The Gibraltar Magazine February 2008

Fax:

• Installation

d2 compaci

Lightweight and compact

Automatic airflow director ensures uniform airflow and temperature distribution Air purification filter: - deodorises the air - helps prevent bacterial and viral propagation

Powerful mode can be selected for rapid cooling or heating

Washable front panel

Extremely quiet in operation, both indoors and outdoors

The outdoor unit can easily be mounted on a roof or terrace or placed against an outside wall

Up to 5 indoor units can be connected to 1 Multi outdoor unit. All indoor units are individually controllable with remote control and do not need to be installed in the same room. They operate simultane ously within the same cooling or heating mode.

^":iln a turbulent, fast changing world, there's a rock-solid offshore location that is costeffective. well regulated and accessible. And with the unique advantage of being in the European Union. This potent place is Gibraltar.

As a leading law firm, Hassans has steered many clients to the benefits Gibraltar offers, whether they are global corporations or private individuals of means. They find us expert, innovative, commercially-minded and client-focused.

Easy to deal with, too. There may be many miles of ocean between us but we're only a mouse-click away. Visit our website at www.gibraltarlaw.com or email us at info@hassans.gi.

d u

Above all else we offer hospitality and service

Then there's live entertainment at the weekend,and the finest cuisine.

The finest Slot Machines. Play the "Cash Express" and for just 5p you can become one ofiour jackpot winners(one lucky player won £45,000 in February!).

Nightly Bingo at 9.30pm. Extra sessions daily,call for details.

Blackjack, Casino Brag and American Roulette.

Experience the Gala Casino for yourself. Entrance is free with one form ofID required for the Gaming Room,and you'll find there's a great deal to enjoy!

Openii^ times: Slot Room !2pm-2am.Cocktail Bar 7.30pm-3..'?0am. Restaurant 8pm-1.30am (closed on Sundays and Mondays), Gaming Room 9pm-4am, Nightly Bingo at 9.30pm. Extra sessions daily, call for details.

^n^ertcUMjriad: GALA CASINO

7 hUROPA ROAD • UIBRALTAR TEL: 200 76666

hlsteryu heritage

BespokExecutive is a search & selection company offering discreet and confidential recruitment services in Gibraltar and other offshore jurisdictions.

Specialising only in senior executive and management opportunities, we offer headhunt or contingency services tailored to your specific requirement and specification.

Whilst our primary aim is to provide a focused and professional solution to our client's immediate needs, our long term ambitions are to offer a true recruitment consultancy service providing added value to a select portfolio of clients and candidates. At

• We take time to understand your business thoroughly.

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If you are a prospective client looking to identify a senior team member or a prospective candidate looking to progress your career, please contact us on the number below.

We guarantee complete client & candidate confidentially in all our communications.

Telephone +(350) 200 46328

Email info(@bespokexecutive.com

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Criminal Law Reform update

Minister for Justice, Daniel Feetham, recently announced that the Working Group on reform of the Criminal Law has made substantial progress on a wide range of issues and the Government envisages that it will be In a position to take legislation to Parliament this year. The purpose of the Working Group is to put forward proposals for law reform of the criminal justice system and Its structures including reforms to the procedures in place In criminal cases and amendments to the substantive law and the rules of evidence.

Daniel Feetham said "This will be the most comprehensive and significant reform of our criminal justice system for decades. The Government Is determined to ensure that we have a modern criminal justice system that strikes the appropriate balance between protecting the rights of the accused and ensuring we have a system that works efficiently and protects the public and victims of crime."

Specific areas being looked at Include:

• Reform of our criminal offences. Government intends to introduce a major piece of legislation codifying and reforming all criminal offences in one statute. Work is complete on legislation dealing with sexual offences with emphasis on offences against children. This includes legislation dealing with internet crime against children and the maintenance of a sexual offenders register. The next segment will include work on offences such as theft and fraud.

• Work was undertaken prior to the creation of the Working Group in relation to a new Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act setting out and regulating powers/duties of police in relation to individuals in police custody and evidence in criminal cases.

• The rules of evidence in relation to vulnerable victims and witnesses will be reformed. The rules will allow Special Measure Directions in cases involving vulnerable or intimidated witnesses such as the giving of evidence by live link or video rather than In open court (particularly useful in child abuse cases).

• Victims of Crime will be given greater legislative protection.

• The existing procedure for committing cases for trial from the Magistrates' Court to the Supreme Court.

• The threshold for election to trial by jury will be increased. A comprehensive exercise in this area has not been undertaken for decades.

• There will be a comprehensive revision of levels of fines across the board.

The Working Group comprises Defence Lawyers Christian Races, Ray Pilley, Maurice Turnock, Members of the Judiciary, Crown Counsel Liam Yeats, Chief Inspector Mifsud, Chief Officer ofPrisons Daniel Agius, Members of the Legislation Support Unit and Ministry ofJustice staff.

Gibraltarian Lead Author of UN Global Monitoring Report

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2005-2014 the UN Decade in Educa tion for Sustainable Development. Increasing evidence of climate change and growing con cern about the future of the earth has meant that countries are turning to people rather than science to address the global problem of sustainability. Increasing participation and in volvement in environmentand sustainability is seen as the way forward. The Director-General ofUNESCO,Koi'chiroMatsuuraon the occasion of the launching of the Decade in New York on 1st March,2005 explained,"The Decade is more than just a slogan. It must be a concrete reality for all of us... so as to promise a sustainable planet and a safer world."

A key question is how do we know that these activities are making a difference? How do we

know that this investment of time and resources are improving our current and future quality of life? Assessing progress is important at a number of levels and critical for learning from experience.

A Gibraltarian, Professor Daniella Tilbury has been involved, at the intergovernmental level, from the start of the Decade in activities to address sustainable development issues. She Chairs the UNESCO Global Expert Group on Monitoring and Evaluation advising the UNESCO Secretariat on all matters relating to the assessment of progress around the world. One of her key responsibilities is to develop a Global Monitoring and Evaluation Frame work to be used by National Commissions of UNESCO and heads of government agencies from Uzbekistan to Uruguay. The Framework will be accompanied by guidelines to assist national government agencies to report on progress and evaluate whether improvements have indeed occurred.

While global preparations are under way, regional agencies are also preparing for moni toring and evaluation of sustainable develop ment activities.The UNESCO Asia Pacific Office released two reports last December which aim to assist UNESCO Member States with the de velopment of Indicators at the national level to assess progress. The documents involved over 140 government representatives, sustainable development experts and other authorities via workshops held in Bangkok and Hiroshima as well as electronic communication. Professor Til bury was the lead author who framed the study, developed the indicator samples and facilitated expert involvement from around the world.

Daniella was born and educated in Gibraltar and often returns to Gibraltar to spend time with her family and friends.She is currently. Director of Sustainability at the University of Glouces tershire, UK and a member of the University's Senior Management Group.She was Founding Director of the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) and the 2007 recipient of the Austr^ian Award for In novation (Research).

Barclays Wealth held their annual client reception at the Eliott Hotel in December. The event proved to be as popular as ever, with guests including his Excellency the Governor and leading Gibraltar business figures. There was also a surprise visit by Barclays Wealth Group Vice Chairman Gary Hoffman. Gary was appointed as Group Vice-Chairman in July 2006. He was formerly Chairman of UK Banking and of Barclaycard and prior to that was Chief Executive of Barclaycard. He joined the Board on 1st January 2004. As Group ViceChairman, Gary is accountable on the Board for a range of responsibilities including Corporate Responsibility, Public Policy. Equality and Diversity, leading the Group's response to the FSA's Treating Customers Fairly initiative, chairing the Group's Governance and Control Committee and franchise health with customers, employees and communities. Gary is also a Non-executive Director of Trinity Mirror PLC.

Does Inheritance Tax Scare the Pants Off YeuP

Every newspaper — even "red tops" — regularly injects fear into the not-so young ex-pats trying to forget about tax and death while they enjoy the sun and adventure of (hopefully) an extended lifespan — typically in Spain or Gibraltar.

If the editorial ignores the threats to the next generation's windfall inheritance, there are al ways the advertisements from a host of willing salesmen offering a quick cure provided a finan cial product is purchased(but likely to leave the salesman with a larger estate to hand on).

Then there is always the friend,acquaintance, person next to you on the airplane or on the next table in your favourite rendezvous, who convinces you it is simply a matter of spend ing more time here, than there, and asserting in your will that you want to be incarcerated near your (second) home. Then, "Bob's your uncle" — sorted!

Well if onlv the UK or Irish Re\'onucs' at

tentions were so easily diverted to those poor souls with only one average-priced house back there to tax. As a true-Brit, possibly sporting the occasional union jack fashion accessory, to escape UK inheritance tax on your foreign villa, you must not be domiciled in the UK. Don't look up "domicile" in the dictionary! It will tell you it's a "place of abode" and you'll think that if you don't live somewhere, it can't be an abode. Wrong! There are four names and even more definitions used for eligibility for different taxes.

"Residence" is not even where you physically are most of the time since it can be,for instance, to where vou keep returning or where your

partner and/or children reside. And stop think ing it's all about some 183-day count, because there's a 91-day test too(amongst others)!

"Ordinary residence" can take over three years to shed — it's the concept of the country you would still be in if you had not gone away as - if you might go back. Residence and ordinary residence affect the income tax and capital gains tax payable.

"Domicile" is the country to which you be long — even if you have never been there,and starts with one's origin — usually the country of birth of your blood father. It's no easy thing to dump one's first domicile without continuous residence elsewhere, combined with no endur ing connexion with the original.

And there is always "tax residence" — per haps the country you may work in, but don't live in,like increasing numbers who slave away in Gibraltar — but perhaps enjoy more space to breath in Spain. UK-provided pensioners remain taxable in the UK as far as their pensions go.

If the UK Chancellor's proposals arc adopted, non-residents, also not domiciled, in the UK will be OK (as far as UK inheritance tax is concerned). Gibraltar does not, of course, have estate duty or inheritance tax anyway,any lon ger. Those who are clearly non-UK domiciled, butsbll resident in the UK for 17 years, will lose their non-domicile status and many will con sider upping sticks to re-domicile to Gibraltar, for example-even if also in Spain.

Legal advice is the key to proper and effec tive tax planning and from an outfit capable of giving UK, Gibraltar and Spanish advice, as applicable.

About Paul de Beresford

Paul de Beresford is a UK-qualified consultant tax practitioner at Hassans, International Law Firm in Gibraltar who also have a Spanish company with Spanish lawyers located in Sotogrande. He has lived in Gibraltar for over seven years having previously been a partner headingup tax departments in two UK Top-20 Chartered Accountants'firms in London. He can be contacted by emailing paul.deberesford@hassans.gi or telephoning -f350 200 79000.

Don't look up "domicile"in the dictionary! it will tell you it's a "place of abode"and you'll think that if you don'tlive somewhere,it can't he an abode.Wrong!

Swimming for Special Olympics

Six members — Luis

L/0),

Member),

Member)— ofthe Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics participated in the annual Polar Bear Swim held at Catalan Bay to raise awareness of dte Torch Run and collect funds for Gibraltar's Special Olympic Athletes. Raising funds for the Special Olympics Athletes is one of the main priorities of the Law Enforcement Torch Run. This is achieved through sponsored events such as the annual Torch Run, Fishing Competition, Christmas Lottery Raffle and the Polar Bear Swim.

IT course lor Seniors

Feeling a little left behind by all this new technology? Wishing you could stay in touch with friends and family by email, but don't know how? Well now's your chance to leam. An Information and Communications Technology(ICT)Course aimed specifically at Senior Citizens is being held this month by the Department of Education and Training.

TheICT Courses begin on Tuesday 5th Feb ruary 2008 and run for five weekly sessions at Bleak House Training Institute, Europa Point. Tuition is designed to offer training in basic skills on the use of Word Processing Programs,sending and receiving e-mails and use of the Internet.

Application forms are available from the Trairung Unit of the Department of Education and Training at40Town Range,and prospec tive participants are advised to register as soon as possible.

Debono(GPA

Terence Lopez(Committee

Joseph Gilbert(SIL L/O), Nicholas Peliza(RGP), Kevagn Pstella(CFBL/0), RobertPeliza(Committee

TheRightPlacement

"On average, we hope to place suitable local people in about two weeks," says Ian Hancock of Recruit (Gibraltar).

As an associate of RocruitSpain, founded in Fuengirola nearly five years ago. Recruit (Gibraltar) began to take shape in the summer of 2005 when Ian Hancock joined the business and started to visit Gibraltar employers to offer them recruitment services.

The quality and professionalism of the com pany quickly impressed the potential clients, and as a result Ian opened his full-time Gibraltar office last October.

Ian, who comesfrom Colindale in north-west London, told me that the vacancies he fills are mainly office-based — IT,customer service and call centre operatives are the main thrust of the business, and Ian has become a specialist in providing gaming companies with staff.

"Accountancy professionals are very much sought-after," he told me at his airy first-floor

office in Line Wall Road. "We just can't get enough of them, particularly management ac countants. 1 could place five of them a month if they were available."

Ian told me that he places staff at every level of accountancy, from bookkeepers upwards,and, similarly, his IT and gaming placements go right across the spectrum."IT staff with the right skills can be snapped up straight away," he said.

Through Recruit (Gibrallar)'s website there are a massive 15,000 job seekers registered,

mostly from Gibraltar, the UK and the rest of Europe. But before any are submitted to a prospective employer, Ian carefully assesses the client's requirements to ensure that only the most suitable are recommended."We rarely send more than three CVs to an employer for any particular vacancy," he confirmed, which touched oft the main reason for a busy company to use lan's services. If they advertise the job in the local press they will be bombarded with CVs and phone calls, many from people who aren't at all suitable.

This is compounded by the fact that, having sifted through all the CVs, there are then a lot of time-consuming interviews to be held before discovering that many of the personalities just aren't going to fit. Even some local employment agencies simply send off the CVs ofeveryone on their books when they see a job advertised.

But when Recruit(Gibraltar)sends a CV,the employer knows that all of the preliminary work has already been done by Ian.

The first step, after seeing the employer, is to carefully search his database to identify suitable candidates. They are then screened personally by Ian himself, who either calls them in for an interview if they are locally based or by tele phone if they are further afield.

Having selected up to three likely candidates, Ian then arranges for their interviews with the employer, who might want to see them four or even five times.

The final steps are to check references on behalf of the client, and, if required, arrange for relocation.

"It's all bespoke," Ian told me."Some employ ers leave it all to me;others might,for instance, have their own relocation department,or prefer to check references themselves."

He said the methods are all very traditional, and one of the purposes of his meeting job seekers in advance is so he can sense if their personalities will fit in the new employer's office and with other staff.

"We are a quality company," he emphasised. "The two or three people we send for interview are as near perfect for the job as possible."

Placement time varies, but local people are usually found work within a week or so whereas those from further away and at higher levels can take months if relocation is involved.

All the employers are local, though, and mainlv comprise gaming,insurance and accoun tancy companies,along with others.There is no charge to the applicants, and employers pay a reasonable percentage of the annual salary - a percentage that makes it well worth their while to use experts like Recruit (Gibraltar). There is also the protection of a rebate period — if the new employee leaves within a short period, for example,there can be a full or partial refund of the fees. This varies according to many factors, of course.

As stated earlier. Recruit (Gibraltar) is cen trally situated on Line Wall Road,but callerscan only be seen by appointment. Employers and employees should contact Ian Hancock by call ing 200 77900 between 9am and 6pm Monday to Friday; or email ian^'Tecruitgibraltar.com. The website is recruitgibraltar.com, where you can see straight away a detailed list of the jobs available in Gibraltar which you can apply for immediately;or you can register on-line so that Ian will see your details when he is doing his initial search to fill a new vacancy.

Ian Hancock of Reeruh(Gibraltar)

by Brian McCann

'The two or throe people we send for Interview are as near perfectfor the lob as possible.'

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by Samantha Grimes

Towards the end of 2007 Isolas presented a seminar at their offices entitled 'Attracting and Retaining Talent'. Isoias recognised this is a hot topic and that it was important to highlight the fact that the needs of the workforce have been changing.

When attracting talent to your organisation it is important to perfect your recruitment policy to ensure you do attract the very best talent for the role and subsequently employ the right person. Branding is used as an important tool in the battle to attract talent but it is neces sary for organisations to recognise that the organisation must match the branding identity in order to improve retention levels.

How to retain the talent contin ues to elude many companies,so in order to improve retention levels it really is necessary and worthwhile trying to understand exactly what employees want and need and to consider implementing measures to try to achieve these changing expectations. The great retention debate concerns whether money, and the financial package generally,

continues to be the most influential factor. In fact, studies carried across Europe show that money is no longer the only motivating factor when employees decide to stay or leave an organisation. Rather, employees consider such factors as feeling unappreciated; feeling that there is no chance of advancement, no opportunities to train, learn or develop; feeling unconnected in terms of the organisation generally.

or to managers and colleagues;su pervision by a poor manager.

There are many things that or ganisations can do in order to improve retention levels and here are just a few examples:

Consider whether you are hir ing the right person for the job in the first place and remember to be honest with applicants about the job that you are filling.

Consider whether it is possible

for you to recruitfrom within,given that internal recruitment can have many positive results. It can prove to be a quicker and cheaper way to recruit, it can help to motivate the workforce, with the added advantage that, as an organisation, you arc already familiar with the applicant and he is familiar with your business needs.

Do ensure that your organisation offers training where appropriate and necessary and that you encour age professional development.

Think about the benefits of satis faction surveys,employee recogni tion schemes and team building but be ready to try to make the changes that your workforce believes to be important.

Offer a competitive financial package.

Have in place managers that are well equipped to deal with those under their supervision. Managers do need to be adequately trained as they are accountable for their actions. They need to be legally compliant and fluent with your organisation's policies. What your managers do will reflect on your organisation.

Have workplace policies as these can educate. They set out what the organisation expects from its employees and also what the law expects

Studies show that the workforce wants to feel connected to the or ganisation; they want to feel like it is possible for them to make a difference and that their efforts will be recognised; they want to have the opportunity to learn and develop;they want to be supported by a great manager; they want a work-life balance and flexibility. Employing talented people in the right role can increase productiv ity and the effectiveness of your organisation but this talent needs to enjoy their work,be appreciated and respected and have a sense of belonging. They also need to feel engaged and that their talents and strengths are utilised and further developed.

Work-life balance is increasingly important to today's workforce and can be very important in the battle to both recruit and retain the best talent.This concept is all about giv ing your employees a choice about how tliey manage their work.Those organisations who have introduced work-life balance policies have found that their workforce is more content and satisfied and therefore more motivated. This has, in turn, resulted in low rates of absentee ism, increased productivity and measurably better recruitment and retention levels.

Forfurther information please con tact the Employment Team at ISOLAS on telephone 200 78363.

Studiesshow that the workforce wants to fool connected to the organisation; they wantto foot iiko it is possihio for thorn to make a difforonco

For al^cpur Fuel and Lubricant requiremeTits Shell

Brasfor Awareness

The BRAvery Campaign is now in full swing as Saturday 9th February draws closer.

"Our goal is to make a bra chain the length of Main Street," said Mark Montovio, "and to get as many people participating as pos sible to raise funds and awareness in support of the message — early detection equals survival. We hope that people will continue to donate unwanted or old bras with a mini mum donation of £1 for each bra. Once the chain is completed on the Saturday before Valentine's Day, the bras will be donated to a charity or appeal to be used for a second good purpose."

The Chain will begin its journey just outside the ICC Building at 11am and continue right through Main Street until the last bra is linked outside the Convent.A pink balloon will be attached to the chain for every nine bras, representing the 1 in 9 women who will be di agnosed with the disease.The Pink Book will also be available at the ICC for anyone wanting to write down a message, whether that is a message of support, a message celebrating someone's life, or a personal dedication.

"Volunteers are needed on the day for what will be a fun event," said Aimde from Aim^ejay Inti mates. "Bras need to be attached

to each other, balloons need to be inflated and awareness needs to be created. We need to make sure that we get enough bras to cover the whole length and would encourage more people to come and deposit their unwanted bras. At the same time, and because of the interest the whole event is raising, we are running a competition to see who can guess exactly how many bras will be used from beginning to end. The length we are hoping to cover is just under 900 metres and if you want to give it a shot and guess just pop in to Aimeejay intimates with a pound and your estimate.

The luckv winner will receive a £50 voucher from Aimeejay Intimates along with other prizes appropriate for Valentine's Day."

Anyone wanting to help should meet at the main entrance to the ICC at 10am on the Saturday where different tasks will be designated.

In the meantime, bras can be deposited together with the dona tion at Aimeejay Intimates, 1st Floor ICC who will also donate £1 if donors hand in an old bra and purchase a new one.

For info contact Mark Montoino on 20040538 email mounl@gibraltar,gi.

"Volunteers are needed en the

he a tun event"

IBang & Oiufsen comesto Gibraltar

Bang & Olufsen, the Danish company with a worldwide reputation for quality consumer products, has just opened a new store in Gi braltar.With this new and strategic new store in Gibraltar, Bang & Olufsen strengthens its distribution channel and brings the total num

ber of Bang & Olufsen outlets on the Iberian Peninsula to 82.

Situated in the city's shopping street,the new Bang & Olufsen Gibraltar store occupies an area of75m^ has a fagade of over 4m and is managed by Raju Kishin Alwani.

From the new store on Main Street, Raju Alwani and his team will offer personalised solutions adapted to customers'specific require ments.For Bang & Olufsen,technology is not an end in itself, but a response to the demand for a unique and differentiated experience,such as the use of a single remote control for all devices, among ethers.

people's

In the case of legitimate multi level marketing businesses a meaningful income can be earned solely from the sales of the associated product or service to customers who are not themselves enrolled in the scheme.

Key ways to identify such a pyramid scheme include;

A high pressure sales pitch

Little to no information offered about the com pany unless an investor purchases the products and becomes a participant

Vaguely phrased promises of limitlessincome potential

No product or a product being sold at a price ridiculously in excess of its real market value. An income stream that chiefly depends on the commissions earned by enrolling new members or the purchase by members of products for their own use rather than sales to customers who are not participants in the scheme.

A variant of the traditional style pyramid scheme is known as the Ponzi scheme, after Charles Ponzi one of its more famous perpe trators, who, in Boston in 1919, offered 90 day promissory notes at an interest rate of 50%. He achieved this briefly by using the investment made later participants to pay the excessive interest offered to earlier investors. An even more audacious project was set up by John Law in the early eighteenth century and known as the Mississippi Scheme which at one stage promised returns of 120%. The key difference between a pyramid and Ponzi scheme is that in a Ponzi scheme the promoter generally has no product to sell and pays no commission to investors who recruit new "members." Instead, the promoter collects paymentsfrom a stream of people, promising them all the same high rate of return on a short-term investment

The scheme has to collapse, the only quesdon is when. As the scheme grows it need more and more participants to fund payments to the earlier ones. Whilst it appears attractive to some, as the early investors do make significant gains, this comes from others investors, not from the profitability of the scheme itself, and so the vast majority (over 90%)will lose their investment,

Some claim that all of literature can be distilled into seven basic plots. These are: overcoming the monster; rags to riches; the quest; voyage and return; comedy; tragedy; rebirth. The financial services frauds that the average person may fall victim to similarly fall into a few basic categories. The details may vary but these techniques have held true throughout the years. whilst the newspapers focus on large scale frauds, many fraudsters deliberately go for small amountsfrom large numbers.They do this both to reduce the risk of detection and rely on the victim being too embarrassed at their own perceived stupidity to report the matter. As can be seen from some of the tricks below they may also allude to the enterprise being in some way illegal (for example a tax or exchange control evasion vehicle)so also deterring the victim from reporting the matter to the authorities for fear of getting themselves into trouble.

Now to the scams. This month we look at The Pyramid Scheme,The Share Ramp,and The Advance Free Fraud.

1. The pyramid scheme

There are a number of types of pyramid scheme. The traditional versions all share one overriding characteristic.They promise consum ers or investors large profits based primarily on recruiting others to join their program rather than

being based on profits from any real investment or real sale of goods to the public.

According to the US federal Trades Com mission (FTC), there are two tell-tale signs that a product is simply being used to disguise a pyramid scheme: inventory loading and a lack of retail sales. Inventory loading occurs when a company's incentive program forces recruits to buy more products than they could ever sell, often at inflated prices. The people at the bot tom of the pyramid make excessive payments for inventory that simply accumulates in their bedrooms or attics.

The economic costs of such schemes can be huge. It is estimated that the collapse of such a scheme in Albania in 1996 cost investors$1 billion (43% of the country's GDP). In 1994 in Russia at least two million people were duped in another scheme,losing as much as $1.5 billion

A further variation of a pyramid scheme is the chain letter distributed with a list of 5-10 names and addresses on it. The recipient is told to send a specified small sum of money (typi cally a few pounds)to the first person of the list. The recipient is then to remove this first person from the list, move all of the remaining names up one place, and to add his own name to the bottom of the list(and possibly others). Then he was to copy the letter with the new name list to 5-10 more people. Allegedly, if this procedure is repeated by others down the line the individual would eventually move to the top of the list and receive money from others.

To show the impossibility of such a system working for the vast majority of people,let us as sume that each person mailed actually responds, pays to the person at the top of the list and sends the letter to ten others. By the time the ninth per son to be put on the list starts to receive anything, one billion letters have to be in circulation

2. The share ramp

Ultimately a share has only two measure-

It Is estimated thatthe collapse of such a scheme In Alhania In 1996 cost Investors $1 billion (43% of the country's GDPl

ments oi value, what someone is willing to buy it for, or failing that, what value the assets of the underlying company are worth if they are sold, the company put into liquidation, the debts paid and what is left returned to the shareholders. Under this fraud, investors are made to believe the shares they are being offered are far more valuable than they really are.

Share ramping,though now generally illegal, is as old as stock exchanges themselves.Indeed dur ing the South Sea Bubble of the early eighteenth century one company advertised itself as "a company for carrying out an undertaking of great advantage, but nobody to know what it is".

In the21sr century potential investors are rung, frequently from so called boiler room operations, using high pressure techniques, and offered shares in companies alleged to have huge poten tial for growth. These companies, if they exist at all, have little if any liquidity, often only being sold by the one broker. Sometimes the victim will be rung again to be told that the shares have increased in price and then encouraged to buy still more. If the investor finally decides to sell they find that the shares having been ramped by the boiler room are in fact, worthless as they are not listed on a recognised stock exchange and therefore there are no buyers.

According to the UK Office of Fair Trading, investment scams, which include such boiler rooms, as well as fine wines and works of art, claim 90,000 victims in the UK each year, costing them £490m in total.

As well as phone calls, email "tip sheets" may be sent as well as supposedly "independent" websites talking the company up.

3)The advanced fee fraud

Advanced fee frauds have their ancestry in one of the oldest frauds known, the "Spanish Prisoner" scam. It originated in England in the late 16th century during the reign of Elizabeth 1 when England was under threat of invasion by Spain. Under this fraud an individual was approached by the fraudster with a convincing story about a wealthy compatriot of his who has been imprisoned in Spain by King Philip II under a false identity. The fraudster claims that this prisoner cannot reveal his identity without serious consequences and is relying on him to raise sufficient money to secure his release. He then offers the victim an opportunity to supply some of the money, with a promise that he will be rewarded when the prisoner returns.

Once the money has been paid the conman reports difficulties in securing the prisoner's release. Additional funds are therefore requested and then more and more.

The commonest modem form of these are the so called Nigerian or 419 frauds under which an individual is contacted (originally by fax but now commonly by e-mail) the number "419" refers to the article of the Nigerian Criminal Code dealing with fraud. The sender purports to be an executive of an oil company,bank employee.

lawyer representing a dead relative etc. The list is endless but the play is the same.

One of the key features of both the Spanish Prisoner scam and its descendants is the empha sis on secrecy; the fraudster also often tells the victim that he was chosen carefully based on his reputation for honesty.

Victim^can lose more than their money.They may not only risk criminal sanction themselves where the scam alleges to involve the theft ofthe money being transferred but some have been killed after travelling to the fraudster's country having been lured by the scam. Other victims have committed suicide.

Into this category also falls the regular e-mail lottery "wins". Here the individual who tries to claim will be asked to pay upfront charges. Often these will initially be small in nature (say an administration charge) but followed by tax, legal and other costs which mount up into several thousands of pounds, until the victim eventually sees sense or is drained of all their cash. According to the Financial Times, a recent survey on behalf of Microsoft found that half of those polled had received a lottery scam e-mail. About 16% had opened the e-n\ail, 10% replied and about 3% said they had lost money.

Other advance fee frauds relate to the offer of loans. The fraudster offers fast loans regardless of credit history. However,before the victim can have the money they are required pay a fee to cover insurance or administration for the loan. After the fee is paid the fraudster vanishes.

Next Mojif/j; Fictitious Instruments, Identity Theft, and PasswordlPin Theft

According to the UK Office of Fair Trading,investment scams ciaim 90,000 victims in the UK each year

Train t the Alni

A quick train ride from Malaga (12 huurs in an overnight sleeper which departs from Malaga main station at nine in the evening)to Barcelona, followed by an express train over the border into France, to Lyons, and then a provincial train through fine French countryside to St Gervais and a small one carriage tram-like train up the valley,and we were in Chamonix for Christmas Day lunch.

Chamonix is in the heart of the French Alps, looking up at Mont Blanc and a short ride from Switzerland, Martigny, and from Italy, through the Mont Blanc Tunnel.

We spent the first night in Best Western,decid ing that a three-star hotel should guarantee us the comfort and facilities to unwind and refresh from our journey, which had been fun mostly because ofthe fellow-travellers we met. Chamo nix also offers four-star hotels, including its most famous, the Mont Blanc, but super luxur\' was beyond our budget,and we intended to use the two-star hotels.

We were in Chamonix to relax and de-stress, content to watch others exert themselves on skis and snowboards — our intention was to find a comfortable and friendly hotel in which to stay for a few days, using it as our base to walk ...and eat! The famous Haute-Savoie cuisine had been beckoning us for months,and we had been hav ing visions of raclettes and fondues!

The Best Western provided a room which was carpeted and heated, with bathroom en suite, and a balcony/terrace with table and chairs, with a view out to the snowed-up town and out to the mountains. The room was small but efficiently and comfortably furnished, to be expected of Best Western, and with a price of 150 euros, good value for a room in the centre of town. But we had another vision in mind of

the kind of hotel we wanted to stay in, so the morning of the second day was spent looking for accommodation in the crowded holiday town-

Most of the visitors to Chamonix in winter are Italian and British, although there were signs of French families — over a year this community of 10,000 inhabitants hosts5,300,000 bed-nights, spread amongst its many hotels, chalets, apart ments and guesthouses. The Christmas period seemed to make up most of them — we were told.

No Vacancies at the first three hotels we visited. We were looking for a traditional-st)'le hotel, in a traditional building, small, comfort able and friendly, well-equipped, and at the right price.

We finally settled on Hotel Faucigny, a twostar establishment, in the centre, just by the Tourist Office and Church. We learned later that the hotel had been built in 1924, the year Chamonix hosted the first Winter Olympics,and it had maintained its traditions and style over the years since then. This was explained to us over a chocolat chaud with Guy and Jacqueline Ecochard, who have owned and run the hotel for the last three years.

Mme Ecochard makes the hotel reception

more like the front room of their own house with vases of lilies and local wild flowers bringmg the fragrances of the summer months.

Time was short so we had to be selective as to how we spent our two days. Market-day gave us the opportunity to buy local produce, in the form of smoked and cured sauc/ssc. We chose several different ones — duck, wild boar and smoked goat-meat! We also bought white goat cheese and,of course,some Camembert,but not too much as we felt it might start to get smelly and pungent before we could eat it all!

We found some more local produce at one of the two shops run bv Refuge Payot, specialis ing in every^ing you could imagine in the way of local gourmet produce, but we controlled ourselves and bought just a bottle of the local red wine.

We spent the rest of the day exploring the town stopping several times to refresh ourselves with hot chocolate, and later in the day a hot wine lunch was a delight in Brasserie Chambre 9, attached to popular hotel Gustavia, and we enjoyed a lively evening meal in the Brasserie des Sports, followed by live music till late in the bar Terrasse.

Our second day was set aside for excursions we had planned to ride the tram-train up to the Met de Glace, the Sea of Ice, to visit one of the breathtakingly beautiful glaciers snaking through the valleys leading down to town,but the day was too misty to get the best views. We went instead up to Argentiere, famous also for its glacier, and got as close as possible to the frozen blue ice-face. We would have liked to stay over a few days more — regretfully, as commit ments called, we had to leave for Geneva and make our wav home but looked forward to our return trip on the night-train!

Getting to the French Alps takes a little longer than *^driving up to Sierra Nevada, but the trip by train can "ibe part of the fun. Jon Lewes describes how.

course with a view te Moia BIeK

Wewenilnsteadupto Argentiere,famous also for its glacier,and got as close as possible to the frozen blue Ice-face

Technically, I suppose I was! I made records for some of the top record labels of the day RCA, Phillips, Parlophone and Bell records. I performed on top television and radio shows n the UK and in Spain. I played in theatres and even signed autographs! How about that then?

In reality though, of course I wasn't. Popstar status is a highly enthusiastic acclaim, physical and financial recognition, success! Fame! None of the above came my way in the quantities required to chalk up 'celebrity status'.

The closest I came to anything of that sort was being screamed at a little, during a show at the Naval Trust Cinema (now Regal House) and having to rush off at the end oftheshow through a sideentrance so as not to be 'mobbed' by about a dozen and a half fans. Again, a similar scene in El Circo Price in Madrid and listening to Alan Free man (top DJ in the '60s) saying one of our records had made the Radio London (along with Radio Caroline the main pirate radio ship broad casting totheUK) Top40. That, my friends, was really exciting.

1 remember him wondering whether we'd follow in the foot steps of Los Bravos (1 was, by then, with Los Cinco) who, at the time, were having a very big hit every where with Black is Black.

Well, it was not to be. Fame

and that'popstar' status pulled its tongue out at mc and flew out the window, into the grasp of one of the other 30 or40 thousand groups doing the rounds at the time. Good for them too!

It all started in 1959/60. I was partofGibraltar'sfirsthomegrown pop group The Diamond Boys who became very popular on the Rock and soon others were to follow. The V Brothers were very popular also and a number of other combina tions bounced onto the local pop music stage.

Just ahead of this, 1 remember one other pop music enthusiast who attempted to make it in the pop world in the UK. 1 recall see ing a picture in the Gib Chronicle and reading about some interest being shown in launching Eric Randall (ex-parliamentarian Lucio

Randall's brother) in England, as the next Tommy Steele. It never happened. There was one other 'close encounter' with the world of popular music in the UK in those early days 1 know of, and thisIonly found out about a couple of years ago when 1 met, for the first time, local tenor Mario Segui who had begun to have a career in England as a performer, and had toured with Joan Regan and The Dallas Boys. Mario had to give up his 'gig' in the music world because of family commitments.

So what route did my road to that elusive fame take?

The Diamond Boys did the rounds of all the dance venues on the Rock including the CSCA, the Prince of Wales social club, the DBA, and the Tower Buildings club. Down at the Victoria stadium they also held

dances atwhich we played and, no, the Assembly Rooms venue was before my time, but we did perform on the stage of the now infamous Theatre Royal a couple of times. A couple of years passed and I think we must've thought we were good enough to hit the world stage and become professional, and so we did.

I left my apprenticeship which I'd just started in the Dockyard. Gibraltar and Her Majesty's war ships were rescued fromthe handy work of what was set to become the Dockyard's worst electrical fitter, should 1 have served that appren ticeship for five years. Judging by my performance during my short stint of eleven months I think 1 can confirm that my contribution would have confined the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet to harbour for a very long time!

Thinking back, 1 doubt very much 1 would have stuck it out in that line of work whether 1 left Gib or not. 1 would probably have moved into something more to do with people — travel or tourism or

The Diamond Boys: Louis Vinet, Louis Balloqui, Albert Hammond. Richard Cartwright. Leslie

1 think we wusfve thought we were good enough to hit the world stage and become professional, and so we did

something similar.

During our stint as mere 'ama teurs' on the Rock, we recorded a couple of Hammond songs at Radio Gibraltar in Wellington Front (the 3rd Gibraltar scout group has now taken over the premises) and Parlophone records released the songs on a 45, for Gibraltar only 1 think. Loads of copie.s were sold at Teuma's record shop in Main Street — about 350... perhaps more. The thing is, it was a thrilling experi ence to hold your first record in your hands, read the cover and then play it on your record player. Hearing it on the radio wasan even greater thrill.

All the time this was happening, yours truly was a very shy boy, believe it or not. 1 was even em barrassed to walk down the street with guitar in hand, even if it was in a guitar case. That shy, slightly introverted or lacking in confidence streak was to stay with me for a longtime. Again,believe it or not, there are probably traces of that in me, still hanging about.

So at 17-and-a-bit years old and just ahead of being called up to do my Gibraltar Regiment stint, I headed south towards Tangier and the rest of Morocco to be initiated in the world of making-music-fora-living.

I was a youngster who, like the rest of us, had not seen very much.

We played at a club which was more like a venta or chiringuito re ally, that serviced the entertainment and other needs of those serving in the US base nearby.

Del Shannon's Runawav and The Marcels' Blue MacM were a couple of the favourite songs requested by the young GTs.'Hostess,' took on a very different meaning.Absolutely

nothing to do with the airlines and being served on a plane! Yes, we provided the music and were, in turn, paid and given lodgings,and the 'hostesses' sipped fake cham pagne, for which they received a commission (a bottle on the table would produce a very healthy fee for the lucky girl)anf they provided other services. All at an inflated cost to the young, virile, American visitors who could well afford it and felt it was money well spent.

I don't think I really knew what all of this was about, except the part that involved trying to sing and play in tune I guess. This was a new world, a new chapter in a poor,innocent,teenager's life. This place, in Morocco, in the middle of nowhere was called Sidi Slimane. We spent a month there and then it was time to move on.

Was 1 a 'popstar' yet? I don't think so.

We travelled back to Tangier played there and were hoping for another residency in Tetuan if I re call, but it never materialised so we came back to Gib,did a bit here and then got a contract to play at a ho tel/club/restaurant in Casablanca called, Le Tangage.

We were there for six or eight weeks. All of this work was booked for us by a Spaniard who worked for a Moroccan artists' booking agency. I think our Spanish friend was a relic of the 'Tangier Inter national' era, when Spain, France and the UK ruled the roost there. I remember he looked a bit sleezy to me, but he was quite fun.

Casablanca was another eye opener which contributed to the development of this young would be popstar.

Next month I'll tell you what hap pened next...

FIRST AID

Gtec Maritime lYainIng is pleased to announce that they are running the following First

it was a tbriiilMg experience to hold your 1st record in your hands...then play it on your record player.

Painting Emotion

Each and every painter has his ways and means of painting. Talking to the winner of the first Gibraltar Autumn Festival International Painting Exhibition Sonia Golt gains a deeper insight into what a painter feels in front of a blank canvas.

Daniel Candel, is not just a painter, he is an artist, a poet, a philosopher of life — a creative person who paints not only with his body but with also with his spirit and his soul. The differ ence is seen when you look at one of his paint ings — they seem to be talking to you and telling you something they expect you to feel, and you do feel. Each person who views his paintings feels differently as the paintings are abstract and attract you into the painting,so to speak.

For Daniel the physical aspect of painting is not enough, he needs to incorporate silence, meditation,change,games,fun and feelings.All these emotions and situations areput together to create his paintings. Tlie paintbrush flies from side to side, the colours are combined, paint flows everywhere, time flies, and a feeling of peace and contentment lies within. This is what painting is all about to Daniel.

Daniel's talent for painting goes back to his childhood as both his father and brother were keen followers of art and great painters. Before he went to nursery his father had already taken him on a visit to "el Museo del Prado" in Ma drid and the prodigy child was not bored but enthused by what he saw.

Young Daniel spent lots of time painting and drawing with coloured pencils, which he enjoyed more than playing with toys! He became the best painter at school and again at university but his father was never content

and he was often told off for not capturing the painting as his father wished. The first time his father gave him a compliment, although it was at half measures, was when he was 17 and had finished an oil painting hoping this time to impress his dad, who said simply "It's not bad..." but that was enough.

Daniel found it difficult to find his niche in painting, he wanted to express everything beautiful but he soon realised the old adage "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and so he started to express his own feelings on canvas, experiencing new ways ofshowing what he felt beauty was.

He loves to experiment with a brush and paint to open new horizons and give a sense of belonging to his paintings. His recent paintings are more in tune with his thought process. He likes to develop and produce paintings that are related to his conscience and touch convictions and feelings amongst other people. His paint ings not only have an exterior representation but

by Sonia Golt

also, he hopes, an interior reaction.

To perceive a painting it is like expressing life in a dual form, the observer and the observed, two totally different entities. Within ourselves we are shown our limitations but it is also within ourselves that our limitations are broadened.A painting starts in the mind, the idea, the con tents, and'the way of expressing it is imagined before it is painted and can sometimes feel unreal until it is put on canvas.

Daniel is a keen follower of Professor Keti Chukhrov from Mosco, he loves her teachings and he commented that he had been greatly impressed by a talk she gave on the theory of Art, which he attended a few years ago.

Daniel says painting has two facets: as a painter to look within to find the idea and later to find the way of experimenting with portray ing the new reality which has formed in the painter's head. Then it is the observer who defines the painting — forming impressions and stories about the painting perceived from the deeper zones within the mind. A painting is not only a pleasurable decoration it can also be the way to finding that dimension.

To Daniel obtaining a prize for his paintings is recognition and shows empathy with the painter — something you have spent time to finish is understood by the art connoisseurs and the general public in a way that generates a positive flow for him to continue to paint. Sometimeseven a comment about his paintings is like a prize — or watching someone looking at a painting in silence gives a feeling beyond being just a painter.

"Having won the first prize at the Gibraltar International Painting Exhibition has made me react to the Judge, Chris Orr's, comments to make me analyse and reflect upon his inter pretation of my painting — something to learn from no doubt."

Daniel explained how he conceived a paint ing, where the ideas flowed from.

"The ideas are sometimes unexpected, either inside my study, where 1 spend many hours thinking about what next, or in everyday life — sometimes in dreams and even via medita tion. I also obtain creative ideas from other cultures.

"I don't always start painting them and sometimes it may take months before 1 put my inspirations of these ideas onto wood as I tend to paint far more on wood than on canvas.

"Depending on the mood 1 am in 1 sometimes have music in the background other times 1 prefer to paint in silence. I paint alone too as it gives me the opportunity to stop and think before I continue to paint or to finish something 1 felt was my inspiration and as I come back to earth 1 realise it is not what I wanted to portray — this I can only do when alone so I do not have anybody influencing my ideas."

As mentioned at the start of this article, Daniel is not just a painter he is a deep thinker and philosopher and there is much more to a painting of his than just what you see. He

The ideas are sometimes unexpected, either inside my study,where I spend many hours thinking ahout what next,or in everyday life— sometimes in dreams and even via meditation."

relays an anecdote about an old gentleman who went to one of his exhibitions in Seville. This man stopped at every painting looked at it intensely and then moved to the next. When Daniel asked him at the end of his tour what he thought of the exhibition the gentleman said: "I am too old to understand an abstract piece of art, but in this exhibition I feel good about myself, I cannot fathom why but this is what it has done to me."

So, what is next for Daniel?

"The Ministry of Culture has very kindly asked me, through the Fine Arts Association, to prepare an exhibition for March 2008 and 1 have accepted. 1 therefore wish to thank the Minister for Culture Edwin Reyes, Director of Culture Cynthia Eagle and the President of the Fine Arts Gino Sanguinetti for giving me this opportunity. I am working toward this event and my aim is to have the general public enjoy, feel and like the paintings."

We are sure thev will.

ArtCompeiiiions

Artists take note — there are two great com petitions coming up for the Gibraltar Spring Festival with some very good cash prizes.

Firstly, the Ministry of Culture is holding a competition to select the logo for the Gibraltar Spring Festival 2008 itself.

The competition is open to all ages who may submit up to two original works. Entrieson pa per or card must be A4size indicating whether the orientation is'portrait' or'landscape'.

Designs may contain up to three colours and should be simple and suitable for printing on posters,flyers, tickets etc and must contain the

The University of Durham mm Durham Business School in Gibraltar

Durham Business School has been helping to develop businesses in Gibraltar since 1998, providing Business and Personal Development for all levels of Management.

We offer open programmes for managers leading to qualifications from the University of Durham and the Chartered Management Institute.

We can also specifically design custom programmes to meet the current and future needs of your business.

All our workshops are practical and are designed to have an immediate impact on you and your business. We use Business Professionals with up-to-date knowledge of management best practice and theory to deliver our workshops.

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wording:'Gibraltar Spring Festival 2008.' The prize for the winning entry is £300.

Entry forms and conditions are available from the Ministry of Culture, 310 Main Street (Tel:20047592 e-mail: minculture@gibtelecom. net) where works may be handed in from 9.30am to 1pm, and 2.30 to 5pm Monday to Friday. The closing date for entries is Friday 14th March 2008 so get designing!

You have more time to create something special for the Gibraltar Spring Festival Art Competition, organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with The Fine Arts Association. This competition is open to Gibraltarians and residents of Gibraltar aged 16 and over who may submit a maximum of two artworks (painting and/or sculpture). The competition will include an exhibition ofentries at Casemates Exhibition Galleries from 29th May to 13th June 2008. Works must be original and not previously entered competitively.

The prizes for this one can really make a dif ference to a struggling artist with the top hon ours being rewarded with £1,500(the artwork will become the property of the Ministry),2nd iSOO, 3rd £250. Two further prizes sponsored by the Alwani Foundation and AquaGib respec tively are:Best Gibraltar theme £500;Best work by a young artist(16-24 years)£500.

Entries may be handed in at the Casemates Exhibition Galleries during office hours from 12th - 16th May 2008. Entry forms are available from the Fine Arts Gallery; the Arts Centre; John Mackintosh Hall; Ministry of Culture; or download from www.gibraltar.gov.gi (go to 'Government & Public Services' and click 'Culture'). Happy creating!

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To perceiue a painting it is iike expressing iife in a duaiform, the observer and the observed,two totaily different entities

Gibraltar Spring Festival 2008

munications sector in Gibraltar which includes telecommunica tions, radio communications and broadcasting transmission.It is the national supervisory and regula tory authority for these sectors in accordance with EU law which has been transposed into Gibraltar na tional law. It states"Our polic)' is to

200:Parallel Running

Parallel Running for Gibraltar's new telephone numbers continues until September, but businesses should take action now.

During implementation of the new numbering plan for Gibraltar, continuing from December 2007for nine months of this year until 30th September, telephone numbers in Gibraltar can be dialled either in the "old" format of five digits or in the "new"format, with the number 200 added to the beginning. After September only the new 200 style will connect.

This parallel running will permit the smooth take-up of the new telephone numbers capacity now available to Gibraltar since agree ments were reached at Cordoba in 2007. Businesses need to use the time available until the end of parallel running to make changes to their stationery,signage,advertise ments and any other points where their number appears. They will also need to adjust their records to show the changed numbers of cus tomers and suppliers and to ensure users based outside Gibraltar are advised in ti me ofthe changes.They may also wish at the same time to confirm to the many overseas users not yet aware of the other recent change, that the country interna tional code for Gibraltar (350) has been in full operation since 2007.

The next edition of the annual Gibraltar Telephone Directory is due to be published in September 2008 and all the numbers listed will be in the new 200 format.

The Gibraltar Regulatory Au thority, GRA,has responsibility for ensuring the new numbering plan is implemented smoothly over the coming months and states that it is implementing the Plan as a "one-off

change for short, medium and long term and to establish an 8-digit Numbering Plan for Gibraltar". Complications may develop when, as is expected to have been an nounced by early-February, a new operator is licensed to open up in Gibraltar. The numbering system will be expanded to provide, for example, a 201 prefix for the new operator's numbers but, presum ably, the users will be listed in a separate telephone directory.

Mobile numbers will not be changed, says the GRA, as exist ing mobile numbers already have eight digits although future mobile services will use 8-digit numbers starting with the number six.

The GRA,which was established under the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority Act in October 2000, is the statutory body responsible for regulating the electronic com

enable Gibraltar to be recognised as

a world-class telecommunications centre for doing business around the globe and ensure that Gibraltar has high quality telecommunica tions services at competitive prices coupled with high performance end standards achieving a better deal for consumers".

Broadband for Less

CTS has announced Broadband Internet to both residential and home users at prices more than 50% LESS than Is currently available in Gibraltar.

By introducing the World's first "Self Install" WiMAX subscriber unit CTS has made the whole op eration of getting connected very simple and Very fast!

The device is compact and uses a simple but sophisticated user interface to enable optimum positioning without needing to switch on your PC. You simply plug the device into the mains power supply and its integral, 4 X 90"antennas will find the stron gest signal which is viewable by an LED display on the top of the unit — the stronger the signal,the longer the line (similar to the sig nal strength bars on your mobile phone handset),

The device has two optional "stackable" extension bases, one for sending WiPi signals through the home or business and the other for VoIP telephony.

The WiPi expansion unit allows the use of your wireless notebook etc.,and the VoIP unit allows users access to a range ofcall plans from CTS at very low prices. (Unlim ited calls to the UK,Spain,Europe

etc). Call plans are not new to CTS but now CTS will be using its own Broadband supply and will no longer be subject to the ADSL interruptions experienced by users in Gibraltar.

CTS was established over 22 years ago in Oxford, England and has a wealth of experience in Wireless technology. CTS UK won a contract some years ago to wirelessly connect users at Milton Park, Oxford — one of Europe's largest business parks and for the past two years CTS Gibraltar has been instrumental in the installation of a Wireless network in Cadizsupply ing the community with Internet and Telephony where there is no landline supply.

CTS is a market leader in Gibral tar in Telephone Systems-offering the Avaya range of products and is now a fully licensed Telecomms Operator.

Angle Jones, Director of CTS says "We have plans to roll out more services to the benefit of the community very shortly — so watch this space"

CTS Gibraltar has been instrumental in the installation of a Wireless network in Cadiz

Alwani supportfor Holy Trinity

The Very Reverend Alan Woods. Dean of Gibraltar, was pleased to receive £500 from Kishin Alwani towards the restoration fund for the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Kishin made the presentation on behalf of the Alwani Trust of which he is chairman. The fund, only launched 13 months ago, has already reached £350,000 out of the total £850,000 needed to save this part of Gibraltar's heritage. Gibraltar has been the headquarters of the Anglican Church in Europe, outside of England, since 1842. Kishin said his trust makes regular contributions to a broad spectrum ofcauses, and this was one that had interested him as he has previously made awards to other religious and herHage groups.

Luxury Health Club with a Dlflereuce...

We are pleased to announce the opening (1st February) in Royal Ocean Plaza at Ocean Village of a 5 star luxury health club with a difference.

The difference is that all the profits will go to provide educa tion to children in some of the poorest parts of Africa. The aim is to help at least 10,000 children go to school.

Mike Balfour, the founder of Fitness First, the World's largest chain of health clubs operating in 17countries with 1.5 million mem bers, who now resides in Gibraltar is a strong supporter and backer of the project and has acted as a voluntary consultant giving it the benefit of his extensive experience and expertise.

Ann Hudson who has worked with Mikefor 15 years will be run ning the project where she intends to create a world-class fitness club which offers its members state of the art fitness equipment, group exercise studio and luxurious changing rooms with towels and

robes.

Tel: 200 44242 or visit www. oceanvillagehealthdub.gi to register for membership.

Gibraltar Charity to help AIDS Orphans in Botswana

The Ark Trust, a Gibraltar Charity, has for many years worked with a project in Portugal helping orphans from Angola and other African countries. Unfortunately this work has had to close and the children have been found alternative accommodation.

Thanks to the integrity of the property owner,the funds invested by the Ark Trust and its donorsinto building improvements and exten sions at the Portuguese orphanage have been returned to the Ark Trust on sale of the property.

This now allows the Trust to re-direct funds to new projects, including new work in Botswana to give help and homes to AIDS orphans.

The project in Botswana is called Elpis Bridge (apparently from the Greek, signifying Bridge of Hope).

Team leaders,Tony and Johanna Morals, who used to look after the orphans in Portugal, have a vision to open a day centre and an orphan age to take in at least 50 orphans. The planned project has classrooms and many other facilities as well as the orphanage itself. They have been given land (about 200x150m) to house the project. Next they

need a bore hole (roughly £3,000) and fencing (£4,000). This will be followed by the first stage of the building — a day centre to sup port to the area's children (£8,000), followed by orphanage sleeping quarters(£10,000).

Andrew Baker, the Chairman of the Ark Trust says,"This is a brave and courageous enterprise... we encourage everyone to help get this work off the ground. Financial support for the present feeding programmes or sizeable donations towards the building programme would be really appreciated at this time. Every donation, however large or small, will be gratefully received."

Ifanyone would like to help support this project for these needy children, contact Simone Lynch at the Ark Trust on 200 42686 or send donations, pay able to the Ark Trust, also to Simone Lynch,Fidecs Group,Montagu House, 8-70 Queensway.

info@melrosebooks.co.uk 3 www.melrosebooks.co.uk S

Abraham Beniso

The Modest Canter

It is not widely known in Gibraltar, outside the Jewish community, that a Gibraltarian is one of the most highly regarded Cantors within worldwide Sephardim. This is Abraham Beniso, a man who has just celebrated the 85th anniversary of his birth and looks back on an amazing singing career as a tenor.

Abraham's voice has never bro ken and is as pure today as it was attheageof20. This is a hereditary blessing and has been passed on to his son,Isaac,and incredibly to his grandsons.

Abraham attended the Hebrew School in Bomb House Lane and, after passing the Cambridge ex aminations at the age of 16, went to work for Benaim and Company as an office boy. Atthe outbrejik of the Second World War he tried to enlist with the Gibraltar Defence Force by adding a year to his age (unwise in Gibraltar where nothing is se cret). The recruiting sergeant soon rumbled him and that was the end of his military career, but his wish to volunteer enabled him to escape being evacuated to Casablanca.

When the evacuees were re

turned to the Rock he was reunited with his family,however his mother posed this question to the authori ties — where are we going to be evacuated to next and how am I going to be able to look after my other son who is blind? The up shot was that Abraham was given permission to leave Gibraltar with his mother.

The convoy they travelled in took an amazing 17 days to reach Swan sea and the contingent eventually

Two small synagogues were created in the building and they were visited by the Yugoslavian Rabbi, Dr Solomon Gaon, who since the 1930s had been the Rabbi to the Sephardic community at Lauderdale Road. This was how .the famous Rabbi came to meet a Gibraltarian girl, Regina Hassan, who became his wife. In 1949 Dr Gaon was named Haham (Chief Rabbi) of the Spanish and Portu guese Congregations of the British Commonwealth.

The young Abraham used to help in one of the synagogues and after the service would accompany the Rabbi to the bus stop. One day in 1943, having heard him sing many times. Rabbi Dr Gaon advised him to go to the Jews' College and study for a teaching diploma and study 'Chazanut' which is how a cantor conducts services. It turned out Abraham never completed the course at the Jews' College — as his fame spread he found himself singing at so many weddings and funerals it left him little time for study.

In 1944 the family was sent to Northern Ireland but Abraham was there for only a month before returning to London where he sang at Lauderdale Road. He remained there for two years until his family returned to Gibraltar in 1945 (his mother went to live with her sister in Hospital Steps).

At this time the Rev. Joseph Go mez de Mezquita was the Minister at Bevis Marks synagogue.(In the Jewish faith the word Reverend signifies a person who officiates at a service and is usually a cantor). When the Minister retired to return to Amsterdam,Abraham took over as cantor for two years.

ended up in the Empress Hall, West London, it so happened there was only one other Jewish family with them which made life difficult in view of the communal cooking. Someone eventually decided all Gi braltarian Jewish families should be housed together and they were all accommodated in one block in St. James'Avenue, West Kensington.It was a tightsqueeze with four fami lies living in each flat but at least each family had its own room.

During his time on the Rock Abraham became engaged to Ra chel Cohen. They were married in Gibraltar and went on to have a son and daughter and now are busy with six grandchildren and one great grandson. Abraham pays tribute to his wife who sup ported him in every possible way during his distinguished career as a cantor, which meant he has had to spend a great deal of time away from Gibraltar.

In 1949 it was suggested he should perfect his singing by taking singing lessons and he went to the London College of Music where he studied under Mark Raphael who encouraged him to go for an audition at the Guildhall School of Music. He was accepted but had to wait for three months before a place became available. There, once again, fortune smiled on him and for four years he was pupil to the baritone Reinhold Gerhardt of the Vienna State Opera.

In 1953 he returned to Gibraltar

as hisfame spread hefound himself singing at so many weddings and funerals it left him little time for study

as the Rev. Beniso and sang at the Line Wall synagogue sometimes ac companying the official cantor.

In 1955 Dr Caon telephoned him to ask a favour — for him to fly to Johannesburg to conduct the services for the Jewish New Year and the Year of Atonement. The invitation was accepted with alac rity. (At that time it took four days to get there but when he went again six years later the jou rney only took 16 hours!)

During this time Abraham was the secretary to the Jewish Com munity Managing Board, a post held for 14 years.

In 1959 Rabbi Caon asked him to return to London as the cantor was leaving. Once again he accepted by with the proviso that he flew out on a Thursday, returning on the Sunday.

Since leaving London to settle in Gibraltar he has continued his Chazanut and given concerts worldwide and, as his reputation spread throughout the world, he has sung in Johannesburg, New York, Caracas, Amsterdam, Co penhagen, Manchester, Cardiff, Tangier, Nice, Marbella, Lisbon and Torremolinos to mention but a few. He sang at the Sephardi Chazanut Festival in Jerusalem in 1974 and at the Tercentenary celebration of the Spanish and Portuguese Syna gogue of Amsterdam in 1975.

Abraham points out that ho also sings on non religious occasions and recently sang with Nathan Payas at a concert at Bayside School to mark the 60th anniversary of the wartime evacuation.

IIn 1951 he sang at the celebration to mark the 250th anniversary of the Bevis Marks Synagogue and was introduced to the Duke of Edinburgh, then in 2001 sang at the 300th anniversary and was pre sented to the Prince of Wales.

Two years ago a service was held to mark theSSOtli anniversary of the resettlement of the Jews in England and as a cantor he was presented to the Prime Minister. At the reception in the Guildhall he spent some ten minutes talking to Tony Blair and made it clear that he was a Gibraltarian who was a British citizen and that Gibraltar wanted to remain British. Tony swiftly changed the subject and asked questions about the service and about the National Anthem sung in Hebrew which

had been written by the late Rabbi Moses Benaim, Chief Rabbi of Gibraltar.

In 1971 Abraham's daughter, Sylvia wasstudying in London and asked if, before returning to settle down on the Rock,she could go to Israel to leam Hebrew. Abraham used his contacts to find the most appropriate religious kibbutz and there she met a young Israeli who spoke Spanish (which he had learned when his father was legal advisor to the Israeli Ambassador in Montevideo).The happy ending is that he became Abraham's sonin-law when he married Sylvia in 1974. The event coincided with a concert in Jerusalem of cantors from all over the world to which he was invited to attend. They now live in Israel and have two sons, Ariel and Noam;one a musician,the other an IT consultant.

Ariel specialises in classical gui tar and after graduating in Israel was sent for further education in Oklahoma. At the graduation concert as an encore he sang with his grandfather, an experience re peated some time later at a concert in St. Michael's Cave.

Now,since the last official cantor died and has not been replaced, Abraham, his son Isaac, grandson and Sam Benzaquen, President of the Synagogue, take it in turn to act as cantor.

Abraham's beautiful voice is also heard around the world on a series of CDs. The first recording of Sephardi melodies was made in London in 1950 and since then a series of different albums recorded in Kol Israel, the National Library, Jerusalem,London and Manchester have been produced. His voice also features on tine CD issued to mark the visit to Bevis Marks by the Prince of Wales.

Two of Abraham's close friends are Bishop Bernard Devlin and the late Dom Francis Little. On many an occasion he would walk arm in arm down Main Street with the Benedictine monk, the two of them singing Catholic hymns and latino songs. Alas this was never recorded for posterity.

This is the story of a remark ably modest Gibraltarian who by the sheer quality of his voice is regarded as being one of the finest Sephardiccantors in the world. No mean achievement.

Abraham pays tribute to bis wife who supported bim In every possible way durlug bis distinguished career as a cantor

Albert Borrell:

All for a Good Cause

Albert Borrell is a 23 year old Mortgage Adviser at Natwest Bank and he is December's banker in the charity Men at Work Calendar.

"I have a total of nine brothers and sisters and I am the youngest of the lot. I have a very loving and caring mother and father and they have been the key to my develop ment as a thoughtful, wise and respecting individual," explains Albert who has lived in Gibraltar most of his life although he spent some of his early years living in Spain amongst a huge family with members belonging to all walks of life.

"I was born into a Roman Catho lic family, with strong social values and a compassionate way of view ing life. Just because I am Roman Catholic doesn't mean though that I am better or worse than anyone from any other religion, and I believe that in this world we are all equal and have the same rights. I owe my great sense of drive and passion to my mother, and my courage, understanding and patience to my father. 1 cannot thank them enough for the support and education they have provided for me, which at times 1 know has not been easy. I can only hope one day to be half as good a parent as they have been, and continue to be for me,"

Albert left school when he com pleted his A-levels and then under took some professional courses via distance-learning.

Albert enjoys his work and loves being able to help people buy a house for the first time when he sees their enthusiasm and aspira tions for the future.

"I am happy 1 am involved in such an important stage of someone's life. My aim is always to help out wherever possible, and cause the least grief or hassle in whatis seen statistically as the third most stressful thing in someone's life. My colleagues are all great and make my work feel like it's an extension of my beliefs and life. We are one big happy family here!"

Albert was very sceptical about taking part in the calendar. "I considered what all my work col

leagues (all 180+ of them!) and close contacts and friends would be thinking and saying and frankly, 1 didn't sec myself posing for a photograph of that nature.

"I finally did muster the courage to take part and did not think the experience was as scary as I had imagined. I was driven by the cause. Breast Cancer is an all-too-common illness amongst the women in our society (1 in 9). Although it is not fatal if detected early, it doesn't mean it cannot bring down the life ofan entire family in one swoop.By posing for the calendar, and doing so on a sponsorship basis, I knew the money I was collecting was going towards supporting those affected and that it would create awareness.

to the monster we know all too well as the Refinery shows us too often the pain and suffering cancer brings to those we most care about.

"Looking back now,I think about what I had to do in comparison to what someone could suffer and if I had to pose'naked'everyday of my life, to keep someone I loved from bearing such a horrible illness, 1 would do it willingly."

Albert has been involved with the Cheshire Home Support Group for eight years now and loves spending time with the group of young people from Gibraltar who meet to discuss and learn about disability issues and then spend a week in Morocco putting many things into context.

"I have many good memories and I can hand-on-heart say it is a life changing experience to those who otherwise may fall by the wayside on the path to ignorance. Taking part has given me under standing, compassion, and a sense ofselflessness I may have otherwise overseen."

Albert hopes that people are able to learn something from this article:

"When you finish reading take a step back and think. Who are the people that matter most in your life? What would happen if they were not there? Is there anything you can do,which doesn't necessar ily represent a huge effort that you could be doing? My presence in the calendar supports breast cancer, but it carries a message for all of you — anyone, whoever you are, whatever you do, and wherever you may be... you can all make a difference to someone, somehow. So do it. Just make sure that what ever you do in your life is for a greater-good — be it for yourself, friend,family or stranger. You will feel surprisingly good by doing it, and you never know who you are inspiring to do likewise."

"Mv life, thankfully,has not been touched bv cancer—butliving next

"My colleagues are all great and make my work feel like It's an extension of my beliefs and life.We are ene big bappyfamily bere!"

Yellow Fever

the story of Pierre Charles Alexandre Louis

Speak of yellow fever and the words instantly conjure images of steaming jungles and humid, mosquito-infested swamps; the lost worlds of Tarzan, and of Conan Doyle's Professor Challenger. So it surprises many to learn that, less than 200 years ago,the disease was a serious problem in south ern Europe, not least in Gibraltar.

Epidemics frequently hit the Rock in the early '18th Century and there was a particularly virulent outbreak in 1828. Readers who wish to study the subject in depth should seek out the works of Dr Larry Savvchuk, including his recent book Diary of an Epidemic: YelUno Fei'er in Gibraltar, 1828, written in collaboration with local historian Dr Sam Benady.

The symptoms of yellow fever are not pleasant. The virus that causes it is carried by a mosquito which the learned anoraks in charge of naming these things call aedes aegypti. Why they bother is a mys tery. There is no known instance of anyone anywhere in the world ever shouting, "Look out, Eddie, there's an aedes aegypti on your leg!" (It's even worse in South America, where another species of mosquito pretentiously named haemagogus spegazzini is a rival villain. It is said that an explorer once ordered this by mistake in an Italian restaurant, but he may have been delirious at the time.)

Those unfortunate enough to contract yellow fever are blissfully unaware of it for two or three days, after which the pulse slows and a high fever develops, with vomiting and the passing of albumin in the urine (though few victims notice this at the time). Haemorrhaging and jaundice swiftly follow, while singing,dancing and any real inter est in the outcome of The X-Factor cease.

There is no effective treatment, and around a quarter of the stricken die. That's the bad news.The good news is that if you survive yel low fever once, you never have to worry about getting it again. One non-lethal attack gives immunity for life, enabling the survivor to stride boldly through the jungle shouting, "Bring it on aegyptil" Or dive nonchalantly Into the swamp with the challenge,"Make my day spegazzinil"

In 1828, neither Larry Sawchuk nor Sam Benady was available, and the present writer was barely out of primary school, so the au thorities did the next best thing. To investigate and report on the most recent outbreak of yellow fever in Gibraltar, they called in Pierre Charles Alexandre Louis — a man

who,at first sight, appears to be in desperate search of a surname.

Pierre Louis was born the son of a vineyard owner in the French village of Ay(Marne)on April 14th 1787. The sons of vineyard owners leap laughing from the womb and hit the ground running. Barring a catastrophic blight of the grapes or a sudden nationwide forswearing of the pleasures of wine (unlikely in France), the future is secure. Go to school, pretend to learn while in reality chasing the girls and oc casionally bunking off to play in the woods, and when schooldays are finally at an end, take over the

family business, produce an hei

and live happily ever after.

by Dave Wood

today seems like no more than plain old common sense, and it is difficult to understand why it was so revolutionary in its time.

At its simplest, it boiled down to little more than taking notes. In the early years of the 19th cen tury, doctors worked largely on a mixture of personal experience and instinct. Medicine,as a profes sion, was closer to the arts than the sciences. Confronted by a sick patient, the doctor would base his diagnosis on the memory of other cases he had experienced himself, or anecdotal information gleaned from colleagues.

Word of mouth and casually shared information can be valuable, even invaluable from time to time, but what Pierre Louis realised was that to be truly effective, medical knowledge had to be founded on accurate,detailed and meticulously recorded observations of large numbers of similar cases.

IOn his return to Paris from Odessa in 1820, he began putting his theories into practice. He was granted access to the wards of two hospitals. La Charite and HotelDieu, and for the next six years carried out rigorous observatiorrs of the patients, cataloguing details not only of the onset, nature and progression of their various con ditions, but also of their families, occupations, home life, eating habits — anything in fact that might ultimately prove of importance, whether its relevance was imme diately obvious or not.

If a patient died, Louis insisted on an equally carefully annotated autopsy. Though he was not per sonally involved with the actual treatment of the patients, he in variably carried out the autopsies himself.

r,

Butsuch was not Pierre's way.He had broader horizons and greater ambition. He wanted to be a doctor.

In 1807,he went to Rheims to study, and from there to Paris, where he gained his medical degree in 1813. For the next six years he practised medicine in Russia. The end of his time there coincided with an epidemic of diphtheria in Odessa in 1820,which Louis witnessed at first hand. It marked a turning point in his life. What he saw made a deep and eradicable impression. Like many great revelations, his insight

Every piece of data was carefully recorded, and wherever possible the results were set out in statisti cal tables.Tediousthough this may have seemed to others, Louis was nevertheless compiling an invalu able body of empirical knowledge that would one day be of immense help to doctors in the field.

Using his data,all of which came from his personal observations, he produced a number of influential works on diseases like tuberculosis (then known as consumption),and typhoid fever. As well as extend ing the scope and depth of new knowledge, his approach was also useful in scotching a few previously inviolate myths.

To take one example,his research into the effects of bloodletting,then a common treatment in hospitals everywhere, proved statistically its benefits were, at the very least, debatable. The days of rampant bloodletting, at least in hospital wards, were numbered,and Drac-

As well as extending the scope and depth of new knowledge,his approach was also useful in scotching a few previousiy inviolate myth

ula immediately crossed Louis off his Christmas card list.

Pierre's fame spread rapidly, and far beyond Paris. His meth ods were particularly influential in the United States, where his groundbreaking work is still highly regarded. Odd then, or perhaps not, that in Paris itself there were those among the medical fraternity who were dismissive, even coldly disdainful of his achievements.The old guard seldom salute a brash new recruit enthusiastically and,as mother used to say, old habits die hard,especially bad ones Although he taught at the hospitals, and be came a member of the Academy of Medicine, Pierre Louis was never elected to the faculty.

In 1826, perhaps wearied by his lack of genuine recognition, he left Paris and moved to Brussels. Bel gium was less expensive,consider ably less stressful, and produced better chocolate. There he worked on his book about typhoid fever.

In August of 1828, the scourge of yellow fever returned like a satis fied tourist to Gibraltar. The out break would last until Christmas. Forsome reason the French govern ment took a particular interest, and asked Pierre Louis and two other doctors, Chervin and Trousseau, to go at once to "collect such facts as might lead to a solution of the problem". It was a situation tailormade for Pierre. As he excitedly threw several clean pairs of socks and underpants into his trunk he said, "We must study symptoms, the history, the termination, the duration, the treatment, and many other circumstances unconnected with aetiology." Regular readers of the Gibraltar Magazine will not re quire a definition of the word "aeti ology", but thoroughness demands that one be offered. In essence, it is the study of the causes of disease, and in going bevond the obvious, Louis was pioneering not only his increasingly influential numerical methods, but also what we would todav call holistic therapy.

Louis applied his keen eyes, tireless pen and little grey cells with a diligence that would have delighted Hercule Poirot,but it was not until 1839 that the resulting re port.Anatomical,Pathological and Therapeutic Researches on Yellow Fever in Gibraltar in 1828 appeared, published in an English translation (by G.C.Shattuck)by C.C. Little & J. Brown of Boston, Massachusetts.

Louis asked the readers to remem ber that "this work is not a treatise on yellow fever,but a history of the epidemic...which prevailed in Gi braltar in 1828", adding that while the general facts resulting from his analysis might not be identical to those found in other epidemics,he hoped that the similarities might be "so numerous that the useful ness of his research would not be questioned".

Publication in French had to wait another five years. It was included in Volume 2 of the Meinoires de la Societe Medicah' d'Ohervation, a so ciety that had been founded in 1832 by three of Louis'students — Marc D'Espine, Theodore Maunoir and John Bizot. Not surprisingly, Louis was elected its life president. The move inspired the formation of a sister society in Boston (which explains the otherwise mysterious first appearance of the Gibraltar yellow fever paper in that city), and it was the establishment of the Boston society that led directly to the introduction of the now familiar clinical-case conference system.

1828 was a momentous year for Pierre Louis in other ways.He was appointed physician at La Pitie,and something else.. oh yes, he mar ried the daughter of the Marquis de Montferrier.

For two decades, beginning around 1830, Pierre Louis was by far the most famous and influential teacher of clinical medicine in Paris, despite the fact that he never offi cially gained the title of Professor.

In 1853 his son, Armand, con tracted tuberculosis. It was a cruel irony for a man who had made his earliest mark with a treatise on the disease. The distraught Louis instantly turned his back on the fame and acclaim that attached to him in the French capital, and de voted himself instead to Armand's care. Sadly, it was in vain. Armand died, aged 18, a mere vear later in July 1854.

Pierre Louis was 65 years old, and might easilv have returned to Paris to resume his teaching career, but the untimely death of his son seems to have robbed him of the will. Although he was destined to live for another two decades he never lectured or practised medi cine again. He died on 22nd August 1872,aged 85,and was buried in the cemeterv of Montparnasse. Close by,a mournful faced man in a black coat was seen taking notes.

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Oh Baby,Give Me A Sign

From the age of about six to nine months babies begin to let their parents or carers know what they want, what they are thinking and how they feel. Babies make use of a variety of techniques to make themselves understood and of course the parent or carer who is tuned to their baby often figures out what they want even if on some occasions it becomes a long and sometimes frustrating process of elimination.

We know babies understand much more than they can express and can deal with complex concepts well before they can articulate them.So itfollows that anything which assists in bridging the gap from about the age of 9 months to the age of 18 months has great advantages.The ben efits of'signing' with your baby are significant. Interesting research is ongoing into the effect of baby signing on the development of a baby's brain. In the earliest years of life, the baby's brain is 'wiring' itself through its experiences. While using signs, parents say accompanying words and tend to give greater language input. Signing babies can also communicate complex ideas earlier and many experts also suggest that this stimulates brain development and enhances the building of brain circuitry. Signing can help you to understand your baby's needs, thoughts and ideas and reduces frustration for baby and parent! Itenriches your baby's relationships ajid builds on confidence and self-esteem.

Babies naturally use a combination of gestures and sounds to help their parents understand them. They point, shake their heads, clap their hands and wave,and these are rarely performed in silence so the fear that signing may inhibit spoken language development is unfounded and the opposite is more the case as signing may actually improve language and vocabulary. This is the time when introducing some extra gestures to help your baby communicate can make a huge difference.

Signing is about enhancing not replacing spo ken language.It is used widely in nurseries and schools in Gibraltar to help learn vocabulary and the alphabet sounds in a multisensory way also using songs which appeal to young children.

Although you need lots of patience,teaching your baby to sign is not difficult. And even just a few easy signs like 'drink' can make all the difference. Drink was the second sign my son Bayley learned ('cat' was his first sign because he was fascinated by our two Persian cats!). The delight to see him sign for a drink half way through his meal instead of crying or refusing to eat in the hope that 1 would figure out he is thirsty is just as rewarding as when he started to sit up, crawl or stand. At first you might think your child is not paying attention but it probably takes several weeks before he uses the sign he is being taught during the first few months of signing.

Once babies have learned they can commu nicate with specific signs they become quite

receptive and are quicker to learn other signs developing a wide vocabulary. At the same time most babies make attempts at words.These utterances become more refined as their speech develops.

The important thing is to follow your baby's lead. Each baby has different interests. When one is interested in anything on wheels,another child may be fascinated by the family pet. You know your child, and only you know what signs will be motivating. As your baby points to something of interest,then looks back to you, just say the word while showing the relevant sign. A fruitful and fulfilling process of com munication and bonding begins there.

Some tips:

• Begin with basics such as more,finished, eat, drink/milk starting at 6-9 months

• Follow your baby's lead. From 9 months on wards, watch to see what interests your baby and introduce signs you think your baby might want to say.

• Always say the word as you sign. Never sign in silence.

• Speak slowly but in a natural way.

• Keep it simple, use just one sign per sentence when speaking with your baby. Signing fuller sentences is fine in songs.

• Happily accept any signing attempts by your baby, even approximate imitations of the signs.

• You must be consistentthough in how you show a sign, however your baby adapts it.

• Avoid trying to get your baby to "perform"signs on demand

• Be patient and relaxed about baby signing.

Resources to help you with signing can be found in most good book shops and by brows ing the internet. Decide before hand whether you are happy to use American Sign Language or British Sign Language(my preference is the Makaton signing system, a simplified version adapted for use from British Sign Language and used in nurseries and schools in Gibraltar). There is no reason though why you cannot make up your own signs. Any gesture that obviousl) mimics the meaning of the word works well and at the end of the day, it really is about bridging the gap until your child can express himself verbally,and about creating a very special bond with your baby.

Although you need lots of patience,teaching your bahy to sign is not difficult.And even Just a few easy signs like drink'can make aii the difference

In the late 19th century there was a very famous scientist named Ivan Pavlov. He was researching the digestive juices of dogs when he noticed them salivating excessively on the presentation of certain foods even though they had not yet tasted that day's meal. He diverted his attention from juices to behaviour and coined the phrase 'conditioned reflex'.

He tried all different stimuli in his experi ments with dogs but the stimulus that has been made almost legendary was his use of a bell. It is not quite accurate in its preference over the other stimuli but it did produce the response of salivation without the presence of food.

Ho then continued to look at behavioural conditioning and control as well as personality types and their responses to stress and pain. His work was then continued by William Sargant who extended into the field of'brain washing' and 'thought implantation'.

Recently a chimpanzee has been amazing the public with its response to consecutive numbers displayed on a screen. Even when the random sequence has only been exposed for a few seconds the ape is able to respond accurately and speedily from memory. Does the ape have aspirations to teach elementary mathematics? Have years in cages hanging around with sci entists developed a skill in Trigonometry and Arithmetic Progressions? The answer is'No'. If

the chimpanzee gets the answer right it receives a peanut. There arc other experiments where if the subject gets the answer wrong it receives an electric shock, but call me an old softy, 1 find those quite distasteful.

Conditioned responses and behaviours are not limited to the animal kingdom. Modern society

is crammed full of other such examples. Some are required for social living, some are ritualis tic in nature, some are totally thoughtless and pointless and some are just plain sinister.

Anybody who drives through Campamento in the mornings will bear witness to the near death experiences endured at the hands of the 'drivers' in their daily quest to patronise the sandwich shop and the bar on either side of the road. Ever)' morning the same number plates go screaming past at break-neck speed, under-tak ing,carving up other motorists.In fact anv other car on the road becomes the next threat to their driving supremac)'and must be passed,blocked or otherwise interfered with. We will deal with the issue of Low Self Esteem and Inadequacy in a later article.

Some people have a real problem passing any thing that is not nailed down,in the absence of witnesses, without taking it. It doesn't matter if they will ever use it, eat it or otherwise utilise it. You can hear people say things akin to,"Oh my uncle needs one of these because he is making a Victorian dolls house and he hasn't got a 32 millimetre pneumatic impact driver, yes."

Conditioned behaviour can enable one to function without the necessity to think very much. Even if you took one of the miscreants by the throat to find out why they had behaved in such a way you would only get a shrug of the shoulders and a smirk as an answer.They truly have no idea why they do these things, but we are back to dogs and trees again.

People who prefer to live life without the requirement to think have a tendency to view anything new with deep suspicion and treat new experiences and new people as conspiracies and agents of evil who must be opposed and driven out. They function best in groups to facilitate reassurance that they are right and safe within the established conditioned order.

Very often we don't know how to react to all of life's occurrences and accepted practices can be useful in providing the behavioural frame work within which to operate. This is the basis of a cooperative social society but it can become counter productive when the accepted wisdom becomes dictatorial. You are told what your reac tion to a given situation should be and if you do not follow this model then you cannot possibly be feeling any emotion at all. Bereavement and childbirth arc prime examples of this type of social pressure to conform.

Families sometimes reinforce expected behaviours and responses and the actions of some family members can become utterly dis proportionate in their attempt to show they are feeling the deepest pain or loss. Within the rigid conditions of the accepted model it becomes impossible to demonstrate depths of emotional feeling thus the measures taken to demonstrate become competitive and ever more bizarre.

This syndrome also crosses over into the expression of passion and loyalt)'. A colleague of my husband was once proud to boast that if you were to cut off his arm he would bleed Manchester United. I must admit the last timel passed the operating theatre at Saint Bernard's hospital 1 overheard them saying to a sorrowful relative,"I'm very sorry we only have three pints of Chelsea and a pint of Glasgow Celtic left. The rest of the Plasma reserve is in the synchronised swimming vault."

Conditioned responses within a reinforc ing group, particularly the ritualistic types of personalities, can also bolster inadequate per-

Conditioned behauionr can enabie one to fnnotion witbont tbe necessitv to tbink very mncb

sonalilies. These types of groupings pool their attributes and takeon a group identity which can be shared by all of the group members,whether they possess these attributes ornot. Nationalism is a prime example of this behaviour. Very often the most vocal exponents of national traits are the people who exhibit the least of them but qualify purely by the random accident of being born there, but 1 digress.

The membership of these unofficial loose collections also indicates a loose collective responsibilit)' such that if any action undertaken turns out to be wrong or unethical the excuse of, "Ah well everybody else does it, don't they," is usually trotted out.

The advertising industry taps into this facet of human behaviour mercilessly constantly tell ing us to be successful we need to own cars that talk to us and drive down endless, empty roads. Treat dull lifeless hair like the discovery of abnormal cells in a biopsy. Throw our heads back in unbridled laughter to reveal our prefect, even, white teeth in endlessslow motion cavort ing groups of life long friends.

I'm afraid there seems to be a reality gap and this reality gap is causing horrendous social problems all around the world.

If I were to ask you to describe a terrorist you would probably tell me,"beard, desert clothes, camel, mad staring eyes and a copy of the Ko ran". Whereas a few years ago the portrayed image was very different. There are hundreds of terrorist groups all around the world, large and small but we are constantly fed images to condition our responses.

I am not developing a conspiracy theoiy here but behavioural and response conditioning is

real. At election time you constantly see previ ously grey politicians grinning and trying to kiss reluctant,squirming children. Even ruthless dictators pick up a crying baby for the cameras no matter how fixed the elections are. Obvi ously publicists believe it wins more votes and enhances a caring image, who, indeed am I to gainsay the practice? But yet again we are back to dogs and trees.

The fact is, everyone is an individual whether they like it or not. We all react in slightly dif ferent ways and to different degrees to life's challenges and rewards. We all have different personal value svstems which dictate different tastes and different yard sticks by which to measure success.

It is individualism that produces diversity and innovation but it should always be tem pered by the needs and requirements of the conformist society. Generally society desires a uniform, compliant, stable mass of population and thought but this type of society becomes

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stagnant and grey with no stars to reach for, An individualist society can become self absorbed, anarchic and ultimately self destructive.Instead of stretching the boundaries self serving societ ies break them. Controlling societies produce walls of oppression instead of flexible, reassur ing support infrastructure.

Counselling can help to illuminate the reality gap between the image,expectation and condi tioned response to life's events and introduce you to your real thoughts, feelings and emo tional responses and prove to you that they are not alwavs wrong, the responses are just yours and are as individual as you arc.

Trading in your identity is not necessary' to gain the strength of the crowd. Dare to think your own thoughts,learn to question your own behaviour and that of others. Investigate why life seems to follow the same model again and again and why you are not happy with it.

It is not easy to self examine or to make life changes no matter how essential they are. It is difficult to acknowledge your own failings but it is also difficult to gauge your successes without comparing them to the preconditioned vard stick of the group to reinforce your conclu sions.

If vou abject the dogs and trees model and refuse to be submerged in an identity of some one else's choosing you will be amazed and thrilled at what you,as an individual, can offer to yourself and to society as a whole.

Take a LifeLine to self awareness,start to think and reason for yourself and I promise once you break the grasp of others who do not want you to grow you will not only be up on cloud 9,you could even reach cloud 27.

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Gib's 1st Health Survey

During February-March 2008, the Gibraltar Health Authority will be conducting the first-ever Health Survey of the local population.

Health, who Is leading on the Sur vey,said this was"the most exciting event to happen in his directorate for the last ten years".

The Survey will aim to find out the levels of perceived health in the resident population as well as gather information on eating, drinking and other lifestyle param eters. It will do so by randomly se lecting around 700 adults resident in Gibraltar and asking them some questions about themselves.

The Survey will be conducted face to face at the doorstep by trained and uniformed surveyors working for the GHA, but all the replies will be anonymous, that is, no identity details are recorded. Each survey should take about 20 minutes.

No such Survey has ever been conducted in Gibraltar. However, such surveys are conducted every few years in large countries like the UK.

Dr. Kumar, Director of Public

FLU Vaccination Pragramme Extension

The Influenza vaccination pro gramme has been extended to enable more people to take ad vantage of the vaccine which currently available in the Primary Care Centre.

The flu vaccine will continue to be available throughout February, Monday to Friday at the Primary

Improved Access Times to Primary Care Centre

The Primary Care General Prac tice scheduled appointment ser vice is now available from Sam throughout the day up to 5.20pm.

The Primary Care Centre will now be open on Mondays to Fridays from Bam to 6pm. Please note that Weekend and Public Holiday emergency clinics will continue to

VBut he appealed to all the people of Gibraltar to play their part in making the survey successful. He said: "Nobody, including myself, knows exactly who in Gibraltar will be selected to receive the Ques tionnaires as the whole process has been randomised to make it scientific. But if you are amongst the chosen, I hope you will give us your full co-operation and contrib ute wholeheartedly to this Survey. Opportunities like this come only rarely as such Surveys are very expensive for a small community such as ours".

"And if the Survey does not pro duce a high response", he added, "which can happen if a number of the selected people refuse to participate, then the entire Survey is at risk of being scientifically rejected".

The Minister for Health, Yvette Del Agua, has expre.ssed satisfac tion that Gibraltar, for the first time, is to have a health survey of its own. "We should no longer assume that figures from the UK are good enough to guess our local health needs. 1 am therefore very pleased that we are providing the necessary funds for this pioneering work and 1 hope that the general public cooperates fully to ensure its success".

Care Centre (Treatment Room) between 2pm and 4 pm.

Individuals who have previous ly received the vaccine may attend without prior appointment.

Those who have not previously been vaccinated should make an appointment with their GP who will then refer them to the vaccina tion clinic.

For details contact the Primary Care Centre on 70143 ext. 3210 or 72355.

operate in the PCC as normal (ie: Saturdays 9-nam, 5-6pm, Sun days 10-llam,5-6pm). This is part of the GHA strategy to improve access to Primary Care Services.

Contact Primary Care Recep tion staff(Tel: 72355 or 52441)for advanced appointments or further information. Telephone to cancel appointments if you cannot at tend,to give the GHA time to book another patient in your slot.

Mike Cbrk B.D.S.

the British Buii Bun

We're all familiar with the running of bulls through the streets of Spain. Not only, and most famously, in Pamplona, but closer to home in towns like Gaucin and San Roque. You may think this is a barbarous foreign habit quite at odds with the innately civilised instincts of the British, but you'd be wrong. As late as Victorian times, bull-running was alive and well in that notorious hotbed of Latin bloodlust, Stamford, Lincolnshire.

It all began, according to tradition, in the time of King John. William, Earl of Warren,was standing idly on the battlements of his castle one otherwise dreary 13th November,watching two bulls fighting in a meadow beneath. Some ill-advised butchers, who had presumably been drinking too deeply of the powerful local ale than was good for them,strolled into view and attempted to part the combatants.

Their chosen method is unrecorded, but a bucket of cold water would hardly seem suffi cient. Whatever the case,the bulls took pardon able exception to this interference in what was a personal dispute, and one of them ran amok in the streets of the town, causing, it is said,"a great uproar". Why the other one did not join him is a mystery not worth pondering.

The Earl, whether out of a desire to protect his faithful serfs, or simply for the hell of it, mounted his horse and galloped after the rampaging beast.So exhilarated was he by the ensuing sport that he donated the meadow in which the fight had started to the butchers of Stamford on condition that they provide him with a bull to harass in similar manner each succeeding 13th November.

Even today,the field in question is known to the townspeople as"the bull meadow",perhaps in honour of the legendary beast, possibly in reference to tradition's unlikely tale.

A 19th Century description of proceedings has left us a vivid picture:

About a quarter to eleven o'clock, on the festal-day, the bell of St Mary's commenced to toll as a warning for the thoroughfares to be cleared of infirm persons and children; and precisely at eleven, the bull was turned into a street, blocked up at each end by a barricade of carts and wagons. At this moment,every post, pump, and 'coigne of vantage' was occupied, and those happy enough to have such protec

tions, could grin at their less fortunate friends, who were compelled to have recourse to flight; the barricades, windows and house-tops being crowded with spectators. The bull, irritated by hats being thrown at him, and other means of annoyance,soon became ready to run;and then, the barricades being removed,the whole crowd, bull, men,boys,and dogs,rushed helter-skelter through the streets.

The first object was to "bridge the bull". It was chased onto the bridge that spanned the river Welland, where the mob,oblivious to the bull's size and ferocity,overwhelmed it by force of numbers and pushed it into the water. Hav ing thus terrified and humiliated the beast, the townsfolk might have repaired to the nearest tavern to toast their bravery and success,but no. If the bull survived its fall from the bridge and the danger of drowning (as it generally did) it would struggle up the riverbank into the mead ows, where the chase would continue.

In November, the fields would be little more than mudbaths,and the consequentslipping and sliding of both hunters and quarry would be a

source of unbridled merriment, at least to the human participators. Eventually, when every one grew tired, the bull would be put out of its misery, and its flesh sold cheaply to the people, who rounded off the day with singing,drinking, and a heartwarming beef supper.

The first recorded attempt to outlaw the tradition seems to have occurred in 1788. The mayor of the town stunned the population by proclaiming that bull-ainning was "contrary to religion, law and nature" and was punishable by death. This had always been true for the bull, but news that it also applied to the human participants came as a shock.

The mayor did have one influential supporter in the Earl of Exeter, who in spite of his title lived close by Stamford in Burleigh House. Indeed, the earl may well have been the instigator of the decree. Nevertheless, the bull was run as usual that year, and when they ill-advisedly showed themselves out of doors the earl and the mayor were duly jeered and insulted by the mob. They tried again the following year. This time the mayor called in a troop of dragoons to enforce his will. The dragoons stationed themselves at St George's Gate, the entrance to the town through which the bull traditionally passed. The bullards, as the aficionados were known, approached, led as usual by a woman wearing blue ribbons. Before them raced the bull.

"Stop them!" cried the mayor. "No", said the leader of the dragoons. "These good folk are merely walking peaceably upon the King's highway."

"A fat lot of good you are," said the mayor. "Clear off, you useless rabble."

To great cheers the dragoons ran to join the bullards,and the bull-run continued.For a long time afterwards there was no serious opposition to the festival.In fact, the townspeople couldn't

The Earl,whether out ef a desire to protect his faithful serfs,or simply for the hell of it, mounted his horse and galioped after the rampaging heast

gel enough of it. They set a now annual run for the Monday after Christmas,and threw in a few impromptu ones here and there whenever life in Stamford threatened to become dull.

Election time was particularly busy. No can didate could hope to win unless he provided the people with a bull to be run. in 1831 the Conservative party actually campaigned be neath a banner bearing a representation of a bull. Some found this deplorable, but as many again applauded it and spoke forcefully in favour of the bull-running tradition, saying it inspired courage in those who took part, as well as agil ity and presence of mind in the face of danger. Coed old English virtues. As for causing distress to the bull? Poppycock!

But trouble was looming. The RSPCA was founded in 1824, and by 1833 it had its sights set firmly on Stamford and its annual running of the bull. Stamford's reaction was predictable. Who were these nambv-pamby Londoners to tell them what to do? The popularity of the bull-running soared.

In 1836, the society tried again, sending several of its chief officers to the town. 13th November fell on Sunday that year,so the God fearing Lincolnshire folk postponed the running until the following day.By the evening,feelings against the interfering busybodios were running high.They were assaulted,and the mob,having despatched the bull, used what was left of their energies to smash a few windows.

The RSPCA took out warrants against eight men for disturbing the peace and conspiring to "run and torment a bull". Thev were sent for

trial at the next assizes, to the indignation and anger of the people of Stamford, who saw it as an attempt by a bunch of effete toffs to perse cute honest working men and rob them of their amusement. In the event, fi ve of the eight men were acquitted, and left the court to the cheers of the crowd, who saw it as a great victory.They declared the 1837 run would be the best and biggest ever.

Butthe toffs were not quite beaten. The Home Secretary had a quiet word with the mayor of Stamford, telling him this bull-running thing reallv was atrocious, as well as illegal, and he

should take immediate measures to stop it.

Afew days before the run was due,dragoons were again deployed, and this time they were accompanied by a large force of police. Guards were stationed at every possible entrance to the town to prevent the bull getting in. For a while all seemed peaceful and then, as if by magic, a bull suddenly appeared in the streets, appar ently having been smuggled in somehow by a sympathetic landowner.

The run was on, and chaos reigned as dra goons and policeman ran and rode this way and that in total confusion while the bullards cheered themselves hoarse.

The run seems to have been ignored by the authorities in 1838, but in 1839 they renewed their efforts to put a stop to it once and for all,

Yet again a bull was smuggled into the town. This time the alleged culprits were a group of special constables. But it was a poor specimen — voung,and with little fight in it. On this occa sion the authorities were able to capture it easily and lead it safely away.

It was the end. The cost of employing the soldiers and police was heavy, and it was paid by the town, which had better things to do with its money.

As November 1840 drew near,a delegation of prominent townsmen asked the mayor to send a message to the Home Secretary. If he would re frain from sending in the troops and police,they would ensure that no bull-running would take place. And from that day to this, none has.

Has anvone ever undertaken a study of the incidence of Lincolnshire surnames in Gaucfn?

The run was on,and chaos reigned as dragoons and policeman ran and rode this way and that in total confusion while the hullards cheered themselves hoarse

Candles are universalsymbols relevant to people ofall faiths.

People from all walks oflife join together in candlelight vigils to grieve, pray or celebrate. Whatever religion we are born into, there are sanctuaries and special places fo light a candle for health, protection, blessing and memory of deceased.

I Hairing the Faith to Unite

Interfaith Group on diet and other universal religious matters

Gibraltar is renowned for the variety of religions flourishing in harmony — recently, one man took this blessing one step further and paved a practical path to further mutual understanding, respecting differences and highlighting parallels between faiths.

Presbyterian minister Reverend Stewart Lament admits the idea of registered charity Gibraltar Interfaith Group came aboutin an un expected way, when some members of Baha'i sought his permission to use St. Andrew's as the venue for their World Religions' Day cel ebration. He figured the church could become the 'sociahclub' for regular inter-religious meetings and conferences to discuss the most fundamental topics of the human condition, found in every creed — life, death, afterlife (and corollaries).

The initiative was warmly welcomed and the group grew from strength to strength, with Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus,Bud dhists and Sikhs now attending the meetings whose purpose isn't propaganda or arguing who possesses the true key to salvation, but providing information and awareness of each other's cultures.

Visits to the various places of worship were organised. Everyone was invited into the lo cal synagogues, Hindu temples, mosques and churches to study how religious architecture reflects beliefs and traditions: for example, a Presbyterian church has a lot in common with a synagogue or a mosque in the absence ofim ages, while a Roman Catholic church features statues as much as any Hindu temple, while most edifices tend to respect, whenever pos sible, the west-to-east orientation, so devotees can face the sunrise when praying.

Talks also brought to Christian attention the importance of the lunar calendar in Hinduism, Judaism and Islam disclosing how the cycle of holidays is deeply associated with moon phases and seasons — festivals usually fall on new or full moon days and many beseech the return of sunlight around the winter solstice (Hanukkah, Christmas), or celebrate rebirth around the vernal equinox (Easter, Passover and Baha'f New Year).

For example, 21st March 2008 will be a religious focal point for Christians (Good Friday), Jews (Purim, the Festival of Lots), Hindus (Holi, the Festival of Colours) and Baha'i(Naw-Ruz, New Year). The day before. Maundy Thursday, coincides this year with Muslim commemoration of the birth ofProphet Mohammed (Mawlid An Nabi).

And what better way to keep updated on all religions' holy days than purchasing the Gibraltar Interfaith Calendar the proceeds from which will be donated to the Lady Wil liams' Centre? It features beautiful pictures of Gibraltar's temples, mosques, synagogues and visually marks the important dates with symbols and captions on the significance of each and every one.

The calendar was presented last May during a high-profile interfaith ceremony with local dignitaries in attendance, and GIG committee members Deepa Aidasani,Levi J. Attias,Stew art Lamont and Shada Malik were very pleased with the feedback. A PowerPoint presentation was offered to illustrate the genesis of this laudable project.

Rev.Lamont hopes that after his retirementin late spring, his successor, or another Christian leader on the Rock, will continue to sustain the Group, and guarantee the development of meetings, discussions and the friendships that have already solidly bloomed within the Group.

Of course the Reverend's legacy won't be a simple one to take up, since he's been lending his church to different cultural programmes — from concerts to weekly lunchtime learning, when guests could discuss hot spiritual issues over a bowl of soup and a sandwich!

After the sessions on judgement day and re incarnation already held last year,'food'is go ing to be the theme of the next Interfaith Group event this Shrove Tuesday(5th February,7pm).

Munching on some delicious Russian blinis (pancakes) baked by the Reverend's wife, dietar\' prohibitions in Islam,Judaism,Buddhism and Hinduism will be explained,so you won't make a major faux pas like ordering ham and cheese in Jerusalem, pork chops in Marrakech or a juicy beef burger in New Delhi!

Some meetings also prove quite emotional. In dire times of Middle East suicide bombers, the local Imam spoke up on how this kind of allegiance to Koran's teachings is not at all en dorsed bv Islamic Scriptures or law,in fact they are actually contrary."Perhaps we westerners suspected it all along, but it was good to hear it from the Imam himself, who had joined us especially for bearing his witness," Rev.Lament commented.

Another time, during the Carol Service that St. Andrew's organises every year on a Sunday evening in the run-up to Christmas,he invited Shada Malik to read a passage of the Koran describing Jesus's birth, which was very similar to the Gospels' Annunciation story.

The Reverend is an affable down-to-earth gentleman with an open-minded approach to

creed, viewing it as something that must unite rather than divide mankind. That's why he watered, nurtured and cared for the Interfaith Group seed to help its branches reach towards the heavens and fully blossom. For a minister who has met the last Pope, the Dalai Lama, rabbis and Orthodox patriarchs, spirituality is universal and must be based on a sense of humour and common sense as much as a sense of devotion and duty,like his GBC's"Pause for Reflection" five-minute broadcast often teaches us with a witty smile to put the day ahead in perspective.

GIG meetings are open to all. For further info on forthcoming initiatives, please ring 200 77040 or e-mail scotskirk@gibraItar.gi.

St. Andrew's Church in Governor's Parade is open on weekdays from Ham to 1pm.Sunday Service is at 10.30am. The Church also offers a selection of books on various religions for borrowing.

The terms interfaith and interfaith dialogue refer to cooperative and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions ("faiths") at both individual and institutional level with the aim of finding a common ground in belief through a concentration on similarities between faiths. Interfaith dialogue involves promoting understanding between different religions to increase tolerance towards others and their beliefs.

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The Reverend is an affable down-to-earth gentleman with an open-minded approach to creed,viewing it as something that must unite rather than divide mankind

Out Qf Africa

\gallefy mosaic

us Piano/Cello Duo to Perform at Caihodral

Cello and piano duo Lynne Mackey (piano) and David Gee (cello) will be putting on a very special concert at Cathedral of the Holy Trinity at the beginning of February.

The concert, on Saturday 2nd February from 7.30pm, is a nonticket event with the aim of raising money for the Cathedral's Rock of Ages Campaign. Opportunity will be given to those attending and en joying the event to make a donation at the conclusion of the concert.

Cellist, David Gee, said of his forthcoming visit and the concert: "We are excited about our trip to the region. 1 will be happy to make a contribution to Gibraltar society. I love Gibraltar. The concert will be one small contribution to the cultur al side of bustling life on the Rock. We will hope for robust attendance, but I've always held the view that even if one soul is in attendance, and that soul is enriched, then we have done something."

David has performed as soloist, quartet member and orchestral cel list in America, Europe and Africa and has given radio broadcasts on national radio in Spain.

He has taught at such distin guished universities as North Caro lina, Memphis, Yale and Coastal Carolina. While serving in the capacity of Assistant Principal Cello of the Orchestra of Granada,Spain, David toured Andaluciaand North

Africa with the Boccherini Quartet. The quartet gave chamber music master classes throughout Spain.

David received his own instruc tion from Luis Garcia-Renart and from the renowned Brazilian cellist Aide Parisot. He received chamber instruction from the Tokyo Quartet, Claude Frank, and from Yehudi Wvner, last year's recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in music.

David graduated siinima cum taudc from Purchase College where he was given the President's Award for outstanding undergraduate achievement. He received a gradu ate degree from Yale University, at which he was named an Ellen Battel Stoeckel scholar.

He has recently been on the fac ulty of the Chamber Music Festival at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and presently occu pies the position of Principal Cello

of the Augusta Symphony.

The Gee-Mackey Duo's other member, pianist Lynne Mackey, has performed in solo and chamber music settings in the United States and Europe, and is currently on the tour roster of the Virginia Com mission of the Arts. In addition to holding a graduate degree from the Juiltiard School, Dr. Mackey holds the Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Michigan and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Eastman.

Winner of both the William C. Byrd and the Grand Rapids competitions, she has appeared in Michigan with the Grand Rapids Symphony and with the Flint Symphony. She has recently ap peared as concerto soloist with the Lynchburg Symphony and with the University of Mary Washington Community Orchestra. Lynnehas

been the recipient of an Appala chian College Association Fellowshi p for a one-year residency at the University of Virginia to prepare and perform 20th century piano repertoire.

Lynne has taught atJames Madi son University, Hollins University, The University of Virginia and at Bluefield College, where she served as department chair and Associate Professor. Presently she is on the faculty of The University of Mary Washington and Mary Baldwin College.

The Gee-Mackey Duo has per formed from New York to Florida on a variety of library, university and private recital series, and has offered lectures to adults and con certs to children at universities and primary schools. The 2007-2008 season will see the duo performing and lecturing in Spain, Britain and Africa as well as performing fund raisers for international non-profit groups and offering regular recitals in the United States.

The concert at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is a wonderful opportunity to hearand see two top class musicians perform on the Rock.

"I've always held the view that even If one soul is in attendance,and that soni is enriched,then we have done something."

With My Own Fair Hands

At a very tender age Jessica Garcia's talents were already aparent and she says drawing and scribbling were every day activities for her. She was not only creative and artistic with a pencil or a brush, she also sung for the school choir at St Mary's Middle School.

"The school choir was going to sing on GBC and we were asked to draw Christmas related stuff to be used on TV for our programme. My picture was chosen and I re member it was of a snow scene with a snowman in the foreground, a starlit night, and an evergreen tree covered in snow. I was extremely proud to see my picture appear on television as this was the very first time a picture of mine had been officially noticed."

Despite her talents Jessica is not at all conceited and dismisses the idea of being special for she believes that Gibraltarians are natu

rally creative and there isn't a single family in Gibraltar where there aren't creative members — whether its with dance, painting,sculpture, music, acting, writing, poetry...

"There is a lot of talent in Gi braltar. And just look at the place, our climate, the Imposing rock, the Mediterranean Sea, the beautiful

Alameda Gardens. Where else in the world can you find so many different religions living together in peace and harmony and respect? The best thing about Gibraltar is its people, they are the heart and soul of Gibraltar. No wonder it's a creative and artistic place, we are blessed!"

by Sonia Golt

The variety of artistic things this woman has done includes her sculptures, which are always in demand and she is commissioned to do specific works for a variety of events. She was commissioned by the JM Memorial Foundation to design the JM Memorial Founda tion award plaque and by Mount Productions this year to design two National costumes for their models to compete in international pageants. Jessica's paintings, per sonalised handmade cards and jew ellery are also in demand for wed dings, birthdays and Christmas, and she has been commissioned to create props, artistic makeup or to design costumes for shows.

She says her most challenging job was to paint a mural for a child's bedroom — it took her over a month to finish the job — but she never stops doing things whether she is commissioned or not she keeps working.

"I don't really see myself as a sculptor, 1 see myself as a normal person who happens to have a particular talent. I am a wife, mother, daughter, friend, designer and artist. 1 don't think 1 could be the latter two without the experi ence of being all of the former, with all the good and bad points that it entails. 1 think that is the beauty of being a woman, being good at multi tasking."

She says this as if every woman on earth had the same potential and the same creative power without realising, whether she likes it or not, she is a very special woman. She talks more admiringly about her children than her own special creative talent, that is how unas suming she is.

"1 design jewellery, especially contemporary jewellery, My sig nature pieces of jewellery have to be my knitted wire bangles, rings and crosses and mv abstract pieces, these stem from my love of abstract art. I also make papier-mach^ masks,cards, miniature sculptures, paintings, props,design costumes, special effects stage makeup and fantasy make up.

"Now my daughter, Tamara, who is a wonderful dancer keeps me ver)' busy. Her last solo with which she won best adult solo in the Gibraltar Stage Dance festival en tailed a big challenge, both for her and for me, as she was portraying an evil mutant character for which we designed very complicated face and body makeup to resemble scales! 1 thoroughly enjoyed doing this with and for her."

When asked what motivates her she quicklv responded;

"Many things motivate me. I've always been a person who doesn't give up easily; I can be quite stub-

I've always been a person who doesn't give up easily;I can be quite stubborn about things sometimes. I beiieve it takes bard work to acbieve things in life "

born about things sometimes. I be lieve it takes hard work to achieve things in life, the harder you've had to work the more vou appreciate it (this is something my parents have taught me,they have worked very hard for everything they have and are always there for me), lam self-taught and I am always trying to learn new techniques."

(Here she forgets herself again to talk about her family.)

"Becoming a mum is one of the best things that ever happened to me. My children have taught me patience and perseverance. They're both very talented in their own way and I'm ver\' proud of them. My husband Mario has always supported and encouraged my creative side, he understands it's a part of me, he's always brutally honest with his opinions, so is my son Jeffrey who is 22 years old. My daughter Tamara has always been my number one fan,and this is why 1 named my very first jewellery col lection after her."

In 2005 Jessica was asked to present her jewellery collection at a Valentine's fashion show. Later that year, encouraged bv the response, she presented a selection of hand made masks with the jewellery and so "the Fantasy Collection" was born.

At thi.s year's "Bosom Buddies"

show on 29th May 2008 one of Jessica's masks will be auctioned in aid of breast cancer charity. Last year she designed a special collection for Gibraltar's Natural Biodiversity model search theme, with a collection of masks and jewellery in contemporary style, and later in the year another two collections named "Noughts and Crosses" and "Angels & Divas" for Model Search.

What of the future?

"My next project is to get our on-line store off the ground and make it a success. I have the on-line store (www.busylizziestores.com) together with Elizabeth Farell and Maruchi Martinez, but seeing the increased interest in my designs 1 would love to have a local shop from W'here to sell them. In the meantime people can order via our website. I'll no doubt be kept busy for the Gibraltar Stage Dance festival with props and special makeup and 1 have already been approached by Danza to design props for the main characters in their next production. My new collection of jcvvellerv will be dis played at Model Search 2(108."

We wish Jessica Garcia all the bestin her forthcoming endeavours and hope she finds a shop in town to delight us all with her creative designs and artistic flair.

"Becoming a mum is one ofIho bestthings that over happonod to mo. My children hauo taught mo patience and porsovoranco. They're both very talented in their own way and I'm very proud of them"

Life & Changing Times

"The times they are a changing/' crooned Bob Dylan during the sixties, that era of blue jeans and beads which challenged the status quo like never before. Most decades have their own claim to fame, the Roaring Twenties being one. This decade was a knee jerk reaction to the appalling loss of young life during the Great War (1914-18). Women began to assert a new independence in the workplace, on the dance floor, in fashion, and urging all these rapid changes,the exuberance that was Jazz.

Then came the 1930s and the Great Depression. Unemployment was high, poverty was rampant while world events dominated. The Hindenburg Airship burned, Charles Lindberg's boy was kid napped and later found dead,the Empire State Building opened, Amelia Earhart,American woman pilot disappeared on a round the world flight. Television was in its infancy and listening to the radio was popular with families. Gone loitb the Wind and The Wizard ofOz made their enduring openings. But what was life like in Gi braltar?

Remote from the First World War the Rock was enjoying a time of peace and plenty. Once it was no stranger to hardship, pesti lence and sieges being the norm, but now a close knit and hard working community flourished. Lillian Pitaluga was bom into this Gibraltar in 1932.

"You could say I was bom above the shop," she told me with a hu morous chuckle and continued, "my father worked for Saccone and Speed and we lived in the flat at the top". No more flats Lil lian, 1 was there recently and now an ultra modern open plan suite of offices provides a congenial workplace.

"I have only good things to say about growing up,"she recounted, "until the war and the evacuation provided a rude awakening." Hitler's ranting had erupted into a war that would change the world and Gibraltar forever.

"With my sister, mother Araceli, and father Ernesto Homedas and other members of the family we were evacuated to Casablanca. For us youngsters it was a great adventure". For the adults, torn from their way of life and plunged

Lillian Pitaluga:

Thave only good tilings to say about growing up,"she recounted,"until the war and the evacuation provided a rude awakening." Hitler's ranting had erupted into a war that wonid change the world and Gibraltar forever.

into the unknown the sojourn in Morocco was difficult in the extreme. (The subsequent return and onwards to UK is well docu mented).

"We went to the UK, mostly stayed in hotels in London. We had family in Lancashire and we spent some time with them. My father continued working for Saccone and Speed in Watford and I went to school there as well as making my First Communion and Confirmation."

Living through the war was a time of stress and worry and often no doubt miserable, but always with the promise of returning home.

"Oh no, not till 1949," Lillian remembered. "My sister and myself were sent to boarding school but my parents did return befom us."

It must have been a happy day when you were finally on the way home? I ventured.

"Not really," she surprised me, "1 wanted to stay in the convent,it was a good safe life but my father urged me home." She sounded wistful, but continued robustly, "1 had a horrendous flight too, in those days we flew from Northolt, stopped in Bordeaux and Madrid and cross winds are nothing new so 1 ended up in Tangiers." That sounded familiar!

Post war Gibraltar was under going many changes but Lillian "got bored quickly once 1 had settled down so 1 decided to do a commercial course, but I was encouraged to go into teaching. 1 did my three years and on the day 1 returned to Gibraltar 1 met the man who would become my husband."

And so you were married? 1 guessed too hastily and got sent to the corner(only kidding!). "No not then,five years later, you see," she responded."1 had to pay back for my training and we did not

want to live with in-laws, over crowding being such a problem in Gibraltar even though new hous ing estates were being built."

This was a major change her alded by those returning from the war whose eyes had been opened to another way of life.

"Joe was a high ranking civil servant and eventually we were offered a Government Quarter, one of the perks of the job in those days, and then we got married," she twinkled at me.

But you continued teaching at St. Mary's?(in Johnston's Passage in those days).

Her answer came swiftly, "Oh no, I gave up teaching, did not think twice about it really, it was what you did in those days".

The war years wrought a pro found sociological change in women's lives as before the war it was unheard of for a married woman to go to work. It was only after the frontier with Spain was closed in 1969 that married women finally broke the mould and went out to work to fill the vacuum left by Spanish workers.

"Really," Lillian was emphatic, "Franco did us a favour as I feel it was the start of us becoming a people, a lead on from the evacu ation, we became more united, it had a very positive impact on us becoming aware of whom we re ally are, there were lots of convinc ing results." I wondered if these changes have carried over into the 21st century.

"Women who want to follow a

career and raise a family often face difficult choices and need a lot of support from partners."

I was curious to know if Lillian was speaking from her many years of experience as a Marriage Counsellor?

"Oh indeed, up to a poiht. Women who go out to work learn a sense of self which leads to confidence as they excel at their chosen careers and this can leave very little lime for family life. Love needs learning and in some ways 1 think it was easier for my generation than for young women nowadays."

Gibraltar in 1988 was undergo ing changes as Lillian's husband Joe, who had traveled to the UN with Sir Joshua Hassan and Peter Isola many times, decided to take early retirement. He was not idle in retirement, forming a political party.

"He felt it was the right time to do this, he had lots of support from like minded people, but not many were willing to openly stand for election. At those elections, like in most, new parties make little headway."

Joe's retirement plans were short lived as sadly he died six months later leaving a void Lillian needed to fill.

"It was not easy as I remem ber twenty years later," she had hesitated... "Put it this way," she continued more strongly, "my family are part of my life, but my husband was my life."

When 1 had gone to meet her

and rang the doorbell 1 had won dered what she would be doing as I was sure she would not be sitting idly by. Well,she was sitting, but busily knitting. "I've dropped a stitch somewhere," she was oc cupied, "but never mind." She smiled unperturbed, "all will be well". Indeed.

She has filled the years with "a little charity work". Years devoted to Cancer Relief, Marriage Coun selling and the Women's Corona Society earned her a prestigious MBE in 1999 for "Services to the Community", and more recently, with many others, a Papal award for the hard work undertaken by the Lay community in Gibraltar.

Lillian certainly sprinkles her achievements with a dash of mod est courtesy.

"1 always think that when peo ple get an award, it's not because of what they do personally, but rather what they do with the peo ple who are with them. It does not mean you are more deserving."

Our time was closing and I had a couple of questions left. Do you see a shift in family values? I asked this intrepid mother of five and grandmother to 13.

"Oh dear me yes,there's always been the 14 year old who gets pregnant,but now there's the drug culture to contend with. Gibral tar is lovely and cosy and while modern technology and travel is exposing our youth to good things, violence and all sorts of horrors are also awaiting. Maybe its old fashioned to say the family that prays together stays together, but 1 believe it's a maxim that still has value."

My last question. What do you wish for Gibraltar in 2008 and beyond?

"What 1 would like for Gibraltar is for all politicians to remember that we want, all of us, what is best for Gibraltar. We are all on the same side and unity is para mount." Hear, Hear.

"I always think that when people get an award,It's not hecause of whatthey do personally,hut rather whatthey do with the people who are with them. It does not mean you are more deserving."

Hitler's Plansfor Operation Felix

If Adolf Hitler had his way 67 yeas ago German stormtroopers would have been parading down Main Street(and not the friendly film crew who were here this January). Fortunately for Gibraltarians and the world the curmudgeonly Spanish dictator General Francisco Franco spoiled Der Fuhrer's dream of conquering Gibraltar and taking control of the gateway to the Mediterranean.

Hitler's plan to attack Gibraltar early in World War II has been well documented but a new book that appeared in my Christmas stocking provided some details of Operation Felix that I hadn't seen before.

Titled simply The Hitler Book it is different from most other books about Hitler in that it was writ ten by two Russian agents who interrogated two of Hitler's closest aides, his valet Heinz Linge and personal adjutant Otto Gunsche. The two SS officers were captured in Hitler's Berlin bunker and were held in Moscow's infamous Lubyanka prison for ten years.The book was written specifically for Stalin by secret service officers Fyodor Parparov and Igor Saleyev.

After reading the manuscript, Stalin had it filed away in an ar chive where it remained for more than sixty years, and was only discovered in 2003by Mathias Uhl,

an historian / political scientist who works at the German Historical In stitute, Moscow fSet' author's note).

The book reveals that Operation Felix had a second name, Isabela, probably added to appeal to the nationalism of Spanish dictator Franco. Hitler could have invaded Spain to attack Gibraltar but he didn't want to tie up the large number of troops that would re quire and instead sought Franco's cooperation. The two men met in Hitler's private train on 23rd Oc tober 1940 at the French/Spanish border.

The Hitler Book relates the plan

Hitler proposed:

• Two staffs would be formed: a technical staff under the com mand of the German General Lanz and a supply staff led by the German General Jaenecke.

• Fifteen German officers in civilian clothes and with false passports and Spanish visas would be dispatched to Spanish fyiorocco. Their mission would be to study the network of roads around Gi braltar and learn how suitable it was for German motorized units and artillery.

• A Spanish division under the com-

mand of General Asensio would practice storming Gibraltar near Algeciras.

• Spanish spies would gather samples of Gibraltar rock to be examined by Military High Com mand.

• German gunnery crews would train in France by shelling cliffs similar to those in Gibraltar.

• Germany would make available a gigantic gun with a range of 200 kilometres.

• Operation Felix/lsabela was to be launched in January or February 1941.

After reading these points put forward in The Hitler Book I went to the internet and found a copy of a directive, written by Hitler himself, which gives even more detail of the plan to attack Gibraltar.

In this directive Hitler disclosed that German troops would occupy the Spanish Canary and Portuguese Azores and Madeira islands. This was in response to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's threat that if Gibraltar fell he had a special force of 5,000 soldiers prepared to capture the Canaries and/or the Azores.

Hitler wrote that the Gibraltar attack force would be entirely German (he didn't want Italian participation because he feared that Mussolini wanted possession of Gibraltar)and would gather on the French side of the Spanish / French border:

"...a preliminary alert for begin ning the operation will be issued three weeks before the troops cross the Franco-Spanish border but only after conclusion of preparations regarding the Atlantic Islands."

In the directive Hitler makes it clear he was prepared to send his troops into neutral Portugal:

• Directed by observers near Al geciras, Luftwaffe units (mainly dive-bombers) at a favourable moment will conduct an aerial attack from French soil against the units of the English fleet lying in the harbour of Gibraltar and after the attack they will land on Spanish airports.

Shortly thereafter the units des ignated for commitment in Spain will cross the Franco-Spanish border by land or by air.

The attack for the seizure of Gibraltar is to be by German troops.

Troops are to be assembled to march into Portugal in case the English should gain a foothold there. The units designated for this will march into Spain imme diately after the forces designated for Gibraltar.

Supportfor the Spaniards in clos-

The two men met in Hitler's private train on 23ril October 1940 at the French/Spanish herder

ing the Strait after seizure of the Rock,if necessary,from the Span ish-Moroccan side as weil.

Hitler specified that the force attacking Gibraltar must be strong enough to take the Rock without Spanish help (this is not what he told Franco) but that the Germans would come to Spanish assistance if the British should attempt a landing on another part of the coast.

He also asserted that the Luft waffe force should be strong enough to guarantee 'abundant' success and that U-boats would at tack Royal Navy ships should they flee the harbour (as he expected they would).

Hitler concluded by stating that should the attack on Gibraltar be successful his forces would occupy, not just the Canaries, Madiera and the Azores,but also the Portuguese controlled Cape Verde Islands.

The information in The Hitler Book and from Hitler's own direc tive show that Operation Felix/ Isabcia was very real and would have had a very good chance of succeeding. The Germans proved

their ability for accomplishing such a difficult undertaking by capturing the island of Crete in May of 1941.

Luckily for the defenders of Gi braltar Franco didn't like the plan and Operation Felix/Isabella was cancelled. Some historians argue that Franco made demands that he knew Hitler would not agree to. After the meeting. Hitler famously remarked that he would rather, "have two or three teeth pulled out" than negotiate with Franco again.

Franco did assist the Axis by providing access to steel mills, sending troops to fight on the Eastern Front and giving safe ha ven in Spanish ports for German U-boats. He maintained a stance of pro-Axis, non-belligerency until returning to complete neutrality in 1943 by which time the tide of war had turned decisively against Germany.

Author's note: The Hitler Book is published by John Murray (2005).

The editors are Uhl and Henrik Eberle. The En;itish translation is by Giles .Mrtc'ifc'icy/i.

Hitler wrote that the Glhraltar attack force would he entirely German the didn't want Italian participation

hecause hefeared that Mussolini wanted possession el Glhraltarl

Hitler with Mussolini who he feared was after Gibraltar for himself

Wyse Hire:Taking IT further

The environment in which businesses operate today is ever changing. The speed of technological changes is astonishing — many identify technology as a critical enabler of change. Customers are very demanding — expectations have risen enormously with the result that people want more than the basics, they expect quality, choice and high standards without paying more. And competition is forever prevalent. In addition to this here on the Rock of Gibraltar the commercial landscape is constantly changing due to the interplay between our neighbours in Spain and of course the European Union and its legislation.

In such demanding times any business — es pecially a small one — must respond to survive and remain versatile. 2007 saw many changes at Wyse Hire all crucial to its purpose of pro viding customers with the best value solutions to their equipment hire needs. After some six very successful years in mobile crane hire Sally Welch the Managing Director took the decision at the beginning of the company's 12th financial year to sell that side of the business. This saw a change in team dynamics,some moved on to pastures new,some moved on to different roles within the business and some new members joined the team.

Sally has always believed the difference be tween the best companies and the rest is almost always their people. Her aim is to keep a highly motivated team working for Wyse Hire who are able to think for themselves and will go that extra mile for customers. Sally remains pas sionate and enthusiastic about her role within the business and looks for those same qualities in team members. Once a new team member is found, training and personal development are encouraged.

Committed to the Investors in People govern ment pilotscheme Sally hopes that during 2008 Wyse Hire will receive accreditation with the standard. She agrees with the IIP standard that a business can deliver improvement through its people by matching what people can do and are motivated to do with what the organisation needs them to do.

On the technological side of things,2007saw the complete implementation of the specialist hire software bought two years ago. "This pro

vides Wyse Hire with extensive and immediate information as to which client has what and where,what repairs and maintenance are being carried out in our workshops to our machines and also to client's machines,and what stock we have available to hire and sell," Sally explains.

The company hasinvested heavily in technol ogy in an effort to improve efficiency. Workshop Manager Paul Hendy regularly updates the web page on www.wysehire.gi with additions to the fleet. The site also provides extensive informa tion on the equipment Wyse Hire has to offer(its concept is so successful it was copied virtually word for word by a competitor!).

So from their unit in New Harbours you can hire a wide range ofequipment— either for DIY tasks at home or for larger projects — and you can buy all sorts of consumables to compliment their tools and personal protective equipment.

It's from here also that the Wyse Hire skip lor ries operate, delivering and collecting skips all over the Rock with great skill and efficiency.

When collecting or returning equipment it is easy to park or pull into Wyse Hire's entrance

and all team members are happy to discuss client's requirements. Operations Manager Liz Billington-Flynn carried out a Customer Service Survey in 2007—"The results were positive and encouraging but we are looking to continuously improve in 2008 and will see the introduction of a complaints procedure which may or may not prove popular!" Sally adds.

With all sorts in the pipeline for 2008the team at Wyse Hire are looking forward to a busy and challenging year while working towards their vision of becoming a household name here in Gibraltar. We wish them a prosperous 2008. 3/ WA

' Wysa Hire tsasi Xaviii Peach,Aidan Scott,Syb CarpeataiiClms Watlm Paul Hendyi UiBUIiagtoa-Flyaii,Bryan Probert and Danny Barrett

Sally has always believed the difference between the best cempanles and the rest is almest always their people

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Artistic Piigrimage to Jerusaiem via Gibraitar

Watercolorist James Foot returned to Gibraltar last November with his new collection of pictures small and large, certainly outdoing the ones he presented in previous visits — impossible as further betterment seems to the fans of his soft, romantic cityscapes that ooze perfection from every tropical leaf, colonial doorway and Genoese shutter.

James Foot offered for local consumption his finest views of Gibraltar and surrounding region. However, his interest spans literally across the Mediterranean, since he keenly seeks inspiration from Helladic olive groves and whitewashed blue-rinsed islanders' houses as well as Morocco's sandy camels. Further north, amidst the lush plump greens of the Cornish countryside,he finds solace for his dazzled eyes in creeks,estuaries,bluebells meadows and beeches.

And both in Cornwall and Greece James Foot held exhibitions before his autumnal pit-stop to the Rock, prior to his forthcoming big break in the Holy Land, where his desire and talent for architectural challenges will finally find its match in the many shadows and shades of walls' crevices and gilded tiles shimmering against the sky.

James Foot was invited to exhibit in Jeru salem in April 2008 and he has already been sketching in situ and photographing every place of interest, to then develop them into full-size watercolours at his Whitechapel studio.

Sneaky previews of religious architecture were presented in his Gibraltar exhibition: an embracing panorama of Nefusot Yehuda Syna gogue's interiors, where the space is moulded by pillars, arches, benches, chequered tiling, chandeliers and Moresque decors with inter sections of lines and curves,constructed along the strictest dictums of technical perspective, and asserted by the almost monochrome colour that makes this spiritual vision stand out. One wonders whether James Foot used diluted acrylics rather than his usual ethereal watercolours.

Another valuable taste of what to expect from his interpretation of the sunshine ca ressing the uneven surfaces of Jerusalem's fortifications is given away by his San Mateo Cathedral's baroque facade, drenched in Tarifa's sunlight, with curves and angles well balanced between cool marble pillars and

warm sandstone bricks.

For a painter who knows how to make even a graveyard look as appealing as a tropical paradise, gardens and vine archways are simple, and James Foot moves confidently amongst the shadows cast by wisterias, yuc cas, dragon and banana tree leaves, giving life to a forest of high and low lights that spell refreshing shelter from the high noon.

The exhibition also graced the visitors with two 'humorously' realistic renditions of the variable winds that alternately blow in the Strait, locally known as Levanter and Poniente,the first creating a greyish streaked muggy cloud rising from the Rock's Eastern Side and hovering above town to dim and dull the sunlight, while the second cleanses the air revealing the crisp blue sky and all vegetation in its full green glory. Both compositions are centred on two windswept tall palm trees whose leaves energetically swing accordingly to the gusts' direction, on the background of the Rock's profile, clad in Mediterranean maquis, which lends itself beautifully to the portrayal of the opposite weather conditions' diverse luminosity.

While past exhibitions focused on spaces enclosed by edifices, doorways, concertina like shutters, masonry and patios where the sun's rays bounce from one whitewashed wall to the next,sculpting potted plants in infinite shades of green and stamping the foliage's silhouettes on the facades — with the few exceptions of some fascinating reflections in waterscapes — this year featured a welcome horizon-broadening medley of peaceful, mesmerising sunrises over the Strait, in which Djebel Moussa stands agairrst vaporous clouds,infused with flashes of pastel hues and mirrored in the tranquil sea. The same view is repeated in several pictures with assorted light conditions and the outcome is a kind of poetic analysis of the grand treasure the mountainous gateway to Africa discloses,and at the same time guards,like a virtual window

on surfaces

James Foot is in iove with iigiit and iightnoss and the iace-iiKe effects thatsome shadows embroider

onto our souls.

James Foot is in love with light and light ness and the lace-like effects that some shadows embroider on surfaces — in his work he freezes the impact the light has had at a particular moment in time. Indeed, the more challenging the belter, and no wrought iron scrollwork is intricate enough to stop him from depicting typical balconies from Gibraltar's town centre; no peeled-off tint planks and worn-out pathways can prevent him from capturing the charm of side alleys

and courtyards that scream heritage and his tory secrets.

Londoner James Foot has been a regular guest of the local fine arts scene since 1990, when the former Director for Culture Manolo Galliano got acquainted with his work in Tarifa and introduced him to Gibraltar.

Visit unvw.jainesfoot.coMk for an update oti James's zcliercabotits andfor scheduling ifour pri vate vieioin;^ at his London studio, in Via Vallance Road, Whitechapel.

Krystle at Queen of the World

LKryslle Robba,ModelSearch 2005 winner, returned from Germany after successfully taking part in Queen of the World 2007. The contest took place over a period of two weeks and concluded in Ischgl, Tyrol, Aus tria where the delegate from Rumania was chosen as the winner.

"The thought of travelling to Ischgl in Austria and Germany was very exciting," said Krystle. "After having been to two international competitions 1 knew roughly what to expect. During the first few days everyone is trying to get to know each other and soon after you make your own group of friends to whom you get more attached than you would expect in such a short period of time. My experience at Miss Queen of the World was wonderful and 1 thank Mount Productions for once again having faith in my abilities and giving me the opportunity to compete internationally."

The contest was watched by media repre sentatives from all over the World including television stations from as faraway as South Korea,and was attended by VIP guests and Jury members from all over the World to include Government Officials from Austria, Japan and China.

Forfurther information contact Mark Montovio of Mount Productions on 40338 or email moutit@gibrallar.gi

the more challenging the hotter,and no wrought iron scrollwork is intricate enough to stop him from depicting typical halconies from Gihraltar's town centre

Ired above are all 14 Dream Girl of the Year contestants. The show will be taking place on Friday 7th March at die John Mackintosh Hall from 8.30pm. Tickets will be on sale at Beau Jangles, 123 Main Street, from

Send completed crossword to: The Cannon Bar, Cannon Lane, Gibraltar. One entry per person.

Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group

P.O.Box 1359 Tel: 78509

Mobile: 54007924

Email: info@gclsg.co.uk www.gdsg.co.uk

For anonymous donations

first PRIZE: Lunch for 2 at The Cannon Bar

Winner notified in next issue of The Gibraltar Magazine.

Closing date:24th February 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.

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Please collect your voucher from The Gibraltar Magazine office

Across

I) Star ot Edward Scissorhands(6,4)

8) Sap of fruit(5)

9) Type of face make-up(7)

10) Old film star Gloria (7)

II) Girl's first name(5)

12) Left(tKe stage)(7)

14) Frantic(6)

17) Range;scope(5)

19) Less tidy(7)

21) English film studio prominent especially in the 1960s(7)

22) Famous race horse, winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup(5)

23) Those who amass stamps,coins etc.(10)

Down

2) Paper folding, Japanese style(7) Requirements(5)

Citizen of Aden,for example(7) Spirit; heart of a matter(7)

(Soft) musical instrument(5)

Polish born French physicist who developed radiation (5,5)

8) Old US outlaw (5,5)

15)

16)

13) Coastal region of western Portugal(7) Less intelligent; more dense(7) Hinder (6)

18)

20)

Fundamental (5)

Detective played by Richard Roundtree on film (5)

An Anatombrseardcn

Gibraltar Rocks formed London Vivarium

Joshua Brookes was a leading teacher of anatomy in the 18th Century but he was also a tad 'off-the-wair and the builder of an unusual 'vivarium' with rocks imported from Gibraltar.

The dictionary definition for vivarium reads: a place, such as a laboratory, where live animals or plants are kefJt under conditions simulating their natural environment,asfor research.

Brookes did study the anatomy of both hu mans and animals in his laboratory behind his home at Great Marlborough, London but his animals and birds could hardly be described as living in their natural environment as they spent most of their time chained to the Gibraltar rocks.

An engraving by Charles Hullmandel shows the vivarium to be approximately twenty feet high with a small fountain on the top and wa ter pouring out one side into a large clamshell. There are a variety of birds and a tortoise in the picture but no other animals to be seen. A man, probably Brookes himself, and a woman with a parasol are seen admiring the structure.

The vivarium was the feature attraction of Brookes' urban garden, which is described in the book. The London Toum Garden by Todd Longstaffe-Gowan:

"Few small gardens were as impressively ec centric as that ofthe anatomistJoshua Brookes in Blenheim Street(No.13)off Great Marlborough Street. Brookes' vivarium, constructed princi pally with large masses of Rock of Gibraltar, was home to a variety of exotic birds and beasts including a pair of egrets, an ibis, a raccoon, an eagle, a large owl, pheasants and a fox.

The rockwork menagerie and its pendant gothic hermitage lay in the small walled garden between Brookes' house, his Anatomical and Zootomical Museum and stable block in the Blenheim Mews. An iron-grille allowed pass ers-by to gaze in."

This gesture of allowing the public to admire his beautiful garden and animals nearly caused Brookes to be lynched in January 1792 when the nearby Pantheon Theatre burned to the ground. So great wasthe heat from the fire that doors and sash frames were blistered and the animals and birds suffered as they panted and struggled to break free from their chains.

An angry crowd, believing the poor animals were roasting alive, shouted for Brookes to do something before they 'pulled the house down round his ears'.

Brookes' was able to cool the animals and the mob down and the house, museum and vivarium survived to entertain visitors for another six years.

But Joshua Brookes is remembered for more than his Rock of Gibraltar vivarium. In his liftetime he is said to have taught more than 5,000 students on the intricacies of the human anatomy. He held his classes in his laboratory often using the bodies ofinfamous criminals for dissection purposes.

At the time gangs of body snatchers would rob pauper's graves and sell the corpses to

p>eople like Brookes.If a surgeon did not provide adequate compensation to the grave robbers he was likely to find various body parts strewn about his property as Brookes once found to his cost(he was fined).

Sometimes the surgeons and their students would risk being arrested, stoned or shot by raiding the graveyards themselves.The practice

ofgrave robbing ended with the Anatomy Actof 1832. Brookes died a year later aged 72. Through his ghoulish work Brookes devel oped an improved means (injecting nitre) for preserving bodies. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1819;in 1828 he named the ge nus for the cheetah[Acinonyx)and wasfounder of the Brookesian Museum of Comparative Anatomy.

From 1833to 1904 No.13 was occupied by the publishing houses of Henry Colbum and then Hurst and Blackett.Architect Robert Henry Kerr occupied the property from 1904 to 1916. The buildings and vivarium have long since been demolished. So far as 1 can determine there is no record of what happened to the rocks from Gibraltar but you can safely bet that they are adorning someone's garden somewhere in London today. Who knows, some may even have been used as gravestones.

An angry crowd, believing the peer animals were reasiing alive,shouted tor Brookes to do something before they pulled the house down round his ears'

antismoking campaign here in Gibraltar.

Many people have said such a move has been long overdue but no one has done a thing about it until just a few months ago. It caused quite a stir in the Piazza one day as people queued to sign up. 1 remember people coming into the office saying "Have you been to the Piazza? They're all signing the and smoking petition." It was the talk of the town that day and 1 got the impression that on the whole people would like to see smoking banned in public places just like many other places in the world but as usual there isn't or rather wasn't the impetus until that week.

When you talk to Bryan about it you do get the feeling he's very serious. 'T understand smoking, I was a social smoker, cigars, myself but even then 1 couldn't stand being in restau rants or bars and see the pall hanging over the room. For example just as your food arrives and you are about to eat in a restaurant the table next to you decides to light up. It isn't just one person either, and it's in between courses. There doesn't seem to be any etiquette with it, just light up and forget about who is around you.If vou ask them not to, they make an even bigger point about lighting up, it really got me mad and I thought somebody should do something about it."

Bryan Zammit was actually born in Man chester; his ancestry is all Gibraltarian (for nine generations in fact)on both his father and mother's side,but his parents moved to the UK in search of a different kind of life.

Bryan started boxing at the age of ten (he went to Hatersley Boys Club, the same Gym where Ricky Hatton started boxing). At the age of 16 he changed from boxing to Thai Box ing where he trained at Master Toddy's gym in Salford, Manchester as well as with well known boxer Ronnie Green in 1983 just before Ronnie took a shot at the world heavy weight title. He has represented Gibraltar in bouts in Spain but confesses that fights were far and few between so it was never going to become a career for him.

"Here there isn't the depth and regularity of competition to take you to the next level as you get in the UK,although 1 have to admit the best part of becoming part of the boxing squad

Where theressmeke there'sfire„..

Bryan Zanirmi oi t riis Anti-Smoking Campaign and other things...

Although his head has peeked above the parapet several times since Bryan Zammit finally came back to live in his ancestral home it is only recently that he has been back in the headlines. Positive headlines, of course, as he decided to head the

in Gibraltar was becoming friends with Ernest Victory, who I still consider to be a great friend of mine today",

Bryan's personal career really took off in Gibraltar when he was appointed by Liptons, who eventually became Morrisons, as their youngest ever manager. He has a degree in Marketing & Management so business seemed the way forward.He obviously has an entrepre neurial flair too because he came to Gibraltar on holiday with an ex girlfriend in the early 1980s and liked it so much he came back a week later with only £65 in his pocket and decided to stay. As he settled, looking for work, doing small jobs of many descriptions he saw an advertise ment in the Gibraltar Chronicle for Everseal, a painting and waterproofing company from the UK. Having talked his way into the company he set about making it the most successful along the Costa del Sol with part ownership and employing in its peak over 200 people. It seemed the business was rolling in.

Being very well known in business circles in Marbella in the late'80s led to an approach by the late jesus Gil, the rather infamous owner of Athletico Madrid. He asked Bryan via an intermediary, to sponsor his entry into the political arena for his campaign to become mayor of Marbella. Through exhibitions and other profile lifting campaigns Gil became Mayor and Bryan had found a new role, life seemed to be good. If you knew Gil, good for him meant good for those who helped and supported him.

Bryan made a very good living from his painting and waterproofing business but eventually he decided to retire. He sold all his interests including the villa in Marbella and came back to Gibraltar to try his hand here.

An ambition had always been to own a restaurant so Picasso's was opened, a chic restaurant on Main Street that also became a political hive in the mid to late '90s. He also tried his hand as a partner in what became the largest nightclub in Gibraltar called Viva La Diva.The nightclub proved to be very exhaust ing especially having several silent business partners; Bryan likes to take control when it comes to business so he ran the show. This included regular run-ins with troublemakers but as he said "it was part and parcel of the night club business".

Eventually he believed the constant agro and demanding work in the nightclub during the early and mid '90s was making it less enjoy able so after a meeting with the partners ^ey decided to sell out and Bryan was on his quest for his next business venture.

With regards to politics it was an area he hadn't considered before and though he is on the whole apolitical he decided he would get involved in Gibraltar and exercise his more radical side.

One of the first things he did was to helped found the United Nations Association of Gibraltar(UNA)and the remit was to profile Gibraltar on the world stage. Having help set it up he took the Vice-Presidency preferring to have a hand in but not ruling the UNA. However there was some conflict of interest and after some discussion he personally felt the original idea and direction was lost.

In his usual direct approach he created a new

committee via an EGM and afterwards he be came the President. This kind of campaigning meanthe accompanied both Peter Caruana and Joe Bossano to the UN twice in 1996,something he is very proud to have done.In recent years the UNA has been inactive, perhaps a sign that generally things are going okay as far as Bryan is concerned but as he said "It is always there to use as a very good tool for Gibraltar in international affairs if the need arose".

Bryan has quite a unique view on politics and Gibraltar politics in particular.

"I would rather we got away from the party political system we have here. No one can get anything done unless they do as the party wants. I would prefer a more independent style so you vote for individuals to run the dif ferent ministries. This way we don't have all the power of Gibraltar going to one individual which is what tends to happen in party politics. Most politicians want power and once they have it they do everything they can to keep it which isn't always to the advantage, or in the best interest of the community. The govern mentas a whole should run the country not the ideas of one man or woman.This way you vote for the politician that helps you and listens to you.I know it sounds a little idealistic but this system has been used in Jersey and Guernsey

for over 200 years and it works great for them. Party politics divides the people and we are too small a community to be divided because of a few power hungry politicians."

1 asked him where his loyalties lie given where he was born yet having Gibraltarian lineage.

"I have to say that I feel a lot more Gibraltar ian than English. I was lucky though to have been brought up away from some of the issues around Gibraltar. 1 wasn't here when the border wasclosed for example but I am aware,acutely aware,of these and other serious issues. 1 did my learning in the UK as a small fish in a very big tough ocean butI see Gibraltar as a fantastic place where if you are willing to work hard you can do well.

"You can sit down do very little, enjoy the sunshine and just coast along but that isn't me. 1 prefer to get involved and make things happen."

Completely settled now in Gib and divorced he has 2 children from his marriage, Daniella aged 21 and Bryan Jnr aged 18."They give me life; they always have and always will. 1 have been so blessed to have two wonderful children that are not just my daughter and son but are also my friends".

He and his partner of five years Bianca Chiara are very happy and things are looking good."The last 5 years with Bianca have gone so quick it seems like only yesterday that we started dating. There isn't a day goes by that we don't laugh and joke together. We are so compatible it scares me sometimes. I re ally couldn't imagine my life without her in it anymore."

Just a few years ago Bryan saw the potential of getting involved in the property business and became the Commercial and Marketing Director of one of the largest property develop ing companies in southern Spain. This went very well for a couple of years but Bryan has been in business for himself since the mid '80s and found it hard to remain an employee, so after several weeks of negotiations he left the employment and became a partner of the owner of the property developing company creating a sales based company in the UK and Spain serving 100% his partner's developments company.

"In my new venture 1 have opened a Real Estate sales office and team in a prime location in Manchester City Centre with a sales support office and team in Spain. I have already ear marked four more offices in London,Birming ham, Glasgow and Dublin. A lot more travel for me but always coming home to Gibraltar, hopefully a smoke-free Gibraltar.

"We have currently 4,000 signatures on that petition, the Gibraltar Women's Association is also urging for a ban and we even have a'Facebook' page you can log onto and register your support. The only way we'll get change is to press the Government. I would love to achieve around 9,000 signatures, which is over half the people that voted in the last general election. With that kind of support I would hope that government will sit up and listen and pass legislation and get Gibraltar Smoke Free."

Check out the Facebook site and register your support, search for the'no smoking in public places campaign',in Gibraltar of course.

I did my learning in the UK as a small fish in a very hig tough ocean but I see Gibraltar as a fantastic place where if you are willing to work hard youcandoweii

There are some 60 species of introduced plants to be found growing on the Rock. This consti tutes 10% of the total number of species of plants found in Gibraltar. Many of these species are truly naturalised, i.e. grow in the wild without the help of man.This arti cle concerns itself with some such naturalised species.

Most people are familiar with the Bermuda buttercup or Vinagrera {Oxalis pes-caprae) since this is a serious weed throughout the Rock, Much less obvious is the Creeping wood sorrel (Oxalis corniculata), which is a weed of gardens and other planted areas, but can also be found growing on pavements

TheInvaders

and roadsides in the town area. The flower is quite small, 5 to 10 mm across. Its country of origin is uncertain.

The scarlet pelargonium (Pelar gonium inqiiinnns) is a well-known

pot plant which is used to add col our to urban areas throughout the world. Gibraltar is no different, but here is has escaped from its original planted areas and can be seen grow ing wild in various places such as

the Upper Rock and, in particular, the cliffs above Camp Bay and Lit tle Bay. It is a non-invasive species and therefore poses no problems to native species. It is a native of South Africa.

More problematic is the soap aloe (Aloe maculata). This grows alongside the more common Tree aloe (Aloe arborescens), and can be distinguished from the latter by the flowers which are in flat-topped clusters rather than conical ones. The leaves are green to purplishgreen,covered with pale markings, and have sharp yellow teeth along the margins. Tliis species, which is a native of South Africa, is found mainly around the southern end

The tiny flowers are usually grouped together to form rounded heads of manyflowers

ot Liibraltar.

Also found around Europa Point is the highly invasive purple dewplant (Disphyma crassifolium). The flowers are similar to those of the more widespread Hottentot fig, but are much smaller, up to 4.5cm across,and pale pink in colour.The leaves are also smaller, and more rounded in section. This species is native to South Africa.This species is a problem as it spreads quite readily, forming dense mats, and replacing native species.

The pink houseleek {Aeotiium imwthii), has established itself on the cliffs around southern parts of Gibraltar, but in particular those

above Little Bay. It forms dense, rounded clumps, and produces creamy-pink flowers in dense panicles from February to April. The grey-green leaves have purple margins.It is a native of the Canary Islands.

Most people are familiar with the prickly pear cactus {Opuntia ficusindica), and perhaps with another similar species,the prostrate cactus {Opuiitia viilgaris), which is found

mainly around Catalan Bay. One splendid specimen of a third mem ber of the family was discovered in 2006 growing half-way up Mediter ranean Steps: the red flower prickly pear {Oputilia bergeriana). Where this plant has come from is any one's guess,as there are none of the species growing in Gibraltar save one plant in the Alameda Botanic Gardens.This species is a native of Central America,and is spectacular

natural history

when in flower.

The dragon tree {Dracaena draco sub>p. ajgal)can be found growing in the Alameda Botanic Gardens, the Mount Gardens, the Convent Gardens, and in a few other places around Gibraltar. This subspecies originates from northern Morocco. The fruit is eaten by the yellowlegged gulls, and the seeds dis persed in their droppings to such an extent that young trees can be seen growing all around Gibraltar, from Rock Gun to the Waterworks entrance,and around North Gorge and Buenavista. When the trunk is cut it exudes a red gum known as dragon's blood.

The fruit is eaten by the yeiiow-iegged guils, and the seeds dispersed in their droppings to such an extent that young trees can he seen growing aii around Gihraitar

The Weather:A Het Tepic

Not everyone agrees about the extent to which global warming is causing the planet's climate to change but Jon Lewes looks at the likely impact and how it will affect Gibraltar.

You can accept it, or you can reject it, or per haps you've just been too busy to pay attention to it, yet you should still look for something to do about it, because it may just affect you a lot quicker than you think. Perhaps you feel that Bruce Willis will appear to save us but the reality is that the first truly catastrophic impacts of cli mate change brought about by ever-accelerating global warming could literally be a decade away, by 2020,and not at the end of the centu ry as some commentators like to tell us.

The area in which Gibraltar lies, sandwiched between the continents of Europe and Africa, may be affected twice over, or more. The UK Met Office's Hadley Centre says that "the Medi terranean region is one of the sensitive areas on Earth in the context of global climate change due to it's position at the border of the climatologically-determined Hadley cell and the consequent transitional character between two very different climate regimes in the North and the South."

The increased risk of inland flash floods and more frequent coastal flooding now being seen in Europe may not be as troublesome for Gibraltar as the problems caused by the rise in sea-levels and drought at the same time. Increases in the fre quency of heat extremes, heat-waves and heavy rainfall are very likely and by mid-century many semi-arid areas, including the Mediterranean basin,are projected to suffer a decrease in fresh-

water resources. Teclinically, the Gibraltar-end of the Mod plays an important role in climate movement because the Mediterranean Sea is a

concentration basin with an evaporation rate much larger than the rainfall rate and river run off, leading to an increase in salt content and it also a acts like a thermodynamic engine which transforms the inflowing light Atlantic water into dense, deep Mediterranean waters through air-sea coupling.

In terms of global mean surface air tem perature, the planet has experienced a general warming of 0.6°C over the last century. IPCC estimated changes of the global temperature to be between 2to 5°C at the end of the 21 st century. The global mean temperature is only a mean indicator and changes at regional scales can be much larger. Many global and regional models tend to simulate a warming of several degrees

by Jon Lewes

(from 3 to 7^C)on the Mediterranean for the end of the 21st century and the warming in summer is larger than the global average. There is also a general trend of a mean precipitation decrease, ie less rainfall, for the region (especially in sum mer), due mainly to the northward extension of the descending branch of the subtropical Hadley circularion.

The upco'ming problems were spelt out at the UN Climate Change Conference in 2007 and it was stated afterwards that "The United Nations Climate Change Conference,COP13(Conference of the Parties 13) in Bali on 3-14 December, was vital in the battle to combat global warming. This year's scientific report from the UN's Inter governmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) made it clear,beyond doubt,that climate change is a reality and can seriously harm the future development of the world's economies,societies and eco-systems. Immediate action is needed to prevent the most severe impacts. Since what is happening to the climate is a global issue, tack ling climate change and its impacts can only be successfully co-ordinated at international level. The main goal of the Bali conference has been to get negotiations going on a new international climate change agreement".

The new agreements need to be in place fast before major "tipping-points" are reached. High lighted items at the conference were the state of the Amazon rainforest which is essentially our planet's 'lung' and is facing threats from both climate change and deforestation which, under current development plans could reduce forest cover by 53% of the original area by 2050; the melting of the Greenland ice-cap and the melting of Siberia's permafrost covering an area the size of the United States releasing the many millions of tons of methane gas lying trapped under Siberia's permafrost into the atmosphere and "pushing global temperatures through the roof".

UK has pledged to take action, highlighted in November 2007 by John Hirst, Met Office Chief Executive, when he said;"Prime Minister Gordon Brown's pledge to reduce emissions by 60% by 2050 is welcome news to all of us. The Mel Of fice has provided evidence that climate change is both unavoidable and significant. There is no doubt that we need to take steps to mitigate the established trends and also adapt to impacts that are already inevitable."

That is a stark statement with which it seems foolish to argue but there are those who srill claim that,for example,not all scientists agree with the predictions, or, the earth will handle and adjust to the problems. The real problem is that those commentators,and scientists, who disagree may not be around to find out how mistaken they were because although the earth will adjust to its problems there is no guarantee that the human species will be among those species to survive the adjustment. Already, the assessment to date is that up to 30% of the planet's species are at increased risk of extinction if global average temperatures exceed 1.5-2.5°C above 1980-19^ levels because a 1°C average increase in the global temperature of the earth is enough to radically change the climate, in different places, in differ ent ways,right across the planet.

One climate prediction model,in 2005, showed that the climate is likely to heat by 4°C,but could heat by as much as 7.5 degrees — much more than the IPCC or Hadley Centre models.By 2050,a tar get date in many UK and EU plans for emission reductions,the UK average temperature,says the model, will have risen by about 2.4°C — this is greater than the EU target for world temperature

"The Met Office has provided evidence that climate change is both unavoidahie and significant"

rise, of 2°C. By 2080, average UK temperature, for example, could have risen by 3.8°C , with a possible range from 1,8 to 7,0 Centigrade These are, too sav the least, extremely rapid rises, in geological terms.

In the recent book by Mark Lynas, Six Dcgrfc.^, which compiles the research to date carried out by the many different climate study institutions he spells out the impact that each rise of one degree will have on the planet, and its human population.

At 6°C, he states, we get the best idea of what the planet will be like if we turn the geological clock back between 144m and 65m years to the period which ended with the extinction of the dinosaurs. "It is not too difficult," he says, "to imagine the ultimate nightmare, with ice gone from both poles, with oceanic methane erup tions near large population centres wiping out millions of people, perhaps in days. Buildings are flattened, people are incinerated where thev stand, or left blind and deaf by the force of the explosion, with burnt survivors battling over food, wandering far and wide from empty cities, blocked in by flood plains.

"Life on Earth ends with apocalyptic storms, flash floods,hydrogen sulphide gas and methane fireballs racing across the globe with power of atom bombs;only fungi survive,"

If that seems a little extreme, let's look at how he describes what will happen when global temperatures increase by just 2^C. "Fresh water lost from a third of the world's surface,low-lying coastlines flooded, Europeans dying of heat stroke, forests ravaged by fire, with a third of all species facing extinction"

And at 3°C,"the runaway thaw of permafrost makes global warming unstoppable, much of Britain is uninhabitable by severe flooding and the Mediterranean region is abandoned,"

Before you get out your map to choose a safe place to relocate to, you might like to talk to local environmentalists in Gibraltar, such asGONHS, Friends ofthe Earth and Helping Hand to tell you about your carbon footprint and how to reduce it. Every little bit will help.

by Reg Reynolds

What would 'Climate Change'enthusiasts have had to say on 3rd February 1954,the day snow fell on Gibraltar?

It was certainly a'Climate Change'experi ence for Gibraltarians for snow had never fallen on the Rock in the living memory of any of the residents of the day.

The Gibraltar Chronicle reported that a 100-year-old woman patient in King George V hospital was taken outdoors to touch the white stuff because she had never seen snow before.

The Chronicle for February 4th reported; "Gibraltar awoke yesterday morning to a sight no one had ever seen before." Snow covered the streets of Gibraltar and painted a beautiful winterscape on the hills surround ing the bay, from Puerto de Cabrito and the Sierra da Luna on the Tarifa road to the Sierra Carbonera(Queen of Spain's Chair).

There were pictures in the Chronicle pro vided by readers and they included shots of the snow-covered rooftops taken by A. J. Beriru from Sacred Heart; a view of the wintery conditions on the road to Tarifa by J. H. Chipolini; two burrows examining a drift of snow at Algarrobo taken by L. J, Yome;and a snowman on the roadside near Pelayo submit ted by Major H.D.Gallway.

Thesnow didn't last long in Gibraltar,it was gone in a day, but remained on the surround ing hills for several days,

Although the snow provided a fun diver sion for Gibraltarians the unusually cold winter wrought havoc and death elsewhere in Europe. Headlines declared it to be the cold est winter of the century and that 130 people had died throughout Europe,half of that total in France alone. Snow fell all over the South of Europe and even in Morocco and Algeria. Gale force winds added to the misery in many places. Temperatures plummeted in London

where there were 22 deaths reported. 16 peo ple died in Paris. Burst pipes caused so much damage at the Moulin Rouge that the popular nightclub was closed for two months.

The Climate Change doomsayers would have had a good time of it in 1954 as imusual meteorogical events appear to have been wide spread that year. On 9th January the coldest temperature reading ever recorded, -87°F (-66°C). was made by the British North Green land Expedition at Northice, Greenland.

But the most sensational event of the year was Hurricane Hazel, which did more dam age in more places than the notorious Hur ricane Katrina of 2005.

Hurricane Hazel was the fiercest hurricane of the 1954 Atlantic season and one of the most powerful hurricanes of the 20th cen tury. Formed on 5th October that year Hazel lasted two weeks and killed 1,200 people and caused an estimated 381 million dollars in damages (2,7 billion in today's dollars). What was unique about Hazel was that it went further north than any other hurricane ever recorded even reaching Canada.It is the strongest hurricane ever recorded to strike so far inland. Areas struck by Hazel's winds, which reached speeds of 150 mph,included Grenada, Haiti, Bahamas, South Carolina, North Carolina,Virginia, West Virginia,Mary land,Pennsylvania,New York and Ontario An estimated 1,000 people were killed in Haiti and 81 in Canada.

By comparison Gibraltarians suffered hardly at all. The cold spell that had arrived two weeks before the actual snowfall lasted only until 8th February when by mid-day temperatures had risen to a balmy 58 degrees Fahrenheit.

"Tackling climate change and its impacts can only be successfully co-ordinated at internationai level."

Saturday 2nd February

Charity Concert - Gee-Mackey - Pia no/Cello Duo at Cathedral of the Holy Trinity 7.30 pm. All proceeds are for the Rock of Ages Campaign. For info Tel: 200 75745 or email: anglicangib@gibtelecom.net

Monday 4th to 8th February

Painting Exhibition by Cecil Sant "Bull Fighting Scene" at John Mackintosh Hall Gallery O-SOam-Upm. Entrance free. For info contact John Mackin tosh Hall Tel: 200 75669

Wednesday 6th February

Gun Salute - HM The Queen's Ac cession to the Throne at The Tower (Berth 41) Naval Base 12.00 noon. For Info Tel: 200 55083

Thursday 14th February

Valentine's Day Dinner Dance music with "Take Two" at Gala Casino Gi braltar 8pm. Tickets £35 available from the Casino reception daily from 8pm. For info Tel: 200 76666

Saturday 16th February

Gibraltar Botanic Garden Tour. Meet at George Don Gates, south end of Grand Parade 10:30am. No fee but donations welcome.

Jazz, Blues, Salsa - musical evening with refreshments and bar at Central Hall, in aid of the Gibraltar Commu nity Association (support for relatives of UK hospitalised patients). Hosted by Chris Francis and featuring guest artists Tito Chipolina and The Street Dogs, and Off Yer Trolly. Doors open 6.30pm, entrance £5 (tickets from Vijey, 127 Main St or Barbary Ape Bar Restaurant, Boyd St). Tel: 48545.

GONHS - Outing: The Strait Walk. The Shore of the Strait of Gibraltar -west from Punta Carnero, meet Sam Gibraltar side of the frontier. Contact John Cortes Tel: 200 72639 E-mail: jcortes@gonhs.org

Monday 18th •22nd February

Painting Exhibition by Dr. Giraldi Home at John Mackintosh Hall Gal lery 9.30am • 11pm. Entrance free.

Contact John Mackintosh Hall Tel: 200 75669.

Friday 22nd February

Charity benefit night at the Red Lion, Watergardens, in memory of Liam Doherty who died of leukemia on New Year's Day 2008 aged 8.

Tuesday 19th February

Dance Academy - Annual Choreog raphy Competition at John Mackin tosh Hall Theatre 7.30pm. Tickets: £6 from John Mackintosh Hall ticket of fice from 12th February. Contact Ana Marie 200 44828.

GONHS Meeting - The Strait of Gi braltar by Eric Shaw, Head Marine Section, GONHS at The Cottage, Alameda Botanic Gardens 8.30pm. For info Tel: 200 72639

Sunday 24th February

Calpe Ramblers meet Spanish Side of Frontier to the right of the Aduana Vehicle Exit at Sam. Contact Ray Tel: 200 71956 or John Tel: 200 74645

Monday 25th - 29th February

Exhibition of Embroidered Pictures by Hermana Victoria at John Mack intosh Hall Lower Exhibition Room lOam-npm. Entrance free. Contact John Mackintosh Hall Tel: 200 75669

Thursday 28th February • 1st March

M 0 Productions 6th Gibraltar Stage Dance Festival at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre 7pm,Saturday 1 st March 10am & 7.30pm. Tickets: £5 available from 18th February from the Nature Shop in Casemates Square. Contact SeamusTel: 200 71635.

Friday 29th February

All the Answers will be performing at The Gibraltar Casino.

MRS GIBRALTAR 2008

1st Annual Mrs Gibraltar contest, Mrs Gibraltar 2008 will take place on Friday 15th August at the Alameda Open Air Theatre. For info or application form contact Glamour Creations 54000377 or e-mail: glamourcreations@hotmail.com

Chicken & Mushroom Pie £5.50

CIkTn liiiiiii'iiimU' l'l'll^l> lii|ipi-il p(<- M-i-\r<1 wlili liiimrmtrfr rlilpA

Admirals Prime Fillet Steak £11.50

Srr\fil nliti Miishrinnn. i'rpptT, RraiKly or Hiiurhun auuer. Iionieiliiidr chips & salad fUnlsh

Fillet Of John Dor> ,....£7.25

Kri'sli fllk'l ur John Dory i iHikcd In B |trccn pnto Miirr and topped with rlireso au gralln

Chilli Con Carne £5.75

I loincniadt* tin III S4*ni*<1 on o l>p(l ofricT

.Spaghetii Bolognaise £5.25

INpii ol linllnii pii.sin <1ish wllh minced meal In looliln soucr

Lasagne - £5.50

Die Iiiilinn liitiKinlc, Iiuiti ofpniilafliKl iiiiiK-ed bet-T, srrvrd wUli houM-iiiade Hilps

UMS Breakfast £5.00

i efEg. J snuuRcs. J rnAhcrs ol hacon. hiasl. rimshrmmis,inmatoe*, baked beaM.aptf chips

Aegelarian Pasta Baked £5.25

SpaR>H'iii cookeil ill a hch lomaiii sauce,topped «hh ctiersp mk)baked )n tlir oven

Steak & .Ale Pic £ 5.50

Our own sirak It nie pir senrrt ntlli liomrniadr i tlips

Swordlish £7.75 Senril I'lllier plain lutllitl. nllh aarlicbulhr urnlUi a tumaloand basil sauceUtrdwUv Is ymirs.

Chicken curry(m) - £5.50

lloinrinadi- chicken cum seneil on a bed ot rice. aiiuHirr ufiMir rhrfs spedab(Turn (lie Star Rnr.

Bivaded Scajiipi - £6.75

Siici-iilriil scampi iii-rds no liilrodueiloii. served vslili ourliuiiieuiadr diliisaitd a salad paml^ The chefs special of Uie day please ask your waiter

We also serve a range of Homu- made Pizza.s. Burrilos. Jaekel Ihitalues, Burgers & Sizzlers

Venue

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Food has been enhancing our libidos for centuries. We've all heard that foods like truffles, oysters and asparagus contain chemicals that arouse us or improve sexual performance but what about the less well-known aphrodisiacs? Can oats, crushed beetles and powdered bone marrow really turn us on? And as Valentine's Day approaches, what should be on the menu?

The human pursuit of the aphro disiac has led to many strange con coctions including pearls dissolved in a cup of wine, and baboon faces added to ointments. Aphrodite,the love goddess, was said to consider sparrows sacred because of their amorous nature and so the birds were included in various aphrodi siac brews.

The ancient Egyptians were great believers in the power of food and

included lettuce (a favourite food of fertility god Min) and onion on their list of aphrodisiacs. In fact celibate priests were kept well away from the vegetable just in

case onion-fuelled passions got the better of them. Fennel, ginger, pomegranates, coriander in wine and radishes mixed with honey were also thought to have aphro-

disiac qualities.

Scientific tests have proven that certain foods do affect the body in certain mood enhancing ways,and some aromas can create a stronger effect on the body than actually eating foods — hence the lucrative perfume market.

Here is the ABC of commonly known aphrodisiacs to help you get it right tfiis February 14th.

Alcohol: every young lover knows alcohol lowers inhibitions and increases confidence;however, over-indulgence can send you to sleep or make you sick — hardly conducive to a romantic tryst.

Almond: Try serving Marzipan shapes as a special after-dinner treat or part of the dessert.Almonds are an ancient symbol of fertility and the aroma is thought to induce passion in a woman.

Aniseed: Used as an aphrodisiac since Roman times,as it is believed to increase desire.

Asparagus: 19th century bride grooms were so confident in as paragus's aphrodisiac powers that they ate three course before their wedding night. The Vegetarian Society suggests"eating asparagus for three days for the most power ful affect".

Avocado: Fruit of the Aztecs' "testicle tree" this fruit has a sen sual texture.

Bananas: No, not just for their erotic shape, but also for the en zyme bromelain which is said to enhance male performance. They are also rich in potassium and B vi tamins, necessary for sex hormone production.

Basil: Said to stimulate the sex drive and boost fertility. It is also said to produce a general sense of well being for body and mind.

Carrots: The carrot was used by early Middle Eastern royalty to aid seduction (we are not quite clear how!). Despite its shape it is probably more useful for its healthy vitamin and beta-carotene content.

Caviar: An expensive luxury, indulgent, decadent and also high in zinc, which stimulates the forma tion of testosterone.

Champagne: This really is the "drink of love," don't drink too much (see Alcohol), but cracking open a special bottle to share low ers inhibitions and causes a warm comfortable glow.

Chocolate: In most countries chocolate is associated with ro mance probably because it contains mood lifting agents,found natural ly in the brain — when eaten these agents cause mood change and increased heart rate, inducing the feelings of well being usually asso ciated with being in love. The sugar m chocolate also gives a substantial

priests were kept well away fropi the vegetable jpst Ip case enlon-fuelled passions gotthe hotter of them

energy boost thus increas ing stamina. Casanova is said to have consumed chocolate before frol icking and it was ac tually banned from some monasteries centuries ago.

Chocolate con tains more antioxidants (cancer preventing en zymes)than does red wine. The se cret for passion is to combine the two —try a glass of Rioja with a dark chocolate dessert for a sensuous treat.

Coffee; An after-dinner coffee acts as a stimulant to body and mind, highly desirable if you want to stay awake for some time, but remember, too much caffeine and it becomes a depressant.

Coriander: The Arabian Nights tells of a merchant who, childless for 40 years, was cured by a potion which featured coriander.

Fennel:A source of natural plant estrogens, fennel has be used for "libido enhancement" since Egyp tian times.

Figs: The Greeks took their figs very seriously and created a frenzied orgy ritual around them, maybe because an open fig is thought to resemble the female sex organs. A man breaking open a fig and eating it in front of his lover is a powerfully erotic act. Be sure to eat with your fingers!

Garlic:The'heat' in garlic is said excite sexual desires,just make sure you both have it, or the passion may be over...

Ginger Ginger root stimulates the circulation and gets your heartbeating faster(and you thought that was your lover not the food!).

Ginseng: Said to increase the desire for physical contact.

Liquorice:Chewing on liquorice root is said to enhance love and lust, particularly in woman,but perhaps it could be a little off-putting over dinner?

Nutmeg: Highly prized by Chi nese women as an aphrodisiac, in large enough quantities nutmeg can produce hallucinations. A sprinkling of this spice can warm up an evening.

Oysters:Oysters have the ability to change sex, giving rise to claims

that eating an oyster lets ou experience the mas culine and feminine sides of love. In the second century AD Juvenal described the wanton ways of women after drinking wine and eating "gi ant oysters".

Pineapple: Used in home opathy for the treatment for im potence.

Pine Nuts:Rich in zinc, a key min eral necessary to maintain male poten cy, pine nuts have been used to stimulate the libido as far back as Medieval times.

Puffer Fish: Not one to try at home, but considered an aphro disiac in Japan, this fish contains a poisonous gland which, if not properly removed, can be deadly. It is the flirt with death which gives the sexual thrill.

Radish: Back to the Egyptian pharoahs who we have already established had some strange ideas — this one is likely included be cause it stimulates the palate.

Rocket: Since the first century A.D.rocket has been used to stimu late passion.

Strawberries: Perfect for hand feeding your lover and described in erotic literature as "fruit nipples" try dipping them in champagne for a light sensual des.sert.

Truffles: Exclusive and with a musky aroma, truffles are thought to arouse the palate and the body, One ancient lover was said to have gorged himself to death on truffles during the wedding feast. Every thing in moderation!

Vanilla: Both the aroma and flavour of vanilla is thought to increase lust... try lighting va nilla scented candles, and savour some vanilla ice-cream with your champagne, chocolate and straw berries!

Wine: Wine like champagne relaxes and helps to stimulate our senses — an erotic experience in itself. Caress the glass, savour the taste, look into your lover's eyes. A moderate amount "arouses" too much will have a dramatic reverse affect. The last thing you want is to fall asleep on the sofa after dinner (sec Coffee and Chocolate).

The Boatya['4

Restaurant, Lounge & CocktaH Bar

Queensway Quay Marina

Stylish & relaxetj dining on front line marina with a stylish cocktail bar & lounge making the perfect setting for an unforgettable evening

Reservations recommended Tel 200 50540

f S 0 Contemporary Mediterranean Dining

Wine like ehampagne relaxes and helps to stimulate our souses—au erotic experleuce lu Itself. Caress the glass, sauQur the taste,look lute your lover's eyes

The Hunter twins' three bars were part of this year's very suc cessful GBC Open Day in Decem ber. They have successfully raised money for charity for a number of years, initially for Local Children In Care, then The Gibraltar Society for Cancer Relief before joining in with the GBC Open Day event for the last two years.

Andy thanked their customers who turned out in great numbers for the day, Lewis Slagnetto Ltd and Anglo Hispano Ltd who sup

Stage Dance Festival

ported their efforts and also the following musicians who played for charity during the evening's celebrity jam at the Lord Nelson: Adrian Pozo, Guy Palmer, Nolan Frendo, Gavin Garcia, Chlpi, Luke Bossano, Adrian Pisarello and Laurie.

The twins have agreed to join 2008's GBC Open Day event on 17th December when their latest venture O'Reilly's Irish Bar, Leisure Island Ocean Village will also participate in the fundraising.

The sixth edition of the Gibraltar Stage Dance Festival will be staged between 27th February and 1st March 2008 at the John Mackintosh Hall. The event will see performaces from individual dancers and groups with participants having the opportunity to perform in various dance categories.

For further information please contact Seamus Bprneon 71635 ore-mail: mopro® ^ibtelecom.nef

Religious Services

Batiia Tnl 200 43637 for meeiings. Bethel Christian Fellowship Tel: 200 52002. 47 Queensway. Sunday service ai 11am.

Church of England Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Tel 200 78377. Sung Eucharist.

Sunday 10.30am. Sunday School.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Suite 21a Don House.30-38 Main Street. Tel. 200 50433 Sundays 10am.

Church of Scotland St Andrew's. Gov ernor's Pde Tel. 200 77040. Worship 6

Sunday School 10.30am. Bible Study

Tues 7.30pm.

Evangelical Bretheren Assembly. Queerv swayQuay Sun 11am.Tues Bible Study 6pm,Thurs Prayer Meeting 6pm.

Hindu Engineer's Lane Teh 200 42515.

Jehovah's Witness Line Wall Rd Tel: 200 50186.

72606.

Methodist 297 Main Street Gibraltar Tel/ Fax 200 40870 email minister@methodist.org.gi Minister: Revd Rdel Patron,Sun day 11am Morning Worship,8pm Evening Service. Prayer meetings Monday and Wednesday to Friday 7pm and Tuesdays 8pm.Communion celebrated on 2nd and 4th Sunday mornings of the month, and other special occasions. Alpha Course: held Thursdays8pm.House Groups meet for Christian fellowship, prayer and study on a regular basis Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Sunday School meets Sunday mornings alongside morrv ing worship

Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned, 215 Main St Teh 200 766M. The Cityline Church 13 Castle St Tel: 200 75755 email, citvlinegib@yahoo.com. Meeting: Tues 8pm, Sundays 11am.

jiUlU* C-'MKin

Jot\n Hunter. Gerard Teuma(CBC Open Day Trustee), Michael Vasquei (Lewis Stagnetto Ltd), Dominique Palmer (Area Manager Lord Nelson Ltd), Stephen Triay (Anglo Hispano Ltd) and Andy Hunter

Free Raffle raises money for GBC Open

There wasso much interest in tlie free raffle held by the team at Just A Nibble for Christmas that they were able to donate £100 to GBC Open Day. The raffle, in which anyone who spent £5.00 or more on lunch was given a free ticket and a chance to win all kinds of prizes, from a Christmas Hamper, to a Christmas lottery ticket or a TV, proved so popular with all the extra custom Just A Nibble felt it only fair to share the good fortune with GBC's causes.

Day

Bob and the team have decided to repeat the process for Easter, and have asked this time that BFBS draw the ticket and a dona tion will be made towards BFBS's consortium of charities (local and UK). The draw will take place just before Easter (22nd and 23rd March)so make sure you get your free ticket by spending £5.00 or more on lunch at Just A Nibble, on the first floor of the ICC. There is a hamper, wine and giant Easter eggs on offer this time.

Basil6Red Pepper•Cajun Chicken • Honey Roasted Ham6Cheese • Chargrilled Chicken h Avocado • Tuna,Prawn, Lemon ft Crdme Fraiche) * Wraps (Chicken Caesar • BIT * Feta, Olive, Mint ft Yoghurt Dressing • Chargriiied Chicken, Red Pepper ft Onion)* Panlni * Starters6 side dishes (Onion Rings ft Nachos to Potato Skins) * Mains (bom Chicken TIkka Masala to Fish ft Chips, Bangers ft Mash or Quiche or Roast of the Day) * Salads (from Chicken Caesar or Greek to Ploughman's)* Jackets (Chilli ft Cheese to Smoked Salmon) * Desserts * Drinks etc

The Just A Nibble team — Bob. Dunia, Sarah and Marie

Richard Ill's opening speech is almost always only remembered as'Now is the winter of our discontent', implying unhappiness. It is in fact the op posite because it continues:'Made glorious summer by this son of York'. So he was unhappy, but now summer has arrived and his discontent is finished. (Note, incidentally, the pun of'son/sun'.)

It is rather like the myth that King Canute was trying to hold back the tide. He wasn't. He was showing his fawning courtiers that he did not have God-like powers and could not hold back the tide. Frankly, it is also a myth that win ters in Gibraltar are cold, wet and miserable. Try, for instance, the North-East ofEngland—or,worse, anywhere in Scotland. No wonder there are so many Scotch people in Gibraltar — they are a canny lot.

So although it may rain a bit, or even quite a lot, occasionally we should take advantage of our many blessings. These include the fact that one can still enjoy what are usually thought of as 'summer' wines in winter. A Torres rose from Anglo-Hispano (£5.60) fits the bill beautifully.

But following the excesses of Christmas and the New Year, it is again time to look at the cheaper end of the market without sac rificing too much quality. From newspaper reports it appears that most of the UK was caught up in a massive binge drink over the holi day season. This culture of'binge' drinking is very strange. There are times, 1 admit, when I have overindulged in the blushful Hippocrene but not intentionally so. I have suffered as a result — and, of course,sworn never to do it again. But I like to enjoy my glass and that is impossible once too many glasses have been imbibed. What persuades people to actually want to reach that state — with all the consequences it entails?

Happily, we seem to be more sensible in terms of overdoing the intake but may still need to tighten the belt. On the subject of belttightening I have been amused to see various business leaders look ing concerned about the takeover of GB Airways by Easyjet and the possible loss of 'business class'. Apparently financiers and other professionals cannot be expected to sit on an aeroplane with ordi nary mortals — it would be like taking a bus (as one of them put it). Somehow I doubt that these big shots travel in business class

when paying for their own flight. A possible result of the abolition of business class may be that the fees of my investment adviser, my lawyer and my accountant will come down since their expenses will reduce. Some hope. The poor dears will also have to manage without the free champagne which wasso vital to ensuring a dear head for the forthcoming meeting.

Since they may now have to pay for their own wine, 1 am on the look-out for a drinkable claret to help them on their way (although the hand baggage restrictions pre vent you taking your own wine and under no circumstancesshould you buy one of the quarter bottles the airline provides). I have previously omitted to mention the Classic Claret from Marks and Spencer at £3.49. 'Classic' may be putting it a bit high, although if you go back to the original meaning of classic — 'of its class' — then the label is tautologous because it wouldn't be of the class of claret unless it

was claret. Leaving these linguis tic quibbles aside, it is good stuff and provides enough warmth and colour to keep any stray raindrops away. Marks have quite a decent range at the(generally)cheaper end of the market,although one should be wary of the rather gaudily la belled Merlot (£2.20) and similar which are vin du pays d'Oc and no better than they should be despite the impressive-looking label.

If you can stand the queues at Morrison's,they have a good selec tion of New World whites which extends beyond the ubiquitous Australian Chardonnay. A South African Zinfandel (£6.50) may tempt you away from the everreliable (in this part of the world) Barbadillo and a New Zealand Semillon Blanc at £5.80 caught my eye. But the queueing may put you off.

1 do not blame Morrison's com pletely (although some of the check-out staff might do well to forget the chatter about Grandma's ingrowing toenail while ten people are waiting). Customers are equal ly to blame. Why does it come as a surprise that money (or a card) will be required? Why does the money or card then seem to be in the deepest recess of the handbag or pocket and require a considerable time to retrieve?

I was recently in the '12 items or fewer' queue (congratulations to Morrison's for knowing the dif ference between'fewer'and 'less') behind 8 others.The time it took for the 8 good people in front of me to find their means of payment added five minutes to my queueing time. Not the end of the world,of course — except that my frozen peas were beginning to suffer — but so un necessary.

1 had to cheer myself up with a bottle of 1995 Chateau La Roche (Anglo-Hispano,£29.50). Heaven. I deserved a treat after standing behind you inefficient lot and, al though it wasn't at the cheaper end of the market,1 recommend it if you are suffering from a desire to biff an elderly lady over the head with a packet of nearly unfrozen peas.

A possible result el the abolition of business class may be thatthe fees of my investment adviser,my lawyer and my accountant will come down since their expenses will reduce

restaurants

The Boatyard

Queensway Quay Tel: 200 50540

Stylish dining right on the quayside at Queenway Quay. Lunch and dinner served including appetisers ofhoney 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& watercress salad,or grilled rack of New Zealand Iamb, cumin roasted chorizo & potato,steamed green beaas,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.

Cafe 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 pastasfeg: 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-12pm)includes ciabatta, granary, foccacia sandwiches with fillings such as pear and blue cheese,smoked bacon and brie, cheese and honey roast ham,delicious desserts(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 dishes such as langostine pil pU;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 10am. 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 of salads, rice and noodles and fish, poultry and meat dLshes which include King Prawns Macarena(cooked with fresh ginger,tomatoes, mangos and bananas served with basmati rice, fried bread and

Qbananas). 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 Malaguena 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.

Claus on the Rock Bistro Unit 14 Queensway Quay. Tel:200 48686 www.clausontherock.gi

Bistro, grill and lounge with international menu served on the quayside for lunch and dinner. Try Lebanese mezza plate (humous, eggplant, tomato, onion and pita bread),Scottish smoked salmon with toast,capers and onion, or sashimi as a selection from the starters, or from the grill how about fillet of beef, entrecote, brochette of salmon or king prawns,or mains of Thai red chicken curry, Mauritian chow mein or Indonesian chicken sate. Delicious desserts include French creme brulee and baked banana flamb^ with ice-cream. Defi nitely a pleasant place to dine. Open: Lunch & Dinner. Closed Sundays.

Gauchos

Walerport 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 Caucho 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 — Parrillada de Cuacho (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 tool 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 Fiotel, Catalan Bay

For a reservatibn 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: rockhoteii??gibtelecom.net

www.rockhotelgibraUar.com

With stunning views over the bay, the restaurant at the Rock Hotel has gained two coveted AA Rosettes for its food. High standards of service and cuisine but you won't need an arm and a leg to be waited on hand and foot! A glass of Manzanilla and an appeti.ser welcomes diners and the'house'and a la carte menus offer a range of dishes that reflect Gibraltar's British heritage,as well as her location betwixt Spain and north Africa. Cur rent temptations include Gibraltar Bay Sea Bass on a Chorizo Ragout with Pickled Lemons and Baby Clams; Lamb Loin with Slow Braised Shoulder and Aubergine 'Caviar'with Has el Hanout or how about Argentine Beet Fillet with Potato and Rosemary Rbsti with Pan Seared Foie Gras and Madeira Jus? Vegetarians will enjoy Wild Mushroom and Maris Piper Pithivier on a Leek and Black Olive Fondue or for pudding why not consider Lime Leaf Creme Brulee with a Salad of Blackberry and Moroccan Oranges? There is also a 'house' menu which changes daily and during the cooler months fraditonal Sunday lunch. The wine list, amusingly written, makes no excuses for majoring on Spain and the house wine is excellent. Fully air-condi tioned, non-smoking policy, children welcome, high chairs. Restaurant Manager, Mohamed Youznassi. Head Chef, Alfred Rodriguez. For large parties and celebrations call Toby or Nina or e-mail.

Open: Dinner only - 7pm-10pm daily (Sunday lunch from mid October until early April)

Credit Cards: All major credit and debit cards

Simon's Restaurant

44 ComwaH's Lane. Tel: 200 47515

Excellent food in a sophisticated,inbmate atmosphere. Hosts Suzanne and Sinron ensure everyone receives personal attention. Start with Simon's own pat^ with red onion jam and hot toast,or king prawns thermidor with tarragon mustard, white wine and cheese cream sauce or p>erhaps baked New Zealand mussels with garlic butter and melted camembert. Main courses include kebab of swordfish and king prawns with creamy dill sauce, breast of chicken with mushroom, bacon, rosemary stuffing and masala sauce, and roast tenderloin of pork wrapped in bacon with apple,sage and Calvados sauce. Or try the roast rack of Iamb with mint, redcurrant and red wine sauce or the grilled fillet of mero with avocado and prawns. There is something to delight every palate. Fully air-conditioncd. Open:evenings(bookings recommended).

Thyme Restaurant

S Cornwall's Lane. Tel: 200 49199

Email: thymegib@>hotmaiI.com

Open for 5 years, tliis 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 Chilli & Landcress Salad, 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 Dame,Crisp Pancetta. Thai Spiced Lentils, Cool Mint Yoghurt Dressing; Confit of Lamb Shoulder Shank, Warm CouscousSalad, Chickpea & Coriander Salsa,Onion & Sultana Chutney; or Open Ravioli of Slow Roast Squash, Basil & Ricotta, Roast Garlic Cream Sauce. Everything made on the premises using only the best, fresh ingredients. Two separate dining rooms - smoking and non smoking. Menu changed seasonally, daily specials.

informaleating

A1 Andalus Bar Restaurant

3 College Lane. Tel: 200 49184

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

Open:Bam -late evening. Breakfast from Bam.

Birdie Cafe/Restaurant

No 16 Watergardens 11. Tel:200 72885

Owned by David, previously of the Hong Kong restaurant, this golf themed cafe/ restaurant combines snacks and tapas.such as chicken spring rolls, stewed .spare ribs in black bean sauce,octopus salad,and fried chicken wings with main courses of pork balls with sweet and sour sauce; chicken curry; bacon, baked beans,egg,chips and tomato for examples. Takeaways are available as are special office packed lunches which include stewed beefin ginger with boiled rice;salt and pepper ribs and chips;and chicken balls with sweetand sour sauce and chips.

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 al whisky to name a few. Tasty desserts and variety of wines.

Open: Monday - Wednesday lOam - 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@gibtaltar.gi

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

Get joost

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

Smoothies are vitamin packed super-food and increasinglv popular tor the health concious. Get Joost makes delicious fresh fruit juices and smoothies made from natural ingredients which area meal in a cup. The top five smoothies they sell are wild strawberry;breakie on the run; energy blast; raspberry ice; and tropical surrender. Tel / Fax: 200 76699 for delivery.

Open:8-7 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: Bam - 6pm Mon-Pri,8am-4pm Sat.

Just A Nibble

Isl 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 of tasty alternatives — plus all the old favourites;jacket spuds, burgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, and daily specials. Ideal meeting place.

Open: Monday - Saturday from 9am.

Just Desserts

1st Floor ICC Tel: 200 48014

Comfortable bright, airy cafe serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine from breakfast and lunch to afternoon tea. Homemade desserts a speciality. Eat-in or takeaway at sensible prices. Outside catering.

Open:Bam - 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 drinks. Business lunches, parties and kids parties also catered for (for party and office platters phone or fax order by 5.30pm day before - minium orders for delivery £12).

Open: Monday - Friday 8.30-7,Sat 9-4,Closed Sun.

Sacareiio Coffee Co.

57 Irish Town. Tel: 200 70625

Converted coffee warehouse, ideal for coffee, homemade cakes/afternoon tea, plus menu including excellent salad bar, specials of the day and dishes such as lasagne, steak and mushroom Guinness pie, hot chicken salad, toasties, club sandwich and baked potatoes. Art exhibitions. Available for parties and functions in the evenings.

Open:9am-7.30pm Mon-Fri.9am-3pm Saturdays

Smith's Fish & Chips

295 Main Street. Tel: 200 74254

Traditional British fish and chip shop with tables/seating available or take-away wrapped in newspaper.

Menu:Cod,haddock or plaice in batter,Comish pasties, mushy peas etc. Also curries, omiettes, burgers.

Open:8am-6pm Mon-Fri. Breakfasts from Bam. Located: Main Street opposite the Convent.

Solly's

Salt Beef Parlour & Delicatessen

8 Cannon Lane. Tel: 200 78511

On Cannon Lane this carvery, charcuterie and deli offers delicious food to take away eat in or for delivery. Try the carvery (from 11am), hot or cold baguettes with fillings such as curried chicken breast, Merguez sausages,schnitzel, pastrami,smoked turkey and pressed beef. There are also salads and platters including bangers & mash, lamb chops, beef burgers and hot dogs. (Glatt Kosher)

Open: 12pm-late, Sunday 6pm-late. Closed Sat.

Solo Express

Ground Floor, International Commercial Centre

Solo Express, located right next to Pizza Hut, serves a good variety of salads and baguettes(white, brown & ciabatta) filled with a wide deli selection of things

such as roast chicken; smoked salmon & mascapone; ham,cheese and coleslaw; or hummous,avocado and roasted red pepper. The salads are fresh and tasty and include Greek, Waldorf,cous cous, tuna pasta,etc and are great value. Jacket potatoes, quiches, tea, coffee etc plus cakes(such as flapjacks and muffins) are also available throughout tiie 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 full 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 3 screens.

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 want to participate. Gaming machines. Terrace seating available.

Open:llam-midnightSun-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 of locking the Gates to the city at night when the guard announced 'All's Well' before handing the keys to the watch. All's Weil 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 expect from 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.

Aragon Bar

15 Bell Lane. Tel: 200 78855

A friendly traditional bar serving good homemade food.

Outside tables available.

Open:7days, 10-late, food 10 -10.

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 all day at this typical pub right on Main Street. Everything from all day breakfast to Irish fillet steak roll, burritos, and the popular fresh local mussels. Draught lager, bitter, cider and Murphys plus free WiFi. Terrace seating right on Main Street to watch the world go by.

Open:from 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 full 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 wvm.lordnelson.gi

E-mail: reservations@lordnelson.gi

Attractive bar/ brasserie in historic Casemates building. Done outto respresent Nelson's ship with cloud and sky ceiling crossed with beams and sails. Spacious terrace

Menu:Starter ic snacks include fresh local mus.sels, 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. FreeWifi.

Open: from 10am till very late.

Pickwicks

Governor's Parade. Tel: 200 76488

Run by well-known friendly face,Mandy this small pub with a large terrace is situated in Governor's Parade away from the traffic and safe for all the family. Good food available including the best freshly made 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 comfortaifle pleasant little pub with pool table and terrace on the quayside. Big screen television for ail sporting events.

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

Royal Oak Bar

59c Irish Town. Tel: 200 71708

Informal good local pub, popular for its pool table and sports talk. Outdoor seating.

Located: Irish Town, the street which runs parallel to Main St.

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: Out.side 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:11am - midnightSunday-Thursday,10am-lam Friday, 11am - lam Saturdays.

acrosstheborder

The Taste Indian Restaurant

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

Tel: 00 34 85612 2918 / 00 34 626 88 40 38

Very good Indian restaurant convenient walk from the frontier. All the favourites from chicken Madras to lamb channa,and king prawn vindaloo. Specialities include Chicken Hkka 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-late,Friday,Saturday & Sunday Ipm-late

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

Chris de Barr's sLimming up of Gauchos' style is verified by the fact that reservations are highly advisable if you want to be sure of a table — and if you want to go on a Friday or Saturday night then booking is essential.

The restaurant, in Waterport Casemates, only opened 20 months ago,and within a few weeks it had reached the stage of popularity that it is still enjoying today.

Gauchos is an Argentinian steak house in an historic setting which provides superb food, efficiently served by friendly, welcoming staff under the charming manageress Marianna,

The cosy dining rooms are inside the city walls by the Waterport roundabout, and the d^cor re flects the style of old Gibraltar. The windows used to be the cannon embrasures, and the marks of the rings that secured the cannons can be clearly seen.

So, it's Argentinian cuisine, lov ingly cooked under the skilled guidance of Executive Chef Daniel P.Breeze,but it's also a lot more than you might expect. Steaks are there, of course, specially imported from an Argentinian farm that is well known to the de Barr family, but the steaks only form a third of the main courses,and they are available with optional sauces, including the Chimichurri — a basic Argentinian garlic and parsley sauce with an unusual price: it's free of charge. For just £1 more you can have mushroom,green pepper,b^amaise

Gauchos Story....

or mustard sauces.

The seven steaks themselves go from £12.25 for a well matured ten der heart of rump called Corazon de Cuadril; to an absolutely perfect Soiomillo for £16.25. There is also a Gaucho Hamburger, which is like no other hamburger you have ever tasted. Made freshly to order from freshly minced prime beef, Chris says that this is a new experience for customers and only costs £8.85.

For starters, you could go for oven-baked blue cheese in an black pepper pastry, for £4.75; up to a platter of seafoods from Argentina's River Plate area, excellent value for £6.95;or there are some very special soups at only £3.50.

There are also seven imaginative salads and four fish dishes, such as Sweet Chilli Green Lip Mussels, at £9.95, which Chris told me was a superb delicate fusion of flavours. Vegetarians are catered for too — Crepe Argenteuil, for instance, made with grilled asparagus and wild mushrooms, for £6.95.

Special main courses... Well, the most special stands out straight away. It's £28 but that is for two

people and is a real filler. It's Parrillada de Gaucho, their own special mixed grill of steak, sausages, chicken, pork and lamb,cooked on a charcoal grill in the evenings- as are all the meat courses.

For a similar price per person there is rack of young lamb with rosemary for £14.25;whilst the other specials include chicken and pork soiomillo, all as you have never tasted before.

The seven desserts come with a warning:'Do not read beyond this point if you are counting calories' and are all recognisable and based on favourites — but with the Gau cho touch to make the difference. The ones that caught my eye were the crepes: pancakes with hot cherry and cream or ice cream and thick molten chocolate. There is also a choice of four cheeses with nutty bread baked on the premise,and an extensive wine list, going from £7.95 for a bottle of a Rioja crianza up to, well,almost as much as you want to pay for the very best.

All of the dishes mentioned above are from the evening dinner menu. There is a separate lunch menu

served from 12.30 to 3.30 Monday to Friday, and Chris told me that there is no problem if lunchers want to linger to have an extra drink and continue their conversation until 5pm.

He also showed me the visitors' book, which was filled with rave reviews from delighted diners.

The opening hours in the evening are 7.30pm until late, Monday to Saturday.

Outside, and only recently opened, is the already popular ter race for drinks and snacks. It's an interesting and unusual setting on what was once the Waterport Wharf, and it still retains an animal trough installed by the City Council in 1931. The Portland stone trough is now a triple fountain. There is also one of the original cannons from the inside restaurant. The Terrace has its own wooden bar and lots of room for families to able to relax within the gated enclosure. There is a separate snack menu, very extensive and basically serving what you would expect in a good pub or cafe,includ ing children's menu and tandooris — it has its own barbecue grill and tandoori ovens.

I have to stop; there is only one way to get the full feel (and the feeling of fullness) and that is to go there. The phone number for reservations (including functions for parties of around 50 to 70)is 200 59700, and Gauchos is to be found where Chimney Corner used to be — by the Waterport roundaboutand at the end of Fish Market Lane.

irs Argentinian cuisine,iovingiy ceeked under the skiiied guidance nf Executive Chef Daniei, but it's aiso a iot more thau you might expect

cn WP thought we would start February is traditionally the to Robert Bumiston and Suzanne this colunrn with a touch of Congra^ .^e annt^ve^ Costa who became engaged tn January <0 romantic! Also engaged are 2^y of their meeting and and Nick of 32Red... A Cyril of Newton and Btenda of PWC ^a" „ Marina Bay who got marned big "congratulations!" to Victor and „ffice who also Hed the on 18th fanuary,and hotreymoon, it will only make • ru'te-arr^S flym. we can safely report romance alive and kicking m Gibraltar!

Dressing Up- and Down i^^own as Jeff Vader Jonathan Gourlay's no surprise to those who wentto the Bas(Darthseemed a little pretentious)^ ggen dressed as the Dark or sadone festive bash. cape made for him by his mother-m-law. complete with shiny Lw Dark Lords are about publicity. We tried to get a picture of him but y ^ afternoon recently.

„K"jS'r;:: which launderette he had taken his shirts to.

Many Happy Returns! luHe belated but nevertheless heartfelt) g^s to A very special Happy Birthday (a while Joe ofSalsa Fuego celebrated TeresaS^ano who was84years

Reynolds reached

XGlXpX?Le"of Redmounf whose son Freddie was born a, e end of the year.

A New Year ritor Peter Schirmer who spent his New Year's Eve We wish a speedy recovery "J , j the time this magazine is published in StBernard's,hopefully he w ill he ^8™^ • ij,e festivities, and managed to Poor Maria of PWC was also ^^j'^^'jLtner John, Amin at the Cannon Bar Jose her voice much to the , pillow)for staving open round lire clock deserves a medal(or more appropriatrfy a pi 3i,j_ ^,„,Ued on New Year's Eve/New Day He op 3^, ,,„poned straight through until the morning ot Hie isi, for lunch until 5pm. Now that s starmn. ^.olutions this year, but we do We haven't caught wind o ^ , chris Johnson,is now on a diet. Chris is know that one rather emddly fellow Y ^ pe seeing him with a pint

"^::^"tnisHcanbeachaUenge.b.

Solo Express is not shying away over the ordering, problem—

'Ello'EUo'Ello . , this month with the addition of The lone arm of the law will get a little 1' g ^ ^nown around new r1i Gibraltar Police on 1st February,but town for his journalistic prowess, ■ his new career, he has already been beat d^ nT give him swollen ankles like globe Let's hope all that pounding talked to New Zealand instead of trotter Martin Wollaston's- you d think ne a flown the way he was talking-

rest oi^as srrs

weekends to visit his pretty French ^md^ c,ib with his famous sauSausage supremo, Neil Logan,is Factory, is now trading as a sages. Neil of Simply istate) still doing his full range of traditional

and unusual handmade sausages get a better sausage!

The Good Life to most simply as H), usual writer

has his eye on you!

|Uatft8/is and CanyM

Arts b Crafts

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 paint ing Wed 7pm-9pml. Tel: 200 79788.

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

The Poetry Society meets on 20th of each month. Tel: Audrey Batty on 200 44355

Board Games

Chess Club meets In Studio 1, John Mackin tosh Hall 8-10.30pm Tues.

The Gibraltar Scrabble Club meet John Mackintosh Hall Mondays. Bank holidays changed toThursday same week.7pm-npm All welcome. Tel: 200 73660 or 200 75995.

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

Dance Modern & Latin American Sequence Danc ing Mondays Catholic Community Centre

8.30pm (beginners 7.30). Over 15s welcome, wwwgibnynex.gl/lnst/cccsegdance/ Old & Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at the Catholic Community Centre at 8pm, beginners at 7.30pm. Wednesday.

The DSA Old ft Modern Sequence Danc ing sessions at Central Hall Fridays 8pm. beginners 7.30pm. Tel : 200 78282 or e-mail manvio(3)gibraltar.gi Everybody welcome.

Senior CitizensTeatime Dances atThe Youth Centre. Line Wall Rd on Mondays 2- 5,30pm. All senior citizens welcome for coffee, tea and biscuits Entrance free.

Classical Ballet classes for children 4+

Spanish dance and hip-hop at Liza School of Dance. 3rd floor, Methodist Church, 297/299

Main St. Classes Weds & Fri from 6pm at Chlltern Court(4Cs|. Tel: 58111000.

Latin Caribbean Dance Classes Salsa. Samba, Merengue, Cha-Cha. Wednesday 9pm-10pm£3. Instructor Pedro Vera. Urban Dance Studio,Jumpers Bastion, Rosia Road. For all 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: 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 & Thursday 7.30 - 9pm. New singers of all ages welcome. Tel : Lili 200 40035, 54006727

St Andrew's Music Academy Musical Monsters Club, musical workshops. Group musical activities for kids 3-7 years. Singing, rhythmic games etc. Tel: 200 42690 email: samagib@hotmail.com

Outdoor Activities

TheCaIpe Ramblers This group walks on last Sunday each month,except July and August. Meeting place Is the Spanish side of the frontier Sam just to the right of and opposite the Aduana vehicle exit. For any information contact co-ordlnators 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 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 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/month 7pm. Knights Chapter,2nd Mon/month 7 30pm. Examining Council, 3rd Mon/month 7pm. William Tilley 2371, Thurs 8pm. Buena Vista 9975, Weds (fortnightly)7pm. Por Favor 9444, Weds(fort nightly) 7pm. Farewell 10001, Tues 8.30pm. 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 enjoy 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 Alameda Gardens. All welcome.

The Gibraltar Photographic Society meets on Mon at around 8pm. Wellington Front. Basic courses, competitions etc.

Hariey Davidson Owners' Club www. hdcgib com

UN Association of Gibraltar PO Box 599,22a Main Street. Teh 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 does great food lor 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 (Calpeans 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 & EBA)has leagues and training for adults and secondary school. Tel: Ivan 200 44045 or Linda 200 74753.

Basketball: Gibraltar Amateur Basketball Association (affiliated FIBA)leagues/ training for minis, passarelle, cadets, seniors and adults at a variety of levels. Tel: John 200 77253, Randy 200 40727 or Kirsty (minis) 200 49441.

Billiards b 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 Rosia Rd. Over 13s welcome to join. Tuition with ex-pro boxer Ernest Victory(200 75513 w, 200 42788 h).

Canoeing: Gibraltar Canoeing Association. Tel: Nigel 200 52917 or Eugene 58014000.

Cricket: Gibraltar Cricket Association(mem ber ICC)runs leagues/competitions at Europe Point/Victoria Stadium. Junior/senior training. Tel: Tom 200 79461 or Adrian 200 44281.

Cycling: Gibraltar Cycling Association various cycling tours. Tel: Uriel 200 79359.

Darts: Gibraltar Darts Association (member WDF) mens/ladies/youth leagues/competi tions.Tel: Darren 54027171 "Secretary", Dy son "Youth Rep"54024149,Justin "President" 54022622 Email: info@gibraltardarts.com

for snorkelling, over 16s for spear fishing. Tel: Joseph 200 75020.

Squash: Gibraltar Squash Association, The Squash Centre, South Pavilion Road (mem bers WSF 8 ESF). Adult/junior tournaments/ coaching. Tel: 200 44922 or 200 73260.

Sub-Aqua: Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Association taster dives for over 14s, tuition from local clubs. Voluntary sports clubs: Tel: Phil 200 44606, Noah's DiveClubTel: Leslie200 79601, *888s Dive Club Tel: Martin 200 70944, Com mercial sports diving schools also available.

Football: Gibraltar Football Association - leagues/competitions for all ages

October-

May, Futsai In summer,Victoria Stadium. Tel: 200 42941 v/ww.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, ECU handicaps. Tel: Bemle 200 78844.

Hockey: Gibraltar Hockey Association(mem bers FIH 8 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 200 731 IB or Peter 200 73225.

Ju-jitsu: Gibraltar Ju-jltsu Academy training and grading for juniors/seniors held during evening at 4 North Jumpers Bastion (Rosia Rd), Tel: Tony 200 79855 or club 200 47259.

Karate-do Shotokai: Gibraltar Karate-do Shotokai Association sessions for junior/seniors, gradingsand demos at Karate Clubhouse.41H

Town Range Tot: Andrew 200 48908.

Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Rac ing Association Tel: Wayne 200 75211.

Netball: Gibraltar Netball Association (affili ated FENA 81FNA)competitions through year, senior / junior leagues. Tel: Moira 200 41795 or Suzette 200 41874.

Petanque: Gibraltar Petanque Association plays at Giralda Gardens, Smith Dorrien Ave. New members welcome. Tel: 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-r), seniors and veterans. Play in Andalusia 1st Division Oct -April. Tel: James20072185

Sailing: Gibraltar Yachting Association jun ior/senior competitive programme through season (April - Oci) Tel: RGYC 200 48847.

Sea Angling: Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers (members FIPS-M 8 CIPS) Superb calendar of events with four^ clubs participating. Tel: Mario 72622 or Charlie 74337.

Shooting: Gibraltar Shooting Fed eration over 14s only. Rifle, Europe 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 8 Wednesday,from 5pm til 8pm Saturday8Sunday,from 2pm til 5pm Thurs day 8 Friday, closedSat 26pm. Stateof art ramps for Xtreme/aggressive roller blading /skate boarding. Leisure skating facilities provid ed within excel lent rink(when not used for roller hockey training Tel: Eric 200 70710(after 5) or just turn up.

Snorkell i n g £t

Spear

Fishing: Over 14s

Swimming: Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association (member FINA 6 LEN) opens its pool for leisure swimming Mon - Fri 7-8.45am, 12-4pm, 8-9pm. Junior lessons, squad for committed swimmers, water polo (Rebecca 200 72869).

Table Tennis: Gibraltar Table Tennis As sociation (members ITTA) training / playing sessions. Victoria Stadium, Tues 6-10pm and Thurs 8-11 pm with coaching and league competition. Lizanne 200 4507154020477 or Eugene 58014000.

Taekwondo: Gibraltar Taekwondo Associa tion classes/gradings Tel: 200 Mari 44142.

Tennis: Gibraltar Tennis Association, Sandpits Tennis Club, excellent junior development programme. Courses for adults, leagues / competitions. Tel: Frank 200 77035, Ten-Pin Bowling: Gibraltar Ten Pin Bowling Association(members FIG 8 VWBA)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: Gibraltar Volleyball Association (members W 8 EVF) 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

Gibraltar Amateur Drama Association Ince's Hall Theatre Complex.310 Main Street E-mail: 9lbdrama@yah00.co.ukTel 20042237 www. geocities.com/gibdrama

Stage Musicals Group Trevor 200 73098. Trafalgar Theatre Group meet 2nd Wed of month, Garrison Library 8pm. All welcome.

support

SupiJOft Croups/ 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.

Chlidiine Gibraltar confidential phone line forchildren in need. FreephoneSOOS

- 7 days a week 7pm -11 pm.

Citizens' Advice Bureau Open Mon-Fri 9.304pm. Tel: 200 40006 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: 200 51469 Email: copeadsupport@hotmail.com

Dignity At Work Now, Confidential support and advice for those who are being bullied at work. Tel: 57799000

Men - Thur 8pm-9pm

Families AnonymousSupport group for relabves 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 Support 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 F^ssage Tel: 200 78509 Mobile: 54007924 website: www.gdsg.co.uk

Gibraltar Marriage Care. Free relation ship counselling, including pre-marriage education (under auspices of Catholic Church, but open to all). Tel: 20071717.

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.

Psychological 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: I5S481. E-maii olivero®sapphirenet.gi

With Dignity Gibraltar support group for separated, divorced, widowed or unat tached people. Meetings Weds 9pm, Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Rd.Outings/activities. Tel: Flor 54007181 or Mane 200 79957.

Women in Need. Voluntary organisaWn for all victims of domestic violence. Refuge available. Tel: 200 42581 (24 hours).

Masters, Valderrama Sponsors www.epi-ibena

Men Golf News

The end of 20U/ was a busy time of the year for Mod Golf, with no less than three trophies up for grabs during November and December.

Valderrama on llth Novem ber witnessed the climax of the 2006/07 golfing season, when all the competition winners competed for the prestigious Med Golf Mas ters, sponsored this year by EPI Gibraltar, Antico MulinoD'Oro, Blue Sky Property Management, Sotogrande and O'Reilly's Irish Bar, Ocean Village. Winning here was Vinny Samways,who has now turned his attention to a smaller ball, after many years as a top class professional footballer.

Estepona Golf was the venue for the monthly competition in November, sponsored by Aage Hempel International. Leading the way was John McHale, who not only collected the sponsors trophy but also a weekend for two at the superb 5-star La Gala Resort.

The December competition, sponsored by EPI Iberia, was at the Alcaidesa Links course and after a superb round, long stand ing member Jeff Richardson took the sponsors trophy, as well as winning a weekend for two at the magnificent 5-star Golf and Spa Hotel at Montecastillio.

The "player of the year" rank ings, whore the top ten players at the end of July will be invited to

take part in the EPI Med Golf Mas ters at Valderrama in September is now well under way, but there are still several qualifying competitions to be contested where individual .scores can be improved. The first of these is at Almenara on Sunday 17th February, where the Cruz & Co. Trophy will be on offer, along with a weekend for two at the 5-star Golf and Spa Hotel at Mon tecastillio.

Tee times can be booked by ringing johnathan Goodson on Spain (00 34) 639 741 886 or e-mail jg^^hnedgolf. gi. The tournament schedule, latest rankings, information on membership advantages and green fee discounts, are featured on the website wwxv. teetimespain.com

IN THE WRITE LIGHT 2008 Creative Writing workshops

Due to the success of Tarifa's creative writing workshops, in The Write Light 2007,three new dates have been set for 2008.

21st-25th May:tutor Alan Jude Moore, the critically acclaimed poet

18th - 22nd June: tutor Katie Donovan, the noted journalist and poet

3rd-7th September tutor Paul Perry, poet and winner of Hennessy Award

In 2008 the focus, as always, will be on providing a vibrant workshop venue, a supportive shelter where ideas, ink and voices can collide and explode.

Short Story Competition for School Children

Kids — get your pens ready and your pencils sharpened fur the Spring Festival's Schoolchildren's Short Story Competition.The com petition, held by the Ministry of Culture, with the Gibraltar Chronicle and the Department of Education,is open to all children at school or college in Gibraltar(years4to 13)who may submit one original work.

There are three categories: Years 4-7(250-350 words);Years 8-11(450 -550 words);Years 12-13(500-1000 words). The winning entries will be printed in the Gibraltar Chronicle and will receive a £50 voucher and a pen (sponsored by the Chronicle), and a trophy from the Ministry of Culture. Closing date for entries Friday 14th March 2008.

In The Write Light is designed to nurture the jaded creative spirit, to hone existing skills and to learn new ones.

For further info, telephone Natasha Smith (course co-ordinator)on 00353877851642 / 0034 616 712 534 or visit www. inthewritelight.com.

The next game for the All Sports Bar Gibraltar Dragons Junior Bugby Club team is at Guadiaro on 3rd February against Malaga Bugby Club and everyone is invited to go along and support them. Training takes place every Friday from 3.4Spm onvfards at Victoria Stadium or check out the webs/fe at www.gibraltardragoos.com. For further information Tel: Allan S427SOOO

Natural History & Heritage Park

Admission9.30amto7pm bytickets

(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 C7/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 outfor 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 Barbery Macaques and Europe's only free living monkeys.£500 fine for feeding the monkeys• don't do it!

The Great Siege Tunnels: Tunnelling in the Rock began during the Great Siege (1779-1783) when France and Spain made an attempt to recapture the Rock while Britain was busy with the American War of Independence. Governor General Elliot offered a reward to any man who could tell him how to mount a gun on the north face of the Rock. It was a Sgt. Major Ince who 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 falling asleep, is still vis ible, the earliest dating back to 1726.

The Moorish Castle: actually just part of a Moorish town and castle which was built up during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, spearheaded from 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'l Hassan recaptured the Rock from Spain.

Natural History & Heritage Park Walks: Med Steps is a stunning walk with the steep climb at the end rewarded with spectacular views of the Rock and Spain. Another recommended walk is St Michael's Cave through to Charles V Wall but walkers should be relatively fit for both. It is also pleasant walking along the upper rock roads. Brochures available free from all Tourist Board offices.

Botartical 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 Flat Bastion Road, Geological Research Station and Lithologyof

Gibraltar. To visit contact: F Gomez Tel. 200 44460, P Hodkinson Tel. 200 43910.

Shrine of Our Lady of Europe (Museuftn within premises) Europa Road. 10am-7pm Monday to Friday, 11am-7pm Saturday, Surv 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 12 years

£1. Special exhibitions also held at museum premises in Casemates gallery.

Registry Office Tel; 200 72289

It is possible to get married on the Rock within 48 hours of arrival. A fact taken advantage of by stars such as Sean Connery and John Lennon.

[imergencyServices

Rock Tours by Taxi Tel; 200 700S2

mergency calls only:

Rre/Ambulance Tel: 195 Police Tel: 199/112 iHiPMiilniilMHfeiiiita

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 Hail Tel: 200 75669 Centre of Gib's cultural life, includes a caf eteria, theatre, exhibition rooms and library. 308 Main Street 9.30am -11 pm 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) + 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 Saints 1 November, Immaculate Concep

tion 8 December, Christmas 25 December

Moveabte: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Corpus Christi

Ambulance Station Tel: 200 7572 Mica,..;,. 20072

Gibraltar Services Police: _Er

uiifferm. "rhesoldliers House Lane at 12 , At Casemates they r^ony of the Keys" and ck up Main Street to the Mary the Crowned.