'TIS THE SEASON TO BE SUED

In a litigious world, where hardly anyone takes responsibil ity for their actions, I suppose nothing should surprise me. But how about this?

A 21 months old baby is burnt, having been left alone in a car in which the mother had just nearly but not quite extinguished a ciga rette before entering a shop.

Whose fault?

This incident occurred in Texas where it is a felon to leave a young child unattended. It is also, I would suggest,pretty careless not to make sure your cigarette is out whether a young child is involved or not. However, the smoking public does need education. Something like 50% of fires in the UK are caused by cigarettes. So whose fault?

Well, the cigarette manufac turer has agreed to fork out $2 million! I have nothing to say in favour of cigarette companies but come on!

You might as well sue the car manufacturer for not providing ashtrays full of water.

This is significant at this time of year where many transactions in volve several parties. If, for in stance, a friend buys you that one extra drink that assists in the con stabulary removing your driving licence do you sue a)the barperson who served you;or b)your friend; or c) the drinks manufacturer or even d)your Dad who took you for your first Christmas drink all those years ago.

If your Christmas is wrecked be cause extensive repairs are required to the chimney stack after Santa gets stuck who do you claim from?

The next door neighbour for forc ing that extra mince pie down him?

The mince pie manufacturer maybe? Or even Mrs. Claus who has spent several lifetimes overfeeding him?

And Santa himself. We all know he had to recruit Rudolf at the last minute who,luckily, was available. But what happened to the original reindeer? Wereexemplary damages claimed by Santa from the AK-47 wielding Lapp who shot him? Or was Alexander Kalashnikov the tar

• by Alan Gravett

get of Santa's displeasure. Per haps, all the little Kalashnikovs didn't receive a visit that year.

But don't think this is a licence to make money.If any kids catch Mummy kissing Santa Claus and think you have found Eldorado, think again. What are you going to do?

BlackmailSanta? This guy only works once a year so what is he worth?

The winner will be Santa him self. If some woman wants to sit around the kitchen in the hope that a rotund rubicund gentle man should descend the chimney that is her concern. But Santa should sue the father who allows this kid to roam the house at mid night, unattended, and trans gresses Santa's right to privacy!

And season's greetings to you all and your lawyer friends who, I trust, you will keep gainfully employed in the coming year.

^^^^celebration in contemporary architecture,with quality designer finishes.

Four large bedrooms, set within a generous three floor living area with double garages - surrounded by space, nature and leisure - a just reward for those who appreciate the extras in life.

Arts b Crafts

The Arts Centre, Prince Edward's Rd. Art classes lor children(5-6pm Mon,5-6.30pm

Tues, 5-7pm Thurs), adults iMon - Tues

6 30pm-8pm, Wed 6 30pm-8.30pm, life painting Wed 7pm-9pm). Tel: 79738.

The Fine Arts Association Gallery 1 st Floor above Gibraltar Crystal, Casemates. Open 11am-2pm, 4.6pm Men - Fri, Sat 11am

2pm Arts Er Crafts Gallery (next door) opens Mon - Fri 9 30am - 5pm (summer)6pm (winter). Sat 9.30am - 3pm.

The Poetry Society meets on 20th of each month. Contact: Audrey Batty on 44355

Church Services

Bahia Tel: 43637 for meetings

Church of England Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Tel 78377. Sung Eucharist. Sunday

10.30am Sunday School

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day

Saints Suite 21a Don House, 30-38 Main Street. Tel. 50433. Sundays 10am

Church of Scotland St Andrew's. Gover nor's Pde. Tel: 77040. Worship & Sunday

School 10.30am, Bible Study Tues 7.30pm.

Evangelical Bretheren Assembly.

Queensway Quay. Sun Ham. Tues Bible

Study 6pm, Thurs Fyayer Meeting 6pm.

Hindu Engineer's Lane Tel: 42515.

Jehovah's Witness Line Wall RdTel: 50186, Jewish 10 Bomb House Lane Tel: 72606.

Methodist 297 Main St Tel: 77491. Sunday services 11 am 87pm,Midweek Fellowships.

Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned. 2'5 Main St Tel: 76688.

Board Games

Chess Club meets in Studio 1, John Mack intosh Hall 8-10.30pm Tues.

The Gibraltar Scrabble Club meet John Mackintosh Hall Mondays Bank holidays changed to Thursday same week. 7pm11pm All welcome. Tel. 71967/54000835

The Subbuteo Club meets Charles Hunt Room. John Mackintosh Hall 7.30 -11pm.

(Dance

Modern £t Latin American Sequence Danc> ing Mondays Catholic Community Centre 8.30pm(beginners 7.30). Over 15s welcome. www.glbnvnex.gi/insT/cccseqdance/

Old fr Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at the Catholic Community Centre at 8pm, beginners at 7 30pm. Wednesday

The DBA Old b Modern Sequence Danc ing sessions at Central Hall Fridays 8pm, be ginners 7.30pm. Tel 78282 or e-mail manvioti/igibnei gi Everybody welcome.

Senior Citizens Teatime Dances at The Youth Centre, Line Wall Rd on Mondays 25.30pm. All senior citizens welcome for cof fee, tea and biscuits. Entrance free.

Classical Ballet dassesfor children 4-1-, Spanish dance and hip-hop at Liza School of Dance, 3rd floor, Methoijist Church, 297/ 299 Main St. Classes Weds 8 Fri from 6pm at Chiltern Court(4Cs). Tel: 58111000.

Line Dancing Queensway Club, Central Hall Weds8-9pm beginners;^lOpm advanced. All welcome, including visitors to the Rock. Tel: Helen 50381 or 540137760.

History b Heritage

The Gibraltar Heritage Trust The Mam Guard, 13 John Mackintosh Sq. Tel:42844

The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association

Dedicated to presen/ailon of Rock's transportymolonng heritage. Assists members in restoration / maintenance of classic vehicles.

Members/vehicles meet first Sunday of month,Safeway's car park from 10am. hJew members welcome. Tel; 72481 Fax: 72033.

Outdoor Activities

Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural His-

clubs/^ activities

tory Society rambles are walked on the last Sunday of month(meet Spanish side of fron tier, to right of the Aduana vehicle exit 8aml, Tel: 74645/71956. All welcome. GONHS birdwaiching every Saturday when a mem ber is available on site at Europa Point Ob servatory(right of the lighthouse)from 2pm. GONHS Birdwatching and Naturalist walk up Mediterranean Steps takes place Sundays 9-nam. Tel: 72639/76818.

Performing Arts

Rock Dramatics drama group for children aged 4 -17 Rehearsals every Saturday morning at St Andrew's Hall — all children welcome. Tel: 47555 for information.

Stage Musical Group meet Wed and Thurs at rehearsal room, British Lines Rd (next to Frontier loopi at 8pm Tel: Iris 73098. Trafalgar Theatre Group meet 2nd Wed of month, Garrison Library 8pm. Ail welcome.

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 en trance but a donation to charity is requested. Tapas served 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 m 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: 78142) for assistance or information.

Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes(Gi braltar Province) meets at RAOB Club, Vault

1 Jumpers Bastion on these days: Provin cial Grand Lodge. 1st Monday of month, 8pm.Executive Meeting,last Mon of month 7pm. Knights Chapter. 2nd Mon of month 7.30pm. Examining Council. 3rd Mon of month 7pm,William Tilley 2371,Thurs 8pm. Buena Vista 9975, Weds (fortnightly) 7pm. Por Favor 9444,Weds(fortnightly)7pm.^rewell 10001. Tues 8 30pm. Goidacre 10475 (social)last Fn of month 8pm.

The Tuesday Ladles' Club meets 8pm, Queensway Club on first Tuesday each month. Open to all women in Gibraltar who enjoy making new friends. Non-profit mak ing, proceeds donated to chanty Tel Anne 43869. or Margaret 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 Alameda Gardens. All welcome.

Gibraltar Internet Club mor^thly meetings held on Mondays at the College of Further Education 7-9pm. All welcome,experienced surfers or beginners. A number of comput ers are connected to the internet, others have programs for creating of web pages. A colour scanner is also available.

The Gibraltar Photographic Society meets on Mon at around Spm, Wellington Front. Basic courses, competitions etc UN Association of Gibraltar PO Box 599. 22a Main Street Tel 52108.

Sports Supporters Clubs

Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Club. Comorant Wharf Boat Owners' Club. For details./fixtures Tel. Mario 40240, Michael 55185, John 43166, Tito 70410, Dick 79000, John 59804 or Raju 76176.

Sports b Fitness

Artistic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Artistic Gym nastics Association club for beginners,jun iors and squad at Bayside School in eve nings, Tel. Angela 70611 or Sally 74661.

Athletics: Gibraltar Amateur Athlelics Asso ciation holds competitions throughout year for juniors, adults and veterans. Two main clubs (Lalpeans 71807, Lourdians 751801 hold (ruining sessions at Victoria Stadium.

Badminton: Recreational badminton is avail able weekdays at Victoria Stadium (Tel: 78409 for allocations). Gibraltar Badminton Association (affiliated to IBA 8 EBA) has leagues and training for adults and second ary school. Tei: Ivan 44045 or Linda 74753.

Basketball: Gibraltar Amateur Basketball Association (affiliated FIBA) leagues/ train ing for minis, passarelle, cadets, seniors and adults at a variety of levels Tel: John 77253, Randy 40727 or Kirsty (minis)49441.

Billiards 6 Snooker: Gibraltar Billiards and Snooker Association (member IBSA) rund leagues and competitions at various venues. New members welcome. Tel: Eddie 72142 or Peter 77307.

Boxing: Gibraltar Amateur Boxing Associa tion(member lABA)gym on Rosia Rd, Over 13s welcome to join. Tuition with ex-pro boxer Ernest Victory(75513 w,42788 h).

Canoeing: Gibraltar Canoeing Association. Tel Nigel 52917 or Eugene 58014000.

Cricket: Gibraltar Cricket Association(mem ber ICC) runs leagues/competitions at Europa PointWictoria Stadium.Junior/senior training, Tel: Tom 79461 or Adrian 44281.

Cycling: Gibraltar Cycling Association vari ous cycling tours. Tel: Uriel 79359.

Darts: Gibraltar Darts Association(member WDF)adult/junior leagues/competitions. Tel. Tony 70379 or Harry (Junior darts)41798.

Football: Gibraltar Football Association runs leagues/competitions for ail ages OctoberMay FutssI in summer months, Victoria Sta dium. Tel: 42941 www.gfa.gi. Senior Tel: Albert 41515.Junior Tel: Richard 58654000.

Women's Tel: Brian 52299. Recreational foot ball for over 35s Tel: Richard 70320.

Golf: Med Golf tournaments held monthly Tel: 79575 for tournament venues/dates. Gi braltar Golf Union has competitions through year, EGU handicaps. Tel: Bernie 78844.

Hockey: Gibraltar Hockey Association(mem bers FIH 8 EHF)high standard competitions/ training for adults and juniors. Tel: Eric 74156 or Peter 72730.

Judo: Gibraltar Judo Association UKMAF recognised instructors for all ages and lev els at Budokai Martial Arts Centre. Welling ton Front. Tel: Charlie 73116 or Peter 73225.

Ju'jitsu: Gibraltar Ju-jitsu Academy training and grading for juniors/seniors held during evening at 4 North Jumpers Bastion (Rosia Rdl Tei: Tony 79855 or dub 47259.

Karate-do Shotokal: Gibraltar Karate-do Shotokai Association sessionsfor junior/sen iors, gradings and demos at Karate Club house,41H Town Range Tel: Andrew 48908.

Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Racing Association Tel: Wayne 75211.

Natball: Gibraltar Netball Association (affili ated FENA 8 IFNA) competitions through year, senior/junior leagues.Tel; Moira41795 or Suzette 41874.

Patanqua: Gibraltar Petanque Association plays at Giralda Gardens. Smith Dorrien Ave. New members welcome. Tel: Francis 70929.

Pool: Gibraltar Pool Association (member EUKPF) home and away league played on Thurs through season, Tel: Linda 74753.

Rhythmic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Rhythmic Gymnastics Association run training ses sions for girls 5-18 years weekday evenings during school holidays. Tel Richard 70320.

Rugby: Gibraltar Rugby Football Union train ing sessions for Colts (14-h), seniors and veterans. Play in Andalusia 2ncl Division Gel -April. Tel: Dennis 74600 or Michael 72982.

Sailing: Gibraltar Yachting Association jun ior/senior competitive programme through season (April • Oct)Tel: RGYC 48847.

Sea Angling: Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers (members FIPS-M 6 CIPS) Superb calendar of events with four clubs partici pating Tel: Mario 72622 or Charlie 74337.

Shooting: Gibraltar Shooting Federation over 14s only Rifle, Europa Point range (Tel: Joe 74973): clay pigeon. East Side(Tel: Harry 74354); Pistol, facilities near Royal Naval Hospital (Tel: Fidel 71990).

Skating:Gibraltar Skating and Xtreme Sports Association opens its Skate Park. Coaling Is land, Queensway, Tues-Sat, 5 - 9pm, State of art ramps for Xtreme/aggressive roller blading /skate boarding. Leisure skating fa cilities provided within excellent skating rink (when not used for roller hockey training).

Tel: Eric 70710(after 5pm)or just turn up.

Snorkelling6Spear Fishing; Over 14s wel come for snorkelling, over 16s for spear fish ing. Tel: Joseph 75020.

Squash: Gibraltar Squash Association, The Squash Centre, South Pavilion Road(mem bers WSF8 ESF). Adult/junior tournaments/ coaching. Tel: Ronnie 44922 or Barry 73260.

Sub-Aqua: Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Association taster dives for over 14s, tuition from local clubs. Voluntary sports clubs: Tei: Phil 44606, Noah's Dive Club Tel: Leslie 79601. 888s Dive Club Tel: Martin 70944. Commer cial sports diving schools also available.

Swimming: Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association(member FINA& LEN)opens its pool for leisure swimming Mon - Fri 78.45am. 12-4pm, 8-9pm. Also junior les sons (Tel. Rebecca 71342), squad tor com mitted swimmers, junior and senior 'A'ater polo (Tel: Chris 72869).

Table Tennis: Gibraltar Table Tennis Asso ciation(members ITTA)training / playing ses sions, Bishop Fitzgerald School, Weds 610pm.Thurs 8-10pm. Tel: Lisanne 45071 or Eugene 58014000.

Taekwondo: Gibraltar Taekwondo Associa tion classes/gradings Tel: Mari 44142.

Tennis: Gibraltar Tennis Association. Sand pits Tennis Club, excellent junior develop ment programme. Courses for adults, leagues / competitions. Tel: Frank 77035. Ten-Pin Bowling: Gibraltar Ten Pin Bowling Association(members FIQ8WTBA)leagues at Ultra Bowl, training for juniors and squad. Tel: Gary 42447 or Charlie 71125, Triathlon: Gibraltar Triathlon Union (mem bers ITU)Tei Chris 75857 or Harvey 55847.

Volleyball: Gibraltar Volleyball Association (members W 6 EVF) training, leagues, competitiions for juniors/seniors. Tel: Tony 40478 or Elizabeth 58306000.

Yoga: Integral Yoga Centre runs a full pro gram of classes from Mon-Fri at 33 Town Range. Tel 41389. All welcome.

Support Groups/Associations

Alcoholics Anonymous meet 7pm Tues and Thurs, 1 lain Sat dl Nazareth HseTei: 73774, Citizens' Advice Bureau Late opening hours Wednesday 5 30 - 7.3Dpm Open two Satur day mornings each month.Tel: 40006 Email: infofacab gi or visit 1D Governor's Lane. No appointment necessary, no charge.

Gibraltar Cardiac Rehabilitation and Sup port Group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 8.30pm at the John Mac tHall. except for July and August.

Gibraltar Marriage Care. Free relationship counselling, including pre-marriage educa tion (under auspices of Catholic Church, but open to all). Tel: 71717.

Hope. Support after miscarriage Tel: 41817, Narcotics Anonymous Tel: 70720

Overeaters Anonymous support group of those with compulsive overeating problem. Tel: helpline for details of meetings 42581.

Psychological Support Group, Nazareth House. Group therapy Tuesdays 7-9pm (so cial. crafts, games, music etc.). Workshop Thursdays 2pm-4pm. Tel 51623.

With Dignity Gibraltar friendly support group for separated, divorced, widowed or unattached people. Regular meetings Weds 9pm at Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Rd. Outings and activities. Tel: Pill 71824 or Gladys on 71465,

Women in Need. Voluntary organisation for all victims of domestic violence. Refuge available. Tel 42581 (24 hours).

Women's Aid. Aims to protect women ar^d children from violence. Tel: 41999.

Clubs and Support Groups should submit details to The Gibraltar Magazine.PO Box 561, PMB 6377, Suite S3D International Commercial Centre, Main Street, Gibral tar Fax: 77748 for inclusion in this guide.