The Gibraltar Magazine, March 2009

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

g

ibraltar magazine the

March 2009 Vol. 14 No. 05 FREE

CM: Man on a Mission

Butterfly Lady a Matter of Interest the Boat Show

Investment Masterclass Hard Way Life

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Brahms & Liszt in Gibraltar

Other People’s Lives:

Gibraltarians Abroad 21/2/09 13:47:22

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

gibraltar the

magazine March 2009 Vol. 14 No. 05 FREE

CM: Man on a Mission

Butterfly Lady a Matter of Interest the Boat Show

Investment Masterclass Hard Way Life Brahms & Liszt in Gibraltar

Other People’s Lives:

Gibraltarians Abroad

Clouded Yellow by Rebecca Nesbit (see pages 38-39) 2009March.indd 1

21/2/09 13:47:22

Volume 14, Number 05 March 2009 The Gibraltar Magazine is published monthly by Guide Line Promotions Limited, PO Box 561, PMB 6377 Gibraltar Tel or fax (+350) 200 77748 E-mail: gibmag@gibraltar.gi www.TheGibraltarMagazine.com Editor: Andrea Morton Copyright © 2009 by Guide Line Promotions Limited. All rights reserved.

No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written consent of The Gibraltar Magazine.

Subscriptions £35.00 per year.

Cheques, money orders or banker’s drafts should be made payable to: Guide Line Promotions Ltd and must be payable in Pounds Sterling.

features 26 The CM: Man on a Mission € 36 The Hard Way Life: AKIN 38 The Butterfly Lady 40-44 Other People’s Lives 40 42 44 66

music & arts 46-53 history & heritage 34 Street Scene: The Art of Busking 30 Brahms & Liszt in Gibraltar € 46 Foraging with Sue 32 Gibraltar Governor wanted a 48 Willa’s Heart of Glass

Shot at Hitler 51 Mick Elliot at Farrington € 64 A Life Barely Remembered 52 The Milliner’s Magic 75 Fanys, Wrens & Unlucky 13 76 Ole: The Art Inside 80 Past Imperfect: Smuggling Days leisure & activites health & beauty 54-63 50 Leisure & Tuition 54 Disaster: International Conference 62 Shopping & Beauty 56 Health & Medical Directory 73 What’s On: March 58 No More Butts!

79 The Boat Show € 60 Stem Cells for the Future € 94 Clubs & Activities Guide 63 Bodies Beautiful at Sissi regulars 70 Gibraltar’s Wild Flowers € food & drink 82-91 74 Prize Puzzle 82-91 Wining & Dining on the Rock 92 Around Town 82 Springtime Sproutings € information 86 Wine Column 87-90 Restaurant & Bar Guide 68-69 City Centre Map 91 Just-a-Nibble’s Birthday Treats 98 Gibraltar Information

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

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Dejavoo A Woman of Substance Travel Leads to Love Alexis Almeda: A Healthy Heritage

business & finance 8-24 8 Business & Finance Guide 9 A Matter of Interest 14 Helth & Safety at Work 16 Time for an EU Banking Regulator? € 18 The CEO: A Lonely Role 20 HR GO PLC Recruits in Gibraltar 22 Investment Masterclass: PIBs 24 Banking on the New President

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Comprehensive A-Z Index for the visiting professional or businessman and the discerning investor.

Detailed appendices on relevant Gibraltar Government legislation.

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

21/2/09 14:19:18

business & finance profile finance

by Ian le Breton

a matter of interest In recent months this column has focused on the state of the economy in general; last time I looked at the relationship between the pound and the euro. Underlying all of this is the condition of the credit market — in other words lending and borrowing by the banks. Banks have come in for a lot of criticism recently; the main problem being that even with government bailouts, they are not lending enough. This month I take a look at global interest rates.

Where are they now, where are they headed and, closer to home, what can you do about them in respect of your own financial affairs?

As always this column reflects my personal thoughts. This month I am also indebted to my good friend André Huwyler at Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch Private Bankers for his insight.

At Sovereign we introduce clients to bankers all over the world, depending on their requirements. Typically they will have funds to invest or they may be looking for credit to fund an international project. As a former banker this is one of the most rewarding parts of my job and, in order to assist such clients, I generally start by looking at the bigger picture Step back just a few months — as recently as last summer in fact. The oil price was spiking — reaching almost US$150 a barrel at one stage.

In Europe, interest rates were still rising and the banking problems had not yet developed into the full-blown global crisis that erupted in the autumn of 2008. How different the world looks now. In the UK, interest rates (at least Base Rate) are the lowest in history and in the US they are virtually zero. The European Central Bank has started to ease its rates although that is a more complex equation given the “one size fits all” policy that the EU must follow for the widely different economies that use the euro. All around the world, interest rates are falling.

The cost of oil is fundamental to the world economy. The worry last summer, if the oil price remained sky high, was inflation. Since then, the economic downturn has meant a fall off in demand and as a result, the oil price has dropped dramatically to current levels. Now deflation is a real concern. We are in an environment where central banks are driving interest rates hard

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

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towards zero. This is in an effort to encourage banks to start trusting each other again and particularly to motivate them to resume lending to corporate and private customers.

There is, however, no easy route to economic recovery. After years of excess and balance sheet leveraging, banks are in a state of shock. In many cases, they have used the funds provided by governments or central banks to repair their balance sheets but not to start new lending business. At the same time governments are issuing record amounts of debt to finance rescue packages and bailout plans. Under normal circumstances this would be highly inflationary but, for the time being, inflation has not returned. It would seem that the black hole of banks’ deleveraging is more than compensating for the massive rises in the national debt of several countries — yet another example of my old economics text book needing to be re-written.

So, where does this leave us? Will we descend

This will depend on whether you are a net borrower or saver. Recent research shows that for every person benefiting from interest rate cuts, three suffer — those with money in the bank

into the “Japanese” scenario — a decade lost due to strong deflationary pressures – or will we enter into a “Weimar Republic” scenario of double digit inflationary rates? Maybe we will see a mixture of both.

I imagine that deflation will be the dominant theme for the next two to three years but, as we get through this crisis, inflation could return with a vengeance thereafter. It is probable that the years of tame disinflation and reflation are at an end and we should, perhaps, expect bigger swings in interest rates in the next ten years – or more. As André Huwyler points out, it could be that “Volatility” should be added as a new asset class to the traditional list of Cash, Equity, Bonds, Commodities and Hedge Funds.

Moving from the global scene, I have a few personal thoughts on how interest rates at virtually zero impact each and every one of us in our daily lives. This will depend on whether you are a net borrower or saver. Although focus in the media is normally on mortgages and so on, it remains a fact that far more people are concerned about their savings than about the interest they pay the banks for loans. In fact recent research shows that for every person benefiting from interest rate cuts, three suffer — those with money in the bank. Let’s deal with that group first.

Net savers include retired people living on a pension with no mortgage. It follows that with base rates at current levels, ordinary deposit accounts are going to pay very little interest at all. After tax (if applicable) and inflation the real return could be close to nothing or even negative. Even if we see deflation as set out above, day to day living costs are likely to tell another story. So, what to do?

21/2/09 14:19:19

finance My suggestion is that you take the time to find out what interest your deposits are earning. You might be in for a shock. Ask your bank for alternatives. All banks are going to be keen to keep your deposit and may have some innovative products to tempt you. Be sure you understand the pros and cons. You might find that tying up part of your money for a year or so gives you a decent return. Be careful though.

Some banks might offer higher interest for deposits in other currencies. You should weigh the risk that exchange rates could erode — or of course further enhance — these rates, so take professional advice at all times.

What if you are a net borrower? Typically younger working people with families will fall into this category. In my New Year column I suggested that anyone concerned about their debts should speak to their bank or financial adviser for a full review — a financial MOT if you will.

This is true whether you have personal loans, credit cards or fixed rate mortgage deals that are about to come to an end. There are some good deals on the market at the moment as banks are being encouraged to start lending again. Speak to your bank — you may be surprised at what can be done.

Where are interest rates headed? Experience

over the last few months should have taught us not to take anything for granted. It is dangerous to predict how long we might be looking at the near zero interest regime — at least in Europe and the US. But you can be sure of one thing — they cannot get much lower.

So the advice is — get advice. Speak to your bank to ensure you are getting their best deals.

This is true whether you are worried about the return you are getting on your savings, or if you are looking to minimise the interest you are paying on your debts. These are interesting times indeed. n

It is dangerous to predict how long we might be looking at the near zero interest regime — at least in Europe and the US. But you can be sure of one thing — they cannot get much lower

u Ian Le Breton is Managing Director of Sovereign Trust (Gibraltar) Limited.

Tel: +350 200 76173 email: ilebreton@ SovereignGroup.com

New Appointments: Going Global

Compliance officers Linda Redmore, Tania Kingsford and Suzanne Bant with Linda Warner, Compliance Consultant

Global Advisory Services Limited has announced a strengthening of its Compliance Team for 2009.

Global Group welcomes Linda Warner as their Compliance Consultant. Linda has a long and distinguished career in a legal and compliance environment. For the last five years Linda has been based in Guernsey. Whilst in

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the Island, Linda served on a Consumer Panel established by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission. Prior to her stay in the Channel Islands, Linda has been employed with both the Financial Services Authority in the UK and

the Serious Fraud Office.

Suzanne Bant joins the team from Jersey, where she was a compliance officer at one of the Island’s banks. Suzanne has recently completed a Diploma with the International Compliance Association and is about to embark on a second Diploma. Suzanne has joined our team as a Compliance Officer.

Tanya Kingsford joins Global following a short period in the compliance department of one of Gibraltar’s larger legal/trust & company practices. Prior to coming to Gibraltar, Tanya spent many years in the Fraud Department of a large UK Government organisation.

Tanya also joins the team as a Compliance Officer.

Linda Radmore joined the team as a Compliance Officer in the latter half of 2008. Her experience is primarily in the field of Trust and Company Administration, and her experience in this sector is invaluable.

The Board of Global Group welcome its new colleagues, whose depth and varied experiences will undoubtedly strengthen the team, enabling them to offer a greater level of support to existing and prospective clients.

Global Group is able to offer compliance consultancy services encompassing a variety of fields — from a pre FSC visit, preparation of manuals, outsourcing of the administration of an MLRO facility to short training courses. If you would like any further information or you would like to meet to discuss options available, please do not hesitate to contact Trevor Nichols (Managing Director), Linda Warner (Compliance Consultant) or Christine Barrett (Office Manager). n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

21/2/09 14:19:26

update

Mark Canepa of Tarik handing over the donation to Bea Adams, President, Rotary Club of Gibraltar

Tarik & Rotary team up for Charity

advice.

The Rotary Club’s President, Bea Adams, said “Tarik have always been keen supporters of our Club over the years and have helped with various of our past projects.

When they asked for our help in suggesting a suitable good cause, it was a great pleasure to have an opportunity to team up on a subject that we both feel strongly about.”

Bea also added that the Rotary Club of Gibraltar would be matching the donation made by Tarik.

The Rotary Club have now contacted the Environmental Safety

Group and identified various projects — especially those involving youth — which are in need of funding.

Janet Howitt of the ESG commented, “This is a wonderful offer of help and is very much appreciated. We are certainly looking forward to progressing some of our planned projects, and this year’s Clean Up The World Campaign already has a number underway that need the funding. Tarik and the Rotary Club’s generous donation will help ensure we are able to continue our good work”. n

Snap Shot: Royal Commonwealth Society

In February Tarik Ship Agency’s directors, Mark and Chris Canepa, handed over a cheque for £500 to Rotary Club President, Bea Adams, as the first step in the two organisations teaming up to help projects being run by the Environmental Safety Group (ESG).

The ESG project was chosen due to Tarik Ship Agency’s involvment in the control and clean up operations following the oil spill after the grounding of the bulk cargo vessel Fedra at Europa Point last year.

Following the brief cheque handing over ceremony held at their Watergardens offices Mark and Chris said “It was the specialised equipment Tarik own and operate, that led to us being called upon by the authorities to help with the environmental disaster threaten-

ing Gibraltar waters last year. Of course we were only too pleased to be able to help”. Their highly trained crews worked around the clock to contain and treat the spreading oil (visit www.tarik.gi for more info).

“When things started to settle down and get back to normal,” Chris went on to say, “we, at Tarik thought it would be appropriate if we could support an environmental project”. It was then they turned to the Rotary Club of Gibraltar for

Lord Anderson talks to the Baroness Hooper and Alan King (former Sky correspondent who has written the awaited report on Gibraltar television) at the reception after the lecture by the Chief Minister at the Royal Commonwealth Society

The International Finance Centre Portal Launched The International Finance Centre Portal website has recently been launched from its offices in Gibraltar.

The site brings together content from jurisdictions and companies to create a unique central reference of accurate and up-to-date information which covers only the top tier financial centres and represents only reliable and reputable companies. The portal looks set to become a prime destination for users looking for reliable, reputable and well regulated international finance services.

Through the portal you can make instant comparisons between finance centres, from the physical facts of population, area and time difference through to administrative, fiscal and tax issues.

Approved companies can use the site to present their own marketing information and content alongside the portal’s own facts and figures.

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All information is displayed instantly in summary form and users can choose to be notified immediately of any updates. Summary links take readers to a unique area of the site where the can view more detailed information presented by companies in their own branded area.

The site is a must for companies, as it offers a unique opportunity to distribute news, information, articles, vacancies and events to both a subscriber and public internet audience, whilst users benefit from access to the latest information directly from jurisdictions, companies and employers directly to your email inbox according to their preferences. n Take a look for yourself at www. internationalfinancecentres.com

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

21/2/09 14:23:53

EU Status

Gibraltar is now an official tax haven

Unlike the Isle of Man and Channel Islands which, as Crown dependencies, are not part of the UK or EU (although their people are British Citizens and, therefore, EU citizens- but without work and residence rights), Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory. As such, it is a full member of the EU as “part” of the UK (unlike other BOTs like BVI), yet excluded from the Customs Union and VAT territory (whereas Monaco and Isle of Man are included and Jersey has its own VAT regime).

So Gibraltar is unique in being able to have its own tax system within the EU. This was challenged by the European Commission who did not like the tax-exempt companies that operate from Gibraltar but have EU customers and have certain advantages over similar companies elsewhere. After several years of uncertainty as to whether these companies can continue, the European Court has ruled that Gibraltar is not a region of the UK for tax purposes and can set its own taxes, but must not discriminate be-

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tween companies with Gibraltarian customers and outside ones. The exempt company will go, but a low 10% rate will apply to all (but with generous exemptions). This makes Gibraltar a credible and respectable tax residence, unlike some that are known to have dubious tax residents and are suspected of covering up illegal transactions, and western tax authorites will never believe that tax exiles actually live there. There continue to be no capital gains and inheritance taxes in Gibraltar.

Individuals wishing to establish residence, tax residence or domicile outside the UK should consider Gibraltar as a real alternative to the expensive tax havens. Various categories of employment, residence and tax resident status exist to suit a variety of circumstance, asset and income.

Paul de Beresford, a UK-qualified tax practitioner, a Gibraltar resident who has worked for Gibraltar’s largest law firm and was before, for several years, a tax partner of a Top-20 City firm in London, is offering his services in semi-retirement. He can be contacted best by email beresford@gibtelecom. net or at his Main Street office (by appointment), on +350 200 400 93 or +350 54004414 or from the UK on 020 8144 1249 (which diverts to Gibraltar at his expense).

EU Funding Website The EU Programmes Secretariat has launched a website covering all aspects of EU Funding in Gibraltar under the current EU Co- Funded Programmes. The website has been produced in collaboration with the Government of Gibraltar and the European Commission.

The website, www.eufunding.gi also provides background info on previous Programmes in which Gibraltar has participated. It is co-financed by the technical assistance budget under the auspices of the Gibraltar ERDF Competitiveness and Employment Objective 2007-2013 Programme.

Potential applicants for EU Funding can view the Q&A page for comprehensive information on how to successfully apply for these Funds as well as information in respect of project implementation and completion.

Copies of the relevant application forms can also be downloaded from the site.

For any further queries on EU Funding please contact the EU Funding Advisor Desiree Viagas 200 73255 or email: dtibusiness@gibtelecom.net. n

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21/2/09 14:23:58

Health & Safety at work:

ignore it at your peril

by Selwyn Figueras Isolas

business

Over the course of the last few decades there has been an increasing emphasis on the importance and development of health and safety at work doctrine. As a small business owner/entrepreneur employing staff, you will ignore or disregard your responsibilities in this regard at your peril.

The requirements of health and safety law have been developed and have taken on their crucial significance in recent times as a result of a number of high profile health and safety related cases in the UK and growing pressure on employers to take better care of their employees. The rules and regulations cover, in some detail, the majority of workplace environments, providing employers with a source of guidance (requirements, actually) in relation to the health and safety of their workforces.

So what are your responsibilities? Employers and employees alike are expected to participate in the advancement of health and safety procedures in the workplace. Employers are subject to a wide range of responsibilities based on the concept of identifying hazards and then developing processes and systems to help minimize the risk represented by it. Minimum breaks for employees during the working day; equipment that’s suitable and safe to use for the job at hand; the establishment of policies and procedures for the creation and maintenance of, say, an incident record and having first aiders in the organization. In addition to designing and implementing these health and safety systems, employers are required to ensure that adequate training is given to all staff in health and safety generally, as well as specific training for the use of specific

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equipment for use in a particular job/process.

The general responsibility to implement, maintain and review systems designed to protect the workforce in a relevant and practical manner is key to the successful adoption of health and safety doctrine. As far as employees are concerned, their observance of the procedures and systems put in place by the employer is crucial if the policies of the company/business are to be effectively applied. Requiring, for example, employees to wear protective footwear on a construction site and providing the relevant equipment is about as far as a company can go in its efforts to protect its workforce. The second part of the equation requires that the employees themselves take it upon themselves to observe these requirements. As the saying goes, you

Employers and employees alike are expected to participate in the advancement of health and safety procedures in the workplace

can take a horse to water but you can’t make it wear protective eyewear, or something like that! The training programmes put in place by the employers will, of course, help bring the employees on board with the company’s health and safety policies.

There are many examples of the reach of health and safety law one of which is the significant developments in recent years of the regulations regarding the use of visual display units (‘VDUs’). Many businesses nowadays require their employees to sit in front of computers for long periods every day, a process which, while sedentary and, at first glance, a low-risk activity, constitutes a number of hazards for the workforce requiring assessment and treatment to minimize the risk of injury to the employees.

The benefits of having a comprehensive health and safety policy in place at the workplace are varied and can include an improved safety record leading to less absenteeism, a happier and more productive workforce and a reduced risk of prosecution by both authorities or, indeed, aggrieved employees. Quite apart from the protection of a business’s most important assets, its employees, a sensible and comprehensive health & safety policy in the workplace will help to safeguard the interests of your business as a whole. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

21/2/09 14:29:04

isolas-silverlining-gibmag

5/2/09

13:47

Page 1

www.gibraltarlawyers.com

In times like these it’s easy to miss the silver lining.

If you’re struggling to see it and need some help finding a new direction, ISOLAS can help bring the big picture into focus For further information contact: ISBU@isolas.gi Portland House Glacis Road PO Box 204 Gibraltar Tel +350 200 78363 www.gibraltarlawyers.com

regulation

time for an EU banking regulator

?

by Marcus Killick

Following the series of regulatory failures in the supervision of banks over the last 18 months the issue of a single European wide regulator for the banking sector and possibly other elements of the financial industry have been raised. Lady Cohen, the chairwoman of a British parliamentary committee on European financial regulation, recently asked Lord Myners, minister for the City of London: “Is there a need for an EU-wide supervisory body?”

Is such a development desirable, and, if so is it possible?

Advocates for a single regulator do have some superficial arguments in their favour.

As we have seen, much of the banking industry is international in nature. Failures by national regulators to adequately supervise or to cooperate effectively with each other have exacerbated the problems and caused difficulties in other jurisdictions. A single regulator would therefore better allow banks to be seen in a more holistic way and so become better scrutinised. Similarly a single set of regulations would make compliance easier.

However, common international standards do exist. There are already a number of EU Directives which set out the way in which banks are regulated. Indeed in the wake of the crisis Brussels has brought forward legislative proposals to enhance the way cross-border banks are supervised and to strengthen rules

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on what capital they must hold. Therefore, provided there is a mechanism for consistently applying these rules, there is no reason supervision cannot be undertaken by national rather than supranational regulators Additionally, if experience is anything to go

A regime which catered to the needs of 25 countries would be much less responsive to the unique requirements of an individual financial centre, be it Gibraltar or London

by, a single EU banking regulator is likely to be cumbersome and bureaucratic. A regime which catered to the needs of 25 countries would be much less responsive to the unique requirements of an individual financial centre, be it Gibraltar or London, and could, as a result, potentially cause much damage to some centres It is true that within the Europe Union, a bank established in one jurisdiction can freely establish a branch or provide services in another. Under this mechanism, known as “passporting”, the regulator in the country where the bank was established (known as the “home regulator”) is primarily responsible for much of the bank’s supervision, whilst the regulator in the jurisdiction where the branch is located (“host regulator”) has a much more limited role. In Gibraltar several of our banks are passported from the UK The UK FSA have argued that the Icelandic

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

21/2/09 14:33:06

regulation bank crisis has shown that, such passporting, which allow banks to raise retail deposits in another member state are “untenable”, and that either more national powers over local operations, or more European-wide approaches are required.

However none of these require the establishment of a single European banking supervisor. Failures to cooperate within a regulator also can exist and the risk of this would be exacerbated in one operating across national boundaries and in several languages. Indeed there is no guarantee it would deliver any better quality of supervision. Surely a better solution is one where the ability to cooperate between agencies is enhanced, such cooperation may have failed on occasion but it has been successful on far more.

There are also several other major threats to the success of any pan European banking supervisor. Firstly it would be a retreat from the unitary model of regulator that has proved its worth. Under the unitary model a single regulator is responsible for the supervision of the whole of the finance sector, from banking to investments to insurance. Given the fact that many banks operate in these other sectors as well, stripping out one are of supervision and placing it in a pan European agency, far from allowing a more holistic view of the bank actually splinters that view.

Instead a range of different safeguards can be put in place to deal with the failure of cross-border banks. Indeed in November 2008, the Chancellor of the Exchequer wrote to the European Commission with some proposals

including: consumers of the limits of deposit insurance.

• The restriction of branch passporting rights and the requirement that retail deposit gathering be conducted through fully • Host country to have powers requiring encapitalised subsidiaries supervised by the gagement by the home country on continhost-country regulator. gency planning and resolution options.

• Host countries’ supervisory powers to Another strengthening would be the formalconduct a whole bank assessment and to ising of supervisory colleges where regulators refuse local branches the right to operate if work together to supervise the large cross not satisfied. border banks. This would enable the colleges to include non-EU regulators such as the US • European-wide processes to assess the ef- and would improve communication between fectiveness of home-country supervision regulators. Disputes between supervisors of those banks wanting to conduct retail would be settled by the Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS). business in other member countries.

The British Bankers’ Association is par• Cross-European requirements for pre- ticularly keen on a stronger role for CEBS funded and ring-fenced deposit insurance, and closer co-ordination with CEIOPS (the combined with more overt warnings to insurance and pension’s version of CEBS) too, given the close links between many banks and insurers.

“They’ve got to have more power, more resources and a set of duties,” says Angela Knight, Chief Executive of the British Bankers’ Association. “We need to find the best possible way of regulators working together and being co-ordinated. Well? Let’s use what we’ve got and shape it to the new requirements.”

We live in an unparalleled environment; regulators have to work more closely and to higher standards with more robust supervision. By focusing on a solution involving the creation of a single pan European agency is more likely to be a distraction not a solution. n

There are several other major threats to the success of any pan European banking supervisor. Firstly it would be a retreat from the unitary model of regulator that has proved its worth

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business

by Ray Jardine, Chairman, the Academy for Chief Executives Gibraltar

The CEO: A Lonely Role Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) have a fundamentally lonely role.

Like me they are charged with the ultimate responsibility for the success of the organisation whether publicly quoted or not-for-profit.

And although they frequently have fellow Directors with whom they can share problems, there are some issues which cannot be raised with colleagues, perhaps when performance is lacking with other Directors, or when re-organisation threatens continued employment.

Of course another difficulty with “in house” colleagues might be that they usually have a vested interest in the outcome of one-to ones with the CEO. So who can the CEO turn to when they need to discuss current performance or the future of their organisation? Well in the past the Non-Executive Director (NED) who had usually been “round the block” a few times and had a wealth of experience to offer, was a useful sounding board for the CEO. But now it is harder for both CEO and NED as the legislation on corporate governance becomes more demanding. Frequently the sounding board role is very limited in scope and ultimately the NED is there to benefit the business not the CEO personally.

Where does the CEO turn to? Well many CEOs would see it as a weakness that they should turn to anyone. Some people find it difficult to ask for help and feel they should know how to run their organisations without support. But let’s unpack that.

1. Wherever the CEO began his or her career assuming they were not initially business ownermanagers, they were probably promoted for their technical competence in role rather than say their ability to manage people. This is not uncommon, I have worked in three organisations as an employee and probably 40 as a consultant and in my experience people are always promoted

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for their functional capability not their management ability. It is assumed management will be learned by experience. Unless the organisation or the individual takes responsibility for their development, then the manager is left with only the product of their own experience and watching how others manage. This of course applies to other aspects of managing a business apart from people.

2. Why are some people unable to ask for help?

What is weak about recognising you don’t know everything, have not experienced every scenario and other people’s experience and knowledge may add to yours for a better solution? However to some CEOs this might mean admission , not least to themselves, that they were not the paragons of perfection they should be.

3. The reality, especially in today’s economic climate, is no one knows for sure what is around the corner or whether they will have the skills to not

What is weak about recognising you don’t know everything, have not experienced every scenario and other people’s experience may add to yours?

only cope but thrive. Most commentators describe this recession as “uncharted” territory, some of us who are “longer in the tooth” remember the previous challenges thrown at us: Miner’s strikes, dotcom bubbles, Y2K, interest rate hikes, etc. etc.

The CEO has to do their very best to ameliorate the difficulties and plot a course to survive the recession and thereafter be ready to thrive. We all understand where the challenges are but are perhaps less sure where the support will be!

Many CEOs turn to a coach or mentor to offer them support and challenge in a structured way.

Coaches meet the need for a classic “sounding board” without the expense of a non-exec director and can be a lot easier to get rid of! Most coaches are trained formally and offer processes that enable the CEO to explore options, deal with issues and reduce the effect of self-limiting beliefs.

According to Zeus and Skiffington (2001) the main reasons Executives benefit from coaching is that the CEO is experiencing: 1. Problems with interpersonal relationships 2. Failure to meet business objectives 3. Failure to build and lead a high-performing team and 4. An inability to change or adapt to change during a transition.

Other issues that may arise are that Executives have few opportunities to receive continuing development, their personal development seldom gets priority and CEOs are often isolated from balanced, quality feedback.

The key issue when choosing a coach is personal chemistry. Development which benefits the individual and therefore ultimately the business or organisation is not a five minute job. If it was a quick fix the likelihood is the CEO would have done something about it already. But neither does it have to take a long time. Typically the coach will meet the CEO for a “chemistry test” meeting and then arrange a series, usually six regular meetings with the coach over the next few months. This enables the “coachee” to try the new behaviours agreed with the coach before the next coaching meeting.

Your coach should be qualified and accredited to an executive coaching organisation. Unfortunately there are many coaching organisations who engage in accrediting coaches and different levels of qualification so it’s difficult for the potential client to choose on these criteria. The coach needs to build trust and confidence with the coachee and the quality of this relationship will be key to allowing the CEO to speak in total confidence.

Despite my training and accreditation in executive coaching, I have a coach of my own, after all I am a CEO of a small business. The Academy for Chief Executives who I work with closely actively encourages us to use an experienced executive coach. My coach has provided me with copious amounts of support and even more challenge when I have needed it. Indeed his greatest success so far is in coaching me through the trials and tribulations of setting up a branch of The Academy in Gibraltar. He had invaluable experience in setting up an Academy branch in Northern Ireland.

As with most executive coaches, it is the quality of the questioning that makes him a success.

Also his skills are not limited to business and discussing personal matters with him has been very useful. n Ray Jardine is Chairman of the Academy for Chief Executives Gibraltar Tel: + 350 200 45936 email: ray.jardine@chiefexecutive.com www.chiefexecutive.com

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

21/2/09 14:33:14

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Get an idea of what we can offer you in the way of personal investment advice on your terms.

Contact me today: Tessie Bishop tel. +350 200 59222 tessie@jyskebank.gi

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Jyske Bank (Gibraltar) Limited 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. 0901_Gibraltar_Magazine_Dictionary_Tessie.indd 1

07-01-2009 09:09:07

business news

The Corporate Resources team

HR GO PLC Recruits in Gibraltar National recruitment group HR GO plc is delighted to announce the acquisition of Corporate Resources Ltd, a company based in Gibraltar that recruits personnel for a wide range of industries including, on-line gaming, banking and financial institutions, legal and accountancy practices and construction.

Following the death of Mrs Sue Nellist, founder and managing director of Corporate Resources Ltd, HR GO plc has acquired the company from her husband. Corporate Resources Ltd will continue to trade under its own name for the foreseeable future.

Part of the planned international expansion of HR GO plc, the new acquisition fits well along side its Spanish joint venture, HR GO Malaga, that also operates in the Gibraltar recruitment market.

CHARLES GOMEZ& COMPANY

Chairman of HR GO plc, Jack Parkinson, comments: “Corporate Resources Ltd is a well established recruitment company with an excellent reputation built up over ten years. This will create opportunities both in Gibraltar and in Spain”.

The on-line gaming industry employs about 1800 people in Gibraltar and after a slump in 2006 with the enactment of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Act in the USA, the industry has now recovered and provides a lively market

for recruitment. A number of British companies have also taken advantage of the high-quality telecommunications available in Gibraltar to create a sizeable offshore banking industry adding to the demand for highly skilled employees. n HR GO plc is one of the top 55 recruitment companies in the UK. The business turns over circa £90 million and employs approximately 500 permanent staff nationally. For further information on HR GO plc please visit www.hrgo.co.uk and for Corporate Resources Ltd please visit www.gibresources.com.

Barristers & Acting Solicitors C o m m i ss i o n e r s f o r o a t h s c o n ta c t u s : P o b o x 6 5 9 , 5 S e c r e t a r y ’s L a n e , G i b r a l t a r Te l : + 3 5 0 2 0 0 7 4 9 9 8 F a x : + 3 5 0 2 0 0 7 3 0 7 4 email: charles@gomezco.gi w e b s i t e : w w w. g o m e z c o . g i

C l e a r Simple Legal Advice 20

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by Mark Maloney, Managing Director of Gibraltar Asset Management Limited

Investment Masterclass

Following on from our article last month, the economic climate has continued to deteriorate and interest rates are only expected to fall further. Whilst this is good news for borrowers, savers are suffering, particularly those retirees who are dependent upon their savings for income. However, there are still investments available offering 7% plus rates of interest which have been overly marked down along with the general stock market malaise.

Gibraltar Association of Stockbrokers and Investment Managers For information on the member firms of GASIM who provide investment and stockbroking services to private individuals, company managers, lawyers and accountants visit

www.gasim.gi

Permanent Interest Bearing Securities Permanent Interest Bearing Securities (PIBS) are deferred shares issued by building societies which are listed and traded on the London Stock Exchange.

As building societies are mutual organisations they cannot raise capital via a rights issue like a bank so issuing PIBS is a way of raising money without demutualising. Generally they have a fixed coupon and are irredeemable or callable at the issuer’s option. Often the coupon is reset to a floating rate if the call is not exercised. Holders of PIBS are actually members of the issuing building society from a legal perspective and are consequently entitled to voting rights. Where a former building society has been taken over or converted to a PLC, the PIBS are converted to perpetual subordinated bonds (PSBs), whose characteristics are similar to PIBS. Security: Building societies tend to be small, conservatively-run concerns and thus are less risky than their listed brethren. They do not have to contend with a falling share price, potentially causing a run on the bank which ensures their deposits remain fairly constant even during turbulent times.

Interest: Interest is paid gross semi-annually, but only available after payments have been made on ordinary savings accounts. Payments cannot be made if it would mean that the society would breach its capital adequacy requirements. It is possible to choose a range of PIBS so that you receive a regular income throughout the year.

Undated: Most PIBS are irredeemable, though some can be redeemed at a pre-set price (usually par value) on a specific date. Like undated gilts, the prices of PIBS tend to be more sensitive to movements in interest rates than bonds with a fixed redemption date. Yields are mainly affected by the perceived standing of the society in terms of financial robustness rather than the fact whether they are callable.

Dealing: PIBS & PSBs can only be dealt in round amounts, varying from 1,000 shares up to 50,000. They are dealt for standard T+3 settlement, clean of interest. This means that the accrued interest is settled separately, as it is with bonds.

Taxation: No stamp duty is payable on purchases and interest is paid gross (without the deduction of basic rate tax), but UK taxpayers can negate the liability by holding them in an

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December 2008

investment

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

21/2/09 14:39:37

finance

by Sonia Golt

“All banks strive to attract business to Gibraltar and we need to ensure that we are competitive as a jurisdiction” will run for a two-year period.

“We have areas of influence and areas of concern. These are unprecedented times for many industries, including banking,” he added.

“Within the GBA, we will aim to focus on providing support to the Finance Centre and maintain healthy communication on banking matters within the association.

“All banks strive to attract business to Gibraltar and we need to ensure that we are competitive as a jurisdiction.”

Thomas first arrived here in 1993 and even though he was away for two years, he returned.

Does he think Gibraltar is a good place to do business?

“I have always enjoyed working in Gibraltar and appreciate the close relationships we have with the Finance Centre, the regulator, intermediaries and other finance industry professionals,” he explained, adding of his professional role: “At Credit Suisse in Gibraltar, 52 highly committed colleagues from more than 15 different countries manage our relationships with high net worth individuals from all over the world. Our clients require tailored and sometimes complex investment solutions. We have been very successful in Gibraltar over the last four years with significant growth in assets and revenues.”

How can we weather the worldwide crisis here in Gibraltar?

“The times are financially difficult in many Credit Suisse (Gibraltar) Limited Managing Director, Mr. Thomas Westh Olsen — new industries. We all need to remain focused, dediPresident of the Gibraltar Banker’s Association cated and diligent in securing the success of the jurisdiction. I am also very focused on growing the business for Credit Suisse in Gibraltar.”

Mr. Westh Olsen is a member of the Europe, Middle East and Africa Management team within the Credit Suisse Private Banking Division. His previous role of ten years was with Jyske Bank Private Banking in Gibraltar, and Thomas established a new Private Banking office for Jyske Bank in France.

His career began in Copenhagen in Commercial Banking and that was the stepping-stone to other management positions in Scandinavia, Germany and France. He graduated from Copenhagen Business School and obtained an MBA “The banking environment has dominated my life since the end of in Finance from the Heriot-Watt University, the 1980s. Some might say I’m a bit of a workaholic as even when Edinburgh.

I read, I pick up books on leadership and management, although Thomas is now happy living in Gibraltar and he has three children who were born locally I also read biographies on exciting personalities that interest me.” during his 16 years on the Rock.

— The words of this year’s newly elected President of the Gibraltar “I enjoy quality time with my family. The children occupy a lot of our time through homeBanker’s Association, current Credit Suisse (Gibraltar) Limited work, reading, and sports like football, paddle, Managing Director, Mr. Thomas Westh Olsen. tennis, skiing, dance and ballet for the youngest. I also enjoy outdoor activities and every “This association has always been very well closely with the GFSC and ensure a professional autumn I cycle to the top of Sierra Nevada from run and has excellent support from local banks,” banking environment operates throughout the Granada. When time permits, I play a game of Thomas states. “We will aim to work more jurisdiction,” he said of his presidency which paddle or golf.” n

Banking on the new President

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

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April 2009

interview

by Frankie Hatton

Subjects are varied on most people’s lips over the morning’s first coffee in the Piazza. One man is often the centre of these topical discussions — either taking the blame or the acclaim. He provokes more reaction and discussion than the 2002 referendum, in fact probably more than his second referendum in 2006 on the constitution. Whatever your political viewpoint, and he’s been part of a few of them over the past 13 years, there is no denying his tenure has changed the face of Gibraltar more than any previous Chief Minister’s.

With a record breaking fourth term in office under his belt Peter Richard Caruana is either your nemesis, your champion or, for us at Gibraltar Magazine, simply this month’s profile.

Born in Gibraltar of Maltese descent he still lives in the family home in Irish Town. His father was a tailor; in fact the shop was taken over by his brother and has only recently closed with Oasis now occupying the Main Street site. His mother didn’t work per se but had the task of bringing up three sons and four daughters.

Peter Caruana’s early life was much like many others, starting his education here in Gibraltar at the Christian Brothers School.

“School was both enjoyable at times and hell.

I remember the spelling lessons we had every week given by Brother Ross,” he recalled, “if you got one wrong he gave you a leather strap. You can’t imagine such methods now.”

After that he attended Grace Dieu Manor preparatory school in Loughborough and public school at Ratcliffe College in Leicester.

“I then took a gap year,” he said, “although unlike today the gap year wasn’t a holiday or travel I had a year’s work at Triay and Triay before I went to Queen Mary College London University and the Council of Legal Education in London.”

His childhood was much the same as most — school, play and home.

“When did you decide to be a barrister?” I asked.

“I never really did,” he replied. “I sort of

man on a mission 26

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interview drifted into it and in fact it is one of the problems facing young people having to decide too early on their career choice before growing into it.

“As a child I personally wanted to join the Merchant Navy. I could tell you the name of every ship military or otherwise that came past Gibraltar. I knew the ammunition, weapons they had, I could also name all the Shell and BP tanker fleets at the time I was a bit of a spotter. When the opportunity came to apply for a career, I did. Unfortunately one good eye meant I was medically unable to pursue it further.”

“What is the story of your eye?”

“I was born blind in one eye. It was caused by glaucoma and in fact I had it operated on when I was an infant by a surgeon called Sir Allen Goldsmith. He pioneered this kind of surgery and I was his first case of this kind. He had to actually invent some of the tools used for the ‘canaloplasty’.

“The operation was, for its time, a success and meant I could keep the eye, albeit blind.

But many years later it started to give me more problems and pain so I took the decision to have the eye removed, to be honest I’ve never looked back.”

I quickly looked at what he’d said.

“That was a pun,” he said smiling back at me.

I wondered how difficult it had been with one eye.

“Actually because I’ve never known any different I don’t have a problem with it. Whereas you see things and judge distances by triangulation I have learned distance through comparison. For example the chair there,” pointing to a chair, “is about two metres away but knowing that I can estimate that desk,” pointing across the room at his desk, “is five metres away. I was in the table tennis team at school and I was the 1st team goalkeeper for Ratcliffe College. In fact, even though I say so myself, I was a very good goalkeeper.

“I don’t believe the loss has ever hindered me in anyway apart from that medical for the Merchant Navy. As I said I then drifted into law via my gap year and ended up at Queen Mary, a college of which I am very proud to be an Honorary Fellow.”

He was called to the bar in both Gibraltar and the UK in 1979 and became Queen’s Counsel for Gibraltar in 1998.

“What happened after uni?” I asked.

“Well I came back to Gibraltar in 1979 and started work at Triay & Triay. I married my wife Cristina in 1982. We’ve had seven children but tragically we lost our eldest son in a horse riding accident in 1992.”

“That is sad. Does it still affect you both now?”

“Well naturally the passing of time means you get on with life and learn to live with things but it is hard not to let it affect you or your actions.

The biggest problem is stopping yourself from restricting the other children out of fear that something may happen to them. A natural thing but very claustrophobic for the children and something we try to avoid doing no matter what our personal thoughts.

“Of course, it affects the way you look at the future within the family and in dealings with other people you empathise more but you have to get on with things.”

So he settled into life as a barrister and the

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trend with our CM people tell me, is he doesn’t do things by half. He throws himself completely into work becoming expert at it. He started in the area of Real Estate getting to grips with that before moving onto Criminal Law and his own particular forte, Shipping Law. There it seems our story would have ended, husband, father, barrister and a comfortable existence in this place, in his words, ‘that he loves.’

“Chief Minister, are you telling me that as far as you were concerned you were happy, content and doing your job?”

“Yes, as I said I fell into law but I enjoyed it, I was earning a comfortable living and Cristina and I were happy with our lot if you like.”

“Then I assume following what is said about you these days you had this urge for power and politics?”

He looked at me a little exasperated. “Don’t believe everything they put in the papers. I had absolutely no interest in politics beyond what everybody else has. Of course there were things I agreed and disagreed about but politics was for other people. To this day I still think we spend too much time thinking about politics — the press has more ‘politics’ in it than stories.

“One day Peter Montegriffo rang me up and said he was forming a new party called the GSD. He asked me for help in setting it up and to be a part of the executive. I had no personal aspirations whatsoever to stand as a politician but it was an interesting proposal so I decided to lend my thoughts. Unfortunately about a year after forming the party Peter had to stand down so the GSD were leaderless and we had a meeting to discuss the way forward.

“Now I’ll tell you where I was. I was, in my opinion, the third back room boy who was far

“

Of course, it affects the way you look at the future within the family and in dealings with other people you empathise more but you have to get on with things

”

and away from thinking about leadership of a political party. My involvement seemed to rapidly increase but only at the urging of the executive. Things changed when, like others at the meeting, I expected a natural leader to come forward following Peter’s withdrawal. After all the to and fro it came down to a simple statement from the majority at the meeting. Either I take over the leadership or we shut down the party.

“Given we were shouting from the rooftops as to what Gibraltar should be like and I was so against giving up, I was in effect cajoled into taking over in 1990. Peter resigned his seat in the House of Assembly and for the GSD I fought and won the first ever contested by-election in May 1991. That’s how I got started.”

His mood became reflective as he continued.

“But after that euphoric start the GSLP wiped the floor with us in the General Election of 1992 getting 73% of the vote to our 20.2% — that still gave us seven seats in the house of Assembly but as a politician it was the loneliest time and the loneliest job.

“We still had people willing to back us financially but Gibraltar being how it was back then they would pay us for adverts in our newssheets but ask us not to print the advert because of the association. Still we rallied, 1996 happened and history is history.”

We’d stumbled into areas I was curious about, having read much about Peter Caruana and having heard opinions on him, so I decided to forge ahead with the things I wanted to ask.

“Chief Minister, I don’t want to do too much politics but I have a couple of questions I hear a lot on the streets, if I may. Firstly, at the National Day celebrations in 2007 some fool threw a beer can towards you, did that have any bearing on you changing the way National Day was in 2008?”

He replied smiling, “I thought they were throwing it at someone behind me! The easy answer is no it didn’t. The majority of people are fantastic on National Day, one beer can doesn’t change the fact that after 13 years and four elections no one has been unpleasant to me or my family which says a lot for the kind of people we are as Gibraltarians.

“I still do my Tuesday clinics and anyone can make an appointment to see me I’m very open, in fact, it is one of the most enjoyable things being able to reach out of the system and help people instead of being locked away like in other countries.”

“What about the label you have of being controlling, a dictator if you like?”

He smiled at me again, “This is another myth about me the press love writing. I’m head of the government and as such I need to see what is going on within the government. I don’t have time to watch every Minister and check every decision. On the whole the Ministers are left to run their departments as they see fit. If they need to make a decision that will cost money they have to run that past the Finance Minister, which is me, so then I get involved.

“I am methodical — perhaps it is a lawyer’s trait— I check things, and detail is my forte but in the end the GSD have a great team of Ministers and that’s the way it operates.”

“One of the other things bothering people is the border queue, do you really pick up the

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interview phone and ring Spain?”

“Yes I do. We have agreements and in fairness at the political level they are committed to follow them. Fact 1 is that the border is a Shengen external border. This is because the UK and therefore Gibraltar by association is not part of Shengen.

Fact 2 is that we are outside the EU Customs/ VAT area. These facts mean that passports and customs controls are required by EU law. That’s not the problem; the problem is that there just isn’t enough capacity or resources down there for the amount of people driving through.

“It is these facts I cannot change, it is frustrating but I still think things are far better than they were. It actually takes longer to get through immigration at Heathrow.”

To be fair I nodded in agreement at that one although I’m sure next time I’m at the frontier I’ll still have a whinge to myself.

“What about you standing down before the next election is that a possibility? The last election was very close, if you thought you couldn’t get a fifth term for the GSD would you step down?”

“No I would never step down simply to avoid a defeat. As a politician you have to let the people decide what they want. If my party wanted me to stand down I would. As far as defeat is concerned this is no shame in a democracy. It is an important part of the process.

“At the next election the people will decide whether the alternative to the GSD is better for Gibraltar. I don’t think people will want to change just for the sake of it and risk all the progress we have made. Running a Government is a serious business and the GSD are still the party with the vision for a successful Gibraltar, and a proven ‘safe pair of hands’. There does not seem to be any credible or attractive alternative vision on offer.”

“Can you sum up what you want to see happen over the next few years and what you feel you want to achieve before you consider the job done?”

“For me the good things have been transforming and modernising Gibraltar, defending our sovereignty and political rights as people and shaping such a successful economy, and of course, the new Constitution. The recent tax judgement was a wonderful decision for us too. Other things like the transformation of the Health Centre, the new hospital, new buses and the leisure centre — people forget how things used to be.

“As for ambition I want to see through all the projects we’ve started including the building projects and the car park projects. I also believe

“

Childline Gibraltar

blue day

Childline Gibraltar is holding its Blue Day charity day on 13th March 2009. All schools, workplaces and, in fact, the whole of Gibraltar is expected to get involved.

Just wearing something blue is enough to support the cause as the aim is to raise awareness and support within the local community. If you’d like to arrange a “Blue” fundraising event, contact Childline on 200 43503 or info@childline.gi to get involved.

Government Schools

Enrolments for September 2009

that it is the obligation of every Gibraltar leader to try bring about a resolution of the sovereignty dispute, on terms acceptable to Gibraltar.”

“Okay, last one on politics. If you ever do stand down what are you going to do? Retire?

Play golf?”

“To be honest I couldn’t retire yet. A Chief Minister, now, gets well paid but if I had stayed as a lawyer I could have been earning three or even four times the salary of the Chief Minister. Even after that lottery win I’d need to carry on working but I don’t know at what.

In any event I plan to keep my present one!” A wry smile came over him at that line.

Hopefully you found out something about our CM you didn’t know until now. However in January there was only one thing on everyone’s mind. “Ah yes the lottery win, have you spent it yet?” I asked.

He looked like he’d been asked that a thousand times since Christmas.

“Anyone who knows me knows when it comes to money I look after it whether its mine or the public purse. I will let you into a little secret though. I do enjoy playing golf when I can but I was becoming the butt of the jokes when people saw my 23 year old golf clubs. So I confess to finally splashing out on a new set of Taylor Maid golf clubs. Nice, modern, latest technology, the only trouble is I’m not sure they’ll help bring my handicap down.” n

Children born between 1st September 2004 and 31st August 2005 and whose parents are ordinarily resident in Gibraltar should be registered to start school on 1st September 2009.

Parents are requested to register their children as soon as possible at the office of the Department of Education & Training, 23 Queensway, between 9am and 1pm and 2.30pm and 4.30pm - Mondays to Fridays .

A long version of the child’s birth certificate is ESSENTIAL. Evidence of residence in Gibraltar, e.g. ID Card/Permit of Residence is required. A local utility bill may also be required.

Please note that children currently attending Government nurseries should also be registered.

For me the good things have been transforming and modernising Gibraltar, defending our sovereignty and political rights as people and shaping such a successful economy

” www.thegibraltarmagazine.com read it online!

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history

by Reg Reynolds

Brahms&Liszt in Gibraltar My quest was a simple one. I knew the Hungarian composer Franz Liszt had visited Gibraltar because he had written letters to family and friends from there.

But I could find no record of the great pianist giving a performance. Had he? And if he had where would he have performed — the Theatre Royal, the Convent, or possibly the Garrison Library?

I took myself off to the self same Library where the always friendly and accommodating Lorna Swift handed me the Gibraltar Chronicles for 1845 and a pair of white gloves to protect the pages while I flipped through them.

And there it was, on 4th March, 1845 an announcement for a performance by a Mr. F Liszt.

The Chronicle was a very staid paper in those days and there was no hoopla or fanfare accompanying the small advertisement on the last page of the four-page paper, which simply stated: Concert by Mr F Liszt In the Mess House of Royal Artillery kindly given up for the occasion.

1st 1. Overture of Gullermo Tell, solo Mr. Liszt.

2. Air sung by Mr. Ciabatti.

3. Fantasia on some parts of ‘La Norma’, Mr Liszt.

2nd 1. Invitation to a Waltz of Weber, Mr. Liszt.

2. Air sung by Mr. Ciabatti.

3. Hungarian melodies, Mr. Liszt.

4. The Chromati Galop, Mr. Liszt.

Tickets were £2 and available at the Club House Hotel or at the Mess Room itself.

I scoured the Chronicle pages for the days following the concert but there was no mention of how Mr. F. Liszt and his music were received — no interviews, no reviews. In fact he isn’t mentioned in the paper again. Which is quite astonishing when you consider at the time Liszt was the most famous musician in the world.

One modern reviewer describes Liszt as “…the most celebrated performer of his day, a phenomenal virtuoso pianist. He was the mediadarling who manipulated the press to enhance his reputation and was adored by the public, the ladies in particular.”

The Franz Liszt Page on the internet reports: “Numerous reviews highly praised his achievements, as he was the first superstar adored by the masses, and probably no other composer in history received as much media attention in their lifetime.”

Well, to our loss, he didn’t have much success with the Chronicle.

Those Gibraltar residents lucky enough to get tickets to the concert would have been in for a treat of a lifetime. What a thrill it must have been to hear Liszt opening with the William Tell

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history Overture (Rossini), better known to my generation as the opening theme for the Lone Ranger radio and television series.

When Liszt arrived in Gibraltar he was five years into a grand tour that would take him all over Europe and to parts of the Middle East.

Liszt was a very generous person and one reason for embarking on the tour was to raise funds for a Beethoven memorial and for the Hungarian National School of Music. He also gave generously to the building fund of Cologne Cathedral, the establishment of a Gymnasium at Dortmund, and the construction of the Leopold Church in Pest. There were also private donations to hospitals, schools and charitable organisations such as the Leipzig Musicians Pension Fund.

Liszt would often perform three or four times a week and it is believed that during the tour he gave more than 1,000 concerts.

The day before the Gibraltar concert Liszt wrote to his friend, the poet Franz Von Schuber: “My incredibly wretched connection with _____ * [see end of story] has perhaps indirectly contributed more than anything to my Spanish-Portuguese tour. I have no reason to regret having come, although my best friends tried to dissuade me from it. Sometimes it seems to me that my thoughts ripen and that my troubles grow prematurely old under the bright and penetrating sun of Spain.”

On the day after the concert he wrote to his nine-year-old daughter Blandine: “Dear child, “I shall not be seeing you as soon as I should so dearly like to, for my travels will of necessity

have to drag on. The best consolation for the sorrow this causes me is the one you are giving me by applying yourself to your schoolwork and your progress, as I have been very pleased to learn from my mother, Madame Bernard and M. Massart. Nor am I for my part, you can be certain, sparing myself either work or pains to ensure that your name will one day give you a right to the respect and goodwill of those who will know you. Continue in this way, dear child; grow and fortify yourself through your heart and your intelligence. Later, you will reap the fruits of a good education and will bring into my life the greater part of its happiness.

“So far as music is concerned, Spanish folksongs and the guitar are giving me enormous enjoyment, especially when the songs are sung by some blind man — a very frequent occurrence in Spain where, in general, blind people are made use of more than elsewhere. At the Escorial it is a blind man who acts as your guide — and what a guide! There is no cattle-shed, no painting, no historic spot which he does not point out to you with the most scrupulous accuracy! In Madrid,

During the long voyage “from Lisbon to Barcelona we emptied I cannot tell you how many bottles of sherry in your honour and glory

”

in the theatre and the balls, you find parties of blind men who perform for you fandangos, boleros and jotas, whose modulations make your hair stand on end!

“Are you still cultivating the little bit of garden I knew? I should very much like to send you some beautiful flowers from Spain, but they would spoil on the journey, and the most beautiful of them would freeze in your flowerbed. As I want you to remember my name-day, however, I shall ask Grandmama to send you some rose-bushes on 2 April.

“Farewell, dear child; pray for me, and may Heaven’s blessings always be with you.”

Liszt was a heavy drinker as can be attested from another letter he wrote to his friend and muse, the writer George Sand: “During the long voyage from Lisbon to Barcelona we emptied I cannot tell you how many bottles of sherry in your honour and glory.”

I would take that statement to indicate there is every likelihood the world’s greatest pianist of his age, and quite possibly of all time, got ‘Brahms and Liszt’ at Gibraltar.

From Gibraltar the ‘Grand Tour’ continued to Malaga, Granada and Barcelona and by 15th April Liszt was in Marseilles. The tour would continue until 1848 when Liszt retired from concert life to concentrate on teaching. He died of pneumonia in 1886 aged 75. n *Author’s note: Liszt left this space blank but it was probably a reference to his married mistress Countess Marie d’Agoult. She was the mother of his two children, Blandine and Daniel, but the couple had fallen out before he embarked on tour.

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history

by Reg Reynolds son Governor of Gibraltar Ma Minister MacFarlane with Prime raltar Winston Churchill in Gib

Gibraltar Governor wanted a shot at Hitler Valkyrie the new movie starring Tom Cruise is the true story of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg’s failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler. It wouldn’t have been necessary if Sir Noel MasonMacfarlane had had his way.

Mason-Macfarlane, Governor of Gibraltar from May 1942 to February 1944, was the British Military Attache in Berlin in April 1938, when he seriously contemplated shooting Hitler. A Lieutenant-General at the time, Mason-Mac had observed the annexation of Czechoslovakia and the Nazi’s massive military build-up. The idea of ridding the world of Adolf Hitler and thereby, perhaps of saving Europe and the world from war was never far from his mind.

In his book The Life of Sir General Noel MasonMacfarlane Ewan Butler wrote: “The windows of Mason-Mac’s drawing-room overlooked the Charlottenburger Chausse, which ran from the Siegassaule, the gilded column which commemorated the war of 1870-1, eastward to the Brandenburg Gate.

As we looked at the workmen who were busily hanging swastika banners on the shoddy

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plywood columns which now flanked this triumphal avenue, in anticipation of Hitler’s Birthday Parade [April 20th], Mason-Mac pointed towards the saluting-base from which the Fuhrer was graciously to accept the homage of his Armed Forces. ‘Easy rifle-shot,’ he said laconically. ‘I could pick the bastard off from here as easy as winking, and what’s more I’m thinking of doing it’.”

A winner of three Military Crosses in World

War I Mason-Macfarlane was an excellent shot and in all probability would have been able to carry the assassination off. One can only imagine what the repercussions would have been and how the fate of the world would have been altered.

Mason-Mac openly discussed the assassination attempt with Butler, who at the time was the Berlin correspondent for the Times.

While agreeing that killing Hitler would be a blessing to mankind Butler dissuaded him from taking action.

“Think of the backlash when they discovered that he’s been potted by a British Officer!” exclaimed Butler.

“Oh, I know. There’d be hell to pay, of course, and I’d be finished in every sense of the word,” replied Mason-Mac. “Still, I doubt if they’d declare war, and with that lunatic out of the way we might be able to get some sense into things!”

“It’s certainly an idea,” responded Butler.

“Yes, bloody awful one of course, but I would be prepared to do it if worst came to the worst.”

Unfortunately worst did come to worst and Hitler survived numerous attempts to kill him, many, like Mason-Mac, he wasn’t even aware of.

Stauffenberg came the closest to success.

Initially the respected war hero who was the only conspirator with ready access to the upper echelon of the Nazis hoped to kill Hitler, Goering and Himmler. But when he was unable to meet the three together at the same time he devised the plan to blow up Hitler in the summer of 1944 during a military strategy session in the Wolf’s Lair.

Stuaffenberg planted a bomb in a briefcase and put it under a conference table near Hitler.

He was driving out of the compound when the explosion happened and he was convinced no one in the room could have survived. What he didn’t know was that after he had excused himself from the room another officer had moved the briefcase. Although four people were killed and almost all the survivors were injured, Hitler himself was shielded from the blast by a heavy, solid-oak leg of the conference table and was only slightly wounded.

Stauffenberg and a co-conspirator named Haeften drove to the nearby airfield and flew to Berlin. On arrival in the capitol, still believing that Hitler was dead, Stauffenberg mobilized his friends to initiate the second phase: the military coup against the Nazi leaders.

But when Goebbels announced on radio that Hitler had survived and after Hitler himself spoke on state radio, the conspirators realised the coup had failed.

They were tracked to their Bendlerstrasse offices and overpowered after a brief shoot-out, during which Stauffenberg was wounded in

“There’d be hell to pay, of course, and I’d be finished in every sense of the word. Still, I doubt if they’d declare war, and with that lunatic out of the way we might be able to get some sense into things!”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

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history the shoulder. That same night he was executed by firing squad. In that sense Stauffenberg was lucky as many of his co-conspirators (including his brother Berthold), after a derisory show trial, were hung from meat hooks by piano wire and slowly strangled to death.

We now know von Stauffenberg originally planned to place two bombs in the briefcase.

But due to his physical disabilities (he had lost his right hand and had only three fingers on his left), using specially-adapted pliers and working hurriedly in a wooden hut he was only able to arm one of them before being called to the meeting.

Recent tests, in similar conditions to those in the Lair conference room at the time, have shown that if both bombs had exploded Hitler would almost certainly have been killed.

Claus Von Stauffenberg was born in 1907 and joined the army in 1926. He married in 1933 and fathered five children. His wife Nina lived to be 92 and died on 2nd April 2006.

As a tank commander with the 6th Panzer Division he took part in the invasions of Poland and France and was awarded the Iron Cross First Class. As the war progressed, Stauffenberg, a firm nationalist but a practicing Catholic, grew repugnant of Nazi policies, particularly the mass execution of Poles, Russians, Ukranians and Jews. In 1942 he joined a resistance group in the Wehrmacht, the only force with any hope of overcoming Hitler’s fanatic loyalists in the Gestapo and the SS. In 1943 Stauffenberg was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and sent to North Africa to join

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the 10th Panzer Division. At the battle of Kasserine Pass he was strafed by British fighters and severely wounded, losing his left eye, his right hand and three fingers on his left hand.

In hospital he joked bravely that he wouldn’t miss the fingers because he never knew what to with them when he had a full set.

After three months of hospitalization Stauffenberg returned to Berlin where he was made a training officer. This gave him the opportunity to plan the assassination attempt which would become known as the July 20 plot and would inspire the film Valkyrie.

As for me, I haven’t seen the movie yet; I’ll probably wait for it to come to television as I really can’t envision the shortish Tom Cruise realistically playing the part of a tall, authori-

Recent tests, in similar conditions to those in the Lair conference room at the time, have shown that if both bombs had exploded Hitler would almost certainly have been killed

von Stauffenberg

tarian Prussian officer.

In 1980, the German government established a memorial for the anti-Nazi resistance movement, the Bendlerstrasse was renamed the Stauffenbergstrasse. n

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The Art of Busking Whether creating balloon art or using slapstick comedy to draw a crowd, the busker is a unique type of performer who has been part of human culture for centuries. They owe their origins to the jesters and traveling minstrels who entertained Kings and Pharoahs and Middle Age Lords in years gone by.

Portrait by Prem Mahtani

Street scene 34

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Literally defined as a person who entertains in public places for money, a busker has no set skills.

They can juggle, eat fire, play music, ride a unicycle, or imitate a statue — among many other things.

As appreciation for a busker’s performance, spectators put coins in the performer’s hat.

Different places have different attitudes towards buskers. Whilst in some towns and cities they’re seen as a blot on the landscape, others open their doors to street artists and entertainers, even arranging festivals and competitions. www. buskercentral.com has an impressive list of busker festivals which take place worldwide from Singapore to Australia, Italy to Ireland and most places in between!

Busking comes in many shapes and forms, but anyone who entertains you as you walk down the street on your daily business must classed as a credit to the vibrance of city life.

Good busking is entertainment, and there’s an art to putting a smile on the face of people who are often rushing past on their way from A to B. Credit where credit is due, Gibraltar has more than its fare share of impromptu entertainment, and, thankfully for all, Gibraltar has a policy of tolerance to street artists, who have become part of our every day lives as we make our way through town.

Many artists are just passing through and come and go, whilst others seem to have become a longterm act to brighten our days and to add their touch of character to cosmopolitan Gibraltar. n

Paul Moody has been busking the streets of Gibraltar for the past 20 years. An animal lover who gets up at 7.30 every morning to tend to his day’s chores, he’s a busker out of choice. “I wouldn’t change this way of life for anything if I didn’t need to,” he commented as he strummed a chord on his well worn guitar. He has busked in several towns and cities around Spain, but tends to stay in Gibraltar now-a-days. “I’m really grateful to the people here, the whole attitude to buskers in Gibraltar is much more open than in some other towns I’ve been.”

You’ll find Paul somewhere along Main Street most days of the year with a cheerful smile whenever he lifts his head from his ’monica.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

21/2/09 15:20:52

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the

hard way Life

When Leslie Bruzon and Les Roberts decided to try to make a difference rather than talk about things going wrong in the world, they probably didn’t realise what an emotional as well as physical adventure they were embarking on.

The first initiative of the charity was the “Pound a Month Appeal” launched at the Caleta Hotel along with a GBC Radio Road-show, and they were amazed by the overwhelming response. In fact, funds started to come in so quickly, the charity suddenly had a bank balance and no set cause to put it to.

“It’s very difficult to decide where to direct your efforts at the start, as there are so many causes and we were set on making sure money raised in Gibraltar was gong direct to the cause chosen.

Eventually it was through a Swedish connection with a friend, Laif that we were introduced to a small group who were working with underprivileged kids in Tanzania.

We booked our flights and went to have a look,” Leslie told us.

It is an important point to note that all funds raised go direct to the AKIN projects. All volunteers pay their own way and take nothing from the charity’s kitty at all.

“This is fundamental for us,” Leslie continued. “If you are giving over your money to the trust of a charity, you need to be confident that it is spent on the cause you are

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supporting. One of the nice things about being a small charity is that we don’t need the overheads of larger organisations.”

Les Roberts was one of the founder members of Childline Gibraltar, and we asked why AKIN is looking to support causes abroad, rather than here at home.

“From the experience we’ve had with local charities and the generosity that Gibraltar has to these causes, there’s much being done in Gibraltar by many people doing incredible work. We felt it was the right thing to look at other situations abroad, and raise the local awareness to some of the problems children endure in other countries.”

The Charity currently sponsor over 200 children in Sri Lanka,

India, Nepal and Tanzania where they are involved in an orphanage for 80 street kids and a leper colony with over 25 children there. One of the team members has recently set up a creche too in a project which has been developing over the last three years.

Leslie and other team members visit at least once a year, last November being their most recent trip.

“One evening we were travelling back to our base from the Leper colony late one night down a dusty track in the middle of no-where in pitch black, up ahead we saw a figure waving us down, and what looked like a bicycle and another figure on the ground,” explained Leslie.

“It wasn’t an ideal situation to stop — just in case — and prob-

As the lights from the jeep faded in the distance, they were shrouded in the pitch-black night, fumbling their way back to the colony from the middle of nowhere

ably more-so in Tanzania, but as we came closer we saw it was a woman at the side of the road, and we took the risk.”

It turned out the husband was taking his pregnant wife to hospital by bike and she had gone into labour on the side of the road. Leslie and the others helped her into the 4x4. The baby was born there in the jeep with them to assist.

“This is just one of the emotional experiences which have built our ties with the people from the area.

There are many sad and extreme situations, and it is both a privilege and humbling to be there and able to help.”

Their help didn’t end there.

The husband refused to leave the bike, a prized possession in a poor country, so Leslie and two others stayed behind to walk the bike back whilst their driver continued with the couple to hospital. As the lights from the jeep faded in the distance, they were shrouded in the pitchblack night, fumbling their way back to the colony from the middle of nowhere.

“The next day we went up to the hospital to make sure mother and

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business & finance profile charity baby were alright, but typical of the strength and will of the locals, they had already left and mother was back at home cooking and doing the chores as if nothing had happened,” Leslie concluded.

Many of the children and young people the charity sponsor have been chosen as the result of direct contact, chance meetings and realising a need, which lends and extremely personal aspect to the work of AKIN. An example would be Jeffa, a young lad who had just finished schooling and wanted to become a mechanic. The only way he could do this was to become apprentice to a garage.

“The way it works in Tanzania is that a company will take you on to teach you, but you must pay them whilst you are learning over a year or two year period. For families who have little or nothing, learning a trade is hardly ever an option,” said Leslie. “When we met Jeffa, we realised there was not just a need, but an opportunity for us to help him gain a qualification and a chance at changing the way he and his family could live. AKIN currently sponsors his apprenticeship, we make sure he has clothes and the right shoes and give him a small allowance so he can eat during the week when he is away in his new job.”

Because of the personal approach the organisation takes, they realise the importance of making sure the children they sponsor are using the funds, and goods which they are given, correctly. The regular team visits give them the opportunity to assess each situation to make sure their help is not being abused. But what differences do they see on their return visits?

Les Roberts told us of Barnabus, a young lad they met on one of their first visits: “The local school called us to ask if we could meet this boy whose parents had recently died and as such he had no funds to continue schooling. He was one of the brightest pupils and they really

The regular team visits give them the opportunity to assess each situation to make sure their help is not being abused didn’t want to lose him.

“When we met him, Barnabus seemed quite insecure and maybe daunted by our meeting, and from the short time we had with him we found we couldn’t refuse to help. The other problem he had was the two hour walk each way

to and from the school and he really wanted (and needed) to live in the school’s boarding facilities. We agreed to help with this too, and the next day he moved in.

“Last year, during one of our visits, he graduated and we went along to see how he was doing. He

seemed a different person. Happy, smiling and full of self confidence.

Yes, we do see a difference on each visit, and it’s this personal contact with seeing changes which we are privileged enough to be involved in which gives us the urge to continue.”

These are just a couple of the amazing situations they find on each visit, but the main aim of the charity is to help the children through school so they can aspire to be self-sufficient in the future.

In Tanzania, the schooling itself is free, but all children must have a uniform, which many families cannot afford. Akin supplies uniforms, shoes, books, and for many orphans pay their boarding so they can live in the school itself and where they are at least guaranteed one square meal a day.

The charity’s fund-raising activities come from various areas as well as the Pound-a-Month Appeal, including functions abroad, organised in places as diverse as Portugal and Hong Kong. Every penny raised goes directly to the kids, so you can rest assured your money is going right where you meant it to. n You can find out more about how to help AKIN by calling Leslie on 200 52919 or by email: leslie@akin-charity.com

Parachuting to Publish In May this year, AKIN is holding a charity event sky-diving in Jerez. This particular event is to raise money towards publishing a cook-book written by Nathalia Berkowitz.

Once published, all proceeds from sales of the book will go towards funding children in Tanzania, Sri Lanka and Nepal. The charity looks well on track to covering the cost of publication, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to donate. Every penny over production costs raised, again, will go straight to the needy children in different parts of the world.

Contact Leslie, whose details are at the end of this article if you’d like to help them and their needy children land on their feet. n

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Jewellery

21/2/09 15:23:51

butterfly the

Painted Lady

lady

Four delicate wings and 1,500 km to fly: the journey begins in Africa. Each spring, butterflies emerge from their chrysalises and take their chances on incredible migrations, making their way across the Strait and through Gibraltar.

Rebecca Nesbit, a graduate student of ecology at Rothamsted Research ­ — the largest research centre in the UK — spends each spring in Gibraltar chasing butterflies. “For the last three years I have been at the mercy of the weather and the butterflies, much to the alarm of many of my friends.

But I have never looked back,” she comments.

“Gibraltar is an ideal place to work from as butterflies are funnelled over the shortest sea crossing from Morocco. We have been working closely with GOHNS, and it was thanks to John Cortes, Keith Bensusan and Charlie Perez that the project got off the ground.

“Migrating butterflies choose the shortest sea crossing from Africa, and many stop and feed at the first land they find. Birds use the same migration route; eagles, vultures and storks fly above our heads as we work. Working at a site with sea views across three countries and two continents makes up for any experiments going wrong (thankfully, because they regularly did).”

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The summer in Africa is too dry for the caterpillars’ food plants to grow; the butterflies must find cooler climates to breed in. And so Britain receives a beautiful array of butterfly migrants each year, from the striking red and black of the Red Admiral to the delicate Longtailed Blue, a rare visitor from the Mediterranean. Moths too make migrations, often in far larger numbers than the butterflies. They make use of high altitude wind currents, but it would be wrong to think that they are at the mercy of the wind.

Just like birds they choose their direction of travel; they don’t end up on our shore by chance.

“One of the most fascinating butterfly migrants is the Painted Lady, with long, slender wings

mottled orange and tipped with white. The spring migration brings the Painted Lady to Europe from the desert fringes of North Africa; these butterflies may have been to places most of us can only dream of.

In good years they cover Buddleia bushes in gardens right across England,” Rebecca says.

“It is the extraordinary migration of the Painted Lady which leads to sightings of an otherwise normal looking girl (me) running round Buddleia bushes and thistle patches, stalking butterflies with my net. The butterflies can often be caught off guard while they’re feeding; one swish of the net and they’re mine. Despite carrying the official title of ‘student’, I am no longer blessed with a three-month

“It is the extraordinary migration of the Painted Lady which leads to sightings of an otherwise normal looking girl (me) running round Buddleia bushes and thistle patches”

summer holiday. Setbacks such as two summers of very poor weather (2007 and 2008) and an appalling year for Painted Ladies (2007) are all part of being an ecologist.”

Having caught the butterflies, she attaches them one at a time inside her ‘flight simulators’. The unglamorous exterior consists of a white plastic barrel on top of a small table. But inside is a delicate mechanism that allows her to record a butterfly’s flight behaviour.

A tungsten rod protrudes into the barrel and the butterfly is attached to it, with glue.

The rod is rigid, so the butterfly is suspended in mid-air and flies on the spot. The experiment works because the butterfly is completely oblivious to the fact that it’s not getting anywhere, so just keeps flying. The rod moves on a low friction bearing and the butterfly is able to turn freely. The turning is detected by a computer, so Rebecca can always see in which direction the butterfly is heading, allowing her to plot out the path it would have taken if it was flying free.

She lets each butterfly fly for 15

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NESBIT

Swallowtail

number of butterflies lost at sea or eaten by birds,” Rebecca stated.

“Research into insect movements has never been so important: as our climate changes, so will migration patterns. Understanding butterfly migration will help us work out how their populations will change.

Some species will spread north, while other species will suffer losses. This is important because some butterfly species may be threatened with extinction, but also because some caterpillars are agricultural pests. My work is a vital piece in the incredible puzzle of butterfly migration. Wildlife has always fascinated me, and the more I learnt the more I realised nature’s complexity. I am fortunate to be

working on a project that catches many peoples’ imaginations, including my own. The challenges of studying butterflies outside in the sun make my work both trying and fulfilling.” n

“the butterfly is completely oblivious to the fact that it’s not getting anywhere”

NESBIT

Painted Lady

minutes — in the wild a butterfly could cover an incredible 1.5 km in that time.

Recording migratory flights in this way gives Rebecca and her team an insight into butterfly migration.

“We have shed some light on an enigma that has long puzzled naturalists. The spring Painted Lady migration is very visible: butterflies are often recorded flying north in large numbers to breed in northern Europe. However, their offspring are rarely seen migrating south in the autumn. Could it be that the flight to the UK was wasted? Do the descendents of the spring arrivals simply die when the weather gets cold?”

Rebecca thinks not. “In the autumn, we have seen butterflies fly south in the flight simulators.

We have an idea about why we don’t see this autumn migration in the wild. Radars have detected butterflies flying hundreds of metres above the ground, taking advantage of fast winds. Perhaps the butterflies we see migrating at ground level are just a small part of the story, and many butterflies return to Africa after all.

“So actually the Painted Ladies haven’t got it all wrong, flying north as Englishmen flock south to join the mad dogs in the Mediterranean sun. By migrating to Europe and back they can ensure that they’re always in the right place to breed — a fresh and juicy thistle patch.”

Rebecca has also looked at how the butterflies know which way to fly: “Migrating birds use the Earth’s magnetic field, the stars and the sun to guide them, but these complex systems of navigation do not seem possible in an insect. Our research suggests that butterflies use a sun compass. If we block the sun from view, the butterflies no longer head in the correct direction.”

It may seem harsh that a butterfly, having made it so far across land and sea, should end up tethered inside a flight simulator. But the small number of butterflies that Rebecca catches has no impact on the population.

“It is just a tiny fraction of the

Research into insect movements has never been so important: as our climate changes, so will migration patterns MARCH 2009 • GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE

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other lives

Other People’s Lives

Many people from diverse cultures live in Gibraltar and in turn thousands of Gibraltarians choose to live abroad. We caught up with three of them — Prof.

Daniella Tilbury, techno DJ Kristian Vinales, and Mario Torres who runs a model agency in Ecuador — a trio that proves Gibraltarians are making their mark worldwide in all areas of life.

Dejavoo — Kristian & Francesco

dejavoo “In music, as in life, you’ll experience common places or repeating feelings and every time you face them again they take on a new flavour. Basically a repetition of situations combined in a different way, like the music we make — a combination of different flavours which give you the sensation of knowing it, but experiencing it as new. In other words, Dejavoo.”

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Kristian Vinales is just one new addition to the many talents which have originated in Gibraltar.

Based in London, his live acts, solo and with Francesco as Dejavoo, are currently ranked along with the most popular in London’s vibrant psy trance music scene, but Dejavoo can be found these days more often at festivals abroad than in the UK. Their first album, Future Shock, launched during last summer received an excellent response, especially in Germany and Portugal — the two biggest psy trance scenes in Europe in terms of festivals and numbers. Since then, Kristian and Francesco have gone on to play in Switzerland, Portugal (including the prestigious After-Boom party) and alongside main act Space Nomads, with countless venues throughout Europe.

Their travels haven’t been limited to Europe though. One of Dejavoo’s biggest career highlights so far was Brazil’s Xxxperience trance

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other lives music festival where they played for 34,000 people. In fact, Kristian’s nascent career has sent him travelling to over 20 countries worldwide between his solo act and with Dejavoo.

Last November found him back in London where he DJed solo in the new 02 Arena at the Millennium Dome — currently the top venue in the capital.

His travels and career have not just caught the imagination of his fans. Last year he was invited to do an interview with the industry’s top magazine, The DJ Magazine, earning both himself and Francesco further recognition in their quest to reach the top.

Kristian left Gibraltar to study at Cardiff University back in 1995, regularly visiting London and the psy trance dance parties in the area.

After graduating in 1997 he moved down to london and it was partying all the way until he started on his DJ career in 2000.

Since teaming up with Francesco — who moved to the UK late 1999 from Sardinia in Italy to work as a chef — and forming Dejavoo in 2004, the two have developed into a serious production team.

“At first it was hard work,” said Francesco.

“I was working 50 hours a week as a chef and couldn’t spend too much time in the studio, plus it took some time to to work on my skills on the decks.”

Future Shock is quite an accomplishment for the duo, and Kristian was pleased to tell us a little about the concept.

“The aim behind the album was to make powerful, driving, dance floor charged music trying to keep it as open as possible but with a constant

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deep feeling,” he explains. “Our main aim was to make it sound heavy but simple, easy but fulfilling to listen to — mainly smart dance music, touching a wide spectrum of styles: electo, techno, trance, deep, funky, groovy, melodic and even some decadent disco vibes at times.

“We also took good care in selecting all the vocal samples we use in our tracks,” he added.

“Normally they will define the mood of a piece and all the messages, words and music complement each others seamlessly in our productions.”

As a solo DJ, Kristian mixes a bit of UK psy with some underground styles too, and he says his ambition is to be right at the top of the trance scene.

“We believe we have the requirements for a sort of electronic band under another guise — that would be great, as well as an electro tribal house project,” he qualified.

“These could be plans for the future, although making soundtracks for movies and music for adverts would be a dream come true.” It seems Kristian is well on the way to realising his dream. n

His travels and career have not just caught the imagination of his fans. Last year he was invited to do an interview with the industry’s top magazine, ‘The DJ Magazine’

What is Psy Trance?

Psychedelic trance or psy trance is a form of electronic music characterized by hypnotic arrangements of synthetic rhythms and mesmerizing melodies. It first broke into mainstream in 1995 as the UK music press began to report on the exploding trend of Goa trance. The genre has since diversified in terms of mood, tempo and style.

Psychedelic trance

Psy trance has a distinctive, speedy sound or psytrance is BPM) a that tends to be (generally 140-150 faster than other forms form of electronic of trance or techno music. It uses strong bass beats pounding music characterthroughout the song, and overlays the bass with drawn from funk, techno, izedrhythms by hypnotic electro, Middle Eastern music and trance arrangements using synthesizedof instruments.

synthetic rhythms

Layering is used to great effect, with new and mesmerizing musical ideas being added at regular intervals, often every 4 or 8 bars. This buildup happens until a climax is reached, then the song breaks down and starts a new rhythmic pattern over the constant bass. n

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other lives

by Sonia Golt

of

A Woman Substance Gibraltarian Daniella Tilbury is a woman who loves her profession and has dedicated many years of her life to education, lecturing and consulting. Years ago when she took a sabbatical to write a book about Asia, she visited Hong Kong and at the time never imagined she would be living there straight away. A bizarre coincidence had her University looking for someone to take on the post of a professor who was suddenly taken ill. She took the job and stayed for a few years. She has always enthused teachers to teach children environmental ethics as she feels this is the way forward to change things in society. Recently she was nominated for, and consequently awarded, the Marie Curie Fellowship.

When will you receive the Award?

“I will formally receive the award on 1st May this year. I was delighted, yet very surprised, to discover that I had been honoured with the Marie Curie Fellowship. The process was a highly competitive one that took six months to complete. It involved independent academic references from senior University professors from across the globe.”

Daniella Tilbury with her daughter

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In what way will this award help you in your career?

“Well, this is an interesting question and a difficult one to answer. Marie Curie Fellowships is the medium through which the European Commission recognizes the world’s leading researchers. To be eligible, prospective fellows need to be established international scholars and have contributed something significant to understanding or addressing a key issue.

There is no doubt it will add to my curriculum vitae — but most importantly it provides an opportunity to celebrate work done to date and to use the funds for research which, I believe, can really make a difference!”

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e

other lives What research are you involved with now?

“The world has to change, as we are leading ourselves towards an unsustainable future.

We need decision-makers, professionals as well as the general public to take action so that our world is more just, healthy, prosperous, as well as bio-diverse. I have a professional commitment to this, that we call ‘sustainable development’. My work focuses on generating evidence based research that can advice people in positions of influence about how to respond to this sustainability challenge. It comes after the recognition that science and technology can assist in defining problems and solutions but ultimately changes towards sustainability are dependent on people’s decisions, choices and actions.”

Daniella was offered a Chair in Sustainability at the University of Gloucestershire in late 2007.

This provided the incentive for her to return to the UK after ten years away in Hong Kong and Australia. Soon after arriving at Gloucestershire, she was named Director of Sustainability and that provided yet another challenge — that of overseeing the University’s corporate and academic strategy in the area.

“I very much enjoyed teaching. My Senior Management responsibilities do not allow for course commitments although, I do still give guest lectures and workshops, particularly overseas to international agencies.”

sible but not too busy. It is an ideal environment tasting society events!” for raising my young daughter.”

Funny she should say this when she keeps slim all the time!

With so many awards, I asked if any had “The Outstanding Educator Award was perchanged her life or are they just for recog- haps the most fulfilling as this award results nition? from nominations by fellow staff and students “The most significant was the Cambridge as well as an evidence portfolio scrutinized by Commonwealth Scholarship Award which experts. I received the Research Innovation enabled me to go to St Catharine’s College, Cam- Award within weeks of leaving Australia; it felt bridge, to undertake a PhD. This was certainly that through it my contribution to sustainable a life changing moment in many ways. The development in Australia had been acknowlUniversity of Cambridge provided the type of edged formally.” environment which helped me focus on learning but enabled me to also explore the fun side of How does a woman of your capacity and life — I was a regular attendee at the chocolate caliber cope with such an absorbing job and a family?

“Just like any modern day Mum! I am certainly not the only one who has a senior responsibilities as well as family duties. Planning is very important, as is having a loving and supportive husband. I enjoy spending time with my daughter, Alexa. Her influence on my thinking has been significant – she has challenged me to think even more about the future and the importance of improving life on earth for the next generation.”

Your University is at Cheltenham, what is it like?

“I truly enjoy living here; it is friendly, acces-

Daniella now feels settled in England, happily married with a daughter it is obvious she is enjoying doing exactly what she loves. n

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“

I received the Research Innovation Award within weeks of leaving Australia; it felt that through it my contribution to sustainable development in Australia had been acknowledged formally

”

What plans do you have for the future?

“I am not a person who plans next steps but one who takes on challenges as they arise. Life is full of surprises!”

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other lives

Even with their busy schedule Mario has so far managed to make the return trip to Gibraltar at least once a year to catch up with family and friends here

Mario and Jessica on their wedding day

Travel Leads to Love After his first experience of traveling, Gibraltarian Mario Torres was bitten by the bug, and started to look on internet chat sites for people with similar travel interests around the world.

Educated, with a BEng in Computing and Electronics from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, where he lived and studied for four years, Mario returned to Gibraltar in 1999 to work with Gibnet, a local pioneer in the internet industry. Eventually the travel bug got the better of him and he quit his job to take a sabbatical in Ecuador — and to meet a girl he’d spent some time chatting to online.

He’d promised Jessica that he would visit her for her birthday in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Being from the Mediterranean and with Gibraltar itself being a melting pot of cultures, it has been easy to fit in with the Ecuadorian culture 44

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They really got on well, so Mario decided to stay to get to know both her and Ecuador better. After taking a trip to the island of Curacao in the Caribbean, they came back to Gibraltar for a short visit over Christmas and New Year and to introduce Jessica to Gibraltar and his family. But Mario’s heart was set. Ecuador became his new home, and last year, Jessica became his wife.

Mario now spends most of his time working at his wife’s Model Agency where companies

contract them to supply models for a variety of activities such as fashion shows, adverts, trade fairs, press conferences, sporting events and much more, but even with their busy schedule Mario has so far managed to make the return trip to Gibraltar at least once a year to catch up with family and friends here.

“Moving abroad has certainly changed the way I view material things. I see so many people who are just happy to have a roof over their heads and something to eat. If you are thinking of moving to South America you do need to come with an open mind and be willing to experience new things.” Mario commented.

“Ecuador is a culturally diverse country with various indigenous tribes spread through the Andes, Amazon and the coastal regions.

Guayaquil is a modern city where people from all over the country have migrated to, bringing with them their traditions and ways of life,” he explains. “Sometimes you can feel the Spanish influence on the people, but also the tropical too.

“Being from the Mediterranean and with Gibraltar itself being a melting pot of cultures, it has been easy to fit in with the Ecuadorian culture. Speaking Spanish is a major plus too, although there are some words which mean something vulgar in Gibraltar and Spain, but not in Ecuador — and vice versa. My wife used one of these words quite innocently on one of our visits to Gibraltar and the whole room went quite and stared at her. There’s always something new to learn.”

In the past, his travels have taken him at least half way round the world, visiting Amsterdam to meet up with a friend and to see what all the fuss was about (he loved the country even though he narrowly missed getting mugged during the trip). He stopped off in Greece for a university colleague’s wedding, and then on to Istanbul — a place he again visited as a result of internet chat sites. He took a short trip to Singapore for another wedding, and went back-packing to Koh Phangan for a diving trip, arriving just days after the Tsunami hit the area in December 2004.

“That was a sobering experience,” he says.

“On arrival I was constantly asked if I was there to look for a relative. Luckily, that wasn’t the case. I met so many people with incredibly lucky stories of how they survived, or missed being on the beach that morning. It’s a trip which will stick in my memory,” Mario told us. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

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21/2/09 15:39:29

art scene

by Brian McCann

foraging with sue “I’m a great forager,” said Sue Orfila of Originarta.

“I love painting on anything interesting-looking.”

The entrance to Originarta tells you at once that Sue has an original mind. The narrow corridor off Governor’s Street replicates a beach — it’s a thick bed of gravel with sections of decking on top for easy walking. But then Sue loves the sea, which features in many of her paintings; and a lot of her work uses driftwood as a base.

“The great thing about driftwood is that every

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piece is different,” she told me.

At the end of the bright corridor, whose originality is further enhanced by examples of her work, is the studio where she not only paints but also holds classes in flower arranging and craftwork. This room too is bright and cheerful (as is Sue herself) and you feel completely at ease as soon as you walk in.

Sue comes from Norfolk, and still has the accent to some degree, but has been in Gibraltar for 28 years, having left England at the age of 26. She is married to structural engineer David Orfila, whose expertise and hard work made it possible for her to convert the studio from a semi-derelict dump into the fascinating place it is now. When I asked Sue if she had any staff, she replied, “Only one magnificent husband.

He’s done so much and never moans.”

She opened Originarta, after six months converting it, because she used to teach flower arranging and wanted to get back into it; she also wanted somewhere where she could paint which wasn’t taking up space at home.

“As far as I know, I think I’m the only flower arrangement teacher in Gibraltar,” she told me.

“People do like to arrange their own flowers in the most attractive way, and I enjoy teaching them.” Her only regret is that so far all of her pupils, or trainees, are women. “That’s quite sad,” she said. “I don’t know why it is like that; I’d love to teach a man to arrange flowers — after all, there are plenty of male florists; and it’s a very relaxing and satisfying thing to do.” She also holds Saturday craft classes, again based on her love of the subject. She thoroughly enjoys making things — anything — from her foraging or from dabbling in clay. “It’s very much an enjoyment thing,” she said.

Some of Sue’s paintings are on sale at the gallery, and include a tall panel called January Sea, priced at £100, to the completely different Home Grown, a sparkling piece of still life based on her close-up photography of strawberries. That can be yours for £120, whilst other smaller works are priced at £10. “I work in all media — water colours, acrylic, oils, collages — anything. I just love texture.’ She also uses original ‘canvases’, such as tin foil. Her Distant Shore is a painting looking across a small bay with a boat lying on the beach in the foreground. That was painted on tinfoil, and cardboard has also been incorporated; it’s also a blend of subjects — the bay is Dungarvan Bay in Waterford, Ireland, whilst the boat is from another bay, Catalan Bay. That picture is not for sale though: Sue painted it as a commission but the owner has gone away for a few months and has let Sue use it until she returns.

Although Originarta only opened at the beginning of February, she has had a good few visitors who are attracted by the unusual entrance. “In spite of the awful weather, local people and some tourists have come in; and lots of artists and photographers have been to have a look,” said Sue. “Everyone is welcome to visit and have a coffee and a chat — there is no obligation to buy at all.”

The interest shown by other local artists prompted me to ask if she would be displaying any of their work for sale. But no: she would love to do that but is worried about the responsibility of having other people’s paintings to look after — especially as the studio can be prone to leaks in heavy rain.

The flower arranging classes are held on Thursdays from 1.30 to 2.45pm, with no more than six to a class. All women so far, as I mentioned, but they are of all ages, often housewives with children at school. “It’s a me-time for them and an afternoon out,” said Sue. “It’s creative and it’s also something for their homes.”

The 75 minute class costs £6 — payable when

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you book — and all you need to bring is a fresh mixed bouquet such as can be bought for around £3, a pair of kitchen scissors and a container of your choice for the flowers. Oasis (wet and ready to use) is available in the studio for a nominal charge, as is the tying wire and any other mechanical pieces that might be needed. Cake with tea or coffee (or perhaps a glass of something) is also provided for £1 if required.

The Saturday craft classes run from 10.30 am to 12.30pm; these two-hour sessions cost £10 but all you need to bring is an apron, overalls or an old shirt. All the materials are included although sometimes you might be asked to bring some personal effect, such as a photo to be incorporated into your project. Refreshments are available, as with the flower arranging classes.

Originarta is easy to find: it’s at 28 Governor’s Street, just two doors south of the City Mill Lane corner. The gallery is open from 3 – 6.30pm Monday to Friday, although Sue is often there later. For more information you can call her on 56750000, or drop in for a look around during opening hours. n

“It’s a me-time for them and an afternoon out,” said Sue. “It’s creative and it’s also something for their homes”

the laundry ladies There’s only one thing better than having your mother-in-law do your washing and ironing... that’s having two to do it for you!

Suds Laundry has been offering its friendly and highly professional service from the 1st floor of Ocean Heights since last September.

Having taken a break from the banking industry, Jan decided to try something totally new and set up the business with her daughterin-law’s mother Netty to offer their competitive service close to town.

“We do pride ourselves on presenting your laundry as we would want ours, so it’s a personal service we’re offering,” commented Jan. Their location, just off the north end of Main Street means they are within easy reach for most of the town, and if you want to drop by with the car, there’s ample space to stop for a second or two. You can even give them a quick buzz on the mobile and they’ll pop down to collect from you if you can’t find a parking spot.

“We also offer a collection and delivery service for larger loads if necessary and although we do have set working hours, if someone

Netty and Jan of Suds

needs something washed or ironed quickly, we’re more than happy to go the extra mile and put the overtime in to give the service,” added Netty.

Jan has lived in Gibraltar for the last 25 years, most of which in a managerial role at Newcastle Building Society, whilst Netty has been a regular visitor to Gibraltar for a long time and has now made the move to settle here long term.

They use only the best products in their washing, and most orders can be collected within 24 hours. If you only need your ironing done, you can usually drop it in during the morning and pick it up on your way home the same day. n Suds is open from 9am to 6pm weekdays and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays at 1D Ocean Heights. Feel free to give them a call if you need a hand — 200 73123 or 54010641.

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Jewellery

21/2/09 15:41:50

art scene

by Elena Scialtiel cent charisma that can barely be contained within the limits of any frame, and seems to leap from one to the next, making her the storyteller of an abstract Comédie Humaine, where the actors are nothing other than… bottles, vases and goblets!

Forever in love with still life, Willa stays faithful to her trademark realism in transposing onto canvas textures and transparencies, but she interweaves them with memories from her fine portraiture — she brings still lives to life, shedding their stillness and livening them up with movement and character... some with outright attitude.

Heralded under the Italian title Vetro all’Olio, the common theme is glass objects looking like people. Of course if you aren’t as fluent in Italian as Willa, who studied in Florence, and almost every year travels to Venice for the Carnival, the shroud of mystery won’t be totally lifted until the grand opening on 26th March — unless of course you look it up in the dictionary!

However, the real revelation you’ll have the moment you walk in the Casemates Fine Arts Gallery that day — or any of the following 20 the exhibition is open for — will be the joie de vivre and dynamism this ‘glass in oil’ communicates, and the evolution from detailed to abstract, as if the molten silicates were actually flowing, floating, swirling, bubbling before your very eyes, instead of being just interpreted in paint.

Sometimes the dimension is only suggested by carefree shapes that sway in plastic iridescences, evoking the chromotherapy magic of cooling tropical seas, uplifting glowing pastels or energising reds.

Plump pots or blown crystal pop out of the canvas and are distorted in spirals and surreal asymmetries, as if a bottle is actually shrugging, or grouped in parties like Two’s Company or Three’s a Crowd.

It isn’t difficult to see how some of these carafes are dolled up for a Photoshoot or Ready for the Ball, or having the time of their lives in the flashy neon colours of the Limelight, while some Murano chalices flaunt the composure and the frilly outfits of a stylish group of wedding guests.

From the Venetians, one of Willa’s favourite, and the trait d’union with her very figurative past, to Rhapsody in Blue — where the colour is liberated from the containment of form, and splashes about in a loose, fantastic, soothing, thirst-quenching homage to the Phoenician invention — brilliance is the protagonist of her triumphal comeback, at a moment of her artistic career when the risk of repeating herself and resting on her laurels is well averted by the talented desire of exploring and pushing distinctive, chic and contemporary.

Yet the painting express, with neat lines and the limits of creativity.

And creativity is all about fun — Willa had vivid glossy colours, her evergreen effervesfun bestowing a whole new gist to still life, and the art collector has fun owning and watching those inanimate objects socialising, looking happy, pompous, elegant and self-confident.

Willa got infatuated with coloured glass after her last trip to Venice where she took hundreds of Carnival photos and just a handful of Venetian crystal — these became the nouvelle muse that put on hold her sophisticated approach to porcelain masks, satins and ethereal tulles,

artist: Willa’s heart of glass

Puzzled by Willa’s unusually low profile in the past two years, her fans are thrilled at the news she is back in the public eye with 24 pictures she has been busy painting — and keeping top secret.

But if they are expecting another collection of portraits and landscapes from exotic cultures, or plump fruit, fresh flowers, draped textiles and fine china, reproduced in such detail one may feel compelled to take a bite from those shiny apples, pour tea in those porcelain cups or water those gerberas, they’re in for a good surprise.

A surprise which, I am confident, will exceed every expectation — privileged as I was to have a sneaky peek at Willa Vasquez’s latest coup de génie, I found myself standing before a clean chapter in her artistic life. More mature,

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blown crystal pops out of the canvas and is distorted in surreal asymmetries, as if a bottle is actually shrugging

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art scene

Willa Vasquez

and challenged her to the infinite possibilities offered by imagination seen through coloured glass.

And so she started collecting ampullae, decanters, schooners and anything bright and fragile that could be arranged into poses for her flights of fancy. The trickiest part seemed to be attaining the right equilibrium of shapes and shades, but once the models were organised satisfactorily on the table, Willa was ready

to let the brushes do the talking — gliding, sashaying, speckling paint on canvas like notes from a symphony.

So enthused was she, she managed to put together two dozens masterpieces in half the time she took for her previous solos, and she’s so thrilled about it she cannot wait to share it with her fans. Who I’m sure won’t miss the opportunity to view and, thanks to affordable prices, own a piece of her mind. n

The trickiest part seemed to be attaining the right equilibrium of shapes and shades, but once the models were organised satisfactorily on the table, Willa was ready to let the brushes do the talking

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

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

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arts

Can You Design a Logo?

Spring has almost sprung and it’s time again to start thinking about the Spring Festival. All artists and designers out there should take note that the Ministry of Culture is holding a competition to select the logo for the Gibraltar Spring Festival 2009.

The competition is open to all ages who may submit up to two original works. Entries on paper or card must be submitted in an A4 size indicating whether the orientation is ‘portrait’ or ‘landscape’ and the design may contain up to three colours.

Logos should be simple in design and suitable for printing on posters, flyers, tickets or other promotional material and must contain the wording: ‘Gibraltar Spring Festival 2009’.

The prize for the winning entry is £300.

Entry forms and full conditions are available from the Ministry of Culture, 310 Main Street where works may be handed in from 9.30am1pm, and 2.30pm-5pm, Monday to Friday. The closing date for receipt of entries is Friday 20th March 2009. n

Kid’s Short Stories Budding writers will be keen to hear details of the Schoolchildren’s Short Story Competition which the Ministry of Culture, in conjunction with the Gibraltar Chronicle and the Department of Education & Training, is holding as part of the Gibraltar Spring Festival.

The competition is open to all children attending school or college in Gibraltar, from school years 4 to 13, who may submit one original work.

There will be three categories based on school years (or College equivalent) as follows: A. Years 4 to 7 (250 – 350 words), B. Years 8 to 11 (450 – 550 words), and C. Years 12 to 13 (500 – 1000 words).

The winning entries will be printed in the Gibraltar Chronicle. The winner of each category will receive a £50 voucher and a pen, sponsored by the Gibraltar Chronicle, and a trophy from the Ministry of Culture.

Minister for Culture, Edwin Reyes, commented: “The Spring Festival has enjoyed great success over the years and we hope to continue building upon this. Alongside Art, Theatre and Music we will keep the Short Story Competition as this is a good way of not only making children active participants in the Spring Festival but also extends the range of fields covered with the inclusion of Literature and Creative Writing.”

Entry forms and full conditions are available from schools and the college; The Department of Education, 40 Town Range; The Ministry of Culture, 310 Main Street; or e-mail: minculture@gibtelecom.net. Entries must reach the Ministry of Culture by Friday 20th March 2009. n

mick elliot

at farrington contemporary Born in Glasgow in 1948, Mick spent his youth bouncing round the world with his parents and five brothers and sisters as his father was in the RAF. At the age of 18 he enrolled at Portsmouth College of Art and Design and studied for a degree in Graphics.

Mick has had a successful career as a graphic designer and creative director in the field of advertising, but his first love has always been his painting. Now, with studios at his Hampshire home and in Spain, he paints full-time and has several successful solo exhibi-

tions in both countries. Collectors of his work can be found in the UK, Spain, America and the Caribbean.

Mainly working in acrylic, Mick has an eye for fun and vibrant colours with a simple and child-like approach to illustration. He continually records his visual observations and often translates them direct to his final artwork giving his work a spontaneous and refreshing feel.

Mick is exhibiting at Farrington Contemporary from the 25th March to 14th April, so drop in for a surprisingly colourful display. n

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Jewellery

21/2/09 15:50:04

Since Karen opened Over The Top on City Mill Lane last year, both the shop and her hats have become the talk of the town.

the

milliner’s

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It’s not surprising really as such an amazing range of hats from the tastefully tame to the obviously outrageous are totally exclusive — and not just to Gibraltar. Val, the resident Milliner makes the majority of them to order, or will happily retouch an existing model to suit outfits for any occasion from Ascot to Weddings.

Val is no newcomer to the hatting world, she’s been making hats for 50 years now, and professionally for the last 15. She was a finalist in the BBC Clothes Show ten years ago and in 1999 her “Fish and Chip” hat was the most talked about at Royal Ascot, with considerable coverage in the national press too. She’s always won first prize at Ladies’ Day at the Folkstone Races each year, until she moved to Gibraltar last year to be closer to her daughter who runs the business.

Folkstone had tried everything to have another contestant elected champion, from changing the panel of judges, to actually offering her a seat on the panel in recent years. Val kindly declined the offer and went on to win again.

A war-time baby, Val was still a toddler when WW2 broke out, and the family moved to Feltham to escape the doodle-bugs. An incredible, bubbly character, Val explained her upbringing as hard, but fun. She had a happy childhood, which reflects through her character today.

But back to the hats. The first time she made a hat was to go with a coat she’d made for herself.

Friends and relatives commented and asked her to make hats for them, and she obliged. For a long time hats were a hobby, but one day, a good friend persuaded her to set up shop in London and turn her hats from hobby to profession.

She’s never looked back.

Although she makes many hats from everyday materials, the majority use a base, strawtype material called “sinamay”. The stock comes directly from the Philippines, and is made by weaving the sinews from banana leaves and other similar plants to create a lightweight straw which is easily moulded to shape. The hat shape is stretched and stiffened over a wooden head frame, and where necessary layers are pressed with a hot iron where they bond immediately due to the material’s unique properties.

For adornments, Val uses all sorts of materials and scraps to work into her designs. Old wedding dresses with sequins and beads which are impossible to buy these days can be cut into her designs with what looks like apparent ease, but from watching her work, it’s obvious the skill and care which goes into each part of the process. Thin wire to help keep shapes or to set crystal beads to look like rain drops and even fishing line stitched into the hem of the veils to give them a light-weight and flowing feel, there’s no limit to Val’s imagination and creativity.

The way she creates each model can be likened to flower arranging in that even though she may start out with a set idea, she feels free to modify and adapt, looking at each aspect as she’s working and finding the right position for each detail as she works.

“It’s important to meet and understand the GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

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The average hat will take around 16 hours to complete from scratch, although some of her creations take a lot more. We couldn’t write about Val without talking about her character hats, or Wacky Hats as Val likes to call them, where care and attention to detail have won her many an award.

The pot of gold under the rainbow, with peacock feathers, birds, a bumble bee and even the tiny detail of a ladybird is one of the stars in Karen’s window display and her all-time favourite, the silver shoe which has a story of its own to tell (but maybe you should ask her about that yourself when you pop in to browse their different styles), or the Ice-cream Cone hat, which was made from sculpting and painting industrial foam to form the shape, are just a couple of examples.

The shop also has an interesting collection of exclusive dresses, Victorian cotton blouses and knitwear from Ecuador and Nepal and gives you even more options for that exclusive look this spring.

So, whether serious or fun, wedding or pantomime, you can’t go amiss with a visit to Over The Top, where Karen will happily show you person when you’re making a hat to order. The their latest creations and give you some good hat not only has to fit, it should make that person advice on what works best for you. n more beautiful too,” she commented.

“There’s always a way to enhance “If a lady comes in with a big nose, for example, we find a way to move the attention away someone’s looks, and if life has been to a focal point elsewhere. There’s always a way really unkind to a poor girl, we can to enhance someone’s looks, and if life has been really unkind to a poor girl, we can always use always use the colour of their eyes the colour of their eyes as a starting point. No as a starting point. No one would one would ever question their eyes,” she said ever question their eyes” with a mischievous grin.

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pretty petals Over six hours work went into this white rose, adding an elegant and sophisticated touch to the finished hat. Each petal was individually moulded. When dry, the material is stiff and retains its form, so each is sculpted individually. After dampening with a wet cloth, the petal shapes are set with heated tools and carefully stitched into position. You can be sure that what look like factory made flowers are all individually and carefully hand made specifically for each hat. n

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21/2/09 15:58:13

conference

by Elena Scialtiel

disaster

international conference in Gibraltar “Call an ambulance!” we’re quick to shout when someone collapses. But what goes on behind the scenes between us dialling 190 and the patient landing safely on the A&E bed?

Ambulance crews have come a long way since the old days, when they were just a bunch of fastrunning amateurs who’d scoop the wounded from the ground, lay them on a stretcher and ferry them to the sanatorium, incapable of administering first aid or assessing the case to warn A&E clinicians in advance about what to expect.

Nor are ambulances just large taxis, but real mini-hospitals equipped with essential machinery to keep the injured alive for the few but crucial minutes it takes to reach the hospital, making the difference between life and death,

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or between full or partial recovery.

The pivotal role of paramedics grows exponentially during natural disasters, explosions, epidemics, plane or train crashes, when their resources are spread thinly across a high number of casualties — gauging and prioritising in a

matter of seconds.

The magnitude of pre-hospital and disaster emergency medicine — very often underestimated by the public — will be outlined in a conference to be held at the John Mackintosh Hall from 26-28th March 2009. The conference is to be hosted by the Gibraltar Health Authority in conjunction with the Kingston & St. George’s University in London, whose Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences validates the nurse registration courses of our own School of Health Studies, and trains St. John’s crews. In fact, they are now in the process of upgrading them to fully fledged paramedics by training Michael Valarino to be a tutor who will undergo review courses in the UK on a regular basis, and teach new strategies and discoveries to his colleagues.

For two days, the Rock will be the venue for some of the most brilliant specialists in emergency medicine, whether contingency planning, resuscitation or paramedic care: a league of extraordinary gentlefolk ready to disclose the tricks of the trade to aid prompt and life-saving intervention, as well as to learn from Gibraltar’s own disaster management plans.

GHA chief nursing officer Dr Karen Norman, who chairs the steering committee along with consultant anaesthetist Richard Roberts and ambulance services director Dennis Duarte, is thrilled with the idea that this event is the first of its kind worldwide, as far as she is aware, and hopefully the first of a series for Gibraltar.

The conference will be officially opened by Minister for Health and Civil Protection Yvette Del Agua, who will be introducing emeritus professor Douglas Chamberlain, a cardiologist renowned for his research on improvement of resuscitation techniques and for the training work he carried out in the UK, and Luis Castrillo Riesgo, professor of emergency medicine at the University of Cantabria.

The Gibraltar civil contingency coordinator Leslie Edmonds will give an overview of major emergency planning in Gibraltar, a site that for topographical, tourism and geographical reasons poses several challenges in ‘worst case scenarios’ — but don’t be alarmed, because this man and his team have it well under control!

Sudden death and resuscitation, a field which St. Bernard’s Hospital is paying considerable attention to, will be the topic of the late-afternoon workshops.

On Friday the limelight will shift to stroke, trauma and disaster management, with Canadian consultant in emergency medicine, Douglas Sinclair, illustrating the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in stroke cases, when a race against time is key to minimising permanent damage.

But the highlight of the conference is the presentation by Dr Jeff Clawson, from Salt Lake City Fire Department, on the ‘acute interface protocol’ and software he devised to help citizens while professional aid is en route. When someone calls the emergency number, paramedics ask a set of questions to pinpoint the kind of

Sudden death and resuscitation, a field which St. Bernard’s Hospital is paying considerable attention to, will be the topic of the late-afternoon workshops GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

21/2/09 16:08:09

conference medical emergency, prioritise the dispatching of ‘mobile intensive care units’ (ambulances), and guide the caller with assisted CPR and step-bystep pre-arrival instructions on what to do to keep the injured alive... all while liasing with the responders, who on arrival are fully briefed and thus able to act immediately.

And so, ambulances and their ‘angels’ become a sort of hospital ward outside the hospital — an extension of the hospital itself that networks on the entire territory and brings the hospital to the injured well before bringing the injured to the hospital!

Although in Gibraltar dispatch/arrival times are very short due to its very compact nature, the GHA is looking into ways of implementing similar procedures here too, particularly to avoid the hazard of panic-stricken relatives mishandling the injured and so worsening their condition despite the average gap of just two-minutes between the 190 call and the ambulance arriving.

Another concern is people requesting an ambulance when it isn’t really needed, engaging its resources unnecessarily and rendering it unavailable to life-threatening situations elsewhere. In this instance, the Q&A protocol helps ascertain whether the sick can be safely conveyed to hospital by ordinary vehicles, while gathering invaluable information for A&E, so doctors and nurses in the emergency room can prepare.

Another possibility the GHA would like to explore is implementing locally a forwardthinking UK initiative where several potentially crowded public places (airports, train stations, shopping centres etc) are provided with portable

defibrillators and resident officers trained to apply them while proper paramedics are summoned, should a crisis arise.

The conference programme includes plenty of chances for socialising at coffee breaks, lunches, a reception and a dinner, which are always useful for delegates wishing to pool their knowledge and exchange ideas and contact details in a friendly informal environment.

There will also be a prize-giving ceremony for the best poster from those entered and displayed at the venue. The organisers urge private clinicians from Gibraltar and the Costa to participate in this history-making event. n For more information, visit www.nursesvoices. org.uk and click on IASDC.

Another possibility the GHA would like to explore is implementing a forwardthinking UK initiative where several crowded public places are provided with portable defibrillators and resident officers trained to apply them

visiting hours Following a lengthy consultation exercise with nursing staff, patients and visitors, the GHA is reducing visiting hours at St Bernard’s Hospital on a trial basis.

In 2005 the GHA introduced extended visiting hours with a view to giving visitors more flexibility as to the time for a visit, however evidence gathered by the GHA shows that the constant stream of visitors and the length of the visits over a major part of the day are not conducive to good management of patient care. The GHA says it does not help acutely ill patients recuperate and does not allow patients to rest properly.

GHA says there is a general perception amongst visitors, that because hours have been extended, the length of the visit must be extended, with many relatives feeling an obligation to accompany the patient for the whole duration of the visiting time.

As from Monday 2nd March 2008, the following visiting times will apply: Captain Murchison Ward, Dudley Toomey Ward, John Ward, Victoria Ward — visiting hours from 5.45-7.45pm daily.

As used to be the case before the 2005 changes, visiting outside these times will be allowed at the discretion of the Sister/Charge Nurse of each ward.

Visiting times for ITU, Rainbow Ward and Emily Mackintosh Ward remain unchanged.

58 Main Street, 1st Floor. Tel: 200 74040 Regular Clinics

Lymphatic Drainage Sports Injuries - Cervical Problems

Claudia Schiel Health/Beauty Therapist

Collagen Implants Botox Injections - Sclerotherapy (Thread Vein Treatment)

Auriculo Medicine for Stop Smoking Dermatological Peels Non Surgical Lifting Specialising in all kinds of skin problems Holistic Therapies for various conditions - Reflexology - Medicinal Pedicures - Hair Extensions

New Clinics FAKE BAKE NEW in Gibraltar - revolutionary fake tanning system

Gillian Schirmer MA DC UK McTimoney Chiropractor

Laser Clinic Permanent Hair Removal, Pigmentation and anti-aging

Gentle and Effective Chiropractic Treatment for all Muscular and Joint Pains, especially Sports Injuries, Pregnancy. Headaches, and Migraines. Suitable for all ages.

Health / Weight Loss UNIQUE new programme starting 2008 Dermatologist Cryotherapy - Warts Age Spots - Pigmentations Skin Lesions and Imperfections.

Cheryl Sant Health/Beauty Therapist - Facials - Waxing - Electrolysis Massages - Slimming Treatments NEW! Skin Tag & Thread Vein Removal Hollywood & Brazilian Waxing

BOOK NOW FOR: Accupuncturist & Semi Permanent Make-up Specialist

Registered & Licensed by Health & Environmental Department

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

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health & medical directory

health& fitness Bell Pharmacy

CHEMISTS Bell Pharmacy 27 Bell Lane Tel: 200 77289 Fax: 200 42989 Louis’ Pharmacy Unit F12, International Commercial Centre, Casemates.

Tel: 200 44797

McTimoney Chiropractor

Your Family Chemists

Consult us at 27 Bell Lane Tel: 200 77289 Fax: 200 42989

STEINER CHIROPRACTIC CLINICS

Chiropractic Health Clinic

Dr Carsten Rudolf Steiner BSc DC

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

Member of the British Chiropractic Association

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

College Clinic, Regal Hse. Tel: 200 77777

Chiropodists

Gentle holistic treatment for all back or muscular problems and sports injuries Gillian Schirmer MA, DC, MMCA Clinic (Claudia’s), 1st Floor, 58 Main Street Tel: 200 41733 or after hours: 200 40026

Here to help you by answering all your pharmaceutical questions

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

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

Tel: 200 44226

PASSANO OPTICIANS LTD

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

British Registered Optometrists

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

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

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

The Health Store

2nd Flr International Commercial Centre

DentAL SURGEONS

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

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

5 City Mill Lane, Gibraltar. Tel: 20073765 Suppliers of Glucosamine, Ginkgo Biloba and all vitamins.

Body Building Products (Creatine etc) Open: 9am - 1pm & 3pm - 6pm

Primary Care Centre

Saturday: 9am - 11am, 5pm - 6pm Sunday & Public Holidays : 10am - 11am, 5pm - 6pm GP Clinics: 8am - 5.20pm

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

Keith J Vinnicombe BDS (Wales) LDS RCS (Eng) MFGDP (UK)

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

For all your Pharmaceutical needs

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

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

JOHN W. MILES BSc (Podiatry), M.Ch.S

Clinical Analysis Laboratory

STATE REGISTERED CHIROPODIST Treatment of all Foot Problems • Ingrown Toe-nails including Surgical Removal • Biomechanical Analysis for Insoles / Orthotics including Children • Wart (Verruca) Clinic • Diabetics

• Microbiology • Hematology • Biochemistry • Immunology confidential service

Full Report Printout • General Health Checks: • Glucose levels • Cholesterol levels • Anaemia screens • Blood groups F19 ICC Tel: 42330 Fax: 45521 gibraltar@gib-lab.com

GUARANTEED

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

Tel: 200 77777

College Clinic, Regal House, Queensway ALSO AVAILABLE FOR HOME VISITS

11 Convent Place Tel: 200 75747

Codali Funeral Services

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

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

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

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

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

SPECIALISTS

Need somebody to talk to? days a week 6-10pm

56 what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

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

GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• MARCH MARCH 2008 2009

22/2/09 14:41:43

health

Book Launch: Even the Eyebrows? £1 Million Sharon Morrison, has written a book, well more of a guide really, about Celebration handling breast cancer. It’s called Even the Eyebrows? Before you groan and think “not another ‘how I coped with cancer and survived’ book” let me assure this isn’t one of those.

Sharon wrote her book after being diagnosed and receiving treatment, purely because none of the books available actually covered what it’s really like. For example, how do you cope in meetings when your chemotherapy finally affects your lower bowel? Why didn’t anyone tell me I’d lose my finger and toenails as well as my hair?

What the hell is cording? What’s it really like to lose your hair; how does it actually happen? How scary is it for the kids, and what can you do to help? Can you work and play?

Sharon’s sisters Loraine and Lesley live in Gibraltar and you may recall that Merlyn Bignell (nee Nuttall) lived in Gibraltar from 1994 to 1995 and wrote It Could Have Been You in 1990 after she was savagely attacked in London, which sold Now Sharon has written Even the quite well after she came over for a book launch. Claire Burrell of Eyebrows? — A Practical Guide to Women in Need still uses Merlyn’s Managing Cancer with your Boxing book in anti-violence presentations Gloves On. It’s not heavy but honest, it’s not she gives in Gibraltar.

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serious but practical, it’s also not a long read, so you get to grips with the essentials very quickly. It’s been endorsed by Professor Gordon McVie (he co founded Cancer Research UK) and Caryn Franklin (co chair of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer).

“This book... shows you, in a matter of fact, but heartfelt way, how to go about things once you have made the first terrifying step towards initial diagnosis, confirmation of the disease and telling your children and family and friends,” Loraine Crook of Space Interiors explains of her sister’s first book.

“It’s a ‘one stop shop’ for information, questions and all those other things that happen to you, that no books up to now have told you. It’s also a very easy read. I guarantee you will not be able to put it down,” she adds.

Buy the book for yourself or a friend — it’s worth every penny.

Available from www.amazon. co.uk. n

Cancer Research UK – Gibraltar Branch has announced it has proudly reached the total of £1 million in funds raised.

To celebrate the occasion two representatives from Cancer Research UK, Professor Peter Johnson - Chief Clinician and Ms Jackie Lacey, Head of Local Engagement & Development, visited Gibraltar to thank the local population and to present a certificate of achievement. They also updated Cancer Research - Gibraltar Branch on the latest advances and explained the use of the funds and how benefit is derived by everyone.

Reaching the £1 million in fundraising since its inception would not have been possible without the ever-generous and continuing support from the local community.

The Committee would like thank you all in helping to make a difference! n

what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com 57

23/2/09 13:17:52

health issues

No Smoking Day 2009 is not about preaching to smokers at all. It’s an opportunity to help us become more positive and to give us the reasons which might just change the way we live, not to mention how long we live

No More Butts OK smokers, it’s that time of the year again, when you feel all eyes are on you and everyone’s telling you this time you can do it. You can give up. And society has even created a special day just to bug you into having another futile go at kicking that disgusting habit (again).

But us smokers do have a tendency to be on the defensive whenever the subject comes up.

We have a right to decide what we do with our bodies, and, yes, we know we’ll die earlier if we carry on as we are, puffing away.

We’ve heard the general ethos a thousand

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times, come on, it’s stamped in large letters across every packet we buy: “Smoking Kills”.

We also know that about 12 million adults in the UK smoke cigarettes, maybe that’s our justification. If they can, why can’t I? We can carry on trying to justify our habit, but we know

any psychologist will tell us that we’re in the denial stage.

We also know that smoking causes 30% of all cancer deaths and at least 84% of lung cancer deaths. We’re well aware that all the junk we’re dragging through our respiratory system is the cause of 17% of all heart disease and at least 80% of deaths from Bronchitis and Emphysema. So why do we insist on continuing to kill ourselves?

Maybe we should scrap that question. We (and I do include myself in this category) would need to go through some deep inner investigation, probably more than a few hours with a shrink and may still come out without an answer. It might be best to look at more positive questions which have simpler answers.

Not because we’re un-intelligent, but to help us change our insistence on denying the truth of the matter and acting as though the world is against us.

Jason Easter, the Health Education Officer here in Gibraltar has assured me that No Smoking Day 2009 is not about preaching to smokers at all. It’s an opportunity to help us become more positive and to give us the reasons which might just change the way we live, not to mention how long we live.

The theme this year has been developed with smokers themselves. Entitled “Take the first step!”, it’s a striking image which tells a story in itself. It is also an invitation to take the opportunity of No Smoking Day to make a life-long change. It reminds us that quitting requires commitment and planning and, admit it, most of us won’t be able to do it without some support.

The day is designed to help those of us who want to quit, and reliable research shows that’s three out of every four of us (and even more of us who wish we’d never started in the first place).

Last year, over one million people in the UK took up the Great No Smoking Day Challenge, and stubbed out their cigarettes on No Smoking Day 2008. This year are you (or I, for that matter) going to be amongst those who give it a go?

Just think of stubbing out your last cigarette at 9am on March 11th. By half-past, your blood pressure and pulse will be back to normal. By 4pm the Nicotine and Carbon Monoxide levels in your blood will be halved and Oxygen levels will have returned to normal. By Thursday morning, Carbon Monoxide will be a thing of

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

21/2/09 16:12:01

health issues the past for your thankful body and your lungs will start relieving themselves of the tar you’ve been building up for the last decade or so.

On Friday you’ll be surprised to find you can suddenly smell and taste food again and your body will be totally rid of nicotine from here on.

By Saturday, your breathing will come easier as your bronchial tubes begin to relax and you’ll actually feel that you’ve got some energy for a change (especially for a Saturday).

Over the next few months you’ll find your circulation improve. You’ll find walking and running easier and before the year’s out your lungs will be able to handle up to 10% more oxygen.

The mid- to long-term effects are even better, over time reducing your risk of heart disease, cancer and other nasties which us smokers blindly accept as a possibility of our lot.

All this sounds like just what we need, but there are still more benefits apart from your health. We take about ten minutes per cigarette to smoke, so if you smoke just ten a day, that’s two hours you’ve created for yourself each day if you stop. Most of us smokers are quite shocked by how quickly we get hooked. Managing to give up can give us a real sense of freedom and self control. The other big benefit is the mess.

Smoke, ash and butts stink. Giving up will not only make your hair, clothes and breath smell better, but will make a difference to your house and car too.

But us smokers know all this, and yet we continue to puff our lives away as we kid ourselves into waiting for that miracle cure or substitute

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to take the problem away.

The point is though, there is no miracle cure.

Yes there are therapies and aids which will help us on our way, but it is us who need to take that first step — and stick to it.

National No Smoking Day is here for that reason only, to help us on our way and to support us on the journey. The professionals who will be on hand in the ICC between 10am and 4pm on 11th March won’t be there to tell us off or put us down, but to listen and give positive advice on what we can do to take that first step.

Maybe we could all take up the challenge to stop on No Smoking Day. If you’re thinking about it, there are people ready and willing to talk you through... n

The professionals who will be on hand in the ICC between 10am and 4pm on 11th March won’t be there to tell us off or put us down, but to listen and give positive advice on what we can do to take that first step

there is life after cigarettes

A reformed smoker herself, Claudia has seen both sides of the coin, and for the past few years has been dedicating a section of her clinic to helping people who really want to kick the habit.

“You do need to make sure you’re ready before trying,” Claudia told us. “It’s no good trying to give up because you feel pressurised into it. You need to be introspective and look for your own reasons to stop. It’s only when you have your own reasons that you will be able to take the next step. Setting a date is extremely helpful for many, but others can find they have a change of heart, so you need to know yourself and make a decision you can stick to.”

Apart from the excellent advice Claudia is always willing to share, she offers auricular therapy with laser treatment to help you through the withdrawal symptoms.

“The treatment works with a laser acting on pressure points on your ear lobe, and although it doesn’t tackle the psychological side of the addiction, it does take away the physical craving,” she explained.

Claudia’s Clinic can be found at 58 Main Street, or call her on 200 74040 for an appointment. n

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health issues

fake it

the healthy way Bioteca:

Stem Cells for the Future Since it began collecting samples of stem cells in Gibraltar in April 2008, Spanish private stem cell bank, Bioteca, has collected approximately 50 cryopreservations (cells frozen in liquid nitrogen).

Until Bioteca began its stem cell collections in Gibraltar, people could only chose private British stem cell banks for the conservation of cells, as there is no Gibraltar public bank.

Bioteca extracts stem cells from the umbilical cord of newborn babies in St. Bernard’s Hospital.

Later, the samples are stored in Bioteca’s laboratories in Lisbon, Portugal.

Using Bioteca rather than a UK bank is cost effective and offers the advantage of proximity — crucial when a sample is needed.

British legislation, unlike Spanish, allows the preservation of the umbilical cord for family purposes other than public banks.

Bioteca is the first private laboratory of cryopreservation of stem cells on the Iberian Peninsula. Last year it gathered more than 6,000 samples in its Portuguese laboratories. This represents an increase of 40-50 % on 2007’s figures.

At present, Bioteca possesses more than 10,000 physical samples collected since the company’s incorporation in September 2005. Bioteca is one of two companies offering stem cell cryopreservation in Spain and is the first one to have its own preservation laboratory.

Bioteca collaborates with the National Organization of Transplants (ONT).

In addition, Bioteca adheres to strict quality

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control, audited anually and has the APCER’s IQNet certificate and ENAC’s quality management (National Entity of Spanish Accreditation) certificate.

For further information visit www.bioteca.es Why Store Stem Cells?

Research has revealed positive results in the treatment of a wide variety of medical conditions including heart disease, cancer, spinal cord lesions, bone fractures, burns, strokes, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, Huntington’s disease and diabetes. Research into its use in regenerating organs, repairing damaged muscle and tendons and helping burns’ victims has also shown encouraging outcomes.

Stem cell storage preserves a baby’s umbilical cord blood by freezing the cells in liquid nitrogen, ready for use at any time in the future should they be needed.

Since the probability of needing a stem cell transplant rises quickly with age, it will be decades before most of the children whose cord blood is banked today require a transplant. n

With Spring around the corner, but the weather not quite warm enough to get down to the beach to work on our tan, many of us will be looking at alternatives to enhance our looks for up-coming weddings and events. So why not be healthy while we’re at it.

There are plenty of fake tan solutions to chooses from, but the majority are chemical based. Fake Bake is a healthy alternative, not just because of its organic content, but because it will leave you with a golden brown all-over tan without putting your skin at the mercy of the sun’s rays.

The Fake Bake product itself has been extemely successful both in the UK and in America, being compatible for people with skin alergies and even medical conditions, and there are plenty of products to select from in their extensive range.

Over the last few years it has become fashionable for men to look after themselves too. Fake tans are not just for the girls.

Fake tanning is not just slapping on cream and hoping it looks good. You can now go for anti-oxidant cream, quick-dry mousse, anti-ageing cream, smoothie oil for joints and elbows or a body lotion colour enhancer. Products which will not just enhance your looks, but take care of your skin at the same time.

There’s even a make-up range, which adapts to the more sensitive skin and enhances your natural skin colour too.

Whether you’re of pale complexion, normal or quite dark, you’ll find a healthy option to suit your skin colour. Go for a tan the healthy way and give your skin a break. n You’ll find Fake Bake products in selected pharmacies around Gibraltar.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

21/2/09 16:13:26

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Book on sale at Gibraltar Book Shops GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE •• JANUARY GIBRALTAR MAGAziNE MARCH 2009

21/2/09 16:24:57

beauty

by Brian McCann

Alberto Meana of Sissi’s Beauty Salon and Hairdressers

Bodies Beautiful at Sissi “All of our staff are professionally qualified,” said Alberto Meana of Sissi’s Beauty Salon and Hairdressers.

The two parts of the total body care business are in the ICC, just a few yards apart; and whilst Alberto takes care of the beauty treatments, his daughter Sissi manages the hairdressing salon.

Quite often their work overlaps: “When we do a facial for £45,” said Alberto, “naturally the hair gets a bit messy from lying on it for 30 to 45 minutes. So the price includes having the hair tidied up and blow dried at the salon just a few doors away.” The Sissi Facial he was referring to is regarded as their signature facial: deeply relaxing and highly effective, it also includes a scalp massage (another reason why the after-facial trip to the hairdresser is a thoughtful addition) and their unique facial massage.

Sissi’s the hairdresser’s has been in Gibraltar for 16 years, run by Alberto’s wife and his daughter, and he joined them three years ago after spending an intensive three and a half years studying beauty treatments in Germany.

Daughter Sissi did a lot studying for her role too at the prestigious Escuela de Peliquería y Estética in Madrid. The quality of their work is proven by the fact that both sides of the business have been busy from the beginning and now count with a large number of regulars who keep on coming back.

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The beauty salon provides just about everything you could ask for in beauty care, its customers including women of all ages, including young ladies who mostly come for the painless — and permanent — removal of unwanted hair using a laser. Men mostly come along for the relaxation massages, part of the superb range provided by the salon.

Alberto told me that his specialist massage team has become rightly famous for providing professional massages to the highest standards.

Top of the range is the Sissi Massage, in which, for just £60, two top therapists spend 45 to 60 minutes giving you simultaneous massages. It has been described as the last word in relaxation, but if you are after something simpler, there is a

There are special experiences massages, such as Girl’s Night Out, Mum-to-be, New Mum and the top of the range Sissi Deluxe

back massage for £20, or back, neck and shoulder for only £30, or aromatherapy massages — also at £30.

An Indian head massage, by a professional, is only £15, whilst the mostly economical item is a full manicure for £7, so there is something for every pocket. If you add paraffin treatment and a hand massage to the manicure, the total is £12 for the full service.

Pedicures are equally on offer, with or without paraffin and massage, for £15 and £18 respectively; or how about the Milk and Almond pedicure — a silky foot soak followed by paraffin and massage — or a special treat for tired, aching feet using James Toniques.

As well as the milk and almond, many of the body treatments sound good enough to eat: lime and ginger scrub; fennel cleansing wrap; peppermint wrap; coconut rub; or even chocolatherapy.

This latter is described as extremely effective for toning your body, due to its anti-cellulite properties, and leaves your body feeling extra smooth and refreshed. Aromatherpay is also available, as is botox and a choice of facials ranging form £17 to £50.

Demonstrating the bright and considerate approach of Sissi’s Beauty Salon, there are special experiences massages, such as Girl’s Night Out, Mum-to-be, New Mum and the top of the range Sissi Deluxe. This is £148’s worth of pure pampering luxury, giving the lucky recipient a milk and almond pedicure, the Sissi massage and sissi facial, lime and ginger scrub and a Sissi manicure.

Basically, if it’s to do with bodily beauty, including anti-aging treatments and cosmetic surgery, then you are going to find it at Sissi’s.

Everything is carried out in the local salon, under Albert’s and his staff’s qualified and experienced hands, except for the surgical treatments such a face lifts, breast enhancement and the like. These are carried out by a skilled cosmetic surgeon at a Málaga hospital, after he has seen you in Gibraltar. Alberto himself then sees to any post-op care that might be necessary.

Another highly popular aspect of the facilities is Make-Up: being perfectly made up for any important occasion, but especially weddings.

The make-up is expertly applied on the morning of the wedding ceremony, but the bride-to-be comes in a few days beforehand for colour tests and other checks to be carried out, to ensure that the right make-up is ready to go on the great day itself. There are special prices for brides, and a package that includes massage, facial and make-up.

Waxing, from £3 for lip to £20 for leg and bikini, is routinely sought after, as are the eyebrow treatments and the Three Stage Eye contour therapy, using éclat contour to provide anti-wrinkle, anti-puffiness and anti-dark circles treatments — all that for £16.

Gift vouchers are also a popular aspect of the business, because almost nobody could fail be other than delighted to receive a gift that meant a trip to Sissi’s for one of their special relaxing and beautifying experiences.

Sissi’s beauty salon, and the nearby hairdresser’s, are as bright and friendly as they are professional; they are easy to find on the first floor of the ICC at number 9 for beauty and number 5 for hair care and enhancement. n Open from 10 to 7, Monday to Friday and 10 to 2 on Saturdays, appointments are essential: you can make a date with a better body by calling in or by phoning 200 70146 (beauty) or 200 71595 (hair).

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history file

William Delafield Arnold:

a life barely remembered How often, when reading the story of a person’s life, do we encounter the phrase, “X died tragically young”?

Without qualification, the phrase is a classic non sequitur.

Dying young is sometimes tragic; growing old always is.

Dedicated readers of biographies will agree that many a long and tedious life would have been immeasurably improved by being shorter and more eventful. 20, 30, 40 years of fun and achievement beat 90 years of misery and boredom hands down.

What makes early death appear universally tragic is the poignancy of lost potential; the unanswerable question of what might have been. Yet even here logic deserts us. Our lopsided reaction to early death is summed up in the oft-repeated mantra, “the good die young”, a maxim born of the belief that lost potential is always positive. No one destined to be a murderer, a thug, or a thoroughly bad egg is ever prevented from fulfilling his destiny by falling prematurely under a train, while those pencilled in as future Nobel Prize winners and saints almost invariably are.

Thomas Arnold

I was led to these morbid philosophical ramblings by contemplating the story of William Delafield Arnold, who died in Gibraltar in 1859 at the age of 31. If I hold my breath and open the window, I may catch on the cool night breeze a soft, collective Gibraltar-wide whisper of Who? And that, surely, is the point. William Delafield Arnold died virtually unknown beyond a small circle of family and friends. Had he lived another 40 years, things might or might not have been different. He may have become as famous as his father, Thomas, or his brothers Matthew and Tom. We shall never know. He has been swallowed by time as smoothly as a gourmet might swallow an oyster.

Thomas Arnold, the family patriarch, is arguably the most famous of the clan, though chiefly as a character in the novel Tom Brown’s Schooldays. The son of a customs officer, he was born at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight on 13th June 1795. Since it would be iniquitous to suggest that customs officers were in the habit of accepting irregular payments as compensation for periodic attacks of selective blindness, we must assume that the profession was a well-rewarded one, since Thomas was educated not at the East Cowes Parish Academy for the Sons of the Genteel Poor, but at Winchester School and Corpus Christi College, Oxford. To be fair, he proved to be an outstandingly brilliant scholar, so his presence at both was richly deserved.

Indeed, Oxford’s Oriel College granted him a fellowship.

In 1818, at the age of 23, Thomas became an

He may have become as famous as his father, Thomas, or his brothers Matthew and Tom. We shall never know. He has been swallowed by time as smoothly as a gourmet might swallow an oyster 64 what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

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ordained deacon and settled in the Thameside village of Laleham, where he founded a small private school dedicated to preparing its privileged young students for their subsequent passage to university. The school was a success, and Arnold’s skill did not go unnoticed. In 1827 he was invited to join the teaching staff at Rugby.

Rugby had been around since 1567, when it was established by the provisions of the last will and testament of Queen Elizabeth I’s grocer, Lawrence Sheriff. Potatoes were still a novelty in Europe at that time, and maybe Sheriff had cornered the market, or knew the secret of making the perfect chip. Whatever the case, he became very rich, and died childless. The two states are often combined. He intended Rugby to be a free grammar school for the boys of his home town, but predictably his philanthropy didn’t long survive his death. Soon its masters were demanding the payment of fees, and by the 19th century it was well established as one of England’s major public schools. The irony of English “public” schools, of course, is that they aren’t. (Sheriff’s original vision, or at least something closer to it, lives on in the Lawrence Sheriff Grammar School, also in Rugby.)

By 1827, Rugby may have been well-established, but its prestige relative to other public schools was not high. Arnold was about to change all that. He had hardly been on the staff for a year before being made headmaster. The radical improvements to the curriculum and the entire system of education that he introduced had a profound effect far beyond Rugby itself, and were immortalized by Thomas Hughes in his famous novel. Thomas Arnold’s achievements would have made him eternally famous to educationalists. Tom Brown’s Schooldays made him eternally famous to us all. Arnold himself wrote several books, but with titles such as Principles of Church Reform, and Lectures on Modern History, they were never going to be popular sensations. Even the BBC has no plans to serialise them.

In 1820, Thomas married Mary Penrose, a clergyman’s daughter from Penryn in Cornwall.

She was to bear him seven children, of whom three were daughters and four sons. Of the sons, Matthew (born 1822) was the first, Tom (1823) the second, and William (1828) the fourth. The third son is a mystery, largely absent from the historical record. Most references fail to mention him at all, though whether this is because he died in infancy, was utterly devoid of talent, or turned to crime is unclear. Thomas Arnold died of a heart attack on 12th June 1842, the day before his 47th birthday. It’s the potential, you see.

Yes, he left a profound legacy for his profession, yes, he was immortalised in a popular novel, but he died without completing the third volume of his magnum opus, The History of Rome. Does that make his death before 50 a tragedy, or his brief life a glorious triumph? The quality of a symphony is not determined by its length, and it’s probable that nobody would have read The History of Rome anyway.

Eldest son Matthew did rather well for himself. He was a bit of a brainbox, like his dad, and although his day job was as a school inspector, he became extremely famous as a writer, poet and literary critic. He also lived to be 66, which was a respectable score in the 19th Century, so we can assume that in his case, his potential had been satisfactorily reached.

Second son, Thomas Jr, lived even longer.

He died in 1900 at the age of 77, after a sucGIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

22/2/09 14:36:19

history file

by Dave Wood cessful and fascinating life (detailed in Bernard Bergonzi’s recent biography, A Victorian Wanderer) that, although it centred on literature and education, like his father’s and elder brother’s, spread far wider than either. He travelled as far as New Zealand, he twice abandoned the Anglican church in favour of Catholicism, and his wife Julia, whom he married in Hobart, Tasmania, after meeting her at a dance, managed to remain the love of his life while simultaneously driving him to distraction with her histrionics.

After Tom’s second conversion to Catholicism she left him, and they never lived together again despite remaining devoted to each other until her death from cancer in 1888. Tom was at her side when she died.

The third son, as we have noted, is conspicuously absent from the records, so we must leap like gazelles to son number four, the ill-fated William Delafield.

Biographical details about William are very sparse, which actually tells us a great deal.

The fact that there are acres of material in the archives about Matthew and the two Thomases, père et fils, is testament to their stature both in their lifetimes and since. The comparative dearth of information regarding William is not down solely to the brevity of his life. His older brothers and his father cast an intimidating shadow, in which he was forced to live.

Brother Thomas travelled widely, and was notably active in teaching and advising on matters of education in New Zealand and Tasmania.

William also left England to work abroad. In his case, he took up a post as an educational administrator in the Punjab. India, at that time, was decidedly still the jewel in the crown of the British Empire. However, unlike his brothers and father, his work does not seem to have been particularly innovative or noteworthy. At best he was adequate in the role; a good, steady, reliable drudge. Had he not been part of such an illustrious family, it is doubtful that his truncated sojourn on the planet would now be recalled at all. But he had much to live up to.

Papa was the great Thomas Arnold of Rugby.

His fame was enormous, and his literary works were, if not well-read, at least well regarded by the great and the good. Brother Matthew, even in his early 20s, was already gaining fame as a poet and writer. Brother Tom was also widely fêted while still a young man.

William, by contrast, was practically invisible.

His work in the Punjab brought him no kudos, so he decided to bulldoze his way into the family lore by attempting something in the literary line.

He produced a novel, Oakfield, or Fellowship in the East in 1853. Its plot, as the title hinted, concerned the lives of British colonial expatriates in the sub-continent. It was published, but not well received. Being the offspring of a famous parent is a notoriously heavy burden to bear. The expectations are unfairly and illogically great, and the result is often misery, and an inferiority complex compounded by irrefutable evidence that you are, in fact, inferior.

How much more onerous still, when the son of a famous father also has two brothers who have apparently assumed the burden like a thin summer shirt, and fulfilled the expectations

The comparative dearth of information regarding William is not down solely to the brevity of his life.

His older brothers and his father cast an intimidating shadow, in which he was forced to live

with ease?

William’s novel did not bring him any fame, and his educational work in the Punjab did nothing to build his reputation. Oakfield was his only book. In the six years of life left to him, he produced no more notable literary work.

In 1859, aged 31, he became ill, and decided to return to England with his family. He got as far as Gibraltar, where he sighed one last long sigh, and promptly died.

Ironically, his passing was most memorably recorded in, A Southern Night, a poem by brother Matthew. Poor old Bill – he couldn’t even write his own farewell.

Since there is no mention of William’s wife being with him at Gibraltar, we must assume that she had died in India. His four orphaned children were adopted by his sister Jane and her husband William Forster. Two of his sons became reasonably successful. Edward went into manufacturing in Yorkshire, and rose to the dizzy heights of deputy lieutenant for the West Riding. Hugh became a cabinet minister in the government of Lord Balfour.

No doubt both spoke with pride of their illustrious grandfather and their two illustrious uncles. And dad? Oh yes, dad wrote a book and died very young in Gibraltar. We hardly knew him. n

Rugby, where William’s father was headmaster

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The new crematorium alongside the incinerator at Europa Point

alexis almeda

health&safety

a healthy heritage

by Mike Brufal

Alexis Almeda, 72, was born on 4th August 1936, the 232nd anniversary of the capture of Gibraltar by Admiral Sir George Rooke.

Alexis’ early memories are of being evacuated from Gibraltar — first to Casablanca then in 1940 to the National Hotel, Russell Square, London, which seemed to be bombed every night as the German bombers homed in on the nearby London University and British Museum. During these air raids many Gibraltarians sought shelter in the nearby underground station; his mother, however, never joined them and stayed in the hotel as her view was ‘let God’s will be done’.

His first schooling was in St Aloysius’ Convent, a Catholic school in Camden Town, a placement arranged by Archbishop Peter Amigo for the Gibraltarian evacuees. A recent visit to the school and its playground brought back all the memories to Alexis as if time had stood still. He especially remembered collecting spent shrapnel after the regular air raids much to his mother’s disgust.

By coincidence his fourth birthday was celebrated on the boat taking the family to the UK and his eighth on the return home aboard the Stirling Castle.

Education continued in Gibraltar at the Castle Road School, followed by the Sacred Heart and then, having passed the 11+, the Grammar School at Plata Villa run by the Christian Brothers.

At that time there were only two scholarships awarded each year — a Government one which paid the most and another from John Mackintosh Trust. Surprisingly these were not awarded to the most academic students, but to the brightest students whose qualifications would be of the greatest benefit to Gibraltar. Both scholarships were awarded by the same board. On one occasion four scholarships were awarded in one

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year because of the need to have Gibraltarians in post with specific disciplines. As money was tight this meant there were no scholarships the following year.

Alexis was unlucky — although he was one of the brightest of his year he was not awarded a scholarship. This decision altered his life but with hindsight after such a happy and successful career he thinks perhaps providence had taken a hand in deciding his destiny.

Alexis joined the then City Council as a trainee sanitary inspector and in 1958 was sent to the Royal Technical College (now Salford University). Hard study during the three years resulted in a plethora of diplomas — one in Public Health (Hons), another in Public Health Inspection for General Overseas Appointments, another in General Hygiene (RSH Lond) and yet another in Food Hygiene (RSH Lond) — in addition to graduating as a BSc (Hons).

Naturally the City Council was not keen to allow qualified personnel, whose studies they had paid for, to depart for pastures new and before he started his studies he was tied to a five

Alexis experienced one of the strange facts of modern life which is when a retired person is seen to have become active again more and more honorary work is heaped upon them

year contract to work on the Rock. By then the die was cast as, on his return from his studies, he married Irene Fava, with who he went on to have two daughters, and he knew he would never leave Gibraltar.

In 1969 following the merger of the City Council and the local Government his title changed to Public Health Inspector and he was sent on a World Health Organisation scholarship to Russia to study the control of infectious diseases. This was an unusual scholarship as it was the USSR’s way of making a contribution instead of paying the WHO’s fees in hard cash. Students came from many Commonwealth countries especially African. Wherever the students went, a ‘translator/minder’ was also required. Alexis was only able to communicate with his wife and family after a gap of two months. His loved ones on the Rock had no idea what had happened and so they were more than pleased when he arrived back safe and sound.

It so happens that in the late 19th century the Gibraltar Public Health Department was the first to be established outside the UK and so is the second oldest Public Health Department in the world. At first examiners came out from the UK to test the trainees who had been taught in Gibraltar for a local qualification that was only valid in Gibraltar. After the second World War Gibraltarian trainees were awarded UK qualifications.

Former Chief Minister, Joe Bossano is one of Alexis’ trainees — first of all as an altar boy at the Sacred Heart Church and then as a Public Health Inspector trainee when in the early ’60s Joe joined the Health Department. Apparently he started GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

21/2/09 16:28:31

health&safety flirting with the idea of forming an Integration With Britain Party during these years. Soon after he was sent to London to qualify, decided to enter politics rather than remain in Public Health and the rest is history.

In 1968 Alexis was awarded the commendation “for action in the prevention of accidents from dangerous structures” by the Mayor and City Council and in 1974 he was promoted to Chief Environmental Health Officer and Superintendent of Markets. Four years later he became an examiner of the Royal Society of Health, London, two years after that an examiner of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, London and in 1983 an EEC approved inspector of Meat and Poultry Abattoirs in Third World Countries.

Many in Gibraltar are unaware of all that goes on behind the scenes to ensure contaminated products do not enter the Gibraltar market.

Before Spain joined the EU the Public Health Department had to apply UK legislation to Spanish products entering Gibraltar and in some cases it was necessary for him to inspect Spanish abattoirs. Whether the Spanish government liked it or not, if companies wished to sell their products on the Rock then inspections had to be carried out by the Gibraltarian Environmental Health Officer.

After the closure of the frontier meat was imported from Morocco and so he would inspect Moroccan abattoirs. He also visited abattoirs in the US and behind the former Iron Curtain. The Americans, in order to ease the visa bureaucracy, granted Alexis a life time visa which remains valid to this day.

12th September 1974 is engraved on his heart.

He was on an abattoir inspection visit in Ethiopia when, in the middle of the night, he was woken up by the sound of heavy gun fire. The next morning he was taken out of the hotel with his luggage, physically searched, taken to the airport and with four other British subjects bundled onto a jumbo jet. There was a crew of 12 to look after the five passengers. They then found out there had been a successful coup against the Emperor Haile Selassie by the PNAC. Who said being a Environmental Health Officer is not exciting?!

Alexis was also appointed vice-chairman, Gibraltar Rabies and Animal Welfare committee, a member of Gibraltar Liaison Committee on nuclear reactor accidents, member of the Gibraltar Civil Defence Committee, member of the Heritage Action Committee and member of the Gibraltar UNESCO Heritage Committee!

Alexis retired in 1994 — his daughters were married and following a health scare, he decided to take life very easily. Soon he felt lost and bored and so started a consultancy business specialising in health and safety, and the safe disposal of hazardous waste in partnership with Albert Trinidad who had left his position at Shell in 1996.

As a civil servant Alexis was concerned that dangerous substances were being disposed of on an ad hoc basis with some being dumped into the sea and some in storage tunnels. He felt it was a time bomb primed to go off in the immediate future, and so the disposal of dangerous substances was added to the company’s articles of association.

Alexis experienced one of the strange facts of modern life which is when a retired person is seen to have become active again more and more honorary work is heaped upon them.

He had been a member of Rotary for many years and in 1994 accepted the singular honour of being appointed President. One of the delights of this position deciding what the major charity GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2008

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Alexis Almeda

Many in Gibraltar are totally unaware of all that goes on behind the scenes to ensure contaminated products do not enter the Gibraltar market project of the year is to be. He chose to supply telephones to the aged and infirm to be used when the recipients find themselves in difficulty, now well known as ‘Panic Buttons’.

His target was to supply 60 telephones at a cost of £12,000. On his penultimate day as President he was £600 short of the target. Fate intervened and during a walk on a Saturday morning he met a generous supporter and close friend, a Jewish businessman, who told him to go home and relax as he would send a cheque on Monday.

The 60 Panic Button telephones were purchased and presented to the Minister, the late Ernest Mor, who distributed them to deserving cases via Social Services.

Alexis, a member of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust, was asked whether he would consider taking on the role of Chairman. He accepted, imagining it would be for a couple of years, but went on to chair the Trust for some five years. It was no sinecure and was both challenging and enjoyable.

During his time the restoration of Parson’s Lodge Battery, started by his predecessor, Lt Col Eddie Guerrero, was completed. At about the same time the Trust took over the Victualling Yard project. It was his dream that the Yard should be converted into a Maritime Museum and one of his greatest disappointment is it is unlikely to ever come about due to the costs involved.

A project he is particularly proud of is the restoration of the City Council Chamber and the Mayor’s Parlour, a fine achievement considering the expense and the skilled nature of the work involved.

A further successful project started during his regime in conjunction with the Gibraltar Museum — the restoration of the Moorish Castle. He is delighted with the decision to move the prison from Moorish Castle as it is a valuable part of Gibraltar’s heritage.

Together with the Friends of Gibraltar Heritage Society, the Trust was the prime mover in the erection of a model of the Rock in the grounds of the Royal Marines’ Museum at Southsea.

During his chairmanship of the Trust he became close friends with Colonel Robin Everley and one result was the loan to the Gibraltar Museum of the Evelegh collection of cannons.

These are miniatures of all the cannons, except the Koeler depression gun (part of the original collection which is now missing). The miniatures were made by Spanish prisoners during the Great Siege and were presented to one of Colonel Evelegh’s ancestors, who gave the prisoners raw materials to while away the hours, as a “thank you”.

One of Alexis’ proudest moments was during Princess Alexandra’s visit to Gibraltar when he showed her around the museum where she was most interested in the Copley painting of the Great Siege.

Alexis was a member of the Development and Planning Commission from 1995-99, a Trustee of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust 1995-2007 and in 2007 he was made an Honorary Life Trustee of the Trust.

He is a long standing member of the Calpe Rowing Club which he joined in 1964 and in that same year he was invited to be the Honorary Treasurer of the Gibraltar Horticultural Society for three months following the sudden death of John Coelho. Amazingly, 17 years later, he was still the GHS ‘Hon. Treasurer’.

Alexis was honoured by the Queen in 2001 when he was awarded the MBE. To add to his crowded schedule he was appointed a member of the Development Appeals Tribunal 2002-06 and the Gibraltar Health Authority Independent Review Panel 2004-07.

His company, Environmental and Waste Management Services Ltd, which he runs with his partner Alex Trinidad, was appointed by Government to dispose of all clinical waste and his company was successful in its bid to build and run the Government incinerator.

Government decided a crematorium should be added to the incinerator — run under one system using the latest technology and incorporating the latest filter systems. On one side would stand the crematorium and on the other the incineration of hazardous waste products. Each side is totally separate with the only common factors being the flue, the filtering system and the monitoring equipment. One side closes down completely before the other starts up.

As well as hazardous waste the company now offers the incineration of confidential documents — which are placed in sealed containers — from banks, lawyers and accountants. Pets can also be cremated on this side of the complex.

The building is an architectural delight but posed a considerable challenge to the architect and builder in view of the 45 degree tilt. The complex is UK certified to EU standards.

The cremation marketing and funeral side is being handled by Codali Funeral Services. There is an imposing chapel of rest which holds 100 mourners. It is ready to open and the Gibraltar Government has passed all the required legislation. All that is needed is for the subsidiary legislation to be enacted.

Alexis states with characteristic modesty that life has been most rewarding. During his career in Public Health there’s been considerable change, much of which was largely down to his expertise and drive. Small pox vaccination was phased out, other vaccination programmes were introduced such as flu and the triple antigen MMR vaccine; these were instrumental in increasing the life expectancy on the Rock.

His life shows how the disappointment of not achieving a major objective early in one’s life can work to the greater satisfaction and benefit of both the individual and the community in which he or she lives. n

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21/2/09 16:28:34

That Nail Place L4

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

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

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Gel - Acrylic - Fibreglass

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Airbrushing Nail Art Body Jewellery

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

H4

now also in Casemates

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~ Visit The Two Best Pubs In Town ~

O4

Fresh Homemade Food from Breakfasts and Jackets to Entrecote Steak and Battered Cod

7

X6

193 Main Street Tel: 200 77444

G1

Gibraltar Taxi Association

Hearty Tunnellers’ Charcoal Grill Pasta, Breakfast (until midday), Sizzling Dishes, Light Bites, Salads, Baguettes, kid’s menu etc 8 Casemates Sq Tel: 200 74946

K4

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

Sacha’s

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

A3

G5

E7

Artists’ Corner

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

Tel: 200 59700 Tel: 200 50020

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

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D8

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

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

Quality Kitchen Ware Gibraltar’s Best Stocked Cook Shop K5

The Takeway with a difference.

Homecooking . our speciality .

Open Monday

M5 to Saturday

46 Irish Town Tel: 200 75188 Fax: 200 72653

the silver shop

for beautiful silver jewellery & gifts 3 locations in gibraltar casemates arcade • 275 main st horse barrack lane

G3

N3

M4

T4 21/2/09 16:35:30

Q5

P2

V4 Accountants Durante Carboni Jardim..............X3 ESV Hassan & Co........................ I4 GA Olivera Accountants............ M4 Business/Financial Services AI Couriers (DHL)......................K3 Barclays Bank............................ M4 GibraltarAssetManagement....... M5 Jyske Bank.................................. L4 Masbro Insurance........................N4 Norwich & Peterborough............Q5 Phoenix Solutions........................ J4 Sovereign Trust...........................N4 STM Fidecs.................................H7 Business Services Call Centre..................................V4 CTS.............................................D3 Global Business Centre................S3 PointOne.....................................D7 Waste Management......................a6 Business Supplies Beacon Press...............................N6 Glasshouse..................................N5 Image Graphics...........................N3 Stitch Design................................P3

Car Sales A. M. Capurro & Sons Ltd ........ N6 Computers & Cableing Image Graphics........................... N3 Newton Systems.........................M5 PC Clinic..................................... U3 Food & Drink 14 on the Quay.............................Z6 Al Baraka.................................... X7 Amin’s The Ofice........................ K5 All Sports Bar ............................ N3 Barbary Ape................................. b2 Birdie Cafe Restaurant................ D7 The Boatyard................................Z6 Buddies Pasta Casa..................... Q4 Bush Tucker................................ K5 Cafe Rojo.................................... K5 Café Solo..................................... G3 Casa Pepe.....................................Z6 El Patio........................................ H2 Fresh .......................................... G4 Garcia’s Take-Away.................... C1 Gauchos Restaurant.................... G5 Get Joost...............................H4, S4 Get Stuffed.................................. A3 House of Sacarello.......................L5 Just-a-Nibble.................................I4 Just Desserts..................................I4

184 Main Street Tel: 200 72133 open: from 8am (10am on Sun) Khans............................................C8 London Bar...................................R2 Lord Nelson................................. H2 Marrakesh Restaurant...................R3 Mumtaz........................................ N2 El Patio......................................... H2 Picadilly Gardens.......................... b4 Pickwicks Bar...............................R3 Pig and Whistle Bar..................... D7 Pusser’s Landing . ........................C5 Roy’s Cod Plaice.......................... H4 Royal Calpe.................................. Q5 Saccone & Speed...........................J4 Smiths Fish and Chips................. V4 Solo Express................................ H4 Square Cafe.................................. H4 Star Bar........................................ K5 The Three Roses.......................... Q2 Time Out........................................J9 Waterfront.................................... Y7 Funeral Services Codali Funeral Services............... U3 Hair & Beauty Salons Classic Cuts..................................M3 Extend-it Plus............................... N2 Joya’s Gents Hairdressers............ N2 Renaissance Beauty.......................J4 Roots.............................................T4

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

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

Q5

Short Cut........................................I6 Sissi Salon.................................... H4 Jewellery Sales/Repair Antonio Jewellers...........................J4 Beau Jangels.................................M4 Jewellery Repairs..........................L4 Matthew’s Jewellery......................I3 Leisure Complete Fitness.......................... R3 Dolphin Safari.............................. A3 Rock Hotel.................................... c0 Rock Turf Accountants ��������������� H2 Legal Services Budhrani Lawyers........................ K4 Charles Gomez............................. U4 Hassans........................................ R6 Isolas.............................................E4 Triay & Triay............................... K5 Medical / Health Bell Pharmacy.............................. N3 Claudia’s Clinic............................ K4 Dr. Crump, Steven, Chiropractor I4 Gib-Lab...................................... ....I4 Health Food Store........................ O4 Louis Pharmacy........................... H4 M. Clark Dentist........................... U3

L5

Irish Town Tel: 200 70411

McTimoney chiropractor.............L4 John Miles - Chiropodist..............K7 Smart Puls Centre......................... I6 Specialist Medical Clinic.............. I4 Sport-On - Sports Therapy...........K3 Steiner Chiropractor.....................K7 Pet Services / Supplies Gibraltar Veterinary Clinic..........H4 Property Sales / Estate Agents Bray Property...............................B3 Norwich & Peterborough.............Q5 Property World.............................. I4 Solomon Levy . ...........................U3 General Services Art Gallery...................................R4 Balban (electrician)......................H2 Balloqui . ..................................... P4 LP Borge......................................X3 CIAP.............................................N5 Denville Designs.........................M3 Fashion House Interiors............... P2 Gibstainless..................................C7 Greenarc.......................................X5 Larbi upholstery...........................R3 Queensway Quay Laundrette.......X7 Seabreeze Laundry.......................A3

GACHE & CO. LTD

Suds Laundry...............................I6 Space Interiors.............................I3 Shopping — General Anuska........................................S5 Arcade Keys.................................J5 Carol’s Books...............................I4 Don House Arcade.......................J5 Flair............................................ N4 Gallery Mosaic...........................M5 Ritual Tattoo................................P5 Sheppard’s Chandlery................ D4 Terry’s........................................M5 The Studio.................................. R5 Woodstock & Wembley............. J5 Shopping — Fashion/Clothing Esprit.......................................... D4 Recruitment Corporate Resources....................J4 Just Recruitment..........................L4 RecruitGibraltar......................... O6 Quad Consultancy...................... U3 Transport / Marine Services Autoelectrical............................. C7 Gib Cargo................................... B8 Shell Bunkering......................... H6 Tarik Oil..................................... C8

GIBRALTAR BOOKSHOP

U4

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266 Main Street, Gibraltar. Tel: 200 75757

178 Main Street · Gibraltar · Telephone 200 48480

★★★ Opticians Giftware Jewellery

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H O T E Li

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T4

9 Cannon Lane Tel: 20051711 Fax: 20051789

300 MAIN STREET GIBRALTAR TEL: 200 71894 FAX: 200 75554

For fiction and non-fiction yachting books, bargain books

Sports Trophies, Awards & Engravers

T4

68-69mapJ.indd 53

Irish Town Antiques

BAR NOW OPEN 8.30 - midnight Breakfast from 8.30-10am

THE PENGUIN BOOKSHOP

P3

P4 Licencees of Gibcon Ltd

21/2/09 16:35:49

Silene vulgaris Common Field Speedwell

Wild Flowers of Gibraltar text and photos by Leslie Linares ARPS

rare & beautiful Habitats around the Rock can be fairly stable,and so the same type of species may be found within a particular habitat year in, year out. But this is not always the case: habitats can change for a number of reasons.

For example introduced species text and photos by may take over, or there is growth of Leslie Linares ARPS dense vegetation where there was once a clearing, or disturbance by man may alter the environmental conditions, etc.

New habitats may also spring into existence, usually as a result of man’s intervention. One such situation has arisen at the southern end of Eastern Beach, where sand has been blown up against the rocks used in the reclamation project there and created a mini-

sand dune. As a result, a handful of plant species that live on sand dunes have established themselves there. The sea knotgrass, Polygonum maritimum, a species that has been extinct from Gibraltar for about 100 years, is now re-established on this strip of dune. It is a spreading perennial with stems 10 to 50 cm long. The leaves are grey-green, with in-rolled margins. The white or pink flowers are 2 to 4 mm across, and form groups of up to 4 in the leaf axils.

Early Storksbill

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The yellow bartsia, Parentucellia viscosa, is a plant of open spaces, and was once fairly common on Bruce’s Farm firebreak and on the Lower Slopes. These two areas are now fast becoming very overgrown, and the numbers of this species has been much reduced.

The plants can be up to 50cm tall.

The flowers are around 2 cm long, and form a dense 4-sided raceme which elongates in fruit.

The small-flowered tongue orchid, Serapias parviflora, is the least significant of our local orchids. The plants are from 10 to 30 cm tall, and the narrow leaves 5 to 15cm long. The flowers are around 1.5cm long, and form a more-or-less dense spike of between 3 and 10 flwers.

As is the case of all our orchids, it is a protected species. Though rare, it is quite widespread in clearings and along waysides of the Upper Rock.

Most species of campion are relatively small, with stems rarely exceeding 40cm, but the white cam-

pion, Silene latifolia, has spreading, branching stems that can reach up to 1m. The flowers are pure white, 2 to 3 cm across. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants, and can be distinguished by the fact that the calyx of a male flower has 10 veins, whilst that of a female flower has 20. The best stand of these plants on the Rock is along Mediterranean Steps.

One of the rarest plants on the Rock is the common field speedwell, Veronica persica. This is a plant of damp places, fields and gardens.

Gibraltar does not offer many such suitable habitats, and so this is only found as a weed in planted areas and gardens, in particular the Alameda Gardens. It is a small plant, with spreading stems 10 to 40 cm long. The flowers are solitary, and the four-lobed corolla is around 1 cm across. The lobes are blue, but the lowest lobe is paler or even white.

Many people are familiar with flowers of the mallow family be-

The yellow bartsia, Parentucellia viscosa, is a plant of open spaces, and was once fairly common on Bruce’s Farm firebreak and on the Lower Slopes GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

21/2/09 16:51:02

natural history White Campion

Lesser Mallow

Sand Catsear

One of the rarest plants on the Rock is the common field speedwell, Veronica persica. This is a plant of damp places, fields and gardens cause they are generally quite large and colourful, usually purple or pink. But the lesser mallow, Malva parviflora, goes by virtually unnoticed, not only because it is rare, but because the pale pink flowers are only 6 or 7 mm across. These flowers form clusters of 2 to 5. It is usually found on waste ground or as a weed in cultivated plots around town.

The sand slopes of the East Side are home to many wonderful and attractive species of plants. Many are quite common on the slopes, but others are rare such as this member of the dandelion family: the sand catsear, Hypochaeris salzmanniana.

The branching stems grow up to 30 cm tall, and are rather swollen towards the top. The flower heads are from 1.5 to 2 cm across, and the yellow ray florets have a green-

ish tinge on the underside. These plants have evolved to survive on coastal sands.

A large number of species have been introduced to the Rock via imported soil. The range on Windmill Hill Flats was covered with such soil, and a large number of species flowered. Not many survived after their first flowering since the conditions on the Flats are quite harsh. But some have found themselves quite at home and one such species is the early storksbill, Erodium primulaceum. This hairy annual has spreading stems up to 30cm long. The flowers are up to 2 cm across, and grow in umbels of up to 6 flowers. The upper two petals of each flower are larger than the others and have a dark patch near the base. n

Tongue Orchid

Yellow Bartsia

Sea Kontgrass

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

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21/2/09 16:51:41

1st FLOOR 1

3

2

Stairs to Ground Floor

onthesquare

Gibraltar Museum (special exhibition rooms)

4

5

6

7

8

9 10

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

• Pizza • Pasta • Salads • Fresh Juices • Cappuccino • Ice Creams

NOW OFFERING DAILY SPECIALS Grand Casemates Sq Tel: 20044449

12 13

Casemates Gates

5th Jan Tradional 3 Kings Cavalcade Parade Casemates along Main Street-starting from Casemates Square Time: 7.00 pm

23 24 25

Square 29

Tourist Office 15th Jan

The Gibraltar Philharmonic Society Berlin Philharmonic Solist Series

(See pages 87-90 for restaurant & bar information)

Q: From where does the name come?

The word Casemates, meaning a bomb proof compartment, usually of masonry, to house a magazine or troop quarters, comes from the Italian ‘Casamatta’ from the Latin ‘Casa’ (house) and ‘Matto’ (mad) originating from the Latin ‘Mattus’ (drunk)!

30

33 Visit us and step back in history

Line Wall Road

32 International Commercial Centre

P

TAXIS

(shops, offices, health centre)

Main Street

➨

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

27 28

PS

Fruit & Veg, Fish & Meat

17 18 19

14

SHO

Public Market

15 16

20 21 22

Casemates Tunnel

11

Casemates Arcade

Ground FLOOR

Main Entrance / Stairs

Casemates Square Tel: 200 72987

1-3. Arts & Crafts Galleries 11. Cafe Solo 12. All’s Well 14. The Tunnel 19. The Silver Shop 26. El Cottage 27. Lord Nelson Bar Brasserie 28. El Patio Restaurant 29. Rock Turf Accountants 30. Square Cafe 32. Solo Express 33. Get Joost! smoothies

10 Casemates www.lordnelson.gi Tel: 200 50009

RESTAURANTE

El Patio

Basque & Continental Cuisine Speciality Fish

now also in Casemates

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11 Casemates Square Tel: 200 70822

Tel/Fax: 200 74982 Email: tourism@gibraltar.gi Website: www.gibraltar.gov.uk

GIBRALTAR GIBRALTARMAGAZINE MAGAZINE••March MARCH2009 2009

21/2/09 16:54:48

WHAT’S ON March

Sunday 1st March Royal Marines Band Concert at St Michael’s Cave 8pm. For tickets and further information contact Tel: 20055083

further information and entry forms contact Darren Olivero on Tel: 54027171 or email info@gibraltardarts.com www.gibraltardarts. com

Thursday 12th to 14th March M.O. Productions 7th Gibraltar Stage Dance Festival at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre 7pm (Saturday 14th March – Matinee: 10am, Gala Night: 7.30pm). Tickets £6 from the Nature Shop – Casemates. For further information contact 200 71635 Email: mopro@gibtelecom.net

Gibraltar Down’s Syndrome Support Group, 3rd Annual Buddy Walk at Casemates Square. T-shirts & pre-registration will be at the Piazza on Saturday 14th March.

Tuesday 17th March Gibraltar Museum Lecture by Dennis Beiso “The evolution of the Gibraltarian identity” at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre 8.30pm.

For further information Tel: 200 74289. Entrance free.

Sunday 29th March Calpe Rambles meet the Spanish side of the Frontier just to the right of the Aduana vehicle exit at 8am For further information contact Ray 200 71956 or John 200 74645.

Car Boot Sale at St Christopher’s School 9am to 2pm. For further information please contact Lyne Todd at the school’s Thrift Shop from 9am to 12.30pm. Tel: 54006387/200 Saturday 14th March GOHNS-Outing to La Sauceda, 52886/200 53845. woodland birds and flowers, 8am – Spanish side of the frontier. For Thursday 26th March further information contact Leslie The Gibraltar Philharmonic Society Linares 200 75356 E-mail: plants@ Baroque Spectacular. The European Sinfonietta at The Convent. For gonhs.org further information please contact Gibraltar Botanic Garden Tour meets Tel: 200 72134 George Don Gates (at the south end of Grand Parade) 10.30am. There is Friday 27th March no fee but donations welcome. For Investiture by HE The Governor at further information Tel: 200 72639 The Convent 12.00 noon. For further information Tel 200 55083 Email: alameda@wildlife.gib.gi

Saturday 21st March Gibraltar Darts Association Gibraltar Open 2009 sponsored by “Kronenbourg 1664” at Victoria Stadium, Bayside Road 11am. For

Tuesday 31st March Gibraltar Museum Lecture by Lionel Chipolina “The social consequences of Darwinism” at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre, 8.30pm.

Tel: 200 74289. Entrance free.

There will be a Car Boot Sale at St Christopher’s School 9am to 2pm on Saturday 21st March GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

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21/2/09 16:54:54

prize puzzle

by Alan Gravett

SUDOKU No prize for this one — you’ll be doing it for the glory!

1

2

3

5

4

6 7

9

8

11

10

13

12

15

14 16

17

18

21

19

20

22

Across 1) Republican Presidential candidate in recent

US election (4,6) 8) Completely full, e.g. with food (5) 9) Collective name for all the islands of the

South Pacific (7) 10) To get back on a plane, ship etc. (7) 11) Motto of the RAF, per ardua ad ----- (5) 12) Obstacle e.g. in an athletics event (6) 14) Island associated with Trinidad (6) 17) Book for collections of stamps etc. (5) 19) US state of which 1) is senior Senator (7) 21) US state, or Harrison Ford character -----

Jones (7) 22) Spanish word for female friend (5) 23) What teetotallers do! (2,8)

23

Down 2) Tenth month (7) FIR 3) Russian girl’s forename (5) ST PRIZE: Send completed crossword to: Lunch for 2 at The Cannon Bar, 4) Full of nimbus, cirrus etc. (6) The Cannon Bar Cannon Lane, Gibraltar.

5) Not very recently (4,3) One entry per person.

6) Musical piece for 9 players (5) Winner notified in next issue of The Gibraltar Magazine. 7) Present US President (5,5) Closing date: 20th March 2009 8) 1)’s vice-Presidential running mate (5,5) 13) England and Chelsea footballer (7) LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS: Across: St Valentine, Emir, Bandsaws, Bengali, Furry, Spend, 15) Adjective, describing part of old Greece and Delight, Appearer, Pray, Scarborough.

certain musical instruments derived from a Down: Over, Globule, Inane, Missouri, Samuel Pepys, Edward

word meaning “the wind” (7) Heath, Gunmetal, Ferrari, Probe, Paul.

16) US state, birthplace of 7) – (6) 18) Present US vice-President (5) Crossword Winner 20) ----- Walton, author of The Compleat Norman Wilcock

Angler (5)

BLINDS & BLIND SYSTEMS

62 Engineers Lane Tel: 200 44012 Email: jane@denvilledesigns.com www.denvilledesigns.com

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

21/2/09 16:57:45

fanys, wrens and

13

unlucky

photo of Diana Quilter

by Reg Reynolds

“So there we were undefended. We were promptly attacked and quite a lot of us were sunk — only one third of our 15-strong convoy eventually got home.”

They were called Fanys (First Aid and Nursing Yeomanry) and they served wherever the British were fighting in World War II including Gibraltar.

The story of the Fanys is told by themselves in a book I received for Christmas titled Debs at War. The speakers are all upper-class Debutantes who volunteered to work with the Armed Services.

One of the Debs interviewed is Diana Quilter who wound up in Gibraltar.

“At the beginning of the war we were all foraging for jobs,” recalls Quilter in the book. “Finally I got an interview with the War Office and joined Censorship and was sent to Gibraltar.”

Unfortunately Quilter has little to say about her work in Gibraltar but she does tell of the most dangerous part of her job. It wasn’t working on the Rock, which went through the war virtually unscathed but for a bit of erratic bombing by French aircraft, but the journey to and from that proved the real threat to life and limb.

Quilter tells how when Italy entered the war on the Axis side in June of 1940 the powers that be determined, incorrectly, that Gibraltar wasn’t a safe place to be and Quilter and the other Fanys were shipped home.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

74-75march.indd 75

“To do so we had to wait for a convoy. The boat we were put on was small and rather battered — for years it had been taking pilgrims to Mecca and was already loaded with Italian prisoners when it got to us.

“It was quite a hazardous journey, as we were the slowest boat in the convoy, so slow that Uboats underwater could travel at the same speed, about six or seven knots.”

The convoy went unmolested for three days but when it reached the middle of the Bay of Biscay news came that France had fallen, the escort ships were ordered to Brest to evacuate troops and the U-boats moved in.

“So there we were undefended. We were promptly attacked and quite a lot of us were sunk — only one third of our 15-strong convoy eventually got home. And because our ship was crammed with so many civilians and the wretched Italian prisoners in the hold we couldn’t stop to pick anyone up. That was much the worst of it.”

Quilter believed that her tiny ship survived only because it was so small the U-boat captains couldn’t be bothered with it. Maybe but Quilter was very lucky. Just how lucky can be illustrated by the sad story of the tragic Wrens sent to Gibraltar a little more than a year after her departure.

The convoy OG71 consisted of 21 ships and most of them were small and slow. Their escort vessels, World War I destroyers on loan from America, were old and also slow.

At the time Gibraltar was a busy place and the hard-pressed chief signals officer made an urgent appeal for skilled personnel. He requested men but the Navy sent him women. Mrs. Vera Laughton Mathews, a former suffragette, was Director of the WRNS and she determined her women were more than up to the job. She sent her very best, her “Flowers of the flock.”

It must have seemed an exciting assignment to the young recruits because they rushed to volunteer. Those under 21, some were only 18, needed parental permission.

Those of superstitious minds will note the tempting of fate as the convoy set sail on August 13, 1941. This was a time when the U-boats were at the height of their powers. Any convoy was dangerous in 1941 but the convoy route from the U.K. to Gibraltar was the most dangerous of them all because the U-boats were able to operate close to their bases in France.

The Wrens would have been considerably safer aboard a fast fighting ship but an Admiralty rule didn’t allow women to travel on warships. The Admiralty deemed the Commodore’s ship, the Aguila, the next best thing.

The Aguila was a Liverpool based cargo and passenger ship which before the war sailed to the Canary Islands. For war duty she was armed with a four-inch gun. In August 1940 she had successfully fought off a submarine. On this tragic convoy she wouldn’t get a chance to fight.

After six days at sea the convoy came under attack from U-201. First the U-boat torpedoed and sunk one of the destroyers. Aware his ship was an attractive target, an alarmed Captain Firth of the Aguila ordered the Wrens to standby with life jackets on. The formerly cheerful young women, who had earlier in the voyage waved happily to passing ships, must have been terrified. The end came quickly. A torpedo struck the Aguila direct amidships and she went down in just 90 seconds.

There was no time to launch lifeboats or even liferafts. Of the 38 on board only 13, including Captain Firth, survived. All 13 Wrens perished.

The only good to come of the tragedy was that the Admiralty changed its rule barring women from warships and the next batch of Wrens arrived safely aboard a cruiser.

The Fanys and Wrens of World War II didn’t have combat roles but they did risk, and sometimes give up, their lives for their country. n

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21/2/09 16:57:47

profile

by Mark Montovio

Ole Dammegård with his family

the art inside

Ole Dammegård was born in Denmark and travelled the globe extensively before settling down in this part of the world. An accomplished artist, musician, writer and designer, Ole has combined all his talents and is now also an international yoga teacher fostering peace of mind.

“I am self taught with everything I do, be it writing, painting, handicrafts, web design or music. For me the arts all come from the same place, inside. They are just different ways of expressing the same thing. It all has to do with feelings, rhythm, balance and ‘shades of colour’.

You can express colours in music and writing, just as well as in painting and design work.

“I just love it all, as long as I’m blessed with inspiration and don’t burn myself out by pushing and pushing myself in trying to give my best.

For some people stress is a gift and it helps them to get going. I’m the opposite, and do what I can to avoid this destructive feeling. Here the yoga is helping me a lot.”

Ole, released his first album HeartGlow, in Sweden in 1993, followed by From Prison to Paradise with its title song reaching the US Ambient Top Chart, and he is also well known for his compositions for Swedish National TV. He is the author of several books, among them Shadow of Tears which is based on his experiences of Iran during the war with Iraq. During that time he worked as a teacher for Iranian refugees in Sweden and also helped to smuggle out some Iranian friends, via Russia to Sweden.

He was an investigative journalist for many years in Sweden and took a keen interest in re-

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searching the murder of Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme in 1986. Eventually this is what led him, and partner Kim, to leave Sweden as his ongoing investigations created an element of risk for his family but he did complete his novel Coup d’état in Slow Motion, based on the 12 years of intense research into the assassination.

He has organised art exhibitions and for a while owned his own art gallery and he is also the recipient of an award from the Academy of the Arts in Prague.

Ole had only a very general idea of what Gibraltar was like before his first visit.

“Before coming here, I knew very little about Gibraltar, except of course that it was a wonder-

I knew very little about Gibraltar, except of course that it was a wonderful rock formation and that Gibraltar designed great stamps

ful rock formation, that Gibraltar designed great stamps (I used to be a stamp collector) and that it housed the famous apes. Years ago my dad sailed from Sweden to Gibraltar together with some friends, so from his stories and photos I also had a general idea about the environment and its residents.”

An encounter with Integral Yoga Gibraltar Founder Nalanie Chellaram changed Ole’s life.

“After having being absorbed by her talks, our lives changed. Both Kim and I loved the yoga philosophy based on human values like truthfulness, non-violence, compassion, nongreed, giving and sharing and felt that this was the way we wanted to live our lives. Through the group of people from all over the world who came to hear her talks, I also started meeting other Gibraltarians and collaborated with many of their projects. I started by designing the website for the Integral Yoga Centre and Nalanie’s cover for her Flow with Deep Relaxation CD. I then designed Jane Langdon’s website and the cover for The Iceberg Cowboy album, and continued working with chef Vicky Garcia Bishop, yogi Shanti Alman and musicians Dennis and Henry Valerga.”

Last year Ole started writing the novel The

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

21/2/09 17:14:31

Guilty Victim and completed the children’s book, Truth is One, Paths are Many.

He hopes to get his books and music published internationally with the intention of spreading peace and understanding between people, especially from different cultures.

“I would love to help create a world where people stopped blaming each other for their problems and the difficult times and instead took responsibility for their own lives so we can all make this world a better place to live. I believe in a truly great motto: When you feel down and sad — go out and help somebody.

“In times like this, when the financial situation is difficult and panic is spreading, I believe one of the most important things is to focus on maintaining our Inner Balance. Having spent so many years investigating the powers that are working behind the scenes, it is very obvious to me that this so called crisis is orchestrated in a strong effort to enforce even more control upon us. We are bombarded with Fear, mainly through media, and exposed to so called ‘terrorist acts’. I strongly believe that all these situations are insider jobs aiming to spread fear and to get the ordinary

citizen begging for even more control. So only by not buying into the fear can we withstand the pressure.

If we focus on having peace of mind so that we can learn how to “surf the waves”, we can keep our balance and support each other in times of trouble.

“As our wonderful yoga teacher Nalanie Chellaram often says: When you are in a dark place, remind yourself constantly ‘Even this shall pass, even this shall pass’.

And somehow it always does. It is never the situation that is the real problem, but our way of handling it.”

Ole’s talents are as diverse as the countries he has visited and the experiences he has had. He continues to stay focussed and inspiration flows. He is clear about the origins of that: “I believe it is very important to focus on giving, especially in tough times. The giving somehow generates such wonderful results and without you really understanding how, it comes back to you as well. So if you are in doubt or in a desperate situation, just go out and help someone less fortunate and see what happens.” n You can check out Ole’s work on www.master-design.info.

Office Refurbishments & Fitting Out

Ole Dammegård

Home Renovations & Refurbishments

SOLUTIONS

PO Box 598 Tel: 57185000 Fax: 77041

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

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society

audi Q5 at

Rock Motors Rock Motors unveiled the new Audi Q5 during February and it’s now available on order from their showroom.

The Minister for Tourism & Transport, the Hon. Joe Holliday dropped in on the champagne reception held at the beginning of February to take a look at the latest Quattro model from Audi, the launch of which coincides with 25 years of Audi’s Quattro technology.

The car offers much more than that though, with options for Bang & Olufsen sound system a top speed of 265km/h, and luxury leather interior.

Call in at Rock Motors at the beginning of Queensway to find out more. n

Friends of Gibraltar AGM Over 50 members of the Friends of Gibraltar Society attended the Annual General Meeting which was held on Wednesday 13th February at the newly opened ‘Gibraltar House’ (in London).

Albert Poggio with Vivienne Azopardi and Robert Gomez

Sir Francis Richards as Chairman gave details in his opening speech of the exciting projects being planned to expand the membership of the Society with the aim of encompassing people who wish to retain their links with Gibraltar and to be friends of Gibraltar in the United Kingdom.

He also announced the establishment of a new London Committee under the Chairmanship of Major General Simon Pack.

Sir Francis informed the mem-

bers about a series of talks which will take place in ‘Gibraltar House’ and will incorporate a number of specialist speakers regarding a variety of topics.

The first guest speaker will be the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Peter Caruana.

During the Board of Director’s session in the afternoon, three new Directors were elected, Colonel Dr Vincent Mifsud, Commodore Richard Lord and Hilary Wines. n Sir Francis making the opening speech, Pepe Forbes and London Office staff

Society members enjoying the evening

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society

the first Gibraltar

boatshow

With Lloyds TSB International Banking confirmed as the main sponsor, the first ever international boat show to be held in Gibraltar looks set to be a big success.

John Wood, part of the Boat Show team, comments, “At 66 characters (no spaces) the Lloyds TSB International Private Banking Gibraltar International Boat Show is now not only the first International Boat Show for Gibraltar, but also possibly the world’s longest titled Boat Show! We’re delighted to have the strength of such a respected brand in the world of private banking on board and are savouring the prospect of working together to create a Show to remember.”

Albert Langston, Country Manager, Lloyds TSB International Private Banking Gibraltar, said, “As part of our continued commitment to communities and businesses in Gibraltar, we are delighted to be able to sponsor the first Gibraltar International Boat Show. We look forward to meeting boating enthusiasts from across the globe and supporting what we are sure will

be a very successful event.”

The Press Conference also revealed that Kristina Szekely Sotheby’s International Realty, also with offices in Ocean Village, had offered their backing as a silver sponsor for the event.

Taking place on Easter Weekend, 9 – 12 April 2009, the Lloyds TSB International Private Banking Gibraltar International Boat Show offers free entrance for the public and favourable pricing for exhibitors. Several major player yacht manufacturers have already com-

Numerous exceptional events are set to appear on the Boat Show calendar, the highlight being a charity football match to close the Show on Sunday evening

www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

read it online!

on Sunday evening. Literally a few steps from the Marinas, the 5,000capacity Victoria Stadium will host a celebrity versus combined Armed Forces and Gibraltar Football Association tournament and proceeds from this event will be dedicated to Help for Heroes – a charity which supports wounded servicemen and women injured in the current conflicts.

Other events include informative seminars as well as various ‘Learn 2s’ such as kayak, sail and dive with some more intriguing spectacles left under wraps to be revealed nearer the event. Prepare to be surprised – this will be a Boat Show to remember. n For further information on attending or indeed exhibiting at the Gibraltar International Boat Show contact sales@ gibraltarboatshow.com, telephone 00 44 1392 811 520 or visit www.gibraltarboatshow.com.

MARCH 2009 Date Vessel ETA ETD Pass Capacity From To Wed 25 Prinsendam 1000 1700 American 758 Arrecife Cartagena Total number of vessels scheduled to call in 2009 - 236 Total number of passengers anticipated on a full occupancy basis - 354,668

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mitted to the event from Sunseeker to Azimut and this is drawing in significant interest from many associated marine industries from insurance to specialist paints. The Show also has the full support of the Gibraltar authorities in particular the Tourist Board who recently promoted the event in Madrid at the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR).

Numerous exceptional events are set to appear on the Boat Show calendar, the highlight being a charity football match to close the Show

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into history

by Richard Cartwright

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Louis reflects on Gibraltar’s old days when smuggling was commonplace — days which seem so far away now from the vibrant and highly regulated finance centre Gibraltar has evolved into

Past Imperfect From time immemorial goods highly sought in one country, readily available in another, have found their way to those eager recipients inhabiting that ‘needy’ nation — much of it through the back door! It’s a simple case of supply and demand otherwise known as — contraband.

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Gibraltar, a garrison for many years with thousands of servicemen and a population equipped to service those individuals, has always been a place where goods of every kind, shape and size were available. Being a Free Port added to the availability of those goods at a good price. Nowadays you can buy most things in most places but not in the ’50s, ’60s and probably ’70s, which is the period I remember.

Goods sold in Gibraltar were much in demand in Spain, Morocco and further afield. Louis Vinet, now retired, is a member of one of the few local families on the Rock once involved in this type of smuggling.

Louis recalls, “Funnily enough what I remember happened first was a bit in reverse.

Sometime in the early ’50s, I must have been seven or eight, my father had a not very big motor fishing boat with a small engine which he bought with his honeymoon money and he’d pop over to Tangier and bring over cheap jeans that had zipped back pockets, and ladies stockings. Later he’d travel to Italy in bigger boats full of cigarettes.”

Louis tells me that there, he’d meet up with “Mafia elements”, and did his business.

“I clearly remember him coming home and throwing bundles of Lira up in the air which floated down on the sitting room floor in their thousands. He’d also bring with him Italian shoes and other items of clothing.”

Louis remembers his brother and other smugglers’ family members smashing up the interiors of expensive yachts and cruisers which had been landed on slip ways for that purpose.

“Yes, they used to call themselves the ‘Mau Mau.’ All that remained was the shell of these boats, which were much sought after, and were then worth a lot more. They would be completely jam-packed with cigarettes, crammed into every corner. These vessels would be constantly on the Gib to Italy run.”

Louis informs me it was not illegal back then, to buy as many cigarettes as you wanted and then export them. Transatlantic cruise liners would unload millions of cigarettes from the States and they would be stored in warehouses that lined the whole of where Watergardens has now stood for 20 years. Business was booming.

It was rumoured that more tobacco was sold in Gibraltar, percentage wise, than anywhere else on the planet!

In the ’50s and ’60s — that’s when I met Louis — there were three or four families, companies or firms that dealt in the smuggling trade.

“There was a sort of respect with the authorities that didn’t seem to hold in later years. What happened in the early ’90s [the final days of the fast launches] for example was crazy, with so many boats dealing in the tobacco trade and other substances. It has to be said though, that someone somewhere allowed it to happen with all those kids carrying boxes of cigarettes onto the ribs at Eastern Beach and other places for all to see. It was ridiculous.

“We, on the other hand, went about our business in a discreet manner and didn’t flash our money around with expensive cars and jewellery dangling about our bodies. There were a couple of bars our families used to frequent at the lower end of Main Street, near Casemates.

The Capri Bar was one of them. They would have little rooms round the back where deals were struck in private.”

I clearly remember all of this in the early ’60s

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into history especially. I remember these gentlemen, in my youthful naivety, looking quite respectable. It was a little daunting. They held this stern, dour, unsmiling gaze if you looked at them. They had the ‘not to be messed around’ kind of mean look, about them. They commanded respect, or so it seemed to me somehow.

“In those days anything and everything was in demand. Remember, Spain and Morocco were practically ‘a closed shop’ to the outside world so anything from Gillette razor blades, car spares, jeans, watches, medicines, chocolates, tea, sugar to cigarettes and spirits were in high demand. Even brass bars (like gold bars) were smuggled into Spain. That was used in ammunition factories to make shells.”

Louis’ father had a variety of ex-navy launches and fishing boats over the years and the launches in particular, required powerful engines in order to reach high speeds for ‘hasty’ operations. Travelling at 30 and 35 knots was not unusual.

“We had a Spanish guy who was a fantastic mechanic who made a lot of money with us. He was a genius and very much in demand by other smugglers on the Rock.”

But all is not as rosy as one might think, simply because a quick buck could be made.

“No there were bad investments, some of which were heavy and a lot of money was lost, dangerous chases at sea where injuries were experienced and pirate type attacks by other Mafia elements wanting to steal your precious cargo!”

Louis tells me there was a time when contraband activity from the Rock was stopped by one of our Governors and business was carried out from other shores. Malta and Yugoslavia were two such places. Somehow they always managed to keep the business going.

“Funnily enough I remember there was also a demand for almonds, of all things, which were landed on Eastern Beach from Malaga. We then sent them off to the UK. They ended up in a chocolate factory,” Louis claims.

Then came 1969 and the frontier closed and local businesses on the Rock must have been feeling the pinch.

“I used to cross over to Morocco three or four times a night carrying all sorts in our boat: transistor radios, perfumes, silverware and all sorts.

Little boats would come out to meet us and as we finished unloading and started to make our way back we could make out a human snake winding its way up the mountain: each porter carrying a bale on his back. Much was taken

A boat is unloaded onto the slipway

to the Spanish coast also. It could be said that goods worth £10 million a year were leaving Gib during those closed frontier years. All of those goods were duty paid. Many Main Street businesses did very well during that time.

“Unlike today, banks accepted large amounts of cash and we were doing well. In the contraband trade there were also the containers full of cigarettes which were shipped from Holland or Belgium to the recipient country. For about 7 million pesetas, then, you could buy the ‘magic stamp’ on documents for your container, which meant authorization for customs to allow your container onward transit.”

Then for some reason better known to those in the business, legal or otherwise, contraband or smuggling from the Rock took off again.

Louis says, “We continued doing well and on one occasion contacts on the Spanish side

“Funnily enough I remember there was also a demand for almonds, of all things, which were landed on Eastern Beach from Malaga”

suggested we could be making much more money if we transported bales of kifi, which later became slabs of marijuana and ‘chocolate’ (Spanish pronunciation) and the variety of names that followed.”

Louis alleges allegiances with officials and others made the smuggling operation relatively simple. 95% of those caught, were caught because there is no ‘official accomplice,’ he states.

“There is a sort of saying about this trade that goes something like this: ‘The lawyers use the fountain pens and the contrabandists use the Phantom launches!’ We all know money opens doors — no money closes them!”

Louis’ so called luck ran out when he was jailed in Algeciras on a couple of occasions.

Sometime later his wife Angela contracted cancer which dealt a heavy blow both emotionally and financially.

“I spent £700,000, all I had at the time, on doctors in Harley Street in London to make her well but all it did was give her the best treatment available and perhaps keep her spirits high for a little longer but cancer is what it is and she passed away 16 years ago.”

Nowadays Louis is unwell himself but is coping as best he can. Bad deals have eaten up all his savings and hard times are never too far away. If he had his time again would he do the same? Perhaps he would, but Gibraltar has changed and the Phantoms are now a part of our history. n

class Catering with a touch of Breakfasts • Lunch Afternoon Tea (£1.99) Vegetarian & Non-Vegetarian Menus Homemade Desserts Eat-in or Take-away SENSIBLE PRICES

Outside Catering Service Open: 8am - 4.30pm Monday - Friday

Tel: 200 48014 1st Floor ICC

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

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Spring

lfa

alfa

Springtime Sproutings

There’s nothing like the satisfaction of watching things grow, apart from the satisfaction of eating them when they’re ready, but most growable food takes an age of patience and tender loving care. Sprouts on the other hand are quick, easy and fun to grow, as well as being extremely nutritious to boot.

If you’re new to growing sprouts, don’t grow too many at first. They only take a couple of days to grow, and once you’ve harvested your first batch, you can sow another which will be ready in no time at all. There are many different seeds, beans, nuts and grains which you can use as a source, from alfalfa, clover and the well-known cress seeds, to mung beans, lentils and chick peas. The best nuts are almonds and filberts and for cereal crops go for wheat berries or rye.

As a general rule, the smaller the seed, the greater the increase in volume as they germinate.

Make sure you use fresh seeds (I can just see someone opening a packet of salted almonds)!

Rinse them thoroughly and check for withered or broken seeds or any grit or dirt that might be mixed in with them. Rinse thoroughly and drain. Place them in a container, cover them in water (to about 6cm above the seeds) and let them soak overnight — larger beans can be left up to 24 hours. Our resident expert assures me that not all water is suitable, you’ll find you get much better results using bottled mineral water rather than tap water due to the additives in the local water supply.

The following morning, strain the water from the seeds and rinse them thoroughly. Strain them again to make sure you lose all the excess water, as too much will let mould set in. You can keep the strained water and use it’s nutrients in a healthy drink with fruit and yoghurt, or if you don’t have that inclination, your house plants will thrive on it.

Pour the humid seeds into a jar, if you’re using beans, a large bowl would be more appropriate, and you can even grow cress on a piece of kitchen roll. Use your imagination!

From then on, you’ll need to rinse and strain the seeds once or twice a day, and whilst germination and sprouting can take up to five days, you’ll find that in Gibraltar’s warmer climate, most sprouts will be ready for harvest in around three days.

After spending an evening last month teaching my young son to make pancakes from our February recipes, I thought it might be nice to try something else food-wise which everyone can enjoy to the full, even the kids.

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Spring

ans

be ung

m

Seeds are a concentrated source of energy, and as they grow they provide the minerals and energy to create a new plant. In their sprout stage they are surprisingly healthy as a source of vitamins, including A, B and C Seeds are a concentrated source of energy, and as they grow they provide the minerals and energy to create a new plant. In their sprout stage they are surprisingly healthy as a source of vitamins, including A, B and also C when they sprout leaves. In fact, sprouts can contain up to 400% more protein and nearly 4000% more beta-carotene than a fully grown lettuce. Mung beans contain more vitamin A than a whole lemon, as much riboflavin as an apple and as much thiamin as an avocado. Sprouts are healthy as well as tasty.

Sprinkle them in salads, sandwiches or use them as a garnish in soups. Puree the seeds to make an

amazing spread or dip. Steam them with your vegetables — try carrots or cabbages, to give them extra flavour. You can even use them in home-made veggie burgers, and if you’ve been sprouting wheat seeds you can grind them into your dough mix too.

The list of benefits and uses of sprouts is never ending, and as a little project you can get the kids involved too, you can’t go wrong.

And with seeds and beans readily available in Gibraltar — you can try the Health Shop on City Mill Lane who have quite a range, you’ve no excuse either.

So what are you waiting for? Get sprouting! n

Modern

Relaxed

Dining

Open: 10am - late Closed Sundays + Saturday lunch

s

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Irish Town Tel: 200 51738 to reserve

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food & drink

The Taste of South Africa

Gibraltar is well known for its multi-cultural society and wide range of cullinary tastes. Bush Tucker adds a new flavour to get your taste-buds round.

If you’re looking for a hearty menu with a touch of flavour, look no further than Bush Tucker Restaurant.

Tucked in the corner of Parliament lane as you turn off Irish Town, Bush Tucker specialises in South African cooking. Their spices are specially delivered to add a touch of difference to the wide range of dishes they offer — and at very affordable prices too.

Their menu gives you some exotic sounding options, from Grandma’s Bobotie, chicken Vinkies and Potjiekos, a casserole prepared as one of their specialities.

Lunch time they concentrate on quick and efficient meals for workers on the run. Sit in and eat quick, or place your order to take-away if you really don’t have time to stop.

In the evening, the tune changes to barbecue grill in a relaxed and friendly setting. You might like to try their evening speciality — rack of lamb with monkey gland sauce. The name of the sauce is lost in south African history, but you can rest assured there are no monkey glands — it’s a traditional sweet and hot sauce made with brown sugar, tomatoes and other spicy ingredients which will make your mouth water.

If you know anything about the South African lifestyle and cuisine, you would realise there was something amiss if we didn’t mention Biltong. A cured meat which originated with the wagon travelling Voortrekkers who needed a means of storing meat before the days of fridges and iceboxes. Desiccation (curing) solved the dilemma and today the tradition has followed through into South African culture.

Pop down to Bush Tucker at 34/36 Parliament Lane to try it — it might become part of Gibraltar’s culture too. n

Pickwicks on Governor’s Parade (opposite the Eliott Hotel)

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

open Monday to Friday from 9.30am

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

21/2/09 17:53:38

wine column

putting away

childish things

One advantage of becoming adult is that you can savour the joys (and sometimes disappointments) of wine. There do not seem to be any others.

As an adult you must earn the money to pay for the rent or mortgage, buy the food and prepare it, act responsibly, change nappies, provide an entertainment service, insist that homework is done, act as chauffeur (careful with that wine), earn more money to buy toys ranging from a plastic tea set to the latest model of plasma TV, and then sink back exhausted with plaintive cries for further subsidy ringing in your ears.

What fun. And just as the cries for subsidy subside you are presented with a grandchild and asked to help look after it. But at least there is a glass of wine to help you through these trials and tribulations.

The only glass for a new grandchild is champagne. The Widow (Veuve Clicquot) is the best, short of paying out huge sums for a vintage Krug. I have, in previous columns, been sniffy about sparkling wine. But as recession or depression hits us, we must cut our cloth to suit the wind of change or whatever other mixed metaphor is appropriate. Cava can just about be acceptable if you are prepared to hold your nose and thus avoid about 90% of the taste. A Loire or Alsace cremant at between £6 and £7 are better alternatives. Anglo-Hispano have some, Morrison’s a few, but the selection is not very wide. Perhaps a bit of consumer pressure might persuade them to widen it a bit.

Having wet the baby’s head, it is time to consider Sunday lunch with all the family. This is a joyous occasion involving all ages and sizes and tastes. Assuming you have roasted the meat to something approaching eatable, and got the potatoes and vegetables to the table, everything will be tepid by the time it is all served out. Aunt Jean does not like broccoli, Grandpa would like the meat more pink, teenage niece has suddenly become vegetarian and so on. It will all be stone cold soon. There is nothing to be done except retreat into the Torres Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile (Anglo Hispano £7.50) which you have bought for the occasion. This goes remarkably well with all roasts and gives much more expensive clarets a run for their money. Decant it, give it to a know-all and he will almost certainly be

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taken in. On top of that pleasure, it makes Sunday lunch entirely bearable.

After lunch a stroll around town is desirable to help the digestion. This can be considerably enlivened by spotting ludicrous uses of English.

The mid-town development will offer ‘perfect parking facilities’. What, one wonders, is a parking facility? What do you wish to park in this perfect facility? Granny? A baby buggy? How often do you invite your friends to make use of your parking facility? And if it is perfect they will presumably want to stay there all day.

Having imagined what extras might be added to a parking facility to make it perfect (a jacuzzi? Marilyn Monroe?) you enter a pub for a cup of tea. Making use of the ‘facilities’ — preferably not the parking ones — you inspect the instructions on the machine. These ask you to ‘introduce two £1 coins’. £1 coin A, this is £1 coin B; £1 coin B, this is £1 coin A. Having introduced them you can put them in your pocket hoping that, now that they know each other, they might get closer together and produce lots of little £1 coins (5p pieces?). You can then leave and retrieve your car which you have left at the parking facilities in Marina Bay. A ghastly American female hiding inside the ticket machine will instruct you that the fee is forty pences. I have told her on numerous occasions that the plural of penny is pence and that therefore she should not add the superfluous ‘s’ but she continues to ignore me. Her work must indeed be very boring but she might at least do me the courtesy of taking some notice.

There is, incidentally, another person hiding

What, one wonders, is a parking facility? What do you wish to park in this perfect facility?

Granny? A baby buggy?

in each carriage on the Northern Underground line in London who announces, after leaving Stockwell, that: “The next station is Oval”. I derive enormous childish amusement from imitating the voice and saying: “The one after that is triangular”.

Following these diverting activities, you are supposed to become adult again. Sink gently into the armchair, lock anyone not earning their own living in a bedroom and ignore their plaintive cries for sweets/a laptop/a car, and settle down with a plate of shellfish and a bottle of Muscadet. Ranging from about £3.50 to £7.50 the best is ‘sur lie’, meaning that the wine has been kept on its lees (remains of the grapes), giving more depth. Morrison’s have a very good one at £6.40.

This happy combination will finish off the rigours of a Sunday with the family and set you in the right frame of mind for going back to work on Monday in order to earn enough... to do it all again next Sunday. But your reward lies in Heaven where you can become an angelic child but still drink ambrosia. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

21/2/09 17:44:44

Just A Nibble Licensed Cafeteria Let the ‘A’ Team serve you up a snack or a meal.

Daily Specials • Varied Menu

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

thyme

dining rooms

restaurant &bar guide

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

5 Cornwall’s Lane. Tel: 200 49199 Email: thymegib@hotmail.com

Ground Floor Bar open from 10.30 daily Pool Table • TV • Machines

First Floor ’Hoots’ open from 1pm

2 Pool Table s• Darts • Machines Tel: 20077446

2nd Floor ‘The Nest’ open from 5pm

American Pool • Card Table

Traditional English Pub with the best of English beers

Get Stuffed!

Marina Bay Tel: 200 42006

Sunny Terrace

WORLDWIDE SPORTS

Showing 4 digital channels on 5 TVs just off Main Street - 4 Cornwall’s Parade Tel: 200 59997

Homemade Food Daily Specials

Casa Pepe

Big Screen TV live football

Open: Mon-Sat 11am-late 18 Queensway Quay Marina Tel/Fax: 200 46967

Pig & Whistle Open: 10-midnight (Fri-Sat 11am-1am) Unit 18, Watergardens,

Gibraltar Tel: 20076167

THREE 60 Governor’s Street

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

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

ROSES

Wembley Bar

Tel: 200 51614

10 South Barrack Ramp.

Tel: 200 78004

Fully Air-Conditioned with 3 Plasma TVs

The One and Only Scottish Embassy Open 7 Days a Week

• Hot & cold bar snacks • Function room

BUDDIES pasta casa

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

Open 8-7 Mon-Fri, 10-7 Sat, 11-6 Sun 248 Main St - delivery Tel/Fax: 200 76699

BY DAY

BY NIGHT Made-to-order Lounge Bar Sandwiches, Soups, Happy Hours 7-9pm Salads, Wraps, Free Tapas Fridays Baguettes etc 5-7pm 5 Waterport Plaza - (Public Market)

SMITH’S

open: from 8.30am

FRESHLY BAKED

bread, brioche, rolls, bagels, croissants, cakes

HOME DELIVERY Open

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

AMAR’S BAKERY & COFFEE SHOP

1a Convent Place (opp. the Convent) Tel: 200 73516 Wide variety of ready-made food now available for take-away or sitdown All food is Kosher

57 Irish Town, Gibraltar Tel: 200 70652

295 MAIN ST Tel: 200 74254

7

days a week Glacis Estate

Tel: 200 71992

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

35 Devil’s Tower Road, Gibraltar. Telephone: (350) 200 74600 Telefax: (350) 200 77031 e-mail: mail@sacspeed.gi A Member of The Saccone & Speed (Gibraltar) Group of Companies GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• NOVEMBER MARCH 20092009

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Lentils, Cool Mint Yoghurt Dressing; Confit of Lamb Shoulder Shank, Warm Couscous Salad, Chickpea & Coriander Salsa, Onion & Sultana Chutney; or Open Ravioli of Slow Roast Squash, Basil & Ricotta, Roast Garlic Cream Sauce. Everything made on the premises using only the best, fresh ingredients. Two separate dining rooms - smoking and non smoking. Menu changed seasonally, daily specials.

Open 7 days a week. Closed Saturday lunchtimes.

restaurants l Café Solo

Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 200 44449 Modern Italian eatery set in the lively Casemates square.

Everything from chicory and crispy pancetta salad with walnuts, pears and blue cheese dressing, or king prawn, mozzarella and mango salad to pastas(eg: linguine with serrano ham, king prawns and rocket; smoked salmon and crayfish ravioli with saffron and spinach cream) to pizzas (eg: Vesuvio spicy beef, cherry tomatoes, roasted peppers and red onions; and Romana chorizo, black pudding, egg and pancetta) and pizzas (eg: Quatto Stagioni topped with mozzarella, ham, chicken, pepperoni and mushroom) and specialities such as salmon fishcakes, beef medallions and duck. Good daily specials menu on blackboard. Smoke free inside. Free WiFi.

l Cafe Rojo

54 Irish Town. Tel: 200 51738 Sleek modern comfort in this relaxing little restaurant.

Red comfy arm chairs in separate area for a relaxing drink or coffee. Brunch menu (10am-12pm) includes ciabatta, granary, foccacia sandwiches with fillings such as pear and blue cheese, smoked bacon and brie, cheese and honey roast ham, delicious desserts (chocolate mousse in a must). Lunch 12 - 3pm and dinner 7-10pm includes salads of coconut coated langostines (deep fried in a coconut batter, sweet chilli and ginger dressing); and warm goats cheese & fresh spinach with sautéed mushrooms, croutons, basil & balsamic dressing; pasta dishes such as langostine pil pil; sautéed chorizo, chicken and langostines; and fresh salmon & spinach; and main courses including chargrilled fillet steak; wrapped chicken; lamb shoulder; and fresh salmon fillet with sesame crust.

Open: from 10am. Closed all day Sundays, and Saturday lunch.

Casa Pepe 18 Queensway Quay Marina. Tel/Fax: 200 46967 Email: casa.pepe.gib@gmail.com Situated right on the water front at Queensway Quay, Casa Pepe has a comprehensive a la carte menu which includes dishes such as melon & Serrano ham, stuffed piquillo peppers and filled mushrooms to start, followed by a choice of salads, rice and noodles and fish, poultry and meat dishes which include King Prawns Macarena (cooked with fresh ginger, tomatoes, mangos and bananas served with basmati rice, fried bread and bananas), Medallions of monkfish cooked with white wine and lobster sauce, duck breast Armanac-style (with Cognac, mushrooms and pine nuts), Medallions of pork loin cooked with Serrano ham and dry Jerez sherry, and fillet steak Malagueña cooked in creamy garlic mushrooms and sweet sherry sauce topped with prawns. Wide range of tapas/raciones also available.

Open: Monday to Saturday 11am till late.

Laziz Sail 2.2 Ocean Village Marina. Tel: 200 40971 www.lazizrestaurant.com Laziz is a plush Indian cuisine restaurant right on the waterfront at Ocean Village (in fact it’s built over the water). This tastefully fitted out restaurant has two menus — evolved and traditional. Each dish is beautifully served and presented, and you will find lots of unusual and delicious dishes to choose from — a real pleasure for the taste buds. Seating is in comfortable booths or on tables at the waterside (the restaurant’s big glazed windows open right up in the summer for an outdoor feel).

Open: daily 11-midnight. Kitchen open: 12-3, 6-11.

Nunos Italian Restaurant and Terrace Caleta Hotel, Catalan Bay For a reservations Tel: 200 76501 E-mail reservations@caletahotel.gi Nunos Italian restaurant and terrace at the Caleta Hotel, overlooks the Mediterranean and is extremely popular with both hotel guests and the local market. Recognised for its eclectic interior, atmosphere and cuisine. Bread, pasta and desserts from the a la carte menu are all homemade and contribute to create a genuine and exciting dining experience.

The Mexican Grill and Bar Unit 2B The Tower, Marina Bay Tel: 200 46668 The Mexican Grill and Bar serves all the favourite Mexican dishes from Nachos, Quesadillas and Chimichangas (rolled flour tortilla with spicy chicken, chilli beef or vegetables, deep fried, served with Mexican rice and salad and guacamole, salsa or sour cream), to Burritos (like Chimichangas but oven baked), El Gringos Chilli con Carne, or Cheese Holy Mole Enchiladas. Don’t forget Big Eat Homemade Burgers (5 to choose from) and from the grill barbecue combos, steaks and chicken. Salads and sides to order. Decorated is warm Mexican colours Restaurante El Patio with comfortable seating in the no-smoking interior or 11 Casemates Square Tel: 200 70822 Tucked in the corner of Casemates Square this classic outside on the enclosed and heated patio, great for a fish restaurant specialises in fresh fish and Basque and fun night out.

Continental cuisines. Relaxed dining at the front next Open: lunch and dinner 12 noon to late to the square, formal dining room to the rear - try the fresh caught specials, paellas and rice dishes, sea bass Thyme Restaurant A la Vasca or a la Bilbaina, swordfish pil-pil or turbot 5 Cornwall’s Lane. Tel: 200 49199 Email: thymegib@hotmail.com thermidor.

Open: 1pm - 4pm, 8.30pm - 11pm Closed all day Open for 5 years, this modern wine bar serves refreshing cocktails and a wide range of New World and European Sunday (plus Saturdays during August). wines in a cool lively atmosphere, and on the 1st floor above is the restaurant serving bistro cuisine with a menu 14 on the Quay featuring dishes from all over the world. Try one of these Unit 14, Queensway Quay Tel: 200 43731 The latest addition to the beautiful Queensway Quay dishes from the wide selection: starters include Buffalo marina, 14 on the Quay is open for lunch, afternoon tea, Mozzarella, Plum Tomato, Grilled Chilli & Landcress cocktails and dinner. The fine dining includes lobsters Salad, Basil Oil & Balsamic; Crab & Coriander Spring fresh from the tank, and the setting with its spectacular Roll, String Hopper Noodle Salad, Cucumber & Chilli Salsa; Steamed Mussels flavoured with ginger, Lemon sunsets is perfect.

Grass, Chilli & Coconut Milk; try main courses such Open: 12.30 - 11pm (last orders 10.45pm) as Grilled Salmon Darne, Crisp Pancetta, Thai Spiced

The Waterfront Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 45666 The Waterfront is a very popular restaurant located right on the quayside at Queensway Quay Marina. There are different areas for drinks, the main restaurant (with mezanine level seating), a large covered terrace with chandeliers and a quayside open terrace. The food is served in hearty portions and includes starters of grilled goat’s cheese, crab with lemon mayonnaise, moules mariniere, and prawn and lobster salad. There is a barbecue in the summer month and grills which include 8oz fillet steaks. Favourites are pan fried chicken with wild mushrooms and Madeira sauce, beef and ale pie with a puff pastry lid, and whole lamb shoulder. Fish dishes from grilled swordfish to salmon and crayfish ravioli, and vegetarian dishes such as mushroom stroganoff, and vegetable wellington sit alongside the menu from the Orient which includes Madras chicken or vegetables, chicken tikka masala, and crispy duck with pancakes and cucumber.

Open: 7 days a week from 9am to late.

informaleating Al Baraka Take-away Queensway Quay. Tel: 200 46993 Take-away and restaurant. Tasty Middle Eastern food including falafels and kebabs plus Indian specialities.

Large covered terrace to the side of Queensway Quay with marina views.

Open: 7 days a week from 10am to 12 midnight.

Amar’s Bakery & Coffee Shop 1a Convent Place (opp. The Convent). Tel: 200 73516 Amar’s Coffee Shop and Bakery is just opposite the Convent, where it serves up a wide range of light lunch options. There’s jacket potatoes, fish & chips, pasta dishes with different sauces, burekas, pizzas, quiche, sandwiches, bagels, various salads and tortilla. All the food is made on the premises and the menu is fully Kosher. Bakery serves breads and bagels etc.

Open: Monday to Friday from 8.30am.

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

Open: 7.00am to midnight.

The Barbary Ape Boyd Street (near Cable Car) Tel: 200 44380 A restaurant situated right near the Cable Car is the ideal place to have lunch with perfect view of the Rock.

With local delicacies such as albondigas, calamares, and boquerones offered as raciones or tapas; and various options for main courses such as fish & chips, steak, burgers, sandwiches and salads, there is something for everyone on this menu including good Moroccan specialities.

Birdie Cafe/Restaurant No 16 Watergardens II. Tel: 200 72885 Owned by David, previously of the Hong Kong restaurant, this golf themed cafe/restaurant now serves all the Hong Kong favourites. Everything from Wan Ton Soup, Chicken Noodle Soup, Butterfly Prawns, Mix Veg Singapore Noodles, Pork Balls Sweetand Sour, and King

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Marrakech Restaurant Governor's Parade Tel: 200 75196, 56000281 Moroccan restaurant with large terrace close to the Elliot Hotel. Try the delicious specials such as Moroccan Harira soup, festival of Moroccan salads, large range of tagines and couscous. Ask the waiter for their daily selection of delicious desserts.

Open: 11-3pm, 7pm-late

Prawn Curry to Fish in Ginger Spring Onion Sauce, Mixed Chicken and Pork with Cashew Nuts, and Beef in Oyster Sauce. If you liked the Hong Kong, you’ll love this friendly little place. Full take-away available.

Open: Monday-Friday 10am-3pm, 6.30pm-11, Saturday and Sunday 6.30pm - 11.30pm.

Buddies Pasta Casa 15 Cannon Lane. Tel: 200 40627 Tasty Italian specials in pleasant ambience. Large selection of starters from garlic bread to calamari.

Main courses include spinnach caneloni, spaghetti alla carbonara, fusilli al salmone, and peppered steak to name a few. Tasty desserts and variety of wines.

Open: Monday - Thursday 11am - 5pm, Friday 11am3pm and 7pm-11pm, Saturday 11am-4.30pm Bush Tucker 34/36 Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 75001 Original South African food. Home made burgers, wide range of breakfast options, Grandma's Bobotie, chicken Vinkies. Try their rack of lamb with ‘monkey gland’ sauce at their evening grill from 7pm onwards Wednesday to Saturday.

Open: 8am 'til late Fresh 5 Waterport Plaza (Public Market) Tel: 200 52611 By day Fresh is a sandwich bar serving all sort of delicious food from made-to-order sandwiches and hot and cold drinks to baguettes, wraps, salads, toasties and soups. Open early for coffees and toast. By night, (from 4.30pm) Fresh transforms into a cosy lounge bar with free tapas on a Friday from 5pm-7pm and happy hours daily from 7-9pm. Decorated for relaxation, this is a pleasant place to enjoy a drink and some conversation.

As if this isn’t enough Fresh offers outside catering for private parties, at home, or at the office, and you can book Fresh for private parties in the evenings.

Open: 8am-midnight Mon - Thurs, 8am-1am Fridays, 9am-1am Saturdays, closed Sundays.

Garcia’s Take-Away Glacis Estate. Tel: 200 71992 Open 7 days a week this good take-away also does home deliveries of tasty fish and chips, hamburgers, kebabs, donner kebabs and much much more. Make sure you have their number handy for a night in without the hassle of cooking!

Get Joost 248 Main Street & Casemates. Tel/Fax: 200 76699 Smoothies are vitamin packed super-food and increasingly popular for the health concious. Get Joost makes delicious fresh fruit juices and smoothies made from natural ingredients which are a meal in a cup. The top five smoothies they sell are wild strawberry; breakie on the run; energy blast; raspberry ice; and tropical surrender. Tel/Fax: 200 76699 for delivery.

Open: 8-7 Monday -Friday, 10-7 Saturday, 10-6 Sunday.

Get Stuffed Marina Bay. Tel: 200 42006 Take-away, sandwich bar and hot food. Serving all homemade sandwiches, salads, quiches, pasta, pies,

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Mumbai Curry House Unit 1.0.02 Ground Floor, Block 1 Eurotowers Tel: 200 73711 Home delivery: 50022/33 Good Indian cuisine for eating in or taking away, from snacks such as samosas, bhajias, and pakoras to lamb, chicken and fish dishes with sauces such as korma, tikka masala, bhuna, do piaza... in fact all you would expect from an Indian cuisine take-away. Large vegetarian selection. Halal food is available, as is outside catering for parties and meetings. Sunday specials include all Mumbai favourites such as Dosa and Choley Bhature.

Open: 7 days a week 11am to 3pm, 6pm until late. muffins, plus hot and cold drinks and smoothies and a different special every day. Outside catering for corporate parties.

Open: 8am - 6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat. Just A Nibble 1st Flr International Commercial Ctr. Tel: 200 78052 Full licensed cafe serving English breakfast, vast range of toasties, rolls, and other snacks. Meals include, Bob’s famous chicken curry/chilli con carne, and a great new range of pies (from Bob’s chicken and leek to steak and kidney plus a whole range of tasty alternatives) plus all the old favourites; jacket spuds, burgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, and daily specials. Ideal meeting place.

Open: Monday - Saturday from 9am.

Just Desserts 1st Floor ICC Tel: 200 48014 Comfortable bright, airy cafe serving vegetarian and nonvegetarian cuisine from breakfast and lunch to afternoon tea. Homemade desserts a speciality. Eat-in or takeaway at sensible prices. Outside catering.

Open: 8am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Khan’s Indian Cuisine Unit 7-8, Watergardens. Tel: 200 50015 Eat-in or take-away at this traditional Indian eatery.

Everything from onion bhajia and green pepperpakora to chicken tikka, tandoori king prawns, Khan’s special fish curry, chicken jalfrezi, lamb rogan josh, naan bread, rices, vegetable dishes and everything in between!

Many new dishes added to the menu, plus specialities every Sunday.

Maillo Take Away Unit F5A 1st Floor ICC Tel: 54002598 Homemade Spanish food is available at this cafe and take away in the International Commercial Centre near Casemates. Everything from sandwiches and panini, to soups, fish, salads, and mixed platters with pork and chicken options. Maillo will also cook for summer picnics, and they make some great desserts.

Open: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

Mumtaz Indian Cuisine Take-away 20 Cornwall’s Lane Tel: 200 4457 Good Indian take-away service serving all the favourites from masala naan and spinach bhajia to lamb biryani, chicken tikka masala, king prawn korma and tandoori chicken kebab roll. Sauces and vegetarian dishes plus speciality dishes each Sunday (all dishes reasonably priced).

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

Munchies Cafe 24 Main Street. Tel: 200 43840 Fax: 200 42390 A great sandwich bar/cafe offering an unusual range of sandwiches on white or granary bread, plus salads, baguettes, soups, desserts, homemade ice-cream and hot/cold drinks. Business lunches, parties and kids parties also catered for (for party and office platters phone or fax order by 5.30pm day before - minium orders for delivery £12).

Open: Monday - Friday 8.30-7, Sat 9 - 4, Closed Sun. Picadilly Garden Rosia Road. Tel: 200 75758 Relaxed bar restaurant with cosy garden terrace just across the road from the cable car. English breakfast, churros, tapas, hamburgers, fresh fish, prawns, squid, clams and a variety of meat dishes. Eat in or take away.

Menu of the day only £6.

Open: early to late.

Sacarello Coffee Co. 57 Irish Town. Tel: 200 70625

Converted coffee warehouse, ideal for coffee, homemade cakes/afternoon tea, plus menu including excellent salad bar, specials of the day and dishes such as lasagne, steak and mushroom Guinness pie, hot chicken salad, toasties, club sandwich and baked potatoes. Art exhibitions.

Available for parties and functions in the evenings.

Open: 9am-7.30pm Mon-Fri. 9am-3pm Saturdays Smith’s Fish & Chips 295 Main Street. Tel: 200 74254 Traditional British fish and chip shop with tables/seating

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available or take-away wrapped in newspaper.

Menu: Cod, haddock or plaice in batter, Cornish pasties, mushy peas etc. Also curries, omlettes, burgers.

Open: 8am-6pm Monday-Friday. Breakfast from 8.

Located: Main Street opposite the Convent.

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

Square Cafe Grand Casemates Square, Tel: 200 41100 The Square Cafe has a large covered terrace in the corner of Casemates Square where the speciality is churros, papitas and coffee from 8.30 am onwards, and a full selection of snacks and meals throughout the day. WIFI available.

Open: 8.30am-5pm The Tasty Bite 59a Irish Town. Tel: 200 78220 Fax: 200 74321 Tasty Bite has one of the biggest take-away menus around with home cooked meats, filled baguettes, burgers, chicken, kebabs and everything else you can think of!

Open: Monday - Saturday.

The Terrace WaterportWharf Right next to Gauchos and part of the same team, The Terrace is an outdoor cafe/eatery which serves all day breakfast, baguettes, toasties, wraps, salads, jackets, baguette pizzas plus The Ultimate Grill — fresh food grilled on a sword! Everything from Argentine beef, to Tandoori specialities. The Terrace is set against the old city walls and has a large wooden bar serving drinks and coffees all day — a great place for a snack or something more substantial.

Open: 10am-late

bars&pubs

potatoes. Large terrace. Karaoke every Monday and Wednesday until late. Free tapas on a Friday 7pm.

The Cannon Bar 27 Cannon Lane. Tel: 200 77288 Jane is still at the Cannon Bar — over 20 years now! Fish and chips voted the best in Gib by Lonely Planet. Terrace just off Main Street. Located between Marks & Spencer and the Cathedral.

The Gibraltar Arms 184 Main St. Tel: 200 72133 www.gibraltararms.gi Good food served all day at this typical pub right on Main Street. Everything from all day breakfast to Irish fillet steak roll, burritos, and the popular fresh local mussels. Draught lager, bitter, cider and Murphys plus free WiFi. Terrace seating right on Main Street to watch the world go by.

Open: from 8am (10am Sundays) until late.

The Horseshoe 193 Main Street. Tel: 200 77444 Right in the centre of town, the Horseshoe is a popular, busy bar. Good menu from full English breakfast, to burgers/mixed grills. Curry and chilli specials on Sunday.

Open: 9am to late, Sunday 10am - late.

Facilities: Main Street terrace.

London Bar 76/78 Governor's Street Tel: 200 77172 Located between the Garrison Library and the Elliot Hotel, the London Bar offers British beers, dart board, pool table and Sky TV in a pub atmosphere. Pub grub such as breakfasts, pies and fishi and chips.

Open: Mon-Fri 8am-midnight, Sat 9am-midnight, Sun 10am- midnight.

Lord Nelson Bar Brasserie 10 Casemates Sq. Tel: 200 50009 www.lordnelson.gi E-mail: reservations@lordnelson.gi Attractive bar/brasserie in historic Casemates building.

Done out to represent Nelson’s ship with cloud and sky ceiling crossed with beams and sails. Spacious terrace Menu: Starter & snacks include fresh local mussels, blue cheese and rocket bruschetta, Lordy’s potato skins, spicy chicken wings and calamares. Main courses cover a range from chilli con carne and chicken and mushroom pie, to crispy aromatic duck burrito and British fish and chips.

Try one of the salads or Nelson’s platters. Jacket potatoes, burgers and children’s menu. Credit cards accepted. Live music Venue of the Year, with live music on stage every night. Free Wifi.

Open: from 10am till very late.

All Sports Bar 4 Cornwall’s Lane Tel: 200 59997 This pub is geared up to televised sporting events when top sports are on TV, and when they are not there is always someone around to talk sports with. It’s not just for football fans either, and not just for one team — hung around the bar are flags from all the major teams and supporters of the smaller sides are also made very welcome.

Gaming machines. Terrace seating available.

Open: 11am-midnight Sun-Thurs, 11am -1am Fri/Sat.

Pickwicks Governor’s Parade. Tel: 200 76488

Run by well-known friendly face, Mandy, this small pub with a large terrace is situated in Governor’s Parade away from the traffic and safe for all the family. Good food available including the best freshly made sandwiches and jacket potatoes, salads and burgers.

Open: Mon - Fri from 9.30am Location: turn off Main St at Marks & Spencer, go up steps to Governor’s Parade (opposite the Elliot Hotel).

All’s Well Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 200 72987 Traditional pub in fashionable Casemates area. Named for the 18th century practice of locking the Gates to the city at night when the guard announced ‘All’s Well’ before handing the keys to the watch. All’s Well serves Bass beers, wine and spirits plus pub fare. English breakfast served all day, hot meals such as pork in mushroom sauce, sausage & mash, cod and chips and steak & ale pie are complemented by a range of salads and filled jacket

The Pig and Whistle Unit 18, Watergardens. Tel: 200 76167 A comfortable pleasant little pub with pool table and terrace on the quayside. Big screen television for all sporting events.

Open: 10-midnight (Fri-Sat 11-1am) The Quarter Deck Unit 26, Block 2 Watergardens Tel: 200 44520 Located opposite Kentucky Fried Chicken, Ocean Village,

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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the Quarterdeck is a busy little pub with terrace seating and food served all day. Breakfasts start at just £2.70 and a hearty Sunday lunch (£4.95) is served from 1.30pm.

Seating outside overlooking Ocean Village.

Open: 9am to late.

Royal Calpe 176 Main Street, Gibraltar Tel: 200 75890 Email: royalcalpe@gibtelecom.net Named after Gibraltar’s Royal Calpe Hunt, the pub is situated opposite the Cathedral on Main Street. It boasts Gibraltar’s only beer garden and conservatory for a relaxing atmosphere al fresco to get away from it all or for that private function. Good food from traditional pub fare to salads is available throughout the day. Wide selection of draught beer and cider.

The Star Bar Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 75924

Reputedly the oldest bar in Gib, this small cosy bar opens early for breakfast (English or toast & cereal). Lunch/ evening menu includes fillet steak, fish and chips and salads. Home of Med Golf and Tottenham Hotspur FC supporters club.

Facilities: Outside seating.

Open: from 7am every day.

Located: first right off Main St (walking from N to S).

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

The Three Roses Governor’s Street. Tel: 200 51614

Now under the management of Peter and Ian, previously of the Coach & Horses, this bar is fully air-conditioned with 3 plasma TVs and pool table. Happy hours Mon-Fri 5-6pm. Home of the Esteporkers Golf Society.

Open: 7 days. Mon-Sat from 11am, Sun from midday.

Wembley Bar 10 South Barrack Ramp. Tel: 200 78004 Popular bar for hot and cold bar snacks, function room, in south district. Fridays 10am for breakfast. Air conditioned. The home of the Real Madrid Supporter’s Club.

Open: 11am - midnight Sunday - Thursday, 10am - 1am Friday, 11am - 1am Saturdays.

acrosstheborder The Dog & Duck Next to Plaza de Constitucion, La Linea Tel: 00 34 956173453 Little pub on the square serving British beers at great prices. Pleasant sun terrace and all live sporting events shown.

Open: 3pm-late Mon - Fri, 1pm - late Sat & Sun. Located: 400m straight across from frontier (next to Taste Indian Restaurant).

Liverpool Bar 4 Avenida España. Tel: 00 34 956767770 UK beers served in this little pub along with full English breakfast and Sunday lunch for €5.50, plus much more in a friendly atmosphere.

Open: 7 days a week 10am - late Located: 400m straight across from frontier.

The Quarter Deck Kitchen open all day Breakfast from £2.70 Sunday Lunch served from 1.30pm £4.95 open 9am till late opp. Ocean Village, Watergardens Tel: 200 44520

Liverpool Bar open 7 days a week 10-late

UK BEERS FUll English Breakfast + much more Avenida España No 4 (400m from the Frontier) Tel: 00 34 956767770

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food&drink

by Brian McCann

Just-a-Nibble’s Birthday Treats For ten years, tradition coupled with innovation have kept café Just A Nibble busy serving locals and visitors with the food they like best

It’s ten years this month since Bob and Marie Cripps took over and transformed Just A Nibble in the ICC, and they still have regular customers from Gibraltar and the Costa who have been eating there since those early days.

Chef Bob is celebrating the anniversary with some new specials, such as southern fried chicken — a spicy full-flavoured dish which is already going very well, especially as it only costs £5.25, including chips and peas.

He is also pleased that he can at last serve seftali kebabs. “I’ve been looking for the right ingredients since 1983, having discovered this delightful dish when I worked in a Turkish restaurant near Elstree film studios,” he told me as I sat having a coffee in the first floor ICC café.

“The main problem was sourcing the essential caul fat, but I have finally tracked it down. After all these years, I found a Moroccan butcher right here in Gibraltar who could let me have all I wanted.”

Caul fat is a thin membrane which is often used as the skin in spicy sausages. As well as wrapping the meat it also bastes it as it cooks.

Bob’s seftali kebabs — vividly seasoned flavour-packed Cyprus sausages — are cooked on skewers and served three to a pitta bread with salad.

Another anniversary treat is Celebration Turkey Pie, which will feature as his Pie of the Week from Monday 16th — the date on which Just A Nibble opened. Bob humorously pointed out that the pies are served in aluminium foil dishes, and that aluminium and tin are the symbols for tenth anniversaries.

Bob’s homemade pies have become famous since he introduced them 18 months ago. Favourites include his Desperate Dan Cow Pie — based on the favourite meal of the Beano character, which comes complete with pastry GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

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cowhorns on top.

There is always a Pie of the Week — when I was there it was China Town chicken pie, and Bob is always looking for other traditional but forgotten treasures in the world of pies. He has a standing challenge — put him onto a good pie, he’ll research it, and if he uses it he will give you two portions and two drinks free of charge.

Several people have already taken advantage of this offer and he is always keen to find more.

As well as the pies and other delicious daily specials, Just A Nibble has a choice of around twenty-five main dishes, mostly familiar favourites such as chilli con carne, chicken curry, burgers and hot dogs, chicken nuggets, scampi and cod; all served with fresh well-made chips and, where appropriate, salad or peas. House specialities include chicken tikka in pitta bread with salad and coleslaw, club burger and of course the majestic full English breakfast. That only costs £4.50, whilst the rest range from £3.75 to no more than £5.75 (that’s the scampi) There is a daily soup, paté, or egg mayonnaise for starters and a massive selection of things on toast and nineteen types of jacket potatoes, plus a vast array of sandwiches and rolls, toasted or untoasted, and apple pie, scones or daily dessert specials. Beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks and hot beverages are on the menu to make the

“The main problem was sourcing the essential caul fat, but I have finally tracked it down. After all these years.”

meal complete. Oh, and vegetarians can tuck into veggie burgers and sausages, and even a meat-free English breakfast.

Quite a list, but essential to do justice to this traditional British café-plus, run by a chef who loves good food, expertly assisted by his Gibraltarian wife Marie along with long-serving Dunia from Spain and Teresa from east London who has 27 years’ experience in the business. One of Bob Cripps’ innovations on the Rock was that he was amongst the first to introduce food into local pubs, when he ran The Chequered Flag in Town Range. After that he had Zorba’s in Catalan Bay, where he was the first to bring donner kebabs to Gibraltar, (“many people still remember me from there,” he tells me); then he set up Express Foods on Main Street and developed it for the owners to take over, followed by El Rancho on Eastern Beach and the Highwayman in Cannon Lane, (now Buddy’s), before taking over Just-ANibble from some friends.

It’s worth mentioning that parties are part and parcel of the Just A Nibble service. ‘We’re very much into catering for parties,’ he told me. “We do a lot of kids’ parties, as well as private and business functions for adults. We deliver anywhere in Gibraltar, and often take a sumptuous feast straight into boardroom meetings in the middle of the day.” And, just like the café, the mix of quality and price keeps people coming back.

At number 15 on the first floor of the ICC, near Louis’ Pharmacy, Just A Nibble is open from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 2pm on Saturdays.

The telephone number for all enquiries, including party and meeting catering, is 20078052 at any time during the day, but mid-morning or mid-afternoon are the best off-peak times to call. n

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A ro u n d To w n .. .

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

It’s March already and time for flowers to bloom and birds to tweet.

Spring will be officially springing on 20th March, but before that the Welsh will be in full song for St David’s Day (1st March) and Irish eyes will be smiling on 17th March for St Patrick’s night, when more than a drop or two of the black stuff will be swigged in Gibraltar.

Then on Sunday 29th March the clocks ‘spring forward’ an hour, which always catches a few people out the next day as they stroll into work an hour late.

at team!

David and Denis — a gre

The Fit and the Fast It’s the time of year when we all start looking at the summer clothes drawer and wish we hadn’t eaten quite so many pies over the festive season. So for many it’s time to get over to the gym for a bit of calorie burning and to get into shape. Even Jonathan of The Gibraltar Magazine has managed a whole month of training. Perhaps we will have our own entrant in the London Marathon next year?

For the time being though we will have to cheer on Andrew Tucker who will once again take to the streets of London in April to see if he can better last year’s time. Regular readers will recall that in 2008 Andrew, an avid reader of Men’s Health, was well beaten by a giant hotdog and a rhino to name a few, however he is putting in some pretty hard training and just for dedication alone he deserves every penny he raises for a good cause. Incidentally action man Andrew is also learning to kayak though he admits to spending most of his time upside down in the sea!

Hugh Drummond is another man who likes to take care of himself, though he’s been overdoing it a bit at the gym recently and we spotted him exiting the osteopaths looking rather sheepish.

Eye for the Girls Little Bayley Montovio knows a pretty girl when he sees one, and even though he’s just two he’s not afraid to say so. When introduced to a 7 year old recently he simply stroked her and said “guapa”! What a little sweetie.

Happy birthday to Carla - celebrating at Cafe Rojo

The Abbot of Downside and Freddie Vasquez QC

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Congratulations!

Congratulations to John of Cre8vie and Jade of Global on the birth of their son Josh, and to Isla of Farrington Contemporary at Ocean Village who heard the patter of not so tiny paws in February when a great big ball of fluff in the form of Kuga the Siberian husky puppy adopted her. Congratulations of

Abby’s leaving dinner GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2007 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009

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Prestige Boys an after work drink in Cafe Solo

the Buddies girls

a different sort to Craig Thomas who is soon to be a grandaddy for the very first time. Also hoping to become a grandma is Elena Scialtiel — at least if her two zebra finches’ nest building is anything to go by!

Happy birthday to Annette of Cafe Rojo who reaches the big 4-0 this month, and to Lindsay of Gibraltar Asset Management, Mike of BSG, Sue Orfila, Peter Rodney and the lovely Louise Roberts who all have birthdays this month. Also apologies to the ever youthful Paul de Beresford who reached a milestone birthday in February but we forgot to mention him (you’d never guess how old he is!).

No Show for the Kings One person who’s birthday treat didn’t go quite as planned was Bianca of Just Recruitment who went to the UK to see her heroes The Kings of Leon — unfortunately there was a mix up with the tickets and she missed the show, but not one to give up easily she drove all the way to Madrid to see them in February. This time, it was The Kings of Leon who didn’t show up! Come on boys... I think you owe Bianca a special concert in Gibraltar at least!

Bayley and his new friend

Pop Idol Talking of pop stars, the winner of Pop Idol in Finland (yes they have it there too!) was in Gibraltar last month — we don’t have too much detail but it somehow ties in with a local businessman losing his shoes?.... We are sure more info will come to light for next month!

Well that’s it for this month... don’t forget The Gibraltar Magazine is now fully online every month so you can get it wherever you go! (www.thegibraltarmagazine.com) See you on Main Street

opening of Kitchens by Brian and Steven at the Mill Lane Design showroom on City

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Volunteers set up temporary Hair & Beauty Salon to make over mental health service users, Mount Alvernia residents and those on social benefits —organized by Brigitte Rodriguez -Parody

Sarah is wowed by the artwork at Originarta

David pops the champagne cork at Originarta

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clubs&activities Arts & Crafts The Arts Centre, Prince Edward’s Rd. Art classes for children (5-6pm Mon, 5-6.30pm Tues, 5-7pm Thurs), adults (Mon - Tues 6.30pm-8pm, Wed 6.30pm-8.30pm, life painting Wed 7pm-9pm). Tel: 200 79788.

The Fine Arts Association Gallery 1st Floor above Gibraltar Crystal, Casemates. Open 11am-2pm, 4-6pm Mon - Fri, Sat 11am - 2pm.

Arts & Crafts Gallery (next door) opens Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5pm (summer) -6pm (winter), Sat 9.30am - 3pm.

The Poetry Society meets on 20th of each month. Tel: Audrey Batty on 200 44355 .

Board Games Chess Club meets in Studio 1, John Mackintosh Hall 8-10.30pm Tues.

The Gibraltar Scrabble Club meet John Mackintosh Hall Mondays. Bank holidays changed to Thursday same week. 7pm-11pm All welcome. Tel: 200 73660 or 200 75995.

The Subbuteo Club meets Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall 7.30 - 11pm.

Dance Modern & Latin American Sequence Dancing Mondays Catholic Community Centre 8.30pm (beginners 7.30). Over 15s welcome. www.gibnynex.gi/inst/cccseqdance/ Old & Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at the Catholic Community Centre at 8pm, beginners at 7.30pm, Wednesday.

The DSA Old & Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at Central Hall Fridays 8pm, beginners 7.30pm. Tel: 200 78282 or e-mail manvio@gibraltar.gi Everybody welcome.

Senior Citizens Teatime Dances at The Youth Centre, Line Wall Rd on Mondays 2 - 5.30pm.

All senior citizens welcome for coffee, tea and biscuits. Entrance free.

Classical Ballet classes for children 4+, Spanish dance and hip-hop at Liza School of Dance, 3rd floor, Methodist Church, 297/299 Main St. Classes Weds & Fri from 6pm at Chiltern Court (4Cs). Tel: 58111000.

Hip Hop classes for adults Mondays 6.15pm to 7.15pm, Hip Hop classes for boys and girls Tuesdays 4.15pm to 5.15 - Urban Dance, Jumpers Dance Studio The Gibraltar Pointes Dance School - R.A.D ballet, I.S.T.D modern and tap, jazz and contempory dance. Unit 19F Europa Business Centre. Contact Cheryll or Sabina at Studio: 200 45145, Home: 200 51187/ 200 46400.

History & Heritage The Gibraltar Heritage Trust Main Guard, 13 John Mackintosh Sq. Tel: 200 42844.

The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association Dedicated to preservation of Rock’s transport/motoring heritage. Assists members in restoration / maintenance of classic vehicles.

Members/vehicles meet 1st Sunday of month, Morrison’s car park from 10am. New members welcome. Tel: 200 44643.

Music The Gibraltar Music Centre Trust Complete spectrum of instrument learning strings drums etc. Theory lessons- Five days a week 4pm-9pm. Tel: 200 75558 for details.

The Gibraltar National Choir and Gibraltar Junior National Choir rehearse on Monday & Thursday 7.30 - 9pm. New singers of all ages welcome. Tel: Lili 200 40035, 54006727 St Andrew ’s Music Academy Musical Monsters Club, musical workshops. Group musical activities for kids 3-7 years. Singing, rhythmic games etc. Tel: 200 42690 email: samagib@hotmail.com Outdoor Activities The Calpe Ramblers This group walks on last Sunday each month, except July and August.

Meeting place is the Spanish side of the frontier 8am just to the right of and opposite the Aduana vehicle exit. For any information contact co-ordinators Ray Murphy 200 71956 or John Murphy 200 74645.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an exciting self-development Programme available to all young people worldwide equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world.

To date over 5 million young people from over 100 countries have been motivated to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities. Contact Duke of Edinburgh’s Award,

Don’t be bored... do something fun!

Montagu Bastion, Line Wall Road, Gibraltar Tel: 200 59818 Reg. Charity No: 61 Quizzes Cannon Bar quizzes are held on Tuesdays starting with a warm up, then two other quizzes, including a theme quiz. Starts at 8.30pm, all welcome and prizes are given.

Free entrance but a donation to charity is requested. Tapas served after the quiz.

The Tunnel in Casemates has a pub quiz and entertainment on Sunday nights.

Social Clubs Scots on the Rock: Any Scots visiting the Rock can contact Charles Polson (Tel: 200 78142) for assistance or information.

Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (Gibraltar Province) meets RAOB Club, Jumpers Bastion on these days: Provincial Grand Lodge, 1st Monday/month, 8pm. Executive Meeting, last Mon/month 7pm. Knights Chapter, 2nd Mon/month 7.30pm. Examining Council, 3rd Mon/month 7pm. William Tilley 2371, Thurs 8pm. Buena Vista 9975, Weds (fortnightly) 7pm. Por Favor 9444, Weds (fortnightly) 7pm. Farewell 10001, Tues 8.30pm.

Goldacre 10475 (social) last Fri/month 8pm.

Tuesday Ladies’ Club meets 8pm, Queensway Club first Tuesday of month. For women who enjoy making new friends. Non-profit making, proceeds donated to charity. Tel: Anne 200 43869, or Margaret 200 70816.

Special Interest Clubs & Societies Gibraltar Horticultural Society meets 1st Thurs of month 6pm, John Mac Hall. Spring Flower Show, slide shows, flower arrangement demos, outings to garden centres, annual Alameda Gardens tour. All welcome.

The Gibraltar Photographic Society meets on Mon at around 8pm, Wellington Front.

Basic courses, competitions etc.

Harley Davidson Owners’ Club www. hdcgib.com UN Association of Gibraltar PO Box 599, 22a Main Street. Tel: 200 52108.

Sports Supporters Clubs The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Club meet at the Star Bar, Parliament Lane, when Spurs games are televised - call prior to matches to check the game is televised.

Great food for a lunch if the KO is early or an early supper if the game is later. For info call Mario on 56280000.

Gibraltar Arsenal Supporters Club meet on match days at the Casino Calpe (Ground Floor). Gooners of all ages are welcome. Tel: Bill 54010681 or Dion 56619000. Websites: ClubWebsite.co.uk/ArsenalGibraltarSC or GibGooners.com Gibraltar Hammers meet on match days at the Victoria Stadium Bar, Bayside Road. All league games are shown live. All West Ham supporters and their families are welcome.

For details visit www.gibraltarhammers.com or e-mail gibraltarhammers@hotmail.com Sports & Fitness Artistic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Artistic Gymnastics Association club for beginners, juniors and squad at Bayside School in evenings. Tel: 200 Angela 200 70611 or Sally 200 74661.

Athletics: Gibraltar Amateur Athletics Association holds competitions throughout year for juniors, adults and veterans. Two main clubs (Calpeans 200 71807, Lourdians 200 75180) training sessions at Victoria Stadium.

Badminton: Recreational badminton weekdays at Victoria Stadium (Tel: 200 78409 for allocations). Gibraltar Badminton Association (affiliated to IBA & EBA) has leagues and training for adults and secondary school. Tel: Ivan 200 44045 or Linda 200 74753.

Basketball: Gibraltar Amateur Basketball Association (affiliated FIBA) leagues/ training for minis, passarelle, cadets, seniors and adults at a variety of levels. Tel: John 200 77253, Randy 200 40727 or Kirsty (minis) 200 49441.

Billiards & Snooker: Gibraltar Billiards and Snooker Association (member IBSA) round leagues and competitions at various venues.

New members welcome. Tel: Eddie 200 72142 or Peter 200 77307.

Boxing: Gibraltar Amateur Boxing Association (member IABA) gym on Rosia Rd. Over 13s welcome to join. Tuition with ex-pro boxer

Ernest Victory (200 75513 w, 200 42788 h).

Canoeing: Gibraltar Canoeing Association.

Tel: Nigel 200 52917 or Eugene 58014000.

Cricket: Gibraltar Cricket Association (member ICC) runs leagues/competitions at Europa Point/Victoria Stadium. Junior/senior training.

Tel: Tom 200 79461 or Adrian 200 44281.

Cycling: Gibraltar Cycling Association various cycling tours. Tel: Uriel 200 79359.

Darts: Gibraltar Darts Association (member WDF) mens/ladies/youth leagues/competitions.Tel: Darren 54027171 “Secretary”, Dyson “Youth Rep” 54024149, Justin “President” 54022622 Email: info@gibraltardarts.com Football: Gibraltar Football Association - leagues/competitions for all ages OctoberMay. Futsal in summer, Victoria Stadium. Tel: 200 42941 www.gfa.gi. Senior Tel: Albert 200 41515, Junior Tel: Richard 58654000, Women’s Tel: Brian 200 52299. Recreational football for over 35s Tel: Richard 200 70320.

Golf: Med Golf tournaments held monthly.

Tel: 200 79575 for tournament venues/dates.

Gibraltar Golf Union has competitions through year, EGU handicaps. Tel: Bernie 200 78844.

Hockey: Gibraltar Hockey Association (members FIH & EHF) high standard competitions/ training for adults and juniors. Tel: Eric 200 74156 or Peter 200 72730.

Judo: Gibraltar Judo Association UKMAF recognised instructors for all ages and levels at Budokai Martial Arts Centre, Wellington Front.

Tel: Charlie 200 73116 or Peter 200 73225.

Ju-jitsu: Gibraltar Ju-jitsu Academy training and grading for juniors/seniors held during evening at 4 North Jumpers Bastion (Rosia Rd). Tel: Tony 200 79855 or club 200 47259.

Karate-do Shotokai: Gibraltar Karate-do Shotokai Association sessions for junior/seniors, gradings and demos at Karate Clubhouse, 41H Town Range Tel: Andrew 200 48908.

Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Racing Association Tel: Wayne 200 75211.

Netball: Gibraltar Netball Association (affiliated FENA & IFNA) competitions through year, senior / junior leagues. Tel: Moira 200 41795 or Suzette 200 41874.

Petanque: Gibraltar Petanque Association plays at Giralda Gardens, Smith Dorrien Ave. New members welcome. Tel: 200 70929.

Pool: Gibraltar Pool Association (member EUKPF) home and away league played on Thurs through season. Tel: Linda 200 74753.

Rhythmic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Rhythmic Gymnastics Association runs sessions for 4 years of age and upwards weekday evenings.

Tel: Christine 200 74661 or 54015533.

Rugby: Gibraltar Rugby Football Union training sessions for Colts (14+), seniors and veterans. Play in Andalusia 1st Division Oct - April. Tel: James 200 72185 Sailing: Gibraltar Yachting Association junior/ senior competitive programme (April - Oct) Tel: RGYC 200 48847.

Sea Angling: Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers (members FIPS-M & CIPS) Superb calendar of events with four clubs participating. Tel: Mario 200 72622 or Charlie 200 74337.

Shooting: Gibraltar Shooting Federation (over 14s). Rifle, Europa Point range (Joe 200 74973); clay pigeon, East Side (Harry 200 74354); Pistol, near Royal Naval Hospital (Fidel 200 71990).

Skating: Gibraltar Skating and Xtreme Sports Association. State of art ramps for Xtreme/aggressive roller blading /skate boarding. Leisure skating facilities provided within excellent rink (when not used for roller hockey training).

Te l : E r i c 2 0 0 70710 (after 5).

Snorkelling & Spear Fishing: Over 14s for snorkelling, over 16s for spear fishing. Tel: Joseph 200 75020.

Squash: Gibraltar Squash Association, Squash Centre,

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South Pavilion Road (members WSF & ESF).

Adult/junior tournaments/coaching. Tel: 200 44922 or 200 73260.

Sub-Aqua: Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Association taster dives for over 14s, tuition from local clubs. Voluntary sports clubs: Tel: Phil 200 44606, Noah’s Dive Club Tel: Leslie 200 79601, 888s Dive Club Tel: Martin 200 70944. Commercial sports diving schools also available.

Swimming: Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association (member FINA & LEN) opens its pool for leisure swimming Mon - Fri 7-8.45am, 12- 4pm, 8- 9pm. Junior lessons, squad for committed swimmers, water polo (Rebecca 200 72869).

Table Tennis: Gibraltar Table Tennis Association (members ITTA) training / playing sessions, Victoria Stadium, Tues 6-10pm and Thurs 8-11pm with coaching and league competition. Lizanne 200 45071/54020477 or Eugene 58014000.

Taekwondo: Gibraltar Taekwondo Association classes/gradings Tel: 200 Mari 44142.

Tennis: Gibraltar Tennis Association, Sandpits Tennis Club, excellent junior development programme. Courses for adults, leagues / competitions. Tel: Frank 200 77035.

Ten-Pin Bowling: Gibraltar Ten Pin Bowling (members FIQ & WTBA) leagues, training for juniors and squad. PO Box 1287. Contact Charly on 56014000 or Paul on 54029749.

Triathlon: Gibraltar Triathlon Union (members ITU) Chris 200 75857 or Harvey 200 55847.

Volleyball: Gibraltar Volleyball Association (members W & EVF) training, leagues, competitions for juniors/seniors. Tony 200 40478 or Elizabeth 58306000.

Yoga: Integral Yoga Centre runs a full programme of classes from Mon-Fri at 33 Town Range. Tel: 200 41389. All welcome.

Theatrical Groups Gibraltar Amateur Drama Association Ince’s Hall Theatre Complex, 310 Main Street E-mail: gibdrama@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 200 42237 www. geocities.com/gibdrama Trafalgar Theatre Group meet 2nd Wed of month, Garrison Library 8pm. All welcome.

Theatrix: Contact Trevor and Iris on Tel: 54006176 or email theatrixgib@yahoo.co.uk Clubs, Associations, should submit details to The Gibraltar Magazine gibmag@gibraltar.gi

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support

events

Support Groups/ Associations Alcoholics Anonymous meet 7pm Tues and Thurs at Nazareth Hse Tel: 200 73774.

A Step Forward support group for single, separated, divorced or widowed people. Meet 8pm Mondays at St Andrew’s Church.

Childline Gibraltar confidential phone line for children in need. Freephone 8008 - 7 days a week 7pm - 11pm.

Citizens’ Advice Bureau Open Mon-Fri 9.30-4pm. Tel: 200 40006 Email: info@ cab.gi or visit 10 Governor’s Lane. No appointment necessary, no charge.

Gibraltar CAB outreach clinics at St Bernard’s Hospital every Tuesday. Advisors available at 1st floor reception, Zone 4, 9am-3pm. Info and advice is free, confidential and impartial.

COPE Support group for people with Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Formed to ease day-to-day challenges of individuals, families and care partner. Meetings at Catholic Community Centre Book Shop at 7.30pm first Thursday of each month.

Contact Sue Reyes Tel: 200 51469 Email: copeadsupport@hotmail.com Dignity At Work Now. Confidential support and advice for those who are being bullied at work. Tel: 57799000 Mon - Thur 8pm-9pm Families Anonymous Support group for relatives and friends who are concerned about the use of drugs or related behavioural problems. Meetings are held alternate Thursdays at 9pm at Nazareth House. For more details Tel: 200 70047 or 200 73465.

Gibraltar Cardiac Rehabilitation and Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 8.30pm at the John Mac Hall, except for July and August.

Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group 3/8 Serfaty’s Passage Tel: 200 78509 Mobile: 54007924 website: www.gdsg.co.uk Gibraltar Marriage Care. Free relationship counselling, including pre-marriage education (under auspices of Catholic Church, but open to all). Tel: 200 71717.

Gibraltar Society for the Visually Impaired. Tel: 200 50111 (24hr answering service).

Hope. miscarriage support Tel: 200 41817.

Narcotics Anonymous Tel: 200 70720 Overeaters Anonymous support group of those with compulsive overeating problem. Tel: helpline for details of meetings 200 42581.

Parental Support Group, helping parents and grandparents with restrictive access to their children and granchildren.

Tel: Richard 200 46536, Jason 200 76618, Dominic 54019602.

Psychological Support Group, PO Box 161, Nazareth House. Weekly Meetings Tuesdays at 7pm, Fridays 8pm. Tel: 200 51623.

SSAFA Forces Help Gibraltar, is a national charity, to assist serving and exService personnel and their families. Tel: (5)5481. E-mail olivero@sapphirenet.gi With Dignity Gibraltar support group for separated, divorced, widowed or unattached people. Meetings Weds 9pm, Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Rd. Outings/activities. Tel: Flor 54007181 or Marie 200 79957.

Women in Need. Voluntary organisation for all victims of domestic violence.

Refuge available. Tel: 200 42581 (24 hours).

FLIP Following the launch of the Future Leaders in Philanthropy Project last month, the 20 selected participants enjoyed a welcome reception and project briefing last month in the offices of Credit Suisse. The participants enjoyed drinks and canapés, and received an iPOD Nano to congratulate them okn their selection. Each participant will now be invited to choose a local charity to receive a £250 donation, and will each receive £500 into their personal investment, which will run for the 3-year project. The first year will also see the launch of the virtual charity investment portfolios, where students will be divided up into groups and will have to decide how and where to invest their virtual funds, with support and guidance from their Credit Suisse mentors. They will learn about various investment vehicles along the way, and will be in competition with the other groups to see who can manage their money most successfully.

Ros Astengo, the FLIP Project Manager, together with Credit Suisse and The Bonita Trust took the opportunity to thank all the students who applied for the project, those who attended the interviews, the schools and the Department of Education.

Teen Tales A number of guest speakers have collaborated in the ‘Teen Tales’ creative writing programme at the youth centre, run by Rebecca Figueras, Christian Santos, Jackie Bautista and Charlene Figueras.

Workshops and talks by Adrian Pisarello (lyric writing), Sonia Golt (poetry), Davina Camilleri (broadcasting), James Culatto (interview skills), Claire Trinidad-Stagnetto (descriptive text) and Vinod Mahbubani (journal and travelling memoirs, have given the programme a lot of strength by sharing knowledge on a particular field of writing. Each genre has given the participants an opportunity to develop their personal skills such as planning, participation, research, setting goals, time management, working in a team as well as self awareness and confidence

LATEST MED GOLF NEWS

The campaign for the 2008/09 “Player of the Year” award, sponsored by Estepona Golf Club, is well under way and with the top ten members at the end of July 2009 receiving invitations to the Med Golf Masters at Valderrama in late summer 2009, competition is fierce now after 6 events. Here are the current top 20;- 1 Joe Sanchez, 2 Tim Rickson, 3 George Desoisa, 4 Soeren Valbro, 5 John Dale, 6 Nicky Sanchez, 7 Louis Calvente, 8 Josh Hunter, 9 Chris Warren, 10 Dave Pinniger, 11 Keith Johnson, 12 Rodney Sheriff, 13 Paul Appleyard, 14 Ron Brayson, 15 Sally Rickson, 16 Jeff Richardson,17 Keith Mack, 18 Les Housley, 19 Alan Sene, 20 Simon Young Tee times for tournaments can be booked by ringing Johnathan Goodson on Spain (0034) 639741886 or by e-mail at jg@medgolf.gi Full details are on the Med Golf web site Winners of The Med Golf - Famous Grouse tournament at El Paraiso Golf Club, January www.teetimespain.com

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Religious Services Bahia Tel: 200 43637 for meetings.

Bethel Christian Fellowship Tel: 200 52002. 47 Queensway. Sunday service at 11am.

Church of England Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Tel: 200 78377. Sung Eucharist, Sunday 10.30am. Sunday School.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Suite 21a Don House, 30-38 Main Street. Tel: 200 50433. Sundays 10am.

Church of Scotland St Andrew’s, Governor’s Pde. Tel: 200 77040. Worship & Sunday School 10.30am. Bible Study

Tues 7.30pm.

Evangelical Bretheren Assembly, Queensway Quay. Sun 11am, Tues Bible Study 6pm, Thurs Prayer Meeting 6pm.

Hindu Engineer’s Lane Tel: 200 42515.

Jehovah’s Witness 6 Europort Avenue Tel: 200 50186.

Jewish 10 Bomb House Lane Tel: 200 72606.

Methodist 297 Main Street Gibraltar Tel/Fax 200 40870 email minister@methodist.org. gi Minister: Revd Fidel Patron. Sunday 11am Morning Worship, 8pm Evening Service. Prayer meetings Monday and Wednesday to Friday 7pm and Tuesdays

8pm. Communion celebrated on 2nd and 4th Sunday mornings of the month, and other special occasions. Alpha Course: held Thursdays 8pm. House Groups meet for Christian fellowship, prayer and study on a regular basis Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

Sunday School meets Sunday mornings alongside morning worship.

Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned, 215 Main St Tel: 200 76688.

The Cityline Church 13 Castle St Tel: 200 75755 email: citylinegib@yahoo. com. Meeting: Tues 8pm, Sundays 11am.

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property directory 96 GIBRALTAR Magazine

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projectmanagers

propertyservices

propertysales

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charteredsurveyors 1 The Boardwalk, Tradewinds Tel: 200 47777

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

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1 The Boardwalk, Tradewinds Tel: 200 47777

M.J. Electrical & Fire Services

What a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

UK fully qualified electricians

Electrical • Security • Fire Alarms from a blown fuse to a re-wire

propertysales

SALES / RENTALS PROPERTY SPAIN MANAGEMENT & Maintenance Furniture Packages

No call out charge

info@gbpropertymanagementsl.com www.gbpropertymanagementsl.com Tel: 00 34 667 465 890 00 34 667 465 891

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

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S.LEVY

propertyrentals

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AUCTIONEER, ESTATE AGENT & VALUER

For Property Advice, Contact Us 3 Convent Place Tel: 200 77789 or 200 42818 Fax: 200 42527 Email: slevy@gibraltar.gi

Manufacturers & Suppliers of HIGH PRESSURE HOSES AND ACCESSORIES Visit us at 43 Harbours Deck, New Harbours, Gibraltar Call us on 200 50337 email: shop@jjhire.com or see our website: www.jjhire.com

Martin Joyce Tel: 54026717 or 200 44664

• Electrical Contractors • Security & Fire Alarm Systems • Repairs to Electrical Machinery & Equipment

Airconditioning & Ventilation Design, Installation & Maintenance Tel: 200 79732 Fax: 200 40415 Unit No. 28 The New Harbours

COLD-AIRE ENGINEERING

Sheet Metal Works Ventilation Ductwork Stainless Steel Cabinets, Canopies Shelves etc Tel: 200 79732 Fax: 40415 COLD-AIRE ENGINEERING Unit No. 28 The New Harbours

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009 June 2004

22/2/09 14:00:56

property directory marineservices

HAYMILLS

Haymills (Gibraltar) Ltd Now at 94 Harbours Walk New Harbours Tel: 200 40690 Fax: 200 74797 Email: tony.harris@haymills.com Website: www.haymills.com

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

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

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

constructionservices Portman Ltd General Suppliers

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

WINDOWS We manufacture and fit aluminium windows, doors, blinds, shutters, mosquito nettings, UPVC windows, glaziers and also bathroom and shower screens at reasonable prices.

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Repairs & Chandlery Sheppard’s Chandlery, M. Sheppard & Co. Ltd Waterport, Gibraltar. Tel: 200 77183 • 200 42535

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Tel: 200 47000 Mobile: 58850000

Don’t miss May 2009’s Property & Interiors Issue of The Gibraltar Magazine 39-41 City Mill Lane, Gibraltar Tel: 200 78105 Fax: 200 42510

THE GIBRALTAR MARITIME SERVICES HANDBOOK 2008 edition

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• Electrical Contractors • Security & Fire Alarm Systems • Repairs to Electrical Machinery & Equipment

wastemanagement Environment and Waste Management Service

Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Services Domestic + Industrial • Electrical • Mechanical • Plumbing • Air-Conditioning 94 Harbour’s Walk, New Harbours Tel: 200 48774 Fax: 200 45249

June 2004 MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009 GIBRALTAR

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Furnishing Fabrics, Wallpapers, Furniture, Wood Floorings, Carpets & Rugs 4 King’s Yard Lane Tel: 200 74445 Fax: 200 76353

E.W.M.S. R25B, Ragged Staff Wharf, Queensway Quay, PO Box 4, Gibraltar Tel: 200 44220 Fax: 200 44221 E-mail: ewmsgib@gibtelecom.net

GIBRALTAR Magazine 97

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information

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dmission 9.30am to 7pm by tickets (includes entrance to sites within the Park - St. Michael’s Cave, Monkey’s Den, Great Siege Tunnels, Military Heritage Centre, ‘A City Under Siege’ Exhibition and Moorish Castle).

(Facilities closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.) Adults £7/ Children 5-12 years: £4, Children age 4 and under free, vehicles £1.50. Private vehicles may be restricted at certain times and it’s advisable to take a Rock Tour by taxi/mini bus. The Natural History & Heritage Park is also reached by cable car (leaves Grand Parade 9.30am-5.15pm Mon-Sun. Last cable down: 5.45pm).

T

he flora and fauna on the Upper Rock are considered to be of great conservational value. It’s a perfect place for birdwatchers, as migratory species use Gibraltar as the shortest crossing between Europe and Africa, but botanists will also be interested to see over 600 species of flowering plants, including some unique to Gibraltar. Watch out for colourful lizards, non-venemous Horseshoe Whipsnakes, butterflies and pipistrelle bats. Info on flora and fauna is found at the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society’s information centre at Jews Gate.

St. Michael’s Cave: The cave comprises an upper hall with five connecting passages and drops of 40-150ft to a smaller hall.

A further succession of chambers, some at 250ft below the entrance, is reached through narrow holes. The Cathedral Cave is open to visitors and is used as an auditorium for concerts and theatre. The cave was prepared as a hospital in WWII, but never used. A further series of chambers ending in a mini lake is called Lower St. Michael’s Cave and can be visited with a guide.

The Monkeys’ Den: There are around 160 monkeys in the Park and around 30 can be seen at the Monkey’s Den. Often called apes, they are tail-less Barbary Macaques and Europe’s only free living monkeys. £500 fine for feeding the monkeys - don’t do it!

The Great Siege Tunnels: Tunnelling in the Rock began during the Great Siege (1779-1783) when France and Spain made an attempt to recapture the Rock while Britain was busy with the American War of Independence. Governor General Elliot offered a reward to any man who could tell him how to mount a gun on the north face of the Rock. It was a Sgt. Major Ince who suggested tunnelling and there are now over 30 miles of tunnels inside the Rock with various exhibitions inside the tunnels.

of the earliest British building on the Rock.

Original graffiti, drawn by duty soldiers to stop themselves falling asleep, is still visible, the earliest dating back to 1726.

The Moorish Castle: actually just part of a Moorish town and castle which was built up during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, spearheaded from Gibraltar in 711AD by Tarik-ibn-Zeyad (“Gibraltar” is a corruption of the Arabic words “Jebel Tarik” - Tarik’s mountain). The part we see today, The Tower of Homage, dates back to 1333AD, when Abu’l Hassan recaptured the Rock from Spain.

Natural History & Heritage Park Walks: Med Steps is a stunning walk with the steep climb at the end rewarded with spectacular views of the Rock and Spain.

Another recommended walk is St Michael’s Cave through to Charles V Wall but walkers should be relatively fit for both. It is also pleasant walking along the upper rock roads. Brochures available free from all Tourist Board offices.

Botanical Gardens: Opened in 1816, the Alameda Botanical Gardens fell into disrepair but are currently being restored to their former glory. Visitors can enjoy a stroll beneath pines, dragon trees and palms, and see many of Gibraltar’s native plants as well as exotic species. The shop sells environmentally friendly gifts, plants and seeds.

Tel: 200 72639/200 74022. Parking.

Nelson’s Anchorage: Rosia Road 9.30am - 5.15pm Monday to Saturday (last entry at 5pm). Closed on Sunday. Admission: £1.00 (free of charge with Nature Reserve ticket.

Tickets for the nature reserve can also be bought at this attraction).

Parson’s Lodge: Rosia Road. A narrow limestone outcrop with a labyrinth of underground tunnels surmounted by an impressive battery, which has witnessed the development of coast artillery over 300 years. Once housed three 18 ton 10-inch rifled muzzle loaders positioned behind a

unique sandwich of armour plate and teak, known as ‘Gibraltar Shields’. TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. Flat Bastion Magazine Flat Bastion Road, Geological Research Station and Lithology of Gibraltar. To visit contact: F. Gomez Tel. 200 44460, P. Hodkinson Tel. 200 43910.

Shrine of Our Lady of Europe (Museum within premises) Europa Road. 10am-7pm Monday to Friday, 11am-7pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays. Closed 1pm - 2pm.

Trafalgar Cemetery: Trafalgar Road, open 9am - 7pm daily (admission free).

Business Information

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

Useful Numbers

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

General Information

Gibraltar Museum.............Tel: 200 74289 18/20 Bomb House Lane Open 10am - 6pm (Sat. 10am - 2pm). Closed on Sunday. Admission: Adults £2/Children under 12 years £1. Special exhibitions also held at museum premises in Casemates gallery.

Registry Office...................Tel: 200 72289 It is possible to get married on the Rock within 48 hours of arrival. A fact taken advantage of by stars such as Sean Connery and John Lennon.

Rock Tours by Taxi............Tel: 200 70052 As well as offering normal fares, Gibraltar

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

The Military Heritage Centre: Housed in one of the Rock’s many historic batteries, the Military Heritage Centre displays information on the development of Gibraltar’s military defences through the ages.

A City Under Siege Exhibition: Exhibits depicting the lives of the civilian population during the many sieges, are housed in one

History Alive

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

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Gibraltar Bus Company Routes

taxis provide Rock Tours taking in the Upper Rock, Europa Point and other sites of interest. It is the best way to see the Rock’s major features in a short time.

Tourist Board.....................Tel: 200 74950 Gibraltar Tourist Board, Duke of Kent House, Cathedral Square, Gibraltar.

UK Tel: 0207 836 0777 giblondon@aol.com John Mackintosh Hall.......Tel: 200 75669 Centre of Gib’s cultural life, includes a cafeteria, theatre, exhibition rooms and library.

308 Main Street 9.30am - 11pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends.

Bicycle Racks Bicycle parking is provided at the following locations: Europort Road, Casemates Tunnel, Land Port Ditch, Fish Market Road, Commonwealth Car Park, Reclamation Road (by English Steps) + Line Wall Road.

Public Holidays 2009

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

The Gibraltar Magazine is published and produced by Guide Line Promotions Ltd, 1st Floor 113 Main Street, Gibraltar.

Tel/Fax: (+350) 77748

Natural History & Heritage Park

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2009 July 2004

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