20 # 05 March 2015
dining guide • business & finance • sport & leisure • history • property • community
the gibraltar magazine
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March 2015 Vol. 20 # 05 FREE
Magic Realism Uncovering Lost Worlds Choosing Success Fair Weather, Friendly Sails Hard Fought Independence
Welcome to the GMC
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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • JUNE 2007
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20 # 05 March 2015
dining guide • business & finance • sport & leisure • history • property • community
the gibraltar magazine
g
ibraltar the
March 2015 Vol. 20 # 05 FREE
Magic Realism Uncovering Lost Worlds Choosing Success Fair Weather, Friendly Sails Hard Fought Independence
contents Business & Finance 8 Business & Finance Guide 9 Welcome to the GMC 12 University of Gibraltar Steams
Welcome to the GMC
Ahead Gibraltar’s Head Start in Developing Markets 16 Gibraltar’s Funds Industry 30 Kenneth Castiel: Choosing Success 32 Coping with Cancer in the Workplace
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20 # 05 MARCH 2015 Cover: Catalan Bay by Eva Palomeque
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
Property 38 Dipping Your Toe into the
39 40 42
Commercial Property Market Fair Trade Bill 2015 Property Directory Vampire Electronics
Arts & Leisure 24 Fair Weather & Friendly Sails 44 Book review: Mighty Fortress
Set in the Silver Sea The Gibraltar Lecture Save Our Students Rocking and ’80s Vibe: Omnibus
47 50 62
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20 # 05
Past Revisited 48 When Churchill was
Shanghaied at Gibraltar World Traveller, Gibraltar Soldier 66 Rockabilly Rock
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Health & Well-being 56 New Calpe House for
58 59
Sponsored Patients Health Directory GHA with NHS Employers
Appetite 86 Cake for Mums 88 Food & Drink Directory 92 Wine Column Regulars 74 Puzzle Page 80 Images of the Month 82 Question Time 94 Around Town Information 64 City Centre Map 88 Clubs & Activities 98 Gibraltar Information
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Features 20 Charles Gomez: Hard Fought Independence 34 Uncovering Lost Worlds 76 Steve Hogarth: Naturally Speaking
Arts 52
68 72
Magic Realism: Gabriela’s Spellbinding Realm of Colour Portrait of the Artist as an Old Man Reviving the Mâché Art
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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2015
22/02/2015 15:08
Gibraltar is often compared to Malta
Welcome to the GMC...
words | Ian Le Breton
I pen this column having just returned from yet another business trip, this time to visit our Cyprus office. Before long I will be dusting off the passport again when I go to see my colleagues in Malta. This latest bout of island-hopping, coming so soon after hearing John Julius Norwich talk about the “Middle Sea” or Mediterranean at the second annual Gibraltar International Literary Festival, set me to thinking. Regular readers may recall that I have written in the past on several occasions about the BRIC countries — Brazil, Russia, India and China (although “BRICS” is often now used since South Africa joined the party). The acronym was coined in 2001 by British economist Jim O’Neill to describe these four countries that, despite having no formal arrangements to bind them together, demonstrated sufficient
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economic similarities to enable them to be considered as a group. O’Neill did not predict that the BRICs would organise themselves into an economic bloc, but the extent to which the four countries subsequently embraced the term became evident in 2009 when their leaders met in Yekaterinburg for their first “summit”. This became an annual event and the seventh such summit is due to
take place in Russia in July. The BRICS example and my own musings on the Mediterranean led me to consider whether a three-letter acronym might be useful in categorising some economies a little closer to home. Gibraltar is often compared to Malta but it occurred to me that this association might usefully be extended to Cyprus as well. The three territories run in a roughly 2,000-mile line
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finance from west to east encompassing almost all of Viscount Norwich’s “Middle Sea”. And so, dear reader, the “GMC” group was born. OK, the lack of a vowel means it is not nearly as catchy as BRIC and worse; it could easily be confused both with the UK’s General Medical Council and a major US car manufacturer. However, at least for the purposes of this article (and if nothing else to help optimise my word count allowance), “GMC” it will be. Where to start? As this is the finance column it should come as no surprise that I will focus on these areas rather than the more traditional comparative measures between nations such as physical and population size. This will certainly assist my thesis because Gibraltar’s 2½ square miles and 30,000 people hardly compares favourably with Malta’s 122 square miles and 423,000 inhabitants, let alone Cyprus’s 3,570 square miles and 1.1m inhabitants. So let’s move on before my “GMC” term falls at the first fence. What I need to establish is why these three places, despite their obvious physical differences, might rightly be considered as part of an economic grouping. As I write for The Gibraltar Magazine, I should probably declare an interest in favour of own world-famous rock. My argument, however, is that by considering the “GMC” as a group, finance industry practitioners may actually benefit their clients. By selecting the “best of breed” products and services from all three jurisdictions — a sort of smorgasbord approach — it should be possible to maximise the benefits to a clients’ advantage. Let us therefore focus on what binds GMC together. All three jurisdictions are in the European Union (to a greater or lesser extent), enjoy critical strategic locations in the context of the “Middle Sea”, and were, at one time or another and for varying lengths of time, under British authority. Gibraltar, of course, remains a British Overseas Territory, while Cyprus gained her independence in 1960 and Malta went down the same track four years later. As a result of this shared ancestry, their legal systems are all based on, or owe a great debt to, English common law — although in the case of Malta, this has always been combined with elements of civil law. Cyprus and Malta have naturally developed their own jurisprudence in their first 50 years of self-rule and, since their accession to the EU, have come under the direct influence of the courts and legislators of Europe. However, lawyers of my acquaintance tell me that the legal systems of all three retain sufficient flexibility and dependability to bring both benefits and security to their clients. Although the official languages of the “GMC” change from English to Maltese and then Greek the further east one travels, English still predominates in respect of business. The euro is now the official currency in both Malta and Cyprus (replacing the Maltese lira and the Cyprus pound in 2008) while Gibraltar proudly maintains the Gibraltar pound fixed to sterling. Interest rates are therefore determined by the Bank of England here and the ECB in both Malta and Cyprus. For the benefit of visitors to Gibraltar I should add that you can use euro almost everywhere in Gibraltar too, but the exchange rate is unlikely to be especially
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Cyprus
By considering the “GMC” as a group, finance industry practitioners may actually benefit their clients favourable. What about industry? Tourism is a mainstay of all three jurisdictions. The tourist resorts in Malta and Cyprus are of course better known and their facilities much more developed, but our Tourism Department is working hard to attract more visitors to Gibraltar. We may struggle to compare our own beaches with the seemingly endless Limassol seafront in Cyprus or Malta’s Blue Grotto, but our gigantic rock — one of the Pillars of Hercules no less — certainly provides some stiff opposition in terms of the “wow factor”. Being much larger, Malta and Cyprus manufacture and produce a vast array of products — a sector where Gibraltar simply cannot compete. On the other hand, Gibraltar leads the world in online gaming and maintains a strong position within GMC in terms of shipping and
related services; the Malta and Cyprus ship registries may be the first and third largest European maritime flags respectively (and both in the top ten worldwide), but Gibraltar has carved out its own niche in becoming the third busiest bunker port in Europe. Financial services perhaps provide the best illustration of “GMC” being a realistic categorisation. Despite being far smaller in terms of size and population, it is here that Gibraltar really does compete effectively. Whilst I have focussed on what binds “GMC” together, let me now turn to some key differences. VAT is non-existent in Gibraltar, while the current rates in Malta and Cyprus are 18% and 19% respectively. Corporation tax here is levied at 10% (on business derived within Gibraltar) whilst in Cyprus it is 12.5% and in Malta it is an eye-popping 35% (although I should mention that for non-resident companies, Malta operates a tax refund system to shareholders that can reduce the effective rate to as low as 5%). Withholding taxes, treaties and so on are beyond the scope of this article but clients keen to optimise their financial situation should ensure that practitioners consider all three “GMC” systems. By selecting a combination of structures — perhaps involving companies, trusts and other vehicles — from two or even all three “GMC” members, they should be in a position to construct an arrangement that will meet all their needs effectively. I have written in the past about international pensions and here both Gibraltar and Malta lead the world in the range of services they provide — and although they appear to compete at one level, it could more properly be said that they complement one another in their respective offerings. Similarly, all three “GMCs” offer attractive residence programmes that appeal to foreign nationals. All have the respective strengths — and weaknesses — but together they make up a compelling package. So there you have it: a quick summary setting out my case for the new “GMC” group. Maybe Messrs. Picardo, Muscat and Anastasiades (GMC’s current heads of government) might even consider holding an inaugural summit to explore their common interests as the “spine” of the Middle Sea. It should be held in Gibraltar of course – well we come first longitudinally so it’s only fair. More seriously though, I do think clients, practitioners, officials and politicians would do well to consider the advantages of all three jurisdictions as a whole — or holistically as current parlance would have it. We have a great deal in common and are worthy of more consideration as a group. Remember where you heard the term “GMC” first. n
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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2015
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education
University of Gibraltar Steams Ahead
The Minister for Education, Gilbert Licudi QC, held meetings in February in Oxford, Singapore and Hong Kong as part of the continuing preparation for the opening of the university in September. Mr Licudi described these meetings as extremely productive and said they opened up fantastic opportunities for the development and expansion of the University.
gibraltar the
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Mr Licudi, who was accompanied by Dr Darren Fa, the university’s Director of Academic Programmes and Research, met at Oxford Brookes University with Donald Sloan, the Head of the Oxford School of Hospitality Management and Chair of Oxford Gastronomica and with Laurie Tebbutt, the Head of Commercial Services at the University’s Faculty of Business. The meeting served to consolidate the existing relationship with Oxford Brookes University and to discuss plans for further collaboration between the two universities, specifically in the field of hospitality and tourism education. Mr Licudi said the Oxford School of Hospitality Management is a market leader in educating students for management and leadership roles and the project team at the University of Gibraltar are very excited about an association with Oxford Brookes in this field. In Singapore, the Gibraltar delegation met with senior management at the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM). SIM has a number of strands including SIM University, SIM Professional Development and SIM Global Education. SIM is an Affiliate Centre of the University of London and has
over 9,000 students enrolled in the University of London International Programmes. The discussion at SIM focused primarily on these programmes and the methods used by SIM to deliver them to their students. In an intensive and packed programme, further meetings were held with the President of the Hong Kong University, the Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Vice-President of International Affairs at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University as well as with Hong Kong University’s Swire Institute for Marine Science. Mr Licudi said: “Universities throughout the world, no matter how well established, work on the basis that global opportunities, through student exchanges and joint programmes, are a necessary part of the higher education offering. It is vital for the University of Gibraltar to establish these links not just for the programmes we will deliver at the outset but to guarantee the development and expansion of the University in the future.” In addition, meetings were held in Hong Kong with a travel operator and a provider of education for health care professionals. Mr Licudi added: “These two meetings have opened up significant and exciting opportunities for the University of Gibraltar. The travel operator we met specialises in education tours to Europe by secondary school and university students. These tours combine English classes with a cultural experience in the country visited. We have agreed to put together a programme for these students in Gibraltar which would provide English tuition at the University of Gibraltar’s language centre as well as cultural tours in Gibraltar and, possibly, Spain and Morocco. “On the health care side, the provider we met has over 14,000 nurses in their books which they train and supply to local hospitals and care homes. They are interested in collaboration with the University of Gibraltar for the delivery in Hong Kong of professional development courses for their nurses.” n
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finance
Gibraltar’s Head Start in Developing Markets
words | Peter Schirmer
Along with Gibraltar’s solidly-based economy, our geographical proximity to the countries of North Africa offers the Rock’s financial services sector a head start in developing markets on the other side of the Mediterranean where — despite current unrest in Libya and to the east — Morroco and Algeria offer rich potential seams to mine, according to Claudia Panseri, global strategist at Societe Generale, one of the most powerful banks in Europe. Panseri, who is a popular visitor to the Rock’s financial community was in Gibraltar briefly in February when, accompanied by Alan Mudie, the recently appointed head of investment strategy at SG, the pair presented a breakfast seminar — ‘Out of Sync’ — to clients of SG Hambros (Gibraltar) and other finance professionals. And they had other ‘encouragements’ for Gibraltar — though these were less direct. For while Gibraltar steadily and independently widened its financial services sector — developing its own funds industry, passporting into Europe, and, most recently taking advantage of the UK’s Qualified Recognised Overseas Pension Scvheme (QROPS) legislation, our financial ties with the City are as strong as our historic ties with Britain. Sometimes even we are regarded, not without some justification, as a City of London subsidiary. So, when Britain benefits — we tend to gain our share. And both Mudie and Panseri predict that the UK economy will continue to grow and its finance sector will thrive in 2015. “Clearly Gibraltar will benefit, too,” Panseri told me. For, while much of the world’s economies are ‘Out of Sync’ those of the United States and Britain — already ahead of the pack — will continue to grow. Divergences in economic performance would persist this year the pair suggested — and they forecast ‘solid growth in the US and UK, a positive contribution from Japan, sluggish growth in the eurozone and continued slowing of emerging market growth’. Like the policies set by various governments which have diverged so significantly, those of the major central bank monetary policies will remain ‘out of sync’ (the phrase from which the breakfast symposium took its title), with substantial easing in the euro zone and Japan. And though the US had ended its asset purchase programme, the Federal Reserve ‘should take its time before beginning to hike interest rates’. The Bank of England should be equally cautious. Mudie, who looked at the ‘macro’ aspects
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Alan Mudie, the recently appointed head of investment strategy, and Claudia Panseri, global strategist at Societe Generale
Both Mudie and Panseri predict that the UK economy will continue to grow and its finance sector will thrive in 2015
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Both Mudie and Panseri predict that the UK economy will continue to grow and its finance sector will thrive in 2015 — “Clearly Gibraltar will benefit, too.”
of the major global economies, foresees US strength continuing, a contraction in China, and the eurozone remaining ‘pretty weak’ in the coming 12 months. Global growth would continue, pushed along by the US where consumer confidence was high, residential construction was again picking up and consumer spending would be boosted by the declining cost of petrol. It could be argued that in coping with the crisis, both the US Treasury and the Federal Reserve had successfully mitigated the worst effects for the US economy and financial markets. “The policy response in the eurozone, however, has been a mixture of fiscal austerity and monetary policy easing. While Mario Draghi’s dovish statements have helped stem break-up risk, this policy mix has proved insufficient to revive the economy. More recently, Japan’s government and central bank have embarked on an even more ambitious programme than the US in an attempt to pull the country out of two long decades of stagnation. “Despite the unprecedented easing, many investors are surprised to note that inflation levels remain extremely low: while the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve, the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan all target 2% consumer price inflation, none have reached this level. We believe that this is because developed economies have experienced a massive build-up in indebtedness over the past few decades, and the deleveraging process will have a lasting deflationary impact.”
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[Almost a decade ago Gibraltar boasted a brace of investment clubs — one, I think was linked to Jane at the Cannon Bar — and, if they still exist, they should find Panseri’s investment advice encouraging and probably worth following. ] “In today’s context of low growth, ‘lowflation’ and low liquidity, investors should focus on those hedge fund strategies which have exposure to equities— SG’s preferred asset class, where we identify the broadest range of opportunities for managers,” said Panseri. “The continued boom in corporate activity (such as mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs and restructurings) has created a favourable tailwind for Special Situations and Event-Driven strategies. “However, these strategies face challenges such as the US administration’s clampdown on ‘tax-inversion’ takeovers (where a US company buys a target in a low-tax jurisdiction with the express aim of transferring its tax domicile). One of the largest healthcare deals last year, Abbvie’s bid for Shire, which is domiciled in the Channel Islands, collapsed recently, hurting the performance of those funds which had positioned themselves to
benefit from its completion. “This reinforces the importance of identifying experienced specialist managers who are well-versed in identifying deals which are driven more by industrial logic than by financial engineering,” Panseri added. “Regarding Equity Long/Short, we continue to focus on managers who specialise in those markets where the lack of analyst coverage creates attractive return potential for careful stockpickers. Many such markets are to be found in the Asia-Pacific region: the fact that the expected upside in prices is highest there only adds to their attraction. “Our spotlight is currently on Equity Market-Neutral strategies. As the name suggests, these cover funds which combine long and short positions in their portfolios in such a way that the net exposure to the direction of the market will be neutralised. As a result, performance is purely a result of the quality of the manager’s stock-picking, and positive returns are achievable irrespective of the trend in the broader market. “This strategy requires great discipline from managers and high-quality risk management processes, which we believe will be of key importance in 2015.” Last October served to demonstrate just how quickly sentiment can turn from positive to negative and volatility can spike sharply before tumbling again. Given that the large advances registered by developed market equities since March 2009 have been driven more by expanding valuations than by rising profits, such sell-offs cannot be ruled out in 2015. This argues in favour of rotating portfolios towards Equity Market-Neutral in order to seek returns which are not dependent on the trend in equity indices. The process of “de-equitisation” — when share buybacks outnumber new equity issues — was still under way in the US, sustained by large cash piles on company balance sheets. “However, this strategy’s performance has been good so far, so we... favour companies launching share buyback programmes outside the US,” she said. “While we still believe that German stocks are the most attractively valued in the eurozone, our concerns related to deflation risks drive our decision to temporarily reduce our exposure to euro stocks. “There are many reasons why dividend-paying stocks should be favoured over non-dividend stocks, and why dividends should generally be seen as offering some protection against downside. We continue to believe that investors should adopt this strategy, but we now favour stocks outside the eurozone which are able to increase their dividends steadily over the years,” Panseri concluded. n
It could be argued that in coping with the crisis, both the US Treasury and the Federal Reserve had successfully mitigated the worst effects for the US economy and financial markets
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2015
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Out of the ordinary
Most people don’t expect much from a visit to a bank. We think they should. At Jyske Bank, your own relationship manager will offer you tailor-made, hassle-free solutions… and a certain something that’s hard to describe – something out of the ordinary. Follow us on facebook: Jyskebankgibraltar
Jyske Bank (Gibraltar) Ltd. • Tel. +350 200 59205 • www.jyskebank.gi Jyske Bank (Gibraltar) Ltd. is licensed by the Financial Services Commission, Licence No. FSC 001 00B. Services and products are not available to everybody, for instance not to residents of the US.
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10-04-2014 06:57:22
Malcolm Ruffell, CEO of Vista Fund Services Ltd
CEO Malcolm Ruffel
Gibraltar’s Funds Industry interview | Stephen Ball, Relationship Manager, Barclays Gibraltar
Hello and welcome to March’s edition! Paul has handed the reins for this month’s column to me. My name is Steve Ball and I am a Relationship Manager in Paul’s team, where I focus on supporting clients within the e-Gaming, Insurance, Funds and large corporate sectors. Much of my time is spent working closely with clients to understand their business and support them by delivering appropriate banking products and solutions. The column this month is a great opportunity to showcase the Funds industry in Gibraltar. I recently caught up with Malcolm Ruffell, CEO of Vista Fund Services Ltd based in Queensway Quay, to ask him about the
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developing funds industry in Gibraltar along with some insight around his role within the wider business community. We also found time to discuss some of Malcolm’s personal career highlights and success stories, so I do
hope you find my interview with Malcolm interesting and insightful. Malcolm, thank you for taking the time to talk to us. What is your business
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finance background? I trained as an accountant back in the 1970s with a medium-sized firm that is now effectively a part of EY. After qualifying I spend a couple of years with Price Waterhouse. In 1981 I joined Commercial Union and spent 18 years with them in a variety of finance roles, culminating in CFO for their UK operations and then CEO of their unit trust business with £2bn AUM. I left shortly after the merger with GA and spent some time with a dotcom insurance venture before setting up my own consultancy working for a number of well-known financial services companies. It was through that consultancy that I became involved with Gibraltar. Vista was licensed back in 2006 and the management acquired control of the business in 2009. We have grown steadily over the last five years and I believe we have established a good reputation locally. As CEO, what is your vision for Vista and how do you see the Funds industry developing in Gibraltar? At Vista we set out to be a business focussing solely on the funds industry. We were fortunate to be able to start with a blank piece of paper and to be able to draw on our many years of experience in the funds industry to build our model. At this stage of its development Gibraltar is still a very small player in funds and we have built our model on providing a bespoke, hands-on service to all of our clients as we think this can give us an edge of over the more commoditised players in the bigger jurisdictions such as Dublin and Luxembourg. Over time we have built a strong team with an excellent background in funds. For example the Head of Finance has some eight years’ experience in Dublin. The financial world continues to face many challenges and the funds industry is not immune to those challenges. Nonetheless I am optimistic and feel that there is a real opportunity for the Fund industry in Gibraltar to grow and develop. The key players are working hard at promoting the attractions of the jurisdiction, along with a great deal of support from the Finance Centre. And I also believe that the launch of the Stock Exchange can only help in this regard. I am delighted that Vista was accepted as one of the first member firms and I have already visited the Far East where a lot of interest was shown in the offering. This can only be good news in the long run.
The financial world continues to face many challenges and the funds industry is not immune to those challenges. Nonetheless I am optimistic and feel that there is a real opportunity for the Fund industry in Gibraltar to grow and develop
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Tell me how you first got involved with Gibraltar? When I was running my own consultancy back in the UK I took on a contract from a well known UK company to work on a project to develop and launch a large motor insurance business here in Gibraltar. The company successfully launched at the beginning of 2004 and is, as far as I’m aware, the largest insurance company operating on the Rock today. And I am still in contact with them and see them when they are in Gibraltar for board meetings. At the end of the contract towards the end of 2004 I took the opportunity to move down here and see what Gibraltar had to offer. I have been here now for over 10 years now which have been very enjoyable.
a lack of rhythm meant a career in accountancy beckoned instead. However looking back I Describe a time when you made the would love to have been an airline pilot as I wrong decision. enjoy travel. I suppose that investing in the dotcom boom did not prove to be the best financial decision I have ever made, but I learned a lot from that What is the best thing about your job? In some ways the best thing is also the and it has stood me in good stead in building worst thing, the constant change in the funds Vista. At the dotcom we were trying to build industry. Whether it’s the implementation of AIFMD, the imposition of FATCA, the focus on AML, the ever changing regulatory environment, the impact of our new Companies Act or wrestling with new systems we seem to be in a period of substantial change, and not always for the better. At one level it makes for challenges which make the job stimulating and exciting, but on the other hand the constant change can be challenging, not only for Vista but also our clients. What is the single most important reason for your success? I’m not sure how I would define success. By and large I have enjoyed my working career and made some good friends along the way. I think I would just say that I have been lucky to be in the right place at the right time, at least on a number of occasions.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? Without doubt it has to be taking 17 UnWhat was your very first job? der-13 boys from my rugby club on tour to My very first payslip came from my local Hong Kong. Through CU I was fortunate to council where I worked as a dustman. I spent get an invitation to take a junior team to parfour summers honing my bin emptying skills ticipate in a tournament in Hong Kong that while at university. The pay and overtime took place the day after the Sevens. The trip were very good and kept me in beers during in 1994 took a year to organise and along with term time. Looking back it was also very in- the other coach and parents we organised a structive and as a novice it taught me a great whole range of fundraising activities. These deal about teamwork in the workplace. were so successful that each of the boys was able to take part in the trip without paying If you hadn’t chosen your current career, anything. It was an adventure that gripped is there another career path you would the boys, their parents and the club, and they have liked to pursue? showed great commitment not only to the Like most kids of my era I wanted to be fundraising but also the playing side. It was a professional footballer (centre forward for the beginning of a very successful era for the Spurs) or a rock star. But sadly two left feet and team with a couple of the boys going on to
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represent England at Under-16 and Under-18 and then turning professional. Being able to give the boys such a wonderful opportunity is something I look back on very fondly. I have to say the boys were great ambassadors for the club and England.
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.
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an insurance distribution model along the lines of Go Compare, but at a time when broadband was in its infancy and smartphones were almost unheard of. Who knows had funding for dotcoms not dried up in 2000 we might have been a household name today and giving away cuddly toys with every policy sold.
KPMG Update Looks to Gibraltar’s Tax Future
Any ambitions not yet fulfilled? I think I’ve achieved quite a lot in 60 years and have no burning ambitions left to fulfill. I would like to enjoy a long and healthy retirement, when it finally comes around, and try to get my golf handicap back to a respectable level.
Nearly 100 local professionals and service providers crammed into the conference suite at the 5-star Sunborn hotel last month to hear KPMG’s latest tax and audit update.
Mountain hideaway or beach house? It has to be mountain hideaway. We are fortunate to own a beautiful 100 year old finca in 80,000 square metres of land on the edge of the Montes de Malaga. We are able to escape there most weekends. It is wonderful contrast
“Follow the paper — follow the money.” This was the mantra of the Administration Director at the unit trust company I ran to the day-to-day life of Gibraltar and provides an opportunity to recharge my batteries. What is th best advice anyone has given to you — who were they and how did you then use it? “Follow the paper — follow the money.” This was the mantra of the Administration Director at the unit trust company I ran. This has stood me in good stead ever since and an invaluable tool in a fund administration business, which despite the modern era involves a lot of paperwork along with financial transactions. What was the first record you ever brought? Contrary to popular opinion they had stopped issuing 78s by then. I have to say I’m not sure but think it was either Little Red Rooster by the Stones or the Twist & Shout EP by the Beatles. My only regret is that I never kept these as I went on to become a collector of vinyl records. Some will say that my tastes are still stuck in 1960s. What movie (no matter how many times you’ve watched it) do you have to watch, when it comes on? I’m not a huge movie fan and prefer my music. If I do watch a movie it will typically be a thriller, although I do have a liking for the old spaghetti westerns. n I’ll see you next month when I return with the next interview in our series. Stephen Ball is writing in his own capacity and none of the above is intended to express the views or opinions of Barclays Bank PLC.
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Opening the briefing, KPMG’s Director of Tax in Gibraltar, Greg Jones, reviewed a number of key UK tax developments arising from UK chancellor George Osborne’s recent Autumn Statement. These included increases in both the Remittance Basis Charge for UK resident non-domiciles and the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings, and also the overhaul of the UK’s Stamp Duty Land Tax on residential property, which took effect from 4 December 2014. Mr Jones observed that there would be “winners” and “losers” under this new system. He then outlined the proposed new rules for non-UK residents who make capital gains on the sale of UK residential property, which will tax all gains arising after 5th April 2015. Mr Jones then introduced Alejandra Sanchez, a tax specialist at KPMG in Malaga, who reported in detail on the recent Spanish Tax Reform Act, which proposes
major changes in personal and corporate tax in Spain. Of particular interest and significance were amendments to the favourable tax regime for “inpatriates” (otherwise known as the “Beckham ruling”, and introduced to benefit a certain well-known footballer when he played in Spain, but from now no longer available to sportspeople) and an “exit” tax on long-term Spanish residents who leave owning a large holding of shares. Ms Sanchez also outlined how the Spanish corporate tax system will be completely revamped, and pointed out that there is some good news in that the top rates of both personal and corporate tax will reduce to 45% and 25% respectively. Monika Samtani, a senior audit manager with KPMG in Gibraltar, then spoke on the relevance to tax resulting from changes in accounting standards. With New UK GAAP effective from periods commencing 1 January 2015, Ms Samtani highlighted that there could
SG Private Banking Hambros named “Best Private Bank in Gibraltar for Investment Banking Capabilities” Société Générale Private Banking Hambros Gibraltar (SGPB Hambros Gibraltar) has been named “Best Private Bank in Gibraltar for Investment Banking Capabilities” by Euromoney* magazine for the second consecutive year. This award recognises the close synergies and expertise that SGPB Hambros Gibral-
tar has developed with Societe Generale’s investment bank, ensuring strong investment offering and portfolio management capabilities to respond to private clients’ demands for investment banking services. Emma Perez, CEO of SGPB Hambros Gibraltar commented, “We are delighted to receive this award, which highlights the dedication and cooperation of our investment experts, both locally and throughout SGPB Hambros, in order to provide relevant and tailored investment solutions for our clients”. n * Euromoney Magazine is a global reference publication on trends in international banking and capital markets. The results of its ‘’Private Banking Survey 2015’’ are based on the evaluation of wealth management players by their peers as well as data provided by the private banks being judged.
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business & finance be implications over the recognition of current and deferred tax as, under New UK GAAP, the scope for recognising deferred taxation is widened. In addition, companies may need to review their criteria for capitalising software development, as the related FRS102 accounting standard does not specifically address the classification of software and website costs. Finally, Darren Anton, a senior tax manager in KPMG’s Gibraltar office, gave an update on EU tax matters of particular relevance to Gibraltar. Mr Anton focussed on the recent UK court judgment in the judicial review proceedings brought by the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association which commented on the relationship between the UK and Gibraltar in respect of the application of EU law. In a “finely balanced” conclusion it was held that relations would be considered the same as between a EU Member State (in this case the UK) and a third country (which is not another Member State). Mr Anton then highlighted recent European General Court judgments in relation to State Aid where the EU Commission decisions in relation to the Spanish corporate tax regime were annulled and whether there is any potential application to the current proceedings by the EU Commission in relation to the Gibraltar tax regime. Mr Jones rounded off proceedings by thanking the delegates for braving the morning’s cold weather and announcing that KPMG’s next briefing at the Sunborn, dealing with corporate transactions, will take place in late spring. n
Darren Anton, a senior tax manager in KPMG’s Gibraltar office, gave an update on EU tax matters of particular relevance to Gibraltar
KPMG’s Director of Tax in Gibraltar, Greg Jones
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Charles Gomez
Hard fought Independence
interview | Mike Brufal
Charles Gomez’s family have been on the Rock for eight generations; a varied ethnic mix of which Southern Portuguese (Olhão) and Irish (O’Brien, Cork) are pre-eminent. He comments,“in the last 200 years no one in my family has married into the same ethnicity”. He is married to Susan Saywell, a counsellor who by birth is a Londoner and they have three children. Nicholas, also a barrister, Chris a journalism graduate currently working for a Washington DC public relations and brand management group and Lilly, who has modelled in the United Kingdom, France and Gibraltar. She works on international pageants linked to charitable events. Charles, 56 (he celebrates his birthday on St George’s Day), was educated at the Christian Brothers Preparatory School in Line Wall Road where Brother Horkan was succeeded by Brother Kelly as headmaster. Charles affectionately remembers those Christian Brothers who taught him. Despite the bad press that came the way of Christian Brothers in later years, especially in Australia and Ireland, the ones on the Rock, although strict disciplinarians, were all dedicated men who devoted their lives to teaching. At the time the constant administering of corporal punishment did not seem anything out of the ordinary to the young Charles although he now recognises that sort of discipline “would probably be the subject of demonstrations followed by a high powered public inquiry. Times have changed”. On passing the 11 plus examinations Charles joined the last intake of the Sacred Heart Grammar School before it merged with the other secondary schools into what is now Bayside Comprehensive. Brothers O’Sullivan and then Grice were the headmasters as from 1970. He remembers the arrival of Ivan Navas as a sandal wearing long haired, Gitanes smoking “hippy” teacher straight back from the Paris of ’68. This did Ivan no harm and he went on in later years to be appointed headmaster at
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Bayside. Compelled to study for want of much else to do during Franco’s siege of Gibraltar (1968 to 1982) Charles passed his “A” levels earning sufficient points to warrant a Gibraltar Government scholarship to read Law. He had toyed with the idea of reading English literature and says “some ill informed person whose name I cannot recall told me that a law degree provided good grounding for any number of careers. Of course it does no such thing and only equips people to be lawyers”. While at university he was influenced by Joe Bossano and in 1978 become one of the first members of the GSLP. He wrote regular articles for the GSLP newspaper, then known as The People. Prior to going to university he had occasionally covered court cases for Vox and its sister paper The Gibraltar Echo. Years later in the 1990s he would write a weekly column for that newspaper. Charles says “The late Eddie Campello [Vox editor] was very persuasive; he compelled me to write something every week and even when I went on holiday I had to leave two or three essays in advance. I think that Eddie and I were the first to advocate forcefully against the fast launch trade, which, although in a sense a throw back to our buccaneering heyday was undermining social cohesion in
1995.” Professionally he also represented the outspoken Eddie in a number of libel cases and he never lost one in his time. After being called to the Bar by the Inner Temple in 1982, an uncle, Rowland Allen, who had been a barristers’ clerk after a career in the Royal Navy was able to assist Charles in obtaining pupillage in London. Among his pupil masters was Jerry Hayes who went on to become a Member of Parliament and a member of the Gibraltar Parliamentary lobby. In London he assisted mainly in criminal cases including the notorious conspiracy to import cocaine trial following “Operation Snowball” which at the time had been one of the longest ever trials at the Old Bailey and had ended in a mistrial following a finding of jury nobbling. Returning to Gibraltar he was called to the local Bar and worked in a number of legal chambers. Charles was also considerably influenced professionally by the late Sam Benady QC.
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“Sam was a free thinker. I admired the fact that he had joined the Royal Air Force as a navigator at the beginning of the Second World War despite his age, 35, which would have allowed him to avoid military service. Compared to the money obsession of many in the legal profession these days, reminiscences of Sam Benady QC are always refreshing. In his understated way, he was also a Gibraltarian patriot — he called his autobiography Memoirs of a Gibraltarian.” At the relatively young age of 28 Charles set up his own chambers on the first working day of 1988. “Others of my generation have done very well indeed working under legal titans like James Levy QC who provide them with a steady stream of clients but there is no beating the sense of being a wholly independent barrister. I instill that sense of autonomy in the barristers who work in my chambers”. The authoritative “Legal 500” Guide say that
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Charles Gomez is regarded as ‘the lawyer you want in your corner for hard-fought cases’, and has ‘an excellent presence in the courtroom’. Charles Gomez & Co have a varied work load not all of which is litigious. Its property and conveyancing department is one of the
At the relatively young age of 28 Charles set up his own chambers on the first working day of 1988
busiest in Gibraltar. However, his is essentially a litigation practice. Charles represented the successful claimant as counsel in the largest ever award of damages for clinical negligence case and regularly deals with claims against health providers. “I make no apologies for trying to settle claims out of court. There is no logic in risking an adverse judicial decision except as the last resort. However there are times when one is given no option but ‘to cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war’. Over the last three years or so we have settled most clinical negligence cases except one which we won at trial.” Other recent memorable results include the judicial review in respect of the construction of the power station intended for Lathbury. One of his favourites is Gibraltar Gold Coin Company v. the Attorney General, a case involving the imposition of import duty on gold coins which went before the Court of Appeal one of whose judges, the recently deceased Sir Christopher
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Charles Gomez with Joe Bossano and Pedro Maza of the Andalusian fishing federation on GBC TV debating the issue of territorial waters
Staughton referred to the Government ‘as behaving like the mad emperor Caligula’ for making laws inaccessible. His client won and all the import duty was repaid. In 2009 Charles represented Chief Justice Schofield in the referral to the Judicial committee of the Privy Council which removed him from office after a split 4/3 decision. He made submissions to the European Commission on State Aid (qualifying companies — Mario Monti presiding). Financial services litigation is another area that keeps Charles busy these days. He has forthright views: “The concept of trust in the financial system has all but gone. Banks are no longer respected as they were. A society that runs on capitalist principles requires a banking system which is both efficient and
trustworthy. The events of the past seven years show that this trust has been eroded. I would have hoped that by now the banks would have got their act together but in Gibraltar the problem which is exacerbated by the fact that so few banks remain; this in itself a threat to the local economy.”
In 2006 he was one of the spokesmen for the ‘No’ campaign prior to the 2006 referendum on the new constitution
He believes that the Government of Gibraltar was right to establish the Gibraltar International Bank and revamp the Gibraltar Savings Bank. “If private enterprise cannot being trusted to provide basic banking functions there is no option but for the government to step in.” It is not only the banking system that has to be trusted. Trust is also a sine qua non of the judiciary and regulatory authorities. In his opinion Judges should distance themselves from politicians, officials and centres of influence . He believes that in a small jurisdiction like Gibraltar (pop. 30,000) the tenure of judges and regulators should be short and non-renewable “otherwise a good old boy network soon develops and that is bad for justice and propriety.” Away from the law and journalism in 1999/2000 Charles Gomez organised power boat racing championships in Gibraltar waters under the auspices of the Royal Yachting Association and the Union Internationale Motonautique. Charles said, “This received huge coverage in the global satellite TV channels and provided Gibraltar with top quality exposure. The events cost an arm and a leg to produce — just helicopter hire for TV crews cost £15,000 for 2 ½ days — major sponsorship had to be obtained. Eventually I realised that as happened to Mr. Toad of Toad Hall ‘messing around in boats’ was not going to put food on the table and I returned to pick up the pieces of what remained of my Chambers. It took me several years to rebuild my practice and I am now totally committed to it!” Except that he entered local politics. In 2006 he was one of the spokesmen for the ‘No’ campaign prior to the 2006 referendum on the new constitution. This involved working closely with Sir Robert Peliza and Joe Caruana whom he greatly admires as outstanding Gibraltarians. Charles Gomez considers the 2006 Constitution as a missed political opportunity. In his opinion the Gibraltarians could have obtained a tailor made constitution worthy of a modern territory in Europe. Instead, he says that following the referendum, Gibraltar politicians at the time were feted and cajoled at King Charles Street [home of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office] and signed up to a ‘cut and paste’ constitution which was largely the effort of the F&CO’s Ian Hendry [Hendry lectured Charles on constitutional and administrative law at university]. In 2007 he stood for election as a independent for New Gibraltar Democracy and received 1,210 votes which is 7% of the electorate and is the highest vote for a first time independent candidate. He realises that today it is virtually impossible for an independent candidate to be elected to Parliament because of the block vote system: he is not currently prepared to join any political party. He is a member of the Constitutional and Parliamentary Reform Commission for the past three years which has been under the chairmanship of Mayor and Speaker Adolfo Canepa. One of Charles’ pet projects involves establishing academic links with the neighbouring area of Spain. He has created strong ties with the highly regarded Professor Jesús Verdú Baeza, a professor of International law at Ca-
Young Charles in the Sea Scouts
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diz University. His law faculty and Charles Gomez and Co have been organising courses in English law for Cadiz undergraduates for the last two academic years. Charles believes that the results have been excellent in more ways than one. “In the middle of the first course, in November 2013 [Chief Minister] Fabian Picardo had to be rescued by his RGP bodyguards from a baying mob of fishermen and rightwing thugs
Regional co-operation in practical terms is a topic that Charles Gomez regularly raises when he is invited to speak in Spain when he tried to give a talk in Algeciras. I was gratified to see that the young Spaniards who courageously confronted the assailants were the very undergraduates, young men and women, who had been to our lectures at the Garrison Library the week before. It is essential that we continue to build bridges in this way and academe is one way of achieving friendship and co-operation.” Regional co-operation in practical terms is
Charles with his young family in the early ’00s
a topic that Charles Gomez regularly raises when he is invited to speak in Spain. “Whenever I speak across the border one thing that attracts immediate attention is the comparison which I draw between Rotterdam, the biggest port in Europe, and Luxembourg, the prosperous finance centre on the one hand and Algeciras the busiest container port in Eu-
rope and Gibraltar, a successful finance centre on the other hand. Rotterdam and Luxembourg are in one of the world’s wealthiest regions whilst Algeciras and the Campo de Gibraltar are among the poorest regions of Europe. Gibraltar and the Campo de Gibraltar must work together and transient politicians from far away to stop interfering”. n
Early days — Charles Gomez
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Gibraltar-Morocco Smir Yacht Rally
words | Steph Ball
Fair Weather & Friendly Sails This year will see the 15th edition of the annual GibraltarMorocco Smir Yacht Rally taking place around the long Bank Holiday weekend from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th/ Monday 15th June. Since its inauguration in 2000, the Rally has built each year in both popularity and success and, for the first time, in 2014 the Rally Committee was able to make a sizeable charitable donation of just over £2,000 to the Gibraltar Branch of the Red Cross. This was largely made possible due to a great team of sponsors for the event, led by Ocean Village and Boatshed Gibraltar, supported by generous donations from the Gibraltar Tourist Board, Eroski, CEPSA, GibOil and many other local businesses. Now, as we leave winter behind, the committee is up and running once again and working hard to build on last year’s success, with Ocean Village and Boatshed Gibraltar having agreed to be main sponsors again for the event.
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The Rally is seen as a kick start to the summer sailing calendar and, over the last few years, has grown in reputation, such that it has been dubbed one of the world’s most sociable Rallies. While initially it was mainly the yacht-
ing fraternity which took part, the event has since diversified to also include power boats and last year saw a record entry of around 34 boats of all sizes. The event traditionally gets underway on the Thursday evening before the
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race, with the Skipper’s briefing which this year will take place again at Dusk Champagne Bar in Ocean Village. All skippers and crew are encouraged to attend this important briefing which includes the programme of events for the weekend, a chat about the safety issues and the weather to be expected en route. A free bag of goodies goes to every boat entry which includes the now coveted Skippers Rally Polo-shirt — while it also offers an opportunity for some camaraderie over the generously donated drinks and nibbles. On Friday at 1pm, there is some friendly jostling for best position at the starting line — located between the Runway and the Centre Buoy — with the MOD kindly providing a RHIB or, as last year, HMS Sabre was made available to sound the starting klaxon with the sail boats off first, quickly overtaken by the slightly delayed motor contingency. Last year’s weather proved a challenge for the start of the journey to Smir with some sail boats becalmed and having to resort to a little engine power to get them well out into the Strait and into what little breeze was available. The sometimes fickle weather can depict the time of arrival, though the majority of boats normally make it into Smir in time for the popular evening sponsored ‘meet and greet’ wine and cheese party. This arrival event marks the start of a very sociable weekend, with the Saturday morning given up to free time and while some people drift off to the nearest beach, others take the opportunity to visit M'Diq or Tetouan and
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It also offers an opportunity for some camaraderie over the generously donated drinks and nibbles the local souk. Some fun and games are made available late afternoon, while in the evening the ever popular and much anticipated fancy dress party takes place along with the coveted prize giving — with all prizes donated by local businesses — and awarded for everything from the fastest boat in, to the youngest skipper and best fancy dress etc. On Sunday, the boats begin to drift off slowly for home, although others take advantage of the discounted berthing offered in Smir to stay an extra night and extend the trip to a little sight-seeing. This option may be particularly popular this year with the added benefit of the Bank Holiday Monday. It’s not too late if you would like to be one of the generous sponsors for the 2015 rally, or perhaps you’d like to take part as a skipper or crew. Either way, you can find full details of this year’s event on the Boatshed Gibraltar Facebook page. We look forward to seeing you in June! n
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Gigi Sene, Minister Neil Costa and Alfred Vasquez
Stationery Moves Online The Beacon Press launched its smart new website in midFebruary (www.thebeaconpress.com or www.beaconpress. gi) at the Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses House in Irish Town. The Honourable Neil Costa, Minister for Employment and Business, was the guest of honour, and in his short presentation he commended the company for pushing ahead with this initiative and providing a new buying opportunity for its customers. Gigi Sene, one of the Company Directors, then unveiled the web pages to those who attended the event in a short presentation. This roll out is the first phase of the website and is aimed, for the time being, at corporate customers with credit accounts only. They are the only ones that will be able to use the web page fully. But anyone can of course browse the web site and use it to see the range of products that The Beacon Press stocks locally, for reference and information and can then go to the shop in Cloister Ramp or the Trade Counter at Europa Business Centre to purchase. In the coming months the company is planning to introduce a service to the wider community
that will include a payment gateway. This has been and is a very exciting project for The Beacon Press which has invested a significant amount of capital on its business software. The software package is provided via a company called Shireburn who are based in Malta. They recently developed a web page module that The Beacon Press has used to make its debut on the web. The benefit of this module is that it is integrated into the sales module and works completely seamlessly with it, giving customers an easy to use online purchasing experience. Also and more importantly the processing of orders placed is straight forward and simple to use. There has already been some good feedback from clients that have used it, including: “Great website, easy to use, well done!” “Well done on a brilliant new service. Used it yesterday for the first time and already had the goods delivered this morning. Keep it up.” n
This has been and is a very exciting project for The Beacon Press which has invested a significant amount of capital on its business software 26
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Bayside students at CyberCenturion final A team of Bayside students have gone through to the final of the 2015 CyberCenturion Schools Challenge against stiff competition from schools across the UK. CyberCenturion is the UK arm of the Cyber Patriot competition in the US, organised by Northrop Grumman. Northrop Grumman partnered with Cyber Security Challenge UK last summer to launch the competition in the UK. The competition is designed to inspire young people towards careers in cyber security and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), helping build a bigger UK cyber talent pool. The competition is open to anyone under age 18 and teams must be led by an adult who can act as the organiser for the activities. Over two weekends, the boys were given a number of cybersecurity challenges and were awarded points for their attempts. The teacher responsible for this initiative is Stewart Harrison, the school’s Head of Physics, and the team is made up of seven students: Aaron Baw, Abdullah Shuja and Petr Zagura (Year 12), Christopher Edwards and William Menez (Year 10), Asadullah Shuja and Ben Sene (Year 9). The Grand Final on 17th April at Bletchley Park, where Alan Turing decoded the Enigma machine. Head teacher Colin Skinner commented, ‘this is both a magnificent achievement and a wonderful opportunity for some of our most gifted students. I have no doubt that they will do Bayside and Gibraltar proud in the final.’ n
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Hassans Advise Gamesys Leading Gibraltar law firm, Hassans, has advised Gamesys on Gibraltar aspects relating to an assets sale and partnership with The Intertain Group. Gamesys, the leading online bingo business, has agreed to sell parts of its business to The Intertain Group Limited, a Canadian online gaming company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, for an initial purchase price of £425.8 million in cash and shares, plus an earn out. The transaction will see Intertain acquiring certain real money and social brands, marketing
and player data assets. As part of the deal, Gamesys (Gibraltar) Limited, who are licensed and regulated in Gibraltar, will also enter into a long term services agreement with Intertain for the provision of platform services and gaming content. Hassans International Law Firm advised and acted for Gamesys on all Gibraltar aspects of the transaction, including corporate, commercial and gambling regulatory matters, and represents another successful transaction for Hassans’ Gaming Law team who continue to act for the overwhelming majority of Gibraltar’s licensed remote gambling operators. The transaction was led by Nyreen Llamas, Partner, assisted by Anthony Provasoli, Partner, and Andrew Montegriffo, Associate. n
Nyreen Llamas, Partner, hassans
Ex-Chief Inspector joins Hassans’ Risk & Compliance Department
recent years, Isaac gained substantial experience in financial intelligence and related issues, particularly during his time as Executive Coordinator at the Gibraltar Coordinating Centre for Criminal Intelligence & Drugs, which includes the Gibraltar Financial Intelligence Unit.
Isaac Massias, ex-Chief Inspector at the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP), has recently joined the Risk & Compliance Department of Hassans International Law Firm. This forms part of the firm’s drive to ensure that it remains at the forefront of legislative and regulatory requirements.
Javier Chincotta, Managing Partner at Hassans, commented: “As an international law firm Hassans prides itself in its continued efforts in ensuring that the firm has comprehensive capacity to deal with all regulatory and legislative frameworks in the financial and legal sphere. We are extremely fortunate that Isaac was looking to progress his career within this arena, and welcome him to the firm. A strong Risk Management and Compliance strategy and procedures are of the utmost importance to Hassans and its continued success.” n
Isaac began his career with the RGP in 1978, working his way through the ranks to reach Chief Inspector in 2011. In more
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finance
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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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Kenneth Castiel:
Choosing Success words | Richard Cartwright
Pressing suits, door to door selling books and working as a labourer at 15! Just some of the tasks undertaken by successful businessman Kenneth Castiel of Castiel Winser fame... Bullied at age 5 and living in constant fear, opened the door to a potential, negative life of failure. Instead, he chose to embark on a journey of freedom and confidence to build his very own successful future. “It’s still very clear in my mind how I used to take coins from my mother’s purse to pacify my tormentors and I even used to get my grandmother to send me lead soldiers she bought from Sanguinetti’s toyshop at home in Gib, to keep the bullies at bay!” Kenneth spent his very early years in Morocco: his dad worked for a multi-national company and the family had moved there with him. Young Kenneth was petrified to share his daily ordeal with anyone and on returning to Gibraltar leaving those negative experiences behind he decided not to allow those events to scar him for life and instead, took the positive high road to eventual success. Fortitude, determination and hard work were to pave the way for a rewarding and worthwhile future... “I took on a number of jobs. Whilst in London’s King’s Road I managed a menswear store often frequented by Born Free star Virginia McKenna and members of the Punk rock group, the Sex Pistols. But in 1979 I wanted to study Business and Marketing at Bournemouth University.” Kenneth recalls how in those days grants were limited and Government was not keen to offer them to 23 year olds. Not feeling down hearted and defeated he took on board George Bernard Shaw’s belief, that those who get on in life look for the circumstances to achieve what they want to do and if none to be found, go on and create them! Having worked since he was 15, especially during summer holidays, Kenneth was later able to raid his money box and savings, continue to hold down jobs and thus pay for his own education. Clearly, through building on valuable advice Kenneth slowly made the right decisions... “A mentor of mine once said, ‘it’s better
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to be ready for an opportunity and not have one, than to have an opportunity and not be ready for it’ and that’s how I was able to pay for my studies!” They also say, common sense is not so common... Evidently Kenneth doesn’t subscribe to that but many — young people especially — fall prey to that maxim and just spend as if there’s no tomorrow! “Yes, in today’s world there’s huge pressure from advertising and peer pressure and happiness for many is having the latest smart phone, tablet and designer trainers. We tend to measure that and self esteem by possessions and therefore never save. There’s a book called The Richest Man in Babylon which teaches you to spend just 50% of what you make. If you want to spend more you need to learn how to bring more value to the market, with it, your income
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Learn the simple principles of farming — sow the seed, look after the crop and enjoy the harvest... and it has to be in that order
will increase. Or, if you like, learn the simple principles of farming — sow the seed, look after the crop and enjoy the harvest... and it has to be in that order.” Kenneth Castiel has continually been driven by perseverance and education to assist him trudge down that difficult road to success, also by not procrastinating on the way because, he says, `life’s too short!’ He ended up leaving the UK in 1984 whilst he was enjoying a well paid corporate job in London and headed back to Gibraltar to start his own business, “I very much wanted to live my own dream and not someone else’s. That’s when I sold books and then went into financial services.” Castiel Winser’s founder recalls building his business from scratch, doing his own dusting and cleaning from day one in a store room for an office, with just one typewriter and no secretary, “Some months later and over time I began to develop and train the wonderful team of people I ended up with.” In fact, this writer is testament to that as I was one of Kenneth’s first clients. I remember he accosted me in Main Street in the mid 80s — I’m glad he did! Many years in the business moving from single office to double offices and office suites in Leanse Place, ending up with more space at NatWest House in Line Wall Road by then, leading a team of about 25. Certainly a success story of determination and know how. “Having built the business from nothing and giving it my all, I felt it was important not to get emotionally involved with it and some years ago when I felt the market was at its peak I realised my asset and sold it. I have served as founder and Managing Director for 20 years and the time came when it was right for me to move on.” The former CEO has continued to be busy
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though, very busy, even having fun like jumping out of aircraft at ‘airliner cruising height’ of 30,000 feet, making him the 81st civilian in the world and first Gibraltarian civilian to do so. “It was all for local charities and really was fun to do.” But in Kenneth Castiel’s philosophy it can’t all be fun and no work just because he sold up. He aims to keep going and ‘no quitting until his last breath!’ He’s been travelling the world giving talks on Leadership Skills, “That’s right I’ve spoken to audiences in Jerusalem, Prague, New York, Budapest, Warsaw, London, Slovakia and even Transylvania!” But that’s not all, in January last year he took to swotting up again and returned to university in search of a Master’s Degree in just that, Leadership. Happily a very pleasant — albeit challenging — experience as he’s attending Regent’s University in London where his daughter Daniella and son Ben are also studying. “It’s fun meeting in the corridor on our way to class and I hope they’re proud to see that I lead by example. I have a passion for young people succeeding and always tell all young people to be curious and creative, to think differently and whilst being flexible know how to stand your ground.” Kenneth will be graduating the same week as Daniella in July this year and says whilst he believes in continuing to put his shoulder to the wheel, family life, friends, leisure and holidays and everything else must be kept very much in mind also, to lead a balanced and happy life. So what does the future hold for the ‘retired’ CEO? “Well the aim is to bring valuable and ground-breaking concepts home to the Rock. Leadership impacts on family, business, politics and everywhere you turn. I’m excited about this MA course. I would like to deliver these ideas and concepts with the course founder which I think would be advantageous to our market. This could my next endeavour...” Would there be a further endeavour, as in joining the political fray, Kenneth? “Well, I suppose you can never say no to politics or anything else!” n
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I have a passion for young people succeeding and always tell all young people to be curious and creative, to think differently...
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Coping with Cancer in the Workplace words | Sylvia Kenna, The HR Dept
The Financial Controller of your company has been on bereavement leave for two weeks since her husband died, after suffering with cancer for a year. While she has been away her deputy has stepped up and is covering the role. She has just called you and said that she can’t cope with coming back to work just yet. She was crying and obviously very upset. As an employer, line manager or HR, what would you do? This was similar to a case study in the recent workshop that was organised by the HR Forum — CIPD Branch, and delivered by Macmillan representative Tony Jackson, entitled ‘Cancer at Work.’ The answers vary from public sector to private sector, from small to large company, even from industry to industry. Some of the attendees explained the regulations that governed their workplace. In particular, civil servants have explicit policies regarding time off for bereavement. Others explained that as small companies the impact of this one key person being away from work would be difficult for them to support. One of the main points made was the need for employers to be prepared for these situations and educate their staff on how to deal with these types of situations. Research shows that 1 in 2 people will have a personal cancer experience in their
lifetime. Therefore everyone who employs people will at some point be affected by cancer in their workplace. It may be an employee who is diagnosed with cancer or it may be a member of the employee’s family. So knowing this, what can you do? The best place to start, is to look at the Macmillan website www.macmillan.org.uk. There you will find an enormous amount of really useful information for employers and employees. There is a tool kit employers can order from Macmillan to keep at your workplace that will provide everyone in your company with excellent information. Encourage staff member to look at online resources such as videos so that everyone is better prepared. Speak to local cancer charities to learn more about cancer and it’s treatment. As well as how individuals can be affected by cancer, whether they are diagnosed with cancer or are caring from someone who has cancer. You will be able to find out what resources there are available locally. Macmillan* gives tips for managers in their Work and Cancer toolkits…
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Be sensitive to your employee’s needs Every person has a different cancer experience. Cancer treatments, and physical and emotional reactions to cancer, will vary from person to person. What may be best for one employee may not suit another. Make time to understand your employee’s individual needs.
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Respect your employee’s right to privacy If your employee wants others in the organisation to know that they have cancer, ask them how they’d prefer this to happen. Also ask them whether or not they’d like you to keep in touch if they are off work for a while. Decide together on the best way to do this
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Listen, understand and ask. Listen to your employee without judgment and try to understand their situation. It’s fine to ask questions when they are sharing information with you.
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Check guidelines and policies. Check if your organisation has any guidelines and policies to provide support to your employee and to you. These may cover sickness absence, long-term conditions, time off work and occupational health policies.
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Be prepared to make adjustments Cancer is legally defined as a disability. So you may need to make reasonable adjustments, just as you would with any other disability. These are changes to the workplace or working arrangements that allow someone with a disability to work. Your HR department or occupational health service, if you have them, can offer advice.
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Recognise the impact on your team Be aware of the impact that an employee’s cancer diagnosis can have on the wider team, the rest of your colleagues and, of course, on you. If you feel you need more support, ask your own line manager, your HR department or call the Macmillan Support Line on 00 44 808 808 00 00.
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Check financial entitlements Find out whether your organisation has policies for workplace financial entitlements for time off work, including occupational sickness pay. You may also want to check if there are any further benefits that could help your employee.
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Respect carers’ rights at work Keep in mind that employees who are caring for a person affected by cancer may need your support too. Be aware that the information here also applies to carers
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Discuss a return to work plan. If your employee needs to take time off work, talk with them about a return to work plan. This will help to identify any further support that might be needed before, during and after cancer treatment. This may include a phased return to work or gradually handing over work. You could also consider flexible options for working hours to support your employee’s well-being. n *[This information has been taken from Managing cancer in the workplace]
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Uncovering Lost Worlds...
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The Gibraltar Museum is busy recreating the past — not our most recent history, but the past of 127-10 thousand years ago. We spoke to the Museum’s director, Professor Clive Finlayson, to find out more about this exciting project. Tell us what the museum is doing to recreate the environments of past Gibraltars? We are very lucky to have a wonderful archive of fossil material from Gorham’s, Vanguard and other caves in Gibraltar. They span the time period between 127 and 10 thousand years ago. This represents what we call the last glacial cycle, starting with conditions which were even warmer than today and descending to the coldest moments around 20 thousand years ago. This was followed by a climatic recovery to present-day
Once we locate them, we set up to record the characteristics of their habitat. We take all kinds of detailed measurements, from tree density to measures of vegetation cover and plant species present
So, what exactly do you do with this information? Well, for many years now we have gone out into the field to look for the species that we find in the caves as fossils. Sometimes, quite often, we find that they are still around today. In other cases we have to go out and find them! Once we locate them, we set up to record the characteristics of their habitat. We take all kinds of detailed measurements, from tree density to measures of vegetation cover and plant species present. We repeat this for as many territories that we can find for
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photos: The Gibraltar Museum
conditions. This archive of fossils includes 150 species of birds, 20 reptiles, 12 amphibians (frogs, newts, etc.), 37 mammals, 42 molluscs (snails, limpets, etc.) and 79 plants. Most of these species still exist today and they form the basis of our work.
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each species and this permits us to construct sea reaching up to the beach. Was it mathematical models of the habitat of each always like this? No. The picture today is unusual. Most of species. So far, we have sampled in the region of 1000 sites in the past 15 years and the list the time — as climate was cooler and more continues to grow. Species might have changed their needs. How do you know that they have not changed since the time of the Neanderthals? We don’t but we are confident that the time scales we are looking at are short for major evolutionary changes. So, even if a species now inhabits a different kind of area, the basic structure of their habitat should be similar. If we then repeat the experiment for many different species and they all give a similar picture, then our confidence grows. We see Gorham’s Cave today with the
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The coast was then 4.5 kilometres off Gorham’s Cave. This coastal shelf is where the animals lived and it is the habitats of this shelf that we are attempting to reconstruct
water was trapped as ice in the poles and in glaciers — sea level was lower. It went right down to -120 metres at times! The coast was then 4.5 kilometres off Gorham’s Cave. This coastal shelf is where the animals lived and it is the habitats of this shelf that we are attempting to reconstruct. So, what was it like? The nearest analogy is the present-day Doñana National Park not far from here. The landscape outside Gorham’s Cave was based on shifting sands which created a system of mobile sand dunes. The plants that grew on the sand were well adapted to binding the moving dunes and tap the subterranean water. Stone Pines and Junipers were the main components. They created an open woodland landscape with patches of open ground interspersed with small seasonal lakes and pools.
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environment
Can you recreate all this visually? One of our tasks is to, not only collect data, but also images of the habitats and species. This then allows us to bring these landscapes to life. Recently we were in the cold north to the land of the wolf, where we found an unusual combination of species that we cannot see here today but which we know lived outside Gorham’s then. We found Golden Eagles and White-tailed Eagles side-by-side around the carcasses of red foxes and roe deer. It was a funny feeling — like stepping back in time but it added to our picture and gave us further insights of our unique site here in Gibraltar. What were you doing in the north? Well, apart from looking for these species we were invited to give a lecture in the University of Lund. This university, founded in 1666 is ranked top in Sweden and is in the world’s top 100 universities with a prestigious biology department. So it was an honour to be invited to talk precisely about our work reconstructing ancient habitats and landscapes. It shows that our research is getting out there far and wide
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and that it is highly regarded among peers. What next? We continue with our ground-breaking research: we are the first to quantify ancient habitats like this and we will be talking about this during this year’s Calpe conference, in September. We will also aim, as we have done so far, to bring the results of this research to a wide audience and that means more work on our displays at the museum and continuing our information output on the web. Our Gorham’s Cave page now has over 14,000 likes! n
One of our tasks is to, not only collect data, but also images of the habitats and species. This then allows us to bring these landscapes to life
photos: The Gibraltar Museum
All this attracted a great diversity of animals. Imagine a Serengeti in the Mediterranean! There were deer, rhinos, wild boar, horses, wild bulls and they attracted lions, leopards, wolves, brown bears and spotted hyaenas. It must have been a rich but dangerous place for the Neanderthals to live in.
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Dipping your toe in the commercial property market
words | Mike Nicholls
Buy to let is a common term for investors who buy a residential property with the objective of letting out the property for profit. It is a hugely popular practice in Gibraltar as it is in the UK. Experienced (and not so experienced) landlords achieve good returns in both income and capital gain terms, much better than the returns from bank deposits these days. The vast majority of investors stick to what they know — residential. Investors invariably know the value of residential property as they most likely live in one, and have purchased properties for their own residence throughout their life. So the process of buying a residential property for letting out is not too scary. They will already have a view on what will rent well and what is likely to sell at some stage in the future. However, investors willing to dip their toe into the commercial property market can often find higher and more stable returns. For a start, the residential buy to let net yields in Gibraltar average just below 5% after taking management costs, service charges and government rates into account. And it is becoming harder to find value as buyers compete for very little property stock currently available in the Gibraltar property market.
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Compare this to gross yields of around 6%-7% experienced by commercial landlords. And then there’s an additional attraction: the commercial tenant pays service charges and government rates not the landlord, so the net yield is the same as the gross yield (less any charges from the property manager if the landlord appoints one). When it comes to length of tenancies, a residential tenant usually signs for a year in Gibraltar whereas a commercial tenant may enter into a lease agreement of any term, say 3, 5, or even 10 years. Rent increases, or the mechanism by which rent is increased, are also
agreed at the outset of the tenancy removing the need for that annual clash of the rent increase. Plus a commercial property investment is more formulaic and unemotional than residential. A residential property is someone’s home and decisions made by a landlord affect people’s lives. Owning a commercial property does not usually have that personal attachment. As for repairs, then usually, these are for the tenant to resolve in a commercial property whilst most repairs are a headache and a cost for the residential landlord. In Gibraltar, the same stamp
A residential tenant usually signs for a year in Gibraltar whereas a commercial tenant may enter into a lease agreement of any term, say 3, 5, or even 10 years
duty rates apply on commercial property as residential and, although there is not a huge supply at any one time, it is possible to buy commercial property at all levels of the price spectrum. Diversification is encouraged by all financial advisors when it comes to investment portfolios of their clients. Apply that concept to landlords and perhaps those fortunate to have a portfolio should have a look at commercial property. With the forthcoming Midtown, Victory Place and World Trade Centre developments all on the horizon, there is also ample scope for selecting an off-plan commercial property investment. It’s at times like this that investors need an estate agent experienced in the commercial property sector that is fully independent from any Gibraltar property developer or legal firm. I might just be able to recommend one... n
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property
Fair Trade Bill 2015 Last month (and some prior months) in this magazine I waxed lyrical about the need for some regulation of the estate agent industry in Gibraltar. I have written various pieces in this magazine of the flaws in our industry and the lack of consumer protection generally in the property market. One of my recommendations was to ensure that any client money should be held separately from the estate agent’s own money ie in a client account. It’s something that we do at Chesterton as a matter of course and I am sure other reputable agents do as well, despite there being no current law or regulation to do so. However, just as many agents do, there are many agents who do not. And that puts landlord and tenant monies at risk. I was therefore delighted to read the full draft of the forthcoming Fair Trade Bill 2015 which includes estate agents amongst the business sectors which will be governed by this Bill. Clause 66(2) states: “Any person carrying on a business or trade of a kind specified in Schedule 3 [this includes estate agents] which involves the handling of client money or the taking of deposits
on behalf of clients must have a separate client account for such purpose.” Clause 97(2) adds further: “Any category listed in Schedule 3 whose business or trade involves handling client monies or holding financial deposits of any kind for clients shall be required to evidence to the Trade Licensing Authority that such business or trade meets the trading standards conditions set by the TLA in this regard as set out on the TLA’s online portal.” I would hope that the new Office of Fair Trading will also look at other areas of poor conduct within our industry, some examples of which were included in my article last month. But for now, I am just happy that this Bill, which will become law later in the year, is the start of a more professional property industry, which is to everyone’s benefit. n
This Bill, which will become law later in the year, is the start of a more professional property industry, which is to everyone’s benefit
Mike Nicholls is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, a member of the Gibraltar Society of Accountants, and a board member and treasurer of the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce. Mike operates the Chesterton estate agency in Gibraltar and runs a real estate investment solutions consultancy.
Gibraltar’s leading property agent T: + 350 200 40041 enquiries@chesterton.gi chesterton.gi GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2015
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20 Ocean Village Promenade, Gibraltar
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March 2015
What’s on 5th March 2015 World Book Day 2015 at John Mackintosh Hall 10am - 7pm Local Authors have stands in the foyer and gallery with a Book Fair and Book Crossing in the Lower Exhibition Room. 4 -6pm (approx) Story Time and Games, children aged 4-8 in Charles Hunt Room. Special tea service by Library Cafeteria to end the event. Fancy dress encouraged! 12 - 14th March 2015 Gibraltar International Dance Festival at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre, Main Street, organised by MO Productions. For further information contact 20071635 or mopro@gibtelecom.net 18th March 2015 Romancing the Stone - Gibraltar
DFAS lecture with Joanna Hardy a regular jewellery expert on the BBC Antiques Roadshow. Tazkes place at the O’Callaghan Eliott Hotel. Welcome drinks 6.30pm, lecture 7.30pm. Members and guests welcome. Guests £10.00 at the door. 20th - 22nd March 2015 3rd Gibraltar Darts Trophy at Tercentenary Sports Hall, Victoria Stadium. For further information contact the offices of the Ministry of Sports, City Hall Tel: 200 47592 email: mschy.info@gibraltar.gov. gi 23rd - 28th March 2015 Gibraltar International Drama Festival — a total of 12 plays will be presented. See page 55 for details and times. 3rd Gibraltar Darts Trophy takes place this month at the Victoria Stadium
Property Services
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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2015
24/02/2015 14:45
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR MAYOR’S AWARDS Do you know someone who has been especially brave or who has served Gibraltar tirelessly? Now is the time to put them forward for a Mayor’s Award. As announced by the former Mayor Cdr AD Lima MBE Rd*RNR the scope of the Mayor’s Award Scheme has been widened. The scheme, which up until then only recognised people who saved a life or participated in any such rescue operation or act of bravery, now includes people or groups who have served Gibraltar in exceptional or voluntary service over a prolonged period of time.
His Worship the Mayor Adolfo J Canepa OBE, GMH, MP, who is keen to encourage public participation in the Awards Scheme, invites Members of the Public to submit recommendations in order to ensure that the Committee under the Mayor’s Chairmanship is able to select from the widest possible field. When considering recommendations for a Mayor’s Award, due note is taken by the committee of the provisions of the Gibraltar Medallion of Distinction which is awarded by the Gibraltar Parliament and of awards granted by the Royal Humane Society. Any recommendation concerning outstanding gallantry or achievement His Worship the Mayor Adolfo which, in the opinion of the com- J Canepa OBE, GMH, MP mittee, could merit such awards will be referred to the relevant body for their consideration. For further information contact The Secretary, Mayor’s Awards Recommendations, in writing, Committee, Ministry of Cul- the PA to the Mayor on mobile should be submitted before the ture, City Hall, John Mackintosh 56883000 or via email: mayor@ 27th March 2015 to: gibraltar.gov.gi n Square, Gibraltar.
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Energy Efficiency Campaign
Slaying Vampire Electronics! Did you know that there are vampires lurking in your home and office? Thankfully not the kind intent on draining your blood but your ‘vampire’ appliances which are draining power and your wallet by sucking up energy, even when you are not using them! Vampire power, also called standby power, is the energy used by your appliances when they are turned off but still plugged in. Each appliance wastes just a little bit of power on standby mode, but those kilowatt-hours add up over time. Think about it — it takes electricity to power the little clocks on your DVD player and microwave, and even electronics that are completely off draw some energy as long as they are plugged in. Statistics vary, but experts say standby power consumption in an average home ranges from 5% to 10% of your household energy consumption! Furthermore, by leaving gadgets plugged in despite the device being fully charged is also wasting energy and costing you more money. The most overcharged devices are laptops and mobile phones but there are other culprits including electric toothbrushes and cordless phones.
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So how do you fight off the ravages of vampire power? The first step is to identify which electronic devices drain power when not in use. An energy meter will provide information on how much energy you are using and through which products. However, you don’t need
Smart power strips work to reduce your power usage by automatically turning off electricity to all things you don’t need
one to start saving energy and money today — simply Think, Act, & Save — unplug devices when you are not using them or invest in a smart power strip. Smart power strips work to reduce your power usage by automatically turning off electricity to all things you don’t need; for example when you turn off your TV, a smart strip turns off power to DVD players, hi-fi systems, cable boxes, game consoles etc. On your TV defang ‘quick start’ which can double its annual energy use and on your computer disable screensavers and set the monitor to turn off after 10-15 minutes instead. Also, identify how long it takes to charge your devices, for example on average phones take about two-three hours to charge — therefore charging overnight wastes energy. Let’s not waste another drop to these fiends! n
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go green NO:1
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ADVERTISING
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Beware! Vampires lurk in your home & office! ‘vampire’ appliances suck up energy & money! Unplug & switch off at the socket to slay your vampire electronics!
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A Mighty Fortress Set in the Silver Sea
Victorian & Edwardian Photographs of Gibraltar The spread of photography in the middle of the 19th century revolutionised how people recorded the world that they saw about them. In the case of Gibraltar, there were limitations. There were aspects of the Fortress that civilians were not allowed to photograph — but officers were not restricted in this way. Accordingly, a rich and diverse miscellany of images of Gibraltar were recorded. Captain Buckle, the Crown Engineer, was one of those Victorians who recognised at an early stage the importance of photography for the purposes of keeping a record of the times. There was an element of vanity in this, as well: he wanted future generations to have a visual record of some of his achievements as the Crown Engineer, such as the Public Markets surrounding the skirts of Montagu Bastion, in the area of Fish Market Road, which he designed. He gathered a collection of photographs of Gibraltar and placed them in an album. This valuable miscellany has for many years been housed in The Convent, and access to it has — of necessity — been limited. Some of these
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photographs were well-known at the time, and clearly circulated widely. There are copies of exactly the same photographs in other public collections, such as those housed in the Gibraltar Garrison Library or the Gibraltar Museum. They testify to the interest of the Victorians in their surroundings in Gibraltar. The Buckle collection is important both in terms of the individual images and also as a collection, as it shows what an informed person at the time considered worth recording. Over and above the Buckle collection, there are other photograph albums in public collections which contain fascinating images of Victorian and Edwardian Gibraltar. Most photographs of the time would have
been studio photographs of people. There were various photographers whose services were regularly sought by those wishing to have a portrait taken, such as Porral, Cavilla & Bruzon, Dautez and Freyone. They are not the subject of the book A Mighty Fortress Set in the Silver Sea: it brings together a miscellany of over 250 photographs depicting a variety of views of old Gibraltar. The images themselves, given the passage of time, need to be interpreted and this is what Richard Garcia’s informative text sets out to do. Each section of the book is prefaced by a short historical introduction. Then, each image carries a short description or caption. When asked why the old photographs
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Author Richard Garcia’s personal favourite photographs from the book - above: the view of Ragged Staff Gate, with the breakwater beyond the watering jetty where ships loaded fresh water and, below, an image of Catalan Bay seen from the sea. Overleaf is the image of Spanish charcoal vendors unloading their donkeys at the Charcoal Market at the Market Place, outside North Bastion, with Police Officers looking on...
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art focus
IBIA Forum
were not shown in the book alongside a modern view taken from approximately the same vantage point, Richard pointed out that many of the present views would not have looked particularly attractive. Furthermore, including modern photos would have been at the expense of having as wide a range of old photographs. Richard was asked to choose his favourite photographs from the book. “That is difficult,” he said, “as each of the images selected for inclusion in the book has its own particular charm. If you look closely at some of the photos, you can see a wealth of fascinating details.” In the end, he selected three photographs: the view of Ragged Staff Gate, with the breakwater beyond the watering jetty where ships loaded fresh water; the photo of Spanish charcoal vendors unloading their donkeys at the Charcoal market at the Market Place, outside North Bastion, with Police Officers looking on; and the image of Catalan Bay seen from the sea. He then explained his choice. They represented three different types of photos. The Ragged Staff image was representative of military photographs of the day depicting the defences of Fortress Gibraltar, a most important element of Victorian Gibraltar; the market scene showed the presence of everyday people going about their business; and the Catalan Bay view was taken from an unusual angle and conveys a different aspect of the old village. “What I set out to do with this book,”
Richard explained, “was to bring together and describe a number of photographs of old Gibraltar, some of which have been published in the past in other books on old Gibraltar, so that a reader would have a wide-ranging compilation of images all brought together in a comfortable format, making it easy to dip into and enjoy.” This is Richard’s second book of photographs of Gibraltar: his 2013 book Gibraltar Through the Lens contained a compilation of old picture postcards of Gibraltar, mainly in colour, and covering the period 1897 to 1953. In reply to whether a further book of photographs of Gibraltar will follow this year, he said that none is planned. However, he has other projects in hand. They include the history of the Gibraltar Fire and Rescue Service, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, and a social history of the first century of British rule in Gibraltar, from 1704 to the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, which is already quite advanced. He also plans to contribute a number of articles for publication in journals, both in Gibraltar and abroad. Clearly, there is much writing to be done... A Mighty Fortress Set in the Silver Sea and Gibraltar Through the Lens are available from bookshops, the Museum and the Gibraltar Heritage Trust. Richard will be signing copies of these books at World Book Day on Thursday 5th March from 12 noon at the John Mackintosh Hall.
The Gibraltar Government and the Gibraltar Port Authority hosted the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) regional forum in Gibraltar at the end of February. At the forum an international audience was addressed by speakers from world leaders in this field including Peninsular Petroleum, World Fuel Services, Intertanko, Vopak, Vemaoil and Aegean. The Strait of Gibraltar is a key European bunkering location with Algeciras, Ceuta, Tangier Med and Gibraltar collectively making up the largest supply hub in the Mediterranean, and Gibraltar being the leading port in terms of throughput. Gibraltar, along with Singapore and Rotterdam, is one of the initial signatories to IBIA’s Port Charter scheme designed to improve bunkering standards around the world. Signatories to the IBIA Port Charter are required to demonstrate that they have a licensing scheme for bunker suppliers in their port, and are able to monitor, regulate and enforce their regulations covering bunkering operations. The Charter also requires each of the port authorities to have appropriately qualified personnel working in the bunker supply chain and have real and effective testing regimes in place. The Regional Forum included a workshop on bunkering, and an overview of bunkering in the Mediterranean. Other features included updates on the International Maritime Organisation’s steps to improve fuel quality, IBIA’s port charter initiative, and visits to bunkering barges. The visiting delegates were welcomed and hosted at events by the Hon Paul Balban, Minister for the Port and the Hon Albert Isola, Minister for Maritime Affairs. Commenting on the forum, CEO and Captain of the Port, Commodore Bob Sanguinetti said: “It reflects the hard work that Gibraltar Port Authority and our operators put into the bunker industry, as well as reinforcing the prominence and high standards we have in place across the bunkering and wider shipping communities.” n
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Oxford Literary Festival
The Gibraltar Lecture Last year marked the first Gibraltar Lecture at the 2014 FT Weekend Oxford Literary Festival. This lecture, given by Booker Prize winning Nigerian novelist and poet, Ben Okri, on the subject of ‘Writing and Adventures of the Mind’, was a huge success and will be followed this March by the second Gibraltar Lecture to be given by Professor Frank Close. This year’s Gibraltar Lecture is being sponsored for the first time by Gibtelecom who are sponsors of the Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival (edition number 3 of which takes place from Thursday, 12th to Sunday, 15th November 2015). Director of the FT Weekend Oxford Literary Festival, Sally Dunsmore, said, “We are very grateful to Gibtelecom for their sponsorship of this prestigious lecture to be given by Professor Close, one of the outstanding scientists and writers of his generation. We are also pleased that the Lecture will be introduced by The Hon. Samantha Sacramento MP, Minister for Tourism, Housing, Equality and Social Services, and the event will be hosted by Mr Rab Paramothayan, Director International for Gibtelecom. The Gibraltar Lecture will be staged at The Oxford Martin School for the 21st Century at
Professor Frank Close
2pm on Wednesday, 25th March. Information on the other side of the Iron Curtain. Close has on tickets and full details on the Festival web- had unprecedented access to archives, letters, family members and other scientists in telling site www.oxfordliteraryfestival.org Pontecorvo’s story. Pontecorvo worked on the The Lecture: Anglo- Canadian arm of the Manhatten Project Frank Close and was privy to many secrets. He uncovered Half Life: The Divided Life of Bruno Pontecorvo, a way to find the uranium so coveted by nuPhysicist or Spy clear powers. Oxford Martin School: Lecture Theatre Close is professor of physics at the University of Oxford and a former head of the theo2pm / £12 World-renowned scientist and writer Frank retical physics division at Rutherford Appleton Close reveals the true story about Harwell Laboratory. He is author of bestselling books physicist Bruno Pontecorvo who disappeared including Lucifer’s Legacy and Antimatter and from Britain’s atomic energy laboratory in Ox- has twice won the Association of British Scifordshire in 1950 only to turn up six years later ence Writers award. n
Savills (Gibraltar) Ltd, Suite 1B Icom House, 1/5 Irish Town, Gibraltar
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WHEN CHURCHILL WAS SHANGHAIED AT GIBRALTAR This year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Sir Winston Churchill and the 71st year since he was shanghaied at Gibraltar. Not shanghaied by a gang of pirates but by his own doctor and officers charged to protect him. Prime Minister Churchill was in Gibraltar on his return from the Tehran Conference (28th November – 1st December, 1943) where he had met with Soviet Dictator Josef Stalin and US President Franklin D. Roosevelt to discuss D-Day preparations and the war against Japan. Following Tehran Churchill, who had recently celebrated his 69th birthday (30th November), came down with pneumonia but despite this and the protestations from his physician, Dr. Charles McMoran Wilson (Lord Moran) he kept up a gruelling schedule by meeting diplomats in Cairo and 8th Army generals in the desert. At Carthage, Tunisia Churchill developed a fever and became ill enough to be bedridden. He sent a telegram to his wife Clementine: “I am laid up here at Carthage with a temperature of 101 and a rather violent neuralgic sore throat, due, I think, to the draught in the aeroplane. I shall therefore stay in bed and recover for two or three days.” Churchill’s daughter Sarah was his Aide-de-camp on the mission and she read to him from Jane Austen while he recuperated. Clementine flew out to be with her husband and plans were made for a relaxing visit to Marrakech. But to reach the Moroccan city they would have to fly at 13,000 feet in order to get above the Atlas Mountains. Dr. Wilson and other consultants didn’t want Churchill to fly at more than 6,000 feet. Eventually a compromise route was worked out by the flight crew and Churchill was supplied with oxygen equipment and put to bed on a specially adapted BOAC Avro York transport aircraft. In his book Churchill Goes To War: Winston’s Wartime Journeys, Brian Lavery writes: “Lunch was served just after one and Churchill was ‘happy playing with the oxygen apparatus’ while drinking brandy and soda. They landed at Marrakech after a six hour flight.” During his two and a half weeks at the villa in Marrakech Churchill greeted several distinguished visitors including Lord Beaverbrook, Free-French leader Charles de Gaulle and Generals Eisenhower and Montgomery. On 14th January, 1944 Churchill, his wife, daughter and Dr. Wilson re-boarded the York and enjoyed a two-hour flight to Gibraltar. On the Rock Churchill said that he would prefer the eight-and-half hour flight to England rather than sail on a “draughty battleship”. But the doctors had other ideas. The battleship King George V was in Gibraltar Harbour and they felt that the Prime Minister would benefit from a sea voyage. Churchill was told that the York had a problem with one of its engines and was temporarily unserviceable.
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words | Reg Reynolds
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The Tehran conference (28th November 1943). Left to right: General Secretary of the Communist Party Joseph Stalin, President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the United States, and Prime Minister Winston Churchill of the United Kingdom
Lunch was served just after one and Churchill was ‘happy playing with the oxygen apparatus’ while drinking brandy and soda A tarpaulin was placed over the engine to make it appear that repair work was being done. As it turned out Churchill quite enjoyed the voyage aboard the King George V. He was given the Admiral’s cabin and entertained the ship’s officers during Mess dinners. True to his ‘man-of-the-people’ image he visited various compartments of the ship, including the engine room, and chatted with ordinary sailors, listening to their concerns and telling them of plans for the future. Lavery uses the term ‘shanghaied’ in his book which I thought was a bit strong. It’s not as if Churchill was hit over the head and dragged on board. The Merriam-Webster dictionary has two definitions for shanghai: “To bring (someone) on to a ship by force.” “To make (someone) do something by using force or tricks.” Well, Churchill was tricked on board the King George V so ‘shanghaied’ does seem a fair enough description. Rebounding from illness was nothing new for Churchill and he would do so several more times before his death from stroke on 24th January, 1965 almost exactly 21 years since he had been ‘shanghaied’ at Gibraltar. He was 90-years-old and had outlived most of his contemporaries. His doctor, Lord Moran, lived to be 94, dying in April 1977. n Dr. Charles McMoran Wilson in 1943
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Save Our Students: A-Level Reassessment words | Eve Maddock Jones, A Level Student
As a Gibraltar Government election approaches a wave of revisionism becomes apparent as the current methodologies of society’s function are placed under the microscope. One such area — in the opinion of its students — which should be closely re-examined is school’s A-Level courses. Although the ultimate decisions come from the UK, Gibraltar should be able to express their opinions on such issues to their counterparts. When questioned “how efficiently sixth form education is structured” the response from
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A-Level students was overwhelmingly negative: deep sighs, rolled eyes and utterances of inaudible angst. Not representative of content students. The pupils explained how “you never feel that you have enough time for everything.” Its
cyclic workloads, combined with insufficient time, causing stress, resulting in a detriment to your energy and abilities to deal with workloads which re-catalyses the cycle. With studies concluding that today teenagers’ stress levels
match those of American psychiatric patients in the 1960s, why is this vicious cycle’s felt amongst pupils? “Time” is apparently the culprit, or rather “lack of it”. For A-Level students time management is key to coping from day-to-day. True, this is a
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For A-Level students time management is key to coping from day-to-day. True, this is a factor of everyday life, domestic or professional
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should learn at.” With a system based on apparently unrealistic demands surely it calls for change? One solution could be extending the length of course time, three school years instead of two. This would even out to three additional months of class time per year, giving students and teachers nine months instead of six to sufficiently cover class content. Another suggestion by local A-Level students is that “homework is given systematically one subject per day with a week’s deadline. For example, mathematics is always given on a Monday, sciences Tuesday etc.” This, they say will give them “a better balance. Sometimes I have one week where my work load’s lighter and others I have five assignments and tests all at once.” Limiting the fluctuations would create a more regulated system, which would aid the time management issue. The students and teachers living the day-to-day demanding life of A-Levels know what needs to be addressed to create an effective system for optimum education. This would perhaps decrease the negativity stereotyped with “School”, as it would revert more to its original purpose: to educate and develop; and move away from its crippling business structure of today. The main hindrance to reforms may be the attitudes of those people with the power to make the changes. Our current education system runs on blueprints originating from the Victorian era. Whilst the world — especially working — has developed into a multi-media online age our education’s been left behind, juxtaposed and insufficient to meet the demands of these systems. Perhaps, one member of these authorities should take an A-Level course for two years as “research through an educational experiment”. Maybe once they’ve been subjected to the reality of the system they’ll understand the need for changes. Or at least re-learn their logarithms. n
M
factor of everyday life, domestic or professional. But greater demands are made on A-Levels with imbalances in the demands and time to deal with them. It’s the “recommended” that “for every hour a students spends in lessons that equates to two hours of home-study”. On the surface this sounds reasonable, but when placed into daily context there’s a vast shortcoming. Analyse a standard three subject A-Level pupil with 16 hours of lessons a 5 day school week. This equates to 32 hours additional at home. Add onto this homework, approximately 2 hours a day minimum, 10 hours a week. Then one test per week, circa 5 extra hours studying. This equals 47 hours minimum, outside of class. The reason for the “timelessness feeling,” students associate to their courses originates from these minimum requirements. Aside from the home-study demands there’s an apparent flaw in the school-work time continuum too. “The system doesn’t seem to work for anybody, neither the teachers nor students,” said one Westside student. “If you have teachers saying that they don’t think they’ll finish the course on time, when they’re professionals, it makes you think ‘well what on earth is going on then?’; and on top of that you get even more stressed that you won’t be ready for your exams”. A-Levels cover a two year course. Although it appears as 11 months, September to July per year this is not the case. Breaking it down, take away three months of exam time May-July, then detract all the accumulative weekends, seasonal holidays, half-terms, bank holidays and it totals up to approximately three months. Suddenly your 11 month course becomes six months; less than half. With such a tight schedule it leads to a manic “cramming panic,” as one teacher described it. “You are not given enough time to cover the course in class, or at least not if you want to teach in the detail students at this level
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MAGIC REALISM Gabriela’s spellbinding realm of colour
words | Elena Scialtiel
An exhibition of elegant and vivid abstract paintings inspired by paper collages and the style of inventive fantasy patterns usually printed wrapping and wallpaper, as well as oriental ceramics and fruit trees in blossom, is coming to Gibraltar this spring. A very springy collection indeed, featuring flowering branches, chirping birds, blooming roses and tulips, depicted with a generous palette of bright hues, including metallics, and underscored by the extensive use of texture and layering. Venezuelan painter Gabriela Fernández López mixes her acrylics with the warm tropical reflections of her native land, creating
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a world beyond space and time, in which ornate detail stands out from simple shapes, and often the busy composition is fragmented and reassembled like a patchwork quilt, with repeated modules as much as pictures framed by multiple pictures, unravelling an intricate narrative spiralling around the canvas. Her first ever Gibraltar solo exhibition, titled From every day life to Magic Realism, will
see some 25 paintings adorning the walls of Sacarello’s coffee shop, with sizes ranging from 20x20 centimetres to one square metre, and prices from £60 to £600. Unfortunately, her larger artwork will not be displayed here, merely because of space restrictions. Hopefully Gabriela will soon be offered to show it in a larger gallery, since the grace of her subject matters is only amplified
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by the size, and texturing can be appreciated even further. One painting that stands out in her neat series inspired by ceramics and pottery is the one that could be described as ‘peachy message in a bottle washed ashore Tarifa beach’. A large green bottle, on which an orchard-tree branch is painted in full blossom, takes centre stage, sitting on a shiny wooden windowsill, inlayed with flowery patterns, that opens towards the western horizons, on the background of the iconic dune-damming fences. The message in that bottle projects a message of hope across the ocean and the strait, a peace offer to appease the brewing storms. Gabriela rocks the staunchest tradition too, thanks to the original way she tackles her vase of red roses, embellishing that cliché bouquet theme all artists have to confront with sooner or later, with a blasé approach to the ‘golden bomb’ of their brass container, so making it the real focus of the piece.
Most of her artwork revolves around some sort of landscape, albeit expressionist or conceptual all together, without relinquishing the decorative embroidery-like element that characterises her every picture Despite being one of the finalists at the Ninth edition of the Cadiz International Art Competition and having exhibited in La Linea, Algeciras and Tarifa before, Gabriela is an absolute debutante in Gibraltar: “I am showing my work here, because I find that Gibraltar is a very open minded place with a cultural mixture of people who value artistic expression. I think Art has got no frontiers and it is a global concern. “Because of my art school background and my Venezuelan roots I feel that my art is understood by cosmopolitan people, which I find Gibraltarians to be. I feel that my work can be appreciated by a person that goes to a coffee shop, but also by any art gallery visitor and art collector.” Most of her artwork revolves around some sort of landscape, albeit expressionist or conceptual all together, without relinquishing the decorative embroidery-like element that characterises her every picture as if it was a tribute to Gustav Klimt, Wassily Kandinsky, Ivan Rabuzin, Marc Chagall, and of course Diego Rivera – with a distinctive influence of pre-Colombian art, folklore and artisanship. “My inspiration comes from objects that I see in everyday life, but have a special meaning for me, a sentimental one,” Gabriela says. “I am interested in people’s feelings and my intention is to communicate through my paintings in different ways. It can be through an object,
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in her portfolio, again in a naive, essential a texture, a colour or a powerful image.” Gabriela’s landscapes are like a fantastic style that turns the sitters into protagonists mosaic of urbanisation, rainforest and tropical of cartoons, greeting cards or illustration for blue skies reflected in equally intense seas. Shapes are geometric and child-like — lollipop trees and triangle-topped square houses are as symbolic as naive — and yet very complex and mature in construction, intersection and juxtaposition, creating sometimes a dizzying maze effect, overwhelming with detail and colour saturation. “I am fascinated by landscapes and I am focusing on it in my current project. This is about the cycle of seasons, which I find so interesting, since in Venezuela we hardly experience the change of seasons during the year. I am intrigued in learning how the weather may affect people,” she says. Gabriela can boast some lovely portraits
Gabriela’s landscapes are like a fantastic mosaic of urbanisation, rainforest and tropical blue skies reflected in equally intense seas
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children’s books, without subtracting any magic to their melancholic body language, whether enhanced by neutral earthy tones or flashy neon insets. She is not introducing the human figure in her subject matters at the moment as much as she used to in her earlier work but she admits that portraiture is the constant motivation for her progress: “Painting is an assignment where you never stop learning, as it is with life.” Gabriela was born in Caracas in the early ’70s and attended the Glasgow School of Art in the late ’80s, obtaining a Master in from Manchester University in 1993. She currently lives and works in Algeciras, where she juggles art and raising her two children. Visit her website www.gabrielafernandezL.com or like her Facebook page gabrielafernandezgaleriacreativadegabriela. n
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2015 GIBRALTAR DRAMA FESTIVAL Making us laugh and making us cry in 12 plays and six days, the 2015 Gibraltar Drama Festival will take place between Monday 23rd and Saturday 28th March 2015. The Adjudicator will give a short delivery about each performance at the end of every evening. Tickets for the festival will be on sale on weekdays at the John Mackintosh Hall as from Monday 2nd March 2015 between 9.30am and 4.30pm. During performance days, tickets will be on sale at the venue between 6.30pm and 8pm. Tickets are priced as follows: Performance £5.00, Gala Night £10.00, Season Ticket £25.00
Monday 23rd March 2015 8pm - Bayside Comprehensive School 1. Bayside and Westside Drama Group presents: To Touch the Face of God an original drama by Julian Felice. 2. Bayside and Westside Drama Group presents: Utrecht an original drama by Julian Felice. Tuesday 24th March 2015 8pm - Ince’s Hall Theatre Junior Night 1. Santos Productions Academy presents: Meet the Twits a noncompetitive entry by infant players. Short play by Roald Dahl adapted by David Wood. 2. Santos Productions Academy presents: Body Talk, a play by Andy Rashleigh. 3. BUDS presents: Time Travellers, an original play by Jackie Villa and St Anne’s Middle School pupils. Wednesday 25th March 2015 8pm - Ince’s Hall Theatre 1. Trafalgar Theatre Group presents: Shoot/Get Treasure Part 1, an adult drama by Mark Ravenhill. 2. Trafalgar Theatre Group presents: Shoot/Get Treasure
Part 2, an adult drama by Mark Ravenhill. Thursday 26th March 2015 8pm - Ince’s Hall Theatre 1. Rock Theatre presents: Return Journey, a drama by Dylan Thomas. 2. Medway Little Theatre Youth Company from the UK presents: Yorrick a comedy by Bob Cooke. 3. Rock Theatre presents: All’s Well That Ends As You Like It a coarse comedy by Michael Green. Friday 27th March 2015 8pm - Ince’s Hall Theatre 1. Santos Productions Academy presents: Who Cares? an original
drama by Christian Santos. 2. Hamdram Theatre Company from the UK presents: Ringside a comedy by Bob Cooke. Saturday 28th March 2015 8pm - Ince’s Hall Theatre GALA NIGHT – Final presentation of three plays selected by the Adjudicator to provide a balanced evening’s entertainment, followed by the awards ceremony by the Minister for Culture, The Hon Steven Linares. For further info contact the Events Department, Gibraltar Cultural Services Tel: 20067236 or email: culture.info@ culture.gov.gi
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New Calpe House for GHA Sponsored Patients
Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar and the Trustees of the Calpe House Trust have announced the acquisition of a new set of buildings in London. The development will see the space for sponsored patients more than quadrupled from the eight ensuite rooms available now to 36. Contracts will be exchanged on the new facilities, located in Norfolk Square, a short distance from St Mary’s Hospital, by the Trust supported by the Government in the bridging finance necessary to exchange and complete the purchase of the new buildings. The building will require extensive refurbishment to become the 36 modern and entirely ensuite, facilities which the Trust wants to offer Gibraltar sponsored patients. The old Calpe House buildings in Princes Square in Bayswater were acquired by the Calpe House Trust and have been a home away from home for Gibraltarian patients of the Gibraltar Health Authority since 1989. The original acquisition was made possible by the extraordinary fund raising efforts of the original Trustees, and the support of the Government with Hon Joe Bossano as Chief Minister pledging that the Government would match each pound raised by the charity. Calpe House will continue to be run by the Trust with the support of the GHA Sponsored Patients Department. Chairman of the Trustees, Charles Tilbury, said: “The Trust has come a long way since we dared to dream of offering a home away from home for Gibraltarians in London some 25 years ago. We have already provided a facility that has been a lifeline for over 5,000 Gibraltarian GHA sponsored patients. This next step in the acquisition of the new buildings is a very positive development and will enable us to modernise the service we offer and more than quadruple the number of ensuite rooms available.” The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, said: “I am delighted that we are going to be able to financially support the acquisition by Calpe House of the new facilities in Norfolk Square. This is a huge step forward and it is a particular pleasure to see this charity flourish and expand in this way once again... The service provided this first successful quarter of a century, has been exactly what was required and if there was an issue with Calpe House it has been that it quickly became a victim of its success and there was often not enough space for those who needed the accommodation... This is one of my proudest moments as Chief Minister and one thing I sincerely believe everyone in our community will be able to unequivocally support. A sincere ‘Thank You’ from the whole of Gibraltar to all the Trustees for the excellent work and service they have provided our people this first quarter century of their operations.” n
The new Calpe House site
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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2015
23/02/2015 16:13
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Health Care
GHA links with NHS Employers The Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA) has entered into a formal agreement with the UK’s NHS Employers, which will allow it access to the various services provided by that organisation. These services include access to publications which include guidance and case studies, access to seminars and webinars on topics such as health and wellbeing at work, staff engagement, organisational development, raising concerns at work, equality and diversity, and support on all Human Resource issues. Gill Bellord, Director of Employment Relations and Reward of NHS Employers, part of the NHS Confederation, said while visiting Gibraltar recently, “I am delighted that we have formed a relationship with Gibraltar Health Authority. Staff are the most important asset a health service has, and we aim to provide practical support on all aspects of managing human resources, which in turn promotes better care for patients.” Minister for Health, Dr John Cortes said, “Gibraltar Health Authority will benefit greatly from being able to call on the experience and expertise of NHS Employers in improving as an organisation. Access to resources and advice from such an organisation will greatly assist the work that we do to improve staff issues, with clear benefits for what we do for patients and other service users.” n
THE ANSWER TO LOWER BACK & LEG PAIN If you are suffering from low back and leg pain that is stopping you from getting on with your life there is an answer, Litecure Level IV laser. It is used every day in the USA to relieve pressure on nerves and reduce tension in the back muscles. It is EU and FDA approved and we have the only one of its type in Gibraltar. The treatment is painless (you just feel a warmth). T h e Wo r l d H e a l t h Organisation, the IASP, stated that “Laser therapy shows strong evidence for pain relief”, pain free without drugs or surgery. Will this therapy help you? For people dealing with the tortuous symptoms of low back pain and sciatica it’s time to find out if this therapy could help you. Limited time offer includes; • complete neuromuscular and orthopaedic exam • explanation of your exam • one laser session so you can see how effective it is in relieving your pain £32.00 Offer expires 27th March 2015. To book an appointment call 00 350 200 44226
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John Ledyard
WORLD TRAVELLER GIBRALTAR SOLDIER
words | Reg Reynolds
John Ledyard was thought to have travelled further than any man of his day but he might not have seen quite so much of the world if he had remained a Gibraltar soldier. Born in Connecticut in 1751 Ledyard was the eldest of four children raised by his widowed mother. He grew up in Hartford and aged 19 attended Dartmouth College. But bored of schooling and gripped by wanderlust he dropped out, and with the help of fellow students, fashioned a dugout canoe. He then floated and paddled down the Connecticut River to Hartford, a distance of 140 miles — the
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first of many adventures to come. After failing at divinity school on Long Island, New York Ledyard signed on as a crewman for a vessel sailing to the Barbary Coast. The ship’s skipper was Captain Deshon who had been a friend of Ledyard’s father, also a ship’s captain, who had died of malaria, aged just 35. Captain Deshon treated Ledyard more as a friend and associate rather than as
a common sailor. The first port of call was Gibraltar, then to the Barbary Coast to collect a cargo of mules and finally home via the West Indies. Shortly after arriving at Gibraltar, the unpredictable young Ledyard went missing. Captain Deshon was informed that Ledyard had joined the British Army. In his biography The Life of John Ledyard Jared Sparks wrote:
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“A person was sent to make inquiry, who described him in the ranks, dressed in the British uniform, armed and equipped from head to foot, and carrying himself with a martial air and attitude, which proved to whatever vocation he might be called, he was not to be outdone by his comrades”. Captain Deshon went to the barracks and remonstrated with Ledyard who explained that he had enlisted because “...he was partial to the service, and thought the profession of a soldier well suited to a man of honour and enterprise; but that he would not be obstinate, and was willing to go back, if the captain insisted on it and would procure his release”. Once the circumstances had been explained to the British commanding officer he agreed to release his eccentric new recruit and the voyage resumed on schedule. Back in America Ledyard was penniless but he had no intention of locking himself into steady occupation and was looking for more adventure. He had been disinherited by his paternal grandfather but the same grandfather had told him of wealthy relatives in England and Ledyard decided it might be a good idea to look them up. He gained employment on a ship sailing for Plymouth and from there begged his way to London. The meetings with relatives did not go well. Ledyard was so incensed that they weren’t completely convinced of his legitimacy and questioned his honesty that he vowed to never have any dealings with anyone by the name of Ledyard from that time forward. Fortunately at the time Captain James Cook was recruiting crew for his third voyage to the South Pacific. Ledyard enlisted in the marine service and managed to arrange a face-toface meeting with the famous navigator. So impressed was Captain Cook by the physicality and confidence of Ledyard that he signed him on and promoted him to Corporal of the Marines. The last expedition under Captain Cook left England on 12th July, 1776. It consisted of two ships the Resolution and the Discovery. They sailed to the Canaries and then South Africa where they restocked and refitted at Table Bay. They then sailed around Cape Horn and on to New Zealand. The expedition continued on to the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii) and then up the coast of North America in search of the Northwest Passage. When the sea ice became impassable Cook ordered the ships back to the pleasant climate of the Sandwich Islands and unwittingly to his death. The first visit to the islands had been friendly but on this second visit relations became strained. Cook decided it best to leave but they were forced back by gale-force winds. While at anchor the natives stole the Discovery’s cutter. On 14th February, 1779 Cook went ashore to take the King into custody pending the return of the cutter but a fight developed and in the resulting melee Cook and four of his marines and a number of natives were killed. Ledyard was one of the marines with Cook as Sparks wrote: “Cook landed with Lieutenant Molesworth Phillips of the marines, Sergeant Gibson, Corporals Thomas and Ledyard, six private
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Ledyard was on the last expedition under Captain Cook (pictured) which left England on 12th July, 1776
marines, being in the whole eleven persons. It follows that Ledyard must have been near Cook from the time he left the ship until he was killed and that he heard and saw distinctly all that happened. Four marines were killed, three were wounded, and three escaped unhurt, of which last number he was one.” Cook was buried at sea and the voyage continued under the command of Captain Clerke, arriving at London in October 1780. The four year expedition would certainly have emboldened and toughened Ledyard, preparing him for even greater tests of endurance. But he was still a British Marine and as the American Revolution (ended September 1783) was in full flow he was ordered to Canada to fight. Instead he deserted and returned to Hartford where he wrote the book Journal of Captain Cook’s Last Voyage.
When the war ended Ledyard wanted to explore the American Pacific Northwest which he would have visited on his voyage with Cook. His ambitious plan required travelling through Russia, hitching a lift across the Bering Strait to Alaska and then down the West Coast of North America. He set out in 1786 and made it as far as Irkutsk before being arrested and deported (for his own safety) on the orders of Catherine the Great. Six weeks later he left London for Africa in search of the source of the Niger River. During this time he penned a letter to his mother which included the boast, “Behold me, the greatest traveller in history”. Alas, the travels were soon to end. In January 1789 Ledyard fell ill in Cairo and died of a broken blood vessel, brought on accidentally by misuse of vitriolic (sulphuric) acid. n
Ledyard was so incensed that they weren’t completely convinced of his legitimacy and questioned his honesty that he vowed to never have any dealings with anyone by the name of Ledyard from that time forward
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music file
Rocking an ’80s Vibe
OMNIBUS There’s a new rock band in town and Omnibus is determined to get Gibraltar partying.
Formed a year ago, the band — Mark Downs, Steve Bees, Anthony Rocco and Inigo Llorente — first met up via Facebook at the end of 2013/beginning of 2014. “At first we just wanted to get to know each other, if you are going to get involved with a band project you really need to get along together or it just won’t work out. Even if you like the same music there has to be a connection there too,” they explain of their unusual beginnings of just going out for a drink together and looking to forming friendships before they started making music. Originally seeking five members, Mark, a guitarist first and foremost, stepped in as bass player and suggested drummer Inigo who he had worked with on previous projects to complete the line-up at four. “We have to make a few compromises in song arrangements to create a sound for four, but it works well and we have been gigging and a going concern since June 2014.” The band’s repertoire is largely pop with a fair chunk from the ’80s. “We take keyboard synth pop songs and make them into rock,” they expain of their exciting twist on familiar tracks. “There is already a lot of heavier stuff represented in Gibraltar but we do everything
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from Ah-ha to Lady Gaga. We are not just aiming at people who like rock music and we like to put our own interpretation on familiar songs out there. We keep the audience guessing a bit, the noises are familiar, but with our own twist, like our version of Kids in America which starts out sounding like a punk track.” They pick any good song which is likely to get people up, singing along and enjoying themselves. “We are a party band and it is the audience feedback we enjoy. We don’t expect our audience to just sit quietly and listen, we want them involved.” At the moment putting their own sound to familiar tracks, the band would like to “get out there to a wider audience. What we do would work well on a larger stage,” they say with one eye on the Gibraltar Music Festival coming up in September. Ultimately the band
plays for pleasure “It’s a hobby,” they say, “it’s fun and we enjoy each other’s company” and while they are dedicated to putting on a very slick and professional performance they remain firmly grounded in reality and haven’t given up their day jobs. “We are not planning on setting the world on fire, but if we and our audiences can have some fun in Gibraltar that will be great.” They see themselves as very much a Gibraltar band, as it is Gibraltar — the right place at the right time — that has pulled them all together from diverse backgrounds to create something unique and worthwhile. They will shine on a bigger stage here in May for the planned Autism Charity gig, and it will be a chance for them to play to a wider audience. With just three people playing instruments and Anthony on vocals Omnibus creates a full
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photo: Ian Martinez / www.snaprimages.com
rich sound on tracks such as With Or Without You, and Sledgehammer. “It’s about finding our Omnibus voice for a song and we now find out quite quickly if a song works for us or not, which is proof the firm foundations of the band work. We have all been involved with other bands, but Omnibus just seems to fit, and now we have found our voice we would like to work on some original material too. If it was just the four of us jamming in a rehearsal room that’s fine, the fact others can enjoy it too is even better. Who wouldn’t want the opportunity to play at being a rock star for two hours?” You can see Omnibus live at Nelsons on 17th March (St Patrick’s Day) and at O’Reilly’s and Nelsons once a month for their regular spots. They occasionally play at the Rock on the Rock Club too, which is a favourite slot for the boys who love its proper rock venue feel. n
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They pick any good song which is likely to get people up, singing along and enjoying themselves. “We are a party band and it is the audience feedback we enjoy. We don’t expect our audience to sit quietly and listen, we want them involved”
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Y L L I B A K C RO F O K ROC LTAR A R B I G words | Reg Reynolds
“They call me Rock of Gibraltar but I can be mooooooooved baby by you”.
That is the refrain from the ‘Rockabilly’ tune Rock of Gibraltar as sung by Hank Penny on the ‘B’ side *[see note] of a 1956 Decca Records single with the ‘A’ side titled Southern Fried Chicken. Previously I have written about another song titled Rock of Gibraltar (Columbia 1952), sung by Frankie Laine. It is a light-hearted pop song about a door-to-door brush salesman rejecting the charms of his customers until one finally wins his heart and he marries. Penny’s song is a combination of Western Swing and Rockabilly and is similar in that the singer is called the Rock of Gibraltar because no woman can move him with the exception of ‘baby’ mentioned in the refrain. I contacted my friend Bruno Kuntz who lives in Kaiserslautern, Germany. He is a serious Rockabilly collector and somewhat of an expert. He hadn’t heard of Penny or Rock of Gibraltar and gave this reply: “No, I am not familiar with Rockabilly artist Hank Penny. He made four singles on Decca and three on King. They sell between 15 and 40 USD if my Rockabilly price guide for 45s list them correctly. I listened to Rock of Gibraltar (not really good, I think) and Southern Fried Chicken (a better one, more Hillbilly style, including fiddle). I go more for hardcore Rockabilly.” Hank Penny was born Herbert Clayton Penny on 18th August, 1918 in Birmingham, Alabama. His father was a disabled coal miner but he was a guitar-playing poet who inspired his son to take up music. By age 15 Hank was performing on local radio and in 1936 he moved to New Orleans where he picked up the Western Swing style. Although he never became a household name, Penny had a stellar career performing all over America and accompanying such stars as country singer Merle Travis and big band and pop singer Doris Day. At the time Penny recorded Rock of Gibraltar he was enjoying a seven year run at the Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas.
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Hank Penny died of a heart attack on 17th April, 1992. You can listen to Rock of Gibraltar and his other tunes with such great titles as, Red Hot Mama and Ice Cold Papa, Low Down Woman Blues, Hillbilly Jump, Boogie Woogie Now, and My Inlaws made and Outlaw out of Me, free on
the internet. n *Note: For those too young to remember the ’50s and ’60s, singles were small records played at a speed of 45 RPM. They were hugely popular with teenagers. They usually (but not always) had two sides an ‘A’ and a ‘B’. The ‘A’ side is the one that had been marked for success but quite often the ‘B’ side turned out to be the hit.
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Archive editions of The Gibraltar Magazine now available online at www.thegibraltarmagazine.com GIBRALTAR MAGAziNE • MARCH•2015 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MARCH 2015
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Derek Duarte
portrait of the artist as an old man words | Elena Scialtiel
With his work “Alpha” pre-selected for the Royal Society of Portrait Painters annual exhibition in London, there is no stopping local artist Derek Duarte, who has only recently discovered his penchant for portraiture, after almost a lifetime spent depicting the fishermen of his native Catalan Bay Village. “I saw this photo of an old man in a magazine, and I thought ‘that’s it! I’ve got to paint him!’ To me, he represented the ‘Creator’. I was fascinated by his many wrinkles, looking like roads on his well-travelled face. Some of them even form letters and numbers, as
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if the mystery of creation was written on his furrowed forehead. He is majestic, divine, in black and white on a solid black background, a floating deity in the nothingness before existence.” The square-metre canvas is not Derek’s
first excursus in portraiture, but it is his first one born out of inspiration and imagination, rather than commission — and the first ever he has submitted to the Royal Society. And he promises that more are to come, because he would like to explore the possibil-
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ities that faces afford to art, and focus mostly on their expression and the story it tells. This is a radical departure from his previous experiences in what he describes as ‘seascapes’, where the interest was in dynamism, balance and composition, and faces were just sketched. His dramatic depiction of yesteryears fishery on the East Side features the sepia quality of a century-old photograph, to match the symbolism of this ancient trade for the Village, and the plights of humble men seeking their livelihood in the treacherous blue, although Derek’s snapshots tend to idealise it with serene sunrises and sleek industrial lines echoing Art Nouveau guild posters. The interest often shifts from the figures in the foreground to the detailed landscape behind them, a historical Catalan Bay with small buildings and big boulders in sight. Hieratic postures and period clothing romanticises the quaint appeal of a beach that is nowadays synonymous with tourism and leisure, with sunshades sprouting amid fishing boats and nets. As in photography, monochrome allows
room for dramatic shading and sketching where overworked detail would detract from the wholesomeness of the ensemble, like in the one immortalising the moment when the statue of Our Lady is lifted on a boat by a group of men in their Sunday’s best, except for their trousers’ legs rolled up as they waddle in the waves, and the only figure facing the onlooker, stabilises it with a pole. Curved lines and triangles bestow sanctity upon the group, inscribed in a stylised fish-like shape, intended as the symbol of Christ, or perhaps an eye, whose apple is the statue, crowned by the glowing aura of a hazy dawn. Derek distances himself from that period of his artistic life (after all, if Picasso had a ‘blue period’, why shouldn’t he have a ‘fishing period’?) but not from the predilection for black and white, with just a splash of colour to accent. Once, he decided to push his penchant for monochrome to extremes — to the letter, actually — and he went for an all-black view of the north face: “I painted the Rock in gloss black on a matte background. At first, it looked just solid black, but depending how
It takes more than fishermen to float Derek’s boat, though: he is pretty much into the conceptual side of art, especially when it comes to sculpture 70
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the light bounced and shone on it, its profile would stand out.” It takes more than fishermen to float Derek’s boat, though: he is pretty much into the conceptual side of art, especially when it comes to sculpture. He likes to see an alternative use or meaning in everyday objects, which get physically recycled and ingeniously transformed into a cheeky wink to pop-art and advertising, as he did with his entry to the 2014 Spring Art Exhibition, which granted third prize to his brick turned into a half-bitten chocolate bar - foil, wrapping, logo and all. Third prize seems to suit him well, as he reminisces: “When I was nine, I won third prize in an international art competition held in what then was Yugoslavia. I was presented with my prize by Lord Carrington, when he visited Gibraltar. After that, my passion for painting was parked for many years, until I decided to learn how to paint in oils in 1998, and I sold my first painting for £500, which was a handsome amount of money at the time!” He went on working on commission, juggling the time spent in his home studio with his day job as a bus driver. If commissions are profitable, original work allows him freedom and originality, and this is what he primarily wants to portray henceforth. Originality can be found in diligent copying too: Derek is already planning a collection of reproductions of Leonardo Da Vinci’s most famous paintings (Mona Lisa is ready, and some Madonnas are waiting in the wings), a tribute to the greatest and a clever way to demonstrate that he can really rock your boat. n
He went on working on commission, juggling the time spent in his home studio with his day job as a bus driver
Romancing the Stone This month’s Gibraltar DFAS lecture takes place on March 18th, and is sure to be a favourite with jewellery lovers. Joanna Hardy a regular jewellery expert on the BBC Antiques Roadshow, trained as a goldsmith before working for De Beers valuing and grading rough diamonds and then becoming one of the few woman diamond dealers. There can therefore be no better authority to give us an insight into gemstones. Joanna will talk about about their origin,
popularity and the prices that some of them have obtained at auction and in the market place. She will help us explore the art of cutting and take us on a visual tour of Jaipur, one of the main cutting centres for coloured stones. This talk will be of interest to anyone who has bought precious stones at some time in their life. At the O’Callaghan Eliott Hotel, Wednesday 18th March. Welcome drinks 6.30pm, lecture 7.30 pm, members and guests welcome. Guests £10.00 at the door. n
Craft & Collectors Fair
The March edition of the St Andrew’s Craft & Collectors Fair will see an eclectic mix of stalls, offering everything from traditional collectables, antiques and bric-a-brac to original arts and crafts. You will be able to find silverware, jewellery, cards for every occasion, coins and stamps, dolls house items, books and jigsaw puzzles. As usual you can enjoy delicious home-baked cakes, and sandwiches in the lounge at very reasonable prices.
Artist Derek Duarte
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St Andrew’s Craft & Collectors Fair takes place at St Andrew’s Church, Governor’s Parade on Saturday 28th March from 10am to 2pm, entrance £1. Stalls available at £10 including table and cloth. For further information call 540 23 166. n
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Some people take their paperwork seriously. So does papier-mâché artist Sarah Devincenz
words | Elena Scialtiel
Reviving the Mâché Art Her style has been described as ‘oriental’ and ‘Venetian’, because she likes to paint her crafts in jewel-like colours, sprinkle them with sequins and outline the finest detail. She makes decorated trays and plates that look like fine china, fish and flower-shaped brooches, all painted in her signature teals, violets and fuchsias, with a splash of gold, silver or copper, as if they were borrowed from a Renaissance palette. Her dainty angel with golden curls and peacock-tail wings was sold within minutes of its appearance at the Convent Christmas Fair: “The person who bought it collected it at the end, so I could display it all day. I could have sold it over and over again, so popular it was!” This convinced Sarah to elaborate the prototype, reminiscent of a marionette from the Sicilian Opera dei Pupi for the intricacy of decoration and the vibrancy of colours, that was in fact born by accident: “Someone gave me a stylised angel, all plain, and I thought to spruce it up a bit, with curled gift ribbon for hair, and giving her a pretty face. Now, I am working on upside-down cardboard cones topped with polystyrene balls, to make more for next season.” Her crafts have a smooth ceramic quality
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and feel like wood when you tap them. “I found a great recipe for papier-mâché on the internet, which includes flour and builders’ joint compound, to make it waterproof and more resistant to breakages than the traditional one made with wallpaper glue. I had started off with wallpaper glue, but I suffered some ‘disasters’, until I discovered how to make this clay-like material that unfortunately takes weeks to dry up and be ready for painting.” Sarah works in her home studio, and has ‘unfinished business’ lying around everywhere. “I keep old paper and cardboard to macerate in a bucket. It’s messy, but I like it messy! Most of my materials are recycled, too.”
Her dream is to have her own studio one day, where she will be able to expand her expertise and make bigger objects, and even sculptures. “I learned about sculpture and ceramics in college, and working with papier-mâché is akin to moulding clay. Many artists use it to create grotesque masks and puppets, with distorted features and deformed bodies... I’d like to have a go at that, but at the moment I am keeping my work small and commercial, to replenish regularly my table at the Arts & Crafts shop.” In fact, her objets d’art seem to fly off the shelf, thanks to originality of design and affordability. “We get many tourists visiting and buying, and small items are sought after
She has made a name for herself, reviving the papier-mâché art in Gibraltar, and it all started by chance, inspired by a a papier-mâché jewellery peddler in a Barcelona street market
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human resources
by those dealing with luggage restrictions. There’s a fad among cruise liner passengers to buy one Christmas tree ornament in every port of call, and my hollow baubles decorated with the wording ‘Gibraltar’ are popular with them, being light and yet not fragile.” She is toying with the idea of dabbling in jewellery making. “I’ve bought some shepherdess hooks to make earrings, but I am still working on what to dangle from them. I’ve made many beads, though, and at the moment they are drying up on pinchito sticks, so I won’t have to drill through them later when they go rock hard! They are not perfectly round and have my handprints on them, but I like the organic, hand-made feel that will remain once I paint them.” She has made a name for herself, reviving the papier-mâché art in Gibraltar, and it all started by chance, inspired by a a papier-mâché jewellery peddler in a Barcelona street market. Before realising that this was an avenue well worth exploring for someone who likes to ‘get down and dirty’, Sarah had concentrated on handmade greeting cards — which she still does beautifully, using snippets from magazines and old wrapping paper — or decorating big block letters in illuminated manuscript style, and painting on canvas (she entered a couple of competitive art exhibitions in the recent past). In her early 20s, she took an apprenticeship as a sign writer on the South Coast of
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England — she hails from the charming town of Emsworth — before stuffing her belongings in a Renault 5 and sharing a ride across Europe with school friend Rebecca Faller, a road trip that eventually got them to land in Gibraltar for good: “I’ve been living more years here than I have in England,” Sarah says. “Sign writing is an old-fashioned craft that takes years to master and is nowadays substituted by quicker production, using vinyl and computer design,” Sarah explains. “But I used to paint shop windows with fancy lettering, and the sign above it, although I am not fond of working perched on a ladder!” Neat and precise lettering was her wild card at last year’s Gibraltar Spring Festival logo competition: “A friend made me enter it: she kept on phoning me to ask if I had drawn something, until, a few days before deadline, I hadn’t finished yet and she bossed me into doing it immediately. So I did, and handed it in on time. On prize-giving day, I was busy with jury service, and my husband Lloyd collected the cheque. We didn’t expect me to win first prize, but just a commendation perhaps... Funnily enough, the local press printed that the person pictured on my behalf was actually my dad, so everybody thought my daughter had won instead, and she got all the congratulations!” n For commissions, contact Sarah at he Arts & Crafts shop located at Casemates upper balcony.
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coffee time
by Alan Gravett
SUDOKU Just for fun!
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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: 15th March 2015 Last month’s winner: LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS: Across: Endows, Staffs, Muskrat, Upon a, Tooth, Albania, Stephen King, In a spot, Oriel, Octet, Nakedly, String, Arrear. Down: Enmity, Disco, Warship, Thumb, Frown on, Seaman, St Valentine, Pilots, Tractor, Piton, Knocker, Indie, Player.
Across 1. Ground floor seats in a theatre etc. (6) 4. Resort city in Florida (5) 7. Russian city on the Don (6) 8. Less short (6) 9. Species of aquatic bird (4) 10. Loopholed fortification from which soldiers can fire on enemy in a ditch below (8) 12. Compassionate (10) 17. Not following the usual form (8) 19. Land measure (4) 20. 16th. Century Italian artist (6) 21. Put into pawn again (6) 22. Mucous discharge (6) 23. Heart surgery when arteries are blocked (6) Down 1. Those keeping tally (7) 2. Word meaning the opposite to another (7) 3. Magic spell intended to seduce (4-5) 4. North American elk (5) 5. Citizen of Kabul, perhaps, (7) 6. Middle Eastern country (6) 11. Seriously studious (9) 13. In China, this is Asia’s longest river (7) 14. Windpipe (7) 15. Capital of Venezuela (7) 16. Wheel on a chair (6) 18. Kingdom (5)
EasyJet has daily flights from Gibraltar to London’s Gatwick airport
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Coops & Simon Take on 2,000km Cycle For Charity A teacher and a prison officer are set to cycle over 2,000km from London to Gibraltar this summer to raise money for charity. Simon Morgan, a teacher at Sacred Heart Middle School, and Mark Cooper (aka ‘Coops’), a Hospital Officer at HMP Windmill Hill, will set off on the 4th July on a gruelling 14 day cycle across France and Spain. They aim to finish on the 18th July at Casemates Square. Speaking about the trip, Coops says he’s been busy training during rides to Gaucin and Jimena but admits the charity cycle will be an entirely different physical and mental test. “I’m looking forward to the challenge. What I always say to keep myself motivated is: ‘Train hard; ride easy’ and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing,” he said. Simon will be raising money for the Gibraltar Disability Society and Coops is collecting funds for Cancer Relief. The cycling duo have a host of events in the coming months including a “Worst Karaoke” Night and a 1980s Fancy Dress to bring in more donations. There’s also a charity football match at the Victoria Stadium planned for
20th June. Coops aims to raise £5,000. He has so far managed just over £600 thanks to the generosity of friends and family and some local firms including Triay and Triay, Attias and Levy, TSN, Ladbrokes and La Parrilla. Their main sponsors are Spark Energy and Moore Stephens. Local sports supplement businesses Muscle Bakers and Rock Solid Supplements will be proving those much-needed calories and energy boosters during the trip. Keep up to date by adding them on Facebook. To make donations, visit Coops’ Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/ Mark-Cooper22/ or Simon’s www.justgiving.com/Simon69Morgan/ n
The cycling duo have a host of events in the coming months including a “Worst Karaoke” Night and a 1980s Fancy Dress to bring in more donations
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steve hogarth
naturally speaking...
interview | FV
In what promises to be a unique concert, Marillion frontman Steve Hogarth returns to the magic of Saint Michael’s Cave in May. A good friend of Gibraltar and its people, we caught up with the charismatic singer, songwriter and musician and found a man who is as sincere and articulate in his views as he is in his lyrics and music. You took part in the Gibraltar Literary Festival last year and described your performance at the King’s Chapel as one of your best ever. What made it so special?
It was one of those rare shows when everything flowed. I had already played a couple in England so I was unusually well-rehearsed with the piano parts. This leaves one’s brain freer to climb inside the words — which for me, is the whole point really. The piano-playing is just a vehicle to carry the “soul” of the song. Staying inside a song — totally inside it — is like balancing on the head of a pin. You can’t stay there for long. But last time in Gib, I was there for as much of the time as I ever have been. I’m glad it happened here. In 2007 you performed here with Marillion while the May concert will be your third solo show on the Rock. There’s obviously something about the place that keeps bringing you back…
Gibraltar’s precious. A piece of one culture perched inside another. Berlin used to be like that before ‘89. Sort of “politically tense” with a population of people very aware of their unusualness and determined to celebrate it. I find Gibraltar to be like one of those unstable radio isotopes… glowing away, conscious of its ephemerality. The weather’s nice too. You’ve fronted Marillion for over 25 years now. When there are so many ‘heritage acts’ out there who simply tour old material, what drives you to continue creating new music? And has there ever been a time that you
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thought ‘this is it’ and contemplated a move away from music?
When I met the band they said it was going to be an experiment. They said “Do what you do, and we’ll do what we do and see what happens”. They never said “We’ve got this formula and all this airplay — let’s make a load of money”. I wouldn’t have joined the band if the mindset had been cynical. Fortunately, we’ve somehow managed to get away with the “experiment” for 25 years and quite a few albums — how many is it now, 12? I’ve lost count! Along the way we became the first British band to build a website, and we accidentally invented crowd-funding too. I do occasionally have days when I think “That’s it — I can’t do this anymore.” However,
I do occasionally have days when I think “That’s it — I can’t do this anymore.” However, the fact is that EVERYTHING is WORSE than being in a rock ‘n’ roll band
the fact is that EVERYTHING is WORSE than being in a rock ‘n’ roll band, so I usually review such thoughts after sleeping on it. The other consideration is that I don’t think I’d ever find a bunch of musicians who are quite so pure and honourable as my bandmates. They’re special. Having seen fans visibly moved by your music, including grown men crying when listening to songs like “Neverland”, what do you think it is about Marillion’s output that resonates so deeply with fans?
I’ve given this a lot of thought because I keep getting asked about it. My best guess is that it’s a potent combination of the chords, the sounds and the words. Also there’s the fact that this music is born out of a pure intention and married to words which are true things. I’m quite sure that people (sensitive people — I’m not talking about Madonna fans here) can smell truth. Truth is what moves people to their core. Artifice can entertain, but it’s just that — entertainment. Truth.. now that MOVES you. Following on from that, already fans from several countries including the UK and Germany have booked their flights and hotels to be able to be in Gibraltar for your h (Super)Natural concert. Clearly that deposit of trust in you shows that the relationship with your fans is a special one. Is it something you ever take for granted?
Well they might have been lured by your spring sunshine. I know I am. Seriously
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photo: Jill Furmanovsky
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music sparse while the feel and vibe is more intimate. Is it more daunting? There is nowhere for you to hide, figuratively speaking, and the strength or possible weaknesses of a song are more exposed...
Yes. That’s the whole point. To create something fragile, volatile, intimate and totally “in the moment”. Also to allow and invite the audience to steer the show where it will go. This means that I can’t ever properly prepare for the show. This gives the evening the possibility to be a unique thing. But you’re quite right, I walk onto the stage for these shows absolutely terrified. For Marillion shows I am in control of what I’m doing, we are rehearsed and ready, and I have a wall of sound to hide in. This show will be the opposite of that. An exposé — the good, the bad and the ugly. Hopefully, and all being well, the exquisite too. In your solo shows, although the bulk of the material may be taken from throughout your musical career, including the 25 years with Marillion, you also perform covers which in the past have included songs by David Bowie, John Lennon, Kate Bush or Leonard Cohen. Is it important for you to inform the audience of your influences?
It’s not so much who has influenced my style (if I have one!) as simply to play the songs which have touched me deeply. I used to play Wichita Lineman and On the Street Where You Live because they were my dad’s favourite songs. The choice of songs is a kind of homage either to the artists who created them, or the things those songs have represented to me personally. As time has gone by, people in the audience ask for request songs and I try to play them if I think I possibly can. There’s a line I then walk between the spirit of it, and whether or not I am any good! My money’s on the spirit... As far as we know, this will be the first time your son Nial will play with you, and also the very talented Dave Gregory is contributing guitars, so it’s shaping up to be a very special and certainly unique solo show for you. What can the audience expect?
though, of course I could never take that faith for granted. It’s that same faith which gives me the freedom to make this music for a living. And to be creatively free. Few professional artists have that luxury because they’re hanging by the thread of the next hit single. We have this global underground “church” — isn’t that what you call a congregation of believers? — which funds our tours, buys our CDs before we’ve recorded them, and crosses the globe to see us. It’s a beautiful thing. I’m lucky and privileged to be at the focus of such faith. The dynamics of a solo performance are very different to those of a full-blown show with the band. From a musical perspective the arrangements are necessarily more
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I walk onto the stage for these shows absolutely terrified. For Marillion shows I am in control of what I’m doing, we are rehearsed and ready, and I have a wall of sound to hide in. This show will be the opposite of that
Something that is as much to do with them as it is to do with me. Strictly speaking, that’s always true of a live performance because a crowd always has a massive influence on the mood of the performers. A great show simply isn’t possible without a great crowd. In my case, it’s more-so because I am actively trying to interact with everyone on an intimate level. I hope we can all create something dark and magical but at the same time lighthearted. It will be an extra-special night for me because I’ll have Nial and Dave there. A biological son and a spiritual brother. I’ll also have what’s beginning to feel increasingly like my “Gibraltar family” out-front. n h (Super)Natural: A Special Evening With Steve Hogarth & Friends takes place at Saint Michael’s Cave on Saturday 30th May as part of the Spring Festival. Tickets available at Music Corner and via www.gibmedia.gi
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photo: Alan Jones
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IMAGES OF THE MONTH
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We have some fabulous images of Gibraltar for you this month from four talented photographers. Photographs to the left are drama shots of our very dramatic Rock. Left top: Michael Reyes rose to scary heights to capture this top of the rock shot. Left bottom: Klaudia Peczynska got her timing just right to freeze the lightning striking Europa Point photographed from La Linea. It is all about the light on this page. Above: Eva Palomeque photographed the superb warm light at this peaceful scene at Catalan Bay (it is also our cover shot of the month). Right: Brian Gomilla captured this lovely picture of a young female Barbary macaque photographed through the sun-kissed vegetation as she reaches out for some fresh shoots.
Get involved Do you have a great image of the Rock or one taken on the Rock? Something you would like to share with our readers? Send it in to info@thegibraltarmagazine.com and if we like it too we will publish it in the next issue. We especially like nature, unusual angles and street scenes, so keep them coming! GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • march 2015
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tMichelle Schembri Vinet Shipping Clerk It is great to be a mother, I have two beautiful boys, the older one Luigi is studying at Uni, and the younger Dylan is doing his GCSE now. I am very proud of them both.
A Meeting of Minds
pMargaret Clarence Retired It’s very rewarding to see your children grow up, especially when they do well for themselves. I have a son and a daughter, plus five grandchildren and it makes me very happy to see my family growing.
tTessie Rose Retired I just love children and it is especially nice to be a granny. I have two granddaughters and a very cute great granddaughter Sienna.
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Michelle Hook u Assistant Office Manager The best thing about being a mum is seeing your baby smile and trying to talk to you.
tRichard Scales Retired
qJena Styles Carer
I met my wife, Suzanne, 46 years ago at my brother’s wedding. We have been happily married ever since!
The best thing about being a mum is seeing the joys and the steps the children take. It is also amazing how much they change in a short period!
qAnne-Marie Valverde Graphic Designer The best thing about being a mother for me is the unconditional love you have for your child, and the child has for you, as a mum. You get it from your parents and you pass it on to your children.
pJill Kentafi Take-away Manager, Just Desserts I have met my husband when I was on holiday with my family in Tangier 25 years ago. Life has never been the same since!
Being Mum compiled by Nina Sostaric
t Ferdaows Bouchekouf College Student If I could talk to anyone for an hour I would talk to my mum, because she is the only person that I trust.
It is Mother’s Day on Sunday 15th March, a day when each of us can pay tribute to our mums in our own way. We asked some mums around town what the best bit of being a mum was for them. Here’s what they said.
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events
CHILDLINE CALLS OUT TO CORPORATES FOR BLUE WEEK Childline’s annual week of raising awareness and funds takes place from the 16-20 March 2015 and this year the charity is asking companies to become more involved with their work through corporate social responsibility (“CSR”) initiatives. A spokesperson for Childline remarked, “We have already formed excellent corporate relationships with several local companies in Gibraltar through their CSR programmes, notably Bassadone, PWC and Gamma Concepts and this has been of immense benefit to everyone involved. We are now hoping to roll out this initiative and would like to meet with other companies to discuss ways they could support us through
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pro-bono voluntary work and/ or fundraising initiatives. As a charity whose services are completely funded through private donations we have to outsource expertise in many areas where we need additional support, such as marketing, HR, design work, copywriting, and daytime volunteers for our Appropriate Adult Service”. Childline Gibraltar began operating here in 2006 and is coming up for its 9th anniversary. Initially, the charity only offered a Telephone Helpline Service but this core service has now expanded significantly, and in response to local needs. The charity still offers the Helpline as one of its core services open daily from 5pm-9pm, but now also offers a 24/7 online service, an email service, an early-intervention Education Programme and an Appropriate Adult Service for the Royal Gibraltar Police and HM Customs. “Blue Week provides us with an excellent opportunity to visit as many schools, youth/sports organisations and companies as we can to raise awareness about the important work we do in the community and show them the impact we are having.” The charity’s statistics, recently published in their Annual Report, demonstrate there are still many children suffering in Gibraltar who need some help. Over 600 contacts were made to the charity during 2013/14 – an average of about 50 per month, and half of these people needed to be referred on to other agencies for additional assistance or support. Childline is appealing for your support during Blue Week this month and asks anyone who would like to get involved with their work to contact them on info@childline.gi or via their Facebook page. n
The charity’s statistics, recently published in their Annual Report, demonstrate there are still many children suffering in Gibraltar who need some help
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13th GIBRALTAR INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL 2015 The 13th edition of the Gibraltar International Dance Festival, organised by M.O. Productions, will take place from Thursday 12th to Saturday 14th March 2015 at the John Mackintosh Hall Theatre. Produced by Seamus Byrne and Alfred Rumbo the Festival is accredited by the British Federation of Festivals for Music Dance & Speech. 149 dancers from England, Gibraltar and Spain will be taking part in three sessions of dance. The international festival features the Ministry of Culture and the Kusuma Trust as main sponsors. Other supporters of the festival include the Gibcoins, Gibtelecom and Castiel Winser. The official timetable of the 13th Gibraltar International Dance Festival 2015 is as follows: Thursday 12th March at 7.00pm: Baby Solos, Improvisation, Flamenco Solos, Jazz Solos, Children Modern Solos, Duets, Trios Friday 13th March at 7.00pm: Classical Solos, Musical Theatre Solo, Tap Solos, Junior & Adult Modern Solos Saturday 14th March GALA NIGHT at 7.30pm: Groups, Bursary Tickets for the Festival priced at ÂŁ7 per session are on sale as from Friday 27th February 2015 at the On Pointe Dance Shop in Grand Casemates Square between 11am to 2pm and 4pm to 6pm. n
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Mother’s DayCake Traditionally, when girls in domestic service went home to see their mums on Mothering Sunday (this year on 15th March), they baked them a special fruit cake with almond paste. Called Simnel cake this British tradition is a great treat for mums.
Simnel cake is a light fruit cake with two layers of almond paste or marzipan, one in the middle and one on top, that is toasted, and eaten during the Easter period in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and some other countries. Traditionally made to mark Mothering Sunday, this cake is also known as an Easter Cake. Simnel cakes have been known since at least medieval times and different towns had their own recipes and shapes of Simnel cake, some simply made using white flour, fragrant spices and generously studded with dried fruits and pungent peel. Like a Christmas cake, it is covered with pale sweet almond paste. Eleven, marzipan balls are used to decorate the cake, with a story that the balls represent the twelve apostles, minus Judas, a tradition which developed late in the Victorian era, altering the mid Victorian tradition of decorating the cakes with preserved fruits and flowers. They became a Mothering Sunday tradition, when young girls in service would make one to be taken home to their mothers on their day off. A specially baked simnel cake is a wonderful gift to take to your mother, for Mothering Sunday. If you don’t want to add the eleven Apostles, go back to the original tradition and decorate it with fresh or crystalised flowers. It is truly delicious with a nice cup of tea. Almond Paste 400 g icing sugar, sifted 250 g ground almonds 1 large egg yolk, beaten lightly 3 -4 tablespoons orange juice 5 drops almond essence Cake 250 g plain flour 1 pinch salt 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon cinnamon 280 g currants 250 g sultanas 110 g mixed peel 160 g butter 160 g caster sugar 3 large eggs 200 ml milk, to mix
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To make the almond paste you will need a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Place icing sugar and almonds in the food processor bowl. Process, slowly dripping in egg yolk, orange juice and almond essence. The mixture should form a pliable paste. Save a portion for the eleven balls if you are choosing the Victorian tradition for your cake. Roll out the remaining paste into two circles which are the approximate size of the tin. Set aside. For the Cake Preheat oven to 160°C. Sift flour, salt and spices together, then stir in fruit and peel. Cream butter and sugar thoroughly until light and creamy then beat in eggs one at a time, until the mixture is fluffy. (Reserve a a little egg yolk for brushing over top layer of almond paste.). Stir flour and fruit into creamed mixture (you may need to add a little milk to give the mixture a dropping consistency). Place half the mixture into a greased and lined or non-stick cake tin. Place one pre-rolled round of almond paste over the top. Cover with remaining cake mixture. Before baking the cake, give the tin a tap on a firm surface to prevent holes from forming in the cake. Bake in the centre of the oven for 1-1.25 hours or until a thin metal skewer inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Turn out the cake on to a wire rack after leaving it to cool in the cake tin for 10 to 15 minutes. Peel off paper and leave to cool completely. Cover the top of the cake with a second round of almond paste. Roll eleven small balls of paste and place evenly around the top of the cake. Brush the top with a little beaten egg and very lightly brown under the grill until the almond paste turns light golden brown. Cool and take to your mum to show your appreciation! n
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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 • MARCH 2015
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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 • MARCH 2015
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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
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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 salads 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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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
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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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In Praise of Chablis Crisp green apple with a hint of steely acidity. I have never tasted wines quite like Chablis where the wine’s bone dryness coupled with its stony mineral flavours can provide an unforgettable wine experience.
Having asked some friends to come round for a drink I wanted to start the evening with some dry white wine which would complement some smoked salmon one of my guests was bringing. I don’t normally get to obsessed with food/ wine pairing as the whole subject has been distorted with the most ridiculous suggestions, one can imagine, being regularly made and unfortunately repeated! The last time I had smoked salmon it was served with a Riesling with a significant sweet edge to it and it both the fish and wine were delicious! By mainstream food pairing advice this would not be a good combination but it was! My advice is try it and see but if you feel more comfortable with rules then simply serve strong food with muscular wines, avoid red wines with blue fish and serve something with a sweet edge with curries or spicy foods preferably German or Alsace Riesling. Nevertheless anticipating that my friend would be expecting something white and dry, an accepted classic pairing for salmon, off I went to see what I could find. I was soon trundling back home with two bottles of Chablis. One was simply labelled Chablis 2011 which I found in Marks and Spencer in Main Street for £12.50 and the second was a Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons 2011 from Anglos at £15.75. So what was the difference between these two wines and was the difference predictable
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from simply looking at the label? The answer is yes but would it turn out as predicted? Chablis (part of the Burgundy wine region) lies in eastern France and has been known to produce outstanding white wines whose austere character and its “flinty/stony” flavour the New World vineyards seem unable to re produce. This did not stop many countries from labelling white wines “Chablis” and it was not uncommon to see Spanish or Australian Chablis. This is no longer allowed and wines labelled Chablis can only come from Chablis, be white, made from 100 % Chardonnay and conform to various other rules and regulations. There are no red Chablis nor Chablis made from Sauvignon Blanc or any other grape variety for that matter! Chablis comes in all shapes and sizes and by this I mean that there are poor wines, good wines and outstanding wines made there. Price is not a cast iron guarantee of quality so if we want to taste a good example of Chablis how should we go about it? Like the rest of Burgundy you will need to do some homework but if you can’t be bothered then you will be pleased to know that the French Government has done much of the donkey work for us! ( I cant think of any other Government who would get actively involved in wine quality!). It was discovered a long time ago that Burgundy, divided into smaller and smaller vineyards by inheritance laws, could produce utterly
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wine notes
stunning wines in one vineyard and less so in a plot only a short distance away. Demand and fame for the wines of the better plots soon followed and the French Laws then conveniently classified the vineyards into different quality levels. At the top of the tree stand the Grand Cru Vineyards. There are seven of these in Chablis so the label will tell you its a Chablis Grand Cru followed by the name of the vineyard. For example Les Clos. Beneath this qualitative tier comes the Premier Cru wines and these wines would be labelled Chablis Premier Cru followed by the name of the vineyard for example Vaillons or Fourchaumes. The next level is made up of generic Chablis which can come from any part of Chablis and will simply be labelled Chablis. The price and quality for this should be lower than Grand Cru or Premier Cru. Lastly comes Petit Chablis which theoretically should be inferior to the other categories and will of course have the word Petit Chablis on the label. This could be an exciting area to explore as many young, talented vignerons, unable to afford expensive vineyards , are turning out very drinkable wines in this category! Chablis will never be dirt cheap. It is laborious to produce grapes here with the danger of frosts, hail and lack of sunshine making grape growing a risky venture. It is one of the few places where the growers need to place heaters between the vines to stop the frosts from destroying their crop! If your budget doesn’t stretch to Chablis I always recommend Muscadet which can exhibit similar qualities but at a fraction of the price. So how did the two Chablis
wines compare? The Anglo Hispano one was a Premier Cru from the Vaillons vineyards from a single producer J.Moreau whilst the Mark and Spencer example was generic Chablis made by a good cooperative. (Marks and Spencer also do a Premier Cru Fourchaume at £18 which I hope to taste soon). As expected the Premier Cru Moreau wine was better. It was complex and delicious and exhibited all the flinty nuances of very good Chablis. The Marks and Spencer example was also very good but not in the same level as the Premier Cru example. Then again it’s not supposed to be. Wines to try at least once in your life Sherry remains one of the most unfashionable and underrated wines today. Price for price they represent outstanding value for money and the best examples can compete with the best wines on the planet at a fraction of the cost. Jerez produces a range of sherries known as VORS ( Very Old Rare Sherries) and by law these need to be at least 30 years old. They include the well known Olorosos and Amontillados . To avoid unscrupulous producers cheating theses wines will be carbon dated to ensure that is does what is says on the label! These are widely available. Expect to pay from £25 and upwards. You can also try the VOS (Very Old Sherry) range which is less expensive but can still be outstanding. Forthcoming Tasting I hope to have a free tasting in the next few weeks comparing some of the locally available wines. There will be limited places and beginners would be welcome. If interested email me at gibwines@gmail.com. n
If you can’t be bothered to do your homework then you will be pleased to know that the French Government has done much of the donkey work for us
Tues-Fri 10am - late Sat lunch 12pm-3pm Afternoon drinks & desserts Dinner 7pm-10pm Closed Sun & Mon
words | Andrew Licudi GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2015
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Photos this page: Scouts and Guides from all around Gibraltar took part in a parade led by the Gibraltar Sea Scouts Pipe Band, from Casemates to The Cathedral of The Holy Trinity to celebrate Thinking Day and Founders Day. Following the traditional service attended by His Excellency Sir James Dutton, Governor of Gibraltar and Lady Dutton, The parade reformed to return along Main Street to Grand Casemates, much to the delight of the Saturday morning shoppers and visitors. (photos: Derek Booth photo bottom: Angie Smith)
We are already in the third month of the year and Spring is springing. We can start looking forward to some glorious weather in Gibraltar, British summertime starts on 29th March this year (don’t forget to change your clocks, which Spring Forward an hour on that date) and Easter is just around the corner. Remember, it is Mothering Sunday on 15th March so a time to spend with your mum or thinking of your mum. Try the great cake recipe on page 86-87, guaranteed to warm the cockles of any mum’s heart. Talking of cockles, Irish eyes will be smiling around town on 17th March for the traditional St Patrick’s Day fun (Omnibus will be playing live at Lord Nelsons in Casemates if you fancy a bit of party rock to enjoy with your pint of the black stuff). March is certainly one of the nicest times of year in Gibraltar when everyone is looking forward to the long hot days of summer — enjoy!
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This page: The Friends of Gibraltar Heritage Trust AGM in London (photos: Mike Brufal)
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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. Social Clubs The Rotary Club of Gibraltar meets the Rock Hotel, 7pm Tuesday evenings. Guests welcome. For contact or info www.rotaryclubgibraltar.com Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes: (Gibraltar Province) meets RAOB Club, Jumpers Bastion - 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 up on Tuesday mornings at 10.30 in O’Reillys Irish Bar and it is free to attend. 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 the correct development of the sport. Tel: Darren 54027171 Secretary, Alex 54021672 Youth Rep, Justin 54022622 President. Email: 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
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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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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).
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Taekwondo Gibraltar at British Nationals On Saturday 28th February and Sunday 1st March, Taekwondo Gibraltar participated at the British Nationals held at the K2 Leisure Centre in Crawley, UK. Gibraltar was represented by Megan Ruiz and Macy Cornelio. Our girls competed in A Class U17 and K1 Cadet individual and synchronized teams female categories, respectively. The event hosts approximately 500 players in different categories, from throughout Great Britain. Master Ernest Garcia has been coaching the girls for numerous weeks and would like to mention that he is very proud of the commitment and perseverance shown during their preparation for this competition.
CAKES FOR FUNDS Girls from the Gibraltar Under 17s Netball Team organised a cake stand at the Piazza at the end of February, as a means of raising funds to compete in a forthcoming major tournament in Hull, UK. Main Street passers by, tempted by a variety of colourful cakes and cookies, were urged to part with their cash for the good cause. (photo: Derek Booth)
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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
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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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. Gibraltar Public Holidays 2015 New Year’s Day Thursday 1st January Commonwealth Day Monday 9th March Good Friday Friday 3rd April Easter Monday Monday 6th April Workers Memorial Day Monday 27th April May Day Friday 1st May Spring Bank Holiday Monday 25th May Queen’s Birthday Monday 15th June Late Summer Bank Holiday Monday 31st August Gibraltar National Day Thursday 10th September Christmas Day Friday 25th December Boxing Day Monday 28th December Please note, shops do not usually open on bank holidays. You are advised to check in advance for other attractions.
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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