreams. You can find them online at www.barbaryrockadventures.com, or call them on 54015063, 54000100 or 54008770 to discuss your requirements.

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Photo ourtesy Chris Durante, Barbary Rock Adventures

books Walking Mediterranean Steps

it is a book filled with anecdotes and facts about almost every site that is of interest to both tourists and even Gibraltarians who will find much previously unknown historic knowledge

walking the rock with Tristan Cano

Author Tristan Cano

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Book sellers on the Rock were united in the plea for an up-to-date pocket tourism guide as the few existing ones are some years out of date. There is also an unwritten rule that guide books and informative books about Gibraltar should cost under £10.00.

Historic Walking Guides: Gibraltar by Tristan Cano (Destin World) combines both criteria as it retails at £9.99 and, although geared to seeing Gibraltar’s many and varied monuments on foot, it also covers every conceivable item of interest to even the most discerning visitor.

Author, Tristan Cano, is 28 and by profession a lawyer and journalist who returned to the Rock in 2004. In producing this book, he got down to an amazing amount of research and the result is a guide which is probably the best ever.

Tristan’s interest in Gibraltar’s history began while growing up in the Villa Vieja which lies in the shadow of the Moorish Castle. He has also visited every attraction listed and so there are virtually no mistakes.

There is a factual error is in the listing of the Continental Hotel as a going concern but that closed down after the final draft had gone to the printers. There is a political error regarding the isthmus.

There is also an error when the text states that the statue of Admiral Sir George Rooke was erected in 2004 to commemorate the quarter centenary of the capture of Gibraltar on 21st July. It should read the tercentenary on August 4th.

This minor carping apart it is a book filled with anecdotes and facts about almost every site of interest to tourists and Gibraltarians who will find much previously unknown historic knowledge. There is also a jam packed directory full of subjective information about hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and virtually everything else that might be of use.

The prime objective is to persuade readers to walk around, up and down Gibraltar. Here are the eight suggested walks, their length and the amount of suggested time required to complete them.

Walk 1 - Pre-20th-Century British Military History approx 3km (1.8 miles) 2.5 hours. It starts at the Angry Friar and covers King’s Chapel, St Andrew’s Church of Scotland, the Garrison Library, the Sacred Heart Church, Devil’s Gap Battery, Military Heritage Centre, World War II tunnels, Great Siege tunnels and ‘Gibraltar – a City under Siege’ ex-

GIBRALTAR 2010 GIBRALTARMAGAZINE MAGAZINE••FEBRUARY JANUARY 2010

books

reviewed by Mike Brufal hibition.

Walk 2 - Moorish Gibraltar 2km (1mile) 1 hour. It starts at the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned, Gibraltar Museum, Casemates Square and Moorish Castle’s Tower of Homage.

Bastion, King’s Bastion, Wellington Front, Alameda Gardens, Napier of Magdala’s Battery, O’Hara’s Battery, Lord Airey’s Battery, Breakneck Battery, Devil’s Gap Battery, Healey’s

Walk 3 - Gibraltar North to South 5km (3 miles) 4-6 hours. It starts at the frontier and includes Casemates, John Mackintosh Square, the Great Synagogue, the Cathedrals of St Mary the Crowned and the Holy Trinity, King’s Chapel, Alameda Botanical Gardens, 100 ton gun, Parsons Lodge, Shrine of Our Lady of Europe, the Saudi Mosque and Europa Point lighthouse.

Walk 4 - Naval Gibraltar 2.5km (1.5 miles) 2 hours.

Starts at Casemates and goes to Devil’s Tongue, HMS Rooke, King’s Bastion, Statue of Admiral Lord Nelson, Trafalgar Cemetery, the Dockyard, Rosia Bay, Victualling Yard and Parson, Lodge battery.

Walk 5 - Guns of Gibraltar 4kms (2.5miles) 4.5 hours. This walk is very much geared to the cognoscenti.

It starts at Grand Casemates Square and proceeds to Orange

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

Mortar and Signal Hill Battery.

Walk 6 - Mediterranean Steps and the Upper Rock 3km (1.8 miles) 4.5 hours. Starts at the Pillars of Hercules Monument and covers the Tristan’s comprehensive guide gives loads of great information about Gibraltar’s historical sites

There is a jam packed directory full of subjective info about hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and virtually everything else that might be of use

Jews’ Gate Cemetery, Mediterranean Steps, Martin’s Cave, Goat’s Hair Twin Caves, O Hara’s Battery, Martin’s Battery, Spyglass & Lord Airey’s Battery, St Michael’s Cave, Douglas Cave, Rooke Battery, Haynes Cave and the Apes’ Den. Walk 7 - The Defensive Fortifications of Gibraltar 3km (1.8 miles) 2.5 hours. Starts at the North Bastion and covers Grand Casemates Square, Landport Gate, Hesse-Demi Bastion, King’s Lines Battery, Grand Battery, Orange Bastion, King’s Bastion, Wellington Front, South Bastion, Ragged Staff Flank, Prince Edward’s Gate, North Jumper’s Bastion and South Jumper’s Bastion.

Walk 8 - The Great British Pub Crawl is probably the most popular and at 1.5 km (1 mile) takes all evening. The crawl starts at the Angry Friar and takes in the Cannon Bar, the Gibraltar Arms, the Royal Calpe, the Horseshoe bar, the Captain’s Table, Three Owls, the Clipper, Royal Oak, Star Bar, Venture Inn and finally all the pubs in Casemates.

This guide is highly recommended and no Gibraltarian or visitor can ever say again that there is little to do on the Rock.

Who will be the first reader to finish all eight walks? ■

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opinion

photo: Kevin Fitzmaurice-Brown - www.the-picture-collection.co.eu

Beautiful?

is Gibraltar

a personal view by Paul de Beresford

To answer that I need to say what could be meant by “beauty”. To those from the ’60s decade, going into the ’70s, the beautiful people were the ones with innermost happiness and contentment with life. Beauty was in their disposition and attitude. So they let their hair grow wild and dressed in multi-coloured cotton (thin, flimsy and ragged sometimes ­— anything to indicate disrespect for norms or conventions although, of course, they did not realise they created a new standardization of their own).

More recently, in the mid-’90s, girls briefly adopted, quite universally, the Spice Girls’ look, irrespective of their intelligence and background, so that you could not tell if you were looking at a future brain surgeon or someone brain dead.

Well Gibraltar certainly has a higher than normal proportion of extremely attractive and interestingly dressed girls and women, including many smart pensioners. And the same applies to the male population right up to the dapper retired ones. That helps to make the place look beautiful for a start. However, it would not be fair if I did not mention the other extremes of a fairly large number of grossly over-weight citizens (including, sadly, quite a few children), some of whom exacerbate their unfortunate appearance with scruffiness. Visually, it is like the contrast of the high proportion of large bodies in Florida and the much lower proportion in California, but both in the same street here.

My view (and I wrote the above long before the Miss World pageant) has been confirmed by others in choosing Miss Gibraltar, at long last, as the World’s most beautiful.

Turning to buildings, a close, detailed and oft repeated long hard look at the buildings of Main Street (and others), especially above ground

34

floor level, will please the eye no end, and it just shows how a hotchpotch of inexpensively constructed and less professionally architecturally designed (or even inspired) dwellings, nevertheless results in something worth looking at, that we are now anxious to retain and are irritated at just how much they show up the

Of course, there is some beauty in the generosity of Gibraltarians when it comes to helping those a great deal less fortunate than themselves, as has been seen in countless appeals in recent years

less pleasing to the soul newer buildings. We are fortunate that relatively few buildings fall into the last category. Of course, it does make the Treasury eyesore, Ocean Heights and the west side of Casemates Square stand out, as a result (and I think King’s Wharf may get added to that list!).

Of course, there is some beauty in the generosity of Gibraltarians when it comes to helping those a great deal less fortunate than themselves, as has been seen in countless appeals in recent years, and not entirely, or even mostly, for those close to home, but mainly for distant calamities and their victims.

Like the rest of the western world, the beauty of seeing the outward practice of the Christian religion, particularly by children, has declined dramatically, so that church attendance looks more like a social gathering of pensioners.

Things done well and with style or panache are a beauty to behold and a couple of decades ago, it was certainly the case that you would not

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

opinion find many examples with the post-military base population here. And the new service-based (as opposed to Services-based) economy has helped develop some sophistication in the presentation of everything from interior design to culinary choice and serving.

There is a long way to go to attract more of the world’s super-rich, which Gibraltar must attract if it is to sustain its high growth rate in off-shore financial services, albeit that they are increasingly being developed as mainstream taxable on-shore-type services, competing on a level, wholly legal, playing field with skilled personnel, rather than secretive semi-legal practices based upon the unwitting signing of documents to avoid tax completely or even discovery. A small number of very rich outsiders is preferable to excessive numbers of cheapskate tax evaders who Gibraltar does not have the room to accommodate or an influx of outsiders to service them.

Gibraltar must not rely upon increasingly good comparisons with the falling (or still abysmal) standards prevailing in so many other places in the World. It is not good enough to be just above average.

It is often said “small is beautiful” and there are not many places on the planet as complete, yet as small, as Gibraltar. By complete, I mean it has all the components of a self-sufficient state from an airport, to power stations, to a television station and to daily newspapers. Other so-called jurisdictions use the facilities of neighbouring states and may be largely administered from elsewhere. It is a smallness you either love or hate, and those who hate it are usually against

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

the congestion and over-crowding, rather than the close knit community, gossip or lack of privacy. n

A freshly planted pine tree

Pine Replacements PAUL de BERESFORD is a UK-qualified tax practitioner now specialising in re-location, residence and domicile for individuals, but with an impressive list of corporate clients for whom he acted in his days as an equity partner of a Top-20 firm in the City of London, including the owners behind them, such as: Comic Relief, Macmillan Cancer, The Royal Institute of British Architects, Associated British Foods, Tesco, ITV, IKEA, The Honourable Societies of Gray’s Inn and Middle Temple, Camden School for Girls (and 68 other schools) and can be contacted by email to flagship@gibtelecom.net or in Gibraltar on 54004414 or 200 400 93, or in UK on 020 8144 1249, or in Spain on 637 19 85 18 and seen at his Main Street office, by appointment.

To retain the classical look of the Alameda Botanic Gardens, a programme of planting Stone Pines began this winter, with six young trees being planted close to the bases of some of the oldest ones. These will be cared for and should thrive, being ready to replace the existing ones as the giants of the Alameda pass slowly away.

The Stone Pine Pinus pinea is the species that produces pine nuts. The wooded character of the Alameda these trees provide attracts birds, like Hoopoes on migration, or the Tawny Owl, which is now a resident in the Botanic Gardens. n

35

Miss World

by Sonia Golt

B eauty Queen of the Rock If 12th December was a day of celebration in Gibraltar on hearing that Kaiane Aldorino was crowned Miss World in Johannesburg, South Africa, we surpassed ourselves with the warm, well deserved and even more spectacular homecoming!

The red and white flags waved at the airport as the private jet touched her home soil, and more flags filled Main Street to show Kaiane Aldorino she has besotted everyone in Gibraltar with her smile, attitude and charisma. The Royal Gibraltar Regiment played a fanfare as she disembarked and in true VIP fashion, Kaiane was greeted by the Chief Minister and Mrs Caruana, and the Minister for Culture Edwin Reyes and Mrs Reyes, who together with her parents and close family members waited to welcome her home.

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For the parade down Main Street, she was indeed treated like royalty, as she sat in the same car used by Lady Diana and Prince Charles on their honeymoon to Gibraltar. There were so many people on the street it was nearly impossible for the car to get through… confetti filled the air and the atmosphere was so festive it’s hard to believe any other Miss World had been so acclaimed as this special lady!

All smiles yet again from Kaiane as she emotionally came out on the balcony of City Hall to wave and show her admiration and thanks for

Gibraltar’s welcome.

“I am overwhelmed with this welcome and I am really happy to be Gibraltarian — I was already but if at all possible I am even more proud now.” The spokesperson for the Miss World organisation then said it was the most emotive welcome they had ever seen in the 59 years of visiting countries with their respective Miss World winners.

Kaiane then took the mike again to say she was really happy to be Gibraltar’s Ambassador and called on her parents and sister to join her on the balcony to celebrate this moment. Champagne overflowed as red and white confetti and streamers fell on everyone present in a beautiful and colourful cascade. Later she lit the fireworks laid on in her honour — another moment Kaiane will treasure forever since being crowned Miss World 2009.

Miss Gibraltar continues to be the highlight of the local social calendar and from now on it is bound to be even more highly acclaimed.

The Miss Gibraltar pageant goes back to 1959 and was originally organised by Vox newspaper, run by the late Eddie Campello. The first winner was Viola Abudarham, who now lives in Canada but visits Gibraltar regularly. The show was then not produced until 1964 when it was staged at Wellington Front GBC Studios and produced by Roger Kent for three years.

Then in 1967 the show was taken over by the Gibraltar Tourist Office and from 1968-’71 it was produced by well-known TV personalities of the time Clive and Sonia Golt with St Michael’s Cave as the venue. A number of well known producers followed, including the Baron, John Artesani, Alex Britto and the late Eduardo Viotto and William Gomez.

2009’s Miss Gibraltar, Kaiane, took a series of dresses and gowns with her to Miss World and some were by local designer Priscilla Sacramento who had this to say: “I am delighted, absolutely thrilled at this lovely young woman’s success. Her inner beauty comes through even before you get to know her, and her physical beauty (all 100% natural!) is obvious — which is why she won the coveted Beach Beauty competition. I was so excited when she asked me to make her formal evening gown for the Miss World pageant!”

The special gown was made from fabrics by ‘Marfil’ in Malaga, who donated a 1,000 euro voucher to Miss Gibraltar for the winner, for their very exclusive fabrics (used by some of the top designers of the world for their creations).

“Kaiane chose a rich Chantilly lace edged with picots, re-embroidered and heavily beaded by hand, which I used on the bias for the bodice of her gown, augmented by additional appliqués cut out of the same Chantilly lace to give an uneven finish to the dropped waistline of the bodice and also to edge the cutaway armholes and neckline at the back,” Priscilla explains. “The skin coloured bias-cut skirt is made from pure silk, slit over the left leg and edged throughout with circular-cut waterfall frills, over a loose lining also in skin-coloured bias-cut pure silk.

At the lowest point where the bodice meets the slit skirt, silver-coated jewellery wire was used on two Chantilly lace cut-out motifs to create a three-dimensional effect that made the gown stand away from the body of the dress. This was the third time that my gowns have been shown at Miss World pageants.”

Kaiane’s outstanding performance in Miss

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

Miss World World 2009’s talent round got her noticed by the judges as she performed a dance piece called Mizra with choreography by yet another talented local choreographer Yalta Pons from Urban Dance Group where Kaiane has been dancing since the age of 14. Her dancing abilities led her to participate at the IDO World Show Dance Championships, in Riesa, Germany, last year as part of the Gibraltar National Dance Team, with the Urban Dance Formation. There they danced to Shiva’s Bhangra and made history by receiving a standing ovation and the Gibraltar team, for the first time, passed in the formation section.

Kaiane’s talent certainly helped her stand out to the Miss World judges too.

“Proud I helped pick the winner,” — the words of former Miss Scotland, Nieve Jennings, one of the judges at Miss World. “Kaiane is a friend now and I can completely understand why she was chosen as Miss World. She’s a naturally a very beautiful girl. But what struck me was what a nice person she is, so genuine and kind. I am so proud of her.”

On the Miss World website Kaiane is described as confident, determined and caring and with a personal motto “Live each moment to the full and appreciate everything in life”. Kaiane, just 23 years old and a lover of dance and travel, was interviewed after Miss Gibraltar for a local newspaper and said what she loved most about her home town was the safe environment we live in and the spectacular views.

In Gibraltar Kaiane likes to get up early in the morning to have time to herself before going to work as an Administrative Assistant with the Gibraltar Health Authority, she also likes to go to the gym and dance classes and loves spending

time with her family.

When asked before going to South Africa about what she hoped to achieve, she said: “I hope to make good friendships, to have a good time and to make this experience a memorable one.” And she most certainly has made it a memorable one for herself and for the whole of her home town.

We asked the producer of this year’s Miss Gibraltar, the charismatic Christian Santos, about his winner Kaiane Aldorino. He said: “Kaiane is the epitome of beauty both inside and outside, she exudes inner peace and touches the life of everyone she meets and she has made her family, friends and the whole of Gibraltar extremely proud. On a personal level I must say she has made, what seemed to me, an impossible dream come true!”

We also asked dress designer Dorcas Hammond for her comments, as our Miss World was wearing a Dorcas gown at the actual crowning.

This talented Gibraltarian designer who is also

“

She’s a naturally a very beautiful girl. But what struck me was what a nice person she is, so genuine and kind. I am so proud of her

”

starting to make an international name for herself, says; “This is so big I am overwhelmed by the implications. It is wonderful for Kaiane, great for Gibraltar and important for me as I feel very proud to be part of this moment — Kaiane decided to wear the evening gown I had designed and made for her in three days.

“I feel that I am now where I have always dreamed of being, seeing that my design has been acknowledged and been seen the entire world over, I am on a high, and without realising it I am suddenly known as the designer for Miss World 2009.

“I also designed her National Costume and when I was called to design the evening gown for her to wear as one of the 16 finalists, little did I ever think she would like it, wear it and win wearing it!”

The evening gown Kaiane wore at Miss World was made of skin-coloured mesh with hand-sewn lace appliqués and had two layers of chiffon and one layer of crepe satin but the most outstanding feature was that on the offwhite, ivory-coloured material, 600 Swarovski crystals shone.

I was surprised when I dialled Elke Aldorino (Kaiane’s mother)’s mobile number for her comments and who did I get at the end of the line?

A totally unpretentious Miss World 2009, who could not give me any comments as regulations prohibit her without authorisation, but what I did find out is she is a completely unassuming, courteous girl speaking from her heart in a totally natural way. I took the opportunity to congratulate her and wish her all the very best in her year’s reign as the world’s most beautiful woman. n

photos: David M Parody http://dotcom.gi/photos

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

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profile

by Frankie Hatton

Dominique Martinez with her lovely little grandaughter

Dominique’s Days

The fabulous success of Kaiane Aldorino did more for this little piece of planet Earth than any number of visits to the UN or lobbying around the body politic. You can be sure that those countries not too ‘high and mighty’ to watch beauty pageants, which probably means most of the world to be fair, will all be thinking where is this country in Europe that produces such stunning women?

That things have changed for Kaiane is obvious but things here too are expected to change. Finally we wait for the bounty that were it not for a twist of political correctness we may have had 24 years earlier.

In 1986 another young lady from Gibraltar, having won a special award for ‘personality’ in the Miss World pageant and scoring enough points to make the grade was set to take her place in Gibraltar history.

Unfortunately she says that twist meant the finals had to have the ‘right’ blend of nationalities and Dominique Martinez was to miss

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out on her semi-final place and a shot at the title.

“That’s life,” she says. “I still believe I took full advantage of my time as Miss Gibraltar and the travel that came from it representing Gibraltar around the world.”

She sounds very down to earth, particularly for someone who shared a stage with Halle Berry

“

who was Miss USA at the time.

“Ha, I still have the autograph!” she laughed.

A third generation Gibraltarian, Dominique, was actually born in Paddington, London. Her family travelled and lived fairly comfortably for a long period of her life.

She spent time in private schools in UK and Morocco following her

I figured the best way to meet people and get to know people was to muck in and that’s what I did

”

father ’s work before eventually settling in Mallorca of all places.

Her father constantly being away led to some personal family issues so her parents separated. Mother and brothers left Mallorca heading for Gibraltar leaving Dominique behind, as she wanted, settled and working.

After a while her brother kept asking for her to follow them and be with the family, Dominique finally gave in and went ‘home’.

This single decision totally changed the course of her life some for the better and no doubt some for the worse. The family were struggling financially so she went out to work in a hotel off Main Street near the old Barrelhouse pub and then at the Rock Hotel.

“Being near the Barrelhouse was horrible,” she said. “The cockroaches were huge and it was just filthy around there but the work in the Hotel Montarik was a necessity and a stepping stone. I much preferred my job at the Rock, much more my style of work and later moving to a travel agent which was much more in line with the tourist work I had aimed for in Mallorca.

“How did you find moving back to a place where, though you had family, you were more or less a stranger to?” I asked.

“It was very difficult. I had been to St Mary’s First school for a while and knew a few cousins but integration was hard. I remember we used to see all the teenagers hanging around outside the cathedral, so one day I took my brother along and we sat there with them.

No one really said anything but eventually they all got up to leave so we followed them. That’s when we found out about the afternoon disco at the casino and other stuff that went on, and that’s how we started to get accepted.

“Having travelled I had a confidence about me to just get on and make things happen. It was this that made me apply to be in the Miss Gibraltar pageant. I figured the best way to meet people and get to know people was to muck in and that’s what I did. I even had to get out the family papers to prove I was truly Gibraltarian before I could enter.

“So in ’86 I became Miss Gibraltar. The Miss World contest was at the Royal Albert Hall in London and the swimwear rounds took place in Hong Kong and Macau.

We were all starving because we had no idea what the food was as it was all chopped up into small pieces. Someone told us the reason there were no dogs on the streets was because they we used as food!

Well you can imagine how we felt; no one would eat anything we didn’t recognise.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

profile “For me with my eyes open having lived in a few places and travelled I took the experience for what it was. A lot of contestants don’t have the experience and are just amazed by it all. You really have to grip the opportunity and get what you can from it but also taste life.

“As soon as we got back to London for the televised show the first thing I did was order pizza for us all. Sounds a bit like Miss Congeniality but it really wasn’t. Well not totally,” she smiled.

Dominique’s father eventually moved back to Gibraltar and although he was still estranged from her mother he was around a lot.

His work did take him away and because of his work he was an ideas man. Not long after the border opened there was a scheme put in place by the Government called the Pitaluga Report. Basically anybody who was interested in starting up a business aimed at tourists could apply for licenses and so it was that 25 years ago this year their business ‘Photofinish Ltd’ was born and it’s open for business to this day.

“Clients may also remember we opened a fishmongers — he has had some good entrepreneurial ideas over the years,” she said.

They started the photographic souvenir business and Dominique

Dominique still has Halle Berry’s autograph (left) and press cuttings from her time as Miss Gibraltar 1986

took over the running of Photofinish when once again her father left to work away in South America.

“We just had so many tourists and I liked photography so the two seemed to go well together. Once my year as Miss Gibraltar was over I came back, knuckled down and have basically worked for myself since. As any self-employed person will tell you it is a 24 hour a day,

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

“

seven days a week kind of lifestyle but I love it. My father and I are working together once again after many years of absence.”

Dominique herself has two sons born several years apart and one granddaughter. “I always wanted a daughter but my granddaughter

As we watched and the result was given, the tears rolled. I think nearly everyone in Gibraltar cried that day. It was a fantastic moment for us

”

is every bit as special. Plus I can hand her back when I’m finished leaving her own mum to do the hard bits!”

The afternoon Kaiane won Miss World Dominique was on GBC live as the contest was unfolding, I asked her how she found the experience and if she had any advice for our Miss World?

“Well I was asked to appear because of what we’d achieved then and my experience at Miss World in general. I’d lost out on the semifinal because of the need to have a spread of nations in the final. I won the Miss Personality award which was an achievement in itself and Kaiane had surpassed that with winning her award to get into the finals. The funny thing was it just seemed like something was going to happen.

“As we watched and the result was given the tears rolled. I think nearly everyone in Gibraltar cried that day. It was a fantastic moment for us.

“As for advice? Well she will get plenty of advice from the people connected with the pageant, people with a lot of experience and as long as she takes her time to make decisions and lives her year to the full she’ll be fine and I’m sure she’ll be a great ambassador for our country.

We are all so proud of her.” n

39

history file

by Reg Reynolds

Gibraltar birth denied him US Presidency He claimed three nationalities and dreamed of becoming President of the United States but he was born at Gibraltar and that meant his dream could never come true.

John Louis O’Sullivan’s IrishAmerican father, also named John, was the owner of a small merchant fleet which frequently traded between America, Spain and the Barbary Coast. John Sr was often in Gibraltar and it was on the Rock that he met and married the aristocratic Englishwoman Mary Rowly. He was also at Gibraltar on 15th November, 1813 when Mary gave birth to John Jr. Despite the fact America and Britain were at war (1812-14) there was plague raging at the time and Mary was invited aboard a British warship for a safer birth.

Due to the circumstances of his birth John Jr would later claim to be a citizen of three countries — the United States, England and Spain.

He claimed the first two by his parentage and the latter because his

40

birth was registered in the Catholic Church at Gibraltar.

John’s family moved frequently when he was growing up. His father was US Consul to Mogador (1817) and Tenerife (1818) and when John Sr was at sea Mary would take the children to England. But John Sr died in a shipwreck off the coast of South America in 1824. John was receiving a Catholic education in France at the time.

On learning of her husband’s

demise Mary moved the family to New York.

Before his death John Sr had one of his ships, the Dick, incorrectly declared a pirate ship. It was impounded and the cargo seized.

John Sr managed to buy the Dick back at auction and it was on this same ship he would meet his death.

He was trying to swim from the wreck to shore with a rope when he drowned.

After his death Mary petitioned

O’Sullivan’s Gibraltar birth made him ineligible. Despite this O’Sullivan maintained his ambition to be elected President not once but twice

the US Congress for $100,000 in retribution for the seizure of the Dick and the cargo but it wasn’t until 1836 when she finally received compensation of $20,210.

This money finally brought financial stability to the family and enabled John Jr, after finishing his education (he had excelled at Columbia College), to enter the newspaper business. He started as a writer for the New York Commercial Advertiser and later moved up to be editor for the Knickerbocker. In 1837 he co-Founded the Democratic Review with his brother-in-law Irishborn Dr. Samuel Langtree.

The purpose of the Democratic Review was to promote the Democratic policies of President Andrew Jackson. This included the expansion of the United States to include Texas, which had recently won independence from Mexico, and the western territories of California and Oregon. In describing the necessity for expansion O’Sullivan coined the phrase ‘Manifest Destiny’.

In the essay where the phrase was first used O’Sullivan wrote: “It is now time for the opposition to annexation of Texas to cease… our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions.”

The Democratic Review was also a literary magazine, however, and employed the talents of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Thoreau, Walt Whitman and Nathanial Hawthorne. Despite its undeniable quality the Democratic Review struggled financially and, while O’Sullivan continued to write for the magazine, he gave up his editorial duties in order to practice law and enter into politics.

In 1841, he was elected to the New York Assembly. In this office he worked for the abolition of capital punishment and for fairer treatment of Catholics, Jews and Quakers in New York schools.

But New York Assemblyman was as high a political office as O’Sullivan would attain. By law a candidate for President must be born in the United States. O’Sullivan’s Gibraltar birth made him ineligible.

Despite this O’Sullivan maintained his ambition to be elected President not once but twice.

In his book Young America: The Flowering of Democracy in New York City Edward L Wilmer wrote: “Surprisingly O’Sullivan thought he might make it to the White House someday, forgetting that his birth at Gibraltar made him ineligible. In 1842, at the height of his influence, O’Sullivan wrote a fanciful letter to his friend Annie Ward on her 18th birthday. Pretending that 60 years had elapsed, he dated

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

history file the letter 1902 and predicted to her that he had been president twice, as well as a ‘desperate radical’ and a ‘man who had turned some things topsy turvy’.

In 1846 O’Sullivan married Susan Kearny Rodgers. They went to Cuba for their honeymoon where the always political O’Sullivan became involved in the movement for Cuban independence. An influential friend of President John Polk (elected 1844) O’Sullivan urged him to try to purchase Cuba from Spain.

The President offered 100 million dollars but this was declined.

O’Sullivan continued to work for Cuban independence, however, and raised money for the cause.

He was charged with violating the Neutrality Act but his trial in March 1852 ended in a hung jury.

His reputation was tarnished but he still had friends in high places and in 1854 was appointed Ambassador to Portugal.

He was in Europe when the Civil War began in April, 1861. O’Sullivan had opposed the war hoping for a peaceful separation of North and South but after the war broke out he unwisely supported the Confederacy. Returning to New York when

the war was over he was shunned and was unable to find any political work.

In 1889 when he was 76 O’Sullivan suffered a stroke.

The O’Sullivan’s were childless and his biographer Robert D. Sampson, in John L. O’Sullivan and His Times, wrote: “Entering the last decade of his life, though comforted by his wife and by spiritualism, O’Sullivan must have reflected on an inordinate amount of tragedy, which can be glimpsed in a brief account he prepared of his family’s history. His three brothers — William, Thomas, and Herbert— had all met early deaths. Of the O’Sullivan males, only Thomas had produced children. ‘His two superb boys, who were to me as my own, both died in early childhood, from falls producing concussion of the brain.’

One of his sisters became a nun; and the other, Langtree’s widow and Madan’s wife, had had no male children but two daughters.”

With loyal Susan by his side O’Sullivan died from influenza in 1895 and is buried on Staten Island.

The little boy born at Gibraltar was the last of the O’Sullivan line. n

An influential friend of President John Polk (elected 1844) O’Sullivan urged him to try to purchase Cuba from Spain

Love-ly Ideas

from Gallery Mosaic

If you’re looking for a little something for someone you love this month, Hafida at Gallery Mosaic on Irish Town not only has a wide selection of Valentine’s cards, but cuddly toys and gifts to bring a smile to someone’s face. You never know, you may be the lucky recipient — SWALK, from a secret admirer!

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

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wall space

Uncle & Nephew Baglietto:

kaleidoscope After a five-year long absence from local galleries, kaleidoscopic artist Mark Baglietto is back in style at the Fine Arts Gallery this March with his fourth solo exhibition.

Actually it will be a ‘duet’, since it features a very young and promising budding talent, his nephew Kieron, whose artwork is tipped to challenge him with some serious competition.

Kieron’s is a collection of square canvases full of life and colour, partly influenced by his uncle’s, but breaking away from mannerism and shaping up to the (brush)stroke of genius.

11-year old Kieron, long time artist on paper but canvas first-timer, masters colours like a pro, and knows how to match and mismatch them for special effects, from the flashy red and green abstract vaguely reminiscent of Chinese ideograms, to the cool entwining of sapphire curls on sky-blue background.

He makes magic with figurative too. Feel the heat of his fiery desert sun, or feel the love with his cool, smooth, synaesthetic romance series about a blonde girl wishing for her knight in

shining armour over a bright pink flower and voilà, Prince Charming appears. Face to face, the couple makes a pretty profile of childlike wonder, and technical precision in fluid curves and Egyptian-styled eyes.

Mark on the other hand needs no introduction, for he has become an institution in Gibraltar since art guru and former Fine Arts Association President Willa Vasquez believed he was really something else, and brought his work forward from the airtight initiated circles to the general public’s attention.

Since then, Mark enjoys ever-growing popularity not only in Gibraltar where he has steadily built his prestigious clientele and his fan club, but also in Morocco, where his paintings are viewed by socialites and princes.

He exhibited in Marrakech, from where he was even offered a hotspot at the U2 (yes, the rock

Mark enjoys ever-growing popularity not only in Gibraltar where he has steadily built his prestigious clientele and his fan club, but also in Morocco, where his paintings are viewed by socialites and princes

painting by Mark Baglietto

painting by Keiron Baglietto

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Uncle and nephew Mark and Keiron Baglietto

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • February 2010

by Elena Scialtiel

painting by Keiron Baglietto

legend!) Gallery in Dublin.

Surprisingly though, he hasn’t yet scooped major prizes at local competitive exhibitions, besides a commendation for his Cumberland Steps.

So, what’s the secret of Mark’s success with art collectors?

First of all, the way he injects life in his still life: colourful, outrageous sometimes, but always in motion.

Movement is the key, with vivacious brushstrokes and clashing colours that can awaken everyday objects and transform them into superstars, because Mark has a sharp eye in picking seemingly insignificant detail and making it key.

Besides his amazing still life, Mark is possibly best known for his even more amazing flowers, expressing his energy and positive outlook on the beauty of nature.

He believes flowers are effortlessly beautiful and yet so delicate and ephemeral that they must be immortalised on canvas to retain their charm, scent and essence for ever.

And Mark’s way of balancing figurative and abstract in the rendition of their shapes with vivid boisterous colours, shedding a ray of sunshine on the greyest rainy day, is unmistakable, inimitable and irresistible.

With his extravagant leaps over squiggles and flamboyant brushstrokes, he gives you the chance to see through his eyes how he perceives his world, where colour is a sublimation of emotion.

Furthermore, this exhibition will introduce a relatively new side of Mark’s art — nudes and landscapes.

The striking reclining nude arranged on an elongated canvas, playing on the warm tones of latte, caramel and chocolate, exploits unusual perspectives and foreshortening, echoed in some black and white smaller framed pictures where

painting by Mark Baglietto

the chiaroscuro brings out the dramatic contrast of angular and circular shapes. Monochrome may seems so unlike Mark, the prince of vibrant colour, yet it scores extra points for his versatility, originality, artistic accomplishment and true genius.

Mark’s many faces wouldn’t be completely exposed if one didn’t take a look at his fabulous portraits, where he’s able to express the subject’s personality in a heartbeat, in few colour blocks delineated by strong lines and strategic highlights.

And if his Saint Theresa remains his masterpiece for its bold pairing of complementary colours and its energetic lines, sort of pyrotechnic epiphany with tropical sunset panache, Mark’s views of Gibraltar raise him to the Olympus of our best landscapists, and don’t leave us bored of yet another lighthouse panorama.

Indeed, because this one banks on subtly green skies set aflame by subdued yellow vertical waves to suggest ascending air currents on a hot summer day.

Long gone are the days Mark was reticent to publicly show his artwork fearing gratuitous criticism: nowadays he’s ready to paint freely and have fun with it, confident his estimators will support his artistic evolution and fearless experimenting with subject matters, sometimes with close attention to drawing, and more often sublimating into pure colour.

Glad that the Casemates Gallery puts the ‘art’ in the heart of Gibraltar, and promotes what was once a token of an elite, Mark Baglietto is busy with commission portraits and his ‘national pride’ collection which he dreams of exhibiting in London one day.

And writing his autobiography, which begins with floral olfactory memories from his early childhood. Flower power has surely become a reality for Mark. n

painting by Mark Baglietto

Besides his amazing still life, Mark is possibly best known for his even more amazing flowers, expressing his energy and positive outlook on the beauty of nature painting by Mark Baglietto GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

43

Interior Designs

Andrew Martin from Denville Designs

Industrial espionage - global warming

& retro fabrics There’s more to home design than meets the eye and the immediate impression of a room which just “works” is more often than not anything but an accident. A good eye for design is a great help, but it’s not the be-all and end-all to giving your home an original and well coordinated touch.

44 44

I remember, from my days at St George’s school on Queensway back in the ’80s, the science teacher talked about industrial espionage after a classmate was caught copying another’s work. He suggested that although it was not to be encouraged, it’s a fact of life and companies make millions from keeping tabs on what their competitors are up to. That’s just a little more drastic than the simplest way to be satisfied with your home decorations.

The bottom line is to either bring in the specialists or do a little spying!

Take a look online and you’ll find a host of interior designers with ready made ideas which fit the latest seasonal fads and don’t forget to take a sneak peak at what friends and family have done in their homes to see if there’s an idea or concept you can incorporate into your home.

Currently, the trends seem to be heading backwards (in a positive way, I might add). Retro is back and definitively the way forward for the coming year as designers such as Andrew Martin (available from Denville Designs) have paved the way with printed fabrics. It seems to tie in with the current feeling of being let down by the present economic climate and wishing we could turn the clocks back fifty years. The upcoming trends do seem to have that nostalgic feel to them and retro fabrics are just the tip of the iceberg.

Turntables, 1940s radios and other such brick-a-brack are making a comeback — as are many of the artists you’ll find below the dusty album sleeves, possibly there’s not a coincidence there either so both your nicely restored record player and vinyls you’ve finally taken out of storage suddenly have the dual functionality of highlighting the decor both in sight and sound.

The interesting thing I’ve noticed though is that furniture design is still heading on a modern, forward trend. Polished stainless steel cabinets can actually draw you in to the retro side of the decoration whilst also reflecting the colours and styles around the room.

GIBR GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

Interior Designs Back on the fabric track again though, many of the current design themes are also taking a look at different worldwide cultures. For a bright rainbow feel you can look to the central and southern American indian tribes — still retro from the happy days of Woodstock and the hippy culture of the ’60s, but with many fabrics hand-dyed and woven you could find you’re also contributing to a healthy globe (which also seems very much in fashion).

The other part of the globe very much in fashion from the interior design point of view is everything Asian, more specifically from either feng shui or Buddhist influence.

Obviously, I’m not suggesting you put them all together at once in some sort of mad pot-pouri — you may find your eyes and brain

you may find your eyes and brain screaming for some nice white walls and bland fabrics to recover from the shock if you go too overboard

Andrew Martin from Denville Designs

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

screaming for some nice white walls and bland fabrics to recover from the shock if you go too overboard. Here’s where your newly acquired espionage skills come in to play, keep an eye some of the modern designers online, and you’ll start to see how they seem to manage to use some extremely contrasting styles to maximum advantage.

Spied something you like? Between the wealth of shops both specialist and non-specialist in Gibraltar, you’re bound to find what you need to reproduce the look.

Why wait for future trends, when the past has just caught us up. n

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Home Supplies

Wendy, Max and Sabrina

Live Wires at Westex

“We sell everything from a small packet of washers for a few pence, up to a stainless steel towel rail at £256 — and everything in between,” says Wendy Aird of Westex.

Westex does seem to be the dream place to go for anything connected with electrical work, whether for DIY or contractors. It has the reassuring practical layout of a trade counter, where a knowledgeable member of staff, or a director, will advise you on what you want and show you what is available.

A popular line at the moment for the householder, particularly those moving in to Waterport Terraces, is the stainless steel flat switch surround; smart and modern, a simple switch and socket can be as little as £10.

“People like to change their light fittings frequently,” said Wendy. “We’ve got over 200 on display and receive new types every month; they cost anything from £4 to £60.”

She stressed that everything in the shop comes from the UK and is fully up to or exceeding British Standards. Weekly deliveries mean customers rarely have to wait more than ten days to receive their special orders.

Wendy, originally from Bournemouth on the south coast of England, has been in Gibraltar for 24 years and it was in 1991 that she saw the need for a fully comprehensive electrical distributor for the professional and the amateur; but whilst the New Harbours store has become a constantly busy supplier, she found some

46

unexpected resistance in the early days. “People just weren’t used to dealing with a woman who was the managing director and who could give advice to electricians and other manly types,” she told me. “But once they saw that I knew what I was talking about, their resistance gradually crumbled and their loyalty developed. But Sabrina and I do still get some looks when we are driving the big truck.”

She explained that Sabrina Cerisola has been with Westex since a couple of years after Wendy and her co-directors founded the company, when Sabrina was not long out of school. “She’s 33 now and has been with us all of the time except for two maternity leave breaks,” said Wendy. “She’s on her second one now.”

The truck is used for larger deliveries, such as reels of cable, but all goods can be delivered,

“People like to change their light fittings frequently.

We’ve got over 200 on display and receive new types every month”

with literally no minimum order required, the smaller items being taken to the customer by bike.

“Sometimes we even deliver the customer too,” Wendy said; “if it’s a medium quantity I’ll take the goods and the customer to their home in my car.”

With the business under way and her children all grown up, Wendy, who left school with just five GCE ‘O’ levels, went in for professional education. She was amongst the first to see the value of the management programme that Durham University had started to offer in Gibraltar with Gibtelecom and others soon following suit.

She then took another course, leading to her gaining a Post-Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management, and followed that up with a MA First in Enterprise Management in 2007.

All three courses were first-times for Durham University in Gibraltar.

She is by no means a reserved bookish type, though: good-humoured, she happily told me that as a compact company, everybody, including her, does a bit of everything: “Storekeeper, messenger, deliveries, sales… everything, we all do the lot,” she said.

Westex is careful to supply good quality goods (hence the insistence on UK-only prod-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

Home Supplies

by Brian McCann

Contractors make full use of the fully-stocked store, and get everything from bulbs to 16mm cables, from distribution boards and circuit protectors to site lighting

ucts), but she also knows that people have differing budgets, so there is often a cheap-to-dear choice in many of the ranges. The super-smart electrical towel rail for £256 mentioned at the beginning as the dearest item in the shop, is also the top-of-range in that type of fitting — others are available from around £80.

Another interesting range is the low-voltage lighting, mostly using 12 volts, along with the appropriate cabling for them. Wendy said that the only reason she doesn’t bring solar lighting is that there is no demand for them here.

Contractors make full use of the fully-stocked store, and get everything from bulbs to 16mm cables, from distribution boards and circuit protectors to site lighting units. “We have anything that a contractor could need in Gibraltar,” she said.

I wondered if there was anything Westex sold that was unique to them in Gibraltar, and the answer was “underfloor heating”, which Wendy has proved is cheaper than normal convection heating. There are various types, depending on whether the floor itself is to be carpeted, tiled or covered with wood laminate. Westex supplied the whole of Clifftops with this type of warmth.

Westex (Gibraltar) Ltd is on street level at Unit 55 Harbour Deck, New Harbours. Drive in off Rosia Road and keep straight ahead for about 100 metres. You can park right at the door. It’s open from 8 – 5.30 Mondays to Thursdays; 8 – 4 on Fridays and 10 to 2 on Saturdays. The telephone number is 20041377, email westex. enquiries@yahoo.com or wendy@calpe-westex. gi; or find out more on the website www.westexgib.com. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

47

ah

IN GIBRALTAR

real estate Estate Agents • Lettings • Property Consultants Valuations • Surveys • Property Management

PROPERTY DIRECTORY

1 The Boardwalk, Tradewinds Tel: 200 47777

19/2 Governor’s Parade, Gibraltar Tel: 200 74018

Unit F2A ICC, Gibraltar Tel: 200 49494 email: info@propertyworld.gi

Gibraltar Art Gallery 14 Cannon Lane Tel: 200 73898 Email: artgallery@gibtelecom.net

www.propertyworld.gi

S.LEVY

M.B.E., E.D., J.P., F.R.I.C.S., F.R.S.H.

AUCTIONEER, ESTATE AGENT & VALUER

commercial interiors

For Property Advice, Contact Us

Bridge Solutions PO Box 598 Tel: 57185000 Fax: 200 77041

3 Convent Place Tel: 200 77789 or 200 42818 Fax: 200 42527 Email: slevy@gibraltar.gi

Space Interiors 6 Ellesmere House, City Mill Lane Tel: 200 73992 www.spaceinteriors.gi

chartered surveyors construction

homes & interiors

Irish Town Antiques Irish Town Tel: 200 70411 Seekers Ltd Property Solutions 10 Engineer Lane Tel: 200 44955 info@seekerspropertysolutions.com www.furnituresolutions.gi

transport services

Portman Ltd General Suppliers

Hire & Sale of Portable Cabin Units (Office, Toilet Units etc)

home insurance

Unit F17 Europa Business Centre PO Box 476, Gibraltar Tel: 200 73119 Fax: 200 45008 E-mail: portman@gibtelecom.net

GibCargo Ltd Unit 3 North Mole Industrial Park Tel: 200 70787 Email: tom@gibcargo.com

Eurolinx 21&22 Victoria House, 26 Main St Tel: 200 40240 Ibex Insurance The Tower, Marina Bay Tel: 200 44628

marine services

property services

TARIK

39-41 City Mill Lane, Gibraltar Tel: 200 78105 Fax: 200 42510

Full Bunkering & Yacht Refuelling Service Spain: 15/5a Virgen del Carmen Algeciras (Cadiz), Spain Tel/Fax: 34 56 630418 After Hrs: Gib 200 70982

• General Surfacing • Building • Building Renovations • Demolition • Painting & Decorating • Roadworks • Civil Engineering • Asphalt/Aggregate supplier • Comprehensive Plant Holding For prompt & competitively priced tenders contact AMCO P.O. Box 382 Tel: 200 40840 Fax: 200 40841

waste management 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

48 48

Gibraltar: Tel: (350) 200 72836 Fax: (350) 200 72861 Cables: TARIK GIB TLX: 2343 TRATAR

Environment and Waste Management Service E.W.M.S. Governor’s Cottage Europa Advance Road Gibraltar Tel: 200 44220 Fax: 200 44221 E-mail: ewmsgib@gibtelecom.net

GIBRALTARMAGAZINE MAGAZINE••FEBRUARY FEBRUARY2010 2010 GIBRALTAR

10

Property Market

Affordable Quality?

Filomena: The Time to Buy It’s never been a better time to buy in Gibraltar and with a wide range of property now on the market, competition is fierce. Quality at the right price is what the discerning buyer is looking for and that’s something Taylor Woodrow is extremely good at.

Filomena House is one of the latest offerings from a company which has previously targeted the High Net Worth Individual market here in Gibraltar with developments such as Queensway Quay Marina, Rock Gardens, and the glitzy new Tradewinds. Filomena House has been approached with a slightly different slant, offering affordable quality property in Gibraltar from a company with a trusted track record.

Now completed and with just a few remaining properties available, the no-nonsense Filomena House includes secure allocated parking and little luxury touches such as ducting for A/C units incorporated into the design — commodities always in demand in Gibraltar.

Although the majority of apartments in the development have been sold, the developers have decided to drop the prices on the last few to encourage those who are looking for an affordable home on the Rock or who may be interested

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

in an investment rental property (demand from renters is high and returns are excellent) to call in and take a look at what is left on offer.

The three and four bed apartments in Filom-

Now completed and with just a few remaining properties available, the no-nonsense Filomena House includes secure allocated parking and little luxury touches such as ducting for A/C units

ena House are HEPSS approved, which means that the properties are approved for occupation by special tax category High Executives Possessing Specialists Skills and earning over £100,000 per annum, so you’ll be in good company if you’re are looking for a permanent home, or seeking reliable renters.

The development’s location at the beginning of Devil’s Tower Road may not be the marina front location of higher end developments but a few minutes walk takes you to Ocean Village Marina, the centre of town or the frontier, so the location couldn’t be more convenient.

The developers are not expecting these last few properties to be on the market for long. If you’re interested in a viewing, you would do well to call in at their offices on The Boardwalk, Tradewinds or give them a call on 200 40550 or 200 78780 to arrange a suitable time. Or go along to the open day at Filomena House on 10th February from 10.30am-5pm. ■

49 49

Baby Interiors

Baby’s Space...

Usually when designing a baby’s room you need to shop around and buy a little from one place, other items from another, and managing to coordinate the look with the necessities a baby needs can become extremely time consuming.

When you factor in that family and friends will be looking at practical gifts to help a new family towards their future too, getting a unified look can be a nightmare.

This is one of the main issues which Maggie, Kevin and Leila are successfully tackling with their new shop, Babyzone, on Engineer’s Lane. The one-stop-shop concept is not new in itself, but as far as interior decorating for babies, this could well be a first in Gibraltar.

“It’s not just the decorative side we’re interested in,” explains Kevin, who also handles their online presence at www.babyzonegibraltar. com. “Functionality is key, and we are always on the look out for new and innovative products which will both enhance the baby’s room and the quality of life too.”

Maggie added: “It is very important for us to look at the quality of

50

any new product we introduce, and many of the items we have in the shop are actually award winning.

A prime example is one of our latest products, the Ambi Nest, which is a portable hammock cot. As well as being an original gift, it has been designed to mimic the feeling of support and security found in the womb. The baby is slightly inclined when sleeping so it’s ideal for babies with reflux and can help to ease colic symptoms too.”

From the range of over 800 products both online and in-store (and continually growing), you’ll find just about everything you can think of to decorate your baby’s room.

From cots which can be converted to beds for children up to five years old — a great investment for forward-thinking families — right through to bedding accessories, photo frames, lampshades and

The Ambi Nest, available from Baby Zone Gibraltar

even wall decorations.

The team are also conscious of individual budgets, so you’ll find a broad price range of products from the UK and America, and don’t forget that if there’s something particular you’re after which babyzone doesn’t stock, they’ll be more than happy to source it for you with delivery usually within the month.

The other innovation from Babyzone is their gift services and registry. In the months leading up to birth, Maggie, Kevin and Leila are on hand to help you choose everything your baby will need for its new room. Items from the list can

be bought by friends and family directly from the shop, and bearing in mind many of us in Gibraltar have family abroad, the list can also be visited online where you can place your order and goods will be delivered direct to your home or the maternity ward at no extra charge.

So find time to call in to their shop opposite Seekers on Engineer Lane for friendly, informative assistance. Alternatively browse through their products online at www.babyzonegibraltar.com to see their extensive range, and if you have any queries, you can always call the shop on 200 61565. ■

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

ready for rental

Buy to Let

With the wide range of Gibraltar properties on offer currently for rental, it’s definitely a tenant’s market.

Spoilt for choice, they can feel free to pick and choose to find the location, view and interior layout and design to fit their budget and taste without too much difficulty. That’s great for them, but what about home owners who are trying maintain a healthy return from their rental property?

It’s safe to assume that more than a few home owners, having invested in the property and been handed the keys are now thinking carefully about the best way to furnish ready for rental.

Prospective tenants will probably looking at several apartments before making a final decision, and sometimes in the same block, so you may find the only difference between them renting yours or the one next door will be the thought put into the design and layout.

First impressions count — a lot.

This doesn’t need to mean spending over and above your budget, but it does mean taking careful

consideration of what your options are and discussing them with a professional. Make sure your interior has the edge over all neighbouring properties.

Possibly the first thing to take into account who your your client will be? If you are looking at high earning professionals, they will be looking at top of the range furnishings with all the mod-cons including flat screen TV, but you may feel safer in the knowledge that the property will be well looked after.

As it happens, there are more than a few interior boutiques, shops and furniture suppliers who offer comprehensive packages for fur-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

51

Home Ideas

nishing a whole home ready for rental, which makes things very easy. Anything Goes and Denville Designs are local companies with good reputations and each have their own ranges and styles to choose from — you’d do well to pay them a visit to see not just what they have on offer, but also for their creative input and experience in interior design for rentals.

Deciding the on key focal points of each room is essential when planning your budget. And spending that little extra on quality hard-wearing items of furniture which you expect to be well used is good practice. Skimping on some items might mean your

tenants are asking you to replace items after a relatively short period of use, and spending a little more will not just help to avoid the situation, but will also up the value of the rental and help you achieve the price you want for the

property.

There are plenty of little tricks that designers use to achieve maximum impact within a room and often with minimum outlay.

Simple minimalist designs which make good use of the apartment’s

There are plenty of little tricks that professional designers use to achieve maximum impact within a room and often with minimum outlay

Things We Like

Ditch the Knife

floor layout are often a great way to add a little impact to the first impression your future tenant may have.

So rather than just moving in mixed and matched second-hand furniture or just buying whatever comes cheapest, talk to an expert — a good estate agent who deals in rentals will be happy to advise on what their clients are looking for, and what is needed to command the highest price.

Spending just a few pounds more (and often quite a bit less) can make all the difference to the rental value of your apartment — and a good tenant is well worth finding and keeping. n

Things We Like

Rock ’n’ Roll chair Looking for something a little different for your home office or study?

Still using a knife to peel vegetables?

Invest in one of these nifty little devices from Victorinox (just over £5 from BIA on Irish Town) and you will ditch the knife for good. The award winning compact design of this easy to use vegetable peeler makes it perfect for turning out smart evenly peeled veg lightening quick.

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We found some cool swivel chairs at Anything Goes which will really make your study space rock.

This Jeans and T-shirt model is just one in a range which can be ordered for delivery in a couple of weeks.

Other designs include little princess and snowboard plus many others to suit your room style or, more precisely, study space.

They’re priced at around £220, and their sturdy build and modern curves means the look will last a long time.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

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comment

Ray Pilley with his Hawk aircraft

by Ray Pilley

chocks away for Ray

I was intrigued to read last month’s article headed Pirate in the Sky featuring Sqn Ldr Dolding whose aspirations to fly had been born and nurtured by watching visiting aircraft from his parent’s home at Marina Court. He was pictured in front of a British Aero Systems Hawk of 100 Sqn Royal Air Force.

On returning home I retrieved one of my log books which unfortunately ended in August 1977. The second volume is not in Gibraltar. Be that as it may I wondered if I had instructed this young man and should he read this article perhaps he would be good enough to let me know. I certainly instructed the last Chief of the Air Staff which just about puts me in reach.

After concluding my flying tour on the F4 Phantom, which was punctuated by an extremely low level ejection (rendering me permanently incapable of washing up or ironing!), I was posted to the Central Flying School from where I graduated in 1976. I never actually completed the course because there was a head on collision in south Wales involving two Folland Gnat aircraft which killed four instructors and the only two fast jet pilots on the basic instructors course were immediately packed off to RAF Valley in Anglesey to convert to the Gnat — one of whom was me.

For those too young to remember the Gnat, it was for many years the RAF’s advanced trainer and the aircraft formerly displayed by the Red Arrows. The Gnat would certainly not have passed today’s health and safety legislation and crosswind landings in manual control from the back seat at night required all the skills necessary to hang wallpaper blindfold whilst standing on one leg. I had flown the aircraft previously on graduation from the Royal Air Force College Cranwell. It was a wonderful and exhilarating machine, but unforgiving in

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the hands of anyone not up to speed.

Then one day in May 1977 and out of the mists or sea fog commonly associated with Valley appeared this strange dolphin nosed machine painted in red and white and numbered XX159 if my memory serves correctly. It was followed by two or three more during the course of the next week or so and soon three of us were elected/selected to become the first Hawk instructors.

We continued flying the Gnat on a daily basis and would then do an hour or so in the Hawk with someone who had flown it before and thereafter we flew it around solo pitching against the Gnat and working out how we were going to teach students.

It was so strange being able to see ahead of

The Hawk, now entering its 33rd year in RAF service, has proved to be a great success and although we said “you could teach your grandmother to fly it in a weekend” I have fond memories of the Hawk

the pilot in the front from the back seat, strange to be airborne without running out of fuel after an hour and it being so viceless and docile and almost as slow as a basic trainer coming in to land.

I recall flying members of the Red Arrows team on familiarisation sorties who likened it to a GT version of the Jet Provost and indeed before it was accepted significant changes had to be made to the aircraft and in particular the engine management system. Our anxiety was that this aircraft was not going to be sufficiently demanding to meet the requirements of front line aircraft such as the Harrier, Jaguar and the Tornado which were then in, or coming into, service. With hindsight I think we were wrong because the Hawk, now entering its 33rd year in RAF service, has proved to be a great success and although we said “you could teach your grandmother to fly it in a weekend” I have fond memories of the Hawk and in particular displaying it at the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations at RAF Finningley in 1977 as well as taking the first of its type to Germany in the same year.

Sqn Ldr Dolding may take grave offence at the inference he might have reached an age where he could have been instructed by me but if I didn’t then he may have seen me as I made my first landing here in one of Her Majesty’s fighting machines in August 1969. In all events it has evoked pleasant memories for which I thank him and wish him well. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

50th Anniversary

In January 1960 a bunch a young men were called up to serve in the 22nd intake of the Gibraltar Defense Force to do their National Service, like so many before them. Little did they know they were making history. They had the privilege of changing cap badges and becoming the Gibraltar Regiment. This year is the 50th anniversary of that event and as many as possible of those who served in the 22nd intake are asked to attend a get together at the Royal Gibraltar Regiment Association club in Irish Town on 12th February 2010 from 7.30pm. Please put your name down at the club on the list provided as soon as possible.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

55

our Governors

1st Baron Napier of Magdala

Honours for ‘Battling Bob’ When French science fiction writer, Jules Verne, visited Gibraltar in 1878, the Governor to whom he courteously paid his respects was Robert Napier, the 1st Baron Napier of Magdala, a gruff, no-nonsense military man who had probably never read a sensational novel in his life, and would rather wear a pink tutu to his regimental dinner than admit to doing so.

He may well have wondered who on Earth his extravagantly bewhiskered Gallic visitor was.

Napier’s world was far removed from the airy-fairy waffle of futuristic whimsy, and the story of how he came by his title is a quintessential nugget of British imperial pique.

Fate is mistress of us all, so the fact Napier’s father, Major Charles Frederick Napier, was wounded while helping to storm Meester Cornelis, a subdistrict of East Jakarta quaintly named for the Dutchman who founded it in 1621, is probably significant. The propensity to throw himself with gusto into the selfless patriotic adventure was clearly in his blood, and was bound to break out in time. Robert’s bravado ultimately won him a title and a governorship.

His father was less lucky. After getting seriously hurt while storming Meester Cornelis, for reasons which posterity has ungratefully forgotten, he lingered for a few months before dying of his wounds. Sadly, he never knew his son. When he died, the major left behind a heavily pregnant wife. Robert was born in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) shortly afterwards, on 6th December 1810.

The death of her husband clearly did nothing to disillusion Robert’s mother with the military life. Eager to see the dangerous family tradition maintained, she saw to it that Robert got the right kind of education at the Addiscombe Military Academy in Croydon, enabling him at the earliest opportunity to don a uniform and get out into the world to do his bit. When he was 18 he joined the Bengal Lancers and was shipped out to India, where he arrived in November 1828.

If he had romantic visions of being instantly thrown into battle on behalf of king, country and empire, they were soon dashed. For more than a decade he worked diligently but unspectacularly in the irrigation section of the Public Works Department. That worthy but bland part of his life ended in January 1841, when he was promoted to captain and sent to the city of Sirhind.

At last he felt more like a soldier, but the itching in his boots would not be truly scratched until he found himself in a fight. The chance came late in 1845 when the first of two wars broke out between the British and the Sikhs.

On 18th December, Napier commanded the Bengal Engineers at an untidy fracas called the Battle of Mudki, which the British claimed as a

56

It seemed that wherever a fight broke out on the sub-continent, Battling Bob Napier was there to lend a hand and bloody his sword victory despite their heavy casualties. A couple of weeks later they were at it again. This time the fighting was at a Sikh camp in the village

of Ferozeshah. The British won, although if the technology had existed, the Sikhs might well have petitioned the umpire to review the video replay. Robert Napier took part in the bloody mêlée, and was severely wounded. Nevertheless, he was back on his feet and fighting again when more unpleasantness erupted at Sobraon in February.

He was up and running. From that point on his CV would be so littered with the word “battle” that he might have been tempted to copyright it and claim it as his own. It seemed that wherever a fight broke out on the sub-continent, Battling Bob Napier was there to lend a hand and bloody his sword.

It all came to a kind of climax with the relief of Lucknow in September 1857. For his efforts, Napier was named in despatches, and elevated to the Most Honourable Order of the Bath ­ — a chivalric brotherhood founded by King George 1st in 1725.

A kind of climax, yes, but not a swan song. Napier continued to flit from battle to battle like an insatiable wasp fixing his sights on every pot of jam at every picnic in the country. In 1860, having bloodied every available nose in India, he moved on to do the same in China. Seven years after that, having risen to the rank of Lieutenant-General, he was placed in command of an expedition to Abyssinia (as Ethiopia was then known). Fate, always the dominant force in his life, was finally readying him for his finest hour. Whether he had ever heard of Magdala, we cannot say, but that was where Fate was inexorably guiding him.

In 1867, the emperor of Abyssinia was Tewodros II. Tewodros had a stubbornly belligerent streak. After a letter he sent to Queen Victoria requesting arms and military assistance went unanswered, he petulantly imprisoned several Protestant missionaries, holding them hostage in his mountain capital of Magdala.

Two British diplomats who travelled to negotiate their release soon joined them in the cells.

Today, the government would make principled statements about not appeasing terrorists, stress their absolute refusal to pay ransoms, and that

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

our Governors would be more or less that. In Victorian times things were very different. The missionaries may have been interfering busybodies, and the ill-advised diplomats idiots, but dash it all, they were British busybodies and idiots, and no upstart Johnny Foreigner with the effrontery to call his tinpot kingdom an “empire” was going to snap his fingers in the face of the British with impunity. Robert Napier was given the task of setting the prisoners free.

Naturally, such an enterprise could not be rushed. Since Magdala was a mountain stronghold, Britain could not dispatch its customary brace of gunboats to flatten it. The assault would need long and careful planning. So long and careful that the cynical might discern beneath the surface a hidden ulterior motive. That was certainly the view of the Abyssinians. Tewodros could have called their bluff by releasing his prisoners and sending them on their way with a wave and a sackful of gifts, but he did not. His prisoners had already been stewing in their cells for several months when an advance brigade of engineers arrived in the Red Sea coastal town of Zula in October 1867. There they set about building a port to enable Napier and the main body of troops to land, which they did in January 1868. On 25th January, they began their march into the highlands.

Magdala lay no less than 400 miles away across difficult terrain full of hostile natives who were highly suspicious of the British invaders’ motives. Time and again Napier assured the local warlords, who included the future emperor Yohannes IV (Ras Kassa) that they were there merely to rescue their imprisoned countrymen and conquest was the last thing on their minds.

To reinforce the point, he bribed them. He had come well prepared with a war chest containing 4.35 million Maria Theresa Thalers, bought especially from the Vienna mint. The silver coins, named for the Austro-Hungarian Empress, were first minted in 1741, and soon became a favoured currency for use in international trade. Abyssinian warlords were famously fond of them.

If they persisted in considering as implausible the idea that the building of a port, and the arrival of 12,000 troops intent on fighting their way across 400 miles of inhospitable territory to attack their capital really was simply a rescue mission, with no imperial overtones, the money definitely helped them see things in a different light.

They didn’t much care for Tewodros anyway.

The march to Magdala took more than two

Tewodros

months. Napier and his men finally had it in their sights on Thursday, 9th April. There they paused, preferring to begin their assault on the following day, which happened to be Good Friday. 9,000 troops loyal to the emperor engaged them in battle, but were easily defeated with the loss of only two British lives. Clearly Tewodros’s

People saw things differently back then.

Today a military commander who looted a town like a deranged kleptomaniac and then set fire to it would be lucky to avoid a trial at The Hague. Not Napier.

Honour upon honour was heaped on his head

need for arms and military expertise had been an urgent one.

With his troops slaughtered, Tewodros belatedly set his hostages free, naively assuming that with their stated objective achieved, the British would click their heels, bow curtly and withdraw. Instead, Napier ordered a full assault on Magdala on 13th April. With no troops left to defend it, the city was easily taken, and Tewodros, realising he had played a disastrous hand, committed suicide.

Still without an imperialist thought in his head, Napier looted everything he could carry, before burning the city to the ground. His loot, consisting of priceless religious and artistic artifacts, was shipped back to London, where it remains.

People saw things differently back then. Today a military commander who looted a town like a deranged kleptomaniac and then set fire to it would be lucky to avoid a trial at The Hague.

Not Napier. Honour upon honour was heaped on his head including, bizarrely, membership of The Royal Society for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge. He was also given an hereditary peerage and adopted the title of Baron Napier of Magdala. He just couldn’t resist rubbing it in.

Between the Magdala campaign of 1869, and his appointment as Governor of Gibraltar in June 1876, Napier was far from idle. He spent the years 1870-1876 in India as Commander-inChief. However, he never scored a century at Lord’s, did not invent the submarine, and was a hopelessly inept cellist, so his claim to have been the complete Renaissance man must be considered flawed.

He was Governor of Gibraltar from June 1876 until January 1883 and though he did not favour us with his memoirs, it is unlikely he considered his meeting with Jules Verne to have been his tenure’s supreme highlight.

On leaving the post, Napier was promoted to Field Marshall, and in 1886 he became Constable of the Tower of London — a distinguished ceremonial post unrelated to the arrest of persons attempting to poison the ravens.

For a man who spent practically his entire adult life fighting battles, to reach the age of 79 still in possession of the regulation number of eyes and limbs must be considered remarkable, but Robert Napier was a remarkable man. He attained that age on 6th December 1889, but did not long surpass it. He died on 14th January 1890, and was given a state funeral in St Paul’s Cathedral. Jules Verne did not attend. n

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

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

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events

Going for a Song at the Gibraltar Song Festival by Sonia Golt

Joe Carseni’s memories of winning the Gibraltar Song Festival with Hoy Como Ayer stuck with him through 30 years living in the US — he always wanted to revive the Festival and that’s why it is back on our annual calendar of events and coming up on 13th March this year.

The Festival began in 1965 when Monsignor Charles Caruana, a young priest in those days, had the idea if a Song Festival to raise money to build a Community Centre. Back then the Song Festival was only open to local talent but since Joe Carseni, in fact a winner of three Song Festivals, took it upon himself to revive it in 2007, it has become an international festival of song.

Songwriters worldwide are invited to submit entries for the Gibraltar Song Festival.

“I am continuing the whole affair because Gibraltar has many talented musicians and I want to continue to give them a stage on which to show their musical talent,” Joe explains his motivation for bringing the Festival back to life.

“One must never forget our very own Albert Hammond and how well he has done in the composer/singer league worldwide... Who knows, there might be another here ready to continue in his footsteps.

“The 1st Song Festival went very well and it was very successful. We donated a substantial sum towards the Senior Citizens’ Panic Buttons and Bonita Trust matched our donation, so we were able to give in total £2000,” Joe explains.

“This year’s donation will go to the Alzheimer’s Group of Gibraltar as we want to help them and prople who suffer from this illness.

“Unfortunately in 2009 we had to postpone the festival as, due to the world crisis, it was not an appropriate time to find sponsors but earlier than predicted we are ready to go for this coming March 13th when we will put the show on again,” he says, adding that “as guest

58

artists we are negotiating with the Gypsy Kings but nothing for sure yet...”

That would certainly be a great attraction for the audience, but what of the entries? How does the Festival go about attracting these?

“We already have entries from UK, Gibraltar, Spain, Chile, Brazil, Malta, Cyprus, Canary Island and a few others. So we know we will get enough entries to be able to choose the very best!

“Promotion is done via our website www. gibraltarsongfestival.com and we have patrons who support our event; Les Reed who composed many hits for Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck like Delilah, It’s not unusual the Last Waltz etc,” Joe enthuses. “We also have connections with Guy Fletcher composer for

“

It’s also a way of letting the world see what they are capable of as we will be going live via Radio 700 based in Germany, both audio and visual, with an estimated audience of about 10 million worldwide

”

Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Bary Mason as well as being lyricist for Tom Jones, Engelbert and many others.”

The Pillars of Hercules trophies and prize money on offer make it well worth any songwriter to get out their pens and compose something original. The winner gets £3000, £1000 goes to the first runner up and £500 to the second runner up.

“It’s also a way of letting the world see what they are capable of as we will be going live via Radio 700 based in Germany, both audio and visual, with an estimated audience of about 10 million worldwide,” says Joe. Joe is Chairman of the Festival’s Board of Directors which is a dedicated team comprising John Jones (Secretary), John Dawes (Director), Gareth Jones (Technical Support), Gerald Rodriguez (Producer) and Sound by Planet Project James Gomez. Between them they have revived the Gibraltar Song Festival fulfilling Joe’s dream and the dream of many a composer both locally and abroad.

Joe, who lived in New York for three decades and now uses both New York and Gibraltar as his bases during the year, is now fully retired and ready to give the Gibraltar Song Festival his all yet again. We wish him all the best for the 2010 edition. n The Gibraltar Song Festival will be staged at the Victoria Stadium Tercentenary Hall. Tickets will soon be on sale at Music Corner, Main Street, at £10, £15 and £20. Visit www.gibraltarsongfestival.com for more information.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

fashion

54 City Mill Lane Tel/Fax: 200 45966 Email: sandra4stichdesign@yahoo.com

Shopping &Beauty

178 Main Street · Gibraltar · Telephone 200 48480

shopping & gifts

La alhambrA MINI MARKET

shopping & gifts

Wines · Spirits · Tobacconist Groceries · Indian Spices OPEN 7 DAYS · LATE HOURS 10 Bell Lane · Tel: 200 77337

Sacha’s DUTY FREE WINES, SPIRITS & TOBACCO open 7 days 79 Main Street

Archive editions of The Gibraltar Magazine now available online at www.thegibraltarmagazine.com visit us online

84 Irish Town Tel: 200 71238

hair & beauty

Renaissance

Health & Beauty Salon

Don House Arcade Tel: 20077311

• Aromatherapy • Sugar Waxing • Manicures • Pedicures • Facials • Eyelash/Eyebrow Tinting • Bodywraps for instant inch loss • Reflexology • Luxury Organic 2 hour face and body treatment Open: Monday - Friday 9.30am - 9pm

Matthew’s Jewellery Repairs For all your Jewellery requirements at guaranteed low prices

Gift Vouchers Available

Also Jewellery repairs, engraving, diamond setting, Jewellery appraisals

4/4 Crutchetts Ramp Tel/Fax: 200 50478 Open: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Tel: 200 73786

solid, silver dolphin charm £14

the silver shop horse barrack lane, gibraltar

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

59 59

charity

AKIN Appeal: Laptops Needed 2009 was a fairly successful year for AKIN’s Sri Lanka division who have been able to raise funds to secure the future of their sponsored families for the first six months of 2010 despite the obvious difficulties in the current economic climate.

Sandy Leavy and Ruth Holsgrove, AKIN’s Sri Lanka team leaders, will be heading from Gibraltar to Sri Lanka this month primarily to expand and improve the charity’s free educational facility in the south of the country.

The AKIN School of English, which has been in operation for over a year, accommodates 57 children, with a further 69 kids on the waiting list and offers after school lessons in English, Art and Drama.

AKIN receives regular updates on the progress of the children with resident teacher Niranjani reporting that the students’ level of English has improved enormously during this time, which is very encouraging news for the project and sponsors. AKIN aims to continue supporting these children to give them some hope for their future. These are private classes offered to children who are still suffering the effects of the destruction of the Tsunami on 26th December 2005.

English for the purposes of further study and future employment is important in Sri Lanka, so bringing free classes to the communities vastly increases the children’s opportunities for their future and plays an

60

important role in improving the general level of education in the whole area.

Technology in education is just as important in Sri Lanka as in the west and AKIN is hoping to bring this technology to the school so the children may in the future compete within the wider community with ease and confidence.

AKIN is appealing to individuals and companies who may be in the process of upgrading their notebook or laptop to please keep us in mind as your “old” equipment could help change a child’s future and with it that of their family and their community.

For the past five years AKIN has hosted, with great success, a child sponsorship scheme in Sri Lanka so 31 children who suffered great loss and grief can continue to survive with a positive future.

Apart from the laptops which are so urgently required, AKIN also needs more volunteers to help with the busy year ahead. If you feel you would like to help in some way please contact 200 52919.

Akin is continually fundraising and has a few major events planned for 2010. Please visit the new website at www.akincharity. org. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

health

Sport & Leisure for 50+

Gibraltar‘s Sports Development and Training Unit has announced a varied programme of activities for mature older adults, aged 50+.

Mondays 1.30-3.30pm - Recreation afternoon at Bayside Sports Centre. Badminton, table & soft tennis and carpet bowls.

A great afternoon, come along and try your hand at any of the games.

Tuesdays 9.45-11am – Power walking at Bayside Sports Centre. Meet in the picnic area and try out our fitness trail, it’s a great way to start the day.

10.30-12 noon – 10-pin bowling at the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre, £2 per game includes cup of coffee. Advice on how to play the game on offer.

10.30-1.15 am - Mobility chair exercise sessions at King’s Bastion Leisure Centre Youth Lounge. Sessions aimed at maintaining mobility and muscle strength for frail older adults.

10-12 noon – Swimming at the Gibraltar Sports & Leisure Authority’s small pool. Open to senior citizens and people with disabilities. Lifeguard.

Wednesdays 9.30-11am - Yoga at the Yoga Centre.

Recommended exercises for mature older adults led by experienced Yoga instructor Karen Chevasco.

Thursdays Exercise to music classes, Bayside Sports Centre 9.30-10.15am - An active class which includes warm up, mobility, low impact cardio-vascular work, muscular strength and co-ordination.

10.30-11.15am - A slightly slower and more sedate class which concentrates on mobility, controlled aerobic exercise and core stability.

2-3.30pm - Recreation afternoon at Bayside Sports Centre. Carpet bowls, badminton, table tennis and soft tennis. A great afternoon, come along and try your hand at any of the above games.

to give advice on appropriate exercises to strengthen different parts of the body. Tel: 20076522 for info or to book a place (max. 20 people in the pool at each session).

Saturdays 12-1.30pm - Tai Chi at the Yoga Centre. This gentle form of martial arts is superb for encouraging the body to look after itself. A great way of mobilising and stretching the body so it can find its natural peace.

1-3 pm – Swimming activities at the Gibraltar Sports and Leisure Authority’s small pool. Open to senior citizens. Lifeguard on duty.

For info on activities for mature older adults contact the Sports Development & Training Unit Tel: 20076522 or e-mail gibsportsdev@gibtelecom.net.

Fridays 12-12.45pm - Introduction to water For info on Aquafit and Aquaerobics exercises at the Gibraltar Sports Tel: Simone on 200 43738 / 54886000 / and Leisure Authority’s small pool. e-mail simoneredman@hotmail.com or Exercises designed for frail older Amelia 200 72899 / Aida 200 73057 adults with an exercise leader available / 54028622.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

61

health & medical directory

health& fitness Bell Pharmacy

McTimoney Chiropractor

Your Family Chemists

Gentle holistic treatment for all back or muscular problems and sports injuries Gillian Schirmer MA, DC, MMCA Clinic (Claudia’s), 1st Floor, 58 Main Street Tel: 200 41733 or after hours: 200

Here to help you by answering all your pharmaceutical questions Consult us at 27 Bell Lane Tel: 200 77289 Fax: 200 42989

STEINER CHIROPRACTIC CLINICS

Chiropractic Health Clinic

Dr Carsten Rudolf Steiner BSc DC

Dr Steven J. Crump B.Sc, DC, MCC Open: Mon - Fri 9.30am - 6.30pm

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

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

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

Opticians / Optometrists Gache & Co Limited 266 Main Street. Tel: 200 75757

• Ingrown Toe-nails including Surgical Removal

7 days a week 6-10pm

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

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

Treatment of all Foot Problems

Need somebody to talk to?

BDS (Wales) LDS RCS (Eng) MFGDP (UK)

Health Stores

STATE REGISTERED CHIROPODIST

Tel: 200 77777

Keith J Vinnicombe

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

BSc (Podiatry), M.Ch.S

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

Daniel N. Borge BDS MSc MFDS RCS(Eng) Borge Dental/Medical Centre 7-9 Cornwall’s Lane Tel: 200 75790

Physicians

JOHN W. MILES

• Diabetics

DentAL SURGEONS

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

• Wart (Verruca) Clinic

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

ORTHODONTISTS

Louis’ Pharmacy

• Biomechanical Analysis for Insoles / Orthotics including Children

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

DUTY CHEMISTS

February 2010 26-1 Feb Morrisons 2-8 Calpe, 323 Main Street 9-15 Calpe, 93 Main Street 16-22 Mill, City Mill Lane 23-1 Mar Crown, 4 Casemates The duty chemist is open 7- 9pm Monday - Friday and 11am-1pm & 6-8pm weekends/public holidays

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

Primary Care Centre

2nd Flr International Commercial Centre Weekend & Public Holiday Opening Hours (use Irish Town entrance) Saturday: 9am - 11am, 5pm - 6pm Sunday & Public Holidays : 10am - 11am, 5pm - 6pm GP Clinics: 8am - 5.20pm

64 whataapage pageturner! turner!www.thegibraltarmagazine.com www.thegibraltarmagazine.com 62 what

L. M. Passano Optometrist 38 Main Street. Tel: 200 76544

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

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

l

healthy lifestyles

why don’t you?

by Nathan Toro

JUST SWITCH OFF THAT TELEVISION SET AND GO AND DO SOMETHING LESS BORING INSTEAD Not being one for New Year’s resolutions, this last month, like most people, I’ve dragged myself back into the working routine after a lazy Christmas break watching the rain trickle down the windows outside — and sometimes inside too.

There’s some DIY on my to do list at the moment, but will I ever get round to it?

The same goes for my lifestyle I suppose too. In my case, maybe putting on a bit of weight, lifting some dumbells on a regular basis, detoxing and the age old niggle at the back of my mind about smoking.

Having spent more than a few evening digging into a series of jigsaws that magically appeared under the tree at the end of December, I’ve come to the conclusion that a change in routine is as good as dropping a habit. Swapping the traditional crack of the beer can after a hard day’s work for the pleasing ‘ping’ of a microwaved hot chocolate and huddling over the coffee table with my young son, sorting the edges from the box, has not only given us some real quality time together, but has also taken us away from the goggle-box (well, flat screen and Wii) and lately our evenings have been quite mentally stimulating.

The other interesting outcome is that after about three hours of concentration you suddenly realise you haven’t had a smoke all evening because you’ve forgotten all about it.

I’m not saying that jigsaws are going to be the miracle cure for smokers, but it does keep your mind and fingers occupied in a way that surprised me, and made me think of other ways you can change your routine.

It’s fair to say most of us here in Gibraltar don’t have far to go to work, but it has always surprised me the amount of mopeds and cars clogging the streets at five to nine each morning. Have you ever had that daunting urge to leave the moped at home and take a nice brisk walk to the office? If you haven’t, give it a go. Again you’ll be surprised that after a couple of days you’ll be enjoying the stroll and contributing to the 10,000 steps per day which I’ve been reasured will help keep you fit. You’ll probably bump into a few people on the way too who you may not have seen for a while as you’ve been too busy

whizzing around the Rock on your moped — just an added bonus!

I’m convinced that it’s minor changes to routine which can contribute to an overall healthy lifestyle and maybe that’s what puts me off the New Year’s resolution thing. Going from doing nothing to everything is quite a drastic step and your body will make sure you pay for the effort you put in (I also think that if you’ve the stamina to stick to it, your body will love you for it in the long-run).

A possible knock on effect from finding ways to change your routine can be improving your eating habits too. Those extra beers you may have one evening leave your body craving for certain types of food to compensate the next day — full English breakfast or a good greasy bacon burger come to mind.

Quite a contrast to what your body

Those extra beers you may have one evening leave your body craving for certain types of food to compensate the next day

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

is asking for the next day if you’ve had a nice hot chocolate the evening before.

Little changes can start a chain reaction. Instead of dumping yourself on the sofa when you get home in the evening, find something different to do — cross-stitch or knitting are a step forward, lifting a few weights, if you’re that way inclined, is a great way to find your body asking for the right types of food. Fresh chicken salads, and avocados, instead of over-indulging on red meats, are a couple of the healthy options which get my stomach rumbling at the moment.

Each individual is different though, and we all have our little quirks and routines which, although they may not be health issues in themselves, can detract us from leading just that slightly healthier lifestyle.

If you’ve already broken resolutions made at the start of 2010, don’t worry, you got a step further than I did! Just take a spot check on your lifestyle to see if there’s anything you can change with minimum fuss and hassle, switch off the telly and get stuck in. ■

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

BOOK NOW FOR: Various evening courses in Beauty Therapy Registered & Licensed by Health & Environmental Department

63

puzzle page

by Alan Gravett

SUDOKU Win a lunch for two at

The Cannon Bar

2

1

3

4

5

7 6

8

7

9

10 11

12

13

15

14

16 18

One entry per person.

Closing date: 26h February 2010 Last month’s winner: Jaqueline Emmett, Resolution House, Laguna Estate

21

20

19

Send completed suduko to: The Cannon Bar, 27 Cannon Lane, Gibraltar.

17

21

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

FIRST PRIZE: Lunch for 2 at The Clipper

One entry per person. Closing date: 26th February 2010 Winner notified in next issue of The Gibraltar Magazine.

Last month’s winner: Tracy Long South Walk, Europa Point

Across 1) Fruits - hand grenades, colloquially – (10) 7) Native of Ontario, perhaps (8) 8) Fruit – a conference, for instance, (4) 9) Part of the foot – an unreliable person (4) 10) Similar to a mischievous, small creature

in folklore (7) 12) Convert into another language again (10) 14) Fruit – ingredient of guacamole (7) 16) Neat – tidy up by cutting (4) 19) Fruit – the best! (4) 20) Daily information from TV, radio etc. (8) 21) Ragged and frayed, as though attacked by

an insect! (10) Down 1) Fruit – beautiful girl (5) 2) The most proximate (7) 3) Dry; desert-like (4) 4) Punish (8) 5) Remove a naughty child from school (5) 6) Cause resentment (6) 11) Large island near Italy (8) 12) Rebel; rise up (6) 13) Fruit, a species of 19; early computer

company (7) 15) It might be Bactrian or dromedary (5) 17) Stone worker; member of a

brotherhood (5) 18) Alec Guinness starred in Bridge on

the River ---- (4)

Jotting Pad ...

LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS: Across: Real Madrid, Alhambra, Dick, York, Sweater, Cameroonian, Grecian, Step, Peep, Dimaggio, River horse. Down: Relay, Anagram, Moby, Dead wood, India, Screen, Organdie, Carpet, Integer, Capri, Pride, Amay.

64

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

pet dilemmas

Ask Charley: Pet Problems Dear Charley crossbreed I have a six-month-old to the go not will t dog that jus en him tak e hav I e. sid out toilet hours and e outside before for thre e he hom k bac as soon as we go I get can w Ho se. hou peed in the home? my in ng ssi me p sto him to Marcus

Charley says Dear Marcus, This is a very common problem in young dogs and happily, there are a number of things you can do to speed up the training. The first thing I would advise is to set up a small penned-in bed area (or an indoor kennel/crate) for your dog.

Dogs rarely mess in their bed area.

Make sure he eats at the same times everyday (do not leave his food down for him to nibble throughout the day).

Dogs will normally need to go out and relieve

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

themselves first thing in the morning and about 20 to 30 minutes after a feed. It is also advisable to take your dog out as soon as they wake up after their naps throughout the day and before they go to sleep too. If a dog (especially a young puppy) is not allowed to relieve itself at these times, it is more likely to have an accident.

If you take your dog out and he refuses to do his business don’t wait outside for hours, if he doesn’t go within 20 minutes the chances are he isn’t going to. Just take him back indoors and put him straight into his pen or crate area and leave him there for about 10 or 15 minutes, after this time take him back outside for 5 to 10 minutes and repeat as often as is necessary.

When he does eventually go to the loo outside use a command word and praise him as soon as he is in the act of peeing (clickers are great for this type of training).

Be consistent! If you use the same words and

Remember puppies don’t understand where to go to the bathroom. It is up to you to teach them. As with all training, be consistent and you will find he gets it in the end!

use praise or a treat each time he goes to the toilet outside you will find you soon have a dog that pees on command!

Warning... A house-trained dog who suddenly starts peeing in the house needs to be seen by the vet to rule out any health problems like incontinence or a urinary tract infection, although he could be marking his territory.

The difference between this and peeing is marking is a small spray of urine instead of the normal flow. One way to help with spot marking is to remove any urine odour where your dog has marked (try cleaning the soiled area with one part white vinegar to three parts water).

Dog’s noses can identify scents 40 times greater than human can and urine scents are triggers for any puppy or dog. Children still wearing nappies may leave the urine trigger behind.

Using enzyme products can neutralize the odour. Also, be aware that household cleaners containing ammonia can provide urine triggers long after their use.

Only deal with accidents if you catch the dog in the act. Use a stern “OUT”’ command followed by a quick trip outside. Remember puppies don’t understand where to go to the bathroom. It is up to you to teach them. As with all training, be consistent and you will find he gets it in the end! n Why not email your pet problems to Charley at positivedogtraininggib@yahoo.com or for behavioural advice or to book a training session call 540 19968 or visit www.dogtraininggib.co.nr for more information

65

That Nail Place

GACHE & CO LTD EST. 1830

Nail Extensions DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA DIGITAL CAMERA - MOBILE PHONES - GPS - PDA ACCESSORIES

No. 4 Watergardens - Block 1, PO Box 882 Tel/Fax: +350 200 78600

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Gel - Acrylic - Fibreglass

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Airbrushing Nail Art Body Jewellery

Unit F22A 1st Floor, ICC. Tel: 200 73211

T5

• Giftware • Jewellery • Sports Trophies • Awards & Engravers

L4

266 Main St, Gibraltar Tel: 200 75757

R4

R4

X6

N4

Gibraltar Taxi Association

D8

GUIDED ROCK TOURS 19 Waterport Wharf Main Office Tel: 20070052 Fax: 20076986 Radio service: 20070027

K4

open12 noon till late Unit 2 B The Tower Marina BayTel: 46668

A3

Sacha’s

DUTY FREE WINES, SPIRITS & TOBACCO open 7 days 79 Main Street

E7 C6

Artists’ Corner

Oil & Watercolours, hand-painted silks, decoupage, jewellery, prints & framing

Kiosk No. 2 5 Waterport Wharf Tel: 200 47587www.gibraltararts.com

THE TASTY BITE 59A Irish Town Tel: 200 78220 Fax: 200 74321

Quality Kitchen Ware Gibraltar’s Best Stocked Cook Shop K5

The Takeway with a difference.

Homecooking . our speciality .

Open Monday

M5 to Saturday

46 Irish Town Tel: 200 75188 Fax: 200 72653

the silver shop

for beautiful silver jewellery & gifts 2 locations in gibraltar 222 main street • horse barrack lane

G3

N3

R5

M4

P2

Q5 V4

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

J4• Sandwiches • Soups • Baguettes/ Ciabatta • Desserts/ • Take-away • Deliveries Homemade Italian Ice-cream • Eat in (outside!)

• Business Lunches Mon - Fri 10-6, Sat 10 - 4, Closed Sundays • Parties/ 24 Main St Tel: 20043840 Fax: 42390 Kids Parties

Irish Town Antiques

Q5

Extend-it Plus............................... N2 Joya’s Gents Hairdressers............ N2 Renaissance Beauty.......................J4 Roots.............................................T4 Short Cut........................................I6

McTimoney chiropractor.............L4 John Miles - Chiropodist..............K7 Specialist Medical Clinic.............. I4 Sport-On - Sports Therapy...........K3 Steiner Chiropractor.....................K7

Jewellery Sales/Repair Antonio Jewellers...........................J4 Beau Jangels.................................M4 Jewellery Repairs..........................L4 Matthew’s Jewellery......................I3

Pet Services / Supplies Gibraltar Veterinary Clinic..........H4

Leisure Complete Fitness.......................... R3 Dolphin Safari.............................. A3 Legal Services Budhrani Lawyers........................ K4 Charles Gomez............................. U4 Isolas.............................................E4 Triay & Triay............................... K5 Medical / Health Bell Pharmacy.............................. N3 Claudia’s Clinic............................ K4 Dr. Crump, Steven, Chiropractor I4 Health Food Store........................ O4 Louis Pharmacy........................... H4

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

03

Shopping — General Arcade Keys.................................J5 Carol’s Books...............................I4 Don House Arcade.......................J5 Flair............................................ N4 Gallery Mosaic...........................M5 Home Centre................................J4 Pure Lighting...............................I6 Terry’s........................................M5 Sakata.........................................M4 Shopping — Fashion/Clothing Esprit.......................................... D4 Aftershock.................................. D4 Recruitment Corporate Resources....................J4 ERS..............................................I4 Just Recruitment..........................L4 RecruitGibraltar......................... O6 Quad Consultancy...................... U3 Transport / Marine Services Autoelectrical............................. C7 Gib Cargo................................... B8 Shell Bunkering......................... H6 Tarik Oil..................................... C8

SMITH’S

U4 FISH & CHIPS HADDOCK W4 PLAICE • COD FRESH FRIED IN CRISPY BATTER

295 MAIN ST Tel: 200 74254

178 Main Street · Gibraltar · Telephone 200 48480

K5

Queen’s Hotel Gibraltar

L5

Irish Town Tel: 200 70411

J4

b2

• Excellent Prices • Centrally Located • Easy Access • Parking • Bar • Restaurant

Tel: (+350) 20074000 Fax: 20040030

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

hobbies&pastimes

GACHE & CO LTD HORTICULTURAL CONTRACTORS Tel: 200 43134 Fax: 200 50648 Convent Gardens, Convent Garden Ramp

photography

EST. 1830

leisure & tuition lessons&tuition

• Giftware • Jewellery • Sports Trophies • Awards & Engravers 266 Main St, Gibraltar Tel: 200 75757

travel&hotels

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

Tel: (+350) 20074000 Fax: 20040030

newsagents/books leisure&sport

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 Booksellers, Newsagents & Stationers

Gibraltar Connections

by Reg Reynolds

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

The Flowers of Gibraltar

by Leslie Linares, Arthur Harper and John Cortes

Book on sale at Gibraltar Book Shops

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • APRIL 2009

adventure

On the Crest of a Wave...

by Bea Adams

with Tom Boy Sailing

For many it is just a dream to get out on the water and sail — yet with the Strait on our doorstep it should be easily accessible to everyone. Well now we can all enjoy a day at sea by simply making a phone call.

Down at Marina Bay you will find the sailing yacht Tomboy with Lucy and David ready to pull up the anchor and take you for a sail. Several friends recently went for an outing on Tomboy and thoroughly recommended the trip.

Normally they sail for two to three hours in

the morning, have lunch and then sail again in the afternoon on the journey back to Gibraltar.

During the day you have an opportunity to sail the boat under supervision, or you can just sit back and enjoy the sail with a drink in your hand. Watching for dolphins and varied sealife is a huge part of the fun of sailing.

Once you arrive at an anchorage it is up to the guests to decide what they would like to do.

There are several sets of snorkling equipment, two fishing rods and there is a tender available for those who would like a short boat ride to the beach.

Lunch and soft drinks on the yacht are included. Lucy can provide delectable tapas during any short trips and if the sail extends

into an overnight, weekend or longer she produces superb meals from her miniscule kitchen aboard Tomboy.

The day trip is designed to be a relaxed introduction to the joys of sailing and life at sea. As with all the packages, the day can be adapted to suit individual needs as far as possible.

Day trip: From £60 per person per day, based on a minimum 2, maximum 8 guests. Champagne and canapes available for an extra fee.

Call for latest availability for your requested day. The cost of this trip is no more than a good dinner and for business executives it comes highly recommended as a pleasant alternative to a business lunch!

For more information see www.tomboysailing.com

Singles’ Night There will be a Valentine’s themed Singles’ Night (speed dating) on 10th February at the Royal Calpe. The venue is booked out as a private party.

What greater way to meet fellow singletons in one venue on one night? It is basically a fun night out and a way for all to meet new people.

Why not check out www.one2one.gi for further details on previous nights, to read feedback and comments, and to find out exactly what speed dating is.

Tickets are £20 each on a presold basis, with the deadline date being 8th February.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

Congratulations to two sisters from Gibraltar who graduated recently at the same time — Ethel Sharon Gingell (University of Plymouth, Batchelor Arts - architecture) and Priscilla Koryn Gingell (University of Sheffield, Dip. Higher Education - nursing) — very well done to them both, and lots of love from family and friends.

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the stage

by Sonia Golt

Yesterday When I Was Young The Musical

Terry and Richard Cartwright

be dancing in the aisles! It will be a night to remember under the expert direction of our own James Neish, together with Stage One Productions, and a special helping hand from Terry Cartwright as executive producer.

Terry is the brain behind the show; the one who created the idea and enthusiastically passed it on to James who needed very little persuasion to take it on. Terry is Richard Cartwright’s wife, a woman who has always been a driving force in Richard’s career, ‘the person behind the throne’.

Terry’s idea of a production with music and fashion from the ’60s actually started way before she decided it would be produced as Richard’s special show to celebrate the anniversary of Yesterday When I Was Young. Putting her original idea into this perspective and basing it on Richard’s life story is a sure hit — his progression as singer, DJ and presenter condensed into two hours of music, dancing and fun.

Terry says she has always been an ideas person but never had the confidence to follow through until now. When she told Richard her idea, he said “What do you know about producing a show?” She replied, “Nothing!” But she was adamant the show must go on and James Neish was approached.

“We have recently been to see a series of shows, mainly musicals, in Broadway, New York, and got ideas we want to incorporate into our show as we want it to be as good and as professional as any of the shows abroad,” Terry says this as Richard looks on without commenting!

Richard mentions meeting people like Elton John and the Beatles when they were recording in London — something kids of that age did not have a chance of doing but Richard did it! He remembers following the music of Freddie and the Dreamers, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Kathy Kirby, The Searchers, The Foundations, The Everly Brothers, and Buddy Holly — playing tunes on his guitar and later playing the songs on his radio programme.

He spent his teenage years singing, initially at his friend Albert’s house in Calpe Road. They played their guitars nearly every day and continued to do so as Albert and Richard and later with The Diamond Boys. Years later they moved to UK and lived in a house called “Rock ’n’ Roll House” in central London, with a BBC producer who, when the Beatles had their first, second and third hits, produced their radio show each week Brooks, amongst others — as well as featuring a called Pop Goes The Beatles. On one occasion he unique band of musicians who have got together specifically for this event.

The show promises to be a night for dancing and singing and even the audience is expected

the 1960s live on stage

25 years ago a programme started on GBC radio by the name Yesterday When I Was Young and it was a young Richard Cartwright who presented it then and who still does today after 25 successful years.

Richard was in his late 30s when he started presenting the programme, which only plays music of the late ’50s and ’60s — a man who was well versed in the era not only because he was a baby boomer but because he, together with his friend and music partner Albert Hammond (now an international singer/composer), was involved in the music of those days locally and in the UK. These years possibly brought forth the most talented musicians of all time and even today they are still being followed by young and old, so it is no surprise that Richard’s programme has reached its milestone anniversary.

The celebrations will create a bang as a big production, featuring hit songs from the era, will be staged at Ince’s Hall from Wednesday 24th February until Saturday 27th February 2010.

The show will include the man himself, Richard Cartwright, at the helm, accompanied by a host of local singers — Andrea Martin, Nolan Frendo, Tim Garcia, Paul Alexander, Corianne

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The show promises to be a night for dancing and singing and even the audience is expected be dancing in the aisles!

It will be a night to remember

Show Director James Neish with Terry Cartwright

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

took Richard and Albert to see the recording of one of the shows and Richard was asked to do the clapping for one of the Beatles songs… a fun experience and great anecdote to tell!

During the years in England they were given records with songs not yet released to choose the ones they wanted to sing. One of the songs was a Beatles song not yet recorded but they passed it by letting another group record it — how could they have realised it would later become a hit?

The best thing that happened to Richard in London was meeting Terry. Married and having started a family he returned to the Rock and joined GBC radio, and a few years later became a TV presenter too, but he says he enjoys the radio most, although television gave him far more exposure.

“When you’re getting older, memories and nostalgia are a wonderful tonic to ease the journey and realisation of ‘getting on’. The music from the ’60s or late ’50s was wonderful and a fabulous decade that people enjoy listening to,” he says. “I was so much a part of the music scene during those years that this has probably added credibility to my programme Yesterday When I Was Young and therefore made it easier for me to capture the listener.”

Dirctor of this month’s anniversary show, James Neish, is happy to chat about it, although he’s not giving away any secrets.

“Since Terry presented her idea to me the three of us have been meeting regularly working on the concept, looking at the script. We’ve made a number of changes and now we have what we are all happy with because although we shared the same vision getting to where we are today has been a long process.

“We are reviving the ’60s era completely in this show with fashion from those years, the music and songs, as well as following a story line with lots of funny anecdotes.

“We are donating money from each ticket to Great Ormond Street and to the GBC Open Day, and GBC Radio is obviously getting involved and helping to advertise the show. Probably parts of the show will be recorded and played during the month of March on Richard’s radio programme. The show will be a full scale production and we are taking some calculated risks producing it as we do not have many sponsors yet but hope others will follow.”

They expect people of all ages in the audience, and they are expecting audience participation which will mean fun for all and a night to remember for another 25 years at least.

Tickets are priced at £12 and are on sale at the Nature Shop, Casemates (£1 from every ticket sold will go to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and £1 will go to GBC Open Day). n

Broadway Bling

We are reviving the ’60s era completely in this show with fashion from those years, the music and songs, as well as following a story line with lots of funny anecdotes

It is a great city and I will visit it again no doubt, but like most cities and towns in the west and other places for that matter, local administrations have to cope with the ever increasing costs and problems that come their way. Following daily life in the local New York

“

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

by Richard Cartwright

Once again I’ve experienced the vibrancy of one of the world’s greatest cities — New York — albeit elevated at Christmastime.

Yes, it’s busy, it’s alive and of course, it’s cool! Back on the Rock it’s a different world but our so called problems, whinges, predicaments and dilemmas are nonetheless shared with those citizens living in that celebrated metropolis.

Today freebie newspaper and local TV stations, you soon find out that by and large, we all share similar difficulties.

Dare I mention traffic? An issue that’s close to our hearts on the Rock. At peak times, queues (or lines as the Americans prefer to call them)

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travel stretch along all entries to New York’s activity hub, Manhattan. Moving at snail’s pace, commuters, visitors and tourists slowly wind their way to the island. One New Yorker told me four million people come into New York every day — on a train or subway, in a car, bus or coach, by ferry or helicopter. All coming in for a purpose and the streets are busy, very busy. The taxis are busy as are delivery vans, limousines, courtesy vehicles and private ones and everybody is busy!

But you know what? During my 10 day stay I only saw two motor scooters — you know, the ones we have hundreds of on our streets.

Incidentally, don’t be too hard on our taxi drivers. In the Big Apple — this happened to me on both my visits — if your destination is not to his liking he will grunt, look away and speed off. I didn’t find them very chatty either although people in general were very pleasant and well mannered.

Early evening arrives and queues, sorry ‘lines’, of eaters form outside restaurants and it’s often difficult to get into a favourite restaurant without having to wait an hour or so for a table.

But it’s a fabulous place it has to be said. It never sleeps. Saturday nights around Broadway and Times Square it’s difficult to walk from A to B. People are packed like sardines and the atmosphere is electrifying. Theatres, café restaurants, revue bars and other entertainment venues are throbbing with patrons and the bright neon signs in the square are exhilarating.

Despite what many think, I’ve not found New York to be a violent or dangerous place in the ‘day to day.’ I saw no fights, drunks or ‘hovering weirdos’ anywhere on this occasion, or on my last visit, so the ‘dangerous’ tag, to my mind, is a bit of a myth.

But back to those who are affected on a daily basis with real difficulties and the stories you don’t hear about from other territories because presumably they’re not important enough or for world consumption due to the fact that they’re simply, strictly local. New York’s Transport Authority is having cash problems and is cutting down on some services on the subway and bus networks. But more importantly the NYTA is doing away with free travel for school kids and mums were on TV worried and wondering how they were going to scrape together 2 or 300 dol-

lars a month to pay for their children’s subway or bus fares to send their kids to school. The elderly too were in a quandary as to how they were going to travel to their destinations when their bus route ceases to operate soon. Having to walk very long distances to catch another bus at a bus stop further away, even just a little way in the freezing New York winter wind, is no joke. I certainly felt the wind biting my face, nose and ears, during my 10 day stay!

The Tiger Woods affair (or alleged affairs) was a daily diet on TV. Some of it, at times, not unlike the diatribe we often get on Spanish television, albeit with an obvious more Anglo Saxon — but no less bitchy — slant. Also on a practically daily basis something we, again, take so much for granted, ‘medicare for all’ was a topic being debated by politicians and others analysing the pros and cons of offering a US version of our free health service to the millions of families not enjoying health cover.

So every place has its issues and not quite the paradise you may be deluded into thinking but none of the above has to necessarily detract from visiting great cities to enjoy what they have to offer.

Accordingly, since visiting New York a couple of years ago, I always fancied visiting the Big Apple again during the month of December to savour the Christmas atmosphere. That was the purpose of my visit this time. We’d seen so many glimpses of it in American films and on television that I wondered what it would be like to experience it in the flesh. I was not disappointed. The big stores were full of it but interestingly, street decorations — apart from some localised areas — were not displayed in the same way as you would find here on the Rock or London for that matter. In the main it’s up to individual businesses — hotels, office blocks and shops — to dress their patch with gusto and finesse. Giant, perfectly coned Christmas trees and super large wreaths adorn the buildings and surroundings. Add to that busy ice rinks and Christmas shops that sell nothing but Christmas and the scene is set beautifully!

My contrasting observations are just that, observations, with hopefully my feet on the ground and an attempt to show that life on the old Rock is not as punishing as we almost too often proclaim! n

what’s on February

Tuesday 26th Jan - Thursday 4th February 8th Gibtelecom International Chess Festival at The Caleta Hotel. Contact the hotel on 200 76501 Tuesday 2nd February If you want to model, learn catwalk techniques, and everything to do with photo shoots, deportment, dress sense, hairstyles and beauty tips, then email songolt@hotmail.com or call Sonia on 56449000.

Classes start 2nd February at the Youth Disco, King’s Bastion Leisure Centre (entrance 1st floor door between the cinemas). Classes Tuesdays from February-June 2010. Ages 5-13 years, 45pm. Ages 14 years and up, 5-6pm. £5 per hour paid monthly in advance. (February payment is £25 to include registration fee for the term). At the end of term pupils will participate in a Fashion Show.

The Rock Tai Chi Club at Kings Bastion Leisure Centre. Classes with Dilip Tailor 6.30-8pm. Call Dilip 200 78714 Email: rocktaichi@trainingtm.net Thursday 4th February The Gibraltar Heritage Trust “Anecdotes from the Great Siege” by Pepe Rosado meet Main Guard Exhibition Room, John Mackintosh Sq 8pm. Tel for info: 200 42844 www.gibraltarheritagetrust.org.gi Saturday 6th February Gun Salute - HM the Queen’s Accession to the Throne at the Tower 12.00 noon. Tel: 200 55083 Saturday 13th February Gibraltar Botanic Garden Tour meet George Don Gates (at the south end of Grand Parade) 10.30am.

No fee but donations welcome. Tel: 200 72639 Email: alameda@wildlife.gib.gi Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society outing “La Janda” 8 am – Spanish side of the frontier. Tel: Paul 200 40135 Email: paul@gohns.org Monday 15th February The Gibraltar Scrabble Club meet at the John Mackintosh Hall – Studio 1, 7-11pm. All players welcome. Tel: Vivian or other committee members Tel: 200 71967 / 200 73660 or mobile 54000835.

Modern & Latin American Sequence Dance sessions at the Catholic Community Centre 8pm.

Beginners classes at 7.30pm. Everyone over 15 years welcome. Contact Andrew Cisarego 200 74283 Email: cisars@gibtelecom.net The Rock Tai Chi Club at Kings Bastion Leisure Centre. Classes 6.30-8pm. Call Dilip 200 78714 Rockkickers Linedance Club at Governor’s Mead-

72 72

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

travel ow First School Hall – Europort Ave 6-7pm Intermediate/Advanced, 7-8pm Intermediate. Contact Valerie 200 76819 www.rockkickers.com.

Wednesday 24th - Saturday 27th February Stage One presents “Yesterday When I Was Young” featuring hit songs from the ’60s in a new musical show at Ince’s Hall Theatre. Tickets £12 Saturday 27th February Multi Award winning Singer and DJ Sonique will be returning to Savannah, Leisure Island, Ocean Village. Tickets 200 66666 info www.savannah.gi.

Gibraltar Arts & Crafts Association: Contact Giorran Henshaw for info on 20073865, or visit www.gibraltarartsandcrafts.com.

Mondays: Watercolours adults £10/session 11am1pm with Deborah. Young Fashion & Design 6 week course 12+ age £39/course 3.30-5.30pm with Lynn & Bryoni. Jewellery/Beading 5 week course 12+ £32.50/course 5.30-7.30pm with Bryoni & Vikki.

Tuesdays Children’s Art & Design 6-9 ages £26 for 4 sessions 3.45-5.15pm with Lynn & Maruchi. Art for Kids 6+, £6.50/lesson 5.30-7pm with Michelle Wednesdays Eli’s Art Class 3.45-5.15pm. Art for Kids 6+, £6.50/lesson 5.30-7pm with Michelle Thursdays Needlework & Stitching 6, £5/lesson 4-6pm with Lavinia. GCSE/A Level Booster Workshops £6.50 per lesson 4-6pm with Lynn, Giorran, Michelle. Knitting & Crochet adults, £5 per lesson 6.30-8pm with Louise Fridays Stitch Club Open Crafts adults £5/year, £2/session with Elizabeth, Giorran Saturdays Origami for All £8/ lesson inc. materials 2-3pm with Ming Ming. Chinese Calligraphy adults £8/lesson inc. materials 3 -4pm with Ming Ming

Where in the World?

It’s amazing the distances some Gibraltar Magazines travel! The one above made it all the way to Auckland, New Zealand. Pictured with the travelling Gib Mag are Dave and Gloria Stimson, Viv and Maria O’Reilley and daughter Tara, and Ian and Sue Blair of the Glasshouse. We’ll leave you to guess (not too difficult!) where Agile Marine’s Craig and Marjorie Thomas (Fiduciary) are with their Gibraltar Magazine in the picture below...

Keep those holiday shots coming folks!

Manufacturers & Suppliers of HIGH PRESSURE HOSES AND ACCESSORIES Visit us at 43 Harbours Deck, New Harbours, Gibraltar Call us on 200 50337 email: shop@jjhire.com or see our website: www.jjhire.com

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

73

“To all in Gibraltar with enduring friendship” Jimmy Burns

Book Review: Papa Spy Papa Spy is an incredibly revealing biography of Tom Burns by his son Jimmy. Children have considerable difficulty in writing objectively about a parent for obvious reasons — the most interesting revelations for the prurient are the ones the family wish to either keep buried under the carpet or have assumed collective amnesia. Whilst a few choice stories might have been omitted, the ones that are published show that little has been left out.

Tom Burns led a life that would have seemed incredulous even in a spy novel. Son Jimmy deserves the highest credit for having the courage to reveal all and in so doing obtaining the agreement of his siblings.

Catholics under the age of 75 will remember Tom Burns as being a scion of Burns & Oates a catholic publishing house, a prominent Catholic who had the ear of the great and the good in Catholic society. A man who married a beautiful Spanish woman, Mabel Maranon, a founder of the AngloSpanish Society and had three children — Tom Junior and Jimmy, both journalists with the Financial Times, and Maria Belen who married Sir Jonathan Parker.

It turns out that during the Second World War he was recruited in London as a spy, and transferred

74

as a first secretary and press attaché to the British Embassy in Madrid, thus becoming responsible for most of the espionage that went on throughout the Iberian peninsular, which at the time was a hot bed of espionage agents engaged in clandestine work on behalf of the War’s combatants.

The most important responsibility of the British diplomats in Madrid was to ensure that General Franco would never allow Hitler to march the German divisions through Spain to capture Gibral-

tar. Tom Burns was the diplomat charged with achieving this all important objective.

This book reveals that an Ambassador or governor is totally conversant with the work of espionage agents on their staff and in the majority of cases has to approve the clandestine work being carried out. Naturally should the agent be caught then the official line is that the ambassador or governor knows nothing about whatever actions have been taken. This is an accepted diplomatic charade. In the

The most important responsibility of British diplomats in Madrid was to ensure General Franco would never allow Hitler to march the German divisions through Spain to capture Gibraltar

case of the British Ambassador, Sir Samuel Hoare, and Tom, the duo worked together from day one.

Burns was born in Chile, the seventh son of David Burns (a Scotsman) and his wife, Clara Swin Swinburne, who while descended from English North Country stock as well as of Basque blood, was Chilean born and bred. A cradle Catholic, Tom was educated at Stonyhurst, did not seek a place at Oxbridge and instead decided to pursue his stud studies on the Left Bank in Paris.

All good things come to an end and on his return to London he became a Catholic publisher be becoming friendly with such writers and artists such as G.K. Chesterton, Eric Gill, Hilaire Belloc, Augustus John, Evelyn Waugh and Graham Greene.

During the Spanish Civil War, Burns, a fluent Spanish-speaker, was an ardent supporter of General Franco; this was to hold him in good stead during WWII. The chapter Authors take sides describes the dilemmas of the English literary intelligentsia in deciding whether to support the National Nationalists or the Republicans. Many of the supporting actors will be well known on the Rock — Merry del Val; the Marques de Moral; the Duke of Alba; Luis Bolin; Juan Marsh; the Duchess of Laguna; the Condessa de Vallellano; the Duchess of Lecera and last but not least Kim Philby.

At the start of the WWII Tom joined the Catholic propaganda section of the Ministry of Information under the direction of Tom Cowan.

In the spring of 1940 Cowan was transferred to another department with Burns the odds-on favourite to succeed him. But fate intervened and his promotion turned out to be the First Secretary and Press Attache at the Madrid Embassy, with responsibility for Spain, Portugal and Tangier — a cover post for a whole range of diplomatic and covert duties. In other words the master spy of the Iberian peninsula.

To m B u r n s w a s h i g h l y successful and it was largely due to his unrelenting hard work, skulldugery and expertise that General Franco was persuaded not to allow the German divisions to pour through Spain and lay siege to Gibraltar. Had he been unsuccessful then perhaps Gibraltar would have fallen and who knows what catastrophes might have ensued.

Tom deserves a posthumous vote of thanks from all Gibraltarians.

These nuggets will be of special interest to Gibraltar readers. Monsignor Canon Edwin Henson, the Rector of the seminary of St Alban’s in Valladolid was recruited as an agent and very successful he turned

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

book review

by Mike Brufal out to be.

“Whilst [Henson] was happy to help out in Britain’s efforts to counter Nazi influence in Spain, he remained doggedly anti-socialist and anti-communist, and constantly denounced any attempts by the left to influence British policy against Franco.”

Father Joseph Mulrean, a Gibraltar-based priest who had served as a field chaplain of the requites during the civil war was moved to the position of chaplain at the Madrid Embassy to counter the influence of two German Catholic priests who were suspected of working for the Abwehr.

Juan Marsh also provided considerable assistance to the UK as he was a man of huge power having helped finance Franco’s campaign throughout the Spanish Civil War. Tom Burns used his services to undertake some highly dangerous operations.

Another contact was the glamorous Rosalind Fox who provided a flow of secret information during her long love affair with Franco’s foreign minister General Juan Beigbeder.

Burns made regular visits to Gibraltar. “Before crossing the Strait to Tangier, he spent the morning in Gibraltar, with the military governor and intelligence, signals and defence personnel discussing plans to turn parts of the military base into a wireless station from which to broadcast propaganda across into Spain.

“Another idea advanced at the meeting was boosting local printing facilities so as to enhance the quality and distribution of a locally produced pro-Allied Spanish language newspaper.

“Discussions over, Burns was invited to lunch by a local contact to the Rock Hotel, where the restaurant and rooms had been turned into an officers’ mess for the duration of the war.”

Tribute is paid to the assistant press attaché, Jose Brugada, codenamed Peppermint, who in the early stages of the war shared a flat with the double agent Luis Calvo.

“The Madrid sessions of Churchill’s cinematographic propaganda warfare were initially run from within the main British embassy building with seating space for up to 150 people. Burns found a very ready response to the

embassy’s expanding invitation list, which he put down partly to the quality of the buffet that was laid on. While there was virtually no bread in Madrid in the first year of the war, the British embassy secured ample supplies from Gibraltar. The white rolls — nicknamed Churchills — were sent to Mrs Taylor, the owner of the ‘we-never-close’ tea room Embassy, where they were transformed into sandwiches.

“For those lucky enough to be employed by the British embassy in Madrid life seemed peaceful, the weather seductive, with a working day that accommodated a long lunch and siesta and no one short of decent provisions. The food was brought up in unidentified vans direct from Gibraltar.

“By 1942, Burns’s press office had mushroomed into the British embassy’s biggest section with its own separate building and more than 120 British and local permanent and part-time employees.

Burns’s team of assistant press attaches had been boosted to include John Walters and John Stordy (Old Stonyhurst boy), fellow Catholics trained in intelligence and propaganda with specialist knowledge in Spanish affairs. Walters had been working in the intelligence corps in Gibraltar.”

A most revealing insight is about Don Gomez-Beare who was officially the assistant naval attaché at the British Embassy in Madrid.

“The Gibraltar-born Lieutenant Commander Gomez-Beare had worked in military intelligence for Franco’s army during the civil war before being recruited for covert wartime duties by Naval Intelligence. With his dark looks and southern accent, Gomez-Beare was one of a small number of embassy staff who could infiltrate the local population without drawing attention to themselves.”

Only 10 pages are about Tom’s life after the war and in 1983 the British Government decided to secretly recognise his success as an agent when he was awarded the OBE in recognition of services to Queen and Country.

Tom Burns died on 8th December 1995.

This book is highly recommended but be warned, once started it cannot be put down until the last page.

It is a must for collectors of books with a Gibraltar connection. n

While there was virtually no bread in Madrid in the first year of the war, the British embassy secured ample supplies from Gibraltar — white rolls nicknamed ‘Churchills’ GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

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

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 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

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events

What’s on at the Waterfront...

Tuesday 23rd February

A fantastic Dixieland evening with live music

by New Orleans Jump Band and a three course themed meal. £32.50 per person, this event is always very popular so book early to avoid disappointment.

Waterfront Yllera Wine Promotion

Yllera promotion: During the months of February and March we will be holding a wine promotion. A ‘Nebuchadnezzar’ of Yllera Crianza (equivalent to 20 standard bottles) will be the prize on offer; donated by The House of Sacarellos’. Each time you buy a bottle of Yllera Crianza you will get one draw ticket and two if you buy a bottle of Yllera Reserva. The draw will take place on Wednesday 31st March 2010. n

Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics

The lucky winner of Waterfront’s ‘Guess the Name of the Bear’ competition, young Charlie meeting his new cuddly friend Charlie the bear. A total of £400 for GBC Open Day charity was raised over the course of the Waterfront Christmas market with proceeds raised from sales of mince pies and mulled wine, snacks, and donations from customers, stall holders and the restaurant. The quayside was packed with families enjoying the festive activities. Thanks to members of the Gibraltar Arts and Crafts Association who teamed up with other local craft ladies to supply a whole spectrum of gift ideas.

One of the tickets in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics’s Xmas Lottery Raffle, in conjunction with Draw No 23 of the Gibraltar Government Lottery, won 1st prize of £500,000. The winner has requested to remain anonymous.

Raphael Benaim, Director of Maxstead Holdings Ltd, who sold the ticket awarded the 1% commission (£5,000), to the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Funds. n

Modern

Relaxed

Dining

Open: 10am - late Closed Sundays + Saturday lunch

Open for morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner

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Irish Town Tel: 200 51738 to reserve

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

events

Sonique Returns to Savannah Multi-award winning singer and DJ Sonique will be returning to Savannah on Saturday 27th February.

The artist who had a smash record with Hear My Cry will be performing her hits It Feels So Good, I Put a Spell On You and Sky, to name a few, along with material from her new album.

The singer said on her impending return to the Rock “When my agent told me about the gig in Savannah I agreed straight away. The last party was one of the highlights of my tour. The people of Gibraltar showed great warmth and they sure know how to have a good time!” n For tickets and info contact 200 66666 or visit www.savannah.gi

Water Margin The Water Margin at Ocean Village is a terrific

place for a party as John Bell of Image Graphics found out last month.

Ning put on a spread of tasty Chinese food which is great for everyone to share. Call Ning if you have an event coming up Tel: 200 73668.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

77

food & drink Day Valentine’s

Aphrodite dining with

What better way to surprise your loved one than with a romantic meal on the 14th.

And as it falls on a Sunday this year, there’s no excuse for those of us unaccustomed to the kitchen not to give it our best shot — dine out on the Saturday and cook something special for a cosy evening in on Valentine’s Day. We’ve come up with a simple and elegant menu to help make your evening a success.

The Blushing Lady

200g can whole tomatoes, drained and chopped Pomegranate is well documented as an aphro- Handful of chopped fresh basil leaves disiac, and this simple starter cocktail will help Handful of chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1/4 teaspoon crushed dried chilli put the mood into the evening.

125ml white wine 3 tablespoons fish stock Ingredients: 90ml double cream 30ml pomegranate juice 20g grated Parmesan cheese 2 shots vodka 30ml grapefruit juice (pink if you can get it) Boil salted water on a high heat and add pasta, Lemon wedge cooking until tender (as per instructions on the Coarse sugar, for garnish packet). Drain the pasta and put it to one side.

Heat the oil over a medium heat in a large Rub a wedge of lemon around the rim of a martini glass and dip the glass into a plate of frying pan and add the prawns, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook for around 3 minutes until the coarse sugar.

Pour the remaining ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into the garnished martini glass.

Prawns with Chilli & Penne

This light main course has just a touch of bite, but feel free to add or reduce the amount of chilli to suit both you and your partner’s taste.

Ingredients: 250g penne pasta 2 tablespoons olive oil 225g medium raw prawns, peeled, and deveined 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

D

Dining with Aphrodite Valentine’s Day

prawns turn pink. Drain the prawns and put to one side.

Add the tomatoes, dried chilli and half of the basil and parsley and stir continuously for 2 minutes before adding the fish stock, wine and cream. Bring the mixture to the boil and then reduce the heat to simmer for about 8 minutes to thicken the sauce. Add the Parmesan cheese along with the cooked prawns and pasta and the remains of the basil and parsley, tossing together until all the ingredients are coated.

Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve garnishes with fresh basil and parsley.

sor or blender; add strawberries, lemon juice and vanilla. Purée until smooth. Pour into shallow metal container; cover with cling film and freeze until firm, 4 to 6 hours.

Break mixture into chunks and transfer to food processor. Add another 125ml water, blending until smooth. Scrape into freezable airtight container. Freeze until firm, about 2 hours. Scoop into chilled bowls and serve. ■

10 ml vanilla essence

In small saucepan, bring 250ml water, sugar and pepper to boil.

Reduce heat and boil gently until reduced to generous 75ml, 10 to 15 minutes. Strain into food proces-

Black Pepper & Strawberry Sorbet

The dessert is the culmination of every romantic dinner, and although chocolate dishes remain firm favourites, you might like to be a bit more adventurous and give your taste buds a real treat. The combination may seem a little strange, but you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise with this easy to prepare dessert (you need 8 hours to make sure it’s ready - so start early!).

Ingredients: 75 ml granulated sugar 2 ml coarsely ground black pepper 900g fresh or thawed frozen strawberries 20 ml lemon juice

enjoy relax

Contemporary Mediterranean Dining

enjoy relax delicious Grand Casemates Square

FREE WiFi

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

Tel:

200 44449

79

wine column

momma’s got a brand new bag A celebrated Blues song — but why? If she has got a brand new bag, what is there to be sad about? Pete and Dud (Cook and Moore) did a superb sketch analysing the words of the song but which still failed to explain what was wrong. I can now, exclusively, reveal the truth: Momma didn’t like the bag.

The refund desk at Marks & Sparks is a very sad sight after Christmas. Countless items are being returned, most of them furtively. The bright pink jumper is exchanged for a more sober grey one by a lady of a certain age; a sober grey jumper is exchanged for a bright pink one by a teenager. Then there are those without a receipt who plead they do not dare ask granny/ uncle/niece for the receipt since that will show they want to exchange it.

As for Momma’s bag, it seems only a Jimmy Blahnik or Manolo Choo will do (I may have the designer names wrong, which may help to explain why I chose the wrong bag). Anyway,

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Momma makes no secret of the fact it is the wrong bag and so everyone sings the blues.

The difficulty lies in exchanging the bag for an Ernesto Karan one. The two appear indistinguishable on the surface but the latter costs some £200 extra. This increases the blue feeling.

Wine is not quite the same. Designer labels do indeed exist (think Chateaux Lafite, Margaux, Batailley etc) but usually the premium on the price is justified. The contents of the bottle are made from grapes in a specific, small area; the grapes are carefully nurtured; the wine is monitored closely at every stage. It is not a matter of finding some mass-produced grape juice from

a factory in China and sticking a smart label on it, which seems to be the case (albeit with different base materials) in respect of handbags.

But assuming the great names are beyond your budget, does the label tell you anything?

Quite a lot, actually, if you look at it carefully enough.

First is alcoholic strength. Until recently, very few wines exceeded 12% ABV (alcohol by volume). That is changing fast and most wines from the New World, and quite a few from the Old, are now at 13% or even higher. It may not seem much but it does give the wine an extra kick which is not always desirable. You used to be able to drive safely — that is to say: below the limit on the breathalyser, not necessarily wisely — after 1 ½ glasses. That amount reduces with every additional degree or fraction of a degree.

Leaving driving aside, the bottle you share between the two of you at a candlelit dinner, which used to be romantically just right, may have unfortunate side effects unless you check the ABV beforehand.

Then the label will tell you the grape. Even the French and Italians, who used to rely purely on area for classification, are now tending towards revealing the grape variety within the bottle. Experiment with various varietals (and see previous columns) until you find the grape(s) you like, then try a bottle with the same grape(s) from another area. Note the differences — for instance between a Chablis (Chardonnay) and an over-oaked Australian offering from the same grape. Table wine does not reveal the grape for obvious reasons — it is made from the left-overs from everywhere and so should be avoided except for mixing in with other left-overs.

The actual name of the winery also helps, especially in relation to the New World. Jacob’s Creek from Australia, for instance, is rather like Marks & Sparks: reliable and solid, not terribly exciting, but you will get what you pay for. The Old World wineries remain generally more single producers and specialised but even so a Chablis from Laroche is likely to be more dependable than one at half the price with a gaudy label. One French winery, following the marketing trick of the New World in labelling wines after ‘critters’ (Black Swan, Koala etc) recently called its latest production ‘Kiwi’.

This rather blatant attempt at trying to pass off its own sauvignon blanc as a New Zealand one was promptly prohibited — but it shows how worried the French are by the success of the new boys.

Finally, the label will often have some blurb (usually on the back of the bottle) from the producer or retailer describing its smoothness, softness, roundness, redness or whiteness with aromas of blackberries, lemongrass, fruits and herbs which goes perfectly with fish, meat, pasta, cheese or just by itself. It will probably be suitable for vegetarians and not contain nuts.

Ignore all these claims, although it should be true that it does not contain nuts.

As for returning it, we may have a problem.

If it is corked (rare nowadays) then you will not want to drink more than the first sip and so can return the bottle, virtually full, without difficulty. But if you have emptied the bottle and Momma then announces that she didn’t like it, despite having drained her glass, you have nothing to fall back on except your old records of John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

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

VISIT US AND STEP BACK IN HISTORY

Casemates Square Tel: 200 72987

• Pizza • Pasta • Salads • Fresh Juices • Cappuccino • Ice Creams

NOW OFFERING DAILY SPECIALS Grand Casemates Sq Tel: 20044449

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 82-85 for full restaurant and bar listings

Get Stuffed!

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

To advertise in this section call

200 77748

10 South Barrack Ramp.

Tel: 200 78004

email: gibmag@gibraltar.gi

• Hot & cold bar snacks • Function room

Award winning breakfasts from 7.30am Great meals & snacks all day Evening Steak House menu Med Golf Clubhouse Tottenham Hotspur HQ Parliament Lane Tel: 200 75924

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 •• JANUARY FEBRUARY2010 2010

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menu to cater for all tastes including meat, fish and vegetarian dishes, along with 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, cheese cakes and strudels.

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 and Get Stuffed bar, a large covered terrace with chandeliers and Marina Bay. Tel: 200 42006 an open quayside terrace. There is an extensive Take-away, sandwich bar and hot food. Serving

l = full menus online at www.thegibraltarmagazine.com 82

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

all homemade sandwiches, salads, quiches, pasta, pies, muffins, plus hot and cold drinks and smoothies and a different special every day.

Outside catering for corporate parties.

Open: 8am - 6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat.

curries, omlettes, burgers. Open: 8am-6pm Monday-Friday. Breakfast from 8.

Located: Main Street opposite the Convent.

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.

London Bar/Bistro 76-78 Governor's Street. Tel: 200 77172 Tucked away on Governor's Street just opposite the Elliot Hotel, and hosted by Pili, this pub serves modern bistro food in a traditional pub environment. Try out some of the favourite dishes such as baby beef Wellington, fillet steak (with mushroom & brandy, port & stilton, or peppered sauces), chicken (Kournik or Nati), traditional fish, chips & mushy peas, and all day breakfasts. Sunday roast lunches and daily specials.

Open: 9am to midnight every day.

Mumbai Curry House Unit 1.0.02 Ground Floor, Block 1 Eurotowers Tel: 200 73711 Home delivery: 50022/33 Good Indian cuisine for eating in or taking away, from snacks such as samosas, bhajias, and pakoras to lamb, chicken and fish dishes with sauces such as korma, tikka masala, bhuna, do piaza... in fact all you would expect from an Indian cuisine take-away. Large vegetarian selection. Halal food is available, as is outside catering for parties and meetings. Sunday specials include all Mumbai favourites such as Dosa and Choley Bhature.

Open: 7 days a week 11am to 3pm, 6pm -late.

bread, plus salads, baguettes, soups, desserts, 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.

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.

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 fish, prawns, squid, clams and a variety of meat dishes. Eat in or take away. Menu of the day only £6. Open: early to late.

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 desserts. A wide selection of sandwiches to eat in or take away.

Open: Mon-Thurs 9-6pm, Fri 9-4pm, Sun 104pm

l Sacarello Coffee Co. 57 Irish Town. Tel: 200 70625 Converted coffee warehouse, ideal for coffee, homemade cakes/afternoon tea, plus menu including excellent salad bar, specials of the day and dishes such as lasagne, steak and mushroom Guinness pie, hot chicken salad, toasties, club sandwich and baked potatoes. Art exhibitions. Available for parties and functions in the evenings.

Open: 9am-7.30pm Mon-Fri. 9am-3pm Sat Sai Darbar 6a Prince Edward's Road. Tel: 200 61312 Pure vegetarian Indian take-away with a wide selection of mixed vegetables, sandwiches, burgers and rolls. Sai Darbar can cater to your own requests for dishes too, if you contact them in advance.

Open: 10am-3pm and 6pm-11pm

Smith’s Fish & Chips 295 Main Street. Tel: 200 74254 Munchies Cafe Traditional British fish and chip shop with 24 Main Street. Tel: 200 43840 Fax: 200 42390 tables/seating available or take-away wrapped A great sandwich bar/cafe offering an unusual in newspaper. Menu: Cod, haddock or plaice in range of sandwiches on white or granary batter, Cornish pasties, mushy peas etc. Also

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

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!

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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).

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.

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).

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

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 The Three Owls great atmosphere for all.

Irish Town The Three Owls is a traditional bar serving best of Pickwicks English beers. Three separate bars/floors: ground Governor’s Parade. Tel: 200 76488 Run by well-known friendly face, Mandy, this floor — big screen TV, pool table, poker machines, small pub with a large terrace is situated in Gov- games machines, bar — open from 10.30am daily. ernor’s Parade away from the traffic and safe for First floor ‘Hoots’ bar — two match pool tables, all the family. Good food available including the poker machines, darts board, games machine, bar best freshly made sandwiches and jacket potatoes, — open from 1pm daily. Second Floor the ‘Nest’ salads and burgers. Open: Mon - Fri from 9.30am — American pool table, poker machine, games Location: turn off Main St at Marks & Spencer, machine, card table, bar — open from 5pm daily. go up steps to Governor’s Parade (opposite the If you are looking for a sociable game of pool or darts this is the place to be.

Elliot Hotel).

The Pig and Whistle Unit 18, Watergardens. Tel: 200 76167 A comfortable pleasant little pub with pool table and terrace on the quayside. Big screen television for all sporting events. Open: 10-midnight (Fri-Sat 11-1am) Savannah Lounge 27 Heart Island, Ocean Village Tel: 200 66666 Aimed at Gibraltar’s dining and night-life scene, Savannah has been created with fun and style in mind. Offering contemporary European cuisine a wide selection of drinks, cool decor and good music. The venue hosts regular events with invited DJs and shows from abroad. Open: SundayThurs midday-midnight, Friday and Saturday midday-5am.

The Three Roses Governor’s Street. Tel: 200 51614

Now under the management of Peter and Ian, previously of the Coach & Horses, this bar is fully air-conditioned with 3 plasma TVs and pool table. Happy hours Mon-Fri 5-6pm. Home of the Esteporkers Golf Society. Open: 7 days. Mon-Sat from 11am, Sun from midday.

Wembley Bar 10 South Barrack Ramp. Tel: 200 78004 Popular bar for hot and cold bar snacks, function room, in south district. Fridays 10am for breakfast.

Air conditioned. The home of the Real Madrid Supporter’s Club.

Open: 11am - midnight Sunday - Thursday, 10am - 1am Friday, 11am - 1am Saturdays.

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

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

recipes dining out

by Brian McCann

Chris and Orlando Yeats of Savannah

time to dine at

Savannah

“When you dine at Savannah you are offered a VIP table afterwards where you can enjoy your after-dinner cocktail or coffee and liqueurs,” says Orlando Yeats.

The VIP tables are in the Chillout bar at Savannah, above the main floor of this restaurant/nightclub which has become a hugely popular venue since opening just over a year ago. Fine food at sensible prices is accompanied at weekends by dancing to DJs, both local and internationally famous.

Orlando and Chris are both Gibraltarian but had spent a lot of time in Britain – Orlando was involved in nightclub promotion in London whilst Chris was with the JP Morgan bank in Bournemouth before working on the business side of the catering industry on the south coast. Their combination of talents, as well as their flair, has made a success of Savannah at Leisure Island.

All age groups have been attracted to Savannah: at weekends the music and dancing creates a lively scene with good security for all guests, whilst others like to sit at a VIP table up in the Chillout bar and watch the activity below. This upper area has a variety of seating arrangements including booths for small groups to call their own.

During the week the extensive menus — snacks and á la carte — and the quality of the restaurant attract a variety of business people as well as couples and groups of friends, and anyone can come in just for a drink and a sit-down at one of the well spaced tables with comfortable armchairs and sofas. The dance area is reminiscent of a grand hotel’s reception concourse with a line of chandeliers to add an extra touch of grandeur, but there is nothing GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

stuffy about Savannah or its bright, friendly staff of fifteen, including specially trained cocktail bar staff Andy, Tito, Julia and Richard.

The equally comfortable marina terrace brings in tourists as well as local people, who all enjoy the water and the boats, whilst the fact that there is a wide open space between them and the water’s edge means it is safe for children to run around and play. Families are particularly drawn to Savannah for the Sunday roast, which gives a choice of beef, lamb, pork or chicken — with all the trimmings — for £8.95.

Savannah is open 7 days a week offering snack and alacarte menus. Praise for the food goes to the kitchen staff under Andrés, whose French/Spanish/Thai influenced cuisine has led Savannah’s diners to book the venue for weddings, conferences, birthdays… in fact private parties of all types for up to 150 guests, as well as quality outside catering for corporate events.

Buffet and canape options are also available and booking is reccomended.

This is, of course, the month of St Valentine’s Day, the busiest day of the year for any restaurant, so you need to call now if you are to have a chance of booking a table

Chef Andrés had his culinary education at the excellent Rocío in Estación San Roque, and went on to work at Kerry’s, the Rock Hotel and the Caleta as well as La Línea’s La Pesquera and is thoroughly enjoying working at Savannah, producing the food he loves.

He has recently been working with Orlando and Chris on producing a new menu, which should be out by the time you read this, which will combine all of the established favourites as well as introducing some new choices. The menus — snack and á la carte — have something for everyone, and the best way to appreciate the content and the prices is to view them at www. savannah.gi/restaurant. Scroll down and you will come to them.

This is, of course, the month of St Valentine’s Day, the busiest day of the year for any restaurant, so you need to call now if you are to have a chance of booking a table; but the good news this year is that St Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday, so Savannah are going to make a double event of it, a St Valentine’s weekend, so you and you partner can go on the Saturday evening if you prefer.

Savannah is on Leisure Island at Ocean Village, just past the casino. It’s open every day of the week: noon to midnight from Sunday to Thursday; and noon to 6am next day on Friday and Saturday. n For reservations, party or catering enquiries or any other information on having a good time, the phone number is 20066666, or email them at info@ savannah.gi.

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A ro u n d To w n .. .

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

February is the month for luuurv and what better way to start than with news of a bouncing baby? Congratulations to James of Mansion and Danni on the birth of little baby Oliver (brother to Sophie).

Becky and Dan’s farewell

World News Congratulations also to Kaiane Aldorino, Gibraltar’s own Miss World! I was in Sri Lanka at the time of the contest, and was used to the blank looks I got when I said I was from Gibraltar. When asked by one lady ‘Where are you from?’ I said ‘Gibraltar, do you know where that is?’ and she replied ‘Of course I do... that’s where this year’s Miss World is from!’ Talk about putting a place on the map...

Fine Parking Which Chris J. of the insurance world was it who went to move his car from the Governor’s Parade car park on cleaning day, only to find it had already been towed? He went to the cash point to get some money then to the pound to break the car free but they assured him they didn’t have it. Dejected, he went home via Governor’s Parade only to find he’d actually parked the car on the opposite side of the car park, and by the time he got to it, it had a £15 parking ticket slapped on it! Oooops!

New Year Burps Who was it who got a Tassimo coffee machine for Christmas and, liking cappuchino, put in the cappuchino capsules and for a whole month complained it the coffee was too weak and topped it up with a spoon of Nescafe. Eventually they read the instructions for the machine and realised they were supposed to put a coffee capsule in first, then the Cappuchino one for the frothy milk. Modern technology eh Margaret?

Oh well at least you didn’t forget your passport, and have

PHOTOS: Cavalcade 2010

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to have someone bring it to the airport for you like a certain Scottish fellow called Harry...

Many Happy Returns Happy birthdays in February include Nicola of Entertaining Play, Angelique who works at KGV, writer extraordinaire Reg Reynolds on 1st (who will no doubt be celebrating at one of Gib’s establishments), Belle O’Hanlon on the 5th, Jane of the Cannon Bar on 7th, Andy Hunter of O’Reilly’s on 8th, and on the 15th Aaron Monteverde celebrates, no doubt in style. Many happy returns to them all and to everyone who has a birthday this month.

Bon Voyage Farewell this month to Becky of Solo Express and Dan who are off to the UK in a mobile home. We wondered if Becky would be whittling pegs and selling lucky heather on the way, but she assures us it’s not that type of caravan. Good luck to them in their new life.

Fun and Frollicks There is plenty happening in February from the New Orleans Jump Band at the Waterfront restaurant on 23rd to Sonique at Savannah on Saturday 27th and everything in between... you can even learn origami at the Arts & Crafts centre on Saturdays! It is certainly difficult to get bored in Gibraltar if you are willing to get out and do things.

Well that’s it for February. Don’t forget to do something special for your loved on 14th... It’s a Sunday this year, so you have all day to plan a treat.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2007 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2010

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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 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.

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

88

Don’t be bored... do something fun! 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.

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.

Pilates - at the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre Mondays 1pm-2pm and Wednesdays from 1pm - 2pm and 5.30-6.30pm. For further enquiries call Chantal 60518882 or email: chan_elle82@ yahoo.co.uk.

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, Squash Centre, South Pavilion Road (members WSF & ESF).

Adult/junior tournaments/coaching. Tel: 200 44922 or 200 73260.

Sub-Aqua: Gi-

what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

braltar 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 • FEBRUARY 2010

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).

Med Golf News

The 2009-2010 Med Golf season is well underway and five events have already taken place.

The latest Med Golf competition took place at Alcaidesa Golf Club, where some 40 players enjoyed a great day out, playing for the Antico Mulino D’Oro Trophy.

It was a successful day for Louis Calvente who won the Antico Mulino D’Oro Trophy and a pro shop voucher for 130 euros with a super winning overall score of 44 points.

Winner of the 1st category (0- 12

Training for Coaches Disability Equality and Football training module. Those taking part must have undertaken the FA Level One Award. Monday 8th February 9.15am-4pm. Course free of charge (funded by the GSLA Sports Development Unit). Resources £15 per candidate, paid on booking. Max. 24 candidates.

FA Emergency First Aid Course.

Mandatory for those undertaking the FA Level One Award. Course 1: Tuesday 9th February 6.309.30pm

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 • FEBRUARY 2010

handicap) was Denny To with 39 points, runner up was Josh Hunter with 38 points. Josh also won the best gross score of the day with a great round of 75. Winner of the 2nd category (13- 21 handicap) was Nicky Sanchez with 39 points and runner up was Allan Sene with 39 points. Winner of the 3rd category (22 - 36 handicap) was Josh Powell with 38 points, runner up was Martyn Brown with 36 points. The senior division was also won by Denny To. Best team on the day went to Douglas Casciaro and Louis Calvente with 80 points.

Other prize winners for nearest

Course 2: Wednesday 10th February 1-4.30pm. Course 3: Wednesday 10th February 6.30-9.30pm. Course free of charge (funded by the GSLA Sports Development Unit). Resources £5 per candidate must be paid on booking place. Maximum places available on each course is 16, priority given to coaches undertaking the FA level one award.

Course venue: Bayside Sports Centre. To book contact the Sports Development & Training Unit (Bayside Sports Centre, Tel 200 76522 or e-mail gibsportsdev@ gibtelecom.net)

& 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

the pins and longest drive were Martyn Brown, Johann Olivera, Alan Cambell, George Desoisa, Nicky Sanche, Mike Cowburn, Devid Liu and Peter Warren.

Med Golf Top Ten: Louis Calvenete, John Caruana, Chris Warren, Nicky Sanchez, Keith Johnson, Josh Hunter, Joe Sanchez Mike Cowburn, Peter Warren, Douglas Casciaro.

For details on the full schedule and benefits of joining Med Golf visit www.teetimespain.com or contact Johnathan on Gibraltar 56001055 or by e-mail at jg@medgolf.gi

Training organised by the Gibraltar Football Association FA Level Two. Sunday 31st January-Wednesday 3rd February and Tuesday and Wednesday 9th & 10th February. Consolidation days and assessments to be arranged later in the year.

FA Level One. Friday 5th-Sunday 7th February.

For further information and to book places on these courses contact Gareth Latin GFA President on e-mail gareth.latin@natwestoffshore.com

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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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).

T

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.

per Rock, Europa Point and other sites of interest. It is the best way to see the Rock’s major features in a short time.

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.

Tourist Board.....................Tel: 200 74950 Gibraltar Tourist Board, Duke of Kent House, Cathedral Square, Gibraltar.

UK Tel: 0207 836 0777 giblondon@aol.com

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.

John Mackintosh Hall.......Tel: 200 75669 Includes cafeteria, theatre, exhibition rooms and library. 308 Main Street 9.30am - 11pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends.

Trafalgar Cemetery: Trafalgar Road, open 9am - 7pm daily (admission free).

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.

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. Exhibitions also at 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 taxis provide Rock Tours taking in the Up-

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

Public Holidays 2010

New Year’s Day Friday 1 January Commonwealth Day * Monday 8 March Good Friday Friday 2 April Easter Monday Monday 5 April May Day Monday 3 May Spring Bank Holiday Monday 31 May Queen’s Birthday * Monday 14 June Late Summer Holiday Monday 30 August Gibraltar National Day * Friday 10 September Christmas Day Monday 27 December (in lieu of Saturday 25 December) Boxing Day Tuesday 28 December (in lieu of Sunday 26 December) *Gibraltar Only 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 • FEBRUARY 2010 July 2004

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