The Gibraltar Magazine - August 2014

19 # 10 August 2014

dining guide • business & finance • sport & leisure • history • property • community

the gibraltar magazine

gibraltar the

August 2014 Vol. 19 # 10 FREE

Power to the People

Creating Future Options

Origin of the Species

Festival Fever

Life After Politics...

Making Choices

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19 # 10 August 2014

dining guide • business & finance • sport & leisure • history • property • community

the gibraltar magazine

gibraltar the

August 2014 Vol. 19 # 10 FREE

contents Business & Finance 8 Business & Finance Guide 9 Collecting Art Becomes Less

Power to the People

Creating Future Options

Origin of the Species

Festival Fever

Life After Politics...

Making Choices

19 # 10 AUGUST 2014

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Cover: Summer sailing in the Bay

The Gibraltar Magazine is published monthly by Guide Line Promotions Ltd PO Box 1124, La Bayuca, 21 Turnbull’s Lane, Gibraltar Tel/Fax: (+350) 200 77748

info@thegibraltarmagazine.com

Publisher/Editor: Andrea Morton Forde Copyright © 2014 Guide Line Promotions Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written consent of The Gibraltar Magazine.

www.TheGibraltarMagazine.com Magazine & website archived by the British Library @gibmag

Taxing 14 Origin of the Species: Domicile 16 Creating Future Options 20 Centenary of Gibrlatar Banknotes 22 Promoting Self-Responsibility 24 Insurance Updates 30 A Gibraltarian Samaritan 32 Life After Politics 42 Giordano: Breaking News Business 60 Rolex Cocktails

Property 34 Managing Tenant Deposits...

Properly Property Directory

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Arts & Leisure 46 Performer’s Club 48 Gibraltar’s Festival of Wine 50 Keeping the Rotary Wheel Turning 76 Choices 78 A Literary November

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19 # 10 Holding Court at the Squash Club

Health & Well-being 55 The Eyes Have It 54 Health Directory 55 Support Breatfeeding Week

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Features

Past Revisited 26 44 Did Spy Philby Arrange Death 56

62 75

of Gib Hero Crabb?

Marconi, Elettra & Gibraltar Singer, Dancer, Actress Wed in Gibrlatar

Appetite 46 Grilled Cheese, Mainly 88 Food & Drink Directory 92 Wine Column: Just Cruising

Victor: Power to the People Aaron Soleci: Draw Me Back To Life

Music 34 66 68 70

A Classical Concert Vulgarythm in da Houze & the Charts Orfila: Acoustic Gigging Going Local at the Music Festival

Regulars 66 What’s OnThis Month 74 Puzzle Page 82 Question of the Month 94 Around Town Information 64 City Centre Map 88 Clubs & Activities 98 Gibraltar Information

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

24/07/2014 09:57

finance

Collecting Art in Gibraltar is Now Less Taxing

words | Ian Le Breton

I’m not entirely sure how it all happened so fast, but 2014 is half done already and here I am writing the August column. It’s the time when many of us are thinking about relaxing with families and friends, either at home or further afield. As my aim in this column is to match the season, I intended to pen a relaxed piece — lazy days on the beach, piña colada in hand. I’m sure you get the picture. But then, “events, dear boy, events”.

My reverie was rudely interrupted by that strangest of seasonal phenomena — the Gibraltar Budget. Not for us a statement in chilly November or a lengthy speech in March. No, we have to wait until the start of the holiday season. As I pen this piece, the financial statement has just been issued and debated in parliament. We are also approaching the point of time in the electoral cycle where politics becomes a dominant factor — as if it ever really goes away here in

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

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Gibraltar — and the horse-trading between government and opposition is to be expected.

I will consider some of the Budget measures in future articles but, as we (or at least you) head off for a break, one particular item came as a pleasant surprise. Read on.

I cannot help noticing that even here in Gibraltar we are seeing increasing use of one of Westminster’s favourite political tricks — the pre-announcement announcement or, as others might put it, the deliberate leak.

In this way, details of a planned policy are made public a couple of weeks before the statement itself — when it is repeated. This allows politicians to get two bites at the cherry — either to whet the public appetite for a popular measure or dilute the impact of potential bad news.

On this occasion, our Chief Minister Fabian Picardo announced, during a dinner speech a couple of weeks before the annual Budget on 30th June, a proposal to scrap the import duty

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finance

on art. Sure enough, it was re-announced in the Budget statement together with a whole raft of other welcome measures along the same lines. From now on, we shall be able to import a much wider range of goods free of duty. The list includes yachts under 18m in length, mobile phones, musical instruments, sunglasses and even umbrellas — not that it ever rains in Gibraltar, of course!

This was welcome news as art happens to be a personal passion for me and I have written in the past about its use as an alternative investment. There are several reasons for the growth in this recognised “alternative asset class” over recent years — near zero interest rates, low inflation, not to mention a reluctance to invest in more traditional classes such as stocks and bonds. Those with money have had to look at other “stores of wealth”.

We are well used to screaming headlines from the art world, especially when it comes to fabulous sale prices at auction. Just this month, a Francis Bacon triptych sold in London for £26.7m. This staggering amount is all the more remarkable considering it was painted less than 50 years ago. However this was dwarfed by the amount paid last November at Christie’s for the same artist’s larger-scale work Three Studies of Lucien Freud, which set a world record for the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction. The gavel eventually came down at US$142m — around £83.7m at current exchange rates.

If one includes “collectibles” in a broad definition of art, a sale in New York in May also saw a very rare 19th Century British Guiana postage stamp — the “One-Cent Magenta” — sell for US$9.5m (£5.6m). Not a bad return from one cent! As well as setting a new world record for a stamp, Sotheby’s said the lot was the most expensive by weight and size ever sold.

All mouth-watering stuff but I doubt it was these heady heights that our Chief Minister

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The elimination of import duty is unlikely to lead to long queues of trucks loaded with objets d’art waiting to cross the frontier into Gibraltar had in mind when he decided to do away with import duty on artwork. So perhaps it is time to return to the real world.

Let’s consider the local art scene, viewed (as always in this column) from the financial angle. It is easy to find details of exhibitions at the numerous galleries and other local venues on the Rock that are happily increasing all the time. In addition, Gibraltar boasts a number of local art groups and appreciation societies — including Gibraltar Decorative and Fine Arts Society with which I have been closely associated since its launch four years ago.

I have written in the past that Gibraltar is home to a hugely impressive number of world-class artists and with plenty more aspiring talent bursting on to the scene. The Budget also called for the elimination of duty on other all types of stationery including some artists’ materials such as pens and pencils — so the new concessions are therefore not limited to finished oeuvres.

So will this lead to an immediate deluge of art imported into Gibraltar? Probably not, but was this really the point of the exercise?

The more important issue, I think, is that all types of art can now be imported without the need to add any excise duty. Hopefully then Gibraltar-based art lovers will have a wider choice and be able to purchase items abroad

in galleries or at auctions. It should be borne in mind that Gibraltar has no export duty either, so artwork can now be freely imported then re-exported, but the rules in other countries vary so these should also be taken into consideration.

I am often asked about the acquisition of art as an investment and indeed I have written on this topic previously. In addition to the purchase price, a number of important factors come into play that should be considered. Import duty was one such hurdle and its demise is to be welcomed, but there are other hidden costs to consider.

These include where the artwork is to be stored — or displayed — and under what conditions. Our climate isn’t the easiest for holding expensive artwork; storage facilities if required can be expensive and hard to find.

Insurance is also an issue, although locally-based brokers with the necessary expertise are available (do ask me for an introduction).

Remember that replacement value is not the only factor. Even if good title and provenance are assured, things can go wrong. There was the hapless British collector whose treasured possession of a Marc Chagall work came to an unhappy end when it was declared to be a fake by the Paris-based Chagall Committee who ordered it be destroyed under French law. Caveat emptor.

An art expert friend of mine always advises clients about to start an art collection to buy pieces they really like — something they want to live with every day. Indeed, this is how we have gone about building our very modest collection at home — focussing on pieces we like irrespective of value. It is gratifying then that one painting is now worth many times more than the price we paid for it 20-years ago — enough for a Caribbean cruise say — but that wasn’t the reason we bought it and I cannot imagine selling it willingly any time soon.

So while the elimination of import duty is unlikely to lead to long queues of trucks loaded with objets d’art waiting to cross the frontier into Gibraltar, I hope that it will add to the many advantages Gibraltar already offers to high net worth individuals considering a new country of residence, complementing the lack of capital gains and inheritance tax.

In my day job I advise HNWIs considering Gibraltar’s Category 2 residency rules; maybe now is the time to focus particularly on wealthy art collectors who may wish to bring their collections with them. The tax changes are likely to encourage those who collect, buy or sell art, whether for aesthetic or investment reasons, to consider Gibraltar as an excellent tax free forum.

Enjoy the summer. n

Ian Le Breton

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2013

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shorts in the Algarve. Ibex has been operating there for many years via agents and through Ibex offices which joined the Ibex family with the acquisition of the client portfolio of Lloyd & Whyte International in 2010. Ibex is a coverholder for Lloyd’s of London, the world’s leading insurance market as well as operating as an insurance broker and is fully authorised by the Instituto de Seguros de Portugal.

Ibex plans to extend its product range over the coming year, not only in Portugal and Spain but also in the local Gibraltar market.

Ibex already provides cover for cars, houses, businesses, pets, travel, boats, health and community blocks whilst also offering funeral plans.

“I am confident that with our common values, strong talent pool and vision that this acquisition will help us maintain our position as the leading provider of insurance products to expatriates in our chosen markets. We are delighted to have the opportunity to extend our business in Portugal, particularly through David who we have known for many years and who is very professional in all his business dealings,” said Ibex Managing Director, Richard Hill.

Ibex also offers car insurance in the domestic Portuguese market through its partnership with the Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP) and has done so successfully for over 5 years.

Ibex has recruited a number of Portuguese speaking staff at its Irish Town headquarters to support ACP and its clients and plans to grow this domestic business in the years to come. n

New retail office for Ibex Insurance The expansion of Ibex Insurance in Spain and Portugal has accelerated with the acquisition of David Hills Insurance Agency in Almancil in the Algarve.

David Hills set up his insurance agency in the Algarve 25 years ago and built up a loyal client base of expats through excellent service and the wide range of insurance products offered. Ibex has taken over and re-branded the premises in the prestigious Golden Triangle area and employed the three members of staff who had worked for David for many years.

This illustrates a significant investment and commitment from Ibex to increasing business

gibraltar the

n ADVERTISE

The quality of a magazine reflects on the businesses that advertise within it. The Gibraltar Magazine is Gibraltar’s quality magazine — packed with great, readable content. We don’t have pushy sales people, so get in touch if you have a business or strategy to promote in Gibraltar. We will explain your options within your budget and help you with artwork if you need us to. We are passionate about what we do and about our home, Gibraltar.

n GET INVOLVED

If you are an artist with an exhibition, or a club or charity with an event coming up, we’d love to hear from you. This is a community magazine and there is no VIP area. Everyone is welcome to contribute so drop a line, send an email or phone us.

n GET IN TOUCH

We’d love to hear from you. Sometimes we get a bit lonely in our office, and we like to get letters, phone calls and emails with your feedback and photos. We might even publish the best so keep them coming. This is your magazine so get involved.

Email: info@thegibraltarmagazine.com Tel: 200 77748

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

24/07/2014 10:06

shorts

SG Hambros Gibraltar

Sharing the World Cup Fever World Cup fever hit Societe Generale Private Banking Hambros Gibraltar last month as they hosted a World Cup themed event at the bank for a variety

of guests.

Unbeknown to them they chose the historic Semi Final match on 8th July that saw hosts Brazil firmly defeated 7-1 by World Cup winners Germany.

Over 60 guests enjoyed an evening of socialising, wine tasting, competitions and a fabulous Argentinean barbecue before indulging in the goal packed match. n

Undergraduates Summer Placement at City Fire Brigade A record seven undergraduate students took up placements with the City Fire Brigade this summer — Aaron Aguilera, Stefan Gonzalez, Justin Grima, Ivan Riddell and Liam Wilding (BSc Hons Fire and Rescue Degree Programme, University of Wolverhampton), Liam Barton (Fire Safety Engineering degree, University of South Wales) and Julian Wahnon (Fire and Leadership studies, University of Central Lancashire).

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

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Domicile is not the same as residence

Origin of the Species Steve Bold and Tim Richardson of The Family Office focus on the latest rulings on Domicile for estate planning and Inheritance Tax (“IHT”)

One of the most common misconceptions that we come across on a regular basis with clients is that of confusing residence with domicile. Time and again, when we ask a new client what their domicile status is, we get the reply that they are domiciled in Spain, or Gibraltar or any other locality where they have a tax residence, but not the UK, as ‘they left years ago’. The simple answer is that ordinary or tax residence makes no difference to domicile, particularly from a UK perspective. A person can have multiple residences, but only one domicile at any one time. Of course, the UK tax authorities, HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) would prefer that an individual is domiciled in the UK, because that means that on the person’s death, their entire estate worldwide, subject to the usual Nil Rate Band exemptions

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(currently £325,000) could be subject to IHT of 40%.

It is very difficult to shake off a domicile of origin, because it is a subjective definition, normally based on where the person was born, but more often where a person’s father was born. Simply moving to Gibraltar for example, and taking Category 2 Status, High Executive Possessing Specialist Skills (“HEPSS”) or other residence, does not alter this one iota.

time, that it would be straightforward, but it does not stop there.

Apart from Domicile of Origin, there is also Deemed Domicile and Domicile of Choice, and these become very important when beginning to plan for passing on one’s estate. Deemed Domicile affects individuals who are coming to, or returning to the United Kingdom. If one has been resident in the UK for 17 out of the previous 20 tax years ending in the tax year in which the chargeable event Domicile types (death normally) takes place, then One would think that since you that individual is deemed domicile can only have one domicile at a and their worldwide estate comes

Living in another country for a long time although an important factor, is not enough in itself to prove one has acquired a new domicile

into the equation for a hefty 40%.

This mainly affects non-domiciles taking up residency in the UK. Domicile of Choice is the legal capacity to acquire a new domicile when one reaches the age of 16. To do so, the individual must broadly leave their current country of domicile and settle in another country. They will need to provide strong evidence that one intends to live there permanently or indefinitely. Living in another country for a long time although an important factor, is not enough in itself to prove one has acquired a new domicile.

Interestingly, a woman was deemed to obtain the domicile of her husband if they married before 1 January 1974. After this date a woman’s domicile status is determined based on fact and as a result can be independent of their husband’s domicile. I will refer to

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

24/07/2014 10:07

Tim’s Cycle Challenge As mentioned in previous articles, Tim Richardson competed in the most gruelling cycling endurance race in the world on behalf of the charity Help for Heroes on June 10th.

He did not complete the race, but with his crew in support, cycled 1,843 miles from San Diego to St Louis in 7 days and 2 hours before succumbing to the effects of a crash near Tuba City in strong winds after 600 miles, and a severe chest cold gained at 10,000 feet through the Rockies. His colleague Damian Woodcock of TFO Tax LLP assisted him through his exhaustion.

The race is not known as the toughest cycling endurance event in the world for nothing, but it was a fabulous experience. Tim and his crew (Team Brazen) raised in excess of £10,000 for the Help for Heroes charity, and whether he goes back for another attempt depends purely on his chances of getting out of the asylum. Thanks to all the clients and associates of TFO and Tim Richardson who so kindly donated and supported him in his challenge. n this later in this article as recent ● Determine where and how one’s those that have dual residency.

The Family Office Europe and divorce cases have strengthened funeral arrangements will be TFO Tax LLP have all the necesthe argument for obtaining a Do● Provide the HMRC with a statemicile of Choice.

sary expertise to assist a growing number of individuals in these circumstances. n

ment of intent

Planning considerations: The demise of trusts for effective IHT planning and the ability for married couples to share their Nil Rate Bands (so making last will and testament planning simpler) has opened up other strategies for mitigating some of a UK Domiciled individuals IHT liability, but often not all.

At The Family Office the aspect of Domicile which gives us the most to think about in advising UK expatriates is that of Domicile of choice. Rule 10 of Dicey (see Tolley’s tax guides) states: “Every independent person can acquire a domicile of choice by the combination of residence and intention of permanent or indefinite residence, but not otherwise.”

Thus, although a person automatically acquires a domicile of origin or dependency, a domicile of choice, as its name suggest, requires positive acts and decisions.

Therefore, if an individual is genuinely making that final break from the UK and is planning to spend the rest of their lives abroad, then seeking to elect for a Domicile of Choice sooner rather than later is essential. Note that there is no minimum period of residence required to acquire a domicile of choice in any territory, but stability is essential. The following list of preferred planning is not definitive but worth consideration:

● Ensure one’s family are informed ● Review pension letters of wishes, life cover and so on

Divorce and domicile A recent divorce ruling in the courts of the UK has highlighted why deemed domicile and domicile of choice can be very important when structuring the estate and making long term plans. Without going into the case in detail the essence of the “Charoo Sekhri” case was that domicile is not always what one thinks it is, just because of where an individual was born, where they live and so on. One of the biggest determining factors is based around the concept of where one’s ‘centre of vital interests is’ or in other words where a person’s affairs are conducted (and I don’t mean extra marital!)

Summary Early planning is vital and a full knowledge of the subject of domicile for UK expatriates is essential if the potential for IHT at 40% is to be avoided.

For non-domiciles taking up residence in the UK, planning is also vital and is a subject that is far too long for this article.

Qualifying Non UK Pensions (QNUPS), as we have discussed in previous articles, have their place for the expatriate that cannot lose their domicile. Excluded Property Trusts work for non domiciles tak● Make a will in the jurisdiction of ing residence long term in the UK, one’s permanent new home and other planning is available for

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

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Lindsay Adamson

Creating Future Options interview | Paul Wharton

we will go on to hear about his business and to understand how he did what so many others just talk about.

Last year, we spent a great deal of time talking in this column about setting up a new business and the importance of putting together a robust business plan to achieve your goals.

Something we didn’t cover is what happens next: When you get to where you want to be with the business, what are your options for the future?

business. It’s the latter option, in my view, that can be the most difficult, as there are so many things to think about. For example, is it the right time to sell, where will I find a buyer, what is the right price, and do I need to stay on and continue to be involved in some way in the business to ensure it thrives in future?

This month, I would like to introduce you to someone that has gone through this process — Lindsay Adamson. Lindsay has built up a successful business and sold it. In the first of this twopart profile, we will get to know Lindsay really well by hearing about his background, as well as gaining fantastic insight into what it was like to be in business in Gibraltar in the 1980s. Next month

Many successful private businesses will introduce younger family members to ensure that the legacy continues. Alternatively, you may wish to sell your

The changes to Gibraltar over the past 30 years have been truly amazing with many visionary projects transforming the city

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“

Tell me how you became involved with Gibraltar?

I arrived in April 1982 at the time Britain was assembling a task force to recover the Falkland Islands. The naval dockyard, as it was then, was converting the liner Uganda, which had been requisitioned by the UK government, to a hospital ship. This was a 24/7 operation and Gibraltar, as always, delivered. Gibraltar was heavily involved in the preparations for war with many transport planes coming through daily and regular calls by ships heading south.

I came to Gibraltar to take up a

”

Paul Wharton is Head of Corporate Banking at Barclays Wealth & Investment Management in Gibraltar having arrived on the Rock from the UK eight years ago. Paul has over three decades’ experience gained in various roles within Barclays, predominantly in and around London and is passionate about supporting the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) market which he sees as the lifeblood of the Gibraltar economy. Paul has won several awards for his work in Small Business Enterprise markets and has served on the London Board of the Prince’s Trust.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

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movers & shakers position within HSBC. They had recently established a presence in anticipation of the border opening.

This of course did not happen until a couple of years later.

was no toilet paper or washing powder in Gibraltar. These started stampedes and sure enough the product sold out quickly. You had to be quick!

What were your first impressions of Gibraltar?

Gibraltar was very different then from today. It wasn’t as clean and Casemates was a congested car park and taxi rank. Where the bars and restaurants are now were the Moroccan quarters in what was previously military barracks.

Main Street was open to traffic but had very narrow pavements and high kerb stones. It was difficult for anyone to make their way down Main Street, particularly those with prams.

We did not have international direct dialing in the early 1980s and it was necessary to book an international call through the operator. When called back, often several hours later, to say that you had a connection, the issue had often been resolved or you had forgotten why you had called in the first place.

Gibraltar was and is a city of rumours that spread very quickly. There were instances when rumours would spread that there

How has Gibraltar changed over the last 30 years?

The changes to Gibraltar over the past 30 years have been truly amazing with many visionary projects transforming the city.

These have included the harbour reclamation, the paving of Main Street and Casemates, the transformation of the Alameda Gardens into a botanical garden and of course the new park.

Changes have also included the change from a naval dockyard to a private dockyard and the loss of a resident battalion from the UK that has now been replaced by our own Gibraltar Regiment.

“

Not all of these changes went smoothly at the time and we had several years when strikes were common place. Strikers would often march down Main Street blowing their whistles, which produced an amazing shriek. We also experienced riots which lasted several days when we changed from a “fast launch” society to one based on commerce. The rioters were very much in the minority but police where everywhere in riot gear and a few police cars were torched.

Culture has not been forgotten and we now have music and art festivals. A chess festival has now been running for several years and has attracted top international players. In 2013, Neil Costa and Sally Dunsmore together with the support of others launched The Gibraltar International Literary

Many sectors that did not even exist in the 1980s are now part of the backbone of the economy. I am thinking of particularly of our funds and insurance sectors...

”

Festival. This proved to be a tremendous success with international authors in attendance. Indeed many authors who attended in 2013 are very keen to participate in this year’s festival. All of these together with our traditional drama, music and dance groups have transformed Gibraltar into a lively cultural city that was lacking until recently.

Other changes, some less visible, have also played a very important part in Gibraltar’s current prosperity. The establishment of the Financial Services Commission by Act of Parliament has been instrumental in creating an international Finance Centre of the highest standing. The change from a city of “brass plates” to a real Finance Centre has provided real jobs for all of us.

Many sectors that did not even exist in the 1980s are now part of the backbone of the economy. I am thinking particularly of our funds and insurance sectors and although they have experienced some growing pains, these sectors are now well established. The small local accountancy firms have now incorporated themselves into such well known and respected international firms as Grant

Lindsay returns to the hills of Scotland

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movers & shakers Thornton, PWC and Deloitte, to you may have blamed for many years are not themselves at fault. highlight a few.

With this came understanding that they really loved you and Now if we can, I’d like to go that you loved them. I would not way back for a little while.

Where did you grow up? What have believed this possible but in one week I saw this approach was your childhood like?

I grew up in Corstorphine, a work for 24 people of all ages suburb of Edinburgh. I consider and backgrounds. One hundred it a privilege to have Edinburgh thousand graduates of Hoffman as my home city and to have been can’t be wrong. born a Scot.

My childhood was not the best When did you find out life is time of my life but life improved not fair... if indeed you have dramatically after I left school. My found this out?

I learned the unfairness in life first job was in banking with the Royal Bank of Scotland in Edin- following the death of my mother. burgh and I quickly specialised by I had just turned six and I have no recollection of being told she had died and I do not know if I attended or was even aware of her funeral. Things were different back in these days. Secondly, not having any siblings for support did not help. I now understand why I may not have been told and yes, it’s still painful but I no longer attach blame for this to anyone, only love, now that I understand.

“

After a long wait, approval was given and the company was incorporated that very day. It was 19th October 1987, ‘Black Monday’...

”

getting a role in their Trustee and Investment Department. That bit of luck was the seed to my future career.

I am now able to recall some early events and realise the importance of the Scouts in my early life and the role they played in shaping me.

The Scouts recently held a reunion after 50 years. It was an amazing evening, to be in a room with so many people that you had not seen for so many years. The good news is that a lot of us have remained in touch and there is usually a small pub reunion when I am in Edinburgh. The Scouts were the start of happy days.

It was when I was around 17 years that I joined the Junior Mountaineering Club of Scotland and this also played a happy and important part in the next decade.

When did you start working for yourself and why?

Since leaving school I have always been interested in investments. As mentioned, I came to Gibraltar with HSBC. After leaving the bank I decided to incorporate an investment firm — Gibraltar Asset Management Limited. The use of “Gibraltar” in a company name required the consent of the Governor and after a long wait, approval was given and the company was incorporated that very day. It was 19th October 1987, “Black Monday.”

In 1988, Charles Stanley & Co

New Appointment to KPMG Regulatory Team KPMG Gibraltar has announced the appointment of a new Risk Consultant to its Advisory team.

Lawrence Hanlin joins KPMG after a 16 year career with a leading bank, where his role focused on regulatory and operational risk, managing special projects, looking at banking operations and compliance risk assessment in a number of offices globally.

A member of the International Compliance Association and the holder of an associate certificate in supervision and management, and leadership and management, Lawrence’s new role at KPMG will entail the delivery of advice and training to clients and staff

a London Stockbroker who had been operating from One Irish Place since the early 1970s, decided to close its office in Gibraltar and offered me the opportunity to take over the Gibraltar business. I accepted immediately. After a few “what have I done?” moments, the business settled down and it has

on specialised subjects such as AML, fraud prevention, and regulatory compliance, in both Gibraltar and the Isle of Man. He will also manage a team of Forensic Analysts assisting companies across the offshore regions with client risk assessment and take-on, through the provision of public source search and integrity due diligence services.

Lawrence’s new role builds upon many elements of his career to date, and complements a proven track record in presenting complex subjects to customers

continued to serve the people of Gibraltar to this day. n Next month we will be back again with Lindsay talking to him about how he achieved success with his business, why and how he sold it and to find out a little more about this fascinating business person.

What was your happiest childhood memory?

After recently attending a Hoffman Process course I can now talk openly about my childhood; the truth is that it was very unhappy.

After years in silence, through the Hoffman Process I have learned the impact of “negative patterns” on families, how people

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appointments and colleagues. Indeed, in 2010 Lawrence was a finalist at the National Customer Services Awards in London for his work in educating customers on the intricacies of fraud prevention in the modern day.

In his private life, Lawrence is a keen Rugby fan and this year took to cycling with conviction having completed a 77-mile tour of the Isle of Man for charity. In his younger years, he was a keen athlete, and was also a Scottish sprint champion.

Commenting on his appointment, Lawrence said: “Moving to a new company after 16 years does, of course, present new challenges; however I have a sound background to build upon and am confident that I will relish the experience. KPMG is a globally recognised name and joining them provides me with a significant opportunity to advance my career and progress as a key specialist within the largest and most diverse advisory team working in Gibraltar and the Isle of Man.”

In 2010 Lawrence was a finalist at the National Customer Services Awards in London for his work in educating customers on the intricacies of fraud prevention in the modern day Micky Swindale, managing director at KPMG Gibraltar, also commented: “Lawrence is a fantastic addition to the team and brings with him invaluable experience in AML, as well as expertise in fraud prevention ­— which he ably demonstrated in his presentation at our KPMG Summer School event on 15th July — ­ at a crucial stage for our jurisdiction. On behalf of everyone here at KPMG Gibraltar, I would like to congratulate and welcome Lawrence to the team and wish him every success for the future.” n

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There was therefore only one alternative solution: to print money. The decision to issue Gibraltar banknotes was taken by the Governor on 5 August. Surprisingly, it was not the Garrison Library Printing Works - who printed the Gibraltar Chronicle and did security printing for the Government - who were asked to print the first Gibraltar banknotes. The honour fell on Beanland Malin. Their printing works were on Cornwall’s Lane, in Gavino’s Buildings.

They had a large machine room, with letterpress and lithographic machines.

Mr Beanland was asked, as a matter of urgency, to produce designs for banknotes at the same time that the Attorney General was instructed to prepare an Ordinance to give legal effect to paper money in Gibraltar. Proofs of the banknotes were submitted to the Governor in the evening on 5th August, and approved for printing at once. Representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and the Exchange Committee of merchants were summoned to The Convent that same evening, and the situation explained to them by the Governor. The Bank Note Ordinance was published later that evening as the Governor could make laws for Gibraltar without reference to any Gibraltar body. The first banknotes were supplied by Mr Beanland to the Colonial Treasurer, A C Greenwood that night and he had to sign in original each banknote that was going to be issued.

Everything was therefore ready on 6th August 1914 for the Anglo-Egyptian Bank and the Post Office Savings Bank to start issuing Gibraltar banknotes from 10 o’clock that morning. It had been a terrific challenge to meet the deadline, but it was met. Gibraltar’s greatest currency crisis ever was thus averted.

Today, 100 years later, Gibraltar banknotes are collectors items. The Currency Section at the Treasury sell a range of Gibraltar notes, including the last Gibraltar £1 note and other obsolete banknotes that are no longer in circulation. n

were to be made. In the event, the feared evacuation did not take place, but this we know through hindsight.

The demands for withdrawal of money exceeded the cash held in the banks.

At the time, sterling was the only legal tender in Gibraltar, but the Spanish peseta was the currency of choice of many people and Spanish coins circulated freely alongside British sterling coins. Both the Anglo-Egyptian Bank (the forerunner of Barclays Bank) and the Post Office Savings Bank operated accounts in sterling and in pesetas. Both Great Britain and Spain issued banknotes, but they did not circulate in Gibraltar. The currency of Gibraltar in 1914 was therefore a combination of sterling gold £1 and ten shillings coins (the “sovereign” and “half-sovereign”), sterling silver and copper coins and Spanish silver and copper coins. The main English silver coins were the half-crown or 2/6d (12½p), the florin or two shillings words | Richard Garcia MBE (10p), the shilling (5p), the sixpence (2½p) and the threepence (1¼p). The main Spanish The first Gibraltar banknotes were silver coins were the “duro” or 5 pesetas, the The full story of Gibraltar’s banknotes is contained in 2 pesetas, 1 peseta and 50 centimos coins. The issued on 6th August 1914, peseta at the time was worth 4p. In the case of the book “Gibraltar’s Currency and Banknotes, 1898both British and Spanish silver coins, they were 2011” by Richard Garcia. exactly 100 years ago. The issue made at this time of actual silver. of banknotes was not planned: The Governor of Gibraltar, Sir Herbert Miles, asked the British it was necessary on the back Government for an emerof the declaration of war against gency loan of £100,000 on 4th August in order to meet Germany, the start of the First the sudden demand for World War. The Official Notice cash. The loan would have allowed the Gibraltar Govthat war had been declared was ernment to borrow money carried in the Gibraltar Chronicle commercially. The request on 5th August. was turned down. © the Treasury

The Centenary of Gibraltar Banknotes

In the weeks leading up to the declaration of war, there was a monetary crisis in Gibraltar.

People were afraid that the civilian population of Gibraltar was going to be evacuated. As a result, shops stopped giving their customers credit. They insisted on being paid in cash, so that they had their money up front... just in case. People were hoarding money, and taking it out of circulation. Those with savings in the banks were also jittery, and when it was clear that war was imminent, there was a rush to withdraw savings and to keep the money at home, just in case a surprise evacuation order

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The Bank Note Ordinance was published later that evening as the Governor could make laws for Gibraltar without reference to any Gibraltar body

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finance

Deloitte partners welcome Louise Gonçalves to the Board

New Tax Partner at Deloitte

Gibraltar in 2003 after qualifying to join the Audit Department in Deloitte Gibraltar. In 2005 she took a central role in the development of a dedicated tax department in the firm.

Through her leadership, technical expertise and commitment to client services, Louise Deloitte Gibraltar announced the has seen the tax department grow to over 15 tax professionals and trainees. In promotion of Louise Gonçalves, dedicated her spare time Louise is a competitive basketball player, playing for club and country. to Tax Partner in July.

Stephen Reyes, managing partner of DeChartered Accountant Louise returned to loitte, Gibraltar said “I am thrilled to welcome

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Louise as a new partner to the firm. She personifies our continuing affirmation that the greatest assets of Deloitte Gibraltar are the calibre of its people, and we will no doubt see many more of them rising to the top in the future” Louise added, “I am extremely proud of the tax team that has been built up in Deloitte and at having reached such a milestone, that being a partner at Deloitte Gibraltar represents. I could not have done it without the fantastic support and teamwork of everyone in our tax department.” n

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Promoting Self-Responsibility words | Leah Carnegie. The HR Dept

Q

A

. There are some situations that arise that are out of our control and not of our doing but you can still take self -responsibility in how you react to those situations and what you do with yourself as a result of those situations. Something that we say “chose your attitude.” You can’t help how you feel about something but you can make a conscious choice to be aware of how you feel and how much of those feelings you share with others. Being self aware in the workplace is as critical as any other professional skill and relates to how you react to something emotionally as well as what action you take. It also teaches others how to treat you.

Taking self- responsibility creates a better work environment for one’s self. In the short term and long term it creates a healthier working environment and greater self esteem.

There are 3 core values to ensuring self-responsibility has a framework within the workplace; Value Accountability • Promote good teamwork • Take responsibility for yourself and your actions • Act as a role model for others by setting a good example in all you say and do • Recognise and accept the consequences of your behaviour on others • Respect Trust facilities and property and make best use of resources • Attempt to correct what you see is poor practice or inappropriate behaviour

It is not just here in Gibraltar that the pace of change is getting faster. I am noticing globalization, technology, partnerships, mergers, and economic factors are driving us to keep up. One of the most affected people in this is my workforce, and the way they manage and are managed. In the past we and other businesses in Gibraltar have been autocratic, micromanaged workplaces and I am interested to understand how I can put more emphasis on selfresponsibility with my workforce.

Company • Preserve confidentiality • Share good practice and support others

pected. Let employees know immediately when they have made a mistake and jointly discuss the best way to follow up.

• Delegate. Communicate expectations; ask for agreement and understanding when Value Mutual Respect new responsibilities are added. Start small • Respect the skill and contribution of others and reiterate expectations with each new • Maintain good working relationships task.

• Respect and value differences in a diverse • Development. Suggest ways for employees workforce to develop and/or build skills. Work on a • Give praise and thanks where due plan together to get it done.

• Offer support to others What Can Employees Do? • Take responsibility for the relationship. It’s no longer the sole role of the supervisor to develop the manager-employee relationship. Be active in communicating with your manager. Don’t rely on waiting for him or her to initiate the contact.

• Make it personal. Great work environments allow each of us to bring our whole selves to work. Connect with your manager in ways that don’t always circle back to work.

It can be as simple as asking about a family photo on their desk or what they did during the holiday weekend. This may seem trite; however, it’s the personal investment – and initiative – that creates a better work environment.

• Create growth goals. Outline a series of steps you can take to enhance your current skill set. Share these with your manager and initiate ways in your daily work for these skills to be developed.

Ultimately, it’s up to YOU – you choose your approach, you choose your attitude, you manage your own time (and energy!) and you choose how to respond and react to things that occur in life and at work.

You can act with self-responsibility now by: Ditching blame. Assigning blame to a workplace issue rarely solves the problem, but taking on ownership can. Leave blame at the door and retain your power to move forward.

Being bold. There is no time like the present.

When considering an issue or problem, list three actions you could employ tomorrow to affect it. No excuses allowed.

Changing your language. Language changes from “should,” to “must,” “got to,” to “get to.”

This is a true indicator that you are practising 100% responsibility.

Self-awareness is a great pathway to empowerment. Empowerment takes over where blame and a victim mentality may have been present.

Resilience and taking self-responsibility has been the key to success. n

Value Openness What Can Managers Do? The Hr Dept offers Self Awareness and Effectiveness • Communicate effectively with colleagues • Give timely feedback (both positive and Training — visit www.thehrdept.gi for more • Demonstrate commitment to colleagues and negative). Give praise when it is unex- information.

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shorts

Hassans announces partner promotions Hassans International Law Firm recently announced two partner promotions — Eli Beniso and Tim Garcia.

Managing Partner, Javier Chincotta, stated, “These promotions take our total number of partners to 38. The quality and depth of experience that both bring to the table is significant in driving forward the future of the firm”.

The new partners are: Eli Beniso, a University of Manchester graduate, joined Hassans in 2006 having completed his Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, London. Eli is a member of the Hassans Tax and Overseas Property Department specialising in private client and tax related work. He regularly advises clients with regard to the set-up and on-going management of trust and corporate cross-jurisdictional tax efficient structures. Eli’s practice also includes corporate commercial work and he regularly advises clients on corporate governance issues, reorganisations as well as transactional matters in general.

Tim Garcia, a University of Nottingham graduate (which included an Erasmus year studying Spanish Law at the Universitat de Valencia in Spain), specialises in international corporate and transactional work, regularly advising multinational corporate clients in connection with a variety of corporate, tax and financial matters. Tim’s areas of expertise include corporate governance matters, corporate re-structuring (mostly involving cross-border transactions, mergers and acquisitions) as well as general commercial and contractual matters.

He also endeavours to balance his workload with his young family and his various mu-

sical and sporting interests (indeed, having represented Gibraltar internationally in both musical and sporting arenas). Tim completed his Bar Vocational Course at the Inns of Courts School of Law in London. A member of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple and inaugural Chairman of the Gibraltar Law Students Association, Tim was called to the Bar in England & Wales and Gibraltar in 2006.

Senior Partner, James Levy CBE QC, commented: “I am delighted that Eli and Tim have joined the Partnership and I am sure they will continue to prove to be tremendous assets to the firm.” n

Chief Minister Breaks Ground for World Trade Center On 22nd July, the Chief Minister, Hon Fabian Picardo, officially broke ground for World Trade Center Gibraltar operating heavy machinery by remote control to drill the first foundations, keeping the project on target for a spring 2016 completion.

Gregory Butcher, the man behind World Trade Center Gibraltar, said “World Trade Center is a globally-recognised brand and a byword for corporate quality and success, that’s why so many of the world’s biggest companies choose to base themselves in World Trade Centers on every continent. World Trade Center Gibraltar has been in development for many years and it is particularly gratifying to see construction finally underway.”

Head of Sales & Marketing, Pete Burgess, added: “The building will offer a range of benefits never seen before in Gibraltar from ready-to-moveinto super-premium office space with a stunning double-height 24-hour reception through to advanced wellbeing systems which minimize sick building syndrome and keep staff healthy and motivated.”

Visit www.worldtradecenter.gi.

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legal

Gibraltar Opens Door to Insurance “Part VII Transfers” from UK In mid-July the Gibraltar Government received written confirmation from HM Treasury, UK Government, that Part VII transfers can take place between the UK and Gibraltar insurers, subject to Court and Regulatory approval.

Isolas Contributes to the Insurance & Reinsurance Law Review ISOLAS law firm has contributed the Gibraltar chapter of The Insurance and Reinsurance Law Review (2nd edition), published by Law Business Research.

It also includes an analysis of recent developments and looks towards upcoming changes within the local insurance industry, such as the implementation of the Solvency II Directive.

Mr Caetano added that “the approach from Law Business Research is a clear indication of our insurance industry’s global reputation, as

Minister for Financial Services Albert Isola said: “This is superb news for our Insurance Sector who have been seeking to be able to carry out this business for many many years. We have worked closely with HMT, the Foreign Office and the Financial Services Commission to enable Gibraltar to engage in this business and I am sincerely delighted by

well as recognition of the firm’s expertise in the field of insurance law and regulation.”

ISOLAS is proud to contribute to industry publications on a regular basis and has recently contributed chapters in relation to funds, private client, mergers and acquisitions and tax in Gibraltar. n

Peter Isola, Senior Partner at ISOLAS and Associate, Christian Caetano (pictured), have collaborated on this leading international insurance publication.

“We are extremely pleased to have been invited to contribute the first ever Gibraltar chapter for the Insurance and Reinsurance Law Review, which brings together submissions from key jurisdictions and serves as a source of reference for insurance practitioners across the industry” said Mr Isola.

The chapter deals with a range of academic and legal topics such as financial services regulation, sources of law and dispute resolution.

“

The approach from Law Business Research is a clear indication of our insurance industry’s global reputation

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insurance the news and grateful to all who have worked with us in this process.”

Government has been committed to working with the Industry in developing new lines of business, and this news will lead to the continued growth and development of the Insurance industry locally. Work continues in other areas of insurance and funds which promises to be of further benefit to the Financial Services sector.

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo commented on the news: “I am well aware of the very significant effort my Government has expended in delivering this result and know that the Insurance sector and other areas of the Financial Services Industry will welcome this news with the same enthusiasm as I do.”

The Finance Centre Council also warmly welcomed the news, stating this has been a long standing request of the insurance industry and the green light given to allow for such transfers from the UK to Gibraltar is a significant development which should lead to the further growth and diversity of this sector.

The Finance Centre Council thanked the Minister and his team for their efforts in securing this successful result. “We agree with the Minister’s comments that this is superb news for the insurance industry, which should now be able to engage in a new line of business. We also welcome the Chief Minister’s comments in highlighting the significance of this important step for the jurisdiction.”

The Finance Centre Council Chairman, Peter Montegriffo and Deputy Chairman, Stephen

Minister for Financial Services Albert Isola

Reyes commented; “This positive outcome has taken some considerable time and effort. The insurance sector is one of the most important aspects of our financial services industry. This new facility should open further doors to its expansion. We would like to thank all those that have brought about this successful out-

come, including the Gibraltar Government, Financial Services Commission, Industry and the relevant UK departments.

“We believe this positive result augurs well for future developments in the industry to ensure Gibraltar’s continuing competitiveness.” n

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key roles

Victor Bensadon:

Power to the People Victor Bensadon spent over half a century keeping Gibraltar’s power supply running. Now retired he reflects on 60 years of connectivity.

Victor Bensadon, 80, was born on 7th July 1934, and is married to Evelyn Montegriffo.

They have two daughters, Maite and Katrina and six grandchildren.

Together with two grannies, father, mother

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and sister he was evacuated to Madeira during the war, where he attended the British School for Gibraltarians and was taught by Mr Power, Mr Formosa, Miss Faith, Miss Teuma and John Alcantara who having finished his education,

returned to the school to help ease the pressure on the hard working teachers.

Victor has happy memories of his time in Madeira; his closest friend was Momy Levy and this friendship has never waned.

The family returned to Gibraltar on a ship arriving after the sun had set. The next morning, bright and early, he went up on deck and with the sun rising enjoyed the wonderful feeling that he was back in Gibraltar.

To return on one of the first ships home families had to possess a letter stating that a property awaited them. This explains why other Gibraltarians had to wait for so many years before returning as they were forced to wait for Government flats to be built.

Victor shown academic precocity at an early age and his desire to learn became apparent to his teachers which resulted in him joining a class for pupils two years older — a promotion away from his peers that did not embarrass him. He entered St Mary’s School in Castle Road with the astute Brother Fearon as head teacher. Brother Fearon recognised Victor’s academic ability and entered him to join the Plata Villa school, which was about to become the boys’ Grammar School. The headmaster, Brother Foley, was not sure about accepting such a young boy but, after pressure from Brother Fearon, agreed. Victor joined the school for the Christmas term (the school year ran from January to December) but at the end of the year Brother Foley decided Victor should remain in the same year with the new pupils.

With hindsight it was the correct decision although at the time it seemed a setback. Victor remembers with affection his peers such as Joshua Gabay, Willy Chamberlain and Edgar Lavarello.

At the end of the school certificate exams in 1953 he was awarded the John Mackintosh scholarship for further education — one of two scholarships per year, long before the points system, followed by Joe Bossano’s decision in 1988 to offer a scholarship to any pupil who obtained a place at university or college of further education.

Victor’s first academic interests were physics and chemistry but he became interested in matters electrical when he was 16. Electricity became his life’s work until his retirement last year.

He was accepted at the Electrical Engineering College in Faraday House, London, which enjoyed a worldwide reputation second to none.

He left his studies with a Faraday diploma in electrical engineering and as a Chartered Electrical Engineer. During his time at Faraday House he was awarded the silver medal one year and the gold medal in another for being the best student in the College. It is almost unprecedented to win two successive medals.

After graduating he went on a two year apprenticeship in Electrical Engineering with Metropolitan Vickers in Manchester — divided into one year as a blue overall operator and another as a white collar employee in the office laboratory. This was followed by five years with AEI and eventually a move to London where he managed the company’s commercial business.

Victor joined the Gibraltar Electricity Department in 1964 but did not return to the Rock as the Gibraltar Government decided he should

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key roles go on a course with Mirrlees Blackstone in Stockport. In 1959 a power station had been built north of King’s Bastion and in 1961 Mirrlees KVSS16 diesel engines were commissioned for the station and a fifth set, a Mirrlees KV16 Major, rated at 4960 KW, was to enter service in October 1972.

He learned how these engines were manufactured, operated and tested. The last four months was spent on secondment to the State of Guernsey Electricity Board.

On his return to the Rock in 1965 he went to work at King’s Bastion with Gerry Fenton as City Electrical Engineer, Pepe Coll his deputy and Jose Nunez the number three. This was a formidable team. In 1967 Fenton retired, Pepe Coll took over and Victor was appointed deputy head of department.

Two years later, aged 35, he was made City Electrical Engineer and Head of Department; the youngest in the Civil Service. He remained City Electrical Engineer for 21 years.

Three years later came a serious baptism of fire when Jose Netto called a strike of industrial workers who could disrupt essential municipal services, in support of the general strike by the Transport and General Workers Union, in conjunction with the Integration with Britain Party. The main issue was the growing mismatch between wages and cost of living and was the first shot in the demand for parity of

Victor Bensadon with the Gibraltar City Council

Victor went without sleep for 72 hours and there was no disruption of supplies. The union hostility grew stronger and stronger with each passing hour wages with the UK. The Governor and the AACR Government thought essential municipal services would be difficult to disrupt because of the duplication of the civil and military facilities. The Military always had plans for keeping vital services, such as electricity, running as extra servicemen could be flown out from UK. The Gibraltar Government thought industrial action by Gibraltarians to disrupt their own municipal services to be unthinkable. In the event of an attempt to disrupt electricity services, managers and non-union members would be expected to keep the electricity supplies running for as long as the strike lasted.

Victor plus seven members of staff did just that and for three days they were locked in the King’s Bastion power station with a sparse amount of food. There was a camp bed in the office, shared in turn by members of the team whenever a nap was needed. Victor went without sleep for 72 hours and there was no disruption of supplies. The union hostility grew stronger and stronger with each passing hour.

After 72 hours the Governor, Admiral Sir Varyl Begg, decided the heroic team needed relieving and REME engineers marched in to take over from the exhausted eight. Victor remembers the horrendous noise and insults

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Victor Bensadon with General Sir William Jackson at the opening of the King’s Bastion power station

Victor with his family

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key roles thrown at them as they walked out with their heads held high; a job well done. As always on the Rock, after a couple of weeks life got back to normality but at the time it required iron discipline and determination to work so hard for 72 hours and withstanding the threats and verbal hostility.

Power cuts were common at this time so he was available for call out on a 24 hour basis, often in the middle of the night whenever a power cut occurred. As well as being the Head of Department he was also a hands on engineer able to remedy most technical problems. Many remember the sacrifices he made, including cancelling planned holidays, if the Minister felt no one else was able to deal with any difficulties that might arise during his absence.

In 1973 Victor oversaw the building of an interconnector with the Inter-Services Power Station at the Dockyard.

The Government instructed Messers Preece Cardew and Rider in 1979 to prepare a design brief for the construction of a new Power Station at the North Mole. In February 1981 the contract was awarded to Hawker Siddeley Power Engineering. It fell to Victor to ensure the building kept to the agreed timescale and budget, and oversee the entire project. He was also responsible for the decommissioning of the King’s Bastion Power Station. The Government relied on his advice for the choice of engines to be installed and their installation and most importantly the laying of the foundations of the Power Station.

Waterport Power Station was commissioned

in August 1982 with two 5.25 MW engines. In 1988 a third 5.25 set was ordered to ensure there was always an adequate supply for Gibraltar’s growing demand for electricity.

Ormrod Electricity Supply Company Limited (OESCO) was established in 1988 by James and Biagio Ramagge and their partner Derek Ormrod, as the first private electricity generator in Gibraltar supplying electricity exclusively to the Government of Gibraltar. The company agreed a build, own, operate and transfer contract with the Government of Gibraltar which required it to build a power station of 32 MW. The station was completed over a number of years with the assistance of Ormrod Diesels in the United Kingdom and Archie Webster & Associates. When completed the station, with seven re-conditioned Mirless diesel engines, formed the backbone of electricity generation in Gibraltar for over 22 years.

The Company was placed under tremendous pressure to operate beyond its original contractual commitments to ensure continuity of electricity supply to Gibraltar

During that time, the Company was placed under tremendous pressure to operate beyond its original contractual commitments to ensure continuity of electricity supply to Gibraltar.

In 1990 Victor Bensadon retired as the City Electrical Engineer and at the time OESCO was building its Power Station. He joined the Company as a consultant to assist in the efficient operation of the Station. The directors saw that employing Victor was the answer to solving any problems that might arise in the new venture. He retired from the Civil Service on a Friday and joined OESCO on the following Monday. Victor worked with OESCO until the final handover of the station to the Government of Gibraltar in January 2013.

Victor has been involved with electricity for 60 years and for most of this time his life has been dedicated to ensuring that electricity is supplied to Gibraltar and its inhabitants with as few cuts as possible. Electricity, without which Gibraltar could not function, is largely taken for granted until there is a power cut and it is at such times that the community remembers with opprobrium the City Electrical Engineer.

For most of the time the electricity flows without a break and the work of the Electricity Engineer and his staff is taken for granted.

Victor retired at the grand age of 79 and is enjoying it hugely. Looking at all the developments and buildings that have grown up during his working career he can justifiably feel that none of this could have happened without a trouble free supply of electricity and, as all his friends will say, ‘he was the man responsible’.n

Corporate Sustainability Initiative Understanding how sustainability contributes towards building a better working world was embraced

by EY’s staff last month for a Sustainability Day. Staff had an opportunity to get involved with hands-on projects in Gibraltar to developed their appreciation of the impact we all have on our working and living environment.

Krystle Robba, Executive at EY who coordinated the activities, said: “The day showed that change can start in quite small ways but when undertaken by many people can have a real impact. We

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provided fruit throughout the week for staff which was supported by posters showing the benefits of healthy eating more generally. In addition we encouraged staff to walk, cycle or take the bus as a lifestyle choice rather than just a one-off activity.”

Other activities included helping out at the Alameda Gardens during the day with planting, gardening and tidying up top of the list.

A printing competition took place across EY regional offices with the winner to be announced for achieving the biggest reduction in paper usage for that week. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

26/07/2014 16:12

environment

Gibraltar Government Hosts Sustainability Conference On 28th and 29th July the Government hosted an Expert Group Meeting on Higher Education for Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean.

The Ministry for the Environment convened leaders of universities, representatives from government and intergovernmental agencies and non-governmental organisations to develop an action plan for collaboration across the region.

Over 20 experts from across Northern and Southern Mediterranean countries including Italy,

Over 20 experts from across Northern and Southern Mediterranean countries were present Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia were present. Representatives from UN agencies including UNESCO, UNECE and UNEP, with responsibilities for higher education and sustainable development in the region, also attended.

The Meeting was opened by Dr John Cortes, Minister for Health and the Environment. Experts were asked to consider the multi-

ple policy and legislative frameworks that support the protection of its environment and biodiversity as well as enhancement of quality of life of people in the region.

The Expert Group has been convened with the understanding that higher education has a unique and significant contribution to make to the sustainable development of the Mediterranean, particularly in relation to addressing: the pressures on environment from tourism, agriculture, trade and other economic activities; and the disparities in wealth, health and quality of life across the region.

The gathering was organised with the support of Professor Daniella Tilbury and Professor Michael Scoullos who have been engaged with the development of the Mediterranean Action Plan in Education for Sustainable Development as well as a review of Higher Education practice across the region. The meeting identified key priority actions and partnership platforms to progress these within realistic timeframes. n

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Maggie Galliano: A Gibraltarian Samaritan

Maggie Galliano has become the first Gibraltarian to be elected Director of the London branch of the Samaritans.

Samaritans is a charity started in 1953 by the Reverend Chad Varah in the crypt of his church in London, with the aim “to befriend the suicidal and despairing”. Whilst not associated with any religious doctrine or beliefs system, today the Samaritans’ mission remains close to the initial vision of Chad Varah. This mission is to ensure fewer people die by suicide.

Central London Samaritans (CLS) was the first branch of the charity to open and today remains the largest of the 201 branches of the organisation. Located in the heart of Soho, it has been offering support to anyone in need for over 60 years. At any one time, it has approximately 480 active volunteers.

CLS is available 24/7 on the phones and also offers emotional support in other ways. During 2012/13 the branch answered 91,008 calls; saw 4,700 people face-to-face in the Branch; replied to 3,919 emails and 7,755 texts; had 1,202 contacts with Prison Listeners and 717 other contacts outside the Branch.

The volunteer Director of the Branch is selected to serve for a three-year term. A formal appointment is made by the Company Trustee Board following consultation with every member of the branch. The Director then selects a number of co-Directors to support her or him during the term of office.

The primary role of the Director is the management of the Branch, with special emphasis on the provision of high quality and consistent care to those who contact Samaritans as well as support to volunteers who provide this care or

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who support the work of the Branch in other ways. In this role, the Director has absolute responsibility for the care of callers and volunteers. The post of Director and co-Directors are unpaid as are all the volunteers.

Maggie was educated at the Loreto Convent, Chateau Brillantmont, Lausanne, Switzerland and King’s College, London. She left Gibraltar for London in 1977. Her career includes working for Mexican banks and PA to Geoffrey Hawkings-Byass in Gonzalez Byass. In 1994 she joined Quitana Roo Ltd and today she is Personal Assistant to Paloma Picasso and her ex-husband Rafael Lopez-Cambil.

She has been a Samaritan volunteer for just over 10 years.

Maggie said: “I have always taken on other roles apart from my regular shifts, such as training new volunteers and giving Informa-

The Director selection process took place earlier this year and all members of the branch are asked who they would like to be the next Director... Maggie Galliano will take on the role from 14th September 2014

tion Hours to potential new volunteers. Three years ago I was asked to take on the role of Chair of the Trustee Board and I have just stepped down from that role. The Trustees are responsible for the finances of the branch, compliance with charity, employment and other statutory requirements, the building at 46 Marshall Street, terms and conditions of the paid staff and fundraising.”

In her final Chair’s report for 2014 she wrote: “Our 60th anniversary year started with a hugely successful royal visit by our Patron, HRH the Prince of Wales which raised our visibility immensely and saw an increase in our calls, and ended with Jamie Cullum serenading us at our Christmas Party!

“As I come to the end of my three year term as Chair, I want to thank all the volunteers for everything they do — all these hours of time and effort do not show up on any balance sheet, but without them Central London Samaritans would not function. I still find it incredible to think that this building has never closed, there is someone here 24/7 to answer that call. At the end of the day, that is what it is all about, being here for our callers when they need us.”

The Director selection process took place earlier this year and all members of the branch are asked who they would like to be the next Director. The result was that Maggie Galliano was asked to take on this role from 14th September 2014.

Maggie said: “It is a huge honour and privilege to be able to represent the branch.” n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

25/07/2014 11:23

finance

DHL Express is the global market leader in the international express business, so you probably already know that we can deliver your documents and parcels from Gibraltar to virtually every country in the world.

What you might not know is that we can also take care of all your importing requirements.

For further information please contact: DHL Gibraltar Unit 36 Harbours Deck, New Harbours, Gibraltar Tel: 200 72210 Email: GIBSN@dhl.com GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • JUNE 2014

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A Time To Reflect:

Life After Politics...

The GSD’s ex-Minister for Housing, Fabian Vinet — who was not re-elected to the GSD slate ahead of the 2011 election — feels proud of his time in Government having played a role in creating a better Gibraltar.

are highlights that I can think of during my time as Minister for the Environment, Heritage, Culture, Youth and Sport, and in my final four year term as Minister for Housing.”

As an example he cites World Environment Day, which helps to raise awareness of issues, and was his decision to celebrate. While in Culture he increased funding and gave the green light to the inaugural Calentita yearly event and devised the Autumn Festival which is still up and running today, Fabian recalls.

“I think I especially helped “Well of course there are going to be some regrets as well,” he Government’s Culture policy by says, “but looking back there making it less elitist and more

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inclusive of other forms of entertainment and by starting the drive to increase government grants towards cultural groups.

But perhaps the most important highlight or achievement, as far as Housing is concerned is, first of all having overseen a record number of allocations to applicants on the Medical List, which was a personal decision, and of the manifesto commitment to lower the age of eligibility for public housing from 21 to 18, while in a change to previous practice, I decided to see every person who requested a meeting and not to be selective as to who was allowed to meet the Minister or not...”

words | Richard Cartwright

This change, when word got out, Fabian explains, resulted in applicants sometimes having to wait some time before an appointment was granted due to the increased volume of requests for meetings, consequently not making them ‘happy bunnies...’

It’s situations like these, perhaps, coupled with the fact there are not very many photo opportunities for Housing Ministers, that may contribute to them becoming unpopular through no fault of their own, and may harm their chances for re-election.

Fabian Vinet wasn’t chosen to stand with the GSD at the last election and although naturally

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interview disappointed — it came as a bit of a shock to him — he saw no point in becoming bitter or bearing grudges about the outcome.

“I was hurt at the time, of course, because while I agreed that the party needed new and younger people, the irony was that I was the youngest Minister at the time and I know that some young activists saw me as the bridge between the old and the new. But, you know, I quickly took the view I had to move on, enjoy my young family more, look at the silver lining and not dwell on the negative.

The reality is I talk about this now only because you’ve specifically asked me but it’s certainly not something I dwell on these days.

Life really is too short for that.”

Fabian’s maternal grandmother was a staunch Sir Joshua Hassan and AACR supporter as so many of that generation were and so as a very young boy he first became aware of local politics, becoming serious about it while at Bayside Comprehensive in the early to mid ’90s.

Fabian remembers: “I was saddened to see classmates, many who like me, were moving on to higher education, abandoning it all, lured by the tobacco smuggling trade and the attraction of easy money, not realising the dangers involved. That was an eye-opener that vividly demonstrated the direct importance and relevance of politics.

“In later years I was asked to travel to Brussels to demonstrate outside the Parliament building and increasingly became interested in local politics, joining the GSD Executive in 2000 and then becoming a Minister in 2003. I’d been a lawyer for only a few short years so the transition to heading ministerial portfolios, taking major decisions and effectively being boss was not an easy one, not

to mention getting to grips with the workings of the Civil Service which differed to what I’d been used to in the private sector.”

Fabian always knew that, as a lawyer by profession, he’d return to law when his political career ended, but thought it would be easier to get his feet back under the proverbial desk, especially having been a Government Minister for two terms. “I really did. I thought there would be various options on the table to choose from but the reality was very different. However, since childhood I’d known Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and despite our differences across the floor of the House we’d remained friends and I think he saw in me someone with the combination of a legal background and political experience who could make a real contribution. True to his word, he extended a hand of friendship and support when I needed it most and to this day we work very well together and I value our professional relationship and friendship. The Chief Minister has my total respect.”

Fabian’s work now includes consultancy work in relation to Gibraltar Freeview which is relevant to digital terrestrial television broadcasts and could provide many media opportunities for Gibraltar. It involves legal work

“

such as the drafting of contracts and negotiations. “There is also a commercial and media element to my responsibilities which I love and I think I’m good at,” Fabian says.

He has also been involved in liaising with The Hansard Society in the UK. “Whether it involves legislative drafting or providing a legal input in a variety of ways, I’m kept busy and enjoy the challenge.”

Importantly, Fabian spends more time with daughter Sophie, son James and wife Genevieve through not having t he commitment of attending evening social functions and cultural events as he did when in Government.

So, having experienced the work and tasted the limelight, what of politics on the Rock in general?

“No Government is able to get it right all of the time,” he states.

“What you do for the greater benefit of the community may have an adverse effect elsewhere. That was true with the GSD, is true of the present Government and will be of future governments. It’s the nature of politics.

“The thing is not to have a blinkered view and think your party can do no wrong and the other lot are incapable of doing anything right. There are extremist support-

What you do for the greater benefit of the community may have an adverse effect elsewhere. That was true with the GSD, is true of the present Government and will be of future governments.

It’s the nature of politics

”

ers on all sides, but working as I do now with the present incumbents, Fabian, Dr Joseph and their team, I feel there’s been further progress in the right direction with the opening up of the DPC and GHA Board, the televising of Parliament which now meets more regularly, etc. I’m also hugely supportive of the idea of a more collegiate form of government.

“I think Sir Peter Caruana was a great leader for Gibraltar and it’s always absolutely vital for a credible and effective Opposition to hold Government to account.

“As far as the bickering is concerned, I actually think our adversarial system has worked well. The ‘best brains’ option wouldn’t work in practise and Jersey is a case in point, where they’ve recently moved towards our party system.

And anyway, I’ve been to the UK House of Commons at Prime Minister’s Questions, where the vitriol and insults are much worse than they are here!”

Fabian has certainly done his bit, but would he like to return to politics one day?

“Perhaps, surprisingly, the door remains ajar. I’m in no hurry to open it fully anytime soon but neither do I feel I want to shut it completely! I certainly have no leadership ambitions, I’ve always been a team player, but I’m just 41 and feel I still have a lot to contribute. If one day I was asked, sensed the public was supportive, was attracted to policies that concurred with my own and it meant joining a team led by someone I respect and worked well with, I would give that possibility serious thought.

“However, that’s something for the future, it’s not something I’m currently contemplating. It’s a question of timing and circumstances.”

As they say, time will tell… n

Savills (Gibraltar) Ltd, Suite 1B Icom House, 1/5 Irish Town, Gibraltar

Tel: 20066633 email: sales@savills.gi www.savills.gi

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

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Guitarist José María Gallardo del Rey

Gibraltar Philharmonic Society

National Week Classical Concert This year’s National Week Classical Concert, organised by the Gibraltar Philharmonic Society on behalf of the Gibraltar Government, will be held on Monday 1st September at St Michael’s Cave from 9pm.

The concert will feature José María Gallardo del Rey, guitar solo, Dorian Wilson, conductor and the European Symphony Orchestra. They will play G. Rossini’s Overture to Il Barbiere di Siviglia, J. Rodrigo’s Fantasía para un gentilhombre for guitar and orchestra, and W.A. Mozart’s Symphony No 41 “Jupiter” KV 551.

Since his début in Seville at the age of nine, Jose Maria has achieved universal public and critical acclaim. As a mature artist with a profound affinity for all aspects of the guitar, he has become a leading authority on the instrument among conductors and players alike, and a soloist in great demand by orchestras throughout the world.

Sir Neville Marriner, Philippe Entremont, Rafael Frübeck de Burgos, Ros Marbá, Garcia Asensio, Josep Pons, José Ramón Encinar, Leo Brouwer and Karel Mark Chichon are among the many great names with whom he has played, and he has made regular concert appearances with orchestras such as ONE, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orquesta de la RAI, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Ton Halle de Zurich, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orquesta de Cadaqués, ORTVE, Orquestas de la Comunidad y Sinfónica de Madrid, Orchestre Nationale Belgique and Radio Phil

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Saarbrücken.

A Society’s spokesman commented, “We are very proud that José María Gallardo del Rey and the European Symphony Orchestra under world renowned conductor Dorian Wilson will open the 2014/2015 Philharmonic Society’s season with such a wonderful selection of music. I think it is going to be a fascinating journey.”

Tickets £20 are available from Sacarello’s coffee shop in Irish Town and The Silver Shop at 222 Main Street or directly from the Society by telephone on 200 72134. A limited number of tickets at £10 are available to senior citizens and students via the John Macintosh Hall at 308 Main Street. Further information available from Tel: 200 72134 or via www.philharmonic. gi. Ticket price includes a return shuttle service from Eliot’s Way and the Public Market from 7.30pm. n

Since his début in Seville at the age of nine, Jose Maria has achieved universal public and critical acclaim

August events 12th July to 16th August Summer Nights every Saturday & Thursday.

Kids activities and live entertainment for all the family at Casemates Square.

Friday 15th August Gibraltar Botanic Gardens Tours - Plant Diversity & Adaptation led by Andrew Gdaniec. 10.30am. £5.00 adults, children free of charge. For info Tel: 20041235 World Dance Championships Presentation

by Gibraltar National Dance Organisation at Tercentenary Sports Hall 8pm. Tickets £5 from national team members or gndo@ gibtelecom.net Thursday 21st to 26th August 4th Gibraltar Junior International Chess Festival at Caleta Hotel. Visit www. gibraltarchesscongress.com/junior Saturday 23rd August Charity Cardboard Boat Race. Prizes for Most Creative Boat, Fancy Dress, Junior Winner, Adult Winner and Titanic Prize for most dramatic sinking. Meet 10.30am Casemates Square for registration & judging. 12pm first race in Ocean Village.

Contact wayne.warwick@gem.gi or akearns@gibtelecom.net.

Saturday 23rd to 31st August Gibraltar Fair.

Friday 29th August Beer Festival at Bayside Sport Complex 7pm – midnight. Tickets: £20 available from Lewis Stagnetto, 41 Main Street.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

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The tenant’s deposit should be safeguarded so that the tenant may reclaim the deposit in full at the end of the tenancy...

Managing Tenant Deposits… Properly The estate agent industry in Gibraltar is unregulated. There are no barriers to entry for any person at any time calling him or herself an estate agent and holding a tenant deposit. You are at the mercy of your agent’s morality, professionalism and experience when it comes to their management of tenant deposits on residential properties.

Most landlords and letting agents ask tenants for a deposit as security against damage or non-payment of rent. There are two key issues when it comes to the management of that tenant deposit by an estate agent. Firstly, where is the money held? Secondly, on what basis is it refunded?

Client Money A tenant deposit is money belonging to the tenant. It is not the landlord’s money, it is not the agent’s money. It is the tenant’s money which secures the tenancy agreement. Therefore it should be safeguarded so that the tenant may reclaim the deposit in full at

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the end of the tenancy (provided the tenant has met all of his tenant obligations of course), without fear of the agent or landlord retaining the money.

In the UK, tenant deposits arising from any assured shorthold tenancies entered into since April 2007 must be held in a government backed tenant deposit protection scheme.

A UK tenancy deposit protection scheme safeguards a tenant’s deposit. This means a tenant can be sure that he will get his deposit back at the end of the tenancy, as long as he is entitled to it. For example, the landlord may be entitled to some of the deposit if there is any damage or if the tenant hasn’t paid all of his rent.

The UK scheme also provides a

A tenant deposit is money belonging to the tenant. It is not the landlord’s money, it is not the agent’s money

service to sort out disagreements about the deposit without going to court.

In Gibraltar, tenants and landlords rely on agents utilising properly ring-fenced and designated (by the bank) Client Bank Accounts for holding tenant deposits as their protection.

A Client Bank Account in this respect means an account held by the agent at a recognised bank which is specifically created by the agent for the purpose of holding client money, and most importantly segregated from any account holding money which is not client money.

Alarm bells should be ringing if your agent is using your tenant

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property deposit for his own cashflow.

Whether you are a tenant, who will want this money back one day, or, a landlord who may have lawful access to this money under the terms of the tenancy agreement, you should triple check with your chosen agent just where the tenant deposit is held during the life of the tenancy. If your agent goes bust, you should not be in a position that you (landlord or tenant) lose access to the tenant deposit.

So be careful and check where your money is held!

Refunding the Tenant Deposit Assuming you have chosen a reputable agent, the tenant deposit will be refunded at the end of the tenancy term based upon the terms of the tenancy agreement and generally accepted principles.

It should be remembered that the tenant’s deposit is the tenant’s money until it is proven or agreed that it is not the tenant’s money.

The deposit is released to the tenant when the landlord agrees albeit in a reasonable timeframe.

The landlord can make reasonable deductions (often but not always recommended by his agent) from the deposit for damage to the property (not wear and tear), missing items, cleaning and unpaid rent.

Any part of the deposit not disputed must be returned within a

In terms of what is damage and reasonable timeframe. A landlord should not unnecessarily hold the decision as to what is wear back the refund of the undisputed and tear must be made taking into sum as a negotiating tool or a ran- account the above considerations. som on the disputed sum.

Very light marks on the carpet might have to be viewed as unavoidable ie “the operation of Wear and tear Unlike commercial leases which natural forces”. However, damcan require tenants to leave the age such as nail varnish spills on property as they found it, often the floor or iron burns that have involving complete redecoration, occurred due to negligence would residential tenancies must allow see the tenant liable for repair. The landlord has to consider whether for reasonable wear and tear.

There is no legal definition of the item which has been damaged fair wear and tear. The House of has worn out through natural use Lords (UK) had an attempt once. or from sheer negligence.

Fair wear and tear does not They see fair wear and tear as: “Reasonable use of the premises apply to cleanliness though. A by the Tenant and the ordinary standard tenancy agreement operation of natural forces”, which would ensure that the property is returned in its original state is not hugely helpful.

There are however some obvi- of cleanliness (not better than its ous considerations when consider- original state). If it’s not, the landing what is wear and tear and what lord can use the tenant deposit to is damage. For example, the lon- fund such a clean. ger the tenancy, the more natural wear to be expected. Furthermore, Betterment the more occupants there are, the The landlord cannot benefit higher the wear and tear in all from “betterment” in the process the communal areas, such as the ie financial gain. The tenant delounge, hall, bathrooms and kitch- posit is absolutely not a “new for en. And a property occupied by old” insurance policy. To avoid one person will see far less wear “betterment”, there is a technique called apportionment. Apportionand tear than a family of four.

When considering a particular ment is the process of breaking fixture or fitting, the original con- down the costs of ‘fair wear and dition, age and quality must be tear’ into measurable chunks and taken into account along with the thereby allowing a landlord to expected useful life of each item. fairly assign a monetary value to

Mike Nicholls is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, a member of the Gibraltar Society of Accountants, a member of the Gibraltar Funds and Investment Association and a board member of the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce. Mike operates the Chesterton estate agency in Gibraltar and runs a real estate investment solutions consultancy.

items in a very subjective process.

So if the tenant starts a tenancy with a three year old sofa, expected to last eight years in total, and at the end of the tenant’s two year tenancy the sofa is damaged beyond repair not through wear and tear, the landlord has suffered the loss of the remaining three year expected eight year life of the sofa. So the tenant must pay three eighths of the replacement cost of a like for like sofa.

Avoiding conflict The worst disputes arise when there is no photographic inventory and schedule of condition undertaken at the start of the tenancy which is agreed by both parties.

Being able to refer to such a document with photographic evidence at the end of the tenancy helps everyone know where they stand.

Ultimately, if there is no agreement, and the agent cannot achieve agreement between the parties, then the landlord and tenant enter a dispute resolution process as set out in the tenancy document, and / or lawyers get involved, which is costly.

So choosing a professional, reputable and moral agent to manage both the tenancy process and the Client Money, is the best way of navigating through the letting process in Gibraltar’s unregulated market. n

Unlike commercial leases which can require tenants to leave the property as they found it, often involving complete redecoration, residential tenancies must allow for reasonable wear and tear

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Giordano: breaking news business Newly appointed Editor in Chief of Your Gibraltar TV Giordano Durante speaks about the challenges that his independent and freeaccess online broadcaster encounters on the daily delivery of news bulletins.

The former political editor is now responsible for web content as much as managing staff and contributors, but most importantly he chooses which stories to cover.

Being a very small team — beside Giordano, YGTV can count on reporter Nicole Macedo, CEO Chris Bruno who mostly looks after financials, and casual contributors like music editor James Culatto — often two stories breaking at the same time call for a decision on which one to prioritise, in order to dispatch a reporter.

“We don’t necessarily pick politics over the rest,” Giordano says. “We go for the better photo opportunity or human interest, or anything that may attract more hits based on the history of previous similar stories. It’s pretty much a decision I make on my feet, and it is not based on fixed rules: when you are in that situation

“

you just know what to do.”

In this media overload world, fast but not furious is everything: virtually in a split second one must evaluate whether the social media feed is offering newsworthy information, whether it is reliable and deserves coverage or follow-up.

And once it is deemed newsworthy, Giordano prides himself of posting headlines and short articles online within an hour, thanks to mobile technology.

“We are a paperless office,” Giordano adds, “Everything is written on our laptops or phones and we share files for each other’s reference. Our ‘office’ can be set up virtually anywhere, as long as I have an internet connection.”

He relies on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news, scouring the live feed for photos and comments by eye witnesses, but mostly for tweets by the Royal Gibraltar Police, besides his tight-woven network of business, legal and political contacts, who provide ‘tip-offs’.

Giordano has built a complex network of ‘informers’ and ‘insiders’ during his journalistic career which started at the Chronicle, until he decided to stand in front of or behind the camera. “Casual encounters in Main Street or coffee and beer buddies are great sources, and of course one cannot forget ‘eavesdropping’ at the ‘Lower House of Assembly’ [i.e. the habitué pensioners at the benches below Parliament

House] for hints and reviews on what is going on in Parliament,” he jokes.

The rumour mill is never taken at face value however, and cross checks are made before copying and pasting for the sake of sensationalism.

YGTV can boast one big scoop: it was the first local broadcaster to break the announcement of EU Commissioners’ visit last summer, but one must always be wary of so-called exclusives circulating on the net, because they might be incorrect, in good faith or otherwise.

That’s why it is fundamental to double check with someone in the know and perhaps be conversant in foreign languages and able to scour the direct source.

In the ‘battle of press releases’, every effort is made to guarantee each party, political of otherwise, equal opportunities, but Giordano admits that the Government press machine is way more powerful than the Opposition’s, that’s why statistically their communiqués and conferences feature more often than other organisations and entities. This doesn’t mean YGTV is siding with one or the other: “I follow the basic rules of journalism: state the facts, don’t give in to emotional language, never pass judgement unless you are writing an editorial, and give space to comments clearly quoting the source. We do seek opinions from ‘experts’ on important issues we are covering, and we do so on both sides, to highlight pros and cons

I follow the basic rules of journalism: state the facts, don’t give in to emotional language, never pass judgement unless you are writing an editorial, and give space to comments clearly quoting the source

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of the announcement in question and offer our readers a chance to arrive at their own informed opinion.”

Location can be godsend for the newshound: “In the unfortunate episode of the yacht on fire at Queensway Quay a few weeks ago, I could smell burning from my house that night... I can also see ship traffic in the Bay and Strait, so I keep an eye on Spanish incursions, for example.”

Incursions, frontier queues, accidents and court sentencing are the topics that attract the most hits on a news item: “Unlike newspapers which get little or no immediate feedback on the popularity of their stories, we can monitor how many hits every single story gets and where in the world they came from. We also offer the opportunity to comment below, with rude words and hate speech filters, of course.

And when readers ‘like’ it on Facebook they start a chain reaction that could potentially take that link around the world, when friends of friends keep on sharing.”

How is an erudite philosopher by academic training like Giordano coping in the snappy world of current affairs?

“Indeed, philosophy is about taking your time to think, compare and elaborate, while news is about here and now, and what you write today is gone tomorrow,” he admits.

But philosophy is a bit like a gym for the mind, as it trains one’s analytical and synthetic skills, which provide foresight and hindsight into ramifications and repercussions of seemingly unchained events.

Freedom of speech in Gibraltar is pretty much alive, according to Giordano, although too often restrictions are self-placed: “Investi-

Incursions, frontier queues, accidents and court sentencing are the topics that attract the most hits on a news item gative journalism is not easy in a community where everyone knows everyone and anonymity or under-cover is uncomfortable. You don’t want to make powerful enemies in a tiny territory where success often relies on family connections or sucking up to superiors...” he smiles, “...even being a whistle-blower from the inside can be a gutsy but dangerous choice.

Nobody really wants to rock the boat; furthermore serious investigative journalism requires time and huge resources.”

In the near future, YGTV will expand on their sports’ coverage which is by Giordano’s own admission ‘limited’, since events run for the best part of the weekend and it would be the job of a dedicated sports team that current sponsorship doesn’t afford.

The website is considering offering Spanish translations of their main articles and press releases, links to related websites, and will invite contributors to submit photos, opinions and colour pieces. n

Summertime with The Trio

Summer’s here and that means The Trio is back and performing at a venue near you.

The Trio — Jeremy Perez on vocals, Rob Bensusan on bass guitar and Jesse Mclaren on acoustic guitar — is three musicians currently studying music in the UK, at the Royal Northern College of Music and British Institute of Modern Music.

Formed in 2012 when all three musicians were asked to perform at the ‘Teachers Ball’, The Trio is a covers band, which plays music for all ages, ranging from the Beatles to Coldplay. “After this performance we decided to start gigging in the Gibraltar music circuit,” they explain. “Everyone in the band brings something different to the table with regards to styles of music and genres,” they say.

All three have been influenced heavily by some of Gibraltar’s bands “such as Afterhours, Area 52 and Reach… to name a few. We have also been profoundly influenced by industry professionals in the UK. “We perform during the summer months of June, July and August, because we are away for most of the year studying at university. It

is always a pleasure performing on stage with such great friends and musicians. Every gig is different because of the improvised solos and bass lines. University is helping us to enhance our skills theoretically and practically.”

The Trio aims to please audiences of all ages.

“We have recently introduced pieces from artists such as Bill Withers, Michael Jackson, Otis Reading and Stevie Wonder.” However they may not always be a covers band, with plans to write an original at some point this summer, they are a band to watch for future.

But for now they have a jam-packed summer of gigs. This month they will be performing at My Wines on 1st and 15th August, as well the Ivy Sports Bar on 8th and 22nd August. “In addition to this we have been asked to gig at this year’s Beer Festival — that should be an amazing night.”

For gig information visit The Trio’s Facebook page. The Trio really is a summer treat, after August, Jeremy, Jesse and Rob will be going back to their respective universities in the UK... until next summer at least. n

Visit www.yourgibraltartv.com or like their Facebook page. photo: Marian Alami-Mercer

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Soviet spy Kim Philby

?

Did Spy Philby Arrange Death of Gib-Hero Crabb

words | Reg Reynolds

A new book about the Soviet spy Kim Philby suggests that the ruthless traitor was the man responsible for arranging the death of Lionel ‘Buster’ Crabb the frogman hero who fought the Italians in the waters off Gibraltar.

Ben McIntyre’s book, A Spy Among Friends (Bloomsbury), is primarily the story of the relationship between Philby and British Intelligence agent Nicholas Elliott. They were good friends and had much in common but while one was loyal his homeland the other was loyal only to his Communist benefactors.

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Both men went to public school and then Cambridge (albeit not at the same), travelled in the same circles, enjoyed a drink, had similar tastes in dress and both were spies. They were friends for thirty years and Elliott trusted and remained faithful to Philby, and even defended him when the intelligence community was having doubts. When Elliot learned the truth he was devastated that he could have been fooled for so long and his love for Philby turned to hatred.

But in the book McIntyre also addresses the

“

mysterious circumstances surrounding the disappearance and probable murder of Crabb.

The diminutive (5’5”) Crabb had made his name at Gibraltar during World War II. Born into a poor family, he started out in the Merchant Navy and when war broke out joined the Royal Navy. McIntyre writes: “With his long nose, bright eyes and miniature frame, he might have been an aquatic garden gnome. He was, however, spectacularly brave, and supremely resilient.

“In 1942 he was dispatched to Gibraltar, to

With his long nose, bright eyes and miniature frame, he might have been an aquatic garden gnome. He was, however, spectacularly brave, and supremely resilient

”

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past revisited take part in the escalating underwater battle around the Rock, where Italian frogmen, using manned torpedoes and limpet mines were sinking thousands of tons of Allied shipping.

Crabb and his fellow divers set out to stop them, with remarkable success, blowing up enemy divers with depth charges, intercepting torpedoes and peeling mines of the hulls of ships.”

Coincidentally, during the time of Crabb’s heroics, Philby was the head of the Iberian section of MI6 and therefore had responsibility for espionage activities in Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar.

By April 1956 Crabb was retired but, ever the hero, he couldn’t resist an invitation to take on a highly secret and highly dangerous mission.

That month Russian President Nikita Kruschev, accompanied by his Premier Nikolai Bulganin, was visiting Britain for the first time.

The Soviet leader arrived aboard the new Russian cruiser Ordzhonikidze, which was escorted by two destroyers.

Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden had ordered that under no circumstances should covert activity be taken against the ‘goodwill’ visitors.

“These ships are our guests and however we think others behave, we should take no action which involves the slightest risk of detection.”

Unfortunately the use of the words “slightest risk” presumably left the door open to

any intelligence outfit that thought they could come up with a plan that offered “no risk”.

The Ordzhonikidze was believed to have a revolutionary style hull and the Intelligence services wanted to have a look at it.

McIntyre believes that MI6 agent Elliott was the instigator of the plot that brought Crabb into what was to be known as Operation Claret.

Coincidentally Philby, who had been in Ireland, returned to Britain just as the operation was being “uncorked”.

Philby, Crabb and Elliott all new each other and McIntyre is convinced that Elliott would have told his drinking pal and trusted friend Philby how “...he had brought the great frogman, their old comrade in arms, out of retirement in order to pay an underwater call on the visiting Soviet delegation”.

At any rate on the morning of 19th April, 1956 Buster Crabb, fully outfitted in diving gear, entered the cold, murky waters of Portsmouth harbour. His task was to photograph the Ordzhonikidze’s keel, propellers and rudder.

McIntyre writes: “The job might have daunted a much younger and healthier man. For a 47-year-old, unfit, chain-smoking depressive, who had been extremely drunk a few hours earlier, it was close to suicidal.”

Crabb was never seen alive again. Some believe his death was an accident brought on by his poor health while others are convinced he was captured and killed by the Russians.

But based on McIntyre’s account it is a near certainty that Elliott told Philby about the operation and Philby in turn informed his Soviet handler, which would mean the Russians knew Crabb was coming and were waiting for him.

In 2007 a 70-year-old former Soviet sailor/ frogman named Eduard Koltsov claimed that in 1956, aged 22, he was stationed aboard the Ordzhonikidze and that at 8 am on the morning of 19th April he was ordered to dive beneath the ship and patrol for any spying frogmen.

Koltsov further claimed that he spotted a diver, so small he thought it was a boy, carrying what he believed to be a limpet mine. Fearing the ship was in imminent danger he swam up behind the swimmer, cut his air hose and slit his throat. He said the body sank to the bottom of the harbour.

A year later a fisherman came across a body floating in Chichester Harbour. The head and hands had completely decomposed, but the diving suit was a Pirelli, the same type as Crabb wore that fateful morning. Distinguishing marks also indicated the body was that of the famous frogman. It was impossible to determine the cause of death.

Elliott believed at the time that Crabb had died of respiratory trouble but 50 years later Koltzov emerged to insist he was the killer and that the Russians had received a tipoff from a British spy, the most likely informer being Kim Philby.

In 1963, after Philby had finally been exposed, Elliott went to Beirut to interview his former friend. Ironically it was Elliott who had convinced British Intelligence that Philby was not a double agent and arranged for him to be installed as MI6 agent in Beirut. He also arranged a job for Philby as Mid-East correspondent for the Observer newspaper.

During the chat-cum-interrogation Philby admitted the truth of his years of working for the Soviets but never signed a confession.

Satisfied that he had done what he could Elliott left Beirut for an assignment in the Congo. The investigation was turned over to an FBI agent but before the Americans could get involved Philby was spirited off to Moscow where he lived until his death on 11th May, 1988 aged 76. Unlike his victim Crabb, he was given a hero’s funeral. Elliott retired from the intelligence service in 1969 and died on 13th April, 1994 aged 77. n

Coincidentally, during the time of Crabb’s heroics, Philby was the head of the Iberian section of MI6 and therefore had responsibility for espionage activities in Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar Buster Crabb

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30th August 2014

The Performer’s Club Photos taken at the July Performer’s Club event at My Wines, Chatham Counterguard, which featured a variety of performances from some of Gibraltar’s talented entertainers.

The Performer’s Cub meets monthly and performers are invited to contact the organisers through their Facebook page if they would like a small intimate audience to entertain. Money raised goes to Gibraltar’s AKIN charity (Association for Kids in Need).

The next Performer’s Club event is on Saturday 30th August at My Wines, Chatham Counterguard. Tickets £10.00 (includes a glass of white sangria) are on sale at Beau Jangles, 209 Main Street, Tel: 20041522 or email: info. beaujangles@gmail.com — but hurry because tickets are limited. Doors open 7.30pm, performances start at 9pm sharp. n

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

24/07/2014 16:39

The Heritage Awards 2014 The Gibraltar Heritage Trust is now inviting nominations from the public for this year’s round of Heritage Awards.

The Heritage Awards are made for outstanding sensitivity or contribution to Gibraltar’s heritage.

They may be made to an individual (including juniors under the age of 16), group, team, club, firm or company for a positive contribution, of any kind, that has

enhanced Gibraltar’s heritage, or for exceptional, successful efforts in preserving a part of Gibraltar’s heritage.

The object of the awards is to recognise heritage conservation projects and developments and encourage the involvement of the community in achieving high standards of restoration of buildings, structures and monuments in Gibraltar, thus promoting public recognition and awareness of Gibraltar’s heritage and history.

It is very difficult to define ‘heritage’ and for this reason the scope of the awards are wide.

Further details about the awards and nomination forms can be obtained from the Trust’s office at the Main Guard, 13 John Mackintosh Square, Mondays to Fridays, during normal office hours or can be requested by email from heritage@gibraltar.gi. n

Minister Licudi and Charles Flower

Honour for Flower As we went to press the Commonwealth Games had just started in Glasgow and we were wishing our athletes well, but there was one particular athlete who was there to collect the Gold Pin and Order of Merit Award from the Commonwealth Games Federation — President of the Commonwealth Games Gibraltar, Charles Flower. Mr Flower was awarded this honour in recognition of over 60 years service to Sport on the Rock. He was Gibraltar’s first ever athlete to compete in the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff in 1958. The Gibraltar Parliament also recently awarded him the Gibraltar Medallion of Distinction for his work in Sport.

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events

Gibraltar’s Festival of Wine On 9th September Gibraltar’s second Wine Festival will fill the street around Chatham Counterguard. We spoke to My Wine’s Glen Saunders about the Wine Festival and what to expect at this year’s event.

Tell us the concept behind the wine festival and how the idea came about?

In 2012 Tony and I visited Prowein in Dusseldorf, the largest wine fair in the world. Here is where we handpicked the selection of wines we have in store today and it was what inspired us to organise last year’s event. The scale of Prowein is mesmerising with over 5000 exhibitors (yes FIVE THOUSAND) we thought it would be a great idea to bring just a little tiny piece of that to Gib. This is the second wine festival — what can we expect this year?

Last year we had the support of Saccone & Speed who are with us again this year and we are also joined by Lewis Stagnetto. This alone will increase the variety of wines on offer to the public.

We will have competitions, wine tastings at our tasting room by invited guests, live music, free gifts with some of our wines, food and of course plenty of wine.

There will also be commemorative wine glasses given away with the purchase of our info booklet and this will also be your entry ticket to win a bottle of champagne. Not just any bottle though, a 3 Litre Jeroboam of Henri Giraud Hommage, just like the ones used

by F1 winners!

You have suppliers and vineyard owners coming from around the world to promote their wines, can you give us a sneak preview of who you have lined up and what we can expect?

We are very lucky to have quite a number of important guest along this year, Italian wine growers Banfi, Ribera del Dueros Blas Serrano, Cognacs Maxime Trijol, Ronda’s Cortijo los Aguilares, UK’s Alliance wines and Argentina’s Luigi Bosca to name a few.

There will be other entertainment too such as food and live music who will be performing?

Although still unconfirmed it looks like we will have Megan Dallas and Craig Macdonald gracing our ears on the night.

Food will be available in Chatham Counterguard restaurants or from the barbecue and there will be street seating and tables in the street - a proper festival atmosphere! Plenty of food available this year with a varied selection from the adjacent restaurants as well as barbecue and more from us.

How many people do you expect at this year’s event?

We think this year will top out at well over 3500, perhaps more, who knows? This year the event is been heavily promoted by the Ministry of Culture as well as the Gibraltar Tourist board which will hopefully attract more tourists and expats to the event.

Okay, we are convinced, what time should we get there?

The event starts at 1pm primarily aimed at visiting tourists and groups from the Costa and beyond but if last year’s trend is followed the event will peak between 6 and 10pm.

See you there!

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24/07/2014 10:59

Rotary Club of Gibraltar President, Jane Hart

Jane Hart:

Keeping the Rotary Wheel Turning In 2002 Barbara Sellors became the first lady member of the Rotary Club of Gibraltar (founded 1965) and later she became President, in face since 2002 there have been four female presidents, and last month, at the annual Presidential handover and gala dinner, Jane Hart became its fifth. We asked the new President about Rotary and the difference woman have made to the Club.

“Women certainly bring a different aspect to the club,” Jane states, “we naturally have a more bonding side to our personality and enjoy arranging more social activities than the males, the male side can bring a bit more confrontation into the club, but for the

club’s sake we need to have the balance of male and female.”

Jane has many plans for enhancing the balance of the club during her year. “I want to promote our membership, particularly to locals, as the Rotary is primarily here to help our local

community it is vital that some of the local community are members.

“To this end I want to make our club meetings a pleasure to attend, we meet every Tuesday at The Rock Hotel at 7.30, the meeting lasts an hour and then you

can choose to stay on a bit and socialise. Usually we have a speaker, but I plan to only have a speaker twice a month, the other two weeks we will go out on an excursion or some fun activity and the fourth week we will just socialize , at a local pub or restaurant . For instance next week we are having a picnic in the new Commonwealth park with the Calpe Band playing for us on the bandstand, whilst Jon from the Alameda gardens tells us about the trees he has planted in the park, anyone is welcome to join us, the following month it is a tour around the glass factory.”

Jane aims to make the club less formal, so it has the kind of social atmosphere where everyone feels relaxed and happy with like minded people. “Comradeship is another big part of Rotary,” she emphasises, “feeling you belong and have fellows who will support you through times of illness and trouble.”

This year the club has made a change in its place in Rotary.

When the club was founded in 1965 it was made an undistricted club. Rotary International is a worldwide institution and most clubs are divided into districts according to their geography.

Gibraltar being unique could not really join a district, but Rotary International wants to tidy up and affiliate the small number of undistricted clubs. So on July 1st this year Rotary Gibraltar officially became attached to District 1120, Kent in UK. “This is because of all the clubs and districts in the world our club has a long historical association with the Bromley Club in Kent, and we feel most comfortable being associated with them,” Jane explains.

“This opens many doors for us, there are so many projects and ideas we can share with them and we are now eligible to apply for our own international grants. We have visitors queuing up from Kent to come and visit us and we have invitations pouring in for us to visit them. I feel this will make us a much more secure club with a wonderful future.”

Welcoming the new President at the handover dinner

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activities Jane says her personal rewards for being a Rotarian are immense.

“I have lived amongst the wonderful people of Gibraltar for 28 years, and they have welcomed me, helped me and shown me how one small country can be so generous when it comes to charity. I have the greatest of pleasure in helping to give back to this community, helping women in need, young people who need a financial boost for developing an outstanding talent, or giving a Christmas party to KGV, we help our community in so many various ways. Then we are here to help internationally , part of our subscription each year goes to eradicating polio throughout the

What is a typical Rotarian? “It is me, it is you, it is anyone who wants to give back in even the most simple of ways”

Barbara Sellors (in hat) was the first lady member of Rotary Club of Gibraltar

Picnic in the Park The Rotary Club of Gibraltar held its latest event for members and the general public on 22nd July.

The venue for the evening ‘Picnic in the Park’ was the new Commonwealth Park and fine entertainment was provided by the Calpe Band.

By popular demand Rotarians are planning another similar event in the near future as part of their ongoing series of ‘Rotary Days’. n

world, and we always help financially toward world disasters.

Jane loves arranging fund raising events, and is proud of the wonderful local talent here who give so generously of their time and talent to perform in concerts and events. To name a few, she mentions the Gibraltar National Choir and Lili Olivero, the Danza Academy of dance, the Calpe Band, Susan Soiza and her belly dancers, and Philip Valverde and his sound systems. “It is this that really inspires me,” she concludes, “everyone pulling together to make our community a better place to live.” With this in mind ‘Together we make the difference‘ is this year’s motto.

What is a typical Rotarian? “It is me, it is you, it is anyone who wants to give back in even the most simple of ways,” she answers. “It is someone with a generous heart and spirit, someone who enjoys fellowship and helping and supporting his fellows, and wants to learn more about the world around them and the people in it. You are not just joining a local club, but a worldwide organisation where you are welcomed any where in the world as a brother.” n Please visit the website www. rotaryclubgibraltar.com or Facebook page Rotary Club of Gibraltar to find out more.

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Summertime: Protecting your Eyes Most people wear sunglasses for comfort or to look cool. But they might just save our sight. Long-term exposure to sunlight increases the risk of cataracts and is linked to pterygia (growths on the surface of the eye).

Vitamins for Eye Health A large research trial, called the ‘Age-Related Eye Disease Study’ (AREDS), showed that antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene and the minerals zinc as zinc oxide, and copper as cupric oxide, can help to slow down the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

There have been over 150 smaller scale studies looking at how vitamins and minerals can help eye health in general, and in particular AMD and cataracts. A number of these studies looked at the carotenoids Lutein and Zeaxanthin and found that people who have a good diet rich in carotenoids, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin, have a lower risk of developing AMD.

Lutein can be found in yellow peppers, mango, bilberries, and green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, chard and broccoli.

Zeaxanthin can be found in orange sweet peppers, broccoli, corn, lettuce (not iceberg), spinach, tangerines, oranges and eggs.

Many of these overlap with food types in which vitamins A, E and C are present.

The consensus is that with a good balanced diet there should be no need to use supplements.

However, research has shown that many people do not get enough vitamins and minerals from their diet and should consider taking a supplement for their general and eye health.

Age-related macular degeneration affects about 500,000 people in the UK. It occurs when cells in the centre of the retina at the back of the eye become damaged.

Symptoms are the loss of central vision and visual distortion. Both conditions are most common in the elderly — and as we live longer, the numbers affected are growing. The eyes, in common with other organs, need protection if they are to last. Some eye specialists say that protecting the eyes of children is the most effective way to prolong 20-20 vision into old age.

Ian Anderson, an optometrist and the chairman of the Eyecare Trust, a charity devoted to promoting eye health, said: “Your eyes can be damaged by ultraviolet light. There are two types in sunlight – UVA and UVB. UVA

sunlight penetrates quite deeply and can damage the lens and the retina. People should be aware that they need to wear dark glasses and do more to protect their eyes.”

Children are more vulnerable because their eyes are young and the lens and vitreous — the fluid behind the lens — are clearer.

“Children need sunglasses, but parents need to be careful that they are not toys with tinted lenses. That causes the iris to open and let more light through,” the optometrist states.

Simon Kelly, of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, warns that sun can burn the eyes too.

“Over-exposure to ultraviolet light, such as a day at the beach without proper eye protection, can cause a temporary but painful burn to the surface of the eye,

Dogs Die in Hot Cars!

Parked cars are deathtraps for dogs. Beating the heat is extra tough for dogs because they pant to keep cool. In hot stuffy cars dogs can’t cool down — leaving a window open or a sunshield on windscreens won’t keep your car cool enough.

Tests on a 29°C day with the car’s air conditioning having cooled the interior to a comfortable 20°C showed it took just 10 minutes for the temperature to more than double to 44°C. In a further 10 minutes it had tripled to a deadly 60.2°C. Animals can sustain brain

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damage or even die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes.

If a dog shows signs of heatstroke act quickly. Get him or her out of the heat, preferably into an air-conditioned vehicle.

Urgently, gradually lower their body temperature: douse them with cool (not cold) water, to avoid shock. Let them drink small amounts of water. Continue dousing until their breathing settles. Be careful not to use ice or cold water — never cool dogs so much that they begin shivering. Once your dog is cool, go to the vet. n

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similar to sunburn on the skin,” he says.

He adds that reflected sunlight from snow and water is particularly dangerous. Always avoid looking directly at the suns. “Staring directly at the sun can permanently scar the retina, the area at the back of the eye responsible for vision,” he says.

Another risk to eyes is skin cancer, which can affect the eyelids and area around the eyes. Longterm exposure to the sun can increase this risk.

Wearing a wide-brimmed hat as well as sunglasses can reduce the amount of UV rays that reach your face and eyes.

Sunglasses offer protection, but not all of them are adequate.

When you’re shopping for sunglasses, choose a pair that has one of the following: the CE Mark and British Standard (BS EN 1836:2005), a UV 400 label, a statement that the sunglasses offer 100% UV protection. Think about the sides of your eyes, and consider sunglasses with wide or wraparound arms.

We have a great selection of sunglasses shops and opticians who will create prescription sunglasses in Gibraltar so there is no excuse for not protecting your (and your children’s) eyes. n

Consider sunglasses with wide or wraparound arms

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Louis’ Pharmacy Unit F12, International Commercial Centre, Casemates.

Tel: 200 44797

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

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

Member of the British Chiropractic Association

College Clinic, Regal Hse. Tel: 200 77777

CHEMISTS

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

Bell Pharmacy

Back to better health with Chiropractic for headaches, dizziness, neck and lower back pain, sciatica, osteoathritis and sports injuries.

health & medical directory

Rose Favell Central Clinic, Horse Barrack Lane.

Tel: + 34 655 699 841 www.hypnotherapygibraltar.com

Zaneta Kwiecien Sport Rehabilitator GSR, BSc (Hons), OMT Medical Acupuncturist Tel: + 350 62967134 or + 34 665 684 738 Email: zaneta@sportongib.com

Health Clubs

Atlantic Suites Health Club & Spa Tel: 200 48147 Ocean Village Health Club Tel: 200 44242

Health Stores Holland & Barrett 160 Main Street

HEARING CENTRE

Oigamas Hearing Centre Unit S3h 2nd Floor, ICC Casemates Square Tel: 200 63644 Email: info@oigamas.com

Need somebody to talk to?

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

PERSONAL TRAINERS

7 days a week 5pm-9pm

Simon Coldwell Complete Fitness Unit G3, Eliott Hotel Tel: 200 51113

Primary Care Centre 2nd Floor International Commercial Centre Casemates

Weekend & Public Holiday Opening Hours (use Irish Town entrance) Saturday: 9am - 11am, 5pm - 6pm Sunday & Public Holidays: 10am - 11am, 5pm - 6pm

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Isabella Jimenez BSc (hons) Unit 5, 1st Floor, ICC Tel: 54002226 email: jimenez.isabella@gmail.com Zaneta Kwiecien Sport Rehabilitator GSR, BSc (Hons), OMT Medical Acupuncturist Tel: + 350 62967134 Email: zaneta@sportongib.com

SPECIALISTS

Specialist Medical Clinic 1st Floor International Commercial Centre, Casemates. Tel: 200 49999 Dr Vricella, Cosmetic Surgeon College Clinic, Regal House Tel: + 34 951 276 748

GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• AUGUST AUGUST 2014 2014

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well-being

Last year’s event in Casemates will be repeated on Saturday 2nd August from 10am

Support World Breastfeeding Week From 1st to 7th August each year, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action organises World Breastfeeding Week to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and the need for global support.

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated in 120 countries and marks the signing of the WHO/ UNICEF document Innocenti Declaration, which lists the benefits of breastfeeding, plus global and governmental goals.

To mark this occasion, on Saturday 2nd August at 10.30am, thousands of breastfeeding women

and their babies/children across the world will gather in their own communities to take part in the Big Latch On, a synchronized breastfeeding event in multiple locations. Our local Big Latch On will take place at Cafe Solo, Casemates starting at 10am Saturday 2nd August.

The first big Latch On took place in Aotearoa, New Zealand in 2005.

It has now taken off globally and in 2013 14,536 mothers and children were counted as part of the Global Big Latch On — 26 of these were in Gibraltar!

This year the aim is to break this global record — and the local record for simultaneous breastfeeding. Hopefully some of the mummies and babies/children will take part for the third time.

Breastfeeding contributes to the normal growth and development

of babies/children, and babies/ children who are not breastfed are at increased risk of infant mortality, adult obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and breast and ovarian cancer (both mum and baby). The World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a baby’s life to optimise these benefits, continuing to breastfeed for as long as is mutually desired by a woman and her child.

Mummy and Me the local breastfeeding support group and the Gibraltar Breastfeeding Association are inviting breastfeeding mums to be part of this world event. n For information contact Tamsin Suarez email: breastfeedinggib@ymail.com Tel: 54014517 or visit The Big Latch On Gibraltar or Mummy & Me on Facebook.

Skin Tag & Thread Vein Removal Laser Clinic Permanent Hair removal Pigmentation and anti-aging Visiting Surgeon varicose veins, sebaceous cysts, innovative haemorrhoid surgery Cosmetic Surgeon Breast implants and augmentation, face-lifts, tummy tucks

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

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Aaron Soleci:

words | Elena Scialtiel

draw me back to life A prolific and versatile artist despite his youth, Aaron Soleci is the next big thing to watch out for, in Gibraltar and international galleries.

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Aaron started making waves as a teenager, winning prizes and commendations at collective exhibitions —whether reserved for young artists or mainstream — and raising more than one conformist eyebrow with his unconventional portraits.

Now that he’s back on the Rock after completing his Fine Arts degree, it is time for him to stage a big solo exhibition of his work — too diversified in style and subject matters to be pigeonholed in just one category. Perhaps he could focus on a series of small exhibitions, themed around just one aspect of his creativity, since he tried — and succeeded — in portraiture, as much as expressionism, abstract, experimental, sketching, printing, photography, installations and even cake decoration!

“I went to Loughborough University and took a foundation course where I learned

Drawing is an impulse for Aaron... he always has a pad handy to squiggle and create little masterpieces in their own right, or preparatory sketches for bigger and more complex works several disciplines related to art, including textiles, illustration and printing. I realised that fine arts at its purest was the right path for me so I concentrated on it in the following years, and I thank my parents for allowing me this opportunity: one of my art heroes is my dad, in fact,” he explains.

Drawing is an impulse for Aaron, who cannot just lounge around, instead he always has a pad handy to squiggle and create little masterpieces in their own right, or preparatory sketches for bigger and more complex works.

He confesses: “When I was in school, I often got in trouble with the teachers for drawing

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Traditional portraiture and nudes prove his prowess in art’s return to innocence, but one cannot deny they get a little boring and square in comparison to the flamboyant personal visions he can deliver

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all over my books instead of paying attention to the lesson.” In all classes except Art, where his precocious talent became obvious and he was advised to go play with the big boys at the International and Spring Art Exhibitions a few years ago, where he featured a couple of expressionist portraits of bearded old men, one of them subconsciously influenced by Van Gogh, and a gloomy self portrait looking half way between a devilish exterminator robot and a vitamin-deficient zombie.

A macabre undertone seems to slither through a big chunk of Aaron’s work, with a selection of skulls served in all sauces, but most portraits are colourful and positive, executed in a flurry of thick brushstrokes and dripping paint. Some are more realistic than others which are left purposely unfinished, perhaps missing one eye altogether, while others boil down to doodles in finger-painting style.

Aaron is not a wannabe conceptual artist — he knows how to draw, and how to draw well, and when realism is his target, surely he can aim right.

Traditional portraiture and nudes prove his prowess in art’s return to innocence, but one cannot deny they get a little boring and square in comparison to the flamboyant personal visions he can deliver when his imagination is freed to gallop away in the lands of surrealism.

He also does humour: he recently entered a small picture at the Fine Arts Gallery summer exhibition chastising 21st Century’s techno mania — a man in his underwear, tangled in cables, sits on a computer tower, while typing at a keyboard on the floor with his left foot and operating an iPad with the right, a sound-surround system with his left hand and a mobile phone with the right, unable to watch the flat screen TV on the wall because a laptop sits on his head...

“When I started that one, I outlined the man first, and as soon as it appeared on canvas, my little nephew, who was watching me, suggested sitting the man on a toilet...” Aaron chuckles, “but I want to sit him on the computer tower, as my aim was to reflect on how technology drives our life.”

Contemporary information overload is well rendered in his hectic, black pen drawing that could be improperly described as Guernica viewed through comics’ convention goggles during Rio carnival parades, and would still give you just the faintest idea of all that is going on that paper. Aaron just started drawing it one day and let his imagination run wild, until he realised it was taking too much of his time so he set the paper aside. He returned to it after a few months and filled every little nook with faces and objects, creating a random collage effect and a bird’s eye view that would be any hoarder’s delight.

What he meant to say with this one is not too clear to him either, so it is left to the viewer’s interpretation: Aaron doesn’t usually title his work, not to influence judgement and hinder the freedom of seeing in it through the viewer’s emotional baggage or academic knowledge.

A lot of experimental work went on during Aaron’s university years and while most of it can be filed under ‘coursework’ and archived together, there is something that, albeit flimsy and fragile, to catch the attention, and deserves a spotlight in his forthcoming exhibition. He

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constructed small dioramas using peeled cardboard and pencil sketches on paper: “It was a time in my life when I saw the world in a negative light, so I drew some sad stories and set them on the background of cardboard cuttings, whose undulated middle layer I exploited to add texture and depth.”

The subdued neutral colours add to the melancholic sense of loneliness and destitution transpiring from this series. And if a bright brain hovering over the megalithic Rock could be the signature of his recent work, Aaron’s active imagination doesn’t stop at figurative arts, but forays into music, with his rap songs written and performed for the band Squalor Victoria.

“We’re named after a song by Cincinnati indie rock band The National because we liked the song first of all, as well as the oxymoron of ‘squalor’, dilapidation, plus ‘Victoria’, which evokes images of triumph and royalty.”

He is currently working on an album: expect intense lyrics and flashy cover art... n

“

It was a time in my life when I saw the world in a negative light, so I drew some sad stories and set them on the background of cardboard cuttings

”

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Rolex Cocktails

A cocktail party was held on 24th July to inaugurate a space exclusively dedicated to the Rolex luxury watch brand at The Red House, 68 Main Street.

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fashion

leisure & sport

Retail& Activities

shopping & gifts

hair & beauty

HORTICULTURAL CONTRACTORS Tel: 200 43134 Fax: 200 50648 Convent Gardens, Convent Garden Ramp

Ali’s Make Up Plan

Make Up Artist Face painting for children’s parties M 5800 9284 E ali@makeupplan.com W makeupplan.com

lessons & tuition

GACHE & CO LTD EST. 1830

• Giftware • Jewellery • Sports Trophies • Awards & Engravers

266 Main St, Gibraltar Tel: 200 75757

travel & hotels CRAFT CLASSES - PHONE FOR INFO

newsagents/books

Health & Beauty Salon

Queen’s Hotel Gibraltar

• Aromatherapy • Sugar Waxing • Facials • Manicures • Pedicures • Reflexology • Luxury Organic 2hr face & body treatment Open: Mon-Fri 9.30-9 Sat 10-3

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

Don House Arcade Tel: 20077311

Tel: (+350) 20074000 Fax: 20040030

FROST LANGUAGE CENTRE (registered in Gibraltar)

Professional Spanish Teacher All levels, singles, groups or Skype

pets & accessories

Tel: 200 73786

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

Call Margaret Tel: 0034956173384 Mobile: 0034609717296 Email: margaretjf13@gmail.com

photography

Archive editions of The Gibraltar Magazine now available online at www.thegibraltarmagazine.com GIBRALTAR MAGAziNE MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

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past revisited

Marconi, Elettra & Gibraltar words | Reg Reynolds

Gibraltar was a favourite stopping off point for inventor Guglielmo Marconi during his many trips between Italy and the UK. Thanks to his pioneering work on radio-transmission Marconi became a very rich man and was able to purchase a magnificent yacht which he named Elettra, and aboard which he spent many pleasant days anchored in Gibraltar Harbour.

Marconi was born in Italy but did established his company in England and consequently made many voyages between the two countries. On most trips he would stop off at Gibraltar. His second wife Maria wrote in her memoirs Marconi My Beloved of a visit to Gibraltar in the Spring of 1929.

“As always we stopped over in Gibraltar, an attractive place that we knew and liked since, in the

course of the year, we frequently crossed the Straits that were always the starting point for the long voyages which were so necessary and important for Guglielmo’s experiments in the Atlantic. The English residents were used to seeing us anchor our yacht near the fortress, which at the time, was an important strategic base in the Mediterranean. The Royal Navy always offered us a good anchorage and we would stay for a couple of days, fascinated by the characteristic narrow streets along the seafront at the foot of the Rock, with their elegant little shops where it was possible to shop duty free.”

Marconi had been born into

nobility and his first wife Beatrice (married 1905, divorced 1924) had been lady-in-waiting to Queen Elena of Italy. Maria, herself, was the daughter of a Count and so at Gibraltar the Marconis were treated much like royalty.

“We saw and entertained many friends, including the English Admiral who commanded the naval base. He always came on board as soon as we arrived and we in turn followed our custom of visiting his beautiful residence with its hanging garden overlooking the sea.”

In fact the steam yacht Elettra had once been the property of royalty. The elegant 67-metre, 700 tonne beauty had been built in 1904 by the Scottish shipyard

Ramage & Ferguson for the Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria and was originally named Rovenska. During World War I Rovenska was requisitioned by the Royal Navy for use as a minesweeper.

After the War she was put up for sale and was purchased by Marconi and renamed Elettra. Marconi said he chose the name because it was the Italian for electra and “indestructible in any language”.

Elettra had cabins for Marconi and Maria and three guest cabins, four bathrooms and an oak study.

Marconi had a special laboratory installed so he could continue his experiments and make long distance broadcasts anywhere at sea.

Guglielmo Giovanni Maria Marconi was born at Bologna on 25th April 1874, the second son of the Italian aristocrat Giuseppe Marconi, and his Irish/Scots wife, Annie Jameson, daughter of Andrew Jameson of County Wexford, Ireland and granddaughter of

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John Jameson, founder of whiskey distillers Jameson & Sons. From an early age Marconi showed a keen interest in electricity and the science of ‘Hertzian waves’ waves named for Henirich Hertz who in 1888, shortly before his death, demonstrated that it was possible to produce electromagnetic radiation — ‘radio waves’.

Marconi attended the University of Bologna and continued to experiment with ‘wireless telegraphy’ at home with the aid of his butler. Finding little support for his work in Italy so he travelled

In April 1912 Marconi was invited to enjoy free first-class passage aboard Titanic on its maiden voyage to Britain and in 1897 founded the Wireless Telegraph & Signal Company, which would later be renamed the Marconi Company.

He made numerous successful demonstrations of wireless transmission throughout the region and earned lucrative contracts with the Royal Navy. On 17th December, 1902 at Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Marconi received the world’s first ever transatlantic wireless message. In 1909, he shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with Karl Braun.

In April 1912 Marconi was invited to enjoy free first-class passage aboard Titanic on its maiden voyage. The two radio operators on board Titanic, Jack Phillips and Harold Bride were not employed by the White Star Line but by the Marconi International Marine Communication Company. For-

tunately for him Marconi opted to sail three days earlier aboard the Lusitania. He had paperwork to do and preferred the public stenographer aboard that other luxury liner.

Of the 2224 passengers and crew aboard the Titanic, which sank after hitting an iceberg on the night of 15th April, 1912, only 705 survived and they were all rescued by the SS Carpathia. The Marconi radio operators played a major role in the rescue by keeping up continuous radio contact until Titanic went down.

The British Postmaster General declared, “Those who have been saved, have been saved through one man, Mr. Marconi... and his marvelous invention.”

When Carpathia docked in New York, Marconi went aboard with a reporter from the New York Times to talk with Bride, the surviving operator. Marconi gave evidence to the Court of Inquiry into the loss of Titanic regarding the marine telegraphy’s functions and the procedures for emergencies at sea.

For the next 25 years Marconi continued his experiments and broadcasts aboard the Elettra as it sailed around the Mediterranean and across the Atlantic.

Unfortunately he also embraced Mussolini’s fascism. Marconi died of a heart attack at Rome on 20th July, 1937, the day of his daughter Elettra’s 7th birthday.

After Marconi’s death, the yacht was sold to the Italian Government. In World War II, after Italy had surrendered to the Allies in September 1943, she was commandeered by the Germans. Elettra was torpedoed and sunk in 1944 by a British submarine. After the war, the Elettra was raised and handed back to the Italian Government but it eventually fell into disrepair and was cut up for scrap. n

Adopt Don’t Buy

Give a Dog a Home If you are interested in adopting call the GSPCA on 540 19968 or 540 29927

y

ACHT SCENE tar l Gibra SAILORS’ GUIDE • 2014

Yacht Scene 2014

get your copy now

£5.00

Yacht Scene • • Sailors’ Guide 20 4

Lo ca Tid l In fo e M Tab rmat arin les io a& •D n• Har istan Tidal bo ce Atl T ur as Pla able ns s

£5 + p&p (£8 total)

Send cheque to PO Box 555 Gibraltar

Guglielmo Marconi, Elettra Marconi, Maria Cristina Bezzi Scali

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

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That Nail Place Nail Extensions Gel - Acrylic - Fibreglass

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Airbrushing Nail Art Body Jewellery

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

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GACHE & CO LTD EST. 1830

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• Giftware • Jewellery • Sports Trophies • Awards & Engravers

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266 Main St, Gibraltar Tel: 200 75757

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Gibraltar Taxi Association

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

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Quality Kitchen Ware Gibraltar’s Best Stocked Cook Shop K5

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46 Irish Town Tel: 200 75188 Fax: 200 72653

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take-away or reserve a table

Tel: 200 46993 7 days 11am - 3pm, 6pm - late

Tel: 200 73786

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..................................K3 Barclays...................................... M4 Jyske Bank.................................. L4 Sovereign Trust...........................N4 ITMS............................................ J9 Business Services Waste Management......................a6 Business Supplies Beacon Press...............................N6 Image Graphics...........................N3 Stitch Design................................P3

Queensway Quay (next to Waterfront)

Motoring & Car Sales A. M. Capurro & Sons Ltd ........ N6 Computers & Cableing Image Graphics........................... N3 Newton Systems.........................M5 PC Clinic..................................... U3 Fashion/Clothing Marble Arc....................................J4 Food & Drink Amin’s The Office....................... K5 Bridge Bar .................................. B5 Buddies Pasta Casa..................... Q4 Cafe Rojo.................................... K5 Café Solo..................................... G3 Casa Pepe.....................................Z6

K8 Z6

TASTY INDIAN CUISINE

Get Stuffed................................... A3 House of Sacarello........................L5 Just Desserts...................................I4 Lord Nelson................................. H2 The Lounge ..................................Z6 O’Reilly’s Irish Pub......................B5 Picadilly Gardens.......................... b4 Pick-a-Bite.....................................J6 Saccone & Speed...........................J4 Solo Express................................ H4 Star Bar........................................ K5 Verdi Verdi................................... H4 Waterfront.................................... Y7

Roots.............................................T4

Hair & Beauty Salons Claudia’s Clinic............................ K4 Joya’s Gents Hairdressers............ N2 Renaissance Beauty.......................J4

Legal Services Hassans........................................ Q6 Isolas.............................................E4

Jewellery Sales/Repair Essardas.........................................L4 Jewellery Repairs..........................L4 Matthew’s Jewellery......................I3 Radhika.........................................L4 Leisure Complete Fitness ������������������������� R3 Dolphin Safari ����������������������������� A3 Ocean Village Gym �������������������� C4 Atlantic Suites Gym & Spa...........J9

Medical / Health Bell Pharmacy..............................N3 Claudia’s Clinic............................K4 Dr. Crump, Steven, Chiropractor I4 Health Food Store........................O4 Louis Pharmacy...........................H4 McTimoney chiropractor.............L4 Sport-On - Sports Therapy...........K3 Steiner Chiropractor.....................K7 Pet Services / Supplies Gibraltar Veterinary Clinic..........H4 Property Sales / Estate Agents BFA..............................................G4 Chesterton....................................D5 Savills............................................J5 Solomon Levy .............................U3

O2

General Services Balloqui ......................................P4 LP Borge.................................... X3 Denville Designs........................M3 Greenarc..................................... X5 Larbi upholstery......................... R3 Shopping — General Image...........................................E6 Originarta ....................................)2 Recruitment RecruitGibraltar ������������������������ O6 SRG Europe.................................I3 Transport / Marine Services Gib Cargo................................... B8 Tarik Oil..................................... C8

Learn Guitar

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● B.Mus and PGDip in Classical Guitar Performance ● Beginners or advanced including ABRSM graded exams ● Half hour lessons £15 or £20 for one hour ● Lessons from 5.30pm at OriginArta, 29 Governor’s Street

For info or to book a lesson

O2 Tel: Adam 58181000 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

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DJ and producer Vulgarythm is climbing the electronic music charts with his dubstep, drum & bass and glitch-hop songs, an acquired taste that Gibraltarian clubbers are slowly but surely getting hungry for.

words | Elena Scialtiel

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“I chose my stage name because I wanted to convey at once the idea of ‘aggressive’ music for the masses and how it is ‘mathematically’ elaborated,” 29-year old musician Kyle Pecino reveals how he came up with this portmanteau of ‘vulgar’ and ‘algorithm’, spelt with a Y to suggest that there is a beat involved.

Kyle started deejaying 13 years ago under the moniker Frank-E (“Short for Frankenstein, because I am so tall,” he explains), but he upgraded to his current and more original one, because there are too many ‘Frankies’ in the business.

“Since there is an eight-year gap between my ‘Frank-E’ and my ‘Vulgarythm’ days, some people who used to follow me then may not realise I am the same person, but with more experience,” he adds.

His deejaying career started in his early teens, after attending local nightclubs and realising he’d like to try for himself: “I bought some cheap equipment and started practising in my room until I figured I was good enough to organise my own events. They were successful and I was encouraged to go for more. I was also in a metal band called ‘Autophagist’ for a short while, before going to university.”

Kyle runs a group of seven DJs under the collective name of ‘Sub-Selective’, and they perform mainly at the Rock on the Rock Club, but they occasionally take the plunge in more commercial venues like Seven and The Island.

After their 12-hour marathon on 26th July to celebrate midsummer, Rock on the Rock will host the traditional National Day bash, with an afternoon-into-the-night big party featuring both live bands and DJs. “The scene is growing for this type of music,” he says, “and we get our regulars plus some new people every time.”

The alternative nightclub is his artistic birthplace and his den, because it has ‘the friendly atmosphere and the open-mindedness you cannot find anywhere else in Gibraltar’.

While regular clubbers seem to go where the devil they know plays, Rock on the Rockers expect and seek groundbreaking performances — that’s why bands and deejays are given carte blanche for their gigs.

When he deejays, Vulgarythm ‘plugs’ his own songs. He has released three EPs, titled Ghost in the Stone, In the Lab and From the Fire, his most successful one so far.

Ghost in the Stone reached number five in the specialised glitch-hop charts of the website Beatport.com, where his songs can also be enjoyed and downloaded for a nominal fee.

The single lifted from his second EP reached number 20 in the single charts of the same genre. This track includes a tribute to Cartoon

photo: James Culatto

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events Network’s iconic Dexter’s Laboratory: towards the end of a cheery tune, Dexter and Dee Dee’s voices are clearly audible.

“I wanted to write a happy song, so I wound my mind back to when I felt the happiest: my lazy Sunday mornings watching Dexter. I recorded the characters’ catchphrases and made them part of the song.”

Words turned into music are just one of the wonders that electronic music allows: “I recorded a burp once and layered it with bass. You cannot tell it is a burp, because I manipulated it, but I preserved the throaty quality I was after. And for my new song, Kim, named after my fiancée, I recorded the word ‘bottom’ from our favourite TV show Miranda, shortened it, raised the pitch and used it as percussion.” The final effect is quite charming, and the entire song oozes freshness and summertime romance.

With a suitable computer programme, electronic music gives you complete freedom, and the only limit is your creativity and your expertise, as you don’t need a band or instruments and any noise can be turned into music, Vulgarythm

“I recorded the word ‘bottom’ from our favourite TV show Miranda, shortened it, raised the pitch and used it as percussion” claims. However, only 10% of what he records is good enough to make the final cut — the surplus is saved in files for future reference — and a song may take from one week to several months to complete. He feels he is at the peak of his productivity right after a deejaying show, when the tracks he plays inspire him to produce his own.

Of course you can use real instruments in electronic music: so far, Vulgarythm has worked with bongos and guitar to create a piece of flamenco fusion Breakbeat track but his next project is recording local musicians and turning them into glitch-hop, drum & bass or dubstep as soon as he gets the suitable equipment. Actually, he would like to hold a live concert like Australian drum & bass group Pendulum do, mixing hard rock and electronic.

Vulgarythm draws inspiration from his favourite artist in the field, Sarajevo-born Billain who goes to great lengths to experiment with neurofunk, including transforming purring cats into a new beat by layering it with bass.

“His music is so creative and aggressive and he is pushing the boundaries so much that he’s on the brink to get too weird for average listeners to keep on liking him,” Kyle reckons.

But it is worth indeed learning from the best, because they say that in this industry you can only get as good as your favourite artists are: “Your taste in music determines how far you will go.”

Despite his success, this is a difficult business to be in and royalties are not enough to make a livelihood out of it. Kyle reassures his hardcore fans: “In the unlikely event that I make it big, I won’t let fame go to my head and I will keep on performing at Rock on the Rock.” n

23th August to 9th September 2014

It’s National Week 2014!

Thursday 21st to Tuesday 26th August 4th Gibraltar Junior International Chess Festival at Caleta Hotel. For info visit: www.gibraltarchesscongress.com/junior

Saturday 23th to Sunday 31st August Gibraltar Fair at Naval Ground from 8.30pm onwards.

Wednesday 27th August to Tuesday 9th September ‘Our Gibraltar’ Annual Photographic Exhibition organised by the Gibraltar Photographic Society Lower Exhibition Room, John Mackintosh Hall 9.30am to 9.30pm. Entrance free.

Jose Maria Gallardo Del Rey and the European Symphony Orchestra 9pm at St Michael’s Cave. Arranged on behalf of the Ministry of Culture by the Gibraltar Philharmonic Society. Tickets £20 on sale at Sacarello’s Coffee Shop, Irish Town and the Silver Shop, 222 Main Street. Tickets £10 for Senior Citizens and Students available from the Silver Shop, 222 Main Street, and the John Mackintosh Hall reception. Bus shuttle from 7.30pm at Elliot’s Way and Public Market Monday 1st September to Friday 5th September ‘To Be Llanito’ a stand up comedy written

by Christian Santos and organised by Santos Productions 8pm John Mackintosh Hall Theatre. Tickets £12 on sale at the Nature Shop, Casemates Square from Wednesday 13th August. For info email: info@santos-productions.com Friday 5th September National Week Pool Tournament (Kids) 4pm organised by the Gibraltar Pool Association. All proceeds to Team Gibraltar’s participation at the Pool World Championships in October 2014. Entry fee £5. For info contact Charlie Bear on Mobile: 56199000 or email: gibpool@ gibtelecom.net Dinner and Opera organised by the Rotary Club of Gibraltar in Cannon Lane from 7.30pm. For info contact Jane Howard on 20077288 or Jane Hart on 56001830 Saturday 6th September Gibraltar Music Festival, Victoria Stadium.

Arranged on behalf of the Ministry of Culture by Word of Mouth and Axel Media.

Featuring The Script, Rita Ora, John Newman, Roger Hodgson, James Arthur, amongst other local and international acts.

Doors open at 12 noon. For info visit: www.gibraltarmusicfestival.com

Friday 29th August 9th Beer Festival featuring Afterhours and Jetstream at Bayside Sports Centre Complex 7pm - midnight. Tickets £20 on sale at Lewis Stagnetto Ltd, 41 Main Street.

For info Tel: 54005729 Saturday 30th August Autism Awareness Day Sponsored Walk at 9am followed by a Fun Day from 12 noon at Casemates Square. For info Tel: 54012163, email: chadwicklesley@gmail.com or Facebook: www.facebook.com/triple. aaa2014 Monday 1st September National Week Classical Concert featuring

Sunday 7th September Classic and Vintage Cars Display organised by the Gibraltar Classic Vehicles Association at Ocean Village from 10.30am to 2pm.

Tuesday 9th September 2nd Gibraltar Wine Festival Chatham Counterguard - wines, barbecue and entertainment, from 1pm to 1am.

Ambrose Avellano exhibition — official opening of the 2nd Little Constellation Project 6pm. Organised by the Gibraltar Cultural Services in conjunction with the Little Constellation Network. Montagu Bastion, Line Wall Road

Email: kylepecino914@hotmail.com for bookings.

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Orfila: acoustic gigging

words | Elena Scialtiel

Revving up for their Gibraltar debut at the Music Festival this September, Kent-based Gibraltarian acoustic trio Orfila is also working on the finishing touches of their album Writing on the Wall, to be released soon on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon.

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Orfila’s album will count on the participation of guest artists such as Liam Genockey, Steel Eye Span’s drummer, bassist Colin Gibson, who has played with Shirley Bassey and the Mark Almond Band, and Suzi Quatro’s lead guitarist Jamie Crompton.

The title track is the very first song Orfila wrote together, and it goes a little bit like this: “In the middle of the night, in the shadows of the moonlight, we’re holding on tight to the memories that we’ve left behind. The storm is coming back again, I won’t pretend that I will be okay... now you’re gone.”

Out of the 12 tracks featured (10 originals and two covers), Draw A Line is their favourite since their first gig. It epitomises their signature folk, pop and country fusion with lyrics like “Do you realise just how much this hurts? We can’t compromise when I’m face down in the dirt. I’m begging no more lies, ‘cause I’ve heard them all before. Why don’t you draw a line through my name and cross me out of your life?”

They describe this album as one ‘focusing on subjects like love, friendship and life in general’: “We’ve tried to make it as personal and honest as possible,” they admit. “We very much wore our hearts on our sleeves for it, with songs that reflect our own different life experiences.”

They explain: “We tend to write our songs individually and seek the input and advice of the others, meaning that we all have an influence on each other. A few songs were co-written by two members of the band, however generally we all have a fairly equal hand in both lyrics and music.”

Orfila, which has fast become regulars on the London circuit and in the south-east of England, was musically and officially born on 23rd June 2012, when the band supported BBC Radio 2 playlist

artist singer/songwriter Ben Montague.

“We love working together!” they claim. “The three of us are close and get along well. We all have very similar ideas, motivations and ambitions in life. However, each of us brings something different to the band.”

The three siblings from Folkestone might have been performing together for only two years, but they have a varied experience as soloists under their belt, despite their young age.

Matt, the eldest, is just 25 and recently graduated in English with Film Studies from Winchester University. He started learning guitar 10 years ago and now he masters that instrument as well as harmonica, banjo and ukulele, when he is not busy with backing vocals. He is a big fan of Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit, Bob Dylan and Gibraltar’s own Breed 77 among others.

At 22, Louise has been song-writing, performing and recording her music since she was 12. She reached Grade 7 piano and became a self-taught guitarist at 15, when she ‘discovered’ country music. She admires artists such as Gavin DeGraw, Taylor Swift, Jason Reeves, Natasha Bedingfield, Ed Sheeran, Phil Collins and others from a range of genres.

She says: “I started off as a solo artist but for the past two years I have been writing and recording in the band with my older brother and younger sister. I played at Casemates Summer Nights several times as a solo artist and introduced Abi to live gigging at the Gibraltar Beer Festival a couple of years ago.

“Music has always been a huge part of our lives since I can remember, and I feel very lucky to be able to work and perform with two very talented people by my side.”

At 19, Taylor Swift and Dolly Parton fan Abi is already a veteran in musical theatre, where she debuted at the age of five, landing leading roles in local and school drama productions. She is finishing off her studies in Performing Arts and Music and achieved her Grade 6 piano with distinction last summer, while she was busy co-writing songs and playing with the band.

“We’ve been incredibly lucky to be able to support some massive names so far!” they smile, listing artists like Dodgy, Sharon Shan-

non, Beverley Craven and Albert Hammond. “We also played at the biggest venue in Folkestone, and one of the most respected live music venues in the South East, the Leas Cliff Hall, where the likes of Mumford and Sons, Motorhead, Ozzy Osbourne, McFly and Status Quo also played in the past.”

For their set at the Gibraltar Music Festival, expect a medley of covers and originals: “We are songwriters but we love to do cover versions of our favourite songs. We are open to covering any song , but we tend to favour less known ones to adapt them to our own musical style.”

Wishing music was their ‘day job’, the Orfila siblings take their rehearsal time very seriously and try to perform twice a week, hoping to be scouted by a record label soon: “We’d all love to pursue music as a career... if you never try, then you’ll never know!” n Visit their exquisite website http://orfilamusic.com for news about the band, updates on their album release date and excerpts. Like their page on Facebook or follow them on Twitter for links.

They describe their album as one ‘focusing on subjects like love, friendship and life in general’

Going Local at the Gibraltar Music Festival Talented local acts will join amazing international stars on 6th September at the Gibraltar Music Festival.

Georgia Thursting (pictured), Orfila, Headwires and the very talented and extremely passionate Adrian Pisarello join a world class bill, topped

by The Script, featuring the lovely Rita Ora, the legendary Roger Hodgson (formerly of

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Supertramp), chart sensations John Newman & Clean Bandit, Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley, reggae star Maxi Priest and X-Factor winner James Arthur.

Tickets

Tickets are on sale at Vijay and Music Corner in Main Street, as well as at Gib Oil petrol stations, the Alameda, Ocean Village Express shops and online via the

GMF website. (VIP tickets are sold out.)

As we went to press, further international artists were being finalised for the Gibraltar Music Festival, which will take place at the Victoria Stadium on Saturday 6th of September 2014. To ensure you are the first to hear the exciting news, sign up to the newsletter at: www. gibraltarmusicfestival.com

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Headwires:

Sounds hook my Mind Simply stated, Headwires are Gibraltar’s coolest young band.

These guys have been rubbing shoulders with many of the Rock’s most experienced musicians at the Rock On The Rock Club for years, so it’s no surprise they love their indie rock.

In July 2013, the Gibraltar Magazine told you these guys were hot property, and their new EP has proved it: Organs is beautifully crafted. In just five songs, Evan Torrente, Patrick Murphy and Daryl Pallas show a remarkable ability to combine big guitar sounds with vocal harmonies and anthemic choruses.

Despite their tender years — they’re still technically in school — their musicality is very impressive.

And it is clearly growing with every live gig. They recently performed Organs live at Casemates at the Calentita food festival. Laid bare in a more acoustic set-up, the

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boys engaged the audience with their uplifting and catchy lyrics.

As more of us listen to the Headwires EP, more and more of us sing along: If you love me let me go.

The band members say they’re “excited and thrilled” at the prospect of performing for Gibraltar’s largest audience at the Gibraltar Music Festival on Saturday 6th September. They’re promising a passionate and energetic performance! n Listen to Headwires online at Soundcloud- soundcloud.com/ headwires11 follow on Instagram headwiresofficial, or visit Facebook - facebook.com/headwires11

In just five songs, Evan Torrente, Patrick Murphy and Daryl Pallas show a remarkable ability to combine big guitar sounds with vocal harmonies and anthemic choruses

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Gorgeous Georgia...

The Gibraltar Music Festival has already booked some amazing local talent – arguably, none with a voice sweeter than Georgia Thursting.

This young and vivacious artist has been making her mark on the Leeds music and festival scenes, performing at Live at Leeds 2013 alongside big names including Everything Everything, AlunaGeorge and Rudimental. Georgia’s vibrant performance style also recently landed her slots supporting artists such as Submotion Orchestra and Tyler Hilton — a calibre of gig that shows no sign of stopping!

Putting her own stamp on her wide range of influences, it’s no

wonder she is getting strong reviews from the critics.

“Armed with a voice that ranges from soft and sweet to a southern soul rasp all in the same verse” The Leeds Debacle “Tales of sex, adultery and seduction ... are all underpinned by a rich soulful voice that will take Thursting to higher things” - Virtual Festivals She recently travelled to the US to record her debut EP (for release very soon). Georgia is endorsed by women’s sports brand Lexie Sport.

And the overwhelming response following the announcement that she’ll be performing with her band at the Gibraltar Music Festival is a sign of how much love the Rock has for this sassy songstress. n Listen to Georgia online at Soundcloudsoundcloud.com/georgia_thursting, follow her on Twitter - @Georgialovesa or visit her Facebook page - facebook. com/georgiathurstingmusic

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National Week is Festival Week National ‘Week’ starts this month — on 23rd August — with the opening of the Fair at the Naval Ground, and the countdown is well and truly on to the big ticket events leading up to National Day proper on 10th September.

The Beer Festival is on 29th August featuring Afterhours and Jetstream at the Bayside Sport Complex, the Gibraltar Music Festival will pack out Victoria Stadium with local and international acts from 12 noon on Saturday 6th Sptember and the Wine Festival takes

place at Chatham Counterguard from 1pm to 1am on Tuesday 9th September. You will also find on the calendar the European Symphony Orchestra, Comedy, Arts and Sports — and even dinner and opera on the street!

There certainly is an exciting few weeks ahead for the Rock. n

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puzzle page

SUDOKU Just for fun!

by Alan Gravett 2

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

FIRST PRIZE: Lunch for 2 at The Clipper

One entry per person.

Closing date: 16th August 2014 Last month’s winner: Kay Eggleton Cannon Lane LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS: Across: Dewlap, Camper, Careful, Idols, Nadir, Erewhon, Contestants, Scholar, Salvo, Inlet, Everton, Trowel, Ferret.

Down: Decant, Wired, Atfirst, Alive, Prophet, Rising, Fleetstreet, Othello, Austere, Assist, Cornet, Lethe, Later.

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Across 1. A1 (6) 4. Welsh town which features famous

beacons (6) 9. Idiot (as Delboy would say) (7) 10. Calvados or scrumpy, say (5) 11. Indian wonder-worker (5) 12. US singer; religious icon (7) 13. Undersea seismic eruptions (11) 18. Result of not shaving for a few days (7) 20. Find; soupcon (5) 22. Performer in the theatre, on screen

etc. (5) 23. In name only; par value of a share (7) 24. Cut out; old tax (6) 25. Former Soviet leader (6) Down 1. Be an example of (6) 2. Cheap wine (5) 3. King Charles II hiding place; where

acorns grow (3,4) 5. Ran fast, especially competitively (5) 6. Fall in pitch at end of speech, music

etc. (7) 7. Not extraordinary (6) 8. People who exaggerate problems in an

extrovert way (5,6) 14. Relating to swimming and other water

based sports (7) 15. Slot machine in which one can buy

food, drinks etc in USA (7) 16. Large property; what one leaves on

death (6) 17. Composer of White Christmas; capital

of Germany (6) 19. 9s (5) 21. Record (5)

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Portuguese Algarve where both of them had villas. Sadly Luz is best known today for the disappearance of little Madeleine McCann.

The couple chose Gibraltar for their marriage for convenience sake, as Kirkwood relates in her book The Time of My Life.

“Then the complications began to develop.

I was resident in Portugal, Peter in England, and there was no way we could be married in Portugal without a long delay.

Knight approached the British Embassy at Lisbon and suggested they could be married by a ship’s captain “...this was greeted with some polite mirth by the various people we saw, but the top man did not turn a hair or crack a smile. ‘I am sorry to have to inform you Mr.

“

Strangely when we were taking our vows, he cried like a baby with tears running down his cheeks. I thought this very odd, for he must have married many couples

Peter Knight and Pat Kirkwood at the Rock Hotel

Singer, Dancer, Actress Pat Kirkwood Wed In Gibraltar words | Reg Reynolds

On the internet there are lists of celebrities married in Gibraltar but the beautiful and multi-talented Pat Kirkwood hasn’t made any that I can find.

Probably because, by the time she married at Gibraltar, she was no longer the star of stage, screen, pantomime and television that she had been for more than 50 years.

Her marriage to retired lawyer Peter Knight took place on 3rd March, 1981 and was her fourth, but her first at Gibraltar. Previously Kirkwood had been married to Yorkshire ‘chancer’ John Lister, Yugoslavian ship-owner Spiro de Spero Gabriele, who was nicknamed

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‘Sparky’, and actor and radio-star Hubert Gregg. The latter was best known for his appearances in the films In Which We Serve and Doctor at Sea and his long-running BBC radio show. Gregg was also a songwriter. He wrote more than 200 songs including the classic Maybe It’s Because I’m A Londoner.

Knight, a retired lawyer, was also from Yorkshire. He and Kirkwood had met in the beautiful seaside village of Luz Bay in the

”

Knight, that we have not done anything like that since Casablanca’.”

“We were finally married in a register office in Gibraltar by a dear little man called Mr Luka, who looked like Charlie Chaplin. Strangely when we were taking our vows, he cried like a baby with tears running down his cheeks. I thought this was very odd, for he must have married many couples. Was he crying for them all, or perish the thought, did he think we were too late.”

The newlyweds spent their wedding night at the Rock Hotel and then returned to live in Luz bay.

Patricia Kirkwood was born in Pendleton, Salford, England on 24th February, 1921 to William and Norah Kirkwood. Her father was a Scottish shipping clerk. She was educated at Levenshulme High School in Manchester. Her beauty and talent for singing and dancing were evident from an early age and at the age of 14 she entered a talent contest at Ramsey, Isle of Man and was subsequently asked to sing on the BBC’s Children’s Hour.

Using the name ‘Pat’ Kirkwood she would spend the rest of her life in show business.

She was incredibly versatile and excelled in a wide variety of performing arts — drama, cabaret, revues, music hall and pantomime.

Touted as Britain’s Betty Grable because of her fabulous legs she also appeared in a dozen movies, notably Come On George with George Formby, No Leave, No Love with Van Johnson and After The Ball with Laurence Harvey. She was the first woman to have her own television series, The Pat Kirkwood Show, on the BBC. Her final live performance was in a musical show at the Festival Theatre, Chichester in July, 1994 at the age of 73.

Peter Knight and Patricia Kirkwood, the elegant couple who had tied the knot 26 years earlier at Gibraltar, were still married when Patricia died as a result of Alzheimer’s on Christmas Day, 2007. n

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Choices

words | Eve Maddock-Jones, Student

Choice. A paradoxical word. Its concept has both the power to free a person, and in the blink of an eye condemn them if the wrong choice is made.

Everybody has to make choices every day of their lives. From small ones such as “what shall I eat for breakfast?” to big ones like “do I really need to check the breaks on my car?” For teenagers there is a general sense of stress surrounding the concept of “choices”, due to the major decisions we are expected to make for ourselves. To us all choices feel like big ones.

In the topic of education decisions made in high school may have a domino effect on the rest of your life. Depending on the subjects you chose for your GCSEs, at the age of just 13-14, they may dictate what kind of career path, if any, you are able to go down in the future. “The wrong GCSE options results on the wrong A-Level choices, and the wrong A-Level subject’s means that you won’t be able to do the course you want to study at university.” This is the general thought shared amongst students. “We don’t tend to rationalise the thought process,” said fellow A-Level student, “we just feel very under pressure to make the right decisions all the time, so we immediately panic and think of

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the worst things that could happen”.

This “pressure” felt by teenagers is a prevailing issue. As we develop and become more liberal as a society there is an expectation that teenagers should know exactly where they want to go with their lives. “I don’t like the idea that at 17 I’m expected to know what I want to do with the rest of my life. I won’t be the same person I am now in 10 years time. I will be different, my ambitions differ-

Students are not bound by the decisions they make about a job at 17. They may have the time later on to go down another career path, go back to school, or just start afresh

ent, the career I want now may not be what I want to do then.” This was a remark made by a student and it spells out the burdened on teenagers with regards to choices. If people did not grow and develop then we would remain the same. The term “adult” would be eradicated as we would all remain in the mind set of children, pleasantly dreaming of being a princess or a dragon slayer every day.

But that is not the case. People change. So, to expect a teenager to be able to plan every detail of their life now is an absurd idea. Few adults nowadays are able to say that they had everything planned out from day one and, most importantly, followed it through successfully.

It’s true that the pressure is exaggerated as a side effect of the stress surrounding the choices to be made. Students are not bound by the decisions they make about a job at 17.

They may have the time later on to go down another career path, go back to school, or just start afresh in a whole new field than the one original planned. But it is the fact that students believe, or “chose to believe”

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that the university course chosen now will be the deciding factor for future happiness in 20 years time.

Aside from education we also have to make choices about old and new relationships in our lives.

As children grow older the relationship between them and their parents goes through a shift. The children, once innocently playing in the sandboxes all day, are now waking up to the realities of the world. New ideas, opinions and thoughts are developing. Children’s interests change too, altering the previous

Aside from education we also have to make choices about old and new relationships in our lives dynamics of the relationship shared between the child and the parent. It’s a natural part of life, something which all adults will have a good story or two to share about. But again choices need to be made. More adult responsibilities are brought to the table, different choices presented.

With regards to new relationships this comes about due to the change of interests.

As puberty is experienced and suffered, teenagers are opened to the idea of attraction to another person. When you experience your first “adult relationship” new choices are also brought before you. The subjects of commitment and more “controversially” sex are but a few.

Whilst we are lucky to live in a privileged society with many more liberating options available to teenagers, the fear of making the wrong choice about them has teenagers tossing and turning all night. Aside from our important academic life choices we also have to make major personal choices. How to maintain a good relationship with your parents, prove your maturity and responsibility, juggle the demands of a relationship with a boyfriend/girlfriend. “Teenagers. The most misunderstood people on the planet.

Treated like children but expected to act like adults”. n

Archives starts digitisation programme The National Archives of Gibraltar has launched its new website as part of the longterm digitisation of historical records.

The digitisation programme began in 2012 and included the study of old registers of inhabitants to prepare them for digitisation.

A prototype was developed in 2013 and this year, the Gibraltar National Archives website was created at www.nationalarchives. gi together with an Archon database management system.

The website currently includes a list of people who remained in Gibraltar after the British took the Rock in 1704. It also includes the later more detailed registers of population (censuses) which show the name of each resident, their nationality, occupation and

other relevant information.

The lists and registers for 1777, 1791, 1814, 1816, 1817, 1834, 1868, 1871, 1878, 1881, 1891 1901, 1911 and 1914 are now searchable meaning users can select a name from ascending order alphabetical droplists. Soon, users will be able to type their names into blank search fields to establish whether there was anyone with the same surname resident in Gibraltar in the relevant years. Currently the database holds over 174,000 records.

The project has been driven by the new Archivist, Anthony Pitaluga, who has built on the work begun by previous archivists.

Anthony is an IT and Computing graduate and professional member of Archives & Records Association of UK and the British Computer Society.

The website includes the history of the archives. A set of pages under the “Features” section commemorates the 100th anniversary of the First World War. There are image slide shows which depict Gibraltar in 19th century, Gibraltar from 1939-1945, Gibraltar in the 1960s and images of former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw’s visit to Gibraltar in 2002.

Visit: www.nationalarchives.gi

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events The Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival Friday 14th to Sunday 16th November 2014

A Literary November Following the tremendous success of the first Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival on the Rock in October last year, the second Festival is set to take place in November 2014 with speakers already lined up for this great addition to Gibraltar’s cultural calendar.

He will give two talks; one on the future of The Hon Neil Costa MP, Minister for TourChina and the other, as the biographer of ism, Commercial Affairs Public Transport and General de Gaulle, on the future of France. the Port, alongside Festival Director, Sally Dunsmore, and Special Advisor Tony Byrne, announced that among this year’s speakers ● Professor Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch, Professor of the History of the Church at Oxford and performers will be: and BBC Television presenter, discussing ● Kate Mosse – acclaimed novelist and interhis latest book on Silence in Christian History. national bestseller. Her book Labyrinth was translated into 30 languages. She will be Travel writers will include: discussing her new novel The Taxidermist’s ● Ian Finlayson – author of Tangier, City of the Daughter.

Dream ● Historian and television presenter, Kate Williams, whose recently published bi- ● Barnaby Rogerson on Marrakesh ography is about Napoleon’s Empress, ● John Hopkins – author of The Tangier Diaries Josephine. and The White Nile Diaries ● Lord Carey – former Archbishop of Canter- ● Dr Charles Powell, Director of the Elcano bury (1991-2002) who will give an address Royal Institute in Madrid, Spanish historian and preach at The Festival Service at the and biographer of King Juan Carlos Cathedral of the Holy Trinity ● Jimmy Burns – former FT correspondent; ● Jonathan Fenby – former Editor of the award winning writer on Argentina and Observer and the South China Morning Post.

The Falklands War. His father, Tom Burns, was Press Attaché at The British Embassy in Madrid in World War II. Jimmy will talk with colleagues about Gibraltar and Spain, Secret War, 1939-1945

A bespoke Schools Festival is being organised with the Department of Education where, over two days (Thursday 13th and Friday 14th November), the majority of the Festival speakers will talk to classes in the schools Professor Martin Kemp author of Christ to Coke – how images become an Icon

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Jonathan Fenby – former Editor of the Observer and the South China Morning Post

● Professor Martin Kemp – former Professor of The History of Art at Oxford. The world’s leading writer and authority on Leonardo da Vinci and author of Christ to Coke – how images become an Icon ● Harry Freedman – Jewish Scholar and Historian. He will talk about his new book The Talmud – a Biography There are two new prestigious Festival Lectures: ● The Gibraltar Chronicle Lecture ● The Kusuma Trust Philanthropy Lecture There will be three major music events in November’s schedule: ● The acclaimed Orchestra of St. John with its

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founder conductor, John Lubbock, playing music chosen by a distinguished Festival guest ● A concert with the legendary British Nigerian singer, Patti Boulaye, star of Hair and Carmen Jones – regular performer at The Royal Albert Hall and leading venues ● The Bookshop Band whose hugely popular music inspired by books and readings have delighted Festival and Radio audiences all over the UK. ● ‘The Food of Venice’ by Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi with a talk and tasting on the spices and foods of Morocco which influenced Venetian cuisine over the centuries Three very popular speakers from 2013 will return in November: ● Cookery writer and actress, Madhur Jaffrey ● Novelist, Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat ● William Chislett, authority on Spain and its culture A bespoke Schools Festival is being organised with the Department of Education where, over two days (Thursday 13th and Friday 14th November), the majority of the Festival speakers will talk to classes in the schools. This is a unique innovative venture, never undertaken on such a scale by any UK Literary Festival.

The title sponsor of the Festival is again the Gibunco Group which has very generously increased its support for the event.

Minister Costa said, “We are very grateful to Johnny Bassadone and The Gibunco Group for their outstanding help in getting Gibraltar’s Literary Festival so quickly established as a major event in the International Cultural Calendar.

“Last year’s Festival brought us outstanding speakers from around the globe and gener-

legendary British Nigerian singer, Patti Boulaye, star of Hair and Carmen Jones

ated extensive press and media coverage for Gibraltar in the UK Press and Media, as well as bringing important journalists and opinion formers to our City.

“The announcement of the early confirmed speakers for November illustrated the prestige Gibraltar Literary Festival Director, Sally Dunsmore

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and distinction of the Festival. In early September we will be giving full details of Corporate, Trust and private donor support for the 2014 Festival which enables the people of Gibraltar to hear and talk with world class figures.” n www.gibraltarliteraryfestival.com

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Mike Da Silva

Holding Court at the Squash Club With tip-top squash facilities, the Gibraltar Squash Association takes pride in its Squash Club and is always looking to welcome new members and visitors. The club has four recently-refurbished squash courts, a spinning room, a well-equipped gymnasium with a sauna and a fully licensed bar and restaurant to offer the public.

Mike Da Silva the Press Officer at the Gibraltar Squash Association is an enthusiast squash player who believes Gibraltar has a lot of potential when it comes to squash. The Gibraltar Squash Association held their annual PSA Open squash tournament at the end of June, and it is growing in popularity every year. “At the beginning there was just a group of people who got together and they played squash at the stadium and at HMS Rooke. When we got the premises we have now on South Pavillion Road, our membership grew to about 400 members,” he explains. “Our president Mr Bar-

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ry Brindle built the hall and made it look like it is now.

Now Mike would like to see an increase in the number of youngsters who play squash. “We have 12 children who play regularly every Friday and it is getting more popular, because it is not like tennis, which is more difficult for kids to learn. It is just a good laugh and is really easy for

“

beginners to play.

“Squash is not a team sport, like a hockey,” Mike continues.

“You can’t lose the ball, it is really easy to run and get it, so it is a very easy sport to pick up.”

Besides getting some exercise kids have loads of fun playing squash, while parents can relax in the quiet atmosphere on the terrace.

Kids can just turn up and we will take care of the rest. It is not strict in technique — we want to get them interested and enjoying it

”

On Fridays from 5pm children of all standards from age seven upwards play, and for younger kids wishing to take part a special session can be organised to get them started. All children are welcome to join the Squash Association as soon they are old enough to hold a racket.

“Kids can just turn up and we will take care of the rest,” Mike promises. “It is not strict in technique — we want to get them interested and enjoying it.

If someone shows a lot of interest and talent, we will train them on other days.

“Young kids can’t really last

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sport file long, because they have a short concentration span, and they really are here to have fun. We would love to have more kids, because that is the future of the club.

“We are looking for someone to come to Gibraltar to coach permanently — a professional coach would help the club grow,” he adds.

On Thursdays there is coaching for women players, but at the moment women join in with the men’s league to compete.

Mike says the aim is to get more women involved so it is possible to hold separate tournaments for men and women.

“We have a few regular female players, but unfortunately they have to join in with the men’s championships. When the army comes over we do have enough people to hold tournaments for both men and women,” he explains.

“We would really like to promote squash and sport in general and represent Gibraltar abroad,” Mike states. “We recently competed in Croatia, and we regularly compete in the European Championship and at the Island Games. We also play at Andalusian Clubs every two weeks almost. It is a good opportunity

to play with people outside our club. There is a good atmosphere and everybody is really friendly.

It all comes down to representing Gibraltar in competitions, hopefully globally,” he states.

“We are a part of European Squash Federation, where our president Barry is a member of the committee.”

Mike sees a professional coach living in Gibraltar as the key to squash growing and improving locally.

“At the moment we are just a bunch of enthusiasts, a few of us have been on coaching courses, but squash would surely grow in popularity if we could get a professional coach, who could care for our youth, which is really our legacy.”

However he is grateful to the government and the sponsors who are helping out.

At the moment the association is busy organising tournaments, which take place every few months and are popular, with players and spectators.

“

“We run a Stella Artois League starting in October, which finishes in March or April, although we take a break for Christmas. We have the Closed League, which is only opened to members of the Club, where you always get to play at least two matches. There is always a party in the end!

“At the end of June we hold the annual Open Tournament, with the help of our sponsors Tradewise Insurance Company Limited and Beck’s. Everyone can take part, but we usually have the visiting Forces players and a lot of professional players joining us. This year we had the highest quality of squash ever seen in Gibraltar.”

The Christmas Tournament is also very popular where the prize is Famous Grouse and a leg of ham. “It is a good laugh,” Mike chuckles, adding that they are also planning to do a Junior League.

The Squash Club is not solely devoted to squash players, though, it has grown into a real

We are looking for someone to come to Gibraltar to coach permanently — a professional coach would help the club grow

”

social hub for people living in the South District, which is otherwise a rather quiet area. People enjoy just stopping by for a coffee or meeting their friends in the bar, which opens every day from 12 to 9pm. Visitors can also pop along for a Curry Night or even arrange to celebrate their child’s birthday.

“We have a party a day almost, it is extremely popular with the kids and Heather and Hayley are doing a great job hosting the children’s parties. The food is excellent,” Mike grins.

The club also offers spinning lessons, a fully equipped weight and cardio gym and a sauna, for those intent on breaking a sweat.

“We have spinning three times a week, where you don’t have to be a member to turn up, although members have a discounted price,” Mike explains.

One of the advantages of the club is that it is open all year.

Some people may play less during the summer, but it doesn’t close for summer holidays. This gives the residents of the South District the opportunity to continue their fitness (and socialising) plans during the summer. n To contact GSA call 200 44922 or visit www.gibsquash.com

Members of the Junior Team playing on a Friday afternoon

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t Gillaine Vinet Alman Owner, Transitions Dance Academy My favourite song this summer is ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’, from Gotye featuring Kimbra. It stays in your head and I really like the duet with the combination of the voices.

Anabela Jardin

Waitress, Al Fresco

What’s Your Song? compiled by Nina Sostaric

My favourite song is ‘In My Place’ from Coldplay, because it reminds me of Jersey in Ireland where I used to live.

Can you predict the type of music someone likes just by looking at them?

We couldn’t — here’s what some of you said.

p Erica Waugh Sales, Dolphin Adventure My favourite song is ‘Could You Be Loved’ from Bob Marley because it is peaceful and tranquil.

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Linda Molnarova u Co-ordinator, Philharmonic Society My favourite song would have to be ‘Blackbird’ from The Beatles, or actually ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’. I love these songs because there is something eternal about them, they are not just a one time hit, but they are going to be here for a while.

Bogdan Boros System Engineer, MAG It is very hard to pick out one song as my favourite since I love music, but if I was pushed I would have to choose ‘Papa Was A Rolling Stone’ by George Michael, that one really is a classic hit.

p Kyle Reynolds Motion Graphic Designer I love music, so it is difficult to chose just one song, but I guess it would have to be ‘Break Stuff’ from Limp Bizkit. I’ve been listening it for years and it always feels good to hear.

t Vipul Surti Chef, Raj’s Curry House My favourite song is 'Har Kisi Ko Nahi Milta Yahan Pyaar Zindagi Mein' by an Indian singer, song writer and guitarist Nikhil D'Souza. I love that song, because it reminds me of my beautiful wife.

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events

Lindsay’s Head Shave for Cancer Relief Centre Last month Lindsay Davis had her head completely shaven to raise money and awareness for Gibraltar’s Cancer Relief Centre.

Lindsay’s campaign leading up to the shave raised a grand total of £2,019.00 for the centre, located at 5 South Barracks Road.

To find out more about the Cancer Relief Centre email: info@cancerrelief.gi or Tel: 200 42392. n

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photo call

Testing their skills

The Football Giveaway To celebrate the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Coca-Cola gave consumers in Gibraltar the chance to win up to 2,000 Coca-Cola footballs in an attempt to inspire people to be active this summer. From 14th June to 14th July, Coca-Cola took their Win A Ball promotion on tour so Gibraltar’s residents had the opportunity to showcase their football skills.

4th Junior Chess Festival The 4th Gibraltar Junior International Chess Festival will take place between 21st and 16th August 2014.

The venue is the Caleta Hotel and the festival, which has categories for Under-16s and Under-12s, follows the successful pattern of the Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival, offering competitive chess-playing opportunities with

an equally strong social, fun and educational programme including excursions, opening reception, blitz, masterclasses, simultaneous displays, coaching, plus closing gala dinner with prizegiving.

The prize fund total will be £10,000.

Visit www.gibraltarchesscongress. com/junior/ for more information and entry details. n

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Why The Rainbow Flag?

The use of rainbow flags has a long tradition; they are displayed in many cultures around the world as a sign of diversity and inclusiveness, of hope and of yearning. There are several independent rainbow flags in use today. The most widely known is the pride flag representing gay pride.

Gibraltar Celebrates Diversity at 1st Pride Parade In mid-July, the Gibraltar Pride Parade “We Are One” took place from the Piazza to Grand Casemates, where it formed part of the first of the 2014 Summer Nights Festival. The Pride Parade is a celebration of individualities, embracing and sharing pride in the harmony that unites us.

Older generations, physically and mentally challenged citizens, the young, different cultures, ethnic groups, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender), faiths, and others joined the celebratory Pride march. Photos: Derek Booth (Hon)FMPA ABIPP ARPS DipPP ROYGBIV

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appetite

e to wher drink eat & the on k Roc

restaurants

Café Solo

Modern Italian eatery set in 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

Cafe Rojo Sleek modern comfort in this relaxing little restaurant. Brunch (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. Lunch 12-3pm, dinner 7-10pm; dishes such as Marinated Tuna Steak & Sesame Crust; Roasted Lamb Shoulder; pastas or risottos such as Roast Pumpkin, Mushroom, & Spinach Curry, 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: Tues - Fri 10am- late, Saturday lunch 12-3pm, afternoon drinks & desserts, dinner 7-10pm. Closed Sundays & Mondays.

Cafe Rojo 54 Irish Town. Tel: 200 51738

Casa Pepe

A delightful terrace, bar, restaurant on the prestigious Queensway Quay Marina. Wonderful location for business meetings, weddings, anniversaries and other special occasions. Specialising in fresh fish caught locally with daily specials including seabass, dorada, sole, and bream, plus a very comprehensive a la carte menu. Also available are tapas and raciones (double size tapas) to share (or not!) prior to a main course. Mixed paellas also available, as well as fish cooked in rock salt, whole suckling pig and baby lamb to order.

Open: Tues-Sat lunch & evening, Sunday lunch only, closed Mondays.

Casa Pepe, 18 Queensway Quay Marina, Tel/Fax: 200 46967 Email: casa.pepe@gmail.com.

Visit: www.gibtour.com/casapepe.

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Nunos Italian

Nunos Italian Restaurant, overlooking the Mediterranean, is popular with hotel guests, tourists and local residents. This 2 rosette rated, AA restaurant is renowned for its eclectic interior, intimate atmosphere and fine cuisine. Savour a wide selection of freshly prepared Italian delicacies, including bread, pasta, meat and fish, followed by delicious desserts. In the summer months, the hotel offers alfresco dining for private parties in the Garden Grill. Sitting nestled in the colonial garden you can enjoy a mouth-watering menu of charcoal-grilled meats and freshly prepared salads in candlelit surroundings.

Open: Mon-Sun 1-3pm lunch, 7–11pm dinner Nunos Italian Restaurant and Terrace Caleta Hotel, Catalan Bay Tel: 200 76501 Email: reservations@caletahotel.gi

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. Daily specials on blackboard. No smoking.

Café Solo Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 200 44449

Solo Bar & Grill

Solo Bar and Grill is a stylish and modern eatery — perfect for business functions or lunches — and part of the popular Cafe Solo stable. Serving everything from Goats’ Cheese Salad, Mediterranean Pâté and Cajun Langoustines to Beer Battered John Dory, or Harissa Chicken, and Chargrilled Sirloin Steak. This is a delightful venue in Europort with a cosy mezzanine level and terrace seating. Well worth a visit, or two! Available for private functions and corporate events — call 200 62828 to book your function or event.

Open: 12-8pm.

Solo Bar & Grill Eurotowers Tel: 200 62828

Sacarello Coffee Co

Located in a converted coffee warehouse, and famous for its great fresh ground coffee, homemade cakes/afternoon tea, plus full menu and excellent salad bar with quiche selection, specials of the day and dishes such as lasagne, steak and mushroom Guinness pie, hot chicken salad, toasties, club sandwich and baked potatoes. Holds popular art exhibitions with the Sacarello collection and guest artists. Very busy at office lunchtimes (1-2pm).

Sacarello's is available for parties and functions in the evenings.

Open: 9am-7.30pm Mondays - Fridays. 9am-3pm Saturdays Sacarello Coffee Co. 57 Irish Town. Tel: 200 70625

Get Listed!

Do you own a restaurant, café, or bar in Gibraltar?

Get your business listed here

CALL 200 77748 for details GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

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food & drink

directory Get Listed!

Do you own a restaurant, café, or bar in Gibraltar?

Get your business listed here

CALL 200 77748 for details Get Stuffed Very popular takeaway, sandwich bar and hot food.

Serving all fresh and homemade sandwiches, salads, soups, pasta, pies, cup cakes, plus hot/cold drinks and smoothies and a different special every day. Outside catering for corporate parties.

Open: 8am - 4pm Mon-Fri, 8am-3pm Sat. Get Stuffed Marina Bay. Tel: 200 42006

Just Desserts B r i g h t a n d a i r y, recently redecorated cafe on the first floor of the ICC. All homemade food including daily specials, vegetarian options, desserts and small cakes. Eat in or takeaway. Try their daily roast with everything on, or their all-day breakfast. Pensioner’s lunch - 2 course meal for £5.25. Friendly, cheerful and fully licensed.

Open: from 7.30am Monday to Friday Just Desserts 1st Floor ICC. Tel: 200 48014

Mumbai Curry House Indian cuisine, eat-in/take-away, from snacks (samosas, bhajias, pakoras) to lamb, chicken and fish dishes such as korma, tikka masala, do piaza. Large vegetarian selection. Halal food. Outside catering for parties/meetings. Sunday Mumbai favourites such as Dosa & Choley Bhature.

Open: 7 days a week 11am - 3pm, 6pm -late.

Mumbai Curry House Unit 1.0.02 Ground Floor, Block 1 Eurotowers Tel: 200 73711 Home delivery: 200 50022/33 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2014

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The Lounge

Stylish lounge and gastro bar on the quayside at Queensway Quay with very reasonable prices and food from 10am until late. Popular quiz on Sundays (from 7.30pm) and a relaxed friendly atmosphere... always plenty of people / yachties to chat to. Events (matches etc) covered on large TV. Great place to chill out.

Open: 10am Mon - Sat until late and from 12pm on Sun (get there early for a seat for the quiz).

The Lounge Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 61118

Oasis Eatery

Located in Governor’s Parade, just across from the Elliot Hotel, and offers hot/cold drinks plus a delicious homemade selection of baked items such as cakes and quiches, also sandwiches and wraps, bagels and cupcakes. Vegan/vegetarian items. Oasis is on Facebook and Twitter and you can pre-order online which is handy for a quick lunch.

Special orders taken for a range of bakery goods.

Fully licensed for beers and wine. Terrace seating.

Open: 8am to 3pm Oasis Eatery Govenor’s Parade Tel: 200 65544 www.oasiseatery.com

Pick a Bite

Morning coffee and daily lunch specials, one of largest selections of traditional home made food, to eat in or takeaway. All the old favourites — spinach pie, croquettes, quiche, spanish omelette, shepherd’s pie and more. Delicious sandwiches, baguettes, ciabatta melts and wraps, with a variety of fillings. Salads, snacks and soups. Cakes and muffins for those with a sweet tooth. Friendly, cheerful and very reasonal prices. Terrace seating.

Open: Monday to Friday 8am - 3pm.

Pick A Bite 10 Chatham Counterguard Tel: 200 64211

Picadilly Gardens Relaxed bar restaurant located near to the Queen’s Hotel and Cable car, it has a cosy garden terrace, which is great for drinks, tapas and food al fresco. English breakfast, tapas, hamburgers, fresh fish, paella by pre-order, prawns, squid, clams and a variety of meat dishes. Eat in or takeaway. Open: 6:30am till late.

Piccadilly Gardens Rosia Road, Tel: 20075758

e to wher drink & eat the on k Roc

informal food Raj’s Curry House Raj’s tasty Indian cuisine is now available to eat in or take away, from his new fully refurbished premises in Queensway Quay next to the Waterfront. Serving authentic dishes such as Creamy Butter Chicken, Bhuna King Prawn or Chana Masala, and so much more. There is something available to suit all tastes. Pop in or telephone for food orders or table reservations.

Open: food served 7 days 11am- 3pm, 6pm-late Raj’s Curry House Queensway Quay. Tel: 200 46993

Solo Express

Located next to Pizza Hut in Casemates and in Eurotowers, serves a variety of salads/baguettes (white, brown, ciabatta) filled with a deli selection such as roast chicken; smoked salmon & mascapone; ham, cheese and coleslaw; or humous, avocado & roast red pepper. Salads fresh and tasty (Greek, Waldorf, cous cous, tuna pasta etc), great value. Jackets, quiches, coffee plus cakes (flapjacks, muffins) available all day. Eat-in area. Soups in winter.

Solo Express Grnd Flr, ICC, Casemates & Eurotowers

The Tasty Bite Tasty Bite has one of the biggest take-away menus around with home cooked meats, filled baguettes, burgers, chicken and everything else you can think of! Try the quiches, tortillas and jackets spuds with all kinds of fillings.

This little place gets busy with those popping out from the offices for lunch so get there early.

Open: Monday - Saturday.

The Tasty Bite 59a Irish Town. Tel: 200 78220 Fax: 200 74321

Verdi Verdi All day coffee plus all homemade and delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes, fresh baked bread and desserts.

A selection of bagels (try the smoked salmon and cream cheese) and baguettes to eat in or take away. Try the light homemade pizzas, or the falafels and humous. Daily special soups are fabulous and filling. Ask for Idan's hot homemade chilli relish — sweet and scrummy.

Open: Mon/Thurs: 7.30-6, Fri 7.30-5, Sun 10-3.

Verdi Verdi ICC, Casemates Tel: 200 60733

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food & drink

directory All’s Well Traditional pub in fashionable Casemates area.

Named for the 18th century practise of locking gates to the city at night when the guard called ‘All’s Well’. All’s Well serves Bass beers, wine and spirits plus pub fare. English breakfast all day, hot meals such as pork in mushroom sauce, sausage & mash, cod & chips and steak & ale pie plus a range of salads and jacket potatoes. Large terrace. Karaoke Mondays and Wednesdays until late. Free tapas on a Friday 7pm.

All’s Well Casemates Square. Tel: 200 72987

Bridge Bar & Grill

Located on the water’s edge, Ocean Village, just across the bridge from O’Reilly’s.

This bar & grill is a fusion of an American themed menu with Tarifa chill out style. Open for breakfast from 9am serving healthy options, freshly squeezed orange juice and Italian Lavazza coffee.

Try the spicy Caribbean rum ribs, southern fried chicken bucket, the popular Texas burger or a selection of tasty salads and homemade desserts.

London Pride, San Miguel & Carling beer on draught, live sports.

Bridge Bar & Grill Ocean Village Tel: 200 66446

Cannon Bar Jane is still there and still packed out with tourists and regulars! Word has it that she nearly managed to escape, but wasn’t allowed to. The famous fish and chips, the odd French speciality, there’s always something happening in the Cannon! Located between Marks & Spencer and the Cathedral just off Main Street.

Cannon Bar 27 Cannon Lane. Tel: 200 77288

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Gibraltar Arms On Main Street opposite the cathedral, enjoy a meal, coffee or a cool beer on the terrace and watch the world go by! Bar decorated with rare military plaques from regiments and navy ships visiting Gibraltar. Full breakfast menu served from 7am, draught beers on tap include Old Speckled Hen bitter, Murphys Irish stout, Heineken lager and Strongbow cider.

Gibraltar Arms 184 Main Street. Tel: 200 72133 Visit: www.gibraltararms.com

Jury’s Café-Wine Bar

Next to the Law Courts, with a terrace seating area, Jury’s has a selection of Ciabattas, paninis, baguettes and wraps, plus popular sharing dishes, such as Your Honour’s platter. Jacket potatoes, main courses, pasta and some innocent salads too.

For those with a sweet tooth, there are tantalising homemade desserts, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, as well as Lavazza coffees and frappes.

Open: 7am-midnight Mon-Sat, 9am-midnight Sun. Jury’s Café & Wine Bar 275 Main Street. Tel: 200 67898 Jury’s Café & Wine Bar

Lord Nelson Bar/brasserie in Casemates.

Done out like Nelson’s ship.

Starters & snacks include fresh mussels, blue cheese and rocket bruschetta, potato skins, spicy chicken wings and calamares. Main courses from chilli con carne and chicken & mushroom pie, to crispy duck burrito and fish & chips. Jackets, burgers and kid’s menu. Live music on stage nightly.

Spacious terrace.

Open: 10am till very late.

Lord Nelson Bar Brasserie 10 Casemates Tel: 200 50009 Visit: www.lordnelson.gi

e to wher drink eat & the on k Roc

bars & pubs O’Reilly’s

Traditional Irish bar with full HD sports coverage and Irish breakfast from 7am (Sunday from 9am).

Guinness on draught.

Food includes salads, jackets, beef & Guinness pie, Molly’s mussels, drunken swine, Boxty dishes (potato pancake wrapped around delicioius fillings), sandwiches, rolls, Kildare chicken and much much more. And just like in Ireland there’s no smoking inside, so a great atmosphere for all.

O’Reilly’s Ocean Village. Tel: 200 67888

Star Bar

Gibraltar’s oldest b a r, j u s t off Main St. Small cosy and famous for its full English breakfast from 7am (9am on Sunday).

A full menu including fish & chips, until 10pm.

The home of Star Coffee, draught beers include Heineken, Old Speckled Hen, Murphys and Strongbow cider. Managed by Hunter Twins from Stafford, England, also home to Med Golf & Tottenham Hotspur supporters club.

Star Bar Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 75924 Visit: www.starbargibraltar.com

The Three Owls The Three Owls is a traditional bar serving best of English beers.

Three separate bars/ floors: ground floor — big screen TV, pool table, poker machines, bar — open from 10.30am daily. First floor ‘Hoots’ bar, two match pool tables, poker machines, dartboard, bar, open from 5pm daily. Second Floor the ‘Nest’ — American pool table, poker machine, card table, bar — open from 7pm daily and also at weekends for the Rugby Union matches. If you are looking for a sociable game of pool or darts this is the place to be.

The Three Owls Irish Town. Tel: 200 77446

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

Visit us and step back in history

Casemates Square Tel: 200 72987

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

10 Casemates www.lordnelson.gi Tel: 200 50009

Grand Casemates Sq Tel: 20044449 take-away or reserve a table

Tel: 200 46993 7 days 11am - 3pm, 6pm - late

Queensway Quay (next to Waterfront) Queensway Quay Marina, Tel: 200 61118

184 Main Street Tel: 200 72133 open: from 8am (10am on Sun)

restaurant bar guide &

TASTY INDIAN CUISINE

Get Stuffed!

Marina Bay Tel: 200 42006 Take-Away, Sandwiches & Hot Food Different Special Every Day salads, soups, pastas, pies, cupcakes, all home made Open 8am-4pm Mon-Fri, 8am-3pm Sat

Indian Cuisine to Eat In or Take Away

Unit 1.0.02 Grnd Flr, Block 1 Eurotowers Tel: 200 73711

Casa Pepe Open: Mon-Sat 11am-late 18 Queensway Quay Marina Tel/Fax: 200 46967

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

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noises off...

words | Peter Rodney

Noises, like smells, can be very evocative. Those below the age of about 60 will not remember the chuffa-chuffa of steam trains which was somehow reassuring; the gentle swish of scythes cutting long grass; the calls of the knife-grinder or rag-and-bone man walking up the street and the slow deterioration of a starter motor failing to start a car, as the battery runs out.

These noises have been replaced by have the dentist’s drill whine of underpowered motor bikes without a proper exhaust system (or a system which has been modified by the boy racer who wants us to think that he is riding a Harley Davidson — how sad can you get?) and — a sound which seems to define the present time — a suitcase on wheels being pulled along the pavement. Bringa-dinga bringa-dinga bluurrrp geboop bringa-dinga and so on. When I have a suitcase with me, I am most

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grateful to the bright spark who first thought of putting wheels on it. I am less grateful when it is someone else who is pulling it over a rough pavement.

It seems impossible to get complete silence. Even in the middle

of a deserted countryside there may be the hum from a distant road, an aircraft passing overhead or the rustle of wind in the trees.

In a city there is always traffic noise, perhaps neighbours having a party, generators humming,

The difference between noises is remarkable.

Why do some grate on us and others please us? Is it simply the association we create in our minds between the noise and its cause?

aeroplanes lower in the sky and therefore louder. Indeed, city dwellers who go on holiday in the country often find it difficult to sleep because of the relative silence. Even when asleep (or nearly) we seem to be reassured that the world is still going on around us by the fact of the noise.

The difference between noises is remarkable. Why do some grate on us and others please us? Is it simply the association we create in our minds between the noise and its cause? Or is it the noise itself

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wine which is unpleasant? The whining buzz of motorbikes is awful — and yet it is similar to a much amplified sound of a cat purring. The thumping of a pneumatic drill is as unpleasant as the bass drum coming from a car’s over-loud music system, and yet the driver of the car presumably enjoys it.

The sound of a cork coming out of a bottle is, like the rustling of wind in trees, one of the most pleasant noises there is. E M Forster described Beethoven’s fifth symphony as one of the most sublime noises ever to penetrate the ear of man. Although somewhat shorter, the pop of a cork is surely up in the same league. It conjures up, in a fraction of a second, an image of contentment for at least the next hour. And yet that same pop is not so very far away from the noise an airgun makes when firing a pellet. The latter has no pleasant associations and so we describe it as unpleasant.

These musings on the nature of noise relate to wine in the same way. I have previously mentioned that a Barbadillo (and now Anglo Hispano’s Verdejo) tastes terrific in Mediterranean sunshine but loses everything on a damp winter’s day in London. If you must drink rosé, then make it a rosé de Provence on a Provencal hillside.

The circumstances in which you drink the wine (or hear the noise) make a great difference.

Bearing that in mind, Anglo Hispano are making great efforts to bring in new and affordable bottles. A Chilean Cabernet at £6.95 is good; an Argentine Malbec at just under £10 is better.

And their range of upmarket (and therefore more expensive) wines

is wide. Tony at My Wines tends to keep to the upmarket end and does have some very good stuff if one can afford it. He recently sold me a South African Shiraz at just under £25. I blanched slightly at the price but was assured that it would be worth it — and it was, on the special occasion it was purchased for. Whether it tasted better because of the special occasion, or whether it made the occasion more special is an unanswerable question.

For everyday drinking we have to go back (most of the time) to Morrison’s. The range of special offers is rather bewildering and, whenever I recommend one, the offer has finished by the time ‘er upstairs (as the editor of this magazine is known to me) gets round to printing. Sometimes the offer seems too good to be true (2 for the price of one); sometimes it trumpets ‘one third off’ meaning a saving of about £2 on a pretty ordinary bottle which, I cannot help but think, they want to get rid of as soon as possible. But there are gems to be had with careful scrutiny.

There is a final thought in relation to the popping of a cork.

You don’t get the pop with a screw top. Given that even the old guard at Bordeaux are slowly coming round to the idea that a screw top does not signal the end of civilisation as we know it, we can all accept that screw tops are fine — indeed 90% of New World wines use them. But there is such a joy in the pop of a cork that I will miss it in the future: like the now forgotten chuffa-chuffa of steam trains, enjoy the pop while it still exists. n

column

Tues-Fri 10am - late Sat lunch 12pm-3pm Afternoon drinks & desserts Dinner 7pm-10pm Closed Sun & Mon

Given that even the old guard at Bordeaux are slowly coming round to the idea that a screw top does not signal the end of civilisation as we know it, we can all accept that screw tops are fine

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d n u o r � ow� �

This page: relaxing at My Wines for the Performer’s Club show. The August is on 30th - tickets from Beau Jangles, 209 Main Street.

As the summer hots up so does the social scene and August is another month in Gibraltar that is packed with great events.

There is loads to look forward to culminating in the start of National ‘Week’ with the opening of the Fair on 23rd August at the Naval Ground — the same day the Cardboard Boat Race takes place at Casemates and Ocean Village (have you built yours yet?). We have a bank holiday on 25th August, to give us all a breather! The Beer Festival on 29th August and that gets us well and truly in the mood for the party week ahead building up to the Gibraltar Music Festival on 6th September, the Wine Festival at Chatham Counterguard on 9th September and National Day proper on 10th September.

At the beginning of the month we have cheesecake shot tasting at Cafe Rojo (see pics) and Breastfeeding Awareness Week from 1st-7th starting with the Global Big Latch On at Casemates on Saturday 2nd August from 10am. Summer nights are still going on in Casemates every Saturday and Thursday up until 16th August — with family entertainment and live music for all.

For something a little more peaceful, plus a stroll in beautiful surroundings, there is a tour of the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens on 15th August led by Andrew Gdaniec who tackles the theme of Plant Diversity and Adaptation.

Be there at 10.30am (Tel: 20041235 for info).

Friday 15th August is also the day Salsa Fuego Presents ‘Cool Blues: A

Photos this page: a selection from the Three Kings Cavalcade

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Enjoy the craft stalls at Casemates on Saturday mornings

Night To Remember’. This special event is for those who lived the Gibraltar night life era of the ’90s and early ’00s, and for those who want to experience those unforgettable nights for the first time! Bringing you all the memorable tunes will be the Cool Blues Cafe DJs (DJ Iggi, El Deni plus Guest DJ Leebo). Plus Salsa Fuego will bring back those famous Cool Blues shots such as Ignition! Tickets £5 include free shot on sale at Salsa Fuego. Doors open at 12, age 20 +.

Pictures from the spectacular Joseph show put on by the talented dancers of Danza Academy last month and thoroughly enjoyed by the audience at the Alameda Open Air Theatre.

At the end of the month we have a fun day to get involved with in the form of the Autism Awareness Day Sponsored Walk followed by a Fun Day from 12 noon at Casemates. Go along and show you support and help raise some funs for a good cause. Tel: 54012163 for information.

What an eventful August it is set to be — and how lucky we are to live in this vibrant, thriving and sociable city. That’s it for this month — see you on Main Street for the last month of Summer!

The Cheesecake Tasters were out in full strength for the July cheesecake shot tasting event at Cafe Rojo. The event was such a roaring success that Annette, Louis and staff will be hosting another event — this time over two days! Friday 1st August from 10am - 6pm and Saturday 2nd August from 12pm - 6pm. days in August due to it’s popularity. There will be eight flavours to taste this time as it seemed 12 was definitely a challenge for some! Please call to reserve your seats on 200 51738.

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Clubs & Activities Arts & Crafts Cross Stitch Club: John Mackintosh Hall, 1st Floor, Mon 6-8pm, fee £1.

Gibraltar Arts & Crafts Association: Offers a variety of classes & workshops for children and adults Mon - Fri 3.30-7pm, Sat 2-3pm. For more info call Tel: 20073865.

Knit and Natter Group: Tues 11am-3pm, Thurs 5.30-7.30pm, at Arts & Crafts Shop, Casemates balcony. Free to join and refreshments provided. Tel: 20073865.

The Arts Centre: Prince Edward’s Road, Art classes for children and adults. For more info call Tel: 200 79788.

The Fine Arts Association Gallery: At Casemates. Open 10am-2pm, 3-6pm Mon-Fri, Sat 11am-1pm.

The Gibraltar Decorative and Fine Arts Society: Affiliated to UK NADFAS meets third Wed of month at 6.30pm at Eliott Hotel - lecturers & experts from the UK talk on Art etc. Contact: Chairman Claus Olesen 200 02024 claus.olesen@sghambros.com.

Membership Ian Le Breton 200 76173 ilebreton@SovereignGroup.com Board Games Calpe Chess Club & Junior Club: meets in Studio 1, John Mackintosh Hall 5-7pm (junior chess) 8-11pm (Calpe Chess) on Tues. Entrance Free.

The Gibraltar Scrabble Club: Meets on Tuesdays at 3pm. Tel: Vin 20073660 or Roy 20075995. All welcome.

The Subbuteo Club: Meets in Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall.

Dance Adult Dance Classes: Wed evenings at Kings Bastion Leisure Centre from 7-8.30pm. Contact Dilip on 200 78714.

Art in Movement: Classes for children Street Dance, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Pilates, Capoeira, Judo & Ju-jitsu. At Wellington Front from 4pm onwards. Tel: 54005785 or 54000027 or visit www. artinmovement.net Ballet, Modern Theatre, Contemporary & Hip Hop: Classes held weekly at Danza Academy. Training from 3 years to Adult Advanced. 68/2 Prince Edward’s Rd Tel: 54027111.

DSA Old & Modern Sequence Dancing: Sessions at Central Hall Fri 8.30pm, beginners 8pm. Tel: 200 78901 or tony@gibraltar.gi Everybody welcome.

Modern & Latin American Sequence Dancing: Mon at Catholic Community Centre 8pm. Tel. Andrew 200 78901.

Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Flexibility, Hip Hop & Dance Theatre: Classes weekly at Urban Dance Studio, 2 Jumpers Bastion. Tel: Yalta 54012212 or Jolene 54015125.

Rockkickers Linedance Club: Governor’s Meadow 1st School. www.rockkickers.com Salsa Gibraltar Salsa: Classes on Tues at Laguna Social Club, Laguna Estate.

Beginners 7-8.30pm. Intermediates 8.30-10pm. Tel: Mike 54472000 or info@ salsagibraltar.com Zumba Classes at Urban Dance: Jumpers Bastion, with certified instructor Tyron Walker. Tel: 20063959 or 54012212 or Twitter: @UrbanDanceGib 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. New members welcome.

Tel: 200 44643.

Garrison Library Tours: at 11am on Fri, duration 1h 50mins. Tel: 20077418.

History Alive: Historical re-enactment parade. Main Street up to Casemates Square every Sat at 12 noon.

Music Gibraltar National Choir and Gibraltar Junior National Choir: Rehearses at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Tel: 54831000.

The Calpe Band: Mon & Wed. For musicians of brass/woodwind instruments of all standards/ages/abilities 7-9pm. Tel: 54017070 or thecalpebnd@gmail.com Jazz Nights: Thurs at 8pm at O’Callaghan Eliott Hotel. Tel: 200 70500.

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Outdoor Activities The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award: Exciting self-development programme for young people worldwide equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world. Contact Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Montagu Bastion, Line Wall Road. Tel: 200 59818.

Quizzes The Lounge: Friendly quiz on Sun from 8pm on quayside at Queensway Quay.

The Clipper: Quiz nights on Tues at 8pm.

Social Clubs Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes: (Gibraltar Province) meets RAOB Club, Jumpers Bastion on these days: Provincial Grand Lodge, 1st Mon/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, Wed (fortnightly) 7pm. Por Favor 9444, Wed (fortnightly) 7pm.

Farewell 10001, Tues 8.30pm. Goldacre 10475 (social) last Fri/month 8pm. www. raob.org Special Interest Clubs & Societies Creative Writers Group: Meets Tues at Eliott Hotel bar at 8pm, aimed at learning to write fiction/non-fiction, for pleasure or publication. Tel: Carla 54006696.

Gibraltar Book Club: For info Tel: Parissa 54022808.

Gibraltar Horticultural Society: meets 1st Thurs of month 6pm, J.M. 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. Tel: 54008426 or gibphilosophy@ live.co.uk Gibraltar Photographic Society: Meets on Mon at 7.30pm, Wellington Front. Basic courses, competitions etc.

Harley Davidson Owners’ Club: www.hdcgib.com Lions Club of Gibraltar: Meets 2nd and 4th Wed of the month at 50 Line Wall Road. www.lionsclubofgibraltar.com St John’s Ambulance: Adult Volunteers Training Sessions from 8-10pm on Tues.

Tel: 200 77390 or training@stjohn.gi The Royal British Legion: For info or membership contact the Branch Secretary 20074604 or write to PO Box 332, Gibraltar.

UN Association of Gibraltar: PO Box 599, 22a Main Street. Tel: 200 52108.

Sports Supporters Clubs Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Club: Meets at Star Bar, Parliament Lane, when Spurs games are televised - call prior to matches to check game is televised. Great food for a lunch if KO is early or an early supper if the game is later. Tel: 56280000.

Gibraltar Arsenal Supporters Club: Meets match days upstairs at Time Out Café, Eurotowers. Gooners of all ages welcome. For info/news visit www.

GibGooners.com Tel: 54010681 (Bill) or 54164000 (John).

Gibraltar Hammers: Meets 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 gibraltarhammers@hotmail.com Sports & Fitness Artistic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Artistic Gymnastics Association. Tel: Angela 200 70611 or Sally 200 74661.

Athletics: Gibraltar Amateur Athletics Association holds competitions through 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 BWF& BE) junior club/tournaments, senior leagues/ recreational. Visit www.badmintongibraltar. com for info.

Ballet Barre Fitness: Adults on Wed 10am & Fri 6pm at The Arts Centre. Tel: 54033465 or pilatesgibraltar@hotmail.com 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.

Boxing: Gibraltar Amateur Boxing Association (member IABA) gym on Rosia Rd. Over 13s welcome. Tuition with ex-pro boxer Ernest Victory. Tel: 56382000 or 20042788.

Cheerleading: Gibraltar Cheerleading Association, girls and boys of all ages.

Chearleading and street cheer/hip hop at Victoria Stadium. Recreational / competitive levels. Tel: 58008338.

Canoeing: Gibraltar Canoeing Association.

Tel: Nigel 200 52917 or Arturo 54025033.

Cricket: Gibraltar Cricket, National Governing Body & Associate Member of ICC. Governs International & Domestic Men’s, Women’s, Boys’ & Girls’ cricketleague & cup competitions and in-school coaching. www.gibraltarcricket.com, info@ gibcricket.com, Twitter: @Gibraltar_Crick Cycling: Gibraltar Cycling Association various cycling tours. Tel: Uriel 200 79359.

Darts: Gibraltar Darts Association (full member of WDF & affiliate of BDO) We cater for men, ladies & youth who take part in leagues, competitions and a youth academy for development of the sport.

Tel: 54027171, 54014547, 54021672, and 54022622 or info@gibraltardarts.com Football: Gibraltar Football Association - leagues/competitions for all ages OctoberMay. Futsal in summer, Victoria Stadium.

Tel: 20042941 www.gibraltarfa.com Gaelic Football Club (Irish sport): Males any age welcome. Get fit, play sport, meet new friends, travel around Spain/Europe and play an exciting and competitive sport.

Training every Wed on the MOD pitch on Devil’s Tower Road at 7pm. Andalucia League with Seville and Marbella to play matches home and away monthly. Visit www.gibraltargaels.com or secretary. gibraltar.europe@gaa.ie Hockey: Gibraltar Hockey Association (members FIH & EHF) high standard competitions/training for adults/juniors. Tel: Eric 200 74156 or Peter 200 72730 for info.

Iaido: teaches the Japanese sword (Katana), classes every week. www. iaidogibraltar.com Iwa Dojo, Kendo & Jujitsu: Classes every week, for kids/adults. Tel: 54529000 www. iwadojo.com or dbocarisa@iwadojo.com Judo and Ju-jitsu: Gibraltar Budokai Judo Association UKMAF recognised instructors for all ages and levels at Budokai Martial Arts Centre, Wellington Front. Tel: Charlie 20043319.

Ju-jitsu: Gibraltar Ju-jitsu Academy training and grading for juniors/seniors held during evening at 4 North Jumpers Bastion. Tel: 54011007.

Karate-do Shotokai: Gibraltar Karate-do Shotokai Association - Karate training for junior & seniors at Clubhouse, 41H Town Range. Tel: 57479000.

Karate: Shotokan karate midday Mon beginners, other students 8.30pm. Thurs 8.30pm. In town at temporary dojo or privately by arrangement. Contact Frankie 54038127 or info@fhmedia.co.uk.

Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Racing Association Tel: Wayne 200 75211.

Netball: Gibraltar Netball Association (affiliated FENA & IFNA) competitions through year, senior/junior leagues. Tel: 20041874.

Petanque: Gibraltar Petanque Association.

New members welcome. Tel: 54002652.

Pilates: Intermediate Pilates: Tues & Fri 9.30am, beginners Pilates: Fri 10.50am at the Shotokai Centre, 41H Town Range. Tel: 54033465 or pilatesgibraltar@hotmail.com Gibraltar Pool Association: (Member of the EBA) home and away league played on Thurs through out the season, various tournaments played on a yearly basis both nationally and internationally, Tel: 56925000 gibpool@gibtelecom.net, www.gib8ball.com Rhythmic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Rhythmic Gymnastics Association runs sessions for 4 years of age and upwards, weekday evenings. Tel: 56000772 or Sally 200 74661.

Rugby: Gibraltar Rugby Football Union

what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

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training for Colts (14+), seniors and veterans. Play in Andalusia 1st Division.

Tel: 200 72185.

Sailing: Gibraltar Yachting Association junior/senior competitive programme (April - Oct) Tel: Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club at 200 78897.

Shooting: Gibraltar Shooting Federation.

Rifle, Europa Point Range (Stephanie 54020760); Clay pigeon, East Side (Harry 200 74354); Pistol, near Royal Naval Hospital (Louis 54095000).

Snooker: Members of European Billiards & Snooker Association - facilities at Jumpers Bastion with 3 tables. Professional coaching for juniors/seniors. Organised leagues/tournaments and participation in international competitions. Tel: 56262000 / 54000068, or info@gibraltarsnooker.com Squash: Gibraltar Squash Association, Squash Centre, South Pavilion Road (members WSF & ESF). Adult and junior tournaments and coaching. Tel: 200 44922.

Sub-Aqua: Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Association taster dives for over 14s, tuition from local clubs. Voluntary sports clubs: Noah’s Dive Club and 888s Dive Club. Tel: 54991000.

Commercial sports diving schools available.

Swimming: Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association (member FINA & LEN) opens its pool for leisure swimming. Junior lessons, squad for committed swimmers, water polo. Pool open Mon&Thurs: 7–10am, 12.30–4pm. Tue, Wed, Fri: 7–10am, 12:30–5pm. Sat: 3–5pm. Sun: closed. Mon to Fri from 5-6pm groups training. 6-7.30 squad training. Mon, Wed, Fri 7.30-8.30 swimming joggers, Tues & Thurs 7:30-8:30 junior Water polo. Mon, Tues & Thurs 8:30-10pm Adult water polo.

Tel: 200 72869.

Table Tennis: Gibraltar Table Tennis Association training and playing sessions, Victoria Stadium, Tues 6-10pm and Thurs 8-11pm with coaching and league competition. Tel: 56070000 or 20060720.

Taekwondo: Gibraltar Taekwondo Association classes/gradings Tel: Mari 20044142 or www.gibraltartaekwondo.org Tai Chi: Tai Chi for children and adults.

Mon-Thur 6.30-8pm at Kings Bastion Leisure Centre and Sat 9am-1pm at the Yoga Centre, 33 Town Range. Tel: Dilip 200 78714.

Tennis: Gibraltar Tennis Association, Sandpits Tennis Club. Junior development programme. Courses for adults, leagues and competitions. Tel: Louis 200 77035.

Ten-Pin Bowling: At King’s Bowl in the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre every day.

Gibraltar Ten Pin Bowling (members FIQ & WTBA) leagues, training for juniors and squad. Tel: 200 52442.

Triathlon: Hercules Triathlon Club organises swimming, running and cycling training sessions and competes regularly in Andalucia and Internationally. Contact chris.walker@york.gi or Facebook “Hercules Triathlon Club” Volleyball: Gibraltar Volleyball Association training, indoor leagues, beach volleyball competition, 3 v 3 competition, juniors and seniors. Tel: 54001973 or 54885000.

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: Meet at Ince’s Hall Theatre Complex, 310 Main Street. Tel: 20042237.

Trafalgar Theatre Group: Meets 2nd Wed of month, Garrison Library 8pm. All welcome.

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sports

Support Groups ADHD & Learning Difficulties (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) Meetings at Fellowship Bookshop Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Road. Coffee, chat, books and resources on display.

Tel: 54027551 or 54014476.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet 7pm Tues & Thurs at Nazareth Hse Tel: 200 73774.

A Step Forward support for single, separated, divorced/widowed people, meet 8pm Mon at St Andrew’s Church.

Mummy & Me Breastfeeding Support Group those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have breastfed to get together for coffee, chat / support. Partners and older children welcome. Meets 1st Wed / month at Chilton Court Community Hall at 1.30pm. Enquiries and support 54014517.

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. Free, confidential, impartial.

COPE Support group for people with Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Formed to ease challenges of individuals, families and care partner.

Meetings at Catholic Community Centre Book Shop at 7.30pm first Thursday of each month. 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. Meet alternate Thursdays at 9pm at Nazareth House. For info 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 for compulsive overeating problems. Tel: helpline for meetings info 200 42581.

Parental Support Group, helping parents and grandparents with restrictive access to their children and grandchildren. Tel: 200 46536, 200 76618, or 54019602.

Psychological Support Group, PO Box 161, Nazareth House. Meet Tuesdays at 7pm, Fridays 8pm. Tel: 200 51623.

SSAFA Forces Help Gibraltar, a UK charity, to assist serving and ex-Service personnel and their families. Tel: (5)5481.

Email: Susan GIB-CST-JSWPA@mod.uk With Dignity Gibraltar support for separated, divorced/widowed or single people. Meet Weds 9pm, Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Rd. Outings/ activities. Tel: 54007181 or 200 79957.

Women in Need. Voluntary organisation for all victims of domestic violence.

Refuge available. Tel: 200 42581 (24 hrs).

The Chief Minister, The Hon Fabian Picardo, pictured shaking hands with Spanish no. 1 Grandmaster Francisco Vallejo Pons before their game at the launch of chess24.com in Gibraltar

Gib’s No 1 takes on Spain’s No1... at chess!

New global chess website, CHESS24.COM, launches from Gibraltar chess24.com is a new web platform, founded in Gibraltar, whose mission is to become the home for chess players of all levels, from complete beginners all the way up to professionals. The platform intends to serve the education needs of the 605 million people around the world who play chess regularly. (source: YouGov 2012) The platform, which features interactive video lessons from world-renowned chess grandmasters, makes it easy for anyone to learn how to play chess or improve their game. Visitors to the platform can play chess live against opponents all around the globe, with over 200,000 chess games played since the site went live just four months ago.

Live webcasts of major chess events are streamed directly from a state-of-the art studio based in the company’s offices in Gibraltar. During one recent chess event the chess24.com broadcast was watched by nearly 20,000 simultaneous viewers worldwide. chess24.com is also the official online broadcasting partner of the upcoming Tromsø 2014 Chess Olympiad in Norway — arguably the fourth largest global sporting

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event, with participants from over 180 countries.

Speaking at the launch of the platform, chess24 founder Enrique Guzman explained that the website is intended to be a “supportive online space for people with a shared interest in chess to come together to discuss and learn. Our education communities provide a unique opportunity for anyone around the world to learn directly from a world-renowned expert in their field. On our chess platform you can learn from and interact with some of the most

In recognition of chess24.com’s debt to Gibraltar, Guzman is offering free premium membership to any resident of Gibraltar who signs up to the site

famous grandmasters, including the former World Champion Vishy Anand or the Spanish no. 1 Francisco ‘Paco’ Vallejo Pons.”

The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, attended the launch and expressed his satisfaction that Gibraltar had the potential to become a global hub for chess. “We already have such a great reputation globally when it comes to chess, and so we heartily welcome this new venture, chess24.com, and wish the team every success as they grow internationally from their base here in Gibraltar”.

Enrique Guzman was joined

by NatWest Regional Director David Bruce to help cut a cake to celebrate the launch of chess24 in Gibraltar.

Guzman, himself an avid chess player, is very conscious of the importance of chess within Gibraltar. In recognition of chess24. com’s debt to Gibraltar, Guzman is offering free premium membership (worth €99.00) to any resident of Gibraltar who signs up on the website. Further information on this offer is available by emailing gib@chess24.com or by contacting any of the local chess clubs in Gibraltar. n

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information offered a reward to anyone who could tell him how to mount a gun on the north face of the Rock. Sgt. Major Ince suggested tunnelling and there are over 30 miles of tunnels inside the Rock with various exhibitions inside.

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 civilian population during the many sieges, are housed in one 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-ibnZeyad (“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.

T

he flora and fauna on the Upper Rock are considered of great conservational value. It’s the perfect place for birdwatchers, as migratory species use Gibraltar as the shortest crossing between Europe and Africa. 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 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.

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 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 with Nature Reserve ticket. Tickets for the nature reserve can also be bought at this attraction).

Parson’s Lodge: Rosia Road. Narrow limestone outcrop with a labyrinth of tunnels surmounted by an impressive battery, which has witnessed the development of coast artillery over 300 years.

Housed three 18 ton 10-inch rifled muzzle loaders positioned behind a unique sandwich of armour plate/teak, known as ‘Gibraltar Shields’.

Flat Bastion Magazine Flat Bastion Road, Geological Research Station and Lithology of Gibraltar. To

visit contact: F. Gomez Tel. 200 44460, P. Hodkinson Tel. 200 43910.

Shrine of Our Lady of Europe (Museum within premises) Europa Road. 10am-7pm Monday to Friday, 11am-7pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.

Closed 1pm - 2pm.

Trafalgar Cemetery: Trafalgar Rd, 9am - 7pm daily (free).

Business Information Financial Serv. Commission Tel: 200 40283/4 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 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. 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, taxis provide Rock Tours taking in the Upper Rock, Europa Point and other sites of interest. It is the best way to see the Rock’s major features in a short time.

John Mackintosh Hall Tel: 200 75669 Includes cafeteria, theatre, exhibition rooms and library.

308 Main Street 9.30am - 11pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends.

Bicycle Racks Bicycle parking is provided at the following locations: Europort Road, Casemates Tunnel, Land Port Ditch, Fish Market Road, Commonwealth Car Park, Reclamation Road (by English Steps) + Line Wall Road.

Gibibikes is a scheme for public use of bikes taken from stations around the Rock. Visit www.gibibikes.gi for info.

Public Holidays 2014 Gibraltar & United Kingdom New Year’s Day Wed 1 January Commonwealth Day* Mon 10 March Good Friday Fri 18 April Easter Monday Mon 21 April Worker’s Memorial Day Mon 28 April May Day Thurs 1 May Spring Bank Holiday Mon 26 May Queen’s Birthday Mon 16 June Late Summer Bank Holiday Mon 25 August Gibraltar National Day* Wed 10 September Christmas Day Thurs 25 December Boxing Day Fri 26 December *Gibraltar only

Gibraltar Postcode - GX11 1AA 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

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Emergency Services 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.

Emergency calls only: Fire/Ambulance ���������������������������������� Tel: 190 Police ������������������������������������������� Tel: 199/112 Emergency Number Tel: 112 Non-urgent calls: Ambulance Station Tel: 200 75728 Police........................................ Tel: 200 72500 Emergency Nos: .............Tel: (5) 5026 / (5) 3598

The Gibraltar Magazine is published and produced by Guide Line Promotions Ltd, La Bayuca, 21 Turnbull’s Lane, Gibraltar. Tel/Fax: (+350) 200 77748

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atural History & Heritage Park admission 9.30am to 7pm by tickets (includes entrance to sites - 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 £10, children 5-12 years: £5, children age under 4 free, vehicles £2.

Private vehicles may be restricted at certain times, tours available by taxi/mini bus. Also reached by cable car (leaves Grand Parade 9.30am-5.15pm Mon-Sun. Last cable down: 5.45pm). 50p per person to walk with no entrance tickets.

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The Gibraltar Magazine is published and produced by Guide Line Promotions Ltd, La Bayuca, 21 Turnbull’s Lane, Gibraltar. Tel/Fax: (+350) 200 77748

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