The Gibraltar Magazine April 2008

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R J Kiln & Co Ltd acquires share in expatriate insurance specialist

Ibex Insurance Services Ltd and R J Kiln & Co Limited have announced that Kiln, the international insurance and reinsurance underwriting group with a total syndicate capacity in excess of £812 million, has acquired a minority shareholding in the Gibraltar-based Lloyd's Coverholder.

Successful startfor Rockhampton PCC

Rockhampton Insurance PCC Ltd began business in Gibraltar at the beginning of 2008, and expects to write some £60m of reinsurance business through its first cell this year. Rockhampton was set up and is controlled by Line Trustees S.RV.(International) Ltd.

A spokesperson for Line said: "We are pleased to have made this investment in Rockhampton and we anticipate that Rockhampton's business will expand in the fu ture."

Rockhampton,a Protected Cell Company, was established with the assistance of Aon Insurance Managers (Gibraltar) Ltd and Canon Consultancy Ltd, and is the first reinsurance PCC to base itself in Gibraltar. Gibraltar was the first jurisdiction in the Eu

ropean Union to implement PCC legislation in 2001.

Using local underwriting ex pertise Rockhampton is currently writing reinsurance business for Brit Insurance, the UK-domiciled international general insurance and reinsurance group.

Rockhampton Chairman, John Young said: "We are delighted to have written our first policies. The FSC have been very helpful in helping us establish the company and along with the Government

Ibex Insurance was founded as a Lloyd's of London Coverholder in 2001 and is the largest provider of expatriate insurance in the Iberian Peninsula and in Gibraltar,where it trades under the name of'Trafalgar Insurance Brokers'.

Kiln's investment in Ibex is* the next stage in the evolution of the relationship between the two businesses. Ibex and Kiln share a common interest in expanding the Ibex platform over time in order to extend the product range. In par ticular there are plans to leverage an online service delivery system to expand the franchise into the Spanish market.

Ibex Chairman, John Harrison, commented:"We have great respect for Kiln and the Kiln brand. I am delighted that Kiln has joined Ibex as a business partner and that they are to provide us with future under writing capacity for us to expand into the Spanish and Portuguese marketplaces. Apart from our own direct web-based offerings, we will also be able to offer Spanish Insur ance Brokers access to the Lloyd's market. In addition, our staff will have the opportunity to undertake training and career enhancementin London and at Lloyd's."

Charles Franks, CEO of Kiln, said: "This is an excellent devel opment for Kiln, and plays to the strengths of our business strategy, which is to build and nurture strong relationships with high quality distribution partners such as Ibex Insurance. We are delighted to in vest in a business like Ibex, where we know there is strong leadership and managementlocally which will continue to be fully active and to direct Ibex's development plans."

The Ibex Group

Ibex is a Lloyd's Coverholder providing a portfolio ofspecialised insurance products throughout the Iberian Peninsula for both national and international clients.

The two operating divisions of the Ibex Group are Ibex Insurance Services Limited with offices in Gibraltar and Iberian Agencia de Suscripcidn S. L. with offices in Spain.

Ibex and Iberian products are un derwritten at Lloyd's, the world's leading insurance market. The products are distributed online and through an established network of Brokers and Intermediaries throughout Spain and Portugal.

The Kiln Group

Kiln is an international insur ance and reinsurance underwriting group with a portfolio of specialist risks. Since 1962, it has built its business on the strength of its un derwriting and its relationships.

R J Kiln & Co Limited has four syndicates at Lloyd's and,in terms of capacity, is one of the largest agencies trading in the Lloyd's insurance market. In addition to Bermuda and the UK, Kiln has offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa and Belgium.

A recognised leader in each ofthe five main business areas in which it operates: reinsurance, accident and health, aviation, marine and special risks, and property. Kiln syndicates enjoy a security rating of'A+'(Strong)assigned to Lloyd's by Standard and Poor's.

Visit xomo.ibexinsure.com or xvxow. kilngroup.com for further informa tion.

ockhampton Chairman, John Young of Gibraltar do much to confirm Gibraltar as an attractive domicile. We are also delighted to be able to attract prestige clients like Brit to Rockhampton and hope by es tablishing Rockhampton here we

For further information contact Chris Johnson on 58452000 or email: chris.johnson@rockJuxmpton.gi

Ibex Chairman, John Harrison, shakes hands on the deal outside Uoyds building in London

can help stimulate growth in the reinsurance sector."

Even empirical predictions by scientists are proved wrong or superseded, in rapid succession, by others. But at the risk of being proved wrong, and based upon what central planning by govern ment there is in Gibraltar and other global trends, here goes.

Things do not happen at the same pace as some other places in the world, but a significant change in the appearance of the Eastside should be very visible by then, so that instead of looking like a run down industrial estate in some depressed area ofeconomic decline. Devils Tower Road will be in the middle of the four-lane prestigious entry point into Gibraltar off of which will lead, to the south, a multi-storey, multi-building co ordinated complex of larger, more luxurious apartments,shops,hotels

rs timeP

and open spaces than Gibraltar saw in the past where the older smaller pockets of luxury often sat next to military, industrial or commercial installations and failed to compete on a fair basis with the Spanish developments elsewhere.

This is not the fault of govern ment who for years have had to await the parsimonious hand-outs from the MOD of long disused pockets of land in piecemeal fash ion that defies any administration to logically structure future plan ning.

What can be safely predicted is the continued success of China, India and other Asian economies, who will increasingly become consumers of their own manufac tures and raise the prices of those they export,safe in the knowledge that a generation of office-based workers are never going to return to blue-collared sweated labour. The balance of activity in the EU will shift eastwards and southeastwards away from the fortunes gifted to the south-western comers of Europe in the last decade. But

this side and end of Europe will re main the chosen relocation hotspot for those with a need to live close to their work and this will not be restricted to those nearing retire ment but, increasingly, to many at the peak of their careers.

Gibraltar will continue to de velop an economy much more integrated into mainstream global life rather than the past ones de voted almost exclusively to servic ing the British military or endless day-trippers from Torremolinos. Most will rely on the improving and much cheaper telephone and internet facilities with 100 million telephone lines available(instead of a mere 30,000), under the new separate-from-Spain system — already introduced — but yet to expand so that switchboards become a thing of the past as direct-dialling

What must be retained is the maturity,reai demecracy and natienhood nurtured progressiveiy since the War^"^

takes over.

As for the continued two-way exchange of cross-border accom modation for a workforce, as La Linea is catapulted out of its poor and scruffy past, it is likely to be come even more inter-dependent with ever greater housing for Gibraltarians in Spain and splendid pads for the super-rich in Gibraltar —who may have connections with some operations in Spain or the UK (particularly from non-EU origins) — as the tax advantages for EU businesses and individuals is cur tailed by the EU Commission. This may seem unfair to some local mod est income earners who have not qualified for the social and low-cost housing under construction,but if it cements the raison d'etre for a tiny country in Europe,so be it.

So we can expect to see upon entry to Gibraltar from a super new plate glass air terminal into a car parked in a multi-storey car park, on to a super four-lane highway leading via Europort to a newly configured city centre road layout with improved roads to South District. The main visitor activity will, however,shift to Eastside with its new marina,ocean terminal and international hotel. Ocean Village will probably develop rather more for locals than envisaged at the outset, as new shops, bars and restaurants supplement Casemates as the sole heart of Gibraltar social life. Young people will find much more to do on their doorsteps in cluding the ice rink, new cinemas and night clubs.

Hopefully traffic will decline with the experiment promised in free and later public transport. With the removal of electricity gen eration to the south and continued tidying up of the hotchpotch that this ex-military outpost has been, its own government is taking over the provision of some support services still required by the armed forces, hoping to concentrate the eyesores amongst them into less

visible sites.

Not a prediction, but a dream, would be the closure of the CEPSA refinery in Spain that smothers Gibraltar with a sticky atmosphere. Also, with ever lower personal and business taxes, rising salary levels(but more multi-tasking and fewer restrictive practices), bigger and better housing, more leisure facilities, more famous brand shops selling everyday items (not just perfume, alcohol, tobacco and electronics), more vegetation, less dog mess, less litter and graffiti and, generally, a bit more respect, love and appreciation for the good fortune to live in a society not gov erned remotely by others, would not go amiss.

What must be retained is the maturity, real democracy and na tionhood nurtured progressively since the War, so that Gibraltar never becomes a theme park (or museum), dormitory, backwater or hiding place for international financial criminals.

WW1:US Coast Guard Does its Duty on Rook

By virtue of its name I believed the US Coast Guard did just that, guarded the coastlines of America, but this armed service also sends men and women overseas to fight in foreign wars and in World War I they came to Gibraltar.

The US Coast Guard was formed on 28th January 1915 when the Revenue Cutter Service was merged with the US Life Saving Service. Prior to the USentering the war the Coast Guard was responsible for enforcing the neutrality laws. But after the declaration of war the Navy Department took control of all of the Coast Guard's vessels (47), officers(223)and enlisted men (4500).

The United States didn't announce its entry into the war until April 1917 but had been pre paring for the inevitable for some time and was quick to mobilise.

When Britain requested help with escorting convoys between the Mediterranean and the British Isles the US Navy sent six Coast Guard cutters to be based at Gibraltar. The cutters, Osssipee, Seneca, Yamacraw, Algonquin, Manning and Tampa arrived at the Rock during August and September. Of the six the Tampa would be the most feted but also the most tragic. Sailing out of Gibraltar under Captain Charles

Satterlee the Tampa escorted a total of 18convoys safely to the UK. In a letter of commendation to Satterlee Rear Admiral Niblack, commander of the US naval forces stationed at Gibraltar noted that the Tampa "...was never disabled, and was ready whenever called upon."

Tampa's luck ran out on her next mission, however,and she was lost with all hands.It was 26th September 1918. The convoy had made it safely through the crossing of the perilous Bay of Biscay and was nearing the destination of Milford Haven when at8.45pm a loud explosion was heard. Tampa was never seen again.

She had gone down with the loss of all 115 crew and 16 passengers.It was the greatest loss of life suffered by any US warship in World War 1. The only identifiable piece of wreckage ever found was a brass plaque displaying the words 'U.S. Coast Guard Boat No. 718' — Tampa's boat number, which was found on a beach at Porthcawl in 1924.

The German submarine UB 91, commanded by Walter Hans Hertwig, was credited with the sinking. The Tampa was one of only four ships sunk by UB-91, which survived the war and was broken up after surrendering to the Royal Navy.

In honour of the Tampa's contribution the British Admiralty issued a statement;

"Their Lordships desire to express their deep regret at the loss of the USS Tampa. Her record since she has been employed in European waters as an ocean escort to convoys has been remark able. She has acted in the capacity of ocean escort to no less than 18 convoysfrom Gibraltar comprising 350 vessels, with a loss of only two ships through enemy action. The commanders of the convoys have recognised the ability with which the Tampa carried out the duties of ocean escort. Appreciation of the good work done by the USS Tampa may be some consolation to those bereft and their lordships would be glad if this could be conveyed to those concerned."

The only other ofthe six shipssent to Gibraltar to suffer casualties in action was the Seneca.

It was 17th September, 1918, just nine days before the loss of the Tampa. Seneca was escorting a convoy through the aforementioned danger ous Bay of Biscay when she came to the aid of the British merchant ship Wellington, which had been torpedoed and abandoned by her crew. Despite terrible weather conditions the Captain of the Seneca called for volunteers for a salvage attempt. 18 men volunteered and managed to keep the foundering ship afloat for several hours but eventually it sank at the cost of ten lives.

The 18 volunteers were awarded the Navy Cross "For extraordinary heroism".

The names of the men from the Tampa and the Seneca who lost their lives are now enshrined on the Coast Guard Memorial at Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C. along with the names of all the other Coast Guard personnel who perished in World War 1.

In the monument's stone foundation and pyramid design, architect George Howe and sculptor Gaston Lachaise have captured the spirit of the Coast Guard's legendary steadfast ness. A bronze seagull, poised with its wings uplifted, alights below the Coast Guard motto Semper Paratus(Always Ready).

Although the Coast Guard's primary duties remain life saving and protecting US coastlines their members continue to be sent to foreign conflicts and today they are serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

It wasthe greatest loss of life suffered by any US warship in World War I

The plaque(pictured)is tucked away behind a rub ber free on the wall outside the disused ECS offices, Queensway (opposite Ragged Staff Gates).

Real estate financing with a maximum term to maturity of 35 years

- and thefirst 10 years paying interest only?

This is possible with the new Keyplan Mortgage from Jyske Bank, offered on Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca. It is primarily designed for the coastal areas but we can provide mortages up to 10 kilometres from the coast, subject to evaluation.

Why borrow in a foreign currency?

Giovanna Wright Jyske Bank

Buy or rent?

Is it still interesting to buy prop erty rather than rent? That is a good question.It could still be interesting to buy,although interest rates are rising. It depends on your outlook for the property market and the purpose of your dream house.

Mortgage or cash purchase?

Many investors who could pay for a property outright still choose to mortgage the property. In some cases, taking out a mortgage may better suit your tax planning. Others choose to take out a mortgage and invest it elsewhere in the expectation that the returns they earn may be higher than the interest they pay on the mortgage.

Equity release?

One area where Jyske Bank sees continued growth is in the area of equity release. This is where a client has already purchased a property for cash, probably some years ago, and wishes to borrow against the increaised value of the property. It could be that the funds released are used for other more liquid types of investments, which generate additional income.

Mortgages can be drawn down and repaid in most cur rencies including British pounds, US dollar. Euro, Swiss francs and Japanese yen.The interest on a currency mort gage can be very competitive and the currency mortgage is very often used for speculative purposes or to hedge assets in your base currency. Your adviser will explain all payment terms,and with Jyske Bank you'll never encoun ter hidden fees or other surprises.

Remember

It is important to remember when considering a property purchase to seek professional advice from people who deal in this market. We work together with professional lawyers and valuators.

How do you get started?

Simply call Jyske Bank in Gibraltar on +350 200 48703 or e-mail giovanna-wright@jyskebank.gi

Your advantages

The loan is available in most major currendes and at a competitive rate of interest.

Loans can be made for up to 35 years. An initial interest-only period can be arranged for up to a maximum of 10 years.

You can switch between several currencies.

The Keyplan Mortgage product is offered by Jyske Bank (Gibraltar) Ltd., licensed by the Financial Services Commission. License No. FSC 001 OOB, www.fsc.gi. jyske Bank Private Banking is a busi ness unit of jyske Bank A/S, Vestergade 8-16,8600 Silkeborg, Denmark,CVR-no:1761 6617,regu lated by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority,and the Financial Services Authority. The investment services referred to in this advertisement will be provided from outside the UK. Your local investor protection regime will generally be applicable and investors seeking further informa tion should request details from their adviser. Please remember that your property or home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or other loan secured on it. The Keyplan Mortgage may not be offered to everyone,e.g. residents of the USA.

likely than not had a hand in the negotiation and drafting of the legislation itself!"

In 2006, in pursuit of a new op portunity, Selwyn left Isolas for a short spell at the employed bar as in-house Counsel and Director for one of Gibraltar's small company and trust management/family oh fices.Selwyn was then approached late last year with the suggestion of taking on responsibility for busi ness development at Isolas, which challenge he readily and happily accepted.

"Isolas reputation both locally and internationally means that half the marketing battle is effectively already won," said Selwyn. "The challenge is to frame Isolas'services in the context of the Gibraltar pic product and get out there. Gibraltar has a lot to offer over the offshore finance industry competition. Our location in Europe and the recogni tion of Gibraltar as a prestigious, reputable and co-operative jurisdic tion places us in an advantageous position with respect to other nonEU jurisdictions. Exploitation of the growing markets in fund and wealth management is key to the success of Isolas and the jurisdic tion as a whoie."

Isolas' Selwyn Figueras:

Back to Business.

Communication between law yer and client is the one aspect of the professional relationship in respect of which clients believe there is always room for improve ment. Understanding the clients' concerns in this regard, Isolas is actively seeking to improve, in a variety of different and innovative ways, the lines of communication between its lawyers and its clients. Providing clients with the means of communicating their concerns and needs to the fim\in the first instance is the obvious starting point.

A further part of Isolas' various initiatives and efforts to consolidate the firm's client care, marketing and business development drives, has

been the recruitment of practising barrister, Selwyn Figueras, as their Business Development and Qual ity Control Manager.

Selwyn, in an earlier stint with the firm some years ago, had practiced alongside a number of the partners in a wide variety of matters at all levels of the profes sion. Selwyn remembers his time at Isolas fondly.

"I was very fortunate when I

first joined Isola & Isola (as it was then known)in 2003, to have been assigned to work with the late(and great) Peter J Isola. Working with such a knowledgeable,experienced and respected member of the Bar was, ail at once, a sobering and enlightening experience. Discuss ing the finer points of local laws, it was invaluable to have access to a mentor who didn't just understand the topic in question, but had more

The development and growth of the firm in recent years owes much to the development of Gibraltar as an internationally recognised finance centre and work stemming from it. Isolas' focus, however, remains firmly on the local market, the stalwart of Isolas'success. The firm continues to direct its efforts at maintaining its local reputation for high standards of service and a client-focused approach to legal work with new, value added and innovative solutions, provided as part of a service worthy of the best international law firms

Over the coming months, Isolas will be rolling out new initiatives on the local and international scene which the firm hopes will cement its reputation as a forward thinking and dynamic firm with the resources, experience and expertise to serve the needs of its clients, old and new. Selwyn will also be taking charge of the firm's 'quality control,' acting as a first and personal port of call for clients with suggestions and comments about the firm's services and,where necessary, looking to improve and develop relevant aspects of the firm's service in a client-driven and mutually beneficial approach to Isolas' development.

"It's clear that new strategies and development of new services will present some interesting challenges but I'm looking forward to working with everyone and I'm sure the rewards will be worth all the hard work in the coming months."

"People don't want to be 'marketed to,' they want to be 'communicated with'."

"Exploitation ofthe growing markets in fnnd and weaith management is key to the success of fsofas and the jurisdiction as a whoie."

Betting on the Margins

Whilst some consider any form of investing on the stock exchange akin to gambling, there is one area where the world of gaming and financial services truly meet and that is the arena of financial spread betting.

Spread betting is one of the fastest growing forms of gambling. Invented in the USA by a maths teacher turned bookmaker called Charles K McNeil, it became popular in the UK in the 1980s. McNeil introduced what he referred to as "wholesaling odds." Previously gamblers had always been faced with a standard system of odds,eg 3 to 1 that Arsenal would beat Man chester United etc, McNeil would not only rate the teams and estimate who would win but also by how much. He then converted that into the point spread.It was an instant success and was quickly expanded.

Unlike convention betting where a person gambles a predetermined amount on the out come of an event, for example a horse race or football match and stands only to lose that amount,the losses{and gains)from spread bet ting can be far greater, particularly in a turbulent market. This is because you are betting on the movement of,for example,a share or indices. If you bet that it will go up,the more it increases the more you win.However the more it falls the higher your losses.

For example, if you had made a $10 a point spread bet (ie win or lose $10 for every 1 cent the share price moved)on 13th March that Bear Stearns price would rise, by the close of business the next day you would have been $27,000 worse off, the equivalent loss of buying 10,000 Bear Stearns shares that day. By the 17th you would have been a further $28,000 out of pocket. To that would be added any charges the spread betting firm imposes.

To reduce the gambler's exposure many spread betting firms offer different services which cut the risk of incurring significant losses.

because of the risks Involved

by Marcus Killick

One of these is a "stop order" which closes the bet if the spread moves through a specified level. Stop orders don't prevent people from losing money, but they can put a limit on the amount lost.

Spread bets do have many advantages. Because they are synthetic (you don't actually own the shares) they are extremely flexible. You can bet over very short periods without the transaction charges associated with buying and selling the underlying shares. You can also bet "in and out", gambling whether the market will end inside or outside a particular range(i.e. bet on market volatility). Spread bets can also be made on movements between currencies. Being synthetics they are also not subject to the hours and restrictions of any given exchange.It is even possible to use spread betting to gamble on movements in house prices.

More conventional bets, where the amount that can be won or lost is fixed are also avail able. These include "over and unders" where the gambler bets whether the price of a share or indices will be over or under a predetermined level atsome future date. Binary bets operate in the same way.A spread betting firm will make a market in say whether the Dow Jones Index will close up on a given day. If it does close higher the binary bet will settle at 100, if lower then the bet settles at 0. Bets can also be placed that the Index will fall in which case the position is reversed.

The spread betting firm will offer a buy and sell price which are effectively the odds. A person placing a bet either wins or loses. Like "overs and unders" it is therefore a traditional fixed odds bet but quoted between 0-100.

Spread bets can also be used to reduce risk. If an individual has shares in a company which they wish to keep but want to reduce their ex posure to those shares falling in value, they can take a spread bet that they will fall (effectively hedging their position). This way if the shares do fall the money they win on the spread bet will mitigate the tosses on the shares themselves.

Spread betting often carries tax advantages over the ordinary purchase of shares, for ex ample in many places winnings are not subject to tax, whereas countries often impose a tax on gains in the price of a share.

There are, however,costs. To place a bet and to keep it open, a margin must be paid which

In this activity,the FSC has adopted a policy only to allow these types effirms te take on experienced Investors as clients

Marcus Killick

consists of the margin requirement (typically 10% of contract value for shares) and the obligation to meet any ongoing losses in full. This reduces the firms exposure to default by a customer.Furthermore positions held overnight may also be subject to financing costs,

In Gibraltar financial spread betting is regulated by both the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority and the FSC. This is because it is not simply gambling but is also, where it relates to financial instruments, caught under the Financial Services (Markets in Financial Instruments) Act 2006, therefore falling within the FSC's regulatory scope.Spread betting on qualifying investments (such as shares)is also covered by the market abuse regime. This is because it is possible for such bet ting to be used for insider trading or other abuses.

The FSC regulates such firms as investment dealers. They are subject to the same regulatory and statutory requirements as other licensed firms, including on site

inspections. In addition, because of the risks involved in this activ ity, the FSC has adopted a policy only to allow these types of firms to take on experienced investors as clients.

Spread betting firms are also required to comply with more onerous reporting requirements than other firms and must submit monthly financial returns and file daily transaction reports.

However regulation can only protect so far, Those interested in using these firms should always study the terms and conditions the spreadbetting company pro vides and it is to be aware of and understand them.These terms will vary from company to company. Stop losses may protect but are not perfect. Unlike the holding of shares, an investor cannot ride a downturn and hope the price will improve in the long run, at the end of the contract term the money is won or lost. In respect of this type of financial instrument, if you are risk adverse don't bet on it.

if the shares do fall,the money they win on the spread hot will mitigate the losses on the shares themselves

The current number of motor vehicles registered in Gibraltar is approximately 24,000 and by law must be insured to be used on the public highway.Trafalgar,the retail arm for Ibex Insurance in Gibraltar, are one of the insurance providers attending to the needs of local mo torists, and more.

Bill Pisani, Trafalgar's vastly experienced Manager, has worked in the local insurance industry for over22 years and hasseen Trafalgar grow rapidly since Ibex opened their Centre Plaza office in August 2005. With a solid, loyal and ever expanding customer base the firm is well placed to provide a whole range of very competitive insur ance products.

"We offer an online service at www.trafalgardirect.com and are the only local company who can boast that we provide cover for our customers 24 hours a day and 365 days a year! The online service has continued to grow in popularity though many customers still choose to effect their cover in our office he explains. When setting up the new office in 2005 we decided that the traditional and rather impersonal

counter and queue system was not for us and we opted instead for an open-plan layout which ensures every Trafalgar customer can sit face to face with our staff to discuss their requirements.

"Our state of the art computer software then enables us to pro duce full policy documents in just minutes and the client doesn't even have to hand write a proposal form as we do that with them! A com petitive price is of course essential but we have always believed that providing excellent service is ab solutely crucial.

"Our renewal retention is very high and this is probably the best indicator of customer satisfaction, though we continue to seek innova tive ways of further enhancing the service we give."

Apartfrom insuring thousandsof Gibraltar's motorists,Trafalgar pro vide Household cover for all types of residential properties across the

Rock. Philip Langley, Operations Manager at the Ibex Marina Bay office explains that,"Many people have the impression that this type of cover must be expensive though our minimum premium starts at just £75.tX) per annum.

Our policy provides valuable cover against burglary, fire, storm damage. Escape of water from domestic water installations/appa ratus and much more.The financial upheaval and misery which the un insured householder could face as a result of a fire makes Household cover essential in our opinion. We will even cover the cost of tempo rary accommodation in the event of the home becoming uninhabitable as a result of an insured peril.

"Burglaries in Gibraltar are still thankfully a fairly rare occurrence though theft from local homes has been seen to increase in recent years. We also provide cover for SpcUiish properties where the burglary risk

is considerably higher and accord ingly minimum security require ments would include such things as bars on windows and mortice locks on doors," explains Bill Pisani,"In these cases we encourage good security arrangements by allow ing an additional discount to those policyholders who have a direct alarm connected to a recognised security company."

A relatively new addition to the Trafalgar product range is Pet Insurance for cats and dogs."It's a kind of Medical Insurance for pets!" says Bill, but covers much more, such as death by accident or illness, loss by theft or straying,advertis ing costs for a lost pet and payment of boarding fees should the owner ever become hospitalised.

"Cover is available for pedigree or cross breed animals aged from 8 weeks to 10 years and we only ask that they be micro-chipped, registered with a Veterinarian and in possession of all necessary docu mentation," explains Bill."Though innovative in Gibraltar the product has proved to be popular with local pet owners and we are delighted at the response we have had so far."

"A competitive price is of course essentiai but we have aiways beiieved that providing exceiient service is absoiuteiy cruciai"

BFA:Spanish Division in Casemates

In 2005, due to staff expansion and demand, BFA Estate Agency decided to open a second office located at The Balcony, Casemates Square. These premises were originally BFA's Exhibition Centre, which proved to be an excellent location for clients to browse through the extensive Gibraltar and Spanish property portfolio. With the demand for properties in Spain high, BFA then decided to open their Spanish Division in this location.

BFA's Spanish Portfolio covers the surround ing area including La Linea, San Roque, and Los Barrios and jimena, and along the coast to Duquesa, taking in Sotogrande, Alcaidesa and Sabanillas.

Managed by Jackie Carlin and supported by Natalia Corcoles and Melanie Edmonds, The Property Gallery is now the center for BFA's specialized Spanish marketing team, Jackie joined BFA in 2003 after a long career with a locally based foreign bank. Jackie's com mitment and dedication to her work over the

pastfour years has provided her with a wealth of information on the correct procedure for making a purchase in Spain a smoother experience. The system in Spain,though not difficult,is certainly different as to when purchasing in Gibraltar and clients are advised of the correct procedures in order to avoid any unnecessary problems.

Natalia, joined the team early in 2007 and is an experienced sales executive who previously worked in Spain for a Property developer.Nata lia, who works alongside Jackie, offers the team her vast knowledge and experience.

Melanie also joined the team in 2007 and is responsible for the upkeep of the website and providing secretarial support to the Property Gallery team.

The aim at BFA Property Gallery is to fully inform and help to protect clients' interests when selling or buying. BFA also offers quali fied and independent assistance for the provi sion of mortgage advisers, bank appointments and Spanish valuers and well as lawyers based in Gibraltar (qualified in Spanish Law) and lawyers based in Spain,Spanish surveyors and renovation contractors.

In addition, BFA's extensive Spanish Rental Portfolio offers properties from 700 Euros per month to 3,500 Euros p>er month ranging from apartments in La Linea to luxury houses in Sotogrande.

For a professional and detailed sen>ice, call BFA Property Gallery(Spanish Division)200 71625 Fax: 200 52668 or call in at 17B Casemates Square, The Balcony or visit :mnv.hfiiyil\cont.

Cibraltar's Housing Act

Gibraltar's Housing Act 2007 received Royal Assent in July 2007 and will com mence on 1st June 2008.

This means that Statutory Rents will rise by 100% from that date. Private sector ten ants are eligible to apply for rent assistance from the Government under its rent relief scheme.

Initially the rise will not apply to build ings constructed between Isl January 1945 and 1st March 1959,due to the fact the Gov ernment is awaiting the outcome of a court ruling in a case between a private landlord and a private tenant.

Housing Minister Fabian Vinet said; "This legislation modernises all aspects of housing legislation in Gibraltar and results in all Gibraltar's Housing legislation being consolidated in one Housing Act. However, it also introduces many new aspects,includ ing the setting up ofa new Housing tribunal and, importantly, enables the Government to introduce Anti-Social Behaviour Regula tions in all housing areas."

From a small beginning six years ago when local lawyer James Lasry put together a prospectus and provided structural advice to help establish a small Indian private equity fund, Gibraltar's fund industry has burgeoned... And it continues to gather pace, benefiting in part from the pressures on Dublin and Luxembourg,the two leading fund jurisdictions in the EU.

Not only has the City begun to sit up and take notice of the advantages of the Rock's fund industry which serves traditional markets, but in recent months has also established a range of funds for investors in Sweden,Germany and Russia.

And though elsewhere the in ternational financial gloom has de pressed the global funds industry, growth here has been impressive, almost phenomenal. Since March last year 15 new Experienced Inves tor Funds have been established - as many as all of those set up in Gibraltar in the two previous years-and though most have been comparatively small, three have capital investment of £100 million or more.The others range between £10 million and £50 million. And though many are property or eq uity funds, the Gibraltar industry now includes several hedge funds as well as a fund based on oil wells in Louisiana and another with in vestments in bio-diesel.

Performances in some of the funds have also been spectacular and the "Planetary Fund" has grown by over 300 per cent since it was introduced. "My partner Nigel Feetham actually set Plan

etary up about8 years ago. He and James Levy QC the senior partner at Hassans both encouraged me to develop my interest in funds" recalls Lasry.

"We still have a long way to go, but we are beginning to be on the map," says Lasry who is generally regarded as the father of Gibraltar's funds industry and who has advised on and drawn the prospectuses for most of the Rock's big funds — including a $1 billion property fund. "At a recent confer ence in Dublin,I met a lawyer who was in at the start of that city's fund industry," Lasry says."He told me '15 years ago Dublin was in the same position that you are now... and I really envy you. You have a lot to look forward to'."

In fact, Dublin's and Luxem bourg's successes in the interna tional funds market over the past decade have benefited the Rock, for both jurisdictions have reached

"saturation point" in the sense that they do not have the spare capac ity to handle smaller funds - and they find themselves stretched.Asa result funds work that would previ ously have gone to either of these financial centres is being channeled elsewhere and,as Gibraltar's funds reputation grows,the Rock is prov ing an attractive alternative.

"City investment and law firms are having to expand their reper toires and, if they are looking at funds, with Dublin and Luxem bourg filled almost to capacity, Gi braltar is a popular option," Lasry told me recently."For us,it's a'Win Win'situation."

And although Gibraltar's fund industry's unique selling points are particularly advantageous for property and private equity funds, he believes that Gibraltar's high standards and flexibility in creasingly will make it attractive for hedge funds especially as the

boundaries between the categories of funds disappear. This is seen from the number of new enquiries being received.

"Hedge funds"says Lasry,"look for a convenient jurisdiction which allows them flexibility, a good legal infrastructure and other ben efits such as the necessary service providers and a shared time zone. One key point is to avoid any reputational risks, which only can be guaranteed by a well regulated industry, though not sacrificing a hands-on approach by the regula tor. Gibraltar is very lucky in this respect as the Financial Services Commission is very supportive of the industry. If we come to them with a good idea they take it seri ously and they are always prepared to discuss and improve ways of doing things.

"Gibraltar is a very good exam ple for such a high standard,and as the latest report by the International Monetary Fund indicates, it is also a flexible jurisdiction."

This flexibility combined with a sympathetic approach by official dom gives Gibraltar several advan tages over other jurisdictions, not the least of which is the speed with which a fund can be set up- which

15 years ago Dublin was in the same position that you are uow... and I reaiiy envy you.You have a iot to look forward to 99

can be a matter of days.

"Gibraltar's Chief Minister Peter Caruana is very turned on to funds, as is his new Minister of Justice Daniel Feetham, and they're both people who understand the indus try," Lasry says.

In fact, the reform in Gibraltar's tax and fund legislation have pro vided investors and their advisors with a simple and effective way to structure funds and enabled Gibraltarian companies and funds to access the benefits of the European Parent Subsidiary Directive. This includes the phasing out of the tax exemptcompany regime as a result of pressure from the European Commission and the introduction of the Experienced Investor Fund regime.

"These changes have turned Gibraltar into the jurisdiction of choice for European private equity and property funds," Lasry told me.

"Part of the quid pro quo with the EC for the phasing out of Gibraltar's tax exempt company regime was that the Commission communicated to the member states that the Parent Subsidiary Directive should be applied to Gibraltar lax resident companies in the way that it would be applied to companies that are tax resident in any other member state.

"A)though Gibraltar is within the EU by virtue of the Treaty of Nice, until recently many jurisdictions took the view that since Gibraltar is not an actual member state on its own, they would not apply the Directive to Gibraltar companies even though EU directives apply to Gibraltar and must be transposed into internal legislation. At present some jurisdictions are either un aware of this development or some have even decided not to apply the directive to Gibraltar companies in apparent contradiction to the Commission's notice."

Some jurisdictions, including Luxembourg, have taken a view that if a Gibraltar company is prop erly tax resident in Gibraltar and if it has a relevant participation in a Luxembourg company, the Lux embourg authorities will not tax dividends paid from a Luxembourg company to its Gibraltar parent.

"Gibraltar's Experienced Inves tor Fund (EIF) regime is a very quick and efficient way to structure a fund, whether a hedge fund or

a private equity/real estate fund, where the intention is to market that fund to experienced high net worth investors," Lasry writes in the Hedge Fund Services Market ing Guide for 2008. "Experienced investors are defined in Gibraltar as investors who are demonstrably experienced in making investments or those who have a net worth in excess of Euro 1 million besides their principal place of residence or those who have invested Euro 100,000 in the fund."

An EIF must produce a pro spectus that complies with the EIF regulations. One of the unique ad vantages of the EIF is that the fund can begin trading on the basis of the approval and issue of the pro spectus by the board of the fund. This is provided that within 14 days of launch, the fund's prospectus, memorandum and articles of asso ciation and certain other documents are lodged with the FSC along with a legal opinion from an established local lawyer that the fund complies with EIF regulations. There is a £2,500 application fee.

Though the FSC may request further documents or even, on occasion, amendments to the pro spectus, the huge significance of this is that there is no regulatory down time to the authorization of a fund. If necessary a fund can be set up in a matter of days as many of the service providers can offer turn-key solutions.

How does the future of the indus try look? Lasry believes that out sourcing will become increasingly important because "the growth of the industr}' is likely to be ex|X)nential and managers will need to concentrate on their strategies".

Point of sale with easy-to-use touch buttons

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**Gibraltar Is a very good example forsuch a high standard,and as the latest report hy the International Monetary Fund indicates,it is

The future is here and it's easy!

Have Degree,Will Travel

Globally there is a shortage of qualified Accountants, particularly those prepared to work in Offshore jurisdictions like Gibraltar. Having been asked by numerous clients,from Private Wealth Management Companies to Accountancy practices, to find accountants

Atlas Recruitment decided to look further a field.

In the Channel Islands Atlas arc very experienced in recruiting can didates from the other side of the world to fill professional skills gaps in both the legal and accounting areas so they decided to expanded the search to include highly quali fied Accountancy professionals from the Philippines

Qualified candidates from big four firms in the Philippines' capital, Manila, are very similarly trained to those from sister offices in London or elsewhere with one huge difference — they are paid a low salary even for South East Asia and they work very long hours. Hence a career opportunity in Gibraltar with a decent salary and working for a globally recognised firm is a very attractive prospect.

One such company in Gibraltar which recently attracted a number of qualified accountants from

Manila is Baker Tilly. Baker Tilley hired three experienced account ants last Autumn for their Audit teams.

Ian Collinson a partner said that having exhausted the search in Europe the prospect of sourcing candidates from recognised indus try leaders in Manila was a great solution to an ongoing problem of recruiting qualified staff from an ever decreasing pool.

Atlas Recruitment screened a vast number of applicants and as sisted with the recruitment process and setting up of video interviews at which point Faith, Eunida and

international professional experi ence whilst living in and learning a new culture. Hove Gibraltar and am looking forwards to spending time in other European countries before I eventually return home," said Eunida who is heading to Milan for her birthday weekend in a few weeks time, which is some thing she never dared to dream of a year ago.

Atlas and Baker Tilly found a furnished apartment for the girls to move into on the day they ar rived. Faith said "It is a lovely apartment overlooking the Marina only a few minutes walk from the office which is very different from traveling across a busy city like Manila on a dally basis. It is also great to be home soon after I finish work to enjoy life outside of work.

1 also love the fact that 1 can walk around Gibraltar with no fear of be ing mugged or anything — Manila can be a dangerous place but here we feel free to do as we please."

The three ladies did have some adjustments to make but are now all enjoying living and working here.

Fritzie said "Everyone at Baker Tilly and their clients have been so nice and welcoming. Right from my first interview with Paddy from Atlas I knew it was something that 1 wanted to do and would enjoy. It was also comforting to know that we had someone here working with Baker Tilly ensuring that we were looked after whist settling in and to help us with everything we needed outside of work."

The Migration Culture

Fritzie were appointed and ar rived in Gibraltar on National Day last year.

Eunida a 24 year old accountant from PWC Manila was thrilled to be offered a role here and could not wait to relocate to Gibraltar for both professional and personal develop ment reasons. Her sister has been working as a Nurse in Saudi for a number of years and Eunida always saw gaining experience outside of the Philippines as something that she would do during her career.

"I will obviously return to my country at a later stage in my career but for me it was important to gain

Since the 1970s, the Philip pines — a country of about 7,000 islands peopled by di verse ethno-linguistic groups — has supplied all kinds of skilled and low-skilled workers to the world's more developed regions in response to high unemployment in the Philip pines and labour shortages in other countries. It is estimated almost 10% of the country's 85 million people are working and/or residing in close to 200 countries and territories worldwide.

The developmentofa culture of migration in the Philip pines has been greatly aided by migration's irxstitutionalization. The government facili tates migration, regulates the operations of the recruitment agencies,and looks out for the rights of its migrant workers. More importantly, the remit tances workerssend home have become a pillar of the country's economy.

a career opportunity in Gibraltar with a decentsalary and working for a giobaiiy recognised firm is an attractive prospect

For the greatest choice of offshore financial services opportunities.

At Atlas Gibraltar, we specialise in the provision of a high quaiity recruitment consuitancy service to candidates and clients in the offshore financiai services sector. Originaliy estabiished in Jersey in 1985, we launched our Gibraltar office in 2007 to become the recruiter of choice for the Rock.

So, what can we offer?

Offshore Speciailsts - Because we are based offshore, we really know and understand the locations, the markets and client requirements.

Range of positions• Our clients entrust us with vacancies at aii levels from junior Trainees to Director level.

Experience • We have been in the market since 1985, and have an unrivalled depth of experience. Superior service• We always provide a totally professional, confidential ^d discreet service.

Commitment - We are committed to long-term client and candidate relationships, and successful placements.

Relocation service - Because we are physically t>ased in Gibraltar, we c^ provide a compxi^ensive 'hands-on' relocation service.

pdb@atiasgibraitar.com

Tel: 00350 52556

www.atia5gibraitar.com

Corporal Resources Limited

Suits 34,Victoria House, 2S Main Street,POBoi274,

TellFax;i390200S2474

w'/w,gibresources.com

Human Resources Consultancy

We are currently seeking Trust Officers Company Administrators Accountants Account Assistants

BetRecruit

*AA(0)208 366 3886 www.betrecruit.comenqulries@betrecruit.com BetRecruit,48 Ciiariotte Street,London, WIT 2IIS.

BetRecfuit is a ieading oniine recruitment consuitancy for the tietting and gaming sector, woridng with dients and candidates iocated throughout the UK and Europe.We specialise in supplying temporary, permanent,contract or freelance candidates with sports,financial, t}etting or gaming knowledge to market leaders. Scandinavian Sports Trader Global £40,000+ Spanish Sports Trader Global £33,000+ Fraud Analyst London £23,000+

Customer Service Advisor (all languages) Gibraltar £17,000+

Chat Moderator & Supervisor Gibraltar £15,500+

Training Manager London Negotiable

Assistant Accountant Malta Negotiable

BetRecniit is expanding,we are currentty recruiting for focnitter and resourcer roles... please call to apply.

Appointment; Manager;Key Business intermediary Team,Barclays

Sally Butcher joined Barclays Wealth last month as Manager of the Key Business Intemediary Team within the Wealth Intermediaries & Corporate section. Sally has been a part of the business community in Gibraltar for over 20 years with previous positions at Abbey Offshore, and most recently,5 years as Operations Manager with Leeds Building Society. At Barclays Wealth,Sally will be responsible for the develop ment and support of new and existing business intermediaries in Gi braltar. Her key focus will continue to be the delivery of a professional and reliable customer service to meet customer requirements.

Quad:iTTraining Courses

Quad Training Academy is offering "Bitesize" IT training courses at Bleak House during April, May and June 2008. These comprehensive IT courses take place from l-5pm and are de signed to bring the bestin computer training. Using blended learning techniques the training courses promise to equip you with key IT skills.

Quad Training Academy courses include;small groups;step by step tailor-made manuals(to be retained by candidate); Certificate of Atten dance and support after the course. Cost per candidate is £100.

In addition Quad Training Acad

emy offers single subjects and UK qualifications. Continual start dates, a choice of one-day intensives, full time or part time modes ofstudy at times to suit,and courses can be undertaken on client sites or at a centrally located site.

To book a place or for further details e-mail tralningS'quadconsultancy.com or contact Marie on 200 78621. Contact Quad Training Academy to enquire about further courses and qualifications avail able.

1st Comprehensive Salary Survey fer Gibraltar

On 1 St January 2008 Quad Consulting released their first salary survey for Gibraltar. The aim of this survey is to support Quad's clients who carry out their business in the expanding employment market in Gibraltar and need transparency of salary data.

The benefit of taking part in the Quad Salary Survey for clients is that, while client salary data, and that of other participant compa nies, is kept confidential, each participating company has access to contemporary and reliable com parative salary data across many different industries in Gibraltar as well as 20,000companies in the UK. Furthermore, advice, support and guidelines are given in respect of:

• Creating salary bands in ac cordance with where the client wants to be in the employment market strategically.

• Reviewing employees' salaries using timely and relevant market data (i.e. Quad can take some of the pain away from salary review time).

• Creating job descriptions in rela tion to the client's key roles and job levels

Twelve companies across Gam ing,Financial Services and Logistics based industries in Gibraltar took part, with others to follow as Quad intends to review local salaries on a six-monthlv basis.

In addition to this they have ac cess to tools which compare the key roles against market data in the UK.

Below is one example of compara tive data against the UK.

• David Roberts and Ray Jardine of Quad hai'e more than 25 years experience in Human Resources and compensation and benefits. They have used cutting edge tools to enhance decision-making in respect of salary and job levels.

How do you get involved?

Contact David Roberts (200 45047)to arrange an informal chat and see how this survey can be tailored to your needs.

Recruitment^ Training and Human Resources Consultancy

Hyai5u5ttfl

We have multi-disciplinary recruitment teams, dedicated to finding our clients the right people.

Our key concern is;

✓ The prevailing culture In your business

✓ Your aspirations for the future of your business

✓ Your longer term need for talented people

Continuing Education Programme Summer Term 2008

The College will be offering the following 10-week courses, start ing Monday 7th April 2008.

Art& Design Mondays fee £80; Woodwork Tuedays fee £80;Sew ing Tuesdays fee £90;Introduction to computers Tuesdays fee £75; Microsoft Word Wednesdays£90; Microsoft Excel Thurdays fee £90; Spanish (Beginners) Thursdays £45; French Conversation (GCSE Level)Tuesdays fee £60.

Those wishing to register for the courses should do so at the Col lege's Reception before Wednes day 2nd April 2008,9am - 4pm.

Classes will run provided suf ficient students enrol. Days when classes will be held may be subject to change.

For further information contact the College on Tel 200 71048 or send an email to enquiries@gcfe. edu.gi

Ray and his team are committed to providing both clients and candidates with class-leading service. We do not send CVs without speaking to candidates

first, nor bombard clients with speculative CVs. We prepare candidates properly before interview. An old fashioned approach, but it's effective.

CANDIDATES

search our website for your next career www.quadconsuitancy.com

Our clients are seeking:

• High Quality IT Professionals

• Exceptional Accounting Professionals

ACCA / CIMA /AAT

• Company Managers and Administrators

• Commercial Secretaries / PAs and Administrators

• Multi-lingual Customer Service Representatives

If your preferred job is not listed please submit your CV by email outlining your career objectives. If the right role is not available today it might be tomorrow, once Quad understands your needs we can approach selected companies on your behalf.

David Ifoberh of Quad /

Gibraltar-based Tale was sette be 1st Bend Film

Thunderball was the fourth James Bond film based on books by Ian Fleming but recent developments have revealed that it was actually the first screenplay written and that Fleming wasn't the only writer.

Last Month author Robert Sachs had to sit back and watch helplessly as his book about Thunderball, The Battle for Bond, was pulped. He had been accused of breaching copyright by publishing legal documents from an old plagiarism case against Fleming. It seems a poor reason for pulping the interesting book but a spokesman for the publisher,Tomahawk, explained that they were a small company and couldn't afford a legal battle.

The Battlefor Bond tells the story of the mak ing of Thunderball and how the Bond character was refined and moderated in order to appeal to a wider public. But it also relates the circum stances of a 1963 court battle. As a result he was forced to pay screenwriter Kevin McClory £50,000 and friends said his health suffered due to the stress caused by the accusations. Fleming

died nine months later aged just 56, Although McClory and Fleming did work together on the original screenplay of what would become Thunderball there can be little doubt that the key themes and prop ideas of the

book and movie came from Fleming. What sets Thunderball apart from other films of the genre is that the bad guys use an underwater door in the hull of a yacht, the Disco Volante to commit their crimes.

It is well known that Fleming got the idea for this storyline while working for Naval lntelligence.at Gibraltar in 1941. At the time Italian divers were causing havoc in Gibraltar harbour, blowing up a dozen merchant ships by planting limpet mines on their hulls. Initially it was believed the divers were operating from submarines but it turned out they were actually exiting through a trapdoor cut into the bottom of the Italian tanker Olterra, which was docked at Algeciras.

The opening scenes of Thunderball are also undoubtedly Fleming creations. Early in 1956 Fleming spent some time in a health clinic known as Enton Hall. It was while in residence there that he started writing the book and got the idea to have'M'send Bond to a clinic called 'Shrublands' in order to cleanse his body pol luted by his playboy lifestyle.

Fleming did, however, collaborate with Mc Clory and another writer Jack Whittingham on a screenplay for what would have been the first Bond film. He met McClory in 1959 while working as an unofficial adviser on the film The Boy and the Bridge. McClory was producing the picture with backing from Ivar Bryce a friend of Flemings.Before the film was finished McClory suggested the he and Fleming work together on a Bond film with Bryce as backer. A partnership, Xanadu, was formed and it included the writer Ernesto Cuneo who wrote a short story that the film was to be based on.

Fleming began working on a script and was later joined (at the suggestion of McClory) by Whittingham.The film was initially titled James Bond Secret Agent. But the main financier MCA fell out with McClory and the project collapsed. Fleming purchased the rights to the story from Cuneo for one dollar and began writing Thun derball, the novel. It would be the ninth of his 14 Bond books Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds Are Forever, From Russia uhth Love, Dr. No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only, Thunderball, The Spy Who Loved Me,On Her Maj esty's Secret Service, You Only Live Twice,The Man with the Golden Gun,and Octopussy and The Liv ing Daylights are the others. Initially Fleming's Bond novels were not tremendous sellers but when President John F. Kennedy included From Russia With Love on a list of his favourite books, sales quickly jumped.They soared following the release of the first film. Dr. No,in 1962.

Thunderball was published in March 1961 and was serialised in Life magazine. McClory cried plagiarism and 'false attribution' and sought an injunction against publication, which was denied. He then took the case to London's High Court where the trial began in November 1963. The trial lasted ten days but Fleming settled out of court on the advice of Bryce who was concerned about his close friend's failing health. Besides paying the £50,000 Fleming gave McClory the film rights. He retained the publishing rights, but agreed that in all further publications the credits under the title would read, 'based on a screen treatment by Kevin McClory, Jack Whittingham and Ian Fleming. Perhaps he should have included the Olterra and those Italian divers for neither the book nor the film would have had the same success without that Gibraltar- based storyline.

It Is well known Fleming gottbe Idea for Ibis storyline while working for Naval Intelligence at Gibraltar In 1941

Mariola Stagnetto,as she was before her mar riage, was brought up in a traditional late-1920s Gibraltar home where she was taught good manners and the need to help others. Now she fully appreciates the benefits of the strict dis cipline imposed by her parents although at the time she was not so well disposed towards the regime. She had two brothers, Louis the eldest and Johnnie the baby of the family.

Before the 2nd World War Mariola was a semi-boarder at Loreto Convent. In those days the convent accepted Spanish girls from Algeciras, Seville, Ronda and elsewhere in Andalucia — the nuns enjoyed a glowing reputation. They encouraged the girls to take singing and dancing lessons and taught them how to walk and sit and gave elocution lessons, hence their reputation for providing an all round education.

Mariola lived in a house in Main Street and at 8.30 was driven to school where she remained until the driver collected her at 6.30.She stayed

on to play nctball and tennis,do her homework and practise piano,cello and even the harp. As she had taken supper at school all she did on her return home was go to bed, but unlike the boarders who stayed during the weekends she was able to enjoy her family life for two days a week.

Alas, all good things come to an end and the 2nd World War intervened to spoil this idyllic existence. The family was first evacuated to Casablanca. Just before re-embarking on the cargo boat to be brought back to the Rock her mother received a cable from her father instruct-

ing the family not to board but to take the train to Tangier where they were to remain until the end of the war.They were followed by sufficient families to enable six Christian Brothers to set up a school to teach Gibraltarian boys in Tangier which was then an international zone filled with spies and intrigue.

Mariola's first impression of Tangier was of many small boys selling food from trays strapped to their bodies. These were not lo cal boys but refugees from Eastern Europe struggling to survive. They had an important subconscious effect on her which would come to the fore years later back in Gibraltar.

Mariola was looked after by a governess and educated by a variety of tutors enabling her to take the school certificate and to speak French and Spanish.These lessons took place from 9-1 on weekdays, with examinations held at the Christian Brothers school.

Her parents had put her name down, virtu ally at birth,for Woldingham School run by the Sacred Heart nuns, however Hitler intervened to prevent the place from being taken up. It is her opinion she had a better all round educa tion and learned more from her tutors than she would have at boarding school.

Along with other Gibraltarian girls she took part in many concerts, pantomines, bazaars and even knitted scarves and balaclavas to raise money for the Red Cross. This was her first ex perience of working to help others; a valuable lesson she was to remember.

In 1944 her father called the family back to Gibraltar and Mariola found the garrison swarming with Royal Naval and Army sub alterns. She was fortunate that the Governor General Sir Thomas Eastwood had a young son,Tom, who was smitten with her and so she found herself spending her days at the Convent. There were the traditional picnics in Spain and most weekends the Governor and his guests would be driven to Buller's Beach. Relations with Spain were excellent which was reflected in the courtesies extended to the Governor. The party would be driven in an open Humber,with the Governor's flag flying. In those days most of the coast was classified as military and the beaches patrolled by pairs of Guardia Civil. The Governor had acquired a wooden beach hut which was looked after by the two guards who patrolled that part of the beach. Upon his arrival they would appear out of nowhere, sa lute and say'Mi General todo esta perfecto,todo esta limpio'. Hands would be shaken, packets of cigarettes slipped into their hands and they would be invited inside for a "copita de jerez", after which they continued their walk along the shoreline.

The party, which often included the daughter of Sir Stafford Cripps whose boyfriend was an army officer, would sit down to listen to the wind-up gramophone and eat the picnic sup plied by the Convent cooks. Mariola also used to go up to the Mount where Admiral Burrows dispensed generous hospitality and took his guests out fishing in his cabin cruiser.

After the war a contingent of former Italian prisoners-of-war arrived on the Rock,awaiting repatriation to Italy. The Italians lived in tents and if work was found they were allowed out of camp. One of these PoWs, Antonio Vitale, a graduate from the University of Foggia, used to visit Main Street to teach her his native language. It was not long before Adolfo Russo

defacto inspirer of Gibraltar's social services and undoubtedly the most beautiful Gibraltarian of her generation...

Hands would be shaken, packets ef cigarettes slipped into their hands and thev would he inuited inside fera'cepitadejerez"

decided he would join the lessons but alas he had no ear for languages and would not learn his grammar.Soon he confessed he came to the lessons just to sit with her.

Antonio,one day when Adolfo was not pres ent, arrived with a bound book which he said he had made himself and gave it to her. It was a book of poems mostly about herself.She made the mistake of confiding in her mother, who immediately told her father, who demanded the book and threw it into the fire. She never forgave her mother for betraying her confidence but with hindsight she saw they had her best interests at heart.

She was 18 when Adolfo Russo, who was ten years her senior, started to court her and aged 19 and 11 months when they married. They honeymooned for a month in Mallorca and on their return to the Rock moved in to the house in Cumberland Road in which she still lives.

Four children arrived in quick succession — three daughters and a son.Then followed an 11 year gap at which time all the children were away at boarding school and she felt something was missing in her life. The result was the ar rival of another daughter who was brought up virtually as a single child. Mariola now has 11 grandchildren.

Due to lack of housing many Gibraltarian families returning from evacuation lived in nissen huts in various parts of the Rock; the discomfort of these families was worsened by there being little work for the breadwinners. At the time there were no Government welfare payments and so these families lived on the breadline. The arrival of a child meantincreased hardship (in those days the average couple tended to have eight or nine children rather than the two or three of today.)

Mariola is known as the de facto founder of Gibraltar's social services and this came about as a result of Lady MacMllIan's decision that, as there were no social services on the Rock,societ ies should be started to fill the gaps.

After the birth of her fourth child Mariola was ready to help form the Gibraltar Children's Wel fare Guild. At the time, incredible as it sounds today,some mothers-to-be went to St Bernard's hospital to give birth with no clothes or nap pies for their babies. SAFFA only looked after Service families but it gave the nascent Guild considerable practical help and advice. Mariola recruited a wonderful team of Gibraltarian la dies who could knit and sew. They compiled baby bundles which were given to the hospital for mothers in need.Each baby bundle included

Mariola with her lateTiu^an^^dolfo and their five children 12 towelling and muslin nappies, flannelette nighties, coats and booties. The matron would send names of mothers who required help, and theirchildren were entitled, every three months, to a new pair of shoes and clothes until they reached school ageand some until they were 15. Vast bales of wool and fabric were ordered from the Crown Agents and converted into skirts, trousers and pullovers. Mothers and children came to Mariola's house in Cumberland Road to queue for replacement clothing. By this time there was a sort of Social Welfare and mothers were given a chit to hand to her; this was a form of record keeping for family names and ages of children.

Mariola also turned herhand to fund-raising. She persuaded many companies to contribute a fixed sum each year and then she recruited associate members whose membership fees meant an invitation to tea at the Convent once a year. She also organised charity concerts under the title 'Children entertain - for the Children'. She invited each nursery school to provide two acts — ideally one singing, one dancing — and shows were performed at the John Mackintosh Hall to full houses.

After the departure of Lady MacMillan, the wives of successive Governors became the Guild's Presidents. Eventually the need for the

Vast bales of wool and fabric were ordered from tbe Crown Agents and converted into skirts, tronsers and pullovers

Guild no longer existed and it was closed in 1983.

During that time Mariola was a member of the Social Welfare Committee and chairman of the Social Welfare Advisory Committee.

Mariola started her work for the Blind in the '60s. TheSociety forthe Prevention ofBlindness was founded on the Rock in 1930 (it stopped work during the war but resumed in 1945). The powerhouse was Dorothy Ellicott as secretary, with the Catholic Bishop as the chairman. It was Dorothy in 1962 who persuaded Mariola to take an active role.

Mariola became Honorary Secretary and then, when Bishop Devlin's health caused him to re tireaschairman, shebecamethe first non-Bishop chairman. She remained in theposition for nine years and when she decided to step down she suggested the chair should revert to the Bishop and so Bishop CharlesCaruana is presentchair man with herselfas vice chairman. Three years ago it became the GibraltarSociety for the Visu ally Impaired which embraces the spectrum of eyediseases. The presentGovernor, General Sir Robert Fulton, is the Patron, there is a strong committee and donations are excellent.

Mariola Russo is full of memories of life on the Rock since the 2nd World War—lavish balls in full evening dress and white ties and fancy dress dances, not forgetting Scottish dancing. How life has changed in all spheres — though mostly for the better.

In the Queen's Birthday Honours for 2006 Mariola was awarded the MBE for services to the Gibraltarian Community — public recog nition of her 50 years' dedication to selflessly helping others.

by Sonia Golt

— the words of Maria Antonia Gomez, better known as Toni, who lost her hearing a few years ago. She is determined to bring deaf awareness to Gibraltar and to let people who suffer from deafness know there is equipment available to provide a better quality of life.

Indeed technology has evolved in this field as in others and there are lots of things that can now help the impaired of hearing. There are special telephones and mobile phones,flashing door bells and fire alarms,alarm clocks, hearing aids and very important,induction loop systems both for personal use and in public places.

A loop system has the means to convert the sounds it picks up into magnetic inductive sig nals.Thus when these signals reach the person's hearing aid they are converted back into sound with reduced background noise.The apparatus consists of a length of wire which has both ends attached to a small loop amplifier and is very easy to install.

Toni has been working at obtaining this system for Gibraltar and after several meetings with the Minister Fabian Vinet, who at the time was Minister of Culture; Toni managed get his committment to installing this induction loop system at Ince's Hall. She has also convinced management at Morrison'ssupermarket that the system would be most appreciated at checkout tills and they are in the process of making this possible.

Asfortunate people who do not have hearing problems it is sometimes not obvious to the rest us that others are not so lucky. Deafness is not obviousfrom just looking at a person as there are no physical signs. Toni wants the general public to become more aware and try to overcome the difficulties of communicating with people who have hearing impediments. To speak to people with impaired hearing you have to be looking at them, and them at you,to make lip reading possible.

Deafness is not just a problem of old age, there are many youngsters suffering from this too, and unfortunately many more will follow if loud music for played for long periods as that does in fact damage hearing. This is why

it is so important to make people aware of the consequences of this so there are less cases of deafness in the future.

Deafness can occur at any moment in your life. For some it comes suddenly, even over night, for others over weeks or months, and whether it is one or the other sufferers tend to feel very isolated because what was once taken for granted is not there anymore — whether you like it or not your whole life changes! The effort to try to communicate takes a lot longer, can be tiring and it needs far more concentration to understand others. It has a great impact not only for the person concerned but also for other fam ily members,who at first might even address it lightly not realising the extreme difficulty of the problem. It takes time for others to understand that they may have to repeat things over, which takes a lot of patience on their part!

Another aspect of life that drastically changes is your social life, for in parties and crowded venues it is hard to understand what people are saying and it may be necessary for someone to keep close-by to explain, from time to time, the gist of the conversation.

The assumption that if the deaf person is wearing a hearing aid they can hear perfectly is not strictly true, even though hearing aids are smaller than before and more in tune in big noisy

tsurroundings they do not pick up everything.

1 asked Toni if she knew how many deaf people there are in Gibraltar and she said the idea was to organise a deaf awareness day to find this out as well as to increase awareness on this matter. The day is now scheduled for Thursday 8th May at the Piazza and everyone is welcome to go along and getliterature as well as to join the support group Toni is considering setting up after the event takes place.

Parents should also look out for any hearing problems their children might have so they can deal with the issue as soon as possible.Schools can also help in this issue.

Anybody interested in finding out moreabout loss of hearing before the awareness day can contact Toni by phone or fax: 200 77290 and she will be more than welcome to deal with any queries.

"The change from the world of sound to the world of silence is a very traumatic experience"

Deafness can eccur at any momentin your file. For some It comes sudilonly,even ovornlglit, lor others over weeks or months

Vic Punch of Gtec Marine Train ing was talking about one of their courses which he and his wife Lyn set up with the help and encour agement of the Gibraltar Maritime administration.

"Every single member of the merchant navy throughout the world has to undergo STCW95 basic training, no matter what their job." The initials stand for Standards of Training, Certifica tion and Watch keeping, and the courses cover Personal Safety and Social Responsibility; Elementary First Aid; Personal Survival Tech niques; and Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention.

The Gibraltar Maritime admin istration approached all of the schools in Gibraltar including Gtec, (at that time Yachting (Gibraltar) Ltd), asking if any were interested in running STCW 95 courses. Gtec took up the challenge because they could see Gibraltar as an ideal location for those courses as the other nearest training centres are in Barcelona,the UK and South Africa, Vic explained as we sat in one of

the two classrooms at Gtec, close to Bianca's and The Ship pub at Ocean Village."They gave us every encouragement and so we invested £25,000 in establishing the courses to international standards." This included £8,000 just for the initial inspection by the MCA.

The City Fire Brigade is going to provide the fire fighting and fire prevention part of the training, us ing a simulator which is a mock-up of a ship's interior. Gtec will be the certificating authority for that part of the course running and certifying the three other parts in house.

"The catchment for these courses is truly enormous," Vic continued, "and we will be making arrange ments with local hotels to ac

commodate the constant flow of merchant navy trainees."

This significant piece of news apart,Gtec also provides courses in just about every aspect of boatmanship, under sail or motor,including use of VHF radio/radar and sea survival. One course in boatmanship and navigation is designed especially for local port workers.

Qualifications that can be at tained go right up to RYA Yachtmaster Ocean and Cruising Instructor both on motor and sailing yachts, and the classrooms are backed up by two Jeanneau boats — a 36-foot motor yacht and a 40-foot sailing yacht. Jeanneau is a French boat builder whose name is known to anyone interested in sailing. These

boats take up to five students but larger craft are hired in locally as required.Students go to Spain and Morocco in these vessels, which are also available for charter by the day or half day -these have proved popular with corporate clients

An indication of the potential popularity of the STCW 95 courses is reflected in the fact that Gtec is receiving daily enquiries from its website before they have even done any advertising—people are obvi ously doing an internet search for someone to train them.

And, as Vic says, two enquiries a day adds up to a whole class each week.

Taught by highly qualified in structors (with the priceless as sistance of Clare in the office) most courses can be completed and certified with an examina tion by Gtec here in Ocean Village (formerly Marina Bay). Customers come from all over the world, with a large percentage from Gibraltar and Britain.

Vic and Lyn's story of how they came to be here is interesting: like so many others, they weren't planning on staying in Gibraltar, although Vic liked the Rock from his time here working as a civilian for the Royal Navy in 1968, when he was 20 years old. His claim to local historical fame is that he came over on the very last ferry from Algeciras just before the frontier was shut by Spain.

Then eight years ago, Lyn and Vic, highly qualified sailors from Chester, set off on a round-theworld trip, with Gibraltar as a port of call. But their brand new boat turned out to be nothing but trou ble, so they stopped in Gibraltar for repairs. And — like so many who intended to just pass through — they stayed and became part of local sailing life, first lending their skills to a local sailing school; then, five years ago, buying Yachting (Gibraltar) Ltd, the yacht brokers, and more recently transforming it into Gtec.

Top quality courses probably cost less than you think - the prices did surprise me — so you can complete an ICC three day motor cruising course for £750, a five-day sailing course for just £475 — including accommodation — or undertake a fourteen-week fast link to a com mercial qualification and a good livelihood for only £7,500 for sail, £9,950 for motor cruising or £12,500 for both including full board.

If it's in any way to do with sea manship, Gtec are likely to have a professionally recognised course to cover it, They are open seven days a week from 9 to 5 and they can be contacted by phone on + 350 200 51675;email info@gtec.gi;or havea look at their website: www.gtec.gi

The catchmentfor these courses is truly enormous and we will he making arrangements with local hotels to accommodate the constantflow of merchant navy trainees."

Date for your Diary:

Gibraltar Classic Car Rally

The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association will be holding its 6th international rally of classic cars on Saturday 17th May 2008.

wards.The vehicles will remain on display until 1.30pm giving visit ing car owners the opportunity to shop or to just relax in one of the many caf^s and restaurants and enjoy the atmosphere.

In addition to the cars on dis play everyone will be able to enjoy live music,see the Gibraltar Re-en actment Society marching in 18th century military costumes, with the day culminating in the grand parade of cars around Gibraltar.

All participants, guests and visitors on the day will be assured of a very warm welcome to this gathering of interesting classic and modern classic vehicles from bygone days.

In past years, owners of clas sic cars on show have travelled from as far as the UK, Ireland, Portugal and France in order to attend this event. Previous years' rallies have proven to be a highly enjoyable day for everybody — seeing so many interesting and well maintained older vehicles, ranging from 25 years upwards in Casemates Square.

The event is supported by the Gibraltar Tourist Board, and Ar gus Insurance company.

Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Associa tion Tel: 200 41069

The Night Gihraitar Disappeared

Francisco Javier Oliva, has achieved a life's ambition and written his first fictional book.

Paco Oliva, the name you and I know him by has been a journalist for 25 years and is currently news editor at the Gibralfnr Chronicle. Though writing is an every day oc currence for him it doesn't natu rally follow it's easy to write a book. His previ ous book was a political analysis but this new work has taken two painstaking years of ideas,imagination, rewrites and rechecking. A self confessed perfectionist he says sometimes he would be up all night writing and at the end of the session he would find he had only written half a page.

TfciWjttnii 111! mini I

The book went on sale on 17th March and is available in any bookstore in Gibraltar.The title The Night Gihraitar Disappeared and Other Stories subtitled 'a fictional journey through the void'is a collection of 18 stories. Some are loosely autobiographical others are explora tions of human relationships through Paco's own thoughts and imaginations.Some of the stories have elements of historical events but all of the stories take place in Gibraltar, in the bars and streets we all know so well but perhaps with Paco's storytelling we'll look at in a different light.

"I want to be remembered as an author. I want to create characters and stories that will enthral people. It's my first attempt at fiction," he says. "I want to take the reader to places they haven't been before. As a journalist I have to explain where 1 am go ing with an article and ensure that when I'm reporting, what I write is factual, objective. Writing these stories has been a liberation for me,although at the same time I am assuming risks since all safety nets, for example the techniques and conventions of journalism etc, have been removed. I'm satisfied with the result and I invite everyone to read the book."

If you are wondering about the title The Night Gibraltar Disappeared and Other Stories he said it came about from a power cut we had on Good Friday in 2001 when the submarine HMS Tireless was in port."I was across the frontier in La Linea and looked back at Gibraltar during the power cut," said Paco."You couldn't see the Rock at all, just a big black hole and it seemed so surreal — and it does tie up with one of the stories in the book."

Judge for yourself, pick up a copy from any bookshop and support one of our own in a new venture. The Night Gibraltar Disap peared and Other Stories by Paco Oliva is available now.

from Gibraltar to Broadway

Gibraltarians won't be familiar with his name but A! Alloy was a man with Gibraltar roots who was once nominated for a Tony, the most prestigious award in American theatre.

A1 Alloy was born Oscar Alloy in 1887 in New Orleans only a few months after his family had emigrated from Gibraltar. When he was 17 he ran away from home to join a brother who was living in Philadelphia and working as a theatre electrician. A1 entered the same trade and it soon became apparent that he had a particular talent with lighting effects. Electric light design was a new field at the time and A1 developed along with it becoming a leading practitioner. He would go on to do the lighting for more than two hundred productions during his Broadway career.

It was while working on the play Most Im mortal Lady that he met his future wife actress Barbara Grace. They were married on 27th November 1928 and had two children, one of whom,Anthony,also became a lighting designer for theatre productions.

A1 was known for his professionalism and creativity and was not concerned about public ity, in consequence his name is seldom seen on playbills. An exception is the Broadway hit musical Take Me Along for which he received the Tony nomination for 'stage technician' in 1960. He lost out to a carpenter for the play The

Miracle Worker.

Take Me Along is a musical based on the Eu gene O'Neill play Ah, Wilderness and starred Walter Pidgeon, Eileen Herlie, Jackie Gleason, Una Merkel and Robert Morse. The 1959 pro duction was directed by Peter Gienville and the music and lyrics were by Bob Merrill. It opened on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre on 22nd October, 1959 and closed on 17th December, 1960 after 448 performances. Take Me Along is a romantic comedy based in a small Cormecticut town in 1906. It was a serious challenge for Alloy's talents as he had to light 13 different scenes. In all Take Me Along received ten Tony nominations but the only winner was Jackie Gleason (a comedian best known for his smash television series the Honeymooners)for Best Ac tor in a Musical.

Although A1 worked mainly on Broadway he was also involved with the Festival of Music in Philadelphia from 1948 to 1960;during his spell there he designed the first'dancing waters' with lights. He also did the lighting for numerous Las Vegas shows.

Al Alloy retired to Florida and died there in 1976, aged 89.

Al had a particular talent with lighting effects.Eiectric fight design was a new fieid atthe time and Al devel oped along with it hecoming a leading practitioner

potholes with grass up the middle and only three hours of daylight!

Within each of us there are vari ous forces battling for control of the decision making process. Decision making is not a democracy. At best it is a presidency, taking counsel from learned advisers and at worst it is a self serving, impulsive and short sighted dictatorship.

The protagonists in this battle are morality, sobriety, altruism, thrift,consideration and experience (shouting from the back).

The antagonists are desire,greed, selfishness, lust, avarice and glut tony;only sloth is missing to make up the full set.

It is dependent on ones strength of character and personal resolve as to which traits join the select committee. Please don't misunder stand me, 1 am not rubbing shoul ders with the saints, my profession deals with the emotional processes, motivations and afterma^s of deci sions made or about to be made as well as clinical mental illnesses.

We all make decisions that seem to make perfect sense at the time or we have ignored the screaming stereophonic voices of conscience and experience to make.

Life has often been likened to a journey with an origin and a destination already mapped out for us in the stars or another cosmic force as prescribed by our personal belief system. However,to me, this journey is not like any normal trip. It irresistably moves forwards along our own personal timelines,and at the risk of sounding morbid, the origin is the cradle and the destination is the grave.

Remember, 1 am not trying to disprove your beliefs but for the purposes of this article I must ex plain some of mine, I don't believe there is a single,preplanned destiny for each of us but rather there are many possible destinies that result from the decisions and paths we have chosen. These choices are made in response to the "chal lenges" or indeed "opportunities" that life throws at us. One of the major problems is there arc no road maps, no Sat-Nav programs nor non-cryptic sign posts to guide us along the way.

There are various means by which we may receive counsel on moral,ethical or financial decisions but for life direction these decisions become hybrid and illusive. We receive advice from other people at different stages of their life jour ney but sometimes their choices

and pathways were right for them at that point in their lives but they were responding to different stimuli in different times.

1 am not saying all advice is wrong or indeed right but it just adds to the confusion.

There are also all sorts of mi rages, snares and blind alleys for us to stumble into. Pro-determined structures are presented to us that are assured to result in more hap piness and contentment than our hearts can handle, but only if we stick to the plan.This system works for some people whose direction becomes straight, until life itself

starts to play its unexpected event cards.

As I have said in previous articles we cannot control the great chal lenges life throws at us, natural disasters, infertility, disability, stock market crashes etc.but we do control our responses to them if our life direction choices dictate that we are affected by them.

The way is never clear and the journey is strewn with pitfalls, blind alleys and multiple choices.

If you think life is a six lane mo torway, forget it! It is a winding, narrow country track with high hedges,lots of side turnings,lots of

Another thorn in the side of decision making is fear. The fear of new things,the fear of failure or the derision of family and friends. For example relocating lock, stock and barrel to another country is seen by many as absolute, self indul gent insanity; whereas for others it provides new opportunities to expand and develop their vistas and experiences and to explore a miriad offuture possibilities. I'll let you guess which side of the fence I'm standing on.

Sometimes we make terrible mis takes. Mistakes that not only affect ourselves but also others around us. Trust is destroyed, respect is lost and pain is handed out in liberal measure. The mistake can be financial, career path, lifestyle choice, sexual or a hundred other areas of human involvement.

It is often said the biggest prizes come from taking the biggest risks but at what cost? Very often this justification is used to reduce time scales not the overall results and it is always worth checking which trait was in the decision making chair at the time.

Another adage to bear in mind is "Don't gamble unless you can afford to lose".

I am a great believer in conse quences, not "If you disagree with me you get a smack in the mouth" but real grown up consequences, the acceptance of responsibility. Before we do anything we should consider whether we are prepared and able to take the consequences if

we cannot oGntrol the great challenges life throws at us,natural disasters.Infertility, disability,stock market crashes etc, but we do controi our responses to them

our decisions go wrong or indeed, right.

Your desire for a rocket ship rise to fame,status, adventure and for tune may not be a dream shared by your partner.Any exciting physical liaison becomes routine and do mestic when you move in together rather than excitedly meeting for forbidden sex twice per week. Communication is the key. Con stant, honest communication.

In some instances the mistake or mistakes are too serious and sometimes unforgiveable. The relationship, whether business or personal cannot survive and has to be dissolved.

Although the pain and anger is enormous we must endeavour to face it like adults and to make it as painless and as dignified as possible. This is not getting away with anything, the price still has to be paid emotionally as well as financially and the responsibility needs to be faced.

The termination of all types of relationships will also initiate the grieving process, this grief needs to be dealt with by all who have an emotional investment in the relationship, both business and personal.

The opposite of love is indif ference not hate. Hate is just as strong an emotion as love but is ultimately destructive especially if it is long term. Whatever pain you endeavour to inflict on the other party you also inflict on yourself and those around you with the bit terness, upset, rancour and forced loyalties.

Point scoring is pointless and if there are employees,other partners

or children involved the effect on them and their trust mechanisms can be very far reaching.

At the end of the day, although you may feel justified, you have no right to inflict your pain and indignation onto other innocent parties. Accept that the relation ship is finished, cut your losses, take professional advice(legal and emotional), grieve properly for the loss of the relationship and start to rebuild for your future life.

There is far too much to do to be come embroiled in trench warfare.

You are not alone. Even in the midst of all of the emotional up heaval an experienced counsellor can help you through the grieving process and emotionally sup port you through the worst emo tional storms and deep emotional troughs.

Friends and family members can be very supportive at these times but they can also be biased — you might even want them to be biased but although they are well meaning this can sometimes add fuel to the fire of acrimony.

Only you know the intimacies of the broken trust and relation ship. The beauty of being a well meaning outsider is that you never have to face the consequences. It's a little like shouting advice to people fighting in the street from an upper storey window when the advertisements come on during Big

Brother. The adviser returns to.the programme not giving a second thought to the consequences of their advice.

If the people involved genuinely decide they are prepared to try to re pair the relationship the well mean ing advisers can wreck the whole fragile enterprise. Even when the reconciliation is begun they are not yet out of the woods.Very often the miscreant is watched like a hawk, transactions scrutinised, pockets rifled,e-mails read and missed calls examined.They are constantly and repeatedly tested for honesty and repentence.

The constant flow of reminders of the mistake and the pain caused do not allow the wounds to begin healing for all of the involved par ties. Punishment for the actions taken should be proportional to the offence and paid in full, a repentent person will not object to a fair penalty.

But then a line needs to be drawn under this very sad and very painfull part of your lives. Take time to tell each other,calmly,how you felt

healthy minds

and how you still feel. If there is any insincerity it will soon manifest itself and a more permanent deci sion can be made.

To make a reconciliation work there is no choice but to trust. This does not mean this becomes a repeat behaviour, more than twice with the same person means you need to reassess the situation.

Coping and healing strategies are available and they do work. Forgiveness is a huge and valuable gift to possess and a priceless gift to pass on to others hence it must be given with great care. Trust is also a gift of equal value and im portance and with time trust can be restored.

If we hang on to pain, mistrust and misery it becomes a comfort able friend and loneliness will be a permanent resident. Before long the same "mistake" or one similar will become a self fulfilling prophecy.

The loss of trust and the holding back of forgiveness signals the loss of hope. Whether your differences are unreconcilable or whether you really want to repair the damage, please don't get stuck in misery, mistrust and pain. Offer an olive branch to yourself or to others and perhaps when you have climbed out of the dark pit the sun will be shining and the only cloud will be Cloud 27.

Claudia's

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rGaudia Schiel

Health/Beauty Therapist

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Dermatological Peels -

Non Surgical Lifting -

Specialising in all kinds of skin problemsHolisticTherapiesfor various conditions - Reflexology - Medicinal

Pedicures - Hair Extensions

Gillian Schirmer

MA DCUK McTimoney Chiropractor

Gentle and Effeaive Chiropractic

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

Cheryl Sant

Health/Beauty Therapist

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Massages - Slimming TreatmentsNEW1 Skin Tag &Thread Vein Remova| Hollywood & Brazilian Waxing

Sports Injuries - Cervical Problems

Collagen Implants

Botox Injections - Sderotherapy (Thread VeinTreatment)

New Clinics

FAKE BAKE

NEW in Gibraltar - revolutionary fake tanning system

Laser Clinic

Permanent Hair Removal, Pigmentation and anti-aging

Health / Weight Loss

UNIQUE new programme starting 2008

Udo Stadtsbuchler

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Counsellor/Therapist

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Cryotherapy - Warts -

V' Age Spots - Pigmentations^Sidniesions and impeff<

Another thorn in the side of decision making isfear—of new things,failnre or the derision offamiiy and friends

Bell Pharmacy

Your Family Chemists

Here to help you by answering all your pharmaceutical questions

Ginsull us at 27 Bell Lane Tel: 200 77289 Fax: 200 4298')

STEINER CHIROPRACnC CUNICS

Dr Carsten ITudolf Steiner BSc DC

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

McTlmoney Chiropractor

Gentle hcMistic treatment for ell back or muscular problems and sports injuries

Gillian Schirmer MA,DC, MMCA Climc iCIauflia'sl, Isi Floor, 50 Mam Street Tel. 200 41733 or after hours. 200 40C26

hi Chiropractic Health Clinic ^ l)r Slevpn J.frump B>>c,Df.Mff \ OjWii Mon Fri 9..H)am 6 TOpni

Sports Massage Therapy & Personal Training

Unit C3, Eliott Hotel

Louis'

Tel; 200 44797

CHIROPODISTS

John W Miles BSc(PodiatrY). MChS College Clinic, Regal House

Tel: 200 77777

CHIROPRACTORS

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

fitorte

5 City Mill Lane, Gibraltar. Tel: 20073763

Treatment of Back fain. Neck Pain. Headaches,l.imb Fain & Sports injuries Tel: 200 4422« Iff Suite F'Sf Isl FTwr,fascmates.Uibrallar Member offlnrn/i Chiropriu iii .4r.«r'i iVrnrni OH

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Suppliers of Glucosamine, Q||p Ginkgo Biloba and all vitamins. New large range of American "W' products now in slock. Body Building Products(Creatine etc)

Open:9am - I pm & 3pm - 6.3()pm

For all your Pharmaceutical needs

0Louis'Pharmacy

open: 9• 7 Monday • Friday, Saturday 10 Closed Sundays Unit F12, International Commercial (Centre, tiasemaics, Tel: 200 44797

JOHN W. MILES

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STATE REGISTERED CHIROPODIST

Treatment of ail Foot Problems Ingrown Toe-nails including Surgical Removal Biomechanical Analysis for Insoles / Orthotics including Children ,0 Wart(Verruca) Clinic

• Diabetics College Clinic, Regal House, Queensway Tel: 200 77777 ALSO AVAILABLEFOR HOME VISITS

Tel: 200 44226

Gillian Schirmer MA, DC. MMCA McTimoney Chiropractor, Clinic (Claudia's), 1st Fir, 58 Main St

Tel: 200 41733 After hours: 200 40026

Dr Carsten Rudolf Steiner BSc. DC Steiner Chiropractic Clinics, College Clinic, Regal Hse

Tel: 200 77777

COUNSELLORS

Jenny Ndiweni Life Line Counselling Services

Tel: 00 34 653216136

email: iennyndiweni@hotmail,com

DENTAL SURGEONS

Daniel N. Borge BDS MSc MFDS RCSlEngj

Borge Dental/Medical Centre

7-9 Cornwall's Lane

Tel: 200 75790

Mike Clark BDS

The Dental Practice, Baudelaire House, 15D-1 Town Range

Tel^ax: 200 52882

Keith J Vinnicombe

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

Unit FSB ICC. 2a Main Street

Tel/Fax: 200 40747 Emergency 200 78756

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

Cache & Co Limited 266 Main Street Tel: 200 75757

L. M- Passano Optometrist 38 Main Street. Tel; 200 76544

PERSONAL TRAINERS

Simon Caldwell

Complete Fitness

Unit G3, Eliott Hotel Tel: 200 51113

Isabella Jimenez BSc(hons) 216 Main Street Tel; 54002226

email: jimenez.tsabella@gmail.com

How To Lower Your Blood Pressure

A happy marriage is good for your blood pres sure, but a stressed one can be worse than being single, a study suggests.

Prior studies have shov\'n mar ried people tend to be healthier than singles, so the second result is a suprise to researchers.

Further studies are needed to as sess long-term health Implications, said Holf-Lunstad, an assistant psychology professor at Brigham Young University, who carried out the study.

The study involved 204 mar ried people and 99 single adults. Study volunteers wore devices that recorded their blood pressure at random times over 24 hours. Married participants also filled out questionnaires about their marriage.

Analysis found that the more marital satisfaction and adjust ment spouses reported, the lower their average blood pressure was over the 24 hours and during the daytime.

But spouses who scored low in marital satisfaction had higher average blood pressure than single people did. During the daytime, their average was about five points higher,entering a range that's con sidered a warning sign.

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"1 think this is worth some at tention," said Karen Matthews, a professor of psychiatry, psychology and epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh. She studies heart disease and high blood pressure but didn't participate in the new work.

Few studies of the risk for high blood pressure have looked at mari tal quality rather than just marital status, she said.

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I do hope you can help me.My mother has been trying to track down a family friend, Mr Tony Casano,his wife is Flo and a son Darren,for the past three years to give them the sad news of my father's death, but as of yet we had no luck! My father is Trevor Thomson and I really feel I have to get in touch with them as they were really good friends. 1 would be very grateful for any help given. Thank you.

Miss Jennifer Thomson - jen@tighbeag.co.uk

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Donna Stew No Mediocre Medium

So where exactly do you stand on the psychic debate? Have you even thought about it? A lot of people in this world and whatever is next, have, and mediumship, as they call it, has become the new black or grey or whatever is'de rigueur' at the moment.

Satellite television particularly Living TV is full of shows like Sixfli Sense, Most Haunted, The Psychic Detectives, in fact the sub ject of this article took part in a new series called Psychic Private • Eyes broadcast before Christmas. There is always the caveat that the shows are for entertainment pur poses but you can see the people taking part genuinely believe and are shocked when they get told things they believed only they and the deceased knew.

It's a fascinating subject and countries all over the world pour time, effort and money into pro ducing these shows. If there is nothing in it then what do they get from it?

Gibraltar's GBC hasn't yet got a TV show particularly on mediums although with regular appearance of those like Donna it shouldn't be long before we do. We even have our own Medium in the shape of Arthur Molinares — unfortunately he is based in the UK and we rarely get to see his talents here.

The Gibraltar Magazine recently carried an interview with Lourdes Warwick who brings some of these mediums to Gibraltar and gives us the chance to watch, lis ten or maybe take part.One of her most frequent visitors is television medium and renowned psychic Donna Stewart, who has been to Gibraltar four times now.

Donna was born in Corby, Northamptonshire and she start ed having visions and hearing voices during her early childhood. Sometimes these phenomena were overwhelming to her as a child and young adult. She is what they call 'clair-audient' and also communicates with her con tacts through the help of a 'spirit guide'.

Like many with this 'ability' she struggled to know how to cope with the intensity of it all, sometimes frightened,sometimes curious but always in-contact with those from beyond.

Speaking to Donna she told me the most important thing for mediums apparently, is their development as psychics. They need to learn how to control the plethora of psychic noise com ing into them as well as how to handle the responsibility. 1 say responsibility because such inside information could be shocking to some and in some cases very sensitive. She explained how she got help herself.

"One day my husband was hav-

ing some spiritual healing given to him and I stayed upstairs in the house. I didn't feel comfortable when the healer was around for some reason. The healer insisted on seeing me,telling my husband she had a message about my gift.

I was confused at first, how did she know what was going on in my head? In the end I listened to what she said and 1 was eventu ally put in touch with a woman called Maureen Muman another psychic, it was she that helped me.

"She taught me to channel the energy and to better control who or what was coming through. It is hard to do it alone, support is very important and that is why there are colleges to help to de velop young psychics around the country and ^e world.

"After this experience and pe riod of learning I accepted what I felt was real and understood 1 could actually communicate with these voices notjust listen to them and from then on it stopped being frightening to me. Overall my initial development took eight months and though I continue to develop and grow as a psychic 1 am able now to help other'newbies'of the psychic medium world by teaching regularly at the Col lege of Psychic Studies in South Kensington, London."

Curious I asked Donna what she thinks of the many sceptics around?

"I know what 1 do is real. I have given information to people I don't know,about things no-one but they could know. 1 remember a lady whose father had passed away coming through and men tioning a brother she had in Canada. The lady was absolutely adamant she hadn't got a brother never mind one living in Canada. Some time later I got a letter from her thanking me as she had fol lowed the lead out of curiosity and sure enough she found the brother no-one else in the family knew she had."

1 pressed her further,"Doesn't it get you down that so many people still find it hard to believe what

you do is real?"

"Readings, the one to one sit tings and even demonstrations in theatres are full of these kinds of people as well as those that want to hear from their loved ones. I suppose if you don't believe then its fine I'm not here to convince you or anyone of anything. I am here to do what 1 can to help people who have passed com municate with their relatives on this side,

"Each communication is unique and is dependant on the blend of energy between the spirit, myself and the recipient and if some information is not as clear I'm always willing to say so. I don't worry about what sceptics will say. I just do what I do. If that is ammunition to the sceptic then so be it. There are those who will never accept anything a medium says no matter what. To be hon est for a sceptic even proof is not enough for them to believe."

Donna currently lives in Stam ford,Lincolnshire,she tours regu larly as well as giving services in Spiritualist churches around the UK. She has appeared with Colin Fry and Tony Stockwell on Living TV in various programmes as well as writing a book on her experiences entitled From Spirit with Love which is a revised and updated autobiography.

Luckily for Gibraltar she enjoys coming here and is looking for ward to her next visit on 15th, 16th and 17th April 2008.If you want to see the lady herself in action then either contact Lourdes Warwick at the Fit 4 Life Shop on City Mill Lane or visit Donna's website at www.donnastewart.co.uk.

1 can't imagine it myself but is it a strange thing to cope with, all through your life every day, virtually every minute you are in communication sometimes bombarded with sounds and im ages from what you call the spirit world. In fact it'll be happening like this until the day you die won't you?

"Yes," she replied, "and even after that they'll still be talking to me!"

StageStruck!

StageStruck is a new locally run performing arts competition which will offer finalists the opportunity of working with local artists and leading UK theatre professionals in preparation for the final competition night which will be held on Wednesday 4th June 2008 at the John Mackintosh Hall.

The winner will be offered a summer scholarship at the Guildford School of Acting, one of the UK's most prestigious theatre schools. All the courses at Guildford take place between late July and early August in 2008.

StageStruck wants to offer Gibraltar's young talent a unique opportunity to improve their nat ural talent and discover whether they want to go on to full-time training by giving them access to world class training, education and development resources.

All finalists will take part in a Masterclass run by the three Judges of the competition. They are Peter Roberts - Resident Mu sical Director at the Guildford School of Acting and Head of Singing at the Sylvia Young The atre School; Chris Hocking-West End Choreographer and Director of Arts Educational Theatre School in London; Peter Addis - former Resident Director of the West End smash hit musical Mamma Mia currently directing Stepping Out in Nottingham.

Candidates must be local resi dents between 17 and 30 years of age with the ability to act, sing or dance. Auditions will be held on Monday 7th April 2008 at John Mackintosh Hallfrom 5.30pm.All candidates will have to prepare an audition piece lasting no more than three minutes. The audi tion piece may incorporate one or more of the three disciplines — acting,singing or dance.Songs must be from the musical theatre repertoire and performed from memory.Dances must incorporate an element of either of the two other disciplines.

A panel of local judges will

be looking for candidates who perform with energy, truth,com mitment and imagination.

Candidates will also be given a short interview to find out whether the training offered at the Guildford School of Acting is right for them and to assess their availability and commitment to the competition.

The winner will be offered a choice of three one-week courses in intensive acting, singing or dance,depending on the student's ability. There is also a fourth course available lasting two weeks in Musical Theatre which incorpo rates all three disciplines.

Students will have the opportu nity to work with directors, musi cal directors and choreographers from the full-time faculty to im prove their performance skills.

Each course ends with a mock audition and students are given an assessment outlining what work still needs to be done in or der to achieve a full-time place at a drama school. An audition for the full-time course can be arranged if desired. Travel and accommoda tion will be arranged and paid for by the scholarship scheme.

All candidates need to register their interest by logging onto the StageStruck website www.Stagestruck.gi or by calling 54009541.

Application forms can also be collected weekdaysfrom the Min istry of Culture (9am-]pm and 2.30pm-5.15pm)and John Mack intosh Hall Reception(9am-6pm). Closing date for applications is Friday 4th April 2008.

Thesponsors ofthis project include the Department ofEducation. Mihfsfry of Culture, Gibraltar Tourist Board,and BMl Group.

she struggled to know how to cope with the intensity of it all, sometimesfrightened,sometimes cnrions hot always in-contact with those from heyond

Youth workshops marry performing arts and social awareness

If you're lost for words, just mime, rhyme, sing,dance or act it out,seems to be the philoso phy behind the Youth Service unprecedented and pioneering initiative which,in cooperation with Santos Productions, invites youngsters to explore hot social issues — and express their feelings about them — through the perform ing arts.

"Performing Issues" is the label of the tenweek workshop running from 3rd April to 5th June, an idea born out of the flamboyant minds of busy performer-producer Christian Santos and his close friends, youth and community workers Rebecca Figueras and Nathalie Saccone. The workshops are open to anyone aged 13 to 17, whether in education or in or out of employment.

The workshops fulfill a double purpose: raising awareness of the top five enemies of adolescence, and providing the basic tools to encourage artistic expression,as well as promot ing team effort.

Five topics of general concern, but to teenag ers in particular, will be the subjects of targeted talks,aimed at kicking off artistic liberation and expression of the emotions conveyed.

For example, the first meeting will introduce a young mother recounting her own teenage

pregnancy experience and how it affected and changed her life, followed by Christian leading the groups into a related drama game.

Other important matters which will be looked at are drug and alcohol abuse and young offend ers, for which drugs co-coordinator John David Montegriffo will aid the contribution of a recov ering addict and a former juvenile lawbreaker, who was imprisoned in different countries.

The sadly widespread problem of bullying will be tackled, and bullying victims will bear their witness and describe what they went through outside and inside.

Last but not least, the slithering facets of

prejudiced attitudes, whether racial, religious or sexual will be presented. People from eth nic minorities will write down their account of growing up in that context and a homosexual person will recall personal experiences within society's general prejudices.

Speakers are not summoned to set universal paradigms, nor to indulge in'morbid'self-pity or in crusader-like attempts to stop others from making their same mistakes. They will share their story as just one of the countless possibili ties similar circumstances could have evolved into. Hence the teenagers might reckon they would have handled it otherwise, postulating how and why, both verbally and by artistic improvisation.

As Rebecca explains,statements are designed to be survival tales of what happened and how it was dealt with, prompting the audience to ques tion themselves on their own feelings and what they would have done in the same shoes.

One issue and one performing medium will be investigated each week in the first half of the session, with the youth workers and Christian taking the role of supervisors, moderators and mentors, guiding rather than teaching, advis ing rather than criticizing, allowing freedom of expression.

ca, Nathalie

statements are designed to be survival tales of what happened and how it was dealt with,prompting the audience to question them selves on their own feelings and whatthey would have doue in the same shoes

In the second leg, participants will be split into small groups, each creating an original production on a specific topic. This is a platform ofeducational value,instilling skills besides ac knowledgement of the existence and seriousness of the matters at stake.

A nice time is guaranteed, but personal growth is the welcome side effect of this kind of clean fun. Forming small groups means working on time management, task setting, goal achieving, mutual respect, commitment, cooperation, prioritization, negotiation and democracy.

Finally, the groups will perform their show before the rest of the 'class' for everyone to give their feedback and learn from each other's point of view.

Sessions, every Thursday evening from 6 to 8.30pm at Line Wall Road Youth Centre, are free of charge, but Rebecca insists on consistent attendance and punctuality, plus the commit ment of giving extra hours for rehearsals if necessary.

Any teenager who fancies taking part can apply to gibyoutht&'gibtelecom.net or telephone 200 40293 by 10th April. Busy or conflicting schedule? Never fear: if this venture harvests the success it deserves, there will plenty of seconds next season!

Dream Girl of the Year 2008—The Results

14contestants between the ages of10 and 13 took to the stage at the John Mackintosh Hall for 3rd annual Dream Girl of the Year 2008, beautifully choreographed and directed by Bianca Chiara. The winner was 13 year old Samey-Jo Bonfante, who was also awarded Miss Catwalk. The 1st Princess title and Miss Vogue award were won by Natalie Davis and the 2nd Princess title and the Miss Elegant award were won by Kristel Macdonald. Seven further awards went to Miss Friendship(elect ed by the contestants)Lorena Munoz and Miss Personality,Skyanne Dalli. Miss Best Effort for her outstanding performance, improvement

and attendance during the 8 weeks of intense rehearsals went to Michelle Bonavia. Annie Jackson was awarded Miss Cover Girl. Best Hair voted by the In-House Stylist was the lovely Kyara Coombes and Best Skin and Best Smile Jade De Los Santos.

Bianca Chiara created Glamour Creations in 2003 and said of it; "1 want my pageants to be a positive learning experience,for contestants to learn the meaning of competition, positive selfconfidence,striving to be the very best and also teaching the essential lesson of enjoying the fun of participating even if one does not always win."

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A nice time is guaranteed, but personal growth is the welcome side ettect ot this kind ot clean fun

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Paradise Found

Jennifer Waterhouse

(& Painted)

The Fine Arts Association laudably opens Its doors to international artists, giving them the opportunity to make their style known and appreciated on the Rock, as well as introducing the general public to foreign trends and talent.

In April,Gibraltar's horizons will broaden quite literally- After letting her landscapes do the talking at local arty events for a decade, Jen nifer Waterhouse,former college art teacher with a romantic penchant for Andalusia, with be in the lime light at Casemates Art Gallery.

A selection of her dramatically stunning illustrations of the Strait, perfectly frozen with rich colour, clean lines and classic equilibrium, will be gathered under one roof for everyone to browse and affordably purchase.

Perhaps most Gibraltarians don't know Jenny personally, but her name undoubtedly rings a bell for everyone reading the culture columns. Habitue at the Gibraltar International Art Exhibition, her artwork scooped high commenda tions in 1998, 2000, 2005, 2006 and twice in 2007,she won the Gustavo Bacarisas Prize in 1997 and 1999 and the Leni Mifsud Prize in 2003, as well as first and .second prize in two separate editions of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust's Open Air Competition. Jenny also won prestigious accolades like 'Mujeres Malaguenas' in 1993 and the

Circulo de Bellas Artes de Malaga competition in 1998.

She comes to Gibraltar after par ticipating in a string of high-profile exhibitions — the Morley Gallery in London, the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, Sala de Exposiciones de la Unicaja in Malaga and Casa de la Culture in Estepona, and few collective shows witii'Art Gaucfn' — a group of some 20 international painters, sculptors, photographers, engravers and ce ramists who live and work in this historic village at the south-western rim of the Serranfa de Ronda, and hold 'open studios' weekends in late May and Christmas.

Jenny is one of the last typical British painters who set up their ea sel amidst flowery fieldsor on a cliff top,enduring gusty winds,scorch ing sun, mosquito bites, hovering seagulls,and other inconveniences, just to paint the fluid rhythm of na ture — from unique tree branches.

the pastel hues of springblossoms, jagged coastlines, clouds' ethereal fluff, ephemeral sunsets and those transparent shadows foliage em broiders on the ground.

So there she sat with her 'por table studio' at El Higuerdn, the viewpoint over La Linea de la Concepcidn,just to produce an en try for the Spanish frontier town's contest. Admitting cityscapes aren't her forte, Jenny resolved the grid of buildings in the foreground with an ensemble of neutral-toned short brushstrokes to give the impression of how tiny the tallest skyscraper seems in comparison with the Rock's majestic height and the mountainous African lands in the background.

Jenny just doesn't seem comfort able painting from photographs because, even if she took it herself, she would eventually end up fixing on canvas what the lens captured and not what she actually saw — it

poiirait of an artist

is simpler to print a poster from the snapshot and frame it, whereas painting requires both a creative process and a personally filtered technical expertise to make the artist's impression strike a chord.

Because murky days constrain her productivity, and not every thing sits still for long, Jenny loves to do several preparatory sketches or to lay out the scenery and the general 'feel' of her future masterpiece, before embarking on major work.

She records on paper 'live' the shifting poses of people,goats and other fast moving subject matters, such as special tricks of the light, to then elaborate in the comfort of her studio, where there's no risk of sudden showers or being chased away by angry rottweilers!

Her inspiration comes from liv ing in one of the most panoramic and quaintest 'pueblos blancos', Gaucm, whose enviable position on a hilltop affords views of the Strait of Gibraltar (one of her fa vourite subjects) and whose rural life sparks endless occasions for portraying a bucolic paradigm, perhaps a little cliche, but always refreshing and liberating.

Her favourite medium remains oil, but she doesn't shun acrylics, because "they dry fast, indeed an advantage for open air painting", they allow great transparency ef fects, and are suitable to be painted over with oils for added features and three-dimensionality.

Although Jenny confesses walercolours aren't her favourite playground, she ventured into their territory for smaller work, and with impeccable results, as anyone recently visiting the Art Gallery couldn't fail to notice in two small pictures displayed there for appetisers.

So, what should visitors expect from Jennifer Waterhouse's grand opening on 7th April?

Mostly landscapes, you've surely gathered, but also a cross-section of rustic bliss, like Breakfast in the Finca, highly commended at the last International, some portraits of both people and livestock, an assortment ofever-popular flowers and still natures with a twist.

In fact Jenny isn't a fan of ar ranging objects on a surface, the flowerpot and fruit bowl kind of way, to perform what she consid ers "an academic exercise", but she prefers spontaneously depict ing her orchard's citrus trees and her neighbourhood's sun-kissed patios.

Jennifer Waterhouse's solo is open to the public from 8th to 30th April, featuring some 25-30 paintings priced £200 to £1,000. For further information,visit www. artgaucin.com.

Jenny is one of the last typical British painters who set up their easel amidst flowery fields or on a cliff top

Overindulged with your Easter eggs? Just when you're plucking the last bit off the tin foil, here comes World Health Day with its slogan "Shape the future of life".

While the World Health Organisation is this year focusing on protection from the adverse effects of climate change, Gibraltar's Health Promotion Officer Jason Easter is picking his own battle against the downsides of socioeconomical betterment — richer food, cheaper booze, tobacco and sedentary habits.

On 7th April we won't see Jason setting up his usual stall to distribute awareness leaflets, but that's no excuse for ignoring his behind-thescenes educating-the-educators campaign for healthy living, smoke-free public places and.. prevention, prevention, prevention!

From his St Bernard's Hospital HQ, Jason works on keeping the nation in shape, tackling and deterring obesity as the source of almost all evil, from diabetes to heart attacks, from cholesterol to atherosclerosis, from joint aches to low self-esteem.

Judging from the widespread weight-related problems that affect a sizeable percentage of the population, we need to quickly sort out our larder before our gluttony cuts our life expec tancy to pre-war standards, as is happening in the United States, where super-sized portions' have resulted in mini-sized quality of life.

Jason is not ordering you to toss all delis in the bin — he goes by the motto "everything in moderation" — but he is inviting parents to learn,and teach their kids,about balanced nutri tion, steering them clear of lazy eating patterns before they enter a vicious circle.

The ancient view of flab as a status symbol seems still applicable nowadays, despite ex

fpensive personal trainers,cosmetic surgery and gym-mania, children from wealthier families tend to be 'chubbier' or grow into overweight adults more than their 'poorer' friends who don't enjoy lifts in mummy's4x4,and couch-po tato afternoons playing high-tech videogames, but take brisk walks to school every morning and play outside,snacking on fresh fruit instead of industrial fatty treats — nor are they given enough pocket money to waste on extra takeaways and cigarettes...

Perhaps a stereotypical picture is painted here,rather than the diverse reality, but invest ing in sports rather than encouraging 'quiet' pastimes like television or computer,is a proven weapon for parents to use to fight childhood idleness and its physical,social and intellectual implications.

Yes, you are what you eat, but hey... you are not a tree rooted in the ground, so good nutri tion without motion is like a half-full cup. Your

muscles long to be test-driven and allowed to burn extra fat — hence the right exercise is as important as the right food to keep the engine efficient. After all, if you had just bought your self a dream sports car, you wouldn't expect it to run,for argument'ssake,on washing-up liquid; neither you would fill the tank with the best petrol to then just park it in your garage!

Once he's got you to shake your booty for at least half an hour daily and eat sensibly, Jason is crusading against the growing pub culture we have copied from the UK,where youngsters perceive being drunk as the cool ticket to peers' acceptance, whereas the Mediterranean model banks on enjoying wine quality over quantity.

Another sensitive topic is sexual health, whether dealing with STD — euphemistic acronym for venereal diseases — or teenage pregnancies, which are alarmingly on the rise in Gibraltar. These fall again into the category of prevention and require more open information drives among schoolchildren.

The Health Promotion Department's biggest achievement this year is Gibraltar's first ever Health & Life.style anonymous survey,currently going on with data gathered door-to-door on how healthy people feel, both physically and mentally.

Results will be processed by a Canadian uni versity and headlines published in the summer months. For in-depth analysis we shall have to wait a little longer, hoping afterwards the Gov ernment will address issues of general concern in terms of national health.

Elena Scialtiel

Judging from the widespread weightrelated prehiems,we need te quickly sort out eur larder hefere eur gluttony cuts eur life expectaucy te pre-war standards

Jason wonders why Gibraltar is a 'sick nation', according to the numbers of individuals who seem to be ill, and CPs visits pro capita. Are we very health-conscious? Are we hypochondriacs? Do we take too literally the warning about selfprescription hazards? One thing is sure, we are a stressed nation, and that takes its toll on welfare.

Although we put up the brave face of the typical laid-back south Med people, we spend sleepless nights trying to figure out how to afford higher education for our children and pay our mortgage.

De-stress your life. Easy to say, hard to put into practice, because stress is very subjective and one person may feel overwhelmed by a situation that is manageable for someone else.

To pinpoint major causes of stress, one must quiz oneself about personal, social and professional life to target the unsatisfactory loose bits with common sense, to identify circumstances that need a counsellor's advice and others which can be solved with

confidence adjustments, relaxing holidays or the good old 'don't give a damn'!

The website www.mind.org.uk can help you decide on the fine line between tolerable strain levels and serious pathologies in need of medical attention.

Finally,Jason would like to model Gibraltar's health on,and compare statistics to, other 'small island' communities,and what better occa sion than the forthcoming 12th Inter Island Public Health Forum(www. iiphf.org), which the Public Health team is organising for the weekend 18th to 20th September. This will at tract to Gibraltar English-speaking islander environmental health of ficers,health promotion specialists, occupational health practitioners, health and safety advisors,disasterplanners and screening providers, discussing strategies and sharing their latest research.

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Tiiikerbell t with

Jayne MacDonald

ime

A traumatic childhood,followed by regular teenage exposure to the tortured world of mentally III patients In King George V — at a time when Gibraltar's mental hospital was almost Dickenslan in its bleakness — would probably have pushed a weaker person over the edge". But the petitely feminine exterior of Jayne MacDonald sheathes a steely strength and determination which,coupled with a powerful faith, brought her through these experiences and more, and has given her the empathy to help the Rock's less fortunate.

Jayne is something of a rarity in a society which has a reputation for generosity anci gives freely to the rattling tins of charity col lectors... but largely closes its soul to the disadvantaged — she a person who not only cares but acts on her con cerns. And though the main thrust of her voluntary work is directed towards the needs of the mentally handicapped (both in and out of the King George V) others with problems constantly draw on her time, and a boundless capacity as a listener.

"At times that's all that a lot of people really need — someone to listen to their problems," she argues. "Someone who can sympathise with them and who isn't judgmental."

But it is not all "just listening" in the inces santly caring world of Jayne MacDonald. There's the practical side, too.

She arrives for our meeting over coffee flustered, slightly late — there has been an un expected crisis, she explains. A patient has got behind with water and electricity bills and was threatened with these being cut off over Christ mas. She has been on the phone persuading the service providers not to do anything while she sorts out payment of the accounts...

The previous day there had been another phone call from the brother of a patient at KCV who could be allowed to leave the hospital un less he had a fridge in his flat — something to ensure that he would have fresh food available. It had seemed a strange request, she explains; but she had checked and found it true.

And though "Tomorrow it Could be You", the mental health charity whose establishment she spearheaded in September last year, doesn't have funds to buy fridges,Jayne has her own list of "lovely people" whom she calls on for help.

"I ask a lot from these people,but they always help. The fridge was forthcoming and, do you

know, the brother is came out for Christmas... and all because of a refrigerator," she chuck les her delight and grey-flecked tawny eyes sparkle.

Refrigerators and unpaid service bills are light years away from Jayne's first steps into the charitable and volunteer activities which began when she dressed up as Tinkert>ell, the irrepressible fairy in J.M.Barrie's Peter Pan, to entertain children in the Rainbow Ward at the old St Bernard's Hospital... and they are even further from her first concerns about the problems of the mentally ill forged when she was a 16-yearold schoolgirl and visited an only brother, two years her junior, who had been diagnosed as schizophrenic and admitted to KGV — where he is still a patient.

"It was very difficultto see him so low,suicidal — especially as he was,and still is,so good-na tured and loving,"she recalls sadly."I remember thinking 'Why are they here?' as I watched patients walking aimlessly up and down the corridors smoking, or just sitting mindlessly staring at walls bare of pictures, staring into empty prospect-less lives.

"Even then, though I couldn't do anything about it at the time, I knew that someone must speak out for them.,. these were the Rock's for gotten children, whatever their ages...

"They seemed to be treated with as little respect in those bleak corridors as their counter parts —the different and the disadvantaged,the sick and the elderly — were treated in the streets ofthe town," her face darkens at the memory and delicate fingers push impatiently at a lock of hair that has fallen across her eyes."Children would throw stones at them, mock them, call them names tell them to do the chicken, or dance..."

She had seen her brother going through this sort of hell. And had been through her own hell when,as"Daddy's girl",herSpanish mother and Dockyard-worker father had separated.She and her two siblings were brought up in a Spanish-

Jayne MacDonald in her Tinkerbell outfit which delights the children

"Even then,theugh I couldn't de anything ahoutIt at the time, I knew thatsomeene mustspeak outfor them...these were the Reek'sforgotten children,whatever their ages..."

speaking environment and though her parents were later to develop an "excellent relationship" the split was"a big blow that has remained with me for a very long time."

With hindsight and the wiser head of maturity, she accepts that the separation was the right thing to happen."Some people just are not very good at living together," And again she speaks from personal experience,for her first marriage ended in separation.

But while her parents'separation and the first signs of her brother's future ill health did not break her spirit,they left scars that can still fill the tawny eyes with tears. "I think I can empathise with troubled children who are going through the trauma of a parental separation or divorce," she says.

Jayne swapped the sadness of a broken home for the happiness of the classroom. She "really enjoyed school" where her favourite subjects were English literature and drama.

"I was good at drama and liked it... because you can become somebody else, let go of your emotions.And its often therapeutic. We hope to have a small stage at the Drop in Centre which Tomorrow it Could be You is hoping to establish; and we'll encourage people to act — it can all contribute to your self-confidence."

School was followed by some two decades in the civil service, initially as a counter clerk at the Post Office and later in a clerical post with the Health Department where she worked for ten years, leaving before the birth of her third child.

"I spent two months sitting at home and realised 1 had to do something...so 1 started vol untary work with visits to the Rainbow Ward."

Jayne skates over her own tragedies,an abusive husband;a miscarriage;herown spellsofintense depression from which she talks herselfout;and the sorrow of her brother's mental illness.

How did she survive all this, one wonders?

"You may laugh at this — but I believe in angels. That everyone has his or her personal angels who,along with God ofcourse,look after one in times of crisis.I've touched one..."and the delicately expressive hands gesture towards her rightshoulder. There's as sincere a beliefin these words as there is in everything she says.

"Even when things have been really bad Cod has held me there, never let me reach the bottom." And a restless hand gestures uncon sciously towards the small diamond cross at her throat.

"I not only believe in God, but I believe that he has created us all equal... Everyone should be treated as equals,"she says with determined passion."Alcoholics, people with drug problems and the mentally disturbed — they're all human beings,too. People like you and 1. There's a dif ference between 'bad'and 'mad',and we've all got a bit of the'mad'in us."

We've all got a bit of'bad' in us, too, I sug gest.

"Yes," she nods reflectively — and recalls a

recent incident in which she took a small group of mentally handicapped people into a Burger King for coffee. She gave them cash to pay for their drinks while she"powdered her nose"and returned to find one of them in tears and the others agitated and upset.

"A customer had abused them verbally and told th§m they should not be there," her eyes flare in remembered anger. "I was fdrious and wentand told the woman so.That'ssymptomatic of an attitude that is widespread and that we as a society must begin to tackle."

With this in her mind, two years ago, Jayne approached Emily Olivero of the Psychologi cal Support Group and suggested they stage a 'big walk' to raise awareness of mental health issues.

"Conditions have sinceimproved enormously — though there is still much to be done and both the Mental Health authorities and society have a long way to go."

The first walk was a disappointment for the two organizers. Only 20 members of the public turned up to join 20 mental health patients. "I think a lot of people didn't wantto be seen walk ing with patients — that's the sort of attitude we have to cope with and one we are working so desperately to overcome," Jaync explains bluntly.

Butneither she nor Emily Olivera are'quitters' — "My grandfather used to say you are only a failure if you haven't tried," says Jayne — and they persisted. The second march drew 200 in support... and the next will see even more.

It will be a slow process, but with Jayne's grit and determination, attitudes and conditions will change.

"Alcoholics,people with drug prohlems and the mentally disturhed—they're all human helngs,toe. People like you and I."

acting is something I love doing. I was cast as a young boy growing up in the 16th Century,and I immersed myself totally in the role.

"Shooting this film has been one of the best experiences I have ever had.I learned a lot about how films are shot and experienced what acting is like. I loved pretending to be someone else and to portray this in front of a camera. I was amazed with all he stuff that goeson behind the scenes and realised that everything is so much more complicated than I thought. Since then 1 watch films very differently. It was an amazing experience and I would definitely repeat it,"

When pressed to highlight an aspect of his personality that people always comment on, Adnan smiles.In fact he seems to be smiling and laughing constantly and he confesses that often, there is no particular reason for him to smile or laugh."Sometimes it can happen in situations that are awkward. 1 still remember my seventh birthday when I was going to the beach with my older sister on one of the old buses when we stopped at a zebra crossing, and as a man was trying to change seats onto the other side of the bus we moved and he fell to the floor! I have never laughed so hard in my life since then and it sure made my birthday a good one! My sister wasso embarrassed she had to pretend she wasn't with me and it still makes me laugh now every time I remember it! Having said that i am notan insensitive person but 1 just respond with laughter to nearly everything that happens."

Adnan's hopes and aspirations are simple. He hopes to be an independent and successful career man with a family.

'

Always with a Smile

Adnan Laoudy was born in Gibraltar 19 years ago and is February s student in the Men at Work Calendar.Currently taking a gap yearfrom University, Adnan is fluent in English, Spanish, French and Arabic and is about to embark on a Law Degree this coming September.

His parents were born in Morocco,although they moved to Gibraltar when they were very young, and they have been living here since they were teenagers. The whole family feels very much a part of the community and Adnan is always involved in community events.

During the summer he usually works as a lifeguard at local beaches where he trains to strengthen his swimming, one of his favorite hobbies along with going to the gym. He still found the time to get involved in modeling, acting and public relations and found it hard to say no when asked to support the Men at Work Calendar.

"1 started modeling with Mount Productions when a friend encouraged me to sign on. It was something 1 never thought I'd do, however when 1 did, I enjoyed doing it and loved both the runway and photographic side of it.

"Since then I've done many photo shoots, including one in the Algarve in Portugal but pos

ing for this calendar was certainly a challenge and I don't regret having done it at all as I feel 1 was supporting a very worthy cause.

"All my life I had wanted to contribute in some way, as 1 felt this was one of the worst experiences a woman could go through. It upsets me when 1 find out about someone go ing through this and I really hope this calendar raises more awareness about the illness and does make a difference. 1 dedicated my page to the memory of all the women who did not make it and to all the women who overcame it, to their families, and to everyone going through this life changing experience right now.1 thank God I've never had a family member go through this but that doesn't moan I've never been touched bv the illness."

'Adnan has also taken partin a short film called the Inquisition written and produced by Martin Nuza for Gold Productions Studio."Making the film was great and 1 chose to take part in it as

"1 could concentrate on my studies and be come a lawyer which is something 1 have always dreamt of doing, or 1 could pursue a career as an officer in the Royal Gibraltar Regiment. 1 enjoyed that after spending a few months in the territorial Army. 1 know they are two very different choices but I love them both. Having said that though,1 know that should something else interest me in the near future, I would consider it.

"1 am an out-going, positive person who gets along with everybody and lovesto have fun,fun and more fun! But 1 know how to get on with things and be serious when it comesto work and important matters. 1 have a strong philosophy for living as if it was your last day and 1 always look at the positive side of things."

Bowling, Ice Skating, Cinemas, Disco, Restaurant, Youth Lounge, Amusement Arcade, Internet Lounge, Terrace Bar...

All under one roof in the historic King's Bastion

When the original city walls were breached in the 1770s to build the additional fortification which is King's Bastion, little thought was given by its designers, William Green and Lieutenant Governor General Boyd,to embellishment or style. The building was crafted to fullfil a function, but it is precisely this functionality, with its clean lines, and precise construction which makes it quite beautiful to a modernist's eye.

The brave decision made by today's govern ment to take this heritage site and — rather than turn it into a dusty museum, with wax statues in 18th century costumes, where tour ists alone wander in silence — instead create a strikingly modern £12 million leisure centre within its walls for all to enjoy is a brilliant example of how heritage and modern needs can be combined to provide something which benefits all.

The contemporary leisure facilities (14 lane

bowling alley, first floor ice-skating rink, pool lounge, cinemas, restaurantand youth andadult bars) float within the bastion's towering lime stone walls, which can still be viewed in their entirety despite themany facilities now housed within.

Glass ceilings light the stone masonry, perfect archways lead to locker rooms and lounges, cannons form part of the design of bar areas. Materials have been chosen to contrast and compliment rather than emulate, and nowhere

The £12 million leisure centre Is a brilliant example of hew heritage and modern needs can he cemhined to provide something which benefits all

will you see faux renditions of 18th century style. Everything added is proud of its 21st cen tury provenance and makes no excuse for it.

The concept of the new leisure centre thrives on contrast — 21st century floating glass stairs co-exist with grey limestone blocks in the metamorphosis of a heritage site into a living, beating heart of the community.Its architecture harmoniously juxtaposes old and new,antique and ultra-modern, epitomising the best of the functionality and minimalism of both the 18th century bastion and contemporary taste.

I am sure greater numbers of more diverse people have appreciated at the beauty of the 1770s stone masonary since the leisure facilities

opened on 1st March 2008 than in the previous 150 years.

The King's Bastion Leisure Centre establishes a framework of conceptual thinking on the significance of heritage, its preservation, and some of the pivotal issues concerning town planning within an historic city. This project shows that the needs ofthe community and the preservation of heritage can not only co-exist but can enhance each other, and not only give us a sense of where we came from, but where our future lies.

The King's Bastion Leisure Centre is open from 10am to midnight every day ofthe week.

Its arcliiiecture harmoniously juxtaposes olil anil new, antique and ultra-medern,epitemlsing the hest elthe functionality and minimalism of hoth the 18th century hastlen and centemporary taste

r-j J)"A'

ers like O'Brien, O'Cara, and my predecessor Antonia Gladstone.These and all others will be included in a commerative magazine due out at the end of the academic year. This will coincide with an exhibition of memorabilia at the John Mackintosh Hall which we are all excited about, and the teachers are busily seeing to this."

1 caught his enthusiasm as he talked and of course wanted to know how he first came to Gi braltar. With warm sincerity he recounted how he first came here in 1980 with a Gibraltarian friend from college, wentback to finish his stud ies and then applied for a job here,"(a)because I loved the place, and (b)I met the girl who is now my wife". Coming from the small village ofCayphorpe in Lincolnshire this has helped "to make me feel comfortable here as the parochial characteristic was never a problem".

He went on to praise the warmth of the lo cal people and from the very first instance "I thought I'm happy to spend the rest of my life here, and now, well, 1 consider myself more Gibraltarian than English," he shared with a big smile,and 1 smiled too, this being a sentiment 1 could so easily relate to.

With six years of committed headship to speak of 1 wondered where he had worked before.

Headmaster,

50 Years of

Learning

Children should be seen, not heard. My siblings and I had this drummed into us growing up and it was in keeping with the educational process of the day I suppose. Learning was based on repetition, both at home and in school and the quicker we learned, well, there was less to fear from the strap. Corporal punishment was sanctioned and made our lives one of fear and misery,for the most part.

Thankfully,times have moved on and today's children are seen and heard and this was very evident in the John Macintosh Hall throughout the week llth-15th February. They were cel ebrating their school's 50th anniversary with a musical production par excellence. With many others I enjoyed and appreciated the childrens efforts, enthusiasm and natural joy as they performed from the musicals Grease, Hairspray and Mary Poppins with year 7taking a step back in time to nearly 35 years ago with a realistic

portrayal of daily life in Gibraltar at that time. Borrowing a song title from Grease, the whole production went like greased lightening, and is an excellent tribute to the hard work of all concerned.

I went back to school to chat to Paul Lyon, present headmaster at the school and asked him how the school had started.

"I took up the appointment of headship in 2002, but the school dates back to 1958 when it was officially opened. It numbers head teach-

"1 was offered my first job by the then Educa tion Officer,Julio Alcantara at St. Mary's Middle School in Johnston's passage at the time under the headship of Dorita Montegriffo. Eventually we moved to the old Grammar School, such a wonderful building where 1 spent the next 16 years as a teacher of Maths and P.E. as well as year coordinator in Sacred Heart Middle School until I moved to the Department of Education as Training Education Advisor. This was brilliant but 1 missed the children and the challenge of working with different teachers so 1 felt 1 would like to try the demands of headship".

And is it demanding? I asked.

"The child has to be at the center of every thing we do, the child is the nucleus and if children can have fun in school it means more than just going through the motions." A far cry from my own strict school days to be sure and 1 liked his philosophy.

He had mentioned Johnny Norton and I made a note to contact him.When 1 did he spoke with affection of his days in BFG.

"It was my first teaching post when I came back from my studies so 1 have a soft spotfor it", he wenton,"it was the very first middle school to have a sports meeting, and", he paused for effect,"our first sportsman of the year was one Clive Beltran, a past pupil, one of the many, who have gone on to greater things." Today, he is the Honourable Clive Beltran, Minister for Education and Mayor of our City. In 1958 he was among the first intake at the then, all boys, and new school.1 got in touch with the Minister who was happy to reminisce and senta message to the school on this happy occasion.

Paul has played many sports,basketball and rugby mostly "though it was often difficult get ting a team together." He numbers volleyball, football, cricket, badminton among his love of sports to which he became"heavily committed" when he arrived here. And these days?

"Now 1 play charity football games,veterans really, and we have played against Liverpool and against an England selection. "We played in front of a full stadium", he tells me eagerly, "and raised £30,000 each game for Research

He went on to praise the warmth ef the local people and from the very first Instance 1thought I'm happy to spend the rest of my life here'

into Childhood Cancer. That's the way I am happy now."

From primitive times, man has taught his children what they needed to know for life. It seems to be an instinct and how to fight and gather food were lessons well learned in order to survive. Have you ever seen a bird teaching its young how to fly and maybe school is the nest from which we all learn to fly? Education is at the heart of our societ)' and I asked Paul, despite this busy and important year, did he have a vision for the school?

"We have an ongoing beautification pro gramme. The walls are being painted white in order for each group to do a mural, that way making the school a bit more colourful. This is an old MOD building from the late 50's and we share the site with Governors Meadow School."

Are you overcrowded?

"It is a densely populated area," he conceded, "and we are always pushing the Minister and Department for improvements. What's been done has been done well, but we cannot afford to be complacent. We have children with learn ing and physical disabilities, who, I am proud to say, took part in the concert and loved it. I'd like to think we are doing as much as we can at present to help them integrate into the com munity when older."

He went on to acknowledge the tremendous supportfrom parents and the good standing the school has in the community as well as having full confidence in the dedicated teachers who are now gearing up for technological changes. This includes starting a school website, new multi media projects, and links to the internet

to make lessons more exciting. "We encourage the children to lake ownership of the curriculum, if every child finds success and enjoyment,then we have fulfilled our role".

Taking time out from the demands of head

Vship, Paul has been working on his doctoral thesison Education,proving that we never stop learning. It was a delight to chat to this genial man and 1 can only wish him for the school a happy 50th anniversary.

"We encourage the children to take ownership of the curriculum,If every child finds success and enjoyment,then we have fulfilled our role"

CmUlDn prize puzzle

su fTi] KU

GDSG

aiUlUI DYSLEXIA

SuPPOei GROUP

Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group

P.O.Box 1359

Tel: 78509

Mobile: 54007924

Email: info@gdsg.co.uk

www.gdsg.co.uk

For anonymous donations

Send completed crossword to: The Cannon Bar, Cannon Lane, Gibraltar.

One entry per person.

first PRIZE; Lunch for 2 at The Cannon Bar

Winner notified in next issue of The Gibraltar Magazine.

Closing date:24th April 2008

LAST MONTH'S ANSWERS: Across 5. Pudding Lane, 7. Wren,8. Moorings,9. Uniting, 11. Mitty, 13. Groat, 14.Tussaud,16. Chastise, 17. Dice, 18. Paper rounds. Down 1. Aden,2. Diamond,3. Igloo. 4. Vanities 5. Partnership, 6. Eight ounces, 10. Transept, 12. Yule log, 15. Fiery, 17. Dane.

Crossword Winner

Voucher will be posted to you

VassaUo Images

Across

by Alan Gravett

1) System of release by the constabulary with out charge but with requirement to surre nder when required (6,4)

7) Herman Melville's white whale (4,4)

8) Acronym inscribed on Christ's cross(1,1,1,1)

9) Tumble; drop(4)

10) Small boring tool(7)

12) Where to dance after the end of April(7,4)

14) Old TV western series;sudden unexpected wealth (7)

16) Minor argument(4)

19) Study or, less formally, interpret written characters(4)

20) All existing matter and space(8)

21) Sued (10)

Down

1) Evidence that establishes the truth(5)

2) Faithfulness(7)

3) Part of a computer or a potato(4)

4) Where bread is cooked (8)

5) One of Homer's epic poems(5)

6) Casually 19)(6)

11) Alcoholic binges(5-3)

12) Tied to a capstan (6)

13) Old word for any item of clothing(7)

15) Type of birch tree(5)

17) United by melting;equipped electrically,(e.g. a plug)(5)

18) Common blue grey metal(4)

Whatis unique about Kettiebeiiisitwiligive vou

resuits you want,

Putthe Kettle On

Personal trainer Simon Coldwell has taken a big step forward in advancing the service Complete Fitness delivers.

Well established in Gibraltar, Simon is now introducing Kettlebell training, a set of tech niques that can complement existing training programmes or be used as a comprehensive individual Kettlebell-specific workout.

A kettlebell is a weight, or bell, which has a large handle reminiscent of those used on oldfashioned kettles. It's an old Russian weighttraining device that is entirely different from traditional weightlifting, revolving as it does around the development of functional or tacti cal strength.

The Kettlebell programme can target the specific needs of each individual and is suitable for anyone who is looking for optimal results in minimal time.Amongst the results and focus of the Kettlebell programme are increased strength, coordination and flexibility (without adding bulk), increased conditioning and stamina, enhanced metabolism with accelerated fat loss, muscle toning and cardiovascular health.

Most Kettlebell exercises are ballistic in nature — this means that the bell is swung rather than simply lifted. As a result,the exercise challenges

boost your strength

your muscles through a wider range of motion; also, keeping the Kettlebell in constant move ment allows you to achieve almost incredible strength whilst simultaneously developing cardiovascular fitness.

Simon is already finding that the Kettlebell programme is proving popular here, and has been encouraged to refine and advance the tech niques — initially by following a comprehensive training course offered on a home-study basis followed by enrolment on the official Kettlebell Accreditation Course which takes place later this year in Barcelona. The course will be delivered by Steve Cotter, a well-renowned martial artist and strength /conditioning specialist.

Steve has been US National Full Kontact Kuoshu(Kung Fu)Champion twice and has 25 years of internal martial arts training.

He was team captain of the first-ever USA Team to compete in the World Championships of Girevoy Sport(Kettlebells)in Moscow,2005, and has provided combat-oriented strength and conditioning to the US Marines.

He serves as a strength and conditioning consultant to the American National Football League's San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers, and has introduced Kettlebell train ing and hand-to-hand fighting methods for football athletes.

There are other accreditation courses available in the USA and UK for Kettlebell training but this particular course is considered to be excep tional due to Steve Cotter's involvement and will enable Simon to provide excellent training programmes to current and future clients.

What is unique about Kettlebell is it will give you the results you want, no matter what your goals might be. Whether you want to reduce fat and become more lean, increase flexibility or boost your strength, Kettlebell could well be the programme for you.

In short, it is an amazing hand-held gym that will increase your physical fitness — regardless of your starting point.

Complete Fitness is based in a well-equipped modern city-centre personal training studio which is equally popular with men and women. It works on an appointments system,so for fur ther details contact Simon on 200 51113,or 00 34 678857185;or email simon_coldwell@hotmail. com for an initial consultation and evaluation, and your physical well-being will be in higWy qualified and friendly hands.

the

no matter what your geais might ho. Whether you wautto reduce fat and hecememore iean, increase flexihiiity or

O'HardS Unusual Tdl

When James O'Hara, Baron Tyrawley, returned to England after 13 years as envoy extraordinary to Portugal, he took with him 14 illegitimate children and three "wives", one of whom. Dona Anna — Portuguese with long black hair plaited ^11 the way down her back — was probably the mother of his son, Charles.

Shocking, perhaps, but no-one could accuse James of lacking style. One of the two remaining ladies in the entourage was presumably O'Hara's legal wife, Mary Stewart, daughter of Viscount Mountjoy who, either for medical reasons, or be cause her husband was perennially busy elsewhere,never bore him a child herself. Consequently, when James O'Hara died in 1774, the baronetcy died with him since not one of his offspring could lay legitimate claim to the title.

Colourful a character as James O'Hara was, it is Charles who is of interest to us, for Charles was to rise above his ille gitimacy to become Governor of Gibraltar and, along the way, play a significant, if uncoveted,role in one of the major turning points of world history.

Charles was bom in Lisbon, Portugal, on an unrecorded date in 1740, This laxity might suggest James O'Hara was a black-heart ed rogue who cared little for his bastard brood and intended to leave them and their mothers to fend for themselves in the Lisbon gutter, but that was far from the truth.

As we have seen,on his return home he took the whole lot with him,and in fulfilling his re sponsibilities he was refreshingly generous.

Charles, for instance, was educated at London's exclusive Westminster School,and for Christmas 1752, when he was just 12 years old, his father bought him,in lieu of a toy trumpet, a commission in the 8th Regiment of Foot.

Playing soldiers clearly suited the lad, for at 16 he wasa captain in his father's old regiment, the 2nd Coldstream Foot Guards. He saw ac tion at the battle of Minden,and returned fully blooded to join the staff of the Marquess of Granby,where he metand befriended two other young officers — Henry Clinton and Charles Comwallis.It was a meeting that was destined to colour the whole of his life.

In 1776, the American colonists tired of the British yoke and started a revolution. O'Hara, Cornwallis and Clinton were all packed off to the new world to nip the rebellion in the bud, but in the years since they had met, his two friends had risen far higher in the social and military scales than Charles.

Clinton was now Sir Henry Clinton, and Cornwallis was Lord Cornwallis, no less. Charles, by contrast, arrived in New York as a relatively humble aide to Lord Howe, and was put in charge of exchanging prisoners of war. Fate, however, was about to deal him a lucky hand.

Lord Howe left, and was replaced as Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces by none other than Charles' old drinking buddy. Sir Henry Clinton. Clinton saw Charles morosely pushing a pen at his desk and immediately promoted him to the rank of Brigadier General. Alas, the promotion did not enable him to es cape the shackles of his desk job, and exasper-

ated by the lack of real action, he returned to England in February 1779.

For more than 18 months he bored everyone with his endless moaning, before returning to America in October 1780 to give it another go. This time, under the command of General Al exander Leslie, he was tasked with delivering reinforcements to his other old pal Lord Charles Cornwallis, who was encamped at Winnsboro, South Carolina.

O'Hara and the reinforcements arrived on 18th January 1781, but Cornwallis was in de spondent mood. The war was going badly,and with frustration flooding the parts of his brain previously occupied by common sense, Comwaliis decided to bum all unnecessary baggage and send his army in hot pursuit of his sworn enemy. General Nalhanael Greene.

Charles O'Hara was put in command and told not to return without Greene's head on a plate.

Several skirmishes followed, including a fracas at Cowan's Ford where O'Hara's horse was shot from under him. It hardly mattered. They were in waist-high water at the time, and the only other option open to the hapless beast was death by drowning. With his horse gone, O'Hara was swept 40 yards downstream before being rescued.

The climax of the cha.se came at the Guildford Courthouse, where O'Hara finally cornered Greene and his men. The fight started badly

for Charles. The first shot, or it might have been the second, caught him squarely in the chest. Cursing his luck.

he passed the baton to Colonel Stuart, who barely had time to salute before he ^ was killed. Though badly wounded, O'Hara resumed command. Moments later another bullet caught him in the thigh.

Fighting alongside him was one of his half-brothers. He did not survive. Technically, the battle ended in vic tory for the British, but it was a hollow one. To cap it all, torrential rain made it well nigh impossible to tend to the wounded and gather the dead.

O'Hara wrote;"1 wish the battle had 'f^.. produced one substantial benefit to Great Britain, on the contrary, we feel at this moment,the sad and fatal effects of our loss on that day, nearly one half of our best officers and soldiers were either killed or wounded, and [those remaining] are so completely worn out, that the spirit of our little army has evaporated a good deal."

Few expected Charles to recover from his injuries, but within a matter of months he was back on duty. For Cornwallis and the British in America, however,the end was nigh.

In spite of his setback at the Guildford Court house, Nathanael Greene was now the pursuer, and Comwailis the pursued. It all came to a head at Yorktown. With disaster following rapidly on disaster, and defeat piling heavily upon defeat,Cornwallis was forced to throw in the towel and surrender to some upstart by the name of General George Washington.

But he just couldn't do it. Claiming illness (though no doctor's sick note has survived) he hid under the blankets and asked Charles O'Hara to do the deed on his behalf.

Washington, considering it beneath his dig nity to barter with an underling, also sent an understudy — General Benjamin Lincoln. It was a moment of sweet revenge. The previous year, Lincoln had been forced to surrender his own forces to the British at Charlestown.

When wars go badly,the losers look forscape goats, and O'Hara might have found himself vilified after Yorktown,but he was not. He was promoted to Major General, and after return ing to his regiment as part of a prisoner-of-war exchange, sent to the West Indies to protect Britain's colonies from attack by the marauding navies of France and Spain.

A few months later he was back in England as commander of a brand new regiment — the 22nd Regiment of Foot.

Bored by the relative inactivity oflife at home, he took to gambling, and was soon heavily in debt. Hounded by his creditors he fled to the continent. In Italy he met and courted a wellknown writer of^e day, Mary Berry. Although she resolutely spumed his persistent proposals of marriage,she was impressed enough to call

Charles O'Hara was put In command and told notto return without Groono's head on a plate

him "the most perfect specimen ofa soldier and a courtier of the past age".

Lord Cornwallis was still fond enough of his old friend to help him straighten out hisskewed finances, enabling him to return to England in 1785 with his head held reasonably high.

Comwallis was about to assume the Gover norship of India, and asked O'Hara to accom pany him,but it all seemed much too far away. Instead, Charles agreed to take command of the Garrison of Gibraltar. He stayed in the post until 1791,when he was promoted to Lieutenant Governor of the colony.

It was time for another war, and on this oc casion the enemy was France. O'Hara, now a Lieutenant General, became military governor of Toulon just in time for the city to be put un der siege. Not wishing to repeat the errors of Yorktown, he went on the offensive.

It might have worked but for the niggling technicality that his troops were outnumbered two to one. Once again Charles was wounded and captured, this time by a certain Napoleon Bonaparte.

The dubious honour of having been captured by both George Washington and Napoleon Bonaparte was to be his and his alone.

History, as we know, loves an outrageously implausible coincidence,so stand by.

At Yorktown, O'Hara had tried initially to surrender not to the fledgling "Americans", but to the French, commanded by the Comte de Rochambeau. In August 1795, Napoleon ex changed Charles for a prisoner held by the Eng lish. That prisoner was Rochambeau's son.

O'Hara returned to England,but suffered the effects of his wounds for the rest of his life. He

history

resumed his courtship of Mary Berry with con siderably more success. They became engaged, but Charles' lifelong connection to Cornwallis and Clinton had one last trick up its sleeve.

Sir Heruy was appointed Governor of Gibral tar, but was too ill to travel and promptly died. Charles agreed to accept the post in his stead, but when he told the good news to Mary she tossed his ring back in his face and immediately broke off their engagement.Thisstory has never featured in the tourist board's brochures.

To be honest,Charlie wasn't too fussed.Given his father's example, the presence of a wife probably wouldn't have cramped his style over much,but without one to slow him down he let ri p. His endless parties and eccentric dress sense soon had him hailed as "Cock-of-the-Rock". Mary was replaced by two local women who bore him several children, but in deference to family tradition Charles married neither.

If he was heartbroken, he bore his sorrow like a man. Nevertheless,his father's legacy was also reflected in his generosity and sense of duty.

He died on 21st February 1802, leaving a considerable fortune for the time of more than £70,000, which was placed in trust for his ille gitimate children. A black servant also received £7,000 worth of silver plate.

He was buried in the King's Chapel, one of only two Governors of Gibraltar to be interred on the Rock. His memorial plaque is still there. It reads:"Few men possessed so happy a com bination of rare talents. He was a brave and enterprising soldier, a strict disciplinarian, and a polite accomplished gentleman."

And he was captured by George Washington and Napoleon Bonaparte. Follow that.

Mary

Berry

II was time for another war, and en this occasion the enemy was France. O'Hara, new a Lieutenant General, became military governor of Toulon Jnst in time for the city to he put under siege

Damp & Shady Characters

Gibraltar has no running streams or standing pools of water, so plants that favour these habitats have little chance of establishing themselves. But around the Rock there are cool, shady places that do not receive long periods of sunshine, especially north-facing cliffs. In some cases, especially around the entrances to tunnels and caves, water percolates through the limestone. These conditions can combine to provide the right environment for certain plants to thrive, among them the ferns, mosses and liverworts.

(Adiantum capillus-veneris).This is not a commonly seen fem as it is only found around the entrances

and tunnels. Here they receive a certain amount of sunlight, but they also have access to any water

examples can be found h

ang ing from the ceilings and walls of Martin's Cave and Gorham's Cave. The plants can be up to

30cm long.

A much more common species of fern is the Jersey fern (Anogramma leptophyila). This is found on old,damp and shaded walls all over the Rock,including the town area. Many can be seen on the walls and steps within the Alameda Gardens. Some may also be found in the Upper Rock,shelter ing in nooks and crannies among the limestone outcrops.The plants are generally quite small, but can range from 5 to 20cm tall.

Perhaps the rarest of the lo cal ferns are the western black spleenwort (Aspletuum onopferis) and the scaly cheilanthes (Cheilanthes vellea). The first is only found along Mediterranean Steps, and here it grows in the damp soil found among the roots of the dwarf fan palm or "palmito". Here the fern receives no direct sunlight as it is shaded by the palm's dense foliage. The fronds range from 10 to 20cm in length. The second fern is only found on the reddish limestone cliffs on the west of the Rock that range from Devil's Gap to Royal Anglian Way. These ferns grow from crevices in the limestone, and lie flat against the rock.The fronds, which range from 5 to 20cm in length, are cov ered in yellowish hair-like scales, especially on the undersides.

Two flowering plants that pre fer this type of habitat are the soft or fragile bellflower {Campanula velutina) and the cliff hanger (Chaenorrhinum villosMn).The bellflower may be found throughout

natnral history

Gibraltar where the conditions are right, including on the city walls. To them these arejust particularly smooth limestone cliffs!

The stems are quite delicate and break at the slightest pressure. The flowers are about 1.5cm long, and can range from blue-violet to almost white.

Good places to see them are the walls around the two tunnels below Parson's Lodge Battery,the road leading down to Catalan Bay, and the cliff faces surrounding North Gorge, where their survival is threatened by current develop ments there. The cliff hanger is a rarer plant, but is often found growing together with the bellflower. The flowers usually hang from walls and rock-faces, and are 1 to 1.5cm across. They grow well on the north side of Charles V Wall,and the cliffs above Mediter ranean Steps.

Ofspecial interest is the brookweed {Samolus valerandi). The habitat of this species is, as the name suggests, the banks of streams. Here in Gibraltar there are no streams,but this species has found a niche on the damp walls of caves, especially at Gorham's Cave where it has its strong hold. These plants were prob ably around when Neanderthals roamed the area! The excavations taking place at this cave do not pose any threat to the survival of the species. The flowers are quite small: up to 4mm across; while the plants can be anything from 10 to 40cm tall.

These plants were probably around when Neanderthals roamed the area...The excauatlons taking place at this caue do not pose any threat to the snrvlval of the species

Wm I ever a Popstai?

I can't remember the reason why we stayed in London in the end. It was the early sixties so I suppose it was 'the place to be.' It was the post Beatles era and the 'swinging sixties' were in fact, in 'full swing.' London was the place!

From top TV and radio shows to working men's clubs and back to the sophistication of residencies in top London hotels. Simultane ously we were recording and releasing records so anything could happen.

We tasted a slice of success when Albert and Richard (in Spain)and Alberto and Ricardo in England, released a Hammond song called Til Do It To You. In the UK we were managed by the same people that looked after The Bachelors, Twinkle and others and they managed to get us on TV on The Lita Roza Shoxo, Scene at 6.30 and most important of all. Thank Your Lucky Stars — which was ITV's answer to the BBC's Top ofthe Pops and juke Box Jury. We were amongst the best the'60s could offer on that show with,Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Searchers, Kathy Kirby,Stevie Wonder and other names of the time.

The 'hit' never came did it? We did a bit here and a bit there, we changed management to the Bernard Delfont organisation. They had everyone on their books and 1 guess we were

small fry, so once again interest fizzled out and that's how it goes in this business,off to pastures new you go!

During one's passage through the unpredict able flight to success or otherwise,there is a need to pay the rent and provide sustenance, and when not performing your pockets are rather bare. Casuallabour is what you look out for. We tried a few. Restaurants,shops and department

stores — I worked in Whiteiey's of Queensway and Barker's in High Street Kensington and Ratner's the jewellers — hotel work in the accounts department in the Grosvenor House and even as a hospital porter, we did them all. But best of all had to be house cleaning all over London. We joined a house cleaning agency in Covent Garden. We were paid £1 something for about three hours work.

Others on the job were out of work musi cians like ourselves and 'resting' actors. An ex Tornado, who had tasted success with that big instrumental hit Telstar, and whose star had faded, was also seeking work at the agency. 1 remember cleaning silver, de-apple-ing a tree, vacuum and window cleaning and other little jobs on freezing mornings when I had to catch two or three buses to get to the 'waiting to be sanitised' residence! This was necessary to sur vive. On one occasion we found we had 2/6d — a few pence today — to our name.

When I'm chatting to young Gibraltarian musicians or artists, invariably the point about "how long do you give it," comes up. The an swer is, I don't know and nobody knows. You have to keep on going if you really want it and even then it may still not come, although you may achieve something else along the way. Suc cess is hard to get hold ofand even harder, much harder to hold on to, but you must persist and be determined to get what you want.

Albert Hammond fell in love again and returned to the Rock. In the meantime I was approached by another Gibraltarian outfit doing their thing in London. They needed a singer and I went off to audition for the job. By then I'd been singing for about seven years, always in harmony. Consequently when I sang and heard my lone voice for the first time ever, I was thrown to the point the group's managers asked ifI'd eversung before! Just a little obstacle whilst I was on my way to, maybe, becoming a pop star?

Not to worry, Albert returned to the UK and we were able to save face all round and have Albert and Richard join forces with Los Cinco Ricardos. So now we were six.

Plenty of hotel work came our way. We were the resident band at the Grosvenor House and

You have ID keep on going if you realiywant it and even then it may stiii not come,aithough you may achieve something eise aiongtheway

Royal Lancaster hotels and did many high society dos, barmitzvahs and other corporate functions in other top hotels and conference rooms.

We shared the stage with many top names at the time. Chris Farlow, The Foundations, The Tremeloes, Kenny Ball, Cleo Laine and top orchestras like, Johnny Dankworth, Bob Milller and the Millermen, Cyril Stapleton, Sydney Lipton and others whose names escape me. The type of work we did was great and we wel comed it with open arms, it meant we didn't have to travel up and down the country in a cold Ford Transit van for 30 or 40 pounds a gig, like most groups trying to make it were doing.

This didn't mean we weren't able to record and release re cords. Los Cincos (as we were called then) had released two or three other singles on Philips, and Albert and I now joined them on this next one,a Kinks'song called Most Exclusive Residence for Sale. We made the pirate radio chart, got excited, sang it a lot wherever we played and the excitement faded away again as quickly as it came. This was to happen again under another group name. Paper Dragon. A televi sion appearance or two and a number of radio shows on Radios 1 and 2 producing great vibes once again but all destined for the non-success bin yet again.

There was a bit of upset within the group and Albert left to pursue his soon to be suc cessful song writing career (his first hit Little Arrotvs made the charts a few months after leaving the group). By this time I was married with two kids and what about my 'not very tuneful voice,' or whatever it was. With much encouragement from Terry, my wife, I enrolled in a singing school. The other group members were ready to take on a new singer if I wasn't up to it. So, you might well think,I'd better get on with it and prove whatever 1 needed to hold on to my job.

The other members of Los Cincos returned from a short holiday in Gib and 1 was ready to meet my fate and give it a bash and prove, hopefully, that the whole issue was to do with having been 'sheltered' during my time with

Albert. It really was a question of having to 'break out of my shell.' And so it came to pass that 1 did rise up to the occasion and slowly gained more and more confidence performing, and my singing voice, which was inside there somewhere, revealed itself and everything was sorted. I would go as far as saying that period and experience in my life, was a major milestone in the development of my personality and character which put me on the path 1 was to follow eventually.

We continued with hotel and club work in London,including seedy clubs and gentlemen's clubs and exclusive clubs like Les Ambas-

popstar

sadeurs, opposite the London Hilton in Park Lane. We then went off on a two week cruise to the Mediterranean(including a stop at Gibraltar). That was a great experience and P&O wanted us to stay with them for a three month world cruise, but married men with two kids can't go off and do these things so the other poor, poor boys in the band were done out of a good trip! I wasnow a confident singer, so they sided with me, thankfully, and we continued working in London and one or two other places until we were offered a residency in Jersey for a year.

January 1971 saw us kick off in the Woodville Hotel in St Helier. Once again the gig was highly successful and we had a i fantastic summer season there. By this time I'd been 'busy' again and my daughter Claire was bom. She was to become the one and only'Jersey woman' in the family. The season slowly wound down although we remained the resident band at the hotel for the rest of our 12 month contract.

I started to ponder over what was coming next and what the future might hold come January '72 when the year was up. Going back to London was an oprion, but with three kids, the thought of waiting for the nextjob to mate rialise — it doesn't necessarily follow the next job will be waiting when you finish the present one — having to start flat hunting again and all of that rigmarole,the choice wasn't looking too attractive. We weren't the Beatles after all, so maybe it was time for a change.

My wife Terry and I had been thinking about coming back to Gib and starting afresh. I'd got it into my head that maybe 1 could keep in the 'performing or creative line of work,'by getting into radio or television with GBC! Now,wasn't that a great idea!

As it happened 1 was able to keep up the singing bit of my life for a few years when we returned, but as soon as 1 got back 1 rang the then manager at GBC, Henry Rammagge, and well, the rest is pretty much history, seeing as I've now even retired from that organisation, fulfilled, 1 might add.

So you see, in my case, I never really made it. '1 was never a pop star!'

wThe beginning of a new career when I rebimed to Gibraltar in the early '70s. My first TV series "B o'clock Club"(a type of poor man's Blue Peter)

We made the pirate radie chart,get excited, sangthesengaiot wherever we piayed and the excitement faded away again asquickiyasitcame

OPEN AIR THEATRE PROGRAMME

Anyone interested in hiring the Alameda Open Air Theatre, for public performances or private functions, should contact 200 41235 or e-mati theatre@gibraltargardens.gi. The full Theatre programme is on vwvw.gibraltargardens.gi.

Thursday 2nd ft 4th April

Santos Productions - Zarzuela "Los Claveles" at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre. Tickets: £5 from 25th March John Mackintosh Hall ticket office 11am to 2pm, Contact Tel: 58008448

Saturday 12th April

Down's Syndrome Support GroupThe 2nd Buddie Walk at Casemates Square 11am. Tel: 54013980

Saturday 12th & 13th April

International Level A Gymnastics Competition at Tercentenary Sports Hall. Competition and local entertain ment from Urban Dance.

Monday 14th to Friday 18th April

GSPCA Children's Art Exhibition

Venue: John Mackintosh Hall Lower Exhibition Room 10am to 9.30pm. Contact Mrs Warren 200 73733

Tuesday 15th April

The Gibraltar Philharmonic Society Favourite Classics, Barbara Doll- Vio lin, Cristina Marton - pianoforte at The Convent 8.30pm Tickets: £20 from The Silver Shop, 275 Main Street & Sacarello's Coffee Shop, Irish Town. For info and credit/debit card pur chase contact Angelo 200 72134 Email: tgpsociety@gibtelecom.net

Tuesday ISth, 16th Er 17th April

Gibraltar Amateur Drama Associa tion presents a play Happy Event at Ince's Hall. Tickets from Ince's Hall Ticket Office 5pm - 7pm (Monday to Friday).

Friday 18th April

Mount Productions Runaway 2008 at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre 8.30pm. Tickets: £10 from John Mackintosh Hall ticket office 5-7pm.

Contact Mark Tel: 20040338 or email: mount@gibraltar.gi

Saturday 19th April

GONHS - Outing Barbate & Cape Trafalgar - Spring Flowers Sam - Spanish side of the frontier. Con tact GONHS Tel: 200 72639 E-mail: gonhs@gonhs.org

Saturday 19th April

Gibraltar Botanic Garden Tour Meeting Place: George Don Gates (at the south end of Grand Parade)

10.30am. No fee but donations wel come. Contact Tel: 200 72639 Email address: alameda@wildlife.gib.gi

Monday 21st April

Gun Salute The Queen's Birthday at The Tower (Berth 41) Naval Base

12.00 noon. Contact Tel; 200 55083

Tuesday 22nd April

GONHS - Meeting • The Rif Connec tion - Our plant work in Morocco by Leslie Linares at The Cottage- Alameda Botanic Gardens 8.30pm. Contact Tel: 20072639

wtlh homemade cbi|l»

Admirals Prime Fillet Steak £11.50

Srni-il willi MiLalimotti, Pepper, Hrand; or Huurbnii naiiee, hnmemadri-hipa Aulad|nmi<h

Fillet Of John Dory .£7.25

Kreali llllel <irjciliii Dory euut^rd in u green pealo aduee and lop^ with ebeeaeaii gmtln

Chilli Con Came £5.75

lloiiii'iiiiuic clillll aer\rd on a bed of rier

Spaghetti Bolognaise £5.25

'1\|iic'iil lliiliiiii pn.slu dish wiih miiicrd meol In IniiiBlDMot'e

La.sagne /..'..£5.50

'I1u- loilliiti liiMiiiriie. Inyep'ol pnsiaaiKlmlwed bttef,served with tuioieiiiade chip*

JIMS Breakfast £5.00

2 enp.i sausages,2 rashers of baemi.InM.muslirounis.Ininalues, baked twaiM. ehlps

Vegetarian Pasta Baked £5.25

Simgliciil (SKikt-d (IIII nUi loinalosaiHr. Uippnl wtth ibi-esennd baknt in the oven

Steak & Ale Pie £ 5.50

Our OH II sieak « ale pie served wltJi liuiiiriiiadr i'hi|M

Wednesday 23rd b 24th April

Gibraltar Horticultural Society Flower Show at John Mackintosh Hall. Entry forms can be obtained at the recep tion of the John Mackintosh Hall

Sunday 27th April

Caipe Rambles. Meet Spanish Side of the Frontier just to the right of the Aduana Vehicle Exit at Sam. Contact Ray 200 71956 or John 200 74645

Gibraltar Heritage Trust visit to Buffadero Battery Training Centre 10.30am. Meet Buffadero Battery

42844

Swordfish £7.75

Sennl ellher plain grilled. Midi gnrilr biiltrr or nilli a loinaloaiid basli saurr(berbohr la yours.

Chicken curry(m) £5.50

lloiiieitiade Hili'krn iviiry served on a bed of rise, anntliernf iiiirshrras|>ei'ialafruin the Star Ibir.

Breaded Scampi £8.75

Siimileni srampi needs no inlniductioii. serted with our boineinade ehlpa and a salad gamiah

The chefs .special of the day please ask your waiter

We nl.so serve u range of Home made Pizzas, Burritos, Jacket Potatoes, Burgers & Sizzlers

GIbrallar Live Music Society

Venue of the Year

gibMTar

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U<- M-m- lirc'iilifiisls. Iiiiniliis, inirgei's, llrili.sli Ush ,1: chips, ciispy sntiids, sicnks. spi'cini pliillcrs. jiickct jiotHldcs iiiiil niort' Day & Mghl

Official Sponsor & Home to The Gibraltar Rugby Club

FREE WTFI

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NEW Ice Cream Sundae Menu at the Lordy & Gib Arms

Kxciling NEW Menu msh w , iprdnelson.gj

^ launcJied at Uie SUu- Bar " to Urn lairionils mul In i lii-osr your party menu

Lfeisuie Islortd, Gibialtai.

Oihrnlt.-ir's Only Siilltcnlic Irish Ihir. Opening 2008

What have the Remans Ever Done for UsP

Not a lot it seems. The Romans settled for many centuries in the area surrounding Gibraltar. But as Jon Lewes discovers they seemed to have preferred looking at the Rock to living on it.

The former city of Carteia, first Phoenician and then Roman,now the site of archaeological research with the ruins and remains open to the public, is situated strategically at the sheltered northern head of the Bay of Gibraltar. It had a population of 4,000 at a time when Athens, one of the world's largest cities, had 20,000, so Carleia can be considered to have been a sizable city for its time. Opposite Carteia, on the other side of the Bay,is what was at one time called Mons Calpe, and now Gibraltar.

William Serfaty, on the website hi Pillars of Phoenicians, explains "The Phoenicians called Gibraltar Calpe and the Romans continued with the name. In Aramaic/Phoenician the consonants in Cala meant Hollow and in Pietra meant stone, hence to them Calpe — Gibraltar (and other similar places)was the Hollow Stone, probably a reference to the caves they found here at sea level."

He further explains,"Recent excavations and topographical data shows that Carteia had a sheltered harbour capable of berthing up to 40 biremes of 80 feet in length at any one time. It is not excessive speculation that a craft seeking to go through the Strait into the Atlantic with

out first 'reporting' and 'receiving clearance' from Gorham's Cave in Gibraltar would have received the immediate attention of a fleet of enforcers from the Bay, and if the intruders were missed by that sortie,there is the possibil ity of naval attacks emanating from a further settlement at the exit of the Strait, known to the Romans as Baelo Claudia from which it is pos sible the Phoenicians also operated at this time in addition to Tangier(ancient Tingis)".

Although no Roman remains or ruins have yet been uncovered in Gibraltar, perhaps because the presence of the Romans in Mons Calpe was only a small settlement rather than the larger prosperous trading townships of which there were many in the areas neighbouring Gibraltar, the search continues in Gorham's Cave and other sites,Jed by the Gibraltar Caves Project.

The area around the Bay of Gibraltar has been inhabited for millennia and the bay itself used by merchant shipping for at least 3,000 years. The Phoenicians had the settlement, Carteia, near Gibraltar, and the Romans established the town of Portus Alba('White Port')on the site of modem Algeciras. Semi-permanent settlements were later established by the Carthaginians and Romans. Further along the coast just after Tarifa the Romans established a trading town ship, Baelo Claudia, at Belon (now Belonia), which produced and distributed salted fish and garum,a fish sauce derived from fermented fish — a best-selling product as popular as tomato ketchup today. Two strong earthquakes brought to an end the success story of Baelo Claudia.

The great mineral wealth of Spain, its tin, copper and silver, was known at an early date to the Phoenicians who had preceded the Iberians and the Celts to the area. About the year lOOOBC they established a trading post at Gades(Cadiz), which later became one of the most important cities of early Spain.In 700BC the Greeks began to trade with the tribes of southern Spain and along the Mediterranean coast; although in 400BC they made settlements in north-eastem Spain they made none in the south of Spain or Gibraltar.

In 218BC the Romans arrived and made Spain a provincia, with the following centuries seeing Roman occupation and influence spread from this small enclave to cover the whole of the peninsula including what was to become Gibraltar. During the early Imperial period (27BC - 476AD)Roman-style rural settlements flourished in this province, bringing to the tribes the benefits of a higher civilization, prob ably including the alphabet. The arrival of the Romans acted as a physical manifestation of the growth of the Roman economy from c.50 BC to AD 200, with Julius Caesar being promoted to Governor of Hispania Ulterior(Spain)in BC 61. In AD 27 the Emperor Augustus renamed much of Ulterior'Baetica', now Andalusia,and in AD 69 the Emperor Vispasian, who was bom at Italica(afew kilometresfrom Seville), granted Roman status to all the towns in Hispania. The province of Baetica saw the development of the populations at Carteia, Munda, Malaca (Malaga), Hispalis (Seville), Italica, Gades(Ca diz) and Corduba(Cordoba).

Generally, Southern Spain's archaeological record is a rich one but for the Roman period it is unfortunate that archaeological research has yielded limited results — remains at Jerez, Medina Sidonia (Asido Caesarino), Tarifa and Baelo Claudia are still awaiting resources to continue archaeological excavation, preserva tion and classification.

Outside the Strait of Gibraltar were more Phoenician colonies, situated in Morocco,some on the shores of the Atlantic, some inland. The most important of those in Africa were Tingis, now Tangiers, and Lixus, now Chemmish,but besides these two important communities there were a great number of settlements without names, along the Atlantic coast as far as Cape

'So when you sailfrom Our Soa into the Exterior Sea, you have this mountain on your right hand;and near it, within a distance offorty stadia,is the city Caipo"

Non,opposite the Canary Islands.

Inland, a short drive from Tangiers, is Volubilis, in its time an important granary for the African Roman Empire, exporting olives and cereals all over the Roman world. It was also the meeting point between Berbers and Romans, where the two cultures metto trade even though the indigenous nomads of Morocco were never subdued by the Roman legions. The ruins of Volubilis, among the best preserved Roman re mains in the world and protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contain over 30 well-pre served mosaics, a forum, a triumphal arch, a basilica and three residential houses.

The recently-discovered site of Dhar Asekfane, near Ksar Sghir, is promising to be as important a site as Volubilis and is now the subject of a fight for it to be classified and saved from destruction.

Further exploration and archaeological exca vation in the areas surrounding Gibraltar and the other Pillar of Hercules, Ceuta, will almost certainly continue to yield a fascinating insight into the peoples and their activities more than 2,000 years ago, to further discover what was already known to Stabo, the Roman historian writing in 100 BC:

"So when you sail from Our Sea into the Exterior Sea, you have this mountain on your right hand; and near it, within a distance of forty stadia,is the city Calpe,an important and ancient city, which was once a naval station of the Iberians. And some further say that it was founded by Heracles, among whom is Timosthenes, who says thatin ancient times it was also called Heracleia,and that its great city-walls and its docks are still to be seen".

Gibraltar Neanderthals In Science and Technelogy Yearbeek

The 2008 edition of the prestigious Yearbook of Science and Technology published by Mc Graw-Hill in New York carries a three-page entry entitled Neanderthal extinction.Profes sor Clive Finlayson of the Gibraltar Museum was invited to write the entry. In it Professor Finlayson presents an up-to-date view of the question. The main sections of the entry are: effect of cold climates; arrival of modem hu mans;genetic mixing;exchange of ideas; and reasons for extinction.

The entry emphasises the late survival of

The Bo3tygr4

\the last Neanderthal populationsin Gorham's Cave and it is illustrated with a photograph of this site as well as with one of the Gibraltar skull. Neanderthals lived across Europe and Asia from about 300 thousand years ago and we pick up the last survivors on the Rock be tween 28 and 24 thousand years ago. Climate gradually fragmented the existing pxjpulations, relicts surviving in glacial refugia. Gibraltar appears to have been an especially privileged location where the last Neanderthals found a small piece of paradise.

(As Forbes'Quarry Neanilertbalskm>--

Pboto: Clive Finlayson, Gibraltar Museum

lust-A-Nililile Frae Easter Raffle

Bob, Marie and the team at Just-A-Nlbble in the International Commercial Centre have once again donated a nice cheque to charity (this time to BFBS Charities) on the strength of their very successful free Easter Raffle with great prizes. Everyone who spent over £5.00 at Just-A-Nibble in the lead up to the draw was given a free raffle ticket, and Just-A-Nibble added to the charity total, Pictured is Katherine of BFBS collecting the cheque from Bob atJust-A-Nibble. Katherine also drew the prize winners from the hat.

Wine a the Spice ef Life

'Which wine goes with curry? That was the question... and the answer wasn't easy.

A new rose wine has arrived in Gibraltar from Portugal. The wine was created by putting 12 expert trade tasters together to make the perfect match for spicy food. The wine is made in Portugal by winemakers Jos^ Neiva and David Baverstock.

"The whole purpose of this project was to match spicy foods in a way that no other wine has attempted. This is why we invited 12 of the wine trade's best palates to take part in an intense food and

wine matching exercise and to recommend the definitive style," said Bill Rolfe, Director of 10 Inter national who own the brand. Although the wine is the perfect match for spicy foods it will also be a stand alone ros^ which will ap peal to the mainstream rose market where women are the predominant buyers.

• Phik Elephant is being imported into Gibraltar by Saccone & Speed (Gibraltar) Limited.

TH

False Claims

The profession of 'loss adjuster' grew up In the insurance world because those who made claims on their insurance had either not insured the item(s) concerned to their proper value or inflated the claim. The former might be bad luck — you had forgotten to take account of inflation — the latter is fraud. The loss adjuster's job is to check out the claim and make sure that the company only pays out what it should pay out; which is not necessarily what the client has claimed.

Insurance costs go up as a result of having to employ a loss adjuster. If the excessive claim is a genuine mistake then fair enough; but 90% of claims are apparently deliberately inflated. When you have water damage(which is insured against)to your house, you don't mention that the carpet was previously very stained as a re sult of numerous cups of coffee being dropped on it. No, no, you are insured and you want a new carpet. The fact that the damaged carpet was only worth a quarter of a new one is im material,surely. Well, no — not to all the others who pay their insurance premiumsand who will have to pay more if your claim is accepted.

The ideal scenario would be for the loss adjuster to approve the claim for a new carpel, and then after it had been fitted to come round and spill numerous cups of coffee on it. That would teach the claimant a lesson but — sadly

— would not actually save any money. This brings us to ^e claims made by adver tisers. Washing powder is always 'new and improved' without specifying how. Various

foods will help you get thinner, healthier, stronger, etc — as part of a balanced diet (the latter phrase being in very small letters). A car manufacturer recently trumpeted that among various other safety features the car had 'anti submarine seats'. I was unaware that a U-boat might suddenly surface on the N340 therefore requiring my^ar to have this protection — and quite what the seats would do when faced with a submarine was not explained. Wine labels can be equally disconcerting.

There has been concern recently that a lot of Bordeaux production has been given a chateau name when the chateau concerned is actually a small potting shed somewhere in the middle of the estate. The estate itself wants to pass off its lower quality production but not under its own name since that would devalue the name. However, by labelling it as'Chateau Maicru' it looks rather better on the shelf(and can there fore bring in more money)than if it were simply sold through a co-operative as'Bordeaux'.

The great estates have been doing this for a long time, but everyone knew what they were up to and they do not seek to mislead. Further, the chateau concerned is a respectable build ing on the estate and not a potting shed. But the lesser breeds are not so scrupulous. Next time you see'Chateau Maicru' at what appears to be a bargain price (under £6.00) and full of claims about how this small family estate has been producing the best quality wines for over a century, tread carefully. It may well be flam dressed as Mouton and you would be better buying an ordinary AC claret.

Morrison's have spread their wings a bit re cently and brought in a lot of own label wines especially from Italy and Spain. Their Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (£4.20) is rather good, and does make a change from all that claret. It has good flavour and colour with a certain kick. The label makes no extravagant claims for it so it is a good method of keeping your red wine intake to the level recommended by all good heart surgeons.(Thisstatement must be accompanied by a Health Warning — red wine may be good for your heartin small to moderate quantities;it is not an excuse to overindulge. Quite why we have to have these Health Warnings plastered everywhere is beyond me. 1 am,frankly already aware that overindulgence is bad for me;those who are not so aware are likely to ignore the warning.)

What ought to carry warnings of imminent danger of heart seizure are some of the infu riating advertisements for various goods and services. Leaving aside Chateau Maicru and its ridiculous claims, there is currently a televi sion advertisement which opens with a grainy shot of Edith Piaf singing ']e ne regrette rien'. The subtitles then reveal that she supposedly does regret not having gone to an optician. The optician who thought of that one will never get my custom. A kitchen furniture store recently advertised a 'Free Range Cooker'. What on earth is that? Does it wander around the kitchen picking up and cooking bitsoffood as it pleases? Must it have access to fresh air?

It seems that even professionals in advertis ing agencies are blind to the actual meaning of words or images, in much the same way as drivers of cars and motor scooters in Gibraltar are blind to the meaning of road signs. The former can happily be the subject of mild amusement. The latter may have more serious consequences.

There has been concern recently that a lot of Bordoanx prodnction has boon givon a chatoan namowhontho chatoauconcornodls

restaurants

The Boatyard

Queensway Quay Tel:200 50540

Stylish dining right on the quayside at Queenway Quay. Lunch and dinner served including appetisers of honey roasted figs, blue cheese & walnut stuffing, or warm tiger prawns, avocado & red onion salsa, lime ginger & palm sugar vinaigrette;salads such as Thai poached chicken breast,Asian herb slaw, toasted coconut'nuoc cham' dressing, and mains to tempt you including crab crusted seabass fillet, sweetcom and chive mash, steamed asparagus,fennel& watercresssalad,or grilled rack of New Zealand lamb, cumin roasted chorizo & potato,steamed green beans,flamed peppers,rosemary & red wine jus. Sharing plates for 2 people include Australasian, Thai/Asian and Modem European (ie: spiced lamb cutlets,chorizo & beefskewers,warm tiger prawns with avocado salsa, chicken and mushroom risotto balls.

Open: 12 noon to 12 midnight.

Caf^ 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.

Cafe Rojo

54 Irish Town.Tel: 200 51738

Sleek modem comfort in this relaxing little restaurant. Red comfy arm chairs in separate area for a relaxing drink or coffee. Brunch menu (10am-I2pm)includes ciabatta, granary, foccacia sandwiches with fillings such as pear and blue cheese,smoked bacon and brie, cheese and honey roast ham,delicious desserts(choco late mousse in a must). Lunch 12 - 3pm and dinner

7-lOpm includes salads of coconut coated langostines (deep fried in a coconut batter, sweet chilli and ginger dressing); and warm goats cheese & fresh spinach with saut^ed mushrooms, croutons, basil & balsamic dressing;pasta dishessuch aslangostine pil pil;sauteed 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 lOam. Closed all day Sundays, and Sat urday lunch.

Casa Pepe

18 Queensway Quay Marina. Tel/Fax:200 46967

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, fol

lowed by a choice ofsalads, 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 Malaguefia 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.

Gauchos

Waterport Casemates Tel: 200 59700

Nestled just next to Waterport roundabout within the city walls. Recently opened by renowned local restaurateur Andr^ of the Tunnel fame, Gauchos of fers some interesting dishes with a tempting South American Gaucho theme. Try the Chorizo Criolla de Argentina(spicy sausage grilled over coal and wood), or the Mariscos del Rio Plata or Empanada de Queso Azul (blue cheese oven baked in a black pepper pasty) to start, or for main course perhaps the Fillet de Salmon Chimichurri (salmon with grilled banana, mango and avocado sauce),or Crepe Argenteuil(with grilled asparagus and wild mushrooms), or one of the steaks (lots from Lomo de Alto, Solomillo, and T-bone to Corazon de Cuadril - tender heart of rump, well matured). There is lots more too — Parriliada de Gaucho (for two - steak, sausages, chicken, pork and lamb),salads(try the Remolacha Tostada con Queso de Cabra - tasty goat's cheese salad) — and the desserts are to die for too! Now also open lunchtime Monday - Friday 12.30-3.30pm. They say "this is a great experi ence for you to savour".,., give it a try! Call 59700 to reserve your table.

Nunos Italian Restaurant and Terrace

Caleta Hotel, Catalan Bay

For a reservation 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. Recog nised for its eclectic interior, atmosphere and cuisine. Bread, pasta and desserts from the a la carte menu are all home-made and contribute to create a genuine and exciting dining experience.

The Rib Room Restaurant, Rock Hotel

Europa Road Tel:200 73000

E-mail: rockhotel@gibteIecom.net

www.rockhotelgibraltar.com

With stunning views over the bay, the restaurant at the Rock Hotel has two AA Rosettes for its food. High standards of service and cuisine. A chilled glass of Manzanilla and an appetiser welcomes diners and the 'house' and k la carte menus offer a range of dishes that reflect Gibraltar's British heritage, as well as her geographical location between Spain and north Africa. Current k la carte temptations include a starter of Hand Dived Scallops with Iberian Ham or Quail Breasts flamed with Chartreuse with a Confit of Red Onion and Globe Artichoke. Main courses to tempt include Cannon of Lamb crusted with Provencal Herbs with a Peppered Swede Bavarois and Rosemary Jus or why not Poached Fillet of Turbot with Braised Fennel and Avruga Caviar Veloute. Vegetarians will enjoy Thyme

Baked Goats' Cheese in Filo Pastry with Lentil Salsa or for pudding why not consider Hot Raspberry and White Chocolate Souffle or Lime Leaf Cr&me Brulee with a Salad of Blackberry and Moroccan Orange.The 'house menu' is a three-course affair which changes daily,taking full advantage of what the markets have to offer and during the cooler months traditional Sunday lunch enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Wine list ma jors on excellent Spanish wines. Fully air-conditioned, non-smoking. Children welcome.

Open: Dinner only -7pm-l0pm daily

The Mexican Grill and Bar Unit 2B The Tower, Marina Bay Tel: 200 46668 Brand new to Gibraltar and already proving popular. 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 Grin gos Chilli con Came,or Cheese Holy Mole Enchiladas. Don't forget Big Eat Homemade Burgers(5 to choose from)and from the grill barbecue combos,steaks and chicken. Salads and sides to order. Decorated is warm Mexican colours with comfortable seating in the nosmoking interior or outside on the enclosed and heated patio, great for a fun night out.

Open:lunch and dinner 12 noon to late

Thyme Restaurant

5 Cornwall's Lane. Tel: 200 49199

Email: thymegib@hotmail.com

Open for 5 years,this modem wine bar serves refresh ing cocktails and a wide range of New World and European wines in a cool lively atmosphere,and on the 1st floor above is the restaurant serving bistro cuisine with a menu featuring dishes from all over the world. Try one of these dishes from the wide selection: start ers include Buffalo Mozzarella, Plum Tomato,Grilled

Award winning breakfastsfrom 730am

Great meals & snacks all day

Evening Steak House menu

Med Golf Clubhouse

Tottenham Hotspur HQ

Parliament Lane Tel: 200 75924

LandcressSalad,Basil Oil & Balsamic; Crab& Coriander Spring Roll,String Hopper Noodle Salad, Cucumber & Chilli Salsa; Steamed Mussels flavoured with ginger. Lemon Grass, Chilli & Coconut Milk;try main courses such as Grilled Salmon Darne,Crisp Pancetta,ThaiSpiced Lentils, Cool Mint Yoghurt Dressing; Confitof Lamb Shoulder Shank, Warm CouscousSalad, Chickpea & CorianderSalsa,Onion& Sultana Chutney; orOpen Ravioli of Slow RoastSquash, Basil & Ricotta, Roast Garlic Cream Sauce. Everything made on the premises using only the best, fresh ingredients. Two seperate dining rooms - smoking and non smoking. Menu changed seasonally, daily specials. Open 7 days a week. Closed Saturday lunchtimes.

informaleating

AI Andalus Bar Restaurant

3College Lane. Tel:200 49184

Small eatery in the centre of town serving lots of tasty food from sandwiches and baguettes to barbecues flamb chops, fillet steak, mixed grill etc) and tajines. Try the cous-cous (beef, veggie, chicken or lamb) or the tapas - £1 (eg: Spanish omelette, boiled crab legs, garlic chicken, cuttlefish stew).

Open:Sam -late evening. Breakfast from Sam.

Birdie Cafe/Restaurant

No 16 Watergardens 11. 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 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-ll,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 fettuccine de formaggio,spaghetti alia carbonara,fusilli al salmone,and entrecote a! whisky to name a few. Tasty desserts and variety of wines.

Open: Monday - Wednesday 10am - 5pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10am-4pm and 7pm-midnight.

The Comer House Restaurant

Continental Hotel,1 Engineer's Lane

Tel:200 76900 Email: contiho@'gibraltar.gi

Ideal for a rest after shopping as it is centrally located on Main Street, this cafe serves breakfasts(all day),lunches

Qand afternoon teas. Try the homemade mushroom.soup or the roast leg of lamb demi glaze,or perhaps the fish and chips or homemade steak mince burger in pepper sauce. Kiddies menu available.

Open:7am to 7pm (lunches from 12.30)

Fresh

5 Walerport Plaza (Public Market)

By day Fresh is a sandwich bar serving all sort of deli cious food from made-lo-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-lam Fridays, 9am-lam Saturdays, closed Sundays.

Get Joost

248 Main Street & Casemates. Tel/Fax: 200 76699

Smoothies are vitamin packed super-food and increasingly popular for the health concious. Gel 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; 2(X)76699 for delivery.

Open:8-7 Mon -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, muffins, plus hot and cold drinks and smoothies and a different special every day. Outside catering for corporate parties.

Open:8atfl - 6pm Mon-Fri,8am-4pm Sat.

Just A Nibble

1st Fir International Commercial Ctr. Tel: 200 78052

Full blown licensed cafeteria serving English breakfast, vast range of toasties, rolls, and other snacks. Meals include, Bob's famous chicken curry/chilli con came, and a great new range of pies — from Bob's chicken and leek to steak and kidney plus a whole range oftasty alternatives — plus all the old favourites;jacketspuds, 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 non-vegetarian cuisine from breakfast and lunch to afternoon tea. Homemade desserts a speciality. Eat-in or takeaway at sensible prices. Outside catering.

Open:Sam - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

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 drinlcs. 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.

Sacarelio Coffee Co.

57 Irish Town.Tel: 200 70625

Converted coffee warehouse, ideal for coffee, homemade cakes/afternoon lea, 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 Britishfish and chip shop with tables/seating available or take-away wrapped in newspaper.

Menu:Cod,haddock or plaice in batter,Comish 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 Conunercial Centre

Solo Express, located right next to Pizza Hut, serves a good variety of salads and baguettes(white, brown & dabatta) 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.

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, paninnis,toasties, wraps,salads, jackets, hot quiches,baguette pizzas plus The Ultimate Grill — fresh food grilled on a sword! Everything from Argentine beef, salmon and swordfish, 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.

Time Out Cafe Bar

106 Eurotowers,Europort Rd Tel: 200 76044

Delicious food from fuU English breakfast to wraps, jackets, baguettes and sandwiches, plus main courses from fish and chips to banger & mash. Take-away service. Private functions. Full sports coverage on 3screens.

bars&pubs

All Sports Bar

4 Cornwall's Lane Tel: 200 59997

This pub is geared up to televised sporting events with free tapas when top sports are on TV. It's not just for the football fans either, and there are even Scaletrix Tournaments for those who wantto participate. Gaming machines. Terrace seating available.

Open:llam-midnight Sun-Thurs, 11am -lam Fri/Sat.

All's Well

Grand Casemates Square. Tel:200 72987

Traditional pub in fashionable Casemates area. Named for the 18th century practice oflocking 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 complimented by a range of salads and filled jacket potatoes. Large terrace.

The Angry Friar

278 Main Street. Tel: 200 71570

The Angry Friar is everything you'd expectfrom a Brit ish pub, but with a large terrace. Food 9.30 - 4,6 - 9.15 inc. breakfasts. (Sunday roasts 11 - 4,6 - 9.15pm).

Open:9.30am-midnight(Sun.from 11am)

Located: Opposite The Convent.

The Cannon Bar

27 Cannon Lane. Tel: 200 77288

Run by Amin and family (he's the friendly face from

the kitchen for over 18 years!). The Carmon Bar serves up good pub food all day plus Amin makes Moroccan specialities like cous cous or tajine to order.

Located: turn off Main Street at Marks & Spencer and you will see this little baron the comer.

Da Vinci's Queensway Quay Marina Tel;200 50859

Located right on the waterfront Da Vinci's is under the management of Sam who welcomes you to enjoy the large quayside terrace and comfortable interior. Sunday is sports day so go along to watch whatever's on. Hot pies and sandwiches available.

Open:9am to late 7 days a week

The Gibraltar Arms

184 Main St. Tel:200 72133 www.gibraltararms.gi

Good food served aU 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 Sam (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 fuU English breakfast, to burgers and mixed grills. Curry and chilli specials on Sunday.

Open:9am to late, Sunday 10am - late.

Facilities: Main Street terrace.

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 respresent Nelson's ship with cloud and sky ceiling crossed with beams and sails. Spacious terrace

Menu:Starter&snacksinclude 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 came 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.

Pickwicks

Governor's Parade. Tel: 200 76488 Run by well-known friendly face,Mandy,thissmall 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 sand wiches 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, Pickwicks is opposite the Elliot Hotel. *

The Pig and Whistle

Unit 18, Watergardens. Tel:200 76167

A comfortable pleasant little pub with pool table and terrace on the quayside. Big screen television for all sporting events.

Open:10-midnight(Fri-Sat ll-lam)

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 Street (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

Ann from Plymouth and Stuart from Scotland run this bar, known as The Scottish Embassy. Fully airconditioned with 3 plasma TVs and pool table. Happy hours Mon-Fri 5-6pm. Home of the Esteporkers Golf Society.

Open:every day. Mon-Sat from 11am,Sun from mid day.

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 Sup porter's Club.

Open:Ham - midnightSunday- Thursday,10am - lam Friday, 11am - lam Saturdays.

acrosstheborder

The Taste Indian Restaurant

Avda. del Ejercito,esq. Calle Gibraltar, La Linea

Tel:00 34 856 12 29 18 / 00 34 626 88 40 38

Very good Indian restaurant convenient walk from the frontier. All the favourites from chicken Madras to lamb charuia,and king prawn vindaloo. Specialities include Chicken Tikka Krahi(chicken tikka topped with fresh chillies, herbs and spices), Bhindi Ghost (lamb with okra in a spicy sauce),and Special Mixed Balti. Lots of vegetable dishes, bread and rices. Pleasant service.

Open:every day 5pm-lale,Friday,Saturday &Sunday Ipm-late

Located: On the comer of Plaza de la Constitudon, which is about 400m straight across from the fron tier.

Ocean Village springs te life

"Ocean Village presents a very creative image and Is a • fantastic addition to Gibraltar," said restaurateur George Pusey.

The first new restaurants open at Ocean Vil lage around the end of this month, and George and Paula Pusey are looking forward to this new venture with the launch of their up-market wine bar and restaurant called Celebrity Wine Bar International Fine Dining. "It will be very chic," said Paula, "and have a very relaxed atmosphere."

The spacious new restaurant will have three areas — fine dining inside, the front porch for snacks,and a roof terrace which will also feature quality entertainment.In total the premises will seat around 200 people in comfort.

The fine food will be created by a chef who has been specially brought over from Jersey, where so many top cooks have displayed their skills. Spanish by nationality, he has worked in top hotels and restaurants in the Channel Islands and London for 15 years.

George and Paula have already achieved fame with their two bar/restaurants at Marina Bay (The Ship and Charlie's Steak Bar and Tavern) and in this new quayside locale they are aiming for the top corporate and VIP market — with this in mind there will be also be a separate VIP and celebrity area in the restaurant.

A full wedding package is also being planned and every type of corporate function will be skilfully catered for.

A Caribbean experience

Andre, Lyn and family — known locally by many of you for the fine establishments they have run over 18 years in Gibraltar — together with Danny and Marianna (executive chef and general manager). Head of Retail, Chris, and a professional young team will be providing something special in this vibrant and colourful new experience. They are opening Pusser's Landing Post & Company Stores which, as Andr^ explained "is an interesting mix of Carib

bean restaurant, lively lounge bar and pub on a nautical theme and an unusual shop that will be selling such items as beachwear,sportswear, lightsummer clothing and piratical clothes and accessories. The shop will also stock flags and Caribbean spices, rum and interesting rumbased products.

"Our theme originates from the British Virgin Islands, the home of Pusser's Rum, initially made exclusively for the Royal Navy and first served on board British Royal Navy Ships in 1650," said Andre. "It was recently named by Ferl't'S Magazine as one of the ten best rums in the world."

And the name'Pusser's'? It's simply a corrup tion of the word 'purser', the person in charge of the ship's stock in the Royal Navy.

He told me this new venture at Ocean Village is all about daytime family fun on the quayside

at affordable prices."Once evening comes, the menu changes to provide a choice of some ex cellent Caribbean dishes using our top quality steaks, poultry and fish products. The Argen tinian beef will be the same as we serve at our popular Gauchos restaurant at Watergate."

He is also looking forward to serving the Jamaican Jerk speciality as well as Chicken Roti and some exquisite fish dishes. These will be followed by authentic Caribbean desserts and a range of ice creams that Andr^ is confident will cause a sensation.

The bar itself will be full of colourful fun cocktails—Andr^ told me his range of Martinis will make top hotels look relatively basic."We will show you new things with Pusser's—smell it, drink it, eat it," Andr^ enthused,"and the 15 year old is exceptional, and you should sip it as you would a cognac!"

An excellent Indian restaurant will also be opening at about the sametime at Ocean Village, and later O'Reilly's Irish Pub — we will bring you reviews when fuller details are available.

The first three will be followed by a variety of other businesses, both new and traditional, which will bring the total to 12 shops and 15 restaurants and bars. They are situated along what used to be Sheppard's Marina waterfront, with the mix of businesses covering the whole price range from the most economical to the most exclusive.

The new businesses at Ocean Village are mostly beowned by local people of proven busi ness experience who have undertaken to stay open at least 12 hours a day seven days a week throughout the year. Even the global names to appear will be locally-run franchises, and the general trend is that the Gibraltar business people will be expanding into Ocean Village rather than closing down somewhere else to make the move.

British Summertime begins on 30th March, which means that by 1st April this year all of those who forgot to put their clocks forward and kept everyone waiting an hour will be feeling a bit of a fool!

Car Trouble

Someone who was definitely feeling a bit of a fool recently was Giovanna Wright who accidentally put petrol into her brand new diesel car. Maybe she was too busy thinking about how she would distract her friend Yvette from finding out about her surprise birthday party which was on the same day. We can only imagine what hubby Martin had to say, and we certainly couldn't print it!

You've Got To Be Kidding!

Michelle Francis recentlyjoined the Amigos del Camino de Santiago(Gibraltar group) on a charity walk to raise money for the Gibraltar Breast Cancer Support Group. Her sterling effort was rewarded with the rare sight of a goat giving birth,and she insisted we print the pictures she took in "Around Town". As you can see... we didn't!

•i

fl Congratulations Congratulations to the goat and also to Fergus of Alfer Sea School who recently became proud dad to bouncing baby girl Chloe. Another bouncing baby girl called Chloe for Douglas and Louise...but this one is a sausage dog puppy! A happy future is wished for Caroline of Albor at Marina Bay, and Mick who works for Cammel Laird who got engaged on Valentines Day(awwwww!)— the date for their wedding has been set for September. Best wishes also to Matthew Byrne and Desiree Cornelio who get married this month.

Small Dog Hits the Big Time

A really big congratulations to Lawrence Llamas and his chihuahua Shygirl, who made it to the final seven at Crufts beating around 22,000 other dogs in the process. More people in Gibraltar must have watched Crufts than ever before, and while little Shygirl was pipped at the post by a GiantSchnauzer at just 18 months old she has plenty of time to make it to Top Dog yet.

Now chihuahuas are not just stars of the erm... dogwalk... they also have their practical side. Nathalie of the Dental Practice has trained her little dog Charlie to lick her feet ("because it feels nice")... Now that's a dedicated dog!

Moving Experiences

Donny and Marie (names changed to protect the innocent) recently moved into Ocean Village. First Marie popped to the shops and came back bursting to use the bathroom. She banged on the door and called to Donny to hurry up, only to have the door answered by a complete, and slightly perplexed, stranger.... Marie was somewhat embarassed to find she was in the wrong block. Soon afterwards the happy couple's washing machine was delivered and they decided to puton a load. They stuffed in their washing and turned it on,only to watch it kangaroo hop

someone can clear up about their anartmpnr ic u P ,y- mystery perhaps put a telephone socket in the airing cupboard? The mind b^ you might be squeezed in amonp^^f i-h«f K t' j mind boggles as to what occasion Lk

at

Grand Slam Glory taken'h„„,e after Sa":SC"

was stricken with Man Flu,even dragged hinaself front his sick beTjust"

nnJ t everyone knows is not nearly as daneer- ous)and was able to carry on working as usual.

And Finally...

And finally is it true Tim Streatfeild-James is secretly into Scottish o!aTR t" Norwich & Peterborough Estate Agents goes Quad Bj^ng on weekends? Well we couldn't get a picture of Tim in h!s

sWsteraflt? We'^haTe to waftirs'e""'"

Until next month....

phatog. MMialle Vf.

—1.

Arts Cr Crafts

The Aits Centre. Prince Edward's Rd. An classes for children (5-6pm Mon, 5-6.30pm

Tues, 5-7pm Thursl, adults (Mon - Tues 6.30otn-8pm,Wed 6.30pm-8.30pm,life paint ing Wed 7pm-9pm). Tel: 200 79788.

The Fine Arts Association Gallery 1st Floor above Gibraltar Crystal, Casemates. Open 11am-2pm,4-6om Mon-Fri,Sat 11 am-2pm. Arts & Crafts Gallery(next door)opens Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5pm (summer)-6pm (winter), Sal 9 30am - 3pm.

The Poetry Society meets on 20lh of each month Tel Audrey Batty on 200 44355

Board Games

Chess Club meets m Studio 1. John Mackin tosh Hall 8-10.30pm Tues.

The Gibraltar Scrabble Club meet John Mackintosh Hall Mondays. Bank holidays changed to Thursday same week,7pm-11 pm All welcome, Tel: 200 73660 or 200 75995.

The Subbuteo Club meets Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall 7.30 -11 pm.

Dance Modem b Latin American Sequence Dane*

Ing Mondays Catholic Community Centre

8 30pm (beginners 7.30) Over 15s welcome, wwwgibnynex gi'inst/cccseqdance/ Old 6 Modem Sequence Dancing sessions at the Catholic Community Centre at 8pm, beginners at 7.30pm, Wednesday.

The DSA Old 6 Modern Sequence Danc ing sessions at Central Hall Fridays 8pm, beginners 7.30pm. Tel: 200 7B282 or e-mail manvio(S)glbraltar.gi Everybody welcome, Senior Citizens Teatlme 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 44-, Spanish dance and hip-hop at Liza School of Dance, 3rd floor, Methodist Church, 297/299

Mam St. Classes Weds 6 Fri from 6pm at Chiltern Court |4Cs|. Tel; 58111000, Hip Hop classes for adults Mondays 6,15pm to 7.15pm, Hip Hop classes for boys and girls Tuesdays 4.15pm to 5.15 - Urban Dance, Jumpers Dance Studio

History b Heritage

The Gibraltar Harltage Trust The Main Guard, 13 John Mackintosh Sq Tel: 200 42844

The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association

Dedicated to preservation of Rock's trans port/motoring heritage. Assists members in restoration / maintenance of classic vehicles. Members/vehicles meet first 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 h Thursday 7.30 - 9pm. New singers of all ages welcome. Tel: Llh 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 Caipe Ramblers This group walks on last Sunday each month,except July and August. Meeting place is the Spanish side of the frontier 8am |ust 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 excit ing 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 chal lenging activities. For further details contact The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Montagu Bastion, Line Wall Road. Gibraltar Tel: 200 59818 Reg. Charity No;61

Quizzes Cannon Bar quizzes are held on Tuesdays with at least three quizzes per night. Start ing 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 sen/ed after the quiz.

The Edinburgh Arms, Naval Hospital Road, has a quiz night from 8.30pm every Monday with prizes and free tapas.

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 Poison (Tel 200 78142)for assistance or information.

Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes

(Gibraltar Province)meets RAOB Club, Jump ers Bastion on these days: Provincial Grand Lodge, 1st Monday/month, 8pm. Executive Meeting, last Mon/monlh 7pm. Knights Chapter.2nd Mon/month 7.30pm. Examining Council. 3rd Mon/month 7pm. William Tilley 2371, Thurs 8pm. Buena Vista 9975, Weds (fortnightly)7om. Per Favor 9444,Weds(fort nightly) 7pm. Farewell 10001, Tues 8.36pm. Goldacre 10475(social) last Fri/month 8pm.

The Tuesday Ladies' Club meets 8pm, Queensway Club on first Tuesday each month. Open to all women in Gibraltar who en|oy making new friends. Non-profit making, proceeds donated to charity, Tel: Anne 200 43869. or Margaret 200 70816.

Special Interest Clubs b Societies

Gibraltar Horticultural Society meets first Thurs of month 6pm, John Mackintosh Hall. Annual Spring Flower Show. Also slide shows, demos on flower arrangements and outings to garden centres plus annual tour of Atameda Gardens. 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 Royal CaIpe(Tel: 200 75890)when Spurs games are televised - call the Royal Caipe prior to matches to check if the game is being televised. The pub doss great food for a lunch if the KO is early or an early supper if the game is later. For more info on membership etc. call Mario on 56280000.

Sports b Fitness

Artistic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Artistic Gym nastics 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 As sociation holds competitions throughout year for juniors, adults and veterans. Two main clubs (Caipeans 200 71807. Lourdians 200 75180)hold training sessions at Victoria Stadium.

Badminton: Recreational badminton is available weekdays at Victoria Stadium

(Tel: 200 78409 for allocations). Gibraltar Badminton Association (affiliated to IBA b EBA) has leagues and training for adults and secondary school. Tel: Ivan 200 44045 or Linda 200 74753.

Baskstbaii: 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 lABA)gym on Rosie 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(mem ber ICC)runs leagues/competitiorrs at Europa Poinl/Victofia Stadium.Junior/senior training.

Tel: Tom 200 79461 or Adrian 200 44281.

Cycling: Gibraltar Cycling Association various cycling tours. Tel: Uriel 2(X)79359.

Darts: Gibraltar Darts Association (member WDF) mens/ladies/youth leagues/competitions.Tel: Darren 54027171 "Secretary", Dy son "Youth Rep" 54024149,Justin "President" 54022622 Email: inf0@9ibraltardarts.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(mem bers FIH & EHF) high standard competitions/ training for adults and juniors. Tel: Eric 200 74156 or Peter 200 72730.

Judo: Gibraltar Judo Association UKMAF rec ognised 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 Rdl. Tel Tony 200 79855 or club 200 47259

Karate-do Shotokal: Gibraltar Karate-do Shotokai Association sessions for junior/seniors, gradmgs and demos at Karate Clubhouse,41H

Town Range Tel: Andrew 200 48908.

Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Rac ing Association Tel: Wayne 200 75211.

Netball: Gibraltar Netball Association (affili ated FENA&IFNA)competitions through year, senior / junior leagues. Tel Moira 200 41795 or Suzette 200 41074

Petanque: Gibraltar Petanque Association plays at Giralda Gardens, Smith Dorrien Ave. New members welcome. Tel: Francis 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 run training sessions for girls 5-18 years weekday evenings during school holidays. Tel: Richard 200 70320.

Rugby: Gibraltar Rugby Football Union train ing sessions for Colts (14+), seniors and veterans. Play in Andalusia tsl Division Oct -April Tel James 200 72185

Sailing: Gibraltar Yachting Association jun ior/senior competitive programme through season (April - Oct) Tel: RGYC 200 48847.

Sea Angling: Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers (members FIPS-M & CIPS) Superb calendar of events with four clubs participat ing. Tel: Mario 72622 or Charlie 74337.

Shooting: Gibraltar Shooting Federa tion over 14s only. 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 opens its Skate F^rk, Coaling Island, Queensway, Monday. Tuesday & Wednesday, from 5pm til 8pm Saturday & Sunday, from 2pm til 5pm Thursday & Friday, closedSat 2-6pm. State of art ramps for Xtreme/aggressive rol ler blading /skate boarding. Leisure skating facilities provided within excellent rink(when not used for roller hockey train ing), Tel: Eric 200 70710 (after 51 or just turn up.

Snorkelling fr Spear Fish ing: Over 14s welcome for snorkelling, over 16s for spear fish ing, Tel : Joseph 200 75020, Squash; Gibraltar Squash Associa tion, The Squash

Centre, South Pavilion Road (members WSF & ESF). Adult/junior tournaments/coaching. Tel: 200 44922 or 200 73260.

Sub-Aqua: Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Association taster dives for over 14s, tuition from local dubs. Voluntary sports dubs: Tel: Phil 200 44606, Noah's Dive Club Tel: Leslie 20079601, 888s Dive Club Tel: Martin 200 70944. Com mercial sports diving schools also available.

Swimming: Gibraltar Amateur Swimming ^ssociatlon(member FINA & LEN)opens its pool for leisure swimming Mon - Fri 7-8-45am, 12-4pm, B-9pm. Junior lessons , squad for committed swimmers, water polo (Rebecca 200 72869).

Table Tennis; Gibraltar Table Tennis As sociation (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 Associa tion dasses/gradings Tel: 200 Marl 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 Association(members FIG & WTBA)leagues at Ultra Bowl, training for juniors and squad. Tel Gary 200 42447 or Charlie 200 71125.

Triathlon: Gibraltar Triathlon Union(members ITU) Chris 200 75857 or Harvey 200 55847. Volleyball: G ibraltar Volleyball Association (members W & EVP) training, leagues, com petitions for juniors/seniors. Tony 200 40478 or Elizabeth 58306000, Yoga: Integral Yoga Centre runs a full pro gramme of classes from Mon-Fri at 33 Town Range. Tel 200 41389, All welcome.

Theatrical Groups

GibraKar Amateur Drama Association Ince's Hall TheaireComplex,310 Main Street E-mail: gibdramaCiVahoo co.uk Tel: 20042237 www. geocities com/gibdrama

Stage Musicals Group Trevor 200 73098. Trafalgar Theatre Group meet 2nd Wed of month. Garrison Library Bpm. All welcome.

Ciubs, Associations, should submit details to The Gibraltar Magazine, Fax; 77748 for inclu sion in this guide.

Suppoi't 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 An drew's Church.

Childline Gibraltar confidential phone line for children in need. FreephoneSOOB - 7 days a week 7pm - 11pm.

Crtizans' Advice Bureau Open Mon-Fri 9.30-4pm. Tel: 20040006 Email: info® cab.gi or visit 10 Governor's Lane. No appointment necessary, no charge. Gibraltar CAB outreach clinics at St Ber nard's Hospital every Tuesday. Advisors available at 1st floor reception, Zone 4. 9am-3pm. Info and advice is free, con fidential 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: 20051469 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 be havioural problems. Meetings are held alternate Thursdays at 9pm at Nazareth House. For more details Tel: 200 70047 or 200 73465.

Gibraltar Cardiac Rehabilitation and Supi>ort Group meets on the first Tues day of every month at8.30pm 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: vavw,gdsg.co.uk

Gibraltar Marriage Care. Free relation ship counselling, including pre-marriage education (under auspices of Catholic Church, but open to all), Tel: 200 71717

Gibraltar Society for the Visually Im paired. 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 meet ings 200 42581.

Parental Support Group, helping par ents and grandparents with restrictive access to their children and granchildren.

Tel: Richard 200 46536, Jason 200 76618, Dominic 54019602.

^ychologlcal Support Group. PO Box 161, Nazareth House. Weekly Meet ings 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: 15)5481 E-mail olivero@sapphirenet.gi

With Dignity Gibraltarsupport group for separated, divorced, widowed or unat tached people. Meetings Weds 9pm, Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Rd. Outings/activities. Tel; Flor54007181 or Marie 200 79957.

Women in Need. Voluntary organisa tion for all victims of domestic violence. Refuge available. Tel: 200 42581 (24 hours).

Med Golf SnaresThe Tiger

Unfortunately, there is no tournament news this month as Med Golf's competition at Almenara in February for the Cruz & Co. trophy was aban doned due to the very heavy storms and this has been rescheduled for Sunday 27th April. However, you can never keep Med Golf out of the news and they have just announced an addition to the line up for the EPI Iberia Med Golf Masters in September, which will astonish all our readers.

It seems that one of the directors enjoyed a few days relaxing in Dubai at the beginning of Febru ary, during which time the Dubai Classic was in progress. Staying at the same hotel was none other than Tiger Woods,his wife Elin and daughter Sam, as Tiger was com peting in the tournament, which he eventually won. The person in question became very friendly with the Woods family to the extent he has been invited to the family home in Florida and mighteven get a few lessons! It also turns out that Tiger and his family will be visiting the Costa del Sol for a holiday after the Ryder Cup finishes on the 21stSep tember and he has agreed to play in the EPI Iberia Med Golf Masters

Religious Services

Bahia Tel: 200 43637 for meetings

Bethel Christian Fellowship Tel: 200 52002. 47 Queensway. Sunday service at 11am.

Church of England Catlnedra! of the Holy Trinity. Tel: 200 78377. Sung Eucharist, Sunday 10.30am. Sunday School.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Suite 21 a Don House.30-38 Main Street. Tel 200 50433 Sundays 10am, Church of Scotland St Andrew's. Gov ernor's Pde. Tel 200 77040. Worship & Sunday School 10.30am, Bible Study

on Saturday 27th September, which will be an added bonus to the top ten qualifiers.

Naturally, Med Golf have been instructed to keep the arrange ments quiet for security reasons but hope to be able to provide more details after the 1st April.

Med Golf's next competition is at

Med Golf have been instructed to keep the arrangements

quiet tor security reasons

Tues 7.30pm

Evangelical Bretheren Assembly. Queensway Quay. Sun 11am, Tues Bible Study 6pm. Thurs Prayer Meeting 6pm.

Hindu Engineer's Lane Tel: 200 42B15.

Jehovah's Witness Line Wall Rd Tel: 200 50186.

Jewish 10 Bomb House Lane Tel: 200 72606.

Methodist297 Main Street Gibraltar Tel/Fax 20040870 email minister@methodisi-Ofg.

gi Minister: Revd Fidel Patron. Sunday 11am Morning Worship, 8pm Evening Service. Prayer meetings Monday and Wednesday to Friday 7pm and Tuesdays

Alcaidesa on Sunday 13th April for the Antico Mulino D'Oro trophy, with the winner also receiving a superb weekend for two at the 5-star Montecastillio Golf and Spa resort. This is followed on Sunday 27th April at Almenara, where the rescheduled Cruz & Co. tourna ment will take place. As these are both ranking competitions, tee times should be booked as soon as possible by ringing Johnathan Goodson on Spain(0034)639741886 or by e-mailing him atjg@medgolf.

gi

The full tournament schedule, player of the year rankings, infor mation on membership and green fee discounts is on the Med Golf web site www.teetimespain.com

8pm.Communion celebrated on 2nd and 4th Sunday mornings of the month,and other special occasions. Alpha Course; hefd 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: cityiinegib@yahoo. com. Meeting: Tues Bpm, Sundays 11am.

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Natural History & Heritage Park

Admission9.30amto7pmbytickets

(includes entrance to sites within the Park - St. Michael's Cave. Monkey's Den, Great Siege Tun nels. 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 His tory & Heritage Park is also reached by cable car (leaves Grand Parade 9.30am-5.15pm Mon-Sun. Last cable down: 5.45pm).

ThefloraandfaunaontheUpperRock

are considered to be of great conservational value. It's a perfect place for birdwatchers, as migratory species use Gibraltar as the shortest crossing be tween 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 audito rium 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 iti

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 sug gested tunnelling and there are now over 30 miles of tunnels inside the Rock with various exhibitions inside the tunnels.

The Military Heritage Centre: Housed in one of the Rock's many historic batteries, the Military Heritage Centre displays infor mation 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

of the earliest British building on the Rock. Original graffiti, drawn by duty soldiers to stop themselves failing asleep, is still vis ible. the earliest dating back to 1726.

The Moorish Castie: actually just part of a Moorish town and castle which was built up during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula,spearheaded from Gibral tar in 711 AD 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'I Hassan recaptured the Rock from Spain.

Natural History 6 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 dis repair 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 environ mentally 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'. Open 10am to 6pm every day except Mondays. Adults £2/ Children & OAPs £1. Cafeteria on site.

Rat Bastion Magazine Fiat Bastion Road, Geological Research Station and Lithology of Gibraltar. To visit contact: F Gomez Tel. 200 44460, P HodkinsonTel. 200 43910.

Shrine of Our Lady of Europe (Museum within premises) Europa Road. 10am-7pm Monday to Friday. 11am-7pm Saturday, Sun day and Public Holidays. Closed 1 pm - 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. Ad mission: Adults £2/Children under 12years £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

Hmergency Services'^

jmergency calls only:

Rre/Ambulance Tel: 190 Police .Tel: 199/112 toy Number 112^:

As well as offering normal fares, Gibraltar taxis provide Rock Tours taking in the Up per Rock, Europa Point and other sites of Interest. It is the best way to see the Rock's major features in a short time.

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 Tal: 200 75669 Centre of Gib's cultural life, includes a caf eteria,theatre, exhibition rooms and library. 308 Main Street 9.30am -11pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends.

Bicycle Racks

Bicycle parking is provided at the follow ing locations: Europort Road, Casemates Tunnel, Land Port Ditch, Fish Market Road, Commonwealth Car Park, Reclamation Road (by English Steps) -i- Line Wall Road.

Public Holidays 2008

New Year's Day 1 January

Commonwealth Day 10 March

Good Friday 21 March

Easter Monday 24 March

May Day 5 May

Spring Bank Holiday 26 May

Queen's Birthday 16 June

Late Summer Bank Holiday 25 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

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