Poetry:To Bo Blunt..

I don't know about you, but I never quite know what to make of. poetry. I think, though only on the slimmest and most subjective of internal evidence,that I can identify fairly well the ridiculously bad and the sublimely wonderful, but between the two extremes lies, for me, a vast wilderness of stuff that leaves me cold, baffled and supremely indifferent.

As an accomplished writer of te dious fifth-rate doggerel myself, it might be imagined that I would possess the necessary insight to appreciate the deft line, the musi cal marriage of meter and rhyme, the golden shimmer of celestial wordplay. But no. It is a sad truth that the world is awash with peo ple who believe themselves to be poets. That the great majority are hopelessly self-deluded is plain, but there remains a great army of what might be considered border line cases; wordsmiths of clearly better than average skill who may, for all 1 know, have a legitimate claim to the title but who,for me at least,fall short of offering definitive proof.

Into this great, undistinguished wilderness 1 must controversially cast the blameless Wilfrid Scawen Blunt. 1 admit that 1 am being harsh. The man never did me any harm and, for all I know, he was very good to his mother.There arc many who consider him a fine poet and, as 1 have already made plain, I con spicuously lack the critical acumen to contradict them. But as with so many of his fair-to-middling ilk, when 1 read his verse (which I do as infrequently as 1 converse in Ice landic) I am left with the nagging feeling that he might perhaps have made better use of his time by learning to juggle while riding a bicycle.

My inadequate research has not established for a certainty that Blunt ever set foot in Gibraltar, but at the very least he passed close by, and as we shall see, he was deeply moved and impressed by the place, so let us pause briefly to pay him a little homage in return.

On the face of it. Blunt was an unlikely man to have been im pressed by Gibraltar, at least in a political sense. Despite being born into a well-established, solidly pa triotic Sussex family in 1840, he grew to despise the existence of the British Empire and all that it stood for. In his view, the empire's effect on both the colonisers and the colo nised was cntirelv negative.

In his diary for 9th January 1896, he wrote,"the British Empire is the greatest engine of evil for the weak races now existing in the world", adding for good measure that he would "be delighted to see England stripped of her whole foreign pos sessions". He was convinced that England (he seems never to have been entirely comfortable with the concept of "Britain",though he did refer on occasion to "the British is lands")was far more respected,and indeed respectable, in the days of Queen Elizabeth T' when it held no territory beyond its own bounda ries.

His views were unusual for the time,and made even more so by the fact that he spent over a decade working in the diplomatic service.

But his heart was never really in the job. As he unwillingly went about waving the flag in foreign faces on behalf of Queen Victoria, he yearned to make his name as a poet, which may be one reason why he chose to marry Lady Anne Noel, who was not a great beauty but who had the attraction, for Blunt, of being the only known descend ant of Lord Byron.

The pair first met in Venice, and the most gallant comment that the lovestruck Wilfrid felt able to make was that she considered herself "plainer than she was". There are some days, are there not, when the muse lies dormant and stubbornly refuses to wake?

If there was fire in the soul, and passion in the heart of Wilfrid Scawen Blunt, it found expression in his life-long commitment to antiimperialism and the cause of what he considered oppressed nations.

In this respect he was far from being an all words and no action gentleman dilettante, as may be seen from the fact that he drew a prison sentence in 1888 for his vo ciferous efforts in the cause of Irish home rule. At least that put him out of the frame as a candidate for Jack the Ripper.

Politically he wasfar ahead of his time, writing The Future ofIslam in 1882, when a sizeable chunk of the British public would not have known whether that was a religious faith or a variety of onion.

After his marriage to Lady Aruie he abandoned his hated career in diplomacy. To fill his time he took to breeding Arab horses. He and his wife travelled widely (on horse back, of course)through North Af rica, Asia and the Middle East look ing for suitable specimens to enrich his increasingly famous stud. Somewhere along the way he even managed to fit in an affair with Jane Morris, the wife of William Morris and one-time model for the painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

His best-known volume of po etry, Love Sonnets of Proteus, was published in 1880 and was well-re ceived. From the vantage point of 2006 it is easy to scratch our heads and wonder what the Victorians saw in such stuff, but to do so misses the point.

This was an era before television, before computers and iPods,before even the opportunity of the masses to travel widely. Illiteracy was still the norm for large sections of soci ety. A deft touch with the written and spoken word was a rare and greatly admired skill.

The production of at least one slim volume of verse was almostde ri^ueur for the well-to-do young man (seldom woman)about town.

These days a great deal of Victo rian poetry, even that which was highly regarded at the time,seems comically wordy and over-the-top,

This lover ofthe east and Gonnoisseur of far-flung places caked with alien dust was heth seasick and homesick

like the wild-eyed flamboyant act ing in silent films.

Which brings us neatly back to Wilfrid Scawen Blunt, horsebreeder,champion ofthe underdog, but above all, at least so far as he was concerned, a poet. And it is in his poetry that we detect perhaps the shadow of a hint that beneath his blustering, empire-hating exte rior there beat a heart that was pos sibly a touch more patriotic than he would have felt comfortable in ad mitting.

Nowhere is this plainer than in theshort poem that he was inspired to write by the sight of Gibraltar.

He had been at sea for many weeks, and it had been a stormy voyage. This lover of the east and connoisseur of far-flung places caked with alien dust was both sea sick and homesick.Suddenly,in the brightness of a calm, clear evening the mighty Rock hove into view.A symbol of Empire it may have been, but for once Blunt's emotions were stirred in an unexpected direction.

Frantically he called for pen and paper,and,perhaps before he even knew what he was saying,he scrib bled down a poem that he called, Gibraltar:

Seven weeks ofsea,and ttvice seven days ofstorm

Upon the huge Atlantic, and once more ride into still water, and the calm Of a sweet evening, screen'd by either shore

OfSpain and Barbary. Our toils are o'er, Our exile is accomplish'd. Once again We look on Europe, mistress as of yore Ofthefair earth and ofthe hearts of men.

Ay,this is thefamed rock which Hercules And Goth and Moor bequeath'd us. At this door

England stands sentry. God! to hear the shrill

Sweet treble ofherfifes upon the breeze, And at the summons of the rock gun's roar

To see her red coats marchingfrom the hill!

He slept well that night.

Blunt was better when he cast off the contrived pomposity of his po etry and wrote his simple, heartfelt prose.

On the last day of 1900 he took out his diary and penned a few wistful and, in retrospect, shrewd words on the passing of the old cen tury, and the coming of the new:

"I bid good-bye to the old cen tury, may it rest in peace as it has lived in war. Of the new century I prophesy nothing except that it will see the decline of the British Em pire. Other worse empires will rise perhaps in its place, but 1 shall not live to see the day.It all seems a very little matter here in Egypt, with the pyramids watching us as they watched Joseph when, as a young man four thousand years ago, per haps in this very garden,he walked and gazed at the sunset behind them, wondering about the future just as 1 did this evening. And so, poor wicked nineteenth century, farewell!.."

Fate allowed him to witness al most a quarter of the new century, and when he died in 1922, back home in Sussex, he was buried, as his wish, in the style of a Muslim.

Aii:^ Li Criih.6

The Arts Centre, Prince Edward's Rd. Art classes for children {5-6pm Mon,5-6.30pm lues, 5-7pm Thurs), adults (Mon - Tues 6.30pm-8pm, Wed 6.30pm-8.30pm, life painting Wed 7pm-9pm). Tel: 79788.

The Fine Arts Association Gallery 1 st Floor above Gibraltar Crystal, Casemates. Open 11am-2pm, 4-6pm Mon - Fri, Sat 11am2pm, Arts & Crafts Gallery (next door] opens Mon • Fri 9.30am - 5pm (summer)6pm (winter). Sat 9.30am - 3pm.

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

Board Games

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

The Gibraltar Scrabble Club meet John Mackintosh Hall Mondays. Bank holidays changed to Thursday same week. 7pm11pm All welcome. Tel: 73660 or 75995.

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

Dance

Modern 6 Latin American Sequence Danc ing Mondays Catholic Community Centre 8.30pm Ibeginners 7.30). Over 15s welcome. www.gibnynex.gi/inst/cccseqdance/

Old & Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at the Catholic Community Centre at 8pm, beginners at 7.30pm, Wednesday,

The DSA Old & Modern Sequence Danc ing sessions at Central Hall Fridays 8pm, be ginners 7,30pm. Tel : 78282 or e-mail manvio@gibnet.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 classes for children A+.

Spanish dance and hip-hop at Liza School of Dance, 3rd floor, Methodist Church, 297/ 299 Mam St, Classes Weds & Fri from 6pm at Chiitern Court(4Cs), Tel: 58111000, Line Dancing GGCA Hall, Hargraves Ramp, Weds 7-Bpm beginners;&-9pm improvers: 9-10pm advanced. All welcome, including visitors to Gib, Tel: Helen 50381 /54013760.

Latin Caribbean Dance Classes Salsa, Samba, Merengue, Cha-Cha. Wednesday 9pm-10pm £3, Instructor Ffedro Vera, Urban Dance Studio,Jumpers Bastion, Rosia Road, For ail levels, adults, singles and couples, no experience necessary, come and have fun, exercise and enjoy the rhythms.

History b Heritage

The Gibraltar Heritage Trust The Main Guard, 13 John Mackintosh Sq, Tel: 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, Safeway'scarparkfrom 10am, New members welcome, Tel: 72481 Fax: 72033.

Music

The Gibraltar Music Centre Trust Complete spectrum of instrument learning strings drums etc. Theory lessons- Five days a week 4pm-9pm. Tel: 75558 for details.

The Gibraltar National Choir and Gibral tar Junior National Choir rehearse on Mon day and Thursday 7,30pm - 9pm. New sing ers of all ages always welcome. Tel: Lili 40035,54006727

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 just to the right of and opposite the Aduana vehicle exit. For any information contact either Ray Murphy 71956 or John Murphy 74645, the two co ordinators of the group.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is an ex citing self-development Programme avail able to ail young people worldwide equip ping them with life skills to make a differ ence to themselves, their communities and the world. To date over 5 million young peo ple from over 100 countries have been mo tivated to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities, F^r further de tails contact The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Montagu Bastion, Line Wail Road, Gibraltar

Tel: 59818 Fax: 51971 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 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 in Casemates has a pub quiz and entertainment on Sunday nights.

Social Clubs

Scots on the Rock: Any Scots visiting the Rockcan 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,Fare well 10001, Tues 8.30pm, Goldacre 10475 (social) last Fri of month 8pm.

The Tuesday Ladies' Club meets 8pm, Queensway Club on first Tuesday each month. Open to ail women in Gibraltar who enjoy making new friends. Non-profit mak ing, proceeds donated to charity. 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 Aiameda Gardens. All welcome.

The Gibraltar Photographic Society meets on Mon at around 8pm, 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, Commorant 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 Athletics Asso ciation holds competitions throughout year for juniors, adults and veterans. Two mam clubs (Calpeans 71807, Lourdians 75180) hold training 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. Tel: 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 & Snooker: Gibraltar Billiards and Snooker Association (member IBSA) round 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 Europe PointA/ictoria 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 all ages OctoberMay. Futsal 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 FIN 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 luniors/seniors held during evening at 4 North Jumpers Bastion (Rosia Rd). Tei: Tony 79855 or club 47259.

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

Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Racing Association Tei: Wayne 75211, Netball: Gibraltar Netbail Association (affili ated FENA 8 IFNA) competitions through year, senior/junior leagues.Tel: Moira41795 or Suzette 41874, Petanque: 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, Tei: 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 (14-1-), seniors and veterans. Play in Andalusia 1st Division Oct - April, Tel: Darren 77938

Sailing: Gibraltar Yachting Association jun ior/senior competitive programme through season (April - Oct)Tei: RGYC48847.

Sea Angling: Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers (members FIPS-M 8 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 Island, Queensway, Monday, Tues day 8 Wednesday, from 5pm til 8pm Satur day 8 Sunday,from 2pm til 5pm Thursday 8 Friday, closedSat 2-6pm, State of art ramps for Xtreme/aggressive roller biading /skate boarding. Leisure skating fa cilities provided within excellent rink(when not used for roller hockey training), Tel: Eric 70710 (after 5) or jusl turn up.

Snorkelling 8Spear Fishing: Over 145 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 ESP). Adult/junior tournaments/ coaching, Tel: Ronnie44922 or Barry 73260, Sub-Aqua: Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Association taster dives for over 14s, tuition from local clubs. Voluntary sports clubs: Tel: 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. Junior lessons (Rebecca 71342), squad for committed swimmers, water polo(Chris 72869).

Table Tennis: Gibraltar Table Tennis Asso ciation(members ITTA)training/playing ses sions, Victoria Stadium, Tues 6-10pm and Thurs 8-11pm with coaching and league competition. Tel: Lizanne 45071/54020477 or Eugene 58014000.

Taekwondo: Gibraltar Taekwondo Associa tion classes/gradings Tei: Marl 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: Gibraltarlen Pin Bowling Association(members FIQ 8 WTBA)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, Volleybaii: Gibraltar Volleyball Association (members W 6 EVP)training, leagues, com petitions 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.

Theatrical Croups

Gibraltar Amateur Drama Association Ince's Hall Theatre Complex, 310 Main Street E-rnail:gibdrama@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 42237 www.geocities.com/gibdrama

Stage Musicals Group contact Trevor on 73098.

Trafalgar Theatre Group meet 2nd Wed of month. Garrison Library 8pm. All wetcome, Cfubs, Associations,should submit details to The Gibraltar Magazine. S3D ICC, Main St Fax: 77748 for inclusion in this guide.

Support Groups/Associations

Akoholics Anonymous meet 7pm Tues and Thurs,!lam Sat at Nazareth Hse Tel 73774.

Citizens' Advice Bureau Open MondayFriday 9 30-12.30and 2.30-4.30. Tel: 40006

Email: info@cab.gi or visit 10 Governor's Lane. No appointment necessary, no charge.

The Gibraltar CAB is holding outreach clin ics at St Bernard's Hospital every Tuesday. Advisors are available at the first floor re ception on Zone 4,from 9am to 3pm. Infor mation and advice given is free, confiden tial and impartial,

Families Anonymous Support group for relatives and friends who are concerned about the use of drugs or related behavioural problems. Meetings are held alternate Thursdays at 9om at Nazareth House. For more details Tel: 70047 or 73465.

Gibraltar Cardiac Rehabilitation and Sup port Group meets on the first Tuesday of ovory month at8.30pm at the John Mac Hall, 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.

Gibraltar Society for the Visually Impared. Tel 50111 i24hr answering service).

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.

Parental Support Group, helping parents and grandparents with restrictive access to their children and granchildren. Tel: Rich ard 46536. Jason 76618,Dominic 54019602.

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

SSAFA Forces Help Gibraltar, is a national charity, established to assist serving and exService personnel and their families. The charity helps to improve the lives of 80.000 people annually and there are approximately 7,000 voluntary workers. Community Sup port Team telephone(515481.

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. Flor 54007181 or Marie 79957.

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

Women's Aid. Aims to protect women and children from violence. Tel: 41999,

Church Services

Bahia Tel: 43637 for meetings.

Church of England Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Tel 78377. Sung Eucharist. Sunday l0.3Cam. 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 11am. Tues Bible

Study 6pm. Thurs Prayer Meeting 6pm.

Hindu Engineer's Lane Tel. 42515.

Jehovah's Witness Line Wall Rd Tel: 50186.

Jewish 10 Bomb House Lane Tel: 72606.

Methodist 297 Main St Tel: 77491. Sunday services 1 lam 87pm. Midweek Fellowships.

Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned. 215 Main St Tel: 76688.

The Cityline Church 13 Castle Street Tel: 75755 email: citylinegib@yahoo,com. Meet ing: Tues 8pm. Sundays 11am.

Support Groups artd Churches should sub mit details to The Gibraltar Magazine, S3D International Commercial Centre. Main St Fax: 77748for inclusion in this guide.