The Gibraltar Magazine November 2006

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Spain, the Netherlands(twice)and a special one run by the EU itself. Fantastic, and what are the odds? Apparently one is more likely to be hit by lightening than win a major lottery. Well 1 must be the lottery equivalent of a lightening rod, be cause 1 have won loads.

What makes me even luckier is 1 didn't enter a single one. Not one penny,cent,dollar or yen has gone into buying a ticket. Yet the wins come flooding in. How do these lotteries make their money? Won't the people that did buy tickets get annoyed at some point, when they find the winner is someone who just got entered without paying a bean?

Indeed, this lack of fairness has made me decide that 1 will not collect my winnings. Even though 1 am now technically a multi mil lionaire as a result, 1 cannot bring myself to deprive those sitting in Madrid, London and Amsterdam, clutching their (paid for) tickets, looking longingly at the television as the draw is announced, hoping against hope that one day, they might win and not that damn guy in Gibraltar.

Share Pushers, Sharks and Charlatans

Every so often, I receive a delightful email from an individual who has clearly recognised my discretion and trustworthiness. Indeed, such is the high es teem in which I am held by these individuals, whom I have never met, that they seek to entrust tens, if not hundreds, of millions of pounds in my bank account. They describe how they have managed to obtain such vast sums, either as a result of someone with my surname who has died without an heir, or money from an oil contract that got "accidentally" left behind in an account, or because their late husband (the former president, dictator,father of the people) had managed to amass a sizable pension equivalent to half the nation's wealth.

It is so refreshing that, in these times of cynicism and suspicion, an individual (often a senior state official) is so willing to place their faith in a stranger in a foreign land. So, Mr Michael Mills("Head,Audit Committee of a reputable and well known Financial Trust in Isle of Man"), Mr.Vlado Cherkez,("Head: Enterprise Wide Risk and member of the executive and risk commit tees of Central Bank,SCG")and all the others, 1 thank you. You have restored my belief in the kindness of strangers.

I am afraid that I cannotsend you ail my full bank account details, private telephone number or any

of the other information you have requested. You see I lack your faith, and have a nagging doubt that you just might be a conman. It appears that even if the money you have of fered was genuine it is the proceeds of a crime and I have no wish to find myself involved in money launder ing. Nevertheless I would like to thank you for considering me.

In any event I don't need to respond to such emails, as I have won the lottery! well several in fact. Again, such surprising news arrives on my desk via the email. The latest from the UK,where a Mr Paul Mills(any relation of Michael above?) tells me 1 am £600,000 better off!

1 have now won lotteries in

1 can just imagine the conversa tion;

Wife: "But darling, we have spent the children's' birthday money on the lottery, what happens if we lose, again?"

Husband: "Of course we will win, this Killick's luck can't go on forever, 1 mean, how many tickets must he buy each week?"

No, 1 am sorry, 1 just can't do it. Therefore, to those telling me 1 have won, please stop. The guilt is destroying me.Don't put my name, email address or anything else into the hat. 1 can't tell you personally (as that would require an email back) but 1 am sure 1 can do so through my public pronounce ment here.

Anyway I now have another group of friends anxious to propel me into wealth and prosperity. Occasionally a friendly, if pushy, young man or woman(whom I did not know) would ring me about a share (of which 1 had never heard) telling me it was the next hot shot. The company had discovered oil in Birmingham or had developed a new drug, fuel or system for perpetual motion and when this was publicly announced the shares would sky rocket.

1 always wondered, why ring me? Was this an early incarnation of my later lottery luck? Again I can imagine the conversation in some boiler room in Amsterdam:

Dealer 1 -."This share's going to make a fortune, who shall we tell?"

In any event i don't need to respond to snch emails,as I have won the lottery! well severalin fact

Dealer 2: "I know, Killick"

Dealer 1 "Who's he?"

Dealer 2"No idea, the name just popped into my head, let's dial some numbers at random and I bet when it is answered it will be him" (dialling of numbers then occurs)

Killick "Hello?"

Sadly, those calls have dried up. Not that I boughtany shares. Again the little sparrow of doubt sat on my shoulder. If the shares were so hot, why didn't they buy them for themselves, or, at least tell their friends and family first? Perhaps they had no friends, 1 don't know.

Anyway I did hear from people who had bought the shares. As you can guess, as a regulator, they weren't contacting me to say how fantastically the shares had done. Rather they were looking to see if I knew where the company or broker had vanished to.

Some had been rung again after the first investment to tell them the shares had doubled and asking if they wanted to buy more. Indeed theshares alwaysseemed todo well until the investor wanted to sell and get his money back. Suddenly the salesman wasn't so friendly.

On occasions a new individual would ring saying they had been

Bu.ro

appointed by other shareholders to recover their money. The money was there, but it was going to be complicated. All the investor had to do was pay over more money to get their original investment back. It was always weird that these new individuals were not lawyers or liquidators, but other investment firms located near the first. Sometimes the voices of the new person sounded remarkably like the original one.

But we are now in the age of the email. 1 still get tips, but they lack the panache of the phone call. "If you don't buy now you will miss the opportunity ofa lifetime" is still better said than written. So folks, I will skip on your "hot stock",I will not "invest now" but will rather "regret of it". I will sit back and "watch the stock go higher and higher", but not with my money in it.

Maybe, you do just send these emails to me (on my lucky lottery

principle), but I suspect you send them to thousands of people. Who regulates you? Ifyouaresogoodas a broker, why do you need to cold call? Please excuse again the lack of a personalised response, but you can take it from me,I am not wortli the effort. You may also want to stop for another reason, unlicensed operators targeting people in Gi braltar, can be a criminal offence, just so you know.

The development of email has created the opportunity for conmen to prey upon a much wider group then previously. The scams have not changed much,sales in a company putting together a "per petual motion machine" were sold during the South Sea Bubble in the early 18th Century.The scams work because people can be so blinded by the possibility of profit that they fail to ask simple questions. There are some that a reasonable person could fall for(we can all be a victim of fraud), but the above

ones should not fool anyone.Don't respond, you can send them to us if they mention Gibraltar or are particularly novel(yes the conmen do send them directly to us as well). But don't fall for them.

Finally, while we are on the subject of asking people to stop sending other types of emails, I don't care how cheap it is, I don't need anything rejuvenated or extended!

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the little sparrow of doubtsat on my shoulder.If the shares were so hot,why didn't they buy them for themselvesP

Marcus Kilfick is Financial Services Commissioner of tfie Gibraltar Financial Services Commission

Chief Minister on TaX & ReyulatiOn

A new two-tier system of personal taxation which will encourage the recruitment of expatriates for jobs in Gibraltar's finance sector is to be introduced next year, Chief Minister Peter Caruana told the "finance" lunch which forms part of the Gibraltar Day extravaganza held in London every October. Raised eyebrows and delighted smiles greeted Caruana s announcement to the record 140 financial and property development figures who attended the lunch.

Details of the proposals have still to be finalised, but they will provide similar tax revenue to that reaching the Government's coffers at present while giving employers — and their expatriate employees — a chance to enjoy similar tax advantages that a string of conces sions related to factors such as in surance and home ownership offer Gibraltarians and other permanent residents, Caruana told me later.

Historically, Gibraltar's fiscal structure was based on low tax for non-residents and high tax for residents whose burden was eased by a range of allowances and the new measures were an attempt to "eliminate the difference" and re-balance the tax demands, he told his lunchtime audience. The tax burden on residents which had been reduced in recent years would continue to be lowered... particularly in view of the fact that there would be a general election "within the next 18 months", he remarked later.

The promises of tax changes were part of an up-beat and optimistic speech that Caruana was to echo later when he spoke to almost 1200 guests packed like proverbial sardines into the central hall of the historic Royal Courts of Justice. In both addresses he stressed the

successful outcome ofSeptember's Cordoba talks. These were part of a past year which had been good for Gibraltar both economically and politically, Caruana told the lunch.

As well as producing an annual GDP (gross domestic product) of £602 million — which has grown at a rate between 5 per cent and 7 per cent each year for the past decade — the economy was producing record surpluses, record capital investments yet at the same time allowing tax cuts and record Gov ernment savings to create a "won derful" economic equilibrium.

"If he asks, I'll tell Gordon [Brown, Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer) how to do it," Caruana quipped to the amused delight of British financial pundits at the lunch.

Politically the past year had been particularly good, he said. After two years of negotiation a new relationship with Britain and a new constitution had given the Gibral

tar government responsibility for every aspect of the Rock's affairs other than in matters of defence and foreign policy. It was "as far as you can go without actual inde pendence — which is something Gibraltar does not want."

At the same time, though there had been no shift in either side's position on the issue of sover eignty, there had been a change in the nature of management of the relationship between Gibraltar and Spain. It had taken ten years "to persuade Spain, and I suppose Britain, to behave democratically" but the years of work had brought about a wide range of change.

The Cordoba tripartite agree ment meant that"we got rid of the last vestiges of the abnormality of life" which Gibraltar and visitors to the Rock had experienced for so long, he added. It would create a further economic boom, Caruana predicted... "though how we will manage to service it in terms of space and labour, is your problem.

not mine," he joked.

Returning to the broader eco nomic pattern, the Chief Minister stressed that Gibraltar was "com mitted to a low-tax environment and a competitive tax environ ment." However any new tax regime would challenge none of the interests of companies already established on the Rock.In the light ofthe recent ruling by the European court in the 'Azores case' he an ticipated that changes in Gibraltar's tax structures would be made"dur ing the course of next year" bring ing about a system of greater parity and eliminating the ring fencing of offshore businesses.

Indirectly acknowledging local concerns about the Rock's increas ing regulatory and compliance requirements, Caruana stressed that while the Government un derstood the importance of a good and sound regulatory system it also recognised "the need to do the business and strike the proper balance."

"Regulatory objectives should be done in such a way that they do the least damage and must encourage rather than discourage businesses," he said. Gibraltar, he added,had established an excellent mix between good regulation and a 'user-friendly' system.

the Chief Minister stressed that Gihraitar was"committed to a iow-tax environment and a competitive tax environment."

Th hibraltarCh qu Ritual

Once classed by comedian Bob Hope as "one of the world's three biggest lies", the time-worn excuse that "your cheque is in the post" could become a thing of the past... If the world's high street banks have their way. The financial pendulum has already swung away from cheques and towards forms of electronic banking In the United States and much of western Europe.

A hint that scrapping cheque books could be on the cards for Gibraltar came from Gibraltar Bankers' Association president Roy Clinton at last month's "Innovations in Banking" sym posium who suggested that local customers needed education in the use of new payment sys tems.

"We have already seen the suc cessful introduction of'Chip and PIN' this year and no doubt there will be methods such as mobile phone swipe payments that have yet to reach Gibraltar," Clinton told the symposium."Old habits, it is said, die hard, but Gibraltar's high use of cheques for small retail transaction will have to change as this method becomes outdated.

Apart from the higher risks from fraud, the transaction costs for both banks and retailers will eventually make this payment method obsolete."

In Britain and on much of the continent widespread comput erisation and sophisticated IT accounting systems have reduced the need for and use of cheques, but Gibraltar has a lot of ground to cover in any game of payment catch-up. Barclays has a busi ness "platform" introduced with a fanfare and a visit of Robbie Robson and a couple of guards clutching the Premiership Cup last year, but it will not be rolled out for all businesses and private accounts until towards the end of next year.

Similarly the RBS/NatWest electronic system for accounts has some way to go before it is avail able to smaller customers. Nor are the IT systems used by all our retail banks — the main source of the cheques which fill our retail ers'tills— compatible.

So it is that every weekday morning, in an arcane and timeconsuming ritual that smacks more of Dickens than the 21st century, representatives of the Rock's main retail banks meet in the boardroom of the Cham ber of Commerce to exchange bundles of each other's cheques. Cheques drawn on Barclays and deposited in a Royal Bank

of Scotland account are handed back to Barclays, cheques drawn on Jyske Bank and deposited in a NatWest account are handed back to the Jyske representative — and so on, down the line. It's a process which is time-consum ing and wasteful of labour almost certainly extending the delays between depositing a cheque and the funds becoming available in the depositor's account.

The system has close parallels with what many experts regard as the roots of modern banking. For while some banking pundits think the Romans may have invented a form of cheque more than three centuries before the birth of Christ, most historians suggest that cheques first surfaced as a

type of credit note in the times of the Knights Templars(12th - 14th Centuries) who accepted gold and silver in, say, London and provided the wealthy depositor with a "note" that he could pres ent to the Templars in,say, France or Persia. These would provide the traveller with an equivalent sum in gold and silver — less their expenses. And the system worked in both directions. A Persian or French "banker" would provide a piece of paper for the traveller to swap with his counterpart in London.

The method relieved wealthy travellers of the need to risk their riches from robbers and highway men while moving from place A to place B.

And in sixteenth century Am sterdam — then a major interna tional shipping and trading centre — merchants and others who had accumulated cash began depos iting it with Dutch "cashiers," for a fee, as a safer alternative to keeping the money at home. Eventually the cashiers agreed to pay their depositors' debts out of the money in each account, based on the depositor's written order or "note" to do so.

(The first printed cheques are believed to have been issued by London banker Lawrence Childs. in 1762 .)

A move to scrap Gibraltar's daily cheque swap was consid ered by the top brass of Barclays more than a year ago — some thing that would have brought the local bank's operation into line with what is happening in the UK where electronic banking and "plastic" is replacing traditional methods.

"Scrapping cheques and cheque-books is a good idea... but it hasn't been discussed by the Association's committee and, so far, seems very much Roy's personal initiative," my source on the committee tells me. "But it is happening in the UK, and must eventually happen here."

But there are two hurdles to cross before such a development can be considered. Cheques will have to be replaced by electronic transfer and the systems in some of our banks are not yet sophisti cated enough for this. Barclays, the biggest issuer of cheque books will have its full strength IT sys tem up and running some time next year and by the end of 2007 could probably evolve a system that — for payments and clear ances — could match the RBS/ NatWest set-up, I understand.

But Government — the biggest local issuer of cheques — would have to be persuaded of the merits of a change from paper to electronics... and that could take longer...

every weekday morning,In an arcane and ilme-consnming ritual that smacks more el Dickens than 21st century, representatives of the Rock's main retaii hanks meet in the hoardroom of the Chamber of Commerce

Backfrom the banks el Basra

Chris Wawn,a senior executive ofthe Gibraltar-based Questfinancial services and insurance broking group,has just returned from Iraq,where he had faced a unique challenge — setting up a banking and economics department,along with the new Provincial Reconstruction Team.

"I was mobilised in February and sent to the UK for five weeks' training; and then suddenly I was being flown at short notice to Basra, along with five other reserve post-war reconstruction specialists," he told me when I fol lowed up reports of his unusual posting.

Chris was chosen because he is an Army reservist with the right qualifications and experience to establish a banking system and other economic models in the devastated country.

Once on the ground in Basra, Chris wasted no time setting about carrying out an economic survey for the southern prov inces, a job that reminded him of the research he carried out with co-author David Wood for the popular book Search ofAndalu sia, although I would imagine the latter was a little less dangerous.

He told me that,to his surprise, almost all the locals knew of Gi braltar — because of the historic invasion by Tarik and our proxim ity to Morocco. "This meant that the Royal Gibraltar Regiment cap badge was a great ice-breaker and talking point," he said. Other sim ilarities that he noticed were that the Iraqis used a similar irrigation

system to that used in many parts of Spain,and the music was quite Spanish-sounding — especially the complex rhythms of the handclapping.

He found some surprises though — such as the way bank cashiers expected a tip after each transaction, whilst tipping pump attendants at the manual petrol stations was something which literally appalled younger mem bers of the team. However, older motorists reading this may recall that tipping was common at Brit ish petrol stations before they all went over to self-service.

I asked Chris how far behind the times Basra was, from his point of view."All in all," he said, "I found the local economy very much stuck in the 1970s, due to the country being deprived of knowledge and technology by the Saddam regime."

Undaunted, he spoke to as many members of Basra's busi ness and banking community

as he could, to draw up a list of what they would like done, and also to see what sort of technical assistance the Coalition could provide.

by Brian McCann

In his last two months, Chris started many banking projects. He established a network of cor responding accounts for the Iraqi Central Bank, set up a vocational banking training forum, and sowed the seeds of thought on a micro-finance and small business credit scheme.

He even brought a dozen local politicians and academics back to Britain on a regional development agency study visit. He didn't say if they were amazed to find that you don't tip in British banks

"All in all," Chris told me, "it was one of life's gifts, even when working within the confines of strict security. Travel outside the British Embassy Office compound was not easy, and resulted in a number of white-knuckle rides. There were some wonderful potential photographic scenes 1 would have loved to bring back, but the situation didn't lend itself to stopping the armoured car and getting out for a few touristy snaps."

The heat itself would have been

enough to make anyone want to forget about outdoor photogra phy — temperatures rocketed to over 50 degrees Celsius in the middle of August, which sounds even hotter in Fahrenheit — 122 degrees. In the shade, of course.

He had no trouble sleeping at night, being rhythmically rocked to sleep by almost constant mortar and rocket attacks, but as Chris himself put it in a very British way,"luckily I have never had a problem getting a good night's rest."

to his surprise,aimosi all the locals knew of Glhraltar—hecause of the historic Invasion hy TarIk and onr proximity to Morocco...

"the Royal Glhraltar Regiment cap hadge was a great Ice-hreaker"

believes. Where the Azores form an integral part of the Portuguese State(albeit autonomous)Gibraltar is not part of the United Kingdom. Under the 1969 Constitution, we are an Overseas Territory of the UK — though the new Constitution,set for a referendum before Christmas, "will create a revised post-colonial relationship between the UK and Gibraltar," Briquet points out.

"These constitutional realities mean that,although the arguments being fielded by the European Commission could never be the same in both instances, it does mean that a finding by the Euro pean Court of Justice that Portugal does, indeed, possess the right to makes separate tax arrangements for the Azores without infringing EU State Aid Rules when those islands form part of the Portuguese State,it follows that the UK should equally possess such a right in the far more clear cut case of Gibraltar which does not form part of the UK," she argues.

Good Prospectsfor Finance Sector

As more and more European Union finance directives come into play — and several are expected to be fully implemented by early next year — sweeping changes are expected across Europe's financial services industry. Optimistic as ever that bureaucratic red tape and obfuscation will overcome traditional economic forces, Brussels believes that its measures will not only open cross-border financial markets but also level the playing field.

And Gibraltar can certainly benefit from many of the new openings. As Gibraltar Bankers' Association president Roy Clinton told last month's symposium on "Innovations in Banking":

"We cannot ignore these devel opmentsand we have to keep up to ensure our passporting rights into Europe.These rights are a competi tive edge over other jurisdictions such as the Channel Islands and we have to protect them at ail costs. Indeed we could perhaps do more to use those hard-earned rights by promoting Gibraltar as a springboard to branch and pass port services into Europe."

And our financial services pros pects DO look good. In the past year bank deposits and other li abilities have increased by more than £1 billion or 18.7per cent, following a similar increase the previous year. Cash, loans and other assets have also increased in aggregate by the same amount. And though only one new banking

licence was issued last year, ten insurance related licences were granted and with a further five so far this year have brought the total in the fast-growing sector to 88.

Only one darker cloud still hovers on the horizon — Gibral tar still awaits the outcome of our challenge to the EC ruling on aspects of the proposed new tax system. However that cloud could be dispelled in the light of two recent judgments delivered by the European Court of Justice. Jointly they serve to consolidate Gibraltar's position as a centre offering tax efficient solutions to international clients, according to Clotilde Briquet, an associate

practising commercial and tax law at Hassans.

In a paper prepared for the inter national law firm. Briquet draws attention to a judgment handed down in September confirming Portugal's right to make separate tax arrangements in respect of the Azores without infringing EU State Aid rules. The case is significant because, in a parallel action, the Commission is ques tioning Gibraltar's right to have a corporate tax structure different to the UK's.

Although the Azores relation ship with Portugal is different from that of Gibraltar and Britain the legal portents are good,Briquet

Although the European Court's decision on Gibraltar's case is not expected until later next year. Bri quet believes it fair to say that the Azores judgment "paves the way for the introduction in Gibraltar of a new corporate tax code to replace the exemptcompany regime which is in the process of being phased out as a result of pressure from Brussels".

The second judgment — part of a wider series of litigation be tween Cadbury Schweppes and the British taxman — answers a reference for a preliminary ruling from the UK Special Commission ers of Income Tax. "The case is significant because is casts light on the circumstances in which international clients can shop for jurisdictions offering a favourable tax regime without being penalised for it by the home jurisdiction," Briquet writes.

Cadbury Schweppes pic, through its subsidiary Cadbury Schweppes Overseas Ltd, held the entire shares in Cadbury Schweppes Treasury Services Ltd and Cadbury Schweppes Treasury International Ltd — both of which were incorporated in Ireland and subject to the Irish Financial Ser vices Centre's 10 per cent corporate tax rate.

In their question to the court,the Special Commissioners wanted to know whether certain articles in the EC Treaty precluded national tax legislation from imposing a charge on a company resident in that State in respect of the profits of a subsidiary resident in another member State and which was sub ject to a lower level of taxation,

Clotilde Briquet associate practising commercial and tax law at Hassans

the Azores judgment"pavesthe way for the introduction in Gihraltar of a new corporate tax code to replace the exempt company regime..."

In a landmark ruling, the court held that an EU national cannot be deprived of his rights under the Treaty simply because he seeks to profit from certain tax advantages. Similarly, a company cannot be deprived of its rights of establish ment under the Treaty just because it seeks to benefit from a favourable tax regime. Such behaviour would not itself constitute abuse of that freedom, the court ruled.

And it went on to say that any advantage resulting from low tax to which a subsidiary company established in a member Slate other than that in which the parent com pany was incorporated could not authorise the parent company's member State to offset that advan tage by less favourable tax treat ment of the parent company.

The court, however, added a qualification that less favourable tax treatment could be justified where the company's tax arrange ments were "artificial" and aimed at avoiding the effects of national

legislation. "Even then, the less favourable treatment must be proportionate and not go beyond what is strictly needed to achieve the overriding policy purpose of avoiding tax forum shopping," Briquet explains.

"Unfortunately,the court did not go on to elucidate on what sort of arrangements it would consider 'artficial'. It simply points to the extent to which the company in question has a physical presence in the favourable tax jurisdiction, and carries on genuine economic activities there."

The significance of thisjudgment for Gibraltar is clear. Investors wishing to benefit from, for ex ample, the Parent and Subsidiary Directive by using Gibraltar's favourable tax regime can now safely doso without fearing penal ties from home jurisdictions pro vided their presence in Gibraltar is not "artificial" and that they are carrying on "genuine economic activities".

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Web-based Cemplete Insurance

From the beginning ofthis month Gibraltarians seeking swift car insurance and third party cover — or those who many not have the time to visit offices In person — will be able to obtain cover on-line... and get quotes for and the cover they seek'within minutes.

The web-based complete insur ance service has been developed by Trafalgar Insurance and reflects the company's strong growth in the year since it set up offices off Main Street.

Although more than half of insurance business in Britain today is conducted on-line and Ibex Insurance — Trafalgar's fastgrowing parent group founded by John Harrison less than six years ago — uses an internet system developed in Ireland to handle a considerable proportion of its business in Spain, is claimed to be a 'first' for Gibraltar. And in another 'first' every policy pur chased on-line will generate a donation to charity.

As with other Ibex and Trafal gar products, the policies of all insurance cover bought on line are underwritten with the security of Lloyd's of London.

"People seeking insurance need only to log on to the web at www.trafalgardirect.com and follow the step-by-step instruc tions which have been designed to be simple,straightforward and user-friendly," a spokesperson for Ibex says."The client will get an instant quote in less than a minute and instant cover is also available."

"Simplicity is the keynote," says Lowri Madoc-Murphy, mar keting director of Ibex."We don't assume anything,so that the client can get the same understanding he or she would have sitting in a chair opposite an insurance advi sor or broker.

"Of course there are still — and always will be — people who pre fer to do business face to face and a lot of our success in Gibraltar has

been with people coming through the door to deal personally with our small but experienced team. However, some — particularly busy business folk — prefer to handle things on-line and this system has been developed with them in mind."

What it boils down to is that it allows flexibility to go on-line to get quotes and cover whether from the comfort of one's home, of from a busy office, she adds. On-line insurance will be par ticularly popular with motorists

who sometimes have to wait for days, if not weeks, for the green cards which the Spanish police increasingly demand from drivers of Gibraltar-registered cars.

"All insurance cover can take immediate effect if the client wants it that way and this also applies to insuring Gibraltar-registered vehicles and issuing Europe-wide green cards as well as Europewide roadside assistance and legal protection," Madoc-Murphy says. "Confirmation of the policy quote, purchase and all documentation is

sent immediately by e-mail and hard copy green cards — which the Guardia ask for — are sent promptly by post."

When a customer has registered with Trafalgar he or she, at any time, will be able to log in to view documents and print copies if these are needed.

Explaining the charity dona tions which new policies will generate - a novel twist for any profit-oriented business — she explains: "Every visitor to Tra falgar Direct who purchases a policy can choose from three local charities to whom they wish their contributions made. At present these are the RICCS (Research into Childhood Cancer Society), League of Hospital Friends,or the GSPCA (Gibraltar Society for the Protection of Animals)".

But depending on the feedback Trafalgar Direct receives the options for charity choice may widen, Madoc-Murphy says.

From early in the new year other insurance cover will become available on line,she adds. These include pet insurance for cats and dogs in Gibraltar and Spain and there will also be pet cover for Europe-wide travel; and holiday apartment cover for one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments in Spain will become available for as little as 80 euros.

Through Trafalgar Ibex also plans to provide family legal protection cover for those Gi braltar residents or among the local business community who have property or other interests in Spain.This insurance would cover advice — or defence, if necessary — on private legal matters across the border.

some—particularly busy businessfolk— prefer te haudle tblngs ou-llne and this system has been develeped with them In mind

shareholders and the players in the United States. But as a responsible industry we have to respect the law and to abide by it."

"If the Presidentsigns the act into law, the company will suspend all real money gaming business with US residents, and such suspension will continue indefinitely," PartyG aming said in an official statement. "Any such suspension would also result in the group's financial per formance falling significantly short of consensus forecasts for 2006 and 2007," it added.

And a spokesperson for John Andersen of 888.com said that the legislation would have a "materi ally adverse impact" on its profits and performance this year.Slightly more than half of 888's takings de rive from US punters,while the US market provides about 60 per cent of PartyGaming's profits.

Gambling:A Safe BetP

How big a threat to Gibraltar's place in the Cyberspace gaming industry are recent moves by the US Congress which, in theory, should put an end to American punters placing bets with offshore firms such as PartyGaming,888.com and SportingBet? That's the question hundreds of locals employed in the industry have asked in recent weeks.

Are their jobs secure? What will happen on the middle and lower rungs of the property ladder in terms of the prices of homes?

Could some of the 14 local gaming companies — which between them employ almost 1,500 staff— move their operations elsewhere leav ing a 'black hole' in Government revenue that the already hard-hit individual lax-payer would have to plug? These are only a few of the questions doing the rounds on the Rock.

And — though Chief Minister Peter Caruana appears to take a less roseate view of the issue than that of his usual optimism about anything relating to Gibraltar's economy — the answers to most of the questions are encouraging. While the industry accepts that the loss of American punters will have a heavy impacton the profits of the bigger players whose main custom ers are on the other side of "the Pond", most have initiated plans to broaden their non-US base.

Suggesting that Gibraltar would not "escape unscathed" from the proposed US measure which could

close the door to American gamblers betting on offshore-based internet gaming sites, Caruana forecast that there would be "interim pain, no doubt of that." But he believed the gaming companies would remain committed to the Rock and that they would pull through the dif ficult times ahead. Most of the big companies are more sanguine than the Chief Minister.

A multi-lingual betting service and a massive promotional drive to attract global punters will be accelerated by the PartyGaming Group, I was told. And other online gaming firms such as 888. com and SportingBet have similar contingency plans — prepared when &e first threats of potential US protectionist measures raised

their heads above the international gambling parapet.

The moves — and the fact that in the first half of this year PartyG aming clocked up more than $150 million in profits from its gaming operations outside the US — have secured the jobs of more than 1,000 Gibraltarians and ex-patsemployed in the industry on the Rock... at least for the time being.

"One can never say 'never', but as things stand there is no likeli hood that a single job in Gibraltar will go," PartyGaming spokesman John Sheppard told me in a tele phone call from London on last month's "black Monday" when the roof fell in on gaming company shares.."Of course it(the US move] is a setback for the company, its

Following the move in the final hours before Congress went into recess for this month's elections, which saw Capitol Hill approve legislation making it unlawful for credit-card companies to collect payments for transactions with online-gaming sites, shares in PartyGaming, the world's biggest online poker operator,slumped by almost two thirds while those of 888.com — the second largest Gi braltar-based operation—dropped by 56 per cent.

The falls saw the personal for tune of Ruth Parasol, the reclusive co-founder of PartryGaming and its biggest individual shareholder, plummet from an estimated £310 million to £100 million.

Between them PartyGaming and 888.com employ more than 500 people in their round-the-clock telephone and on-line gambling operations on the Rock. Both com panies draw more than half of their punters from the United States — though since US threats to the industry reached Capitol Hill they have made strong — and largely successful—effortsto expand their client base away from the United States.

Nevertheless, both companies expect their profits to be hit hard when,and if, President Bush signs the bill into law next month, and news of the Congressional victory — achieved by political sleight of hand — led locals to fear for their relatively highly-paid jobs. Howev er, although there is no short-term fix, potential for growth outside the US seems secure and likely to lead to recovery — jobs now seem safe. PartyGaming, particularly, believes that its massive profits increases over the past two years are largely due to the efforts of its Gibraltar staff.

In spite of attempts by the US^

"One can never say'never*,but as things stand there is no iikeiihood that a singie ioh in Gihraitar wiii go,"PartyGaming spokesman John Sheppard

See^rs Ltd (propertySofutions

I <5=" Senators and Congressmen to V paint their attack on the internap tional (as opposed to home-grown) online gaming industry as a moral S' crusade — Senator Jon Kyi who failed to push the bill through the Senate, described online gam ing as "addictive as crack cocaine and a threat to American morals" — the reality is that it is a return to a form of protectionism. America has a huge and powerful gaming industry and does not want to be undermined or undercutby foreign interests.

The move was the second seri ous blow dealtby US authorities to international online gaming firms in recent months. Two directors and major shareholders of non-US on-line betting companies were arrested by American authorities while on visits to America and though the former chairman of SportingBet was later released when the New York State Governor refused to signan orderextraditing him to Louisiana to face charges of illegal computer gambling, the industry continues to fear similar moves against other officers of non-US firms.

The bill, which most gaming industry leaders in Gibraltar be lieved "would never happen", incorporates aspects of legislation putbefore the US Senate— and re jectedbyit —earlierthisyear. Once passed, itmeans thatfinancial orga nizations in the United States will have to block electronic transfer of funds to and from the gaming com panies, Both before it was rejected by the Senate and after Saturday's successful Congressional ploy US bardcing institutions condemned the measure as "an impractical and

It was squeezed through Con gress at the last minute by rightwing Republican leader in the House, Bill Frist who tagged the gaming provisionstotheendofato tally unlinked measuredealingwith portsecurity.AndthoughPresident Dush could refuse to sign it into law, he is unlikely to take this step.

In an interview following the adoption ofthe measure, Frist said: "Gambling is a serious addiction that undermines the family, dashes dreams and frays the fabric of soci ety.. , Although we can't monitor every online gambler or regulate offshore gambling, we can police the financial institutions that disre gard our laws."

PartyGaming said that, after tak ing legal advice, it had concluded that the new legislation, if signed into law, will make it "practically impossible to provide US residente with access to its real money poker and other real money gaming sites".

"As a result of this development, the board of PartyGaming has de termined that ifthe President signs the Act into law, the company will suspend all real money gaming business with US residents, and such suspension will continue indefinitely, subject to clarification of the interpretation and enforce ment of US law and the impact on financial institutions of this and other related legislation," PartyG aming said.

However, access to PartyGaming's online gaming sites for the group's US free play customerswiU be unaffected, while access for all of PartyGaming's non-US customers will also be unaffected.

BIOMETRIC PASSPORTS

Gibraltar has introduced biometric passports in order to comply with EU requirements and with the standards set by the International Civil Avia tion Organisation. The new passport is identical in format, design and security features, to the biometric passport now being issued by the UK. How ever, it continues to retain the current markings which iden tify Gibraltar as the issuing authority. All British passports now issued in Gibraltar will be in the biometric format.

This also means that Gi braltar will comply with the current United Visa Waiver Programme. This Programme requires all countries, includ

ing the UK, which currently benefit from the Programme to issue biometric passports by 26th October 2006 in order to continue as members of the Programme and benefit from visa free travel to the USA after that date.

There is no need to exchange existing passports for the new biometric passport. Current passports will continue to be recognised as valid travel documents until they expire. Furthermore, British Citizens who currently hold Gibral tar issued machine readable passports with a digital photo image will also continue to benefit from the US Visa Waiver Programme.

Customer Care Course

A one-day Customer Care course will be delivered by Ms Julia Sibley on the 22nd January 2007 at Bleak House Institute of Training.

This course aims to provide all staff with the skills and knowl edge to be able to:

• State the four key points for effective customer care and explain why each point is so important

•Explain what skills and quali ties are needed to provide good customer care

• Feel confident in his/her dealings with all customers and demonstrate this in a role-play situation

• Explain how each key point can be implemented in his/her department

The course fee (includes lunch)is £95 per participant. A company certificate will be is sued at ^e end of the course.

For enrolment or further infor mation, please contact Annette Zammit on 57896000 or 72664 (evenings), fax 48255 or e-mail lrainingpackages@yahoo.co.uk

Healthy TurnouiforHSA

ment law from the law firm Triay and Triay; John Dean, HSA's Sales Director;and Patrick Capurro from Capurro Insurance and Investment Consultants.

"We have noticed in the UK mainland that the interest in health and healthy working practices is continually on the increase. This is not only to promote the wellbeing of the workforce, but also to keep up with regulatory requirements, and also to ensure that employees remain healthy, motivated and at work," comments Richard Halley from HSA. "We wanted to pass some of this experience onto busi ness in Gibraltar, in the hope that we can help them keep one step ahead of some of the health issues that we believe are on their way to Gibraltar. Such as stress and mounting regulation."

Representatives from some of the leading businesses in Gibraltar attended a presentation by health plan provider HSA and Capurro Insurance and Investment Consul tants. Held at the Eliott Hotel at the end ofSeptember,the presentation

entitled "Healthy Employees = Healthy Returns" was designed to provide companies with informa tion on how to help keep a healthy and productive workforce.

The speakers on the day were Mark Isola, a specialist in employ

Patrick Capurro from Capurro Insurance and Investment Consul tants also adds, "The fact that we had such a great turn out from not only current HSA customers but also other prominent businesses in Gibraltar is a testament to how concerned we are about workplace health. It is essential that we look after our most valuable resource, especially in today's economic en vironment where unemploymentis low, and competition is high."

James Ellis

SG Hambros Group Business Development Director

How to meet clients' needs: Exploring the challenges facing wealth managers today

There are mainly two issues facing wealth managers today, each of which is potentially even more challenging than the EU Savings Tax Directive which came into effect last year.

The first concerns regulation, and revolves round the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission(GFSC) "Dealing with and Advising Clients" initiative as well as the forthcoming Directive from the EU: the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MIFID). These directly affect Gibraltar and are, or will be, followed in Gibraltar with greater influence on the way advice is provided by wealth managers.

The second issue concerns the clients themselves. Markets have been increasingly volatile in recent years: new asset classes have been introduced, including structured products and hedge funds, and world events since the millennium have had a significant effect on global political stability, and therefore on financial markets. How have these events affected portfolio risk and where do structured products and hedge funds fit within the asset mix?

As a matter of record,since December 1996 when Alan Greenspan,then Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, spoke of "irrational exuberance" in equity markets, we had seen the UK

All Share Index rise by a further 65% in September 2000, after which it fell by 49%, bottoming out in March 2003, only to rebound by 91% at the end of March 2006. There is much evidence to suggest that this level of risk has been too rich for the blood of many investors. Similarly, as yields and inflation have reduced in the UK over the past ten years or so, relatively small movements in Interest rates now cause high volatility in bond markets, traditionally considered a relatively low-risk investment.

One of the key tenets of the Dealing with and Advising Clients initiative is to ensure that wealth managers have a clear understanding of their cli ents' needs and that there is a mutual understand ing of investment objectives. Thus clients' expec tations must be clearly understood, particularly their attitude to risk, ensuring that the investment products recommended are suitable for them. Other

client requirements must also be ascertained: their need for income, liquidity, their expected returns, their aversion to certain types of investment, aversion to periods of loss, and the accessibility of their funds when they are needed. The written agreement between the wealth manager and client must be also be clear and unambiguous.

All of this means that,for wealth managers, there must be a clearly defined rubric differentiating whether they are product manufacturers looking for a market, or client-led wealth managers identifying and creating an asset mix to achieve the clients' identified goals. Furthermore, much has recently been said about "open architecture" but does this mean adopting a "supermarket" approach, whereby the financial institution is effectively a distributor for product manufacturers, or "guided architecture" in which external products are selected only when the institution has gaps within its own proprietary product range? In fact,"open architecture" means that products are sourced on a "Best of Breed" basis from the available market and used within the portfolio mix. SG Hambros is a firm believer in the "Best of Breed" approach.

The richer the palette of asset types and products, the more sophisticated the tools needed to build a portfolio that matches a client's expectations. The wealth manager has to be able to define and formulate a view about each asset class and instrument in terms of risk and return in order to be able to provide an optimised portfolio, i.e. a combination of assets that will, most efficiently, maximise the investment return at the client's agreed level of risk.

SG Hambros

Professional wealth managers are, in general, well regulated, trained and qualified to advise their clients: however, much advice is intuitive, not well documented and without quantitative justifica tion for Individual investment products within the portfolio. Wealth Managers still talk of low, medium or high risk, measuring their performance against institutional benchmarks when what most clients really want to know is."What is the likelihood of me losing money, and. if I am taking a risk, what is the likely reward for doing so?" Many clients are really "absolute return investors", meaning that they judge performance relative to cash,and are averse to suffering losses in bear markets. Conversely, everyone wants to enjoy the benefits of bull markets, following the maxim of fear versus greed.

In order to provide the optimum environment for advising wealthy clients, we at SG Hambros have developed a process for identifying clients' needs and establishing a basis for agreeing a value of risk and a corresponding level of investment return. This is a software-based tool used by our private bankers and it comes in the form of a sophisticated questionnaire. Each question seeks to ascertain what a client's reaction would be to certain market events, some quite extreme but nonetheless pertinent given some market events over the past ten years or so. It also ascertains what our clients expect to secure as a long-term investment return and how much risk they are prepared to take in order to achieve this. For every investor, the return on cash or even cash plus 1% can be realistically achieved without taking a significant amount of risk. However, our process seeks to establish how much additional risk our clients are prepared to take, and how much more return they expect to receive on a medium-to-long term basis. This, of course, is a balance and a key part of the exercise to make clear the additional risk that realistically must be undertaken in order to achieve additional returns. Based on the answers we receive and the dialogue between our private bankers and their clients, we are then able to establish an equilibrium between risk and return against which we can construct a portfolio of suitable recommendations.

A well diversified portfolio may contain cash, equities, bonds, hedge funds, property, structured products, commodities and private equity-all of which have individual risk and return characteristics of their own. The exercise of diversification between decorrelated assets does much to reduce individual

risk. The software tools we have developed enable our private bankers to optimise the use of each of these financial assets to maximise the level of Investment return for the level of risk agreed previously with the client. Our private bankers are therefore fully equipped with the means to perform this exercise for each of their clients. This means that all the investment products they recommend to their clients contribute individually to the overall financial objectives and the risk and return of the portfolio of assets held by the client.

in order to do this, we at SG Hambros have evaluated each and every asset class and invest ment instrument and have developed a consistent approach to measuring risk, as well as a process for determining our own strategic long-term view of the annual return. Of course, it is impossible to predict long-term investment returns accurately, but a conservative view can be taken based on historical performance, our view of markets and the macro-economic environment. This allows us to benchmark our performance and also to overlay short-term views of markets on a tactical basis.

In short,the process by which we, as private bankers, advise our clients is, first, to establish each client's financial objectives- what investment returns they expect and what risks they are prepared to take to meet these targets. Then, second, we use this to establish an equilibrium of risk and return taking into consideration income, liquidity and other factors. We then have the information necessary for determining suitable asset classes and optimising an appropriate strategic approach. This forms the basis of our relationship with all our clients. Having agreed all of this, our private bankers then have unrivalled access to well over three hundred investment products, all of which have been researched and selected from the available market on a fully "Best of Breed" basis.

for their employees," Fraser says.

"And, as Gibraltar's economy continues to grow this lack and the need for pension provision will become more relevant. Offering a good pension as part of the remu neration package is a way to retain "employees", he adds.

(In effect, a sound pension en courages employee loyalty particu larly in a commercial climate such as that of Gibraltar where firms compete to attract high calibre staff and management "head hunting" is not unknown.)

Like those administering funds, companies which DO provide pensions have a responsibility "to see that the funds respond to the needs of their members". They need frequent attention so that they measure up to changes in longevity, health care and so on, he adds.

An Education in Pensions

Pension funds of British companies comprising the blue-chip Footsie 100 index face a shortfall of £36 billion and the gap between their available assets and their commitments to present and future pension ers is widening each year as the life expectancy of their staffs — as well as those already on pension — lengthens. Many of these companies still have old-style 'defined' pension funds which guarantee a specific income {and,sometimes, annual increments)for the lifetime of the pensioner and his spouse.

In Britain a male employee reaching the age of 65 in the next couple of years can expect to live for a further 25 years,or until he is about 90, according to current ac tuarial calculations. The pressure this greater longevity places on the funds is self-evident.

In Gibraltar — where both men and women have a life expectancy above the European average — that age would be extended by several months, if not a year or so more than in the UK. And this sets the scene for potentially disastrous twin fiscal time bombs for the Government, local insurance ad visers warn.

Not only does the Government face a growing future pensions bill for civil servants — whose numbers have increased by one in four over the past five years, whose wages and salaries have risen by 25 per centin the same period,and whose expected longevity continues to increase — but the thousands of Gibraltarian workers who have neither occupational pensions nor have provided savings towards

their retirement will also live lon ger... adding a further burden on the Government (and ultimately the tax-payer)in social welfare and extended health requirements.

So far warnings from the indus try (and on at least one occasion from Chief Minister Peter Caruana) that a time may come when the Government will no longer be able to fund state old age pensions have fallen on deaf ears — in spite of sig nificant tax concessions designed to encourage savings and investment in private pensions or annuities.

(In an attempt to end the pen sions inertia of many companies in mid-October Isola & Isola joined forces with pension funds experts from European Financial Plan ning to present a well-attended seminar on pensions provision on the Rock.)

However,as well as this inertia,a

further cloud on the pensions hori zon causes concern in the industry as the Government continues to fund its pensions programme for civil servants and old age provi sions for social welfare payments on a cash flow basis. No invest ments have been made or even cash tucked away to meet ongoing bills each of which currently total more than £10 million.

It's a situation which rings alarm bells for Tom Fraser, chief execu tive officer and MD of European Financial Planning which provides pension, mortgage and insurance advice to companies and individu als on the Rock and in Spain.

"Although Gibraltar has in place pension legislation that is sig nificantly more advanced than in many other jurisdictions, I am horrified that so many local firms have made no pension provision

Several of the Gibraltar firms which provide staff pensions op erate old-style defined funds and many of these require "a proper review which takes into account up to date actuarial data." And as longevity extends and medical knowledge grows a further factor enters the equation and will need to be considered by funds and administrators — "What happens when medical science comes up with the'magic cure'for cancer or other serious illnesses? How many people will live even longer?" Fra ser asks rhetorically.

"In terms of saving, Gibraltar is well set up with a range of tax concessions which are not avail able in many other economies," Fraser points out... adding that he understands fears and concerns about this, in what is clearly an oblique but un-named reference to the Savignon fiasco.

Savers, he explains, should spread their investments in a pat tern that changes as they grow older. "While over a longer period investment in equities gives a bet ter yield this is also the riskier end of the market and how much he invests in these will depend on the saver's attitude to risk.

"What is important — and we stress this when we give advice-is to get the mix of savings vehicles right... and then check regularly to see where your savings are go ing and that the balance remains right."

Which is all part of the European Financial Planning Group's policy of"trying to educate people about what they should be doing."

Tom Fraser wi^oil^ues at Buropean Fin^ialPlanning Snap

Savers should spread their investments in a pattern that changes as they grew older

Life Insurance Health Mortgages nvestments Pensions

European Financial Planning Group provides financial advice to thousands of clients who live in Gibraltar and Spain or who are considering moving to the area. At EFPG, we have adopted a tight regulatory and compliance stance equal to that practised by our UKbased partner company Yorkshire Investment Group; the largest privately owned firm of Independent Financial Advisers in Yorkshire.

Our(UK Qualified) advisers take the time to learn about each client's current financial situation and future objectives and applying their indepth knowledge of available financial products and providers and the relevant tax regime, offer bespoke financial planning solutions in a clear and easy to understand manner.

We are able to recommend solutions to a wide variety of financial planning needs ranging from straightforward financial protection and mortgage-related needs to complex tax-efficient offshore investment requirements.

Check out www.efpg.net for more information.

European

Planning Group(Spain) Oficina 1 Centre Profeslonal Levante Plaza Juan Macias San Pedro de Alcantara Malaga, Spain

Tel:(0034)951 275 312 Email: spain@efpg.net www.efpg.net

The title for this article was suggested in jest seeing as I have just as much passion for both of the subjects. But when driving home to write it there was a realisation that both subjects shared a lot in common. The analogies between the two were just too tempting to pass.

If the regulator is the Harley Davidson of the world then the industry must be a Japanese racer. Harleys are fat and slow but built on established technologies. Jap bikes are fast and rely on the latest technologies to give them the sharp edge that is needed to remain ahead in an ever increasing industry. Similarly, Harley drivers tend to be old, fat and bald (I can tick all

three of the boxes!) and regulators are no different, their strength lies in the experience of surviving too many close calls, watching and learning from the mistakes of oth

ers. Racers, young and lean, sel dom have the time to consider the consequences of their actions until they have crashed and burned. Watching the world go by from a

David M.Parody

comfortable seat of a Harley allows the regulator to give consideration to the wider issues that affect the financial services industry.

When considering the implica tions of granting a licence applica tion it is not the interests of the sponsors of the application that are high in the regulators mind but that of its potential customer base, the general population and the reputa tion of the jurisdiction that need to be balanced.

If a new international standard is adopted or new EU legislation enacted, the regulator needs to ensure that what it develops is fitfor-purpose.

To a certain extent this is no different than browsing through the endless combinations of extras that Harley owners can purchase to enhance (or spoil) their bikes. One shinny bit of chrome here,one engine tuning kit there. At the end ofthe day it is still a motorbike with two wheels, an engine, a throttle and hopefully,some brakes. What gets added to it can make it better or worse but the basic principle is there.

It is how that choice is made that separates the good from the bad in the regulatory world. The article's title points to the "Art of Regula tion" and it is precisely that. Many would argue that regulation is infact scientific and not an art form. At the FSC we would disagree,

Over the last few years the FSC has been working very hard to ply its trade as an art form seeking the right balance between what is the best-in-breed and best-in-show. What is appropriate in other juris dictions may not be the best solu tion for Gibraltar.

The risk assessment processes to which all regulated firms are subjected to has been developed in-house and has won the admi ration of many external parties. We will shortly be consulting the industry on a major revision to the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terror ism processes which we believe are both innovative and practical, also developed locally to address local issues and concerns.

The application of major EU Directives like Basel II and MiFid will have a huge impact upon the local industry and it is our duty to ensure that whilst all international standards and expectations are met, we do this in a way in which the industry can cope with.

Watching the worm go hyfrom a comfortahio seat of a Harloy allows the regulator to give consideration to the wider Issues

It is not just international initia tives that drive the regulatory pro cesses. We hope to be in a position to consult with the insurance indus try, in early 2007, with a complete re-write of the supervisory returns submitted to us as we know that this is presently a major compliance cost to the industry.

Some Harleys are the epitome of minimalist whilst others seem to have put on everything including the kitchen sink. He hope to have found the right combination for our model and we spend enough time ensuring that it is properly polished before taking it out for a ride.

Regulators, like bikers, have a bad name. Bikers may wear a uniform of leathers and tattoos whereas regulators dress up in business suits and ties. Both are just as imposing for what they represent but at the end of the day these stereotypes are largely unfounded.

A comment in the local press earlier on this year caused some consternation, it was that the FSC was"cuddly" and it referred to our corporate rebranding. This was a move away from the castle and key logo in red to a wavy representation of the Rock's profile in blue. The former represented bureaucracy and a warning sign (straight lines

and red)whereas our present logo, approachability and professional ism(wavy line and blue).

It was an intentional rebrand ing that personified the ethos of what, as a regulator we wanted to achieve. The FSC is approachable and professional and would rather it be consulted about potential issues rather than having to learn about it the next day in the press.

At a recent seminar of Compli ance Officers from around the world I described the FSC's regu latory approach as an elastic band. This elastic band can change shape as well as size. It is a continuous shape as it is not broken and the shape and size fits the business rather than the other way round. If placed around a wrist you may notice that the elastic band is there and if you pinch it and let it go you definitely notice it. But, it does not impede a firm from doing its business within the confines of the regulatory approach.

There lies the art of the regulator, in deciding how tightly it should be felt. The biker equivalent is the moto of every biker "Live to ride and ride to live".

Offering an alternative Recruitment Solution

David M Parody is Chief Opera tions Officerfor the Financial Services Commission

A Teacher's View of Educatlen

Other than her family, there are two things about which Moira Walsh cares, and cares passionately ..."teaching children in the classroom" and Gibraltar. She "lost" the first of these loves three years ago when she retired after more than three decades as a dedicated educationist; the second is in her blood and something of which she re mains proud. And it is the latter passion which has pitch-forked her into local politics at a time of life when most retired parents relax and enjoy their grandchildren.

Walsh, a relatively recent addi tion to the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP)executive, does man age to spend time each day with her grandchildren and, in spite of her new political commitments, hopes to continue to find time for her outdoor enthusiasms — skiing in winter and walking.

"I'm not really a political person at all... I have never felt the urge to join either of the ln\'0 main political parties," she says in an accent that owes more to England's southern counties than to the Rock's cosmo politan linguistic ancestry. "1 am not English and 1 am not Spanish, I am Gibraltarian... and that's something special. And because I care about Gibraltar,I was worried about what is happening...

"1 felt that there was a need for change and, when 1 saw the launch of the PDP and read about the party's views and commitments, I thought to myself'My God! There are others out there who think as I do', And that's the thing about the PDP — we are all ordinary people, but people who want to make a dif ference. People who CARE about Gibraltar."

As she speaks the blue-grey eyes sparkle with enthusiasm and one can almost hear the capital letters as she stresses the word 'CARE'.

It was this caring at a non-political level and a belief that"when things matter people need to stand up and be counted" that set Walsh — then vice-president of the local teachers' union — among the lead ers of the movement which organ ised the protest march to the House of Assembly which forced Joe Bossano the then Chief Minister to act to stop the "fast launches" and the tobacco smuggling to which his administration had previously turned a blind eye.

"Teachers were concerned at the impact of the fast launches on our pupils, many of whom took the atti tude that there wasso much money to be made by these criminal opera tors that they did not need to leam," Walsh recalls. "At the AGM of the teachers' association we adopted a motion to act on our concerns... and the rest is history.

"The day we went out on the

street we did not know how many people would turn out to support us, but as we progressed up Main Street people poured out of every side street and alley to join and by the time we reached here" — she gestures around the Piazza of the House of Assembly where we have met for coffee — "there were thousands."

Though Walsh's "stand up and be counted" move tojoin the PDP's executive is her first real venture into the political arena,it is a sphere not entirely unknown to Walsh. Her father was John Clinton,a civil servant who for many years was the Government's PRO, so that "to some extent, I've lived with it (the machinery"of government]from an

early age." It was Clinton,too, who nurtured her well-spoken English.

"Though a typical Gibraltarian family, we always spoke English at home. Father used to say that we (Walsh was one of seven children in the family)would pick up Span ish at school and at play but our education would be in English," she explains.

Walsh was"bom,bred and edu cated" on the Rock, first attending Loreto Convent and later Loreto High, then the convent's school which has since closed.

"In those days special qualifica tions were not required to become a teacher and when I left school at 18, 1 immediately started teaching at the school in Catalan Bav — an-

other institution which has since closed," Walsh explains."But 1 was already courting my husband at the lime and I got married young and we started a family."

Her first daughter was born when Walsh was barely 20 and she "stayed at home to be a practical and caring mother." However, when her first born was 13 months old, with her husband,who worked in the Dockyard, Walsh moved to the UK where her second daughter was born a year later.

Though the growing Walsh fam ily returned to the Rock every year, they bought a home in England and — when her daughters were two and four respectively — Walsh went back to school... this time as a student at Sittingboume College for Further Education, taking a threeyear course to qualify as a teacher. She taught English in Raynham,in Kent, but when her son was born she again discarded blackboard and chalk and returned to the role of full-time mother.

"1 did a little supply teaching,but I thought it more important to be with my young son and, anyway, I wanted to..."

Walsh and her three children spent every summer in Gibraltar where thev were joined for a month by her husband for his annual leave. In 1983 he decided to return to the Rock to enlist in the RGP and at Christmas that year he sat — and passed — the police exam. The family returned to Gibraltar early in 1984 and, with the scarcity of teachers the Rock faced at the time, Walsh resumed her career.

"Gibraltar was desperate for teachers and they were waiting for me to come," she recalls. "I had remained in England to sell the house and they kept telephoning asking when I was coming."

Walsh accepted a post at St. Joseph's teaching children with special needs and for the next 19 years "enjoyed my one great love — being with children in the class room." It also led eventually to her vice-presidency of the teachers' union, a post which "gave me the opportunity to see things from a different perspective and I became very aware of how hard teachers^

"In those daysspecial qualifications were not required to become a teacher and when i ieft schooi at18,i immediateiy started teaching"

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^ here worked and still work."

With her peers she campaigned to have class sizes lowered... a need which she still feels strongly about.

"We have a good educational system herewithexcellentteachers, and the opportunity for schoolleavers to continue into tertiary education with government fund ing is great... but there is room for improvement," she says.

"I have known for a long time that our present very academic system isnotsuitable forall," Walsh told me. "Theargument is thatsince all our children go to university in the UK it is preferable to follow all the British initiatives. But not ALL ourchildren goon to furthereduca tion in the UK. It is these children 1 would like to see targeted. They

wouldbe channelled, with parental consent, via the vocational route at age 14 — but English and maths would continue tobe taughtsothat they can function adequately inthe world of work."

Though Walsh believes that the level ofteaching inGibraltarishigh she adds that though the levels of illiteracy among Gibraltar schoolleavers is considerably lower than in Britain, there are local teenagers who are still technically illiterate when they leave school.

"We were wrong to follow the British curriculum as slavishly as we have," she adds. "They have now realised you can't just have an academic route and have begun to change — as we have — but we could have made the switch before."

Gibtelecom makes history

Archaeologists in a few hundred years' time will be excited when they discover the time capsule buried at Gibtelecom's city centre offices.

Minister for Heritage, Culture, Youth and Sport, the Hon Fabian Vinet, combined his heritage brief with his role as Chairman of Gibt elecom when he formally buried a sealed steel chest containing early 21st century relics-to-be, including telecommunications equipment, Gibtelecom corporate records and Company publications, in the floor of the John Mackintosh Square building.

An engraved plaque will be placed over the floor of what is to be the new Customer Service Centre, to mark the time capsule's location.

The ceremony was attended by Gibtelecom's CEO, Tim Bristow, along with Verizon Communica tions' Vice President (Europe) Ra hul Saxena and other Gibtelecom board members. Verizon are joint owners of Gibtelecom along with the Government of Gibraltar.

Representatives of every Gibt elecomdepartmentalsowitnessed the event.

Fabian Vinet paid tribute to Gibtelecom for what he described as an innovative initiative to preserve part of Gibraltar's his tory. He added, "The capsule will provide future generations with a glimpse of the way telecommu nications has developed over the last century or so."

Much of this history will be expressed in Malcolm Beanland's book Gibraltar Calling, part of

Minister for Heritage, Culture, YouHt and Sport the Hon Fabian Vinet and Verizon Communications' Vice President (Eurape} Mr Rahul Saxena lower the time capsule into place

the time capsule, which traces the origins of Gibtelecom back to the mid 1880s and the Eastern Telegraph Company. It also cov ers the history of the company up to the merger of Gibraltar Nynex with Gibtel.

Gibraltar Nynex Communica tions Ltd was formed in 1990 when the former government Gibraltar Telephone Department was privatised.

The new offices atJohn Mackin tosh Square are partly the recon struction of the existing building, which dates back to 1801 or earlier.

The new construction rests on piles, or legs, some of which pen etrate a full 20 metres down to the bedrock below.

PUes were also driven tight to the adjoining wall of the Haven, as the newly-excavated cellar went lower than the foundations of that 1970s' building.

This was not necessary on the Other side, as the neighbouring Old Guard Room's foundations surprisingly went lower than the new basement.

Work is expected to be com pleted within 18 months, with tine new building housing the Cus tomer Service Centre and general offices, which will be integrated with the nearby Haven and City Hall, where Gibtelecom also has technical departments.

Morocco;Investment Oppoitnnity

Morocco is growing econonnically at a fast rate and testament to the King's commitment in turn ing Morocco into a major tourist destination is the large project being undertaken near Melilla. However, the Atlantic coast of Tangier south of Cape Spartel offers white sandy beaches that stretch for over 40km and which are still untouched in the main by human development.

Recent laws passed in Morocco protect these littoral stretches and new developments on the beachside of the coast road can only be undertaken if there is already a structure there or if a project has already been approved.

Hotel Apartamentos Sol is pre cisely one such development. However,it is real estate with a dif ference.It is located exclusively on the first cove as one travels down the Atlantic coast of Morocco and is only five minutes away from Tangier's international airport.

When you buy at Hotel Aparta mentos Sol you purchase the right to use your apartment forever. You can also opt to have it rented out for any period of time in the year when you are not using it.

The H-Apartamentos Sol manage ment company is entrusted with the renting out of the apartments and returns are estimated at over 8%.If you choose to sell there i^ no Capital Gains Tax to pay as you are selling the right of use rather than the apartment itself.Similarly,there is no Inheritance Tax to pay should you leave it to your next of kin.

Tour operators are increasingly targetting Morocco amd this means that idyllic sites such as H-Apartamentos Sol will be very much sought after by ex-pats. There are very cheap flights operating from Europe to Tangier international air port.The crossing from Algeciras to Tangier by sea takes only about half an hour and the drive from there to the complex is just 15 minutes.

Prices start from only 123,000 € (plus VAT)for two bedroom apart ments(60m2 plus 14m2 of terrace) and the penthouses of180m2 which have three terraces sell for 360,000€ plus VAT. The amenities include a gymnasium, swimming pool, paddle tennis, gardens and a first class restaurant all run by a Spanish company.

For further information please call 56280000.

H-Apartmentos Sol

Cape Spartel - Tangier Tel 56280000

609 96 86 46

Gibraltar Office: Cannon Real Estate 220 Main Street Tel: 78006/74253

Fax: 50877

e-mail: cannonrealestate@gtbtelecom.net

Luxury Urbanisation

An artist's impression of the building's new fegade

froin 121,000(£87,857@ 1.4/£1)

A Taxing Matter...

Though Britain's Chancellor (and possible successor next year to Tony Blair), Gordon Brown has frequently indicated his support for the EU's and other attempts to tighten the reins on the world's small offshore finance centres, he appears happy to bend the rules when it suits him.

The financial double standards of the dour Scot was underlined recently by his plans to tempt internet gaming companies to re locate to Britain and the disclosure that tax concessions which he has introduced have attracted many of the mega-rich, who for years sought rehige for their wealth in the secrecy of Swiss bank accounts, to the UK. One third of those ap pearing on the UK's "rich list" are non-British nationals.

Brown's welcome mat of tax con cessions rolled out for the world's billionaires is in sharp contrast to his dog in the manger attitude to similar fiscal enterprise by jurisdic tions such as Gibraltar, Isle of Man or Jersey.

"Britain, with the special attrac tion of tax incentives for billionaires from overseas, is fast catching up [on Switzerland] as a new refuge for the rich," a recent analysis in the Simday Times suggested. Seven of the country's wealthiest superrich are foreign born — drawn to Britain by the fact that in settling there they do not face taxes on their earning overseas, it points out. And, as a result, Britain now has more billionaires per capita of

population than the United States — traditionally the home of the world's wealthiest.

The revelations highlight a po tential dilemma for Gibraltar, touched on by international tax expert Chris White in a significant book released at a launch here last month. Though the Rock's financial sector continues to flour ish, it will need to change to meet new challenges, partly from the EU's attacks on offshore finance centres — whether or not these are sustained — and partly from other factors. White, tax partner at Hassans, points out in Gibrailar: International Financial Centre.

Atthesame time he highlights the benefits still available to the grow ing band of millionaires and high net worth individuals (HNWls) who have chosen the Rock as their tax domicile.

(Though no official figures are

tion of the handbook is no less significant. Before joining Hassans, he spent 25 years working for the Inland Revenue in Britain and most of this time was spent as an inves tigator in offshore avoidance. Not quite — but almost — a reversal of the old adage which suggests that it is wisest to "set a thief to catch a thief." Certainly he probably knows more about both sides of "avoidance" than anyone else of the Rock.

After a period as the officer in charge of the Midland Special Office, White was seconded to Gibraltar and he advised the Gov ernment on taxation for three years before joining Hassans in 1997. Called to the Bar in 2000, he now advises clients and others in the Hassans partnership on Gibraltar's tax system and its interaction with other local legislation as well as its relation to the tax set-ups of other jurisdictions.

Published by Tottel Publishing and endorsed by one of Britain's top tax and accountancy partner ships, the 236-page guide is the most comprehensive to date and incorporates details of the extensive tax changes and developments Gi braltar's tax regime has undergone over the past few years. Taking in both European and UK legislation the user-friendly volume covers such topics as;

• the information tax planners need to know about corporate governance;

•a detailed summary of the Gibral tar's financial regime;

• a chapter on E-commerce;and

• details of the latest money laun dering regulations

available for their numbers, local financial experts 'guestimate' that at least 300 have homes here and that applications for registry in the qualifying category continue to grow.Multi-millionaire entrepre neur and developer Greg Butcher — who expects his luxury Ocean Village to become home to a string of super-rich, believes that as many as 1,000 or more will eventually make their homes in what he envis ages as the Med.'s new Monaco.)

White, arguably one of the most knowledgeable experts on inter national taxation on the Rock, was clearly an ideal choice of senior partner James Levy QC to revise his own seminal work on the Rock's taxation and, indeed, the writer acknowledges that much of the fundamental material is based on Levy's original text.

But White's own contribution to what is in effect the fourth edi-

Perhaps significantly given the amount of work which Hassans does with high net worth individu als and the tax benefits Gibraltar can offer. White dangles our tempt ing attractions in the early pages of the guide.

Gibraltar, he points,out can offer an oversea investor—either corpo rate or individual — "a beneficial tax regime which can be used in a variety of ways to undertake busi ness transaction with maximum tax efficiency."

But, he adds, Gibraltar's cor porate tax regime is undergoing change.

"Challenges by the EU to the previous exempt and qualifying companies regime have resulted in the cessation of the qualifying com panies tax regime," he writes.And, pointing to the European Union's decision to contest Gibraltar moves to abolish corporate tax on earnings White stresses that"while the issue is being decided in the courts and agreement has been reached to allow a limited number of exempt companies."

The fact that Gibraltar does not impose capital gains tax, a wealth#

James Levy and Chns White

Though the Rock'sfinancial sector continues to fionrish,it will need to change to meet new challenges,partlyfrem the EU's attacks on offshorefinance centres

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 lnfo@hassans.gi.

THE GIBRALTAR FINANCIAL SERVICES HANDBOOK

NEW EDITION EVERY YEAR

Editor: Or D. M.Sloma

PC Box 555, Gibraltar

www.gfsh.gi Tel & Fax (350)79385.

Information on the Rock's off-shore advantages in Taxation, Law, Banking, Company & Trust Formation, Insurance, Business, Property and Financial Services. Comprehensive A-Z Index for the visiting professional or businessman and the discerning investor.

Detailed appendices on relevant Gibraltar Government legislation.

240 pages providing a practical guide to doing business and working in Gibraltar.

^tax or death duties has not been challenged, he adds.

As well as tax incentives for those with specialist skills seen as beneficial to Gibraltar's future or business development, there are those available to HNWIs who wish to become tax-resident here — either "to obtain the benefits of various facets of its tax structure,or simply to enjoy a life in the sun."

White rightly makes the point that when one attracts the wealth of investors one also becomes re sponsible for its safety.And though a truism, it is worth repeating that "there is no great profit to be found in entrusting wealth to a tax effi cient jurisdiction only to find that the controls in the jurisdiction are so lax that the money disappears without trace."

Some offshore jurisdictions may risk falling into that category... fortunately Gibraltar is not among them and White points out that the Government has tackled those concerns"head on"by adopting fi nancial regulation and supervisory legislation of the same standard as that of the UK — the most stringent in Europe. Anti-money laundering measures are at a similar high level, and the Government's intent has been to ensure not only that inves tors' money is safe but that it is also untainted by "dirty" money.

"The Finance Centre [sic] has taken the regulatory and supervi sion measures to heart," he writes. "The legislation which wasinitially viewed by practitioners with trepi

dation is now seen as an ally which gives investors an open guarantee of the high standards applied in the Finance Centre."

This has certainly contributed to the sustained growth of our finan cial sector which has been accom panied by what White describes as "the spectacular growth in such areas of the economy as toursim, banking and the provision of ser vice centres for the main on-line gaming concerns."

He sees no complacency on the part of either the financial sector or the government both of whom "are constantly reviewing their position to ensure that growth continues."

Given the range depth and scope of the guide, the finance sector owes a debt of gratitude both to White and Hassans for a volume that provides:

•a clear insight into how the law in Gibraltar operates to benefit both cor porate and individual tax planning.

•invaluable information and advice for high net worth individuals seek ing effective tax planning.

• key financial information for indi viduals and organisations planning to relocate or set up business in Gibraltar, and

•the latest corporate governance information — including EU legisla tion.

It is a volume that will be used extensively, not only within the finance sector and local business community, but should also be a useful "tool" in selling Gibraltar to overseas investors.

Gidraltar on Travel Channel

handbook

On sale at bookshops and newsagents in Gibraltar at £15,00 (€25.00). Worldwide airmail order service at £25.00 sterling (€35.00) or equivalent from GFSH, PC Box 555, Gibraltar. Please make cheques or money orders payable to "The Gibraltar Financial Services Handbook".

The Gibraltar Tourist BoarHhas launched its sponsorship of the European Weather slots on the digital Travel Channel television network.

The 10-second adverts, which can be seen 18 times a day, also feature the Tourist Board logo.

while illustrating Gibraltar as thriving Mediterranean destina Hon. The recognisable voice-ove has been provided by well-knowi British weather forecaster lai McCaskill.

Each of the adverts highligh the variety of activities and at tractions on offer, and capture th diversity of Gibraltar's histor and culture.The campaign starte earlier this month and will ru for a year. Transmission Hmes ai between 7am-lam daily.

Minister Joe Holliday saic "Television presents a new mt dium for us to reach our ever d versifying audience. We are lool ing forward to this campaign,an hope that it succeeds in capturin the imagination of the viewer prompting them to find out mo about our destinaHon."

Travel Channel transmits over 2 million viewers in the U1 attracting the ABCl adultover-3! audience.

A lot of money with minimal outlay can be made if you or your company are not Gibraltarresident.

"It's not a get-rich-quick scheme,"Mike Fitzgerald told me, "but with a committed long-term application there is a lot of earning potential. Some of our affiliates, both corporations and individuals, are making up to £20,000 a month, depending on their experience and input."

Mike and his partner Graham Hampson were telling me about their three-year-old internet busi ness which they started in Stockport, Greater Manchester in 2001 and which they have moved to Gibraltar's friendlier offshore tax regime due to the enterprise's phenomenal success.

So, what is it? "It's your ownfully-automated dating agency," explained Graham, "all you need is a website and some advertising to bring the customers to it,"

That's all? "Yes," Mike con firmed, "the whole system is automatic and managed by us. You don't have any contact with the customers nor do you have to collect any money.Simply generate the customer interest and we pay out half of the income."

Although the idea has been copied in other parts of the world, it was Mike and Graham who came up with the original concept and then set about designing the soft ware to make it all work with mini mal intervention. The two had be come friends while doing business degrees at Manchester Metropoli tan University."We weren't what you would call computer literate, but after a spell in the world of work we both felt we wanted to do something really worthwhile." By chance, they read a report on e-commerce wfiich predicted that computer dating was one ofthe big future markets and decided to see if they could make it work.

How much does it cost to be come an affiliate? Presumably something so potentially valuable must come at a premium? But no: "There is no charge at all. You just ask to become an affiliate and we set you up. There are no monthly targets to meet either; if you make money, fine, but if you don't do anything after you've registered then someone else will."

You do need to promote the service by advertising on the inter net or in the press, although spam and other unethical methods are

not allowed. People who respond to your adverts do not have to pay anything initially (which makes it more attractive), but can look at the lists of over one million members, divided into categories such as Christian, Disabled, Forces, Gay, Lesbian, Romance, Age Groups and so on."This gives a better con version rate," said Mike,"as people can narrow their choices down and feel more confident about finding a suitable date."

It is only when the customer decides there is someone he or she would like to contact that they sign up, and it's not expensive. They pay a monthly registration or mem bership fee according to their status and category, starting at about £10 for disabled or unemployed and rising to around £30 for top profes sionals, half of which is automati cally paid to the affiliate.

The affiliate does not have to attend the business in any way, except to advertise, and payments are made automatically to their bank account in their country of residence. A reminder here: because of Dating Central's non resident tax status,they cannot take on companies or dividuals who are resident in Gibraltar except for other tax-exempt companies. But otherwise, everyone is welcome and they won't have to pay any sort of fee or commit themselves in any way to joinup. Dating Cen tral will also provide useful tips on how to promote the business under your own chosen website domain name. At present there are about 6,000 affiliates, of whom just 300 are active, working easily from home or as a bolt-on to their existing businesses.

If you have a non-Gibraltar inter net connection and bank account, you could be earning anything from a good part-time wage up to a very high full-timeincome simply by placing adverts and spreading the message.And there is the bonus of knowing you'd be making a lot of other people happy.

Full hiformation can be obtained from the website, www.dating-central. com, email:affiliates®dating-central. com, or by tellfax to Gibraltar 40335 between 9 and 3, Monday to Friday. leading the worldfrom Gibraltar bone-fish.com

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Taxing wealth in Spain

Spain has a tax based solely on the wealth of individuals known as "impuesto sobre el patrimonio"(Spanish wealth tax) This tax is lev ied on the ownership of assets, such as immoveable property, cars, cash, shares,jewellery etc less any allowable charges and debts

(i.e. on the net wealth of an individual). It was originally brought in a number of years ago as a mechanism to force taxpayers to de clare what assets they owned and has remained until this day.

The tax year in Spain is the calen dar year and when deciding which assets are liable to wealth tax the residency of an individual must be ascertained.

Under Spanish domestic law, an individual is deemed to be "tax" resident in Spain if they spend 183 days or more in Spain (temporary absences are ignored unless they can prove habitual residence in another country).

If an individual spends under 183 days in Spain, the tax authorities can deem the individual a Spanish tax resident if their centre of vital interests are in Spain.The term cen tre of vital interests includes both personal and economic interests. An example of personal interests making an individual resident in Spain is if the individual's spouse and /or(minor)children habitually live in Spain.

Spain has entered into a number

of Double Tax Treaties and as Dou ble Tax Treaties override domestic legislation it is possible that the above rules are overridden in cases of two countries claiming residency of the same individual.

The effect of residenc\'for wealth tax is as follows;

Residents

Spanish tax residents are liable to wealth tax on their worldwide assets. They also benefit from the

following allowances:

" General allowance €108,182.18.

• Habitual residence €150,253.03. This allowance is available against the individual's main residence in Spain and is in addition to the general allowance.

• If the individual has a busi ness then (subject to a number of conditions) there is an allowance available against the value of their business.

•There is an automatic capping of

wealth tax which is tied in to the amount of income received in the same year.

Non Spanish Residents

Non Spanish Residents are li able to wealth tax solely on assets located in Spain.

Non Spanish Residents do not benefit from allowances so they commence paving tax from over €0.00.

Valuing Assets

There arc various rules for valu ing different types of assets.One of the most common assets on which wealth tax is paid is immoveable property.The valuation ofimmove able property for wealth tax pur poses is based on the higher of;

• the catastral value (rateable value),

• the acquisition cost (as declared on the title deed)

• an official valuation undertaken by the tax authorities.

In practice, the acquisition cost on the title deed (la escritura) is used as it is usually higher than the catastral value and valuations by the tax authorities are not com monplace.

The value of assets and charges are usually based on the last day of the Spanish tax year (3U' De cember).

Tax Rates

The tax rates work on a sliding scale and vary from 0.02% - 2.5% depending on wealth.The tax rates are summarised below.

To conclude, Spanish residents are able to benefit from allowances to reduce their exposure to Spanish wealth tax, but are liable to world wide net assets. If their wealth is considerable then other forms of tax planning would need to be undertaken to try and minimise the affects of this tax.

Non residents are liable to net Spanish situs assets. For example, they can reduce their exposure to wealth tax on their Spanish holi day home by simply buying their holiday home with a mortgage reg istered in Spain. The net difference between the value of the property and the mortgage is what would be liable to wealth tax rather than the whole value of the property.

The Investment Qnest

Since setting up on the Rock little more than two years ago, Quest Financial Services has proved to be one of the mostforward-looking and innovative companies in Gibraltar's snowballing insurance sector. And this, along with the efforts of its CEO Steve Quinn and co-founder Chris Wahn, has encouraged growth that is impressive even by comparison with the fastest-growing sector as a whole.

From a three-strong staff in a single office, it has expanded to 19 employees operating in three separately defined departments — each occupying its own floor in the Main Street building into which Quest moved in June... to become the Rock's "only general insurance company with a door onto our busiest business artery," as Quinn points out.

Its growth from insurance man agement to the provision of general insurance products — for which Quest was licensed by the Finan cial Services Commission last year — was later accompanied by the establishment of an ancillary ser vice — helping financial service newcomers to the Rock to settle in. And earlier this year, following the introduction of new legislation, the insurance group also moved into the new field of hedge fund management.

"Quest is all about giving the cli ent an unrivalled quality of service at a competitive price," Quinn said when the company moved into pro viding insurance productslast year. And he added: "We are confident that we will bring more clients to the Rock in the next twelve months." That confidence appears to have proved more than justified.

Asa full-blown insurance broker age we search the market for the product best suited to our clients' needs and as we are not tied to any one insurer we can range world wide to find what is best and safest," Wahn told me recently when we discussed the growth of this aspect of Quest's business.

Both he and Quinn agree that although there has been a slow ing in growth of local insurance business in recent months this will change when the current tax issues in which Gibraltar has taken the European Commission to court are finally resolved.

"People want to do business in and with Gibraltar," Quinn says. "When this is sorted out business will surge ahead." And he expects Quest to surge with it, particu larly since legislative changes this year have opened the door to the company for local management of hedge funds.

Interest in this sphere wasboosted recently by the disclosure that for mer City "Wonder Woman" Nicola

Horlick's plans to open the complex world of hedge funds to wider participation through a new listed investment firm hoping to raise £1 billion in a venture that will offer smaller investors with as little as a couple of thousand pounds the chance to participate.

Most hedge funds look to an investment of at least £100,000 from participants and because of the nature of risk — seen by some as be ing greater than most retail punting — there has been an ongoing debate about the wisdom of allowing retail investors to take part in what is still regarded as part of the riskier end of the market.

Horlick's Bramdean Asset Man agement will seek a listing for its "fund of hedge funds". Alternative Investment Fund, on the London Stock Exchange early next year, according to a report in a Sunday newspaper. "The plan is certainly to target the mass affluent, rather than the very wealthy, investors," a Bramdean spokesperson said recently. "But we're not going to be marketing to widows and or

phans."

"We are looking at the possibility of marketing something similar,but Gibraltar-based," one local fund manager told me."We are testing the waters at present and,if there is the demand that we anticipate, we would offer investors participation for as little as £1,000."

In this sphere, Quest appears to have stolen a march on the other players and soon after the law changed applied for a licence to administer funds.

"Experienced investor funds are already a popular tool in the Chan nel Islands and we are sure that they will catch on here," Quinn explains. "Quest does not operate the funds, merely administer them, but since we were granted a license under the new legislation in May we have been setting up the necessary sys tems and processes and have been looking at markets in the UK and in Switzerland — where there appears to be a huge potential."

Quest probably will administer several funds which Quinn believes will be attractive investment tools

for High Net

Worth

Individuals whether they are residentin Gibral tar or not.

"Essentially one is looking at an investment of about £100,000 —or investors who have cash assets worth something like one million Euros... and there are quite a lot of those around," Quinn says. "A fund of about £5 million is viable from a management point of view and we hope that at least one of the proposed Gibraltar projects will be up and running before Christmas." Others will be up and running early in 2007.

At least one of the funds which Quest will manage will be a prop erty-based fund investing in physi cal properties — "not only in Spain, but anywhere in Europe" — while another will be in equities and cash, And some of the profits from this particular fund will be passed on to charities," Quinn says.

The funds themselves have been put together by Carol and Malcolm Ruffell — a couple of financial ex perts who quit the UK "rat race" to take early retirement in Gibraltar a few months before Quinn and Chris Wahn hung out the Quest shingle on the Rock.

"They are probably the most experienced funds people in Gibral tar" Quinn enthuses. "Carol was head of compliance with Cofunds — the main competitor to Fidelity, one of the major fund operators in the UK — joining it when it was established in 2000.By the time she left the fund had £3.5 billion under management."

Her husband also has extensive experience and was group financial controller for Britain's Commercial Union and later chief executive of CU's PEP and ISA business.

"We were fortunate to have es tablished links with the Ruffells early on — and, of course, are now doubly fortimate to be working with them in the sphere of hedge funds," Quinn adds.

'Quest offers a variety ofservices to insurers xoishing to establish a presence in Gibraltar apartfrom guiding them through the initial set up phase. The firm provides for a variety of require ments including board representation, investment committee representation and all the usual day to day manage mentfunctions.

Quest's Steve Quinn et the Finance Lunch, Gibraltar Day in London

"Experienced investorfunds are already a popular tool in the Channel Islands and we are sure thatthey will catch en here"

On top of the world

To coiiKide with Think I'lnk day, the staff at PricewaterhouseCoopers Gibraltar organised a raffle with the proceeds going to Cancer Research UK.

Thanks to the efforts of Maria Balchin and Alex Trico they were able to secure,through the generos ity of many businesses in Gibraltar, an incredible range of prizes to raffle amongst staff members. The staff responded with incredible support resulting in significantly

higiicr sale.s of raffle tickets than anticipated.

In keeping with their tradition, the partners at PricewaterhouseCoopers agreed to match the amount raised by staff and then topped it up to £1,500.

Colin Vaughan, the managing partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers Gibraltar presented the cheque to John Zayas, representing Cancer Research UK. Also in the picture are Maria Balchin and Alex Trico.

J^es/lc

A Requiem Ma^ anldJIHnner in honour of Lieutenant Commander Leslie Edward Ayling Royal Navy was held last month in the Holy Trinity Cathedral on the anniver sary of his death.

Touching performances by Na than Payas and Aaron Monteverde plus the choir led by Lili Olivero were heard. Sculptress Sharon Keenan produced a bust of Leslie which was unveiled in the dinner at HMS Rooke where Squadron Leader James Vinaies gave the main speech, with Ray Pilley and Doctor Maskill following.

Leslie's wife, Margaret, an nounced the foundation of the Leslie Ayling Trust which has as its first project the initiation of a chemotherapy unit at St Bernard's Hospital. Donations of nearly £60,000 were presented in his mem-

ory ^ £10,000 to the Rock of All Ages Campaign, £10,000 to Saint Bernard's Church, £10,000 to the King Edward Vll hospital, £5,000 to the Alameda Garden, and other donations to hospices, Nazareth House,Red Cross, Mother Theresa etc. It is hoped that soon the oncol ogy unit will also be funded in Leslie's name.

John Harrison,Ibex lnsunnce.Glbralar

Morrisons to invest in Gibraitar

UK based supermarket operator,Wm Morrison Supermarkets

PLC submitted a planning application to the Development and Planning Commission in mid-October which confirms its future commitment to Gibraltar.

the time is right for a significant injection of capital to bring the full Morrisons offer to the Rock."

Morrison's

The Westside store will undergo a multi-million pound redevelop ment if the plans for extensions on three sides of the existing building are approved.

Roger Owen, Morrison's Main Board Property Director said:"We have addressed a number of is sues since we acquired the store as part of the Safeway acquisition some two and a half years ago and

Grant Henley,Business Develop ment Director, said: "The current stable and prosperous economic climate in Gibraltar has given us the confidence to proceed with this major investment in our store. We were really convinced that we had a future when wesaw the last Budget Statement issued by the Govern ment which said just how impor tant we were here in Gibraltar,and that gave us tremendous heart. We followed this up with a meeting with Minister Holliday recently and,of course,subsequent to that, we are now aware of the details of the Cordoba Agreement which should improve frontier fluidity. Border restrictions gave us a major problem in terms of distributing to the store on a regular basis, par ticularly at weekends. Thatis now set to go, which will give us more freedom and enable us to present our full range of products to our customers more consistently."

The firm combines the varied wealth of personal & collective experience of the practitioners. From its inception, a very personal service has been offered to the Firm's clients. This has underpinned the philosophy which makes Attias & Levy a solid, dependabl^nd caring law practice.

Morrison's Westside store willsoon carry the

branding above the door

Retirement:Having a Pian

There are several events in life that are important...your first job, getting married, having children, etc. However, planning for your retirement Is also extremely important and we need to make the right decisions so that we end up with what is best for us. How many of us pay enough attention to this and justifiably feel that we have provided for it?

People are living longer these days and the pressure on the Gov ernment to look after the older generation is ever increasing. If we can plan for our retirement to make us self-sufficient then the Government will welcome this. It is precisely because of this that the Government of Gibraltar allows substantial tax relief on pension contributions. The question that remains is "What kind of pension plan is right for me?"

In the private sector there are two possibilities. On the one hand, an Occupational Pension Scheme and, on the other, a Personal Pen sion Plan. Let us look at each one in turn.

Occupational Pension Scheme

Under thisscheme the employer sets up a pension arrangement for their employees. The employer contributes towards the scheme and the employee may or may not be able to also contribute depend ing on how the scheme is set up. The employer's contributions are an expense to the employer and are declared as such for lax purposes.

Any contribution made by the employee towards the Occupa tional Scheme will be considered for personal income tax relief as part of the l/6th life insurance allowance.

If the employee exceeds the life insurance allowance, the em ployee's pension contribution will not receive tax relief. Therefore Occupational Schemes are at-

ever

tractive where only the employer contributes or where the employee cannot afford to contribute towards a pension. Furthermore, if an em ployee already has an occupational pension scheme if he/she were to take out a Personal Pension Plan,no tax relief would be allowable on the contributions made to the Personal Pension Plan until contributions to the Occupational Pension Scheme stopped, since the tax office does not allow you to be both a member of an occupational scheme and have a personal pension plan.

Personal Pension Plan

A Personal Pension Plan is, as its name implies, a pension arrange ment for an individual. The tax benefits are extremely attractive to those employed in the private sector and there are very interest ing tax considerations for selfemployed individuals, company directors and those who receive large bonuses.Each of these would have to be studied individually as circumstances vary from person to person and company to company.

The tax relief on contributions made to a Personal Pension Plan depends on the age of the indi vidual and on their annual salary. Anyone up to 50 years of age can contribute up to 17.5% of their annual salary into a Personal Pen sion Plan and get tax relief. This percentage increases with age up to 27.5% for 61 and over.

Personal Pension Plans may be arranged in a group,so that an em ployer can provide for its employ-

The Gouernment of Gibraltar allows substantial tax roliof on pension contributions

ees retirement. Thus it becomes an alternative to an Occupational Scheme.

Generally speaking, a Personal Pension Plan is portable and the employee can take it with him/her if they move from one employer to another. Meanwhile,Occupational Pension Scheme members may have to freeze their existing pen sion funds until retirement age if the new employer does not have a compatible scheme.

2006 Budget Statement

The Chief Minister stated in his 2006 budget speech that, at retire ment age, it is no longer a require ment to purchase an annuity and that the full lump sum of accrued monies in the pension fund can be taken tax free. However, as far as we are aware,this has not officially been legislated for as yet. Further more, anyone receiving a Pension from an occupational scheme(and we understand from comments made by the Income Tax Authori ties that this also applies to Personal Pension Plan holders) will not pay tax on pension income received after age 60. This latter concession

is apparently already in place.

Conclusions

For those who are able to in the private sector,setting up a Personal Pension Plan has never been more attractive than now. The combina tion of tax relief on Personal Pen sion Plan contributions and tax relief on Life Insurance products, coupled with the fact that at retire ment/maturity the lump sums can be taken tax free, makes setting up a Personal Pension Plan imperative to all those who can afford to do so. Occupational Pension Schemes also have their place but for those who cannot afford to make the larger regular contributions required for a Personal Pension Plan.

Mario A Mosquera is a Financial Planning Consultant at Capurro Insurance & bjvestments Ltd zoho offers insurance and financial plan ning advice in Gibraltar. Capurro Insurance & hweshnents Ltd,20 Line Wall Road, Gibraltar Tel: 40850 Fax: 40851 E-mail:info@capurroinsurance. com Web:lowiv.capunvinsurance.com.

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By taking the time to listen to your individual requirements, we put together tailor made solutionsfrom across the market with a view to yielding the best possible results.

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a Personal Pension Plan is portalile and the employee cap take it with him/her

can occur when a stock is reclassified from one sector to another, with the new sector having a different P/E ratio,

iii Directors dealings.Directors can not buy or sell shares in their own company in the two months preced ing their results. Purchases either ^ust before this period or after good results are published and the stock has already gone up,are regarded as bullish signals.

iv Stock Splits. A stock trading at £40 may undertake a 10:1 stock split for liquidity reasons thereby reducing the price to £4. Although the value of the company has not actually changed, these splits can exaggerate a strong up trend result ing in the stock re-listing at above £4 after the split.

A Guide to Contractslor Dlfforoncos

Contracts for Differences (CFDs) are a form of financial derivative that have become so popular that analysts have suggested up to 25% of the UK stock market turnover is attributable to them.Once the preserve of the City institu tions and professional investors such as hedge funds,this powerful trading tool is today also widely used by the private investor.

In CFD dealing, you do not physically buy or hold the physi cal underlying shares, rather you have agreement with a broker to exchange, at the closing of the contract, the difference between the opening and closing prices, multiplied by the number ofshares in the contract. If you think the price will rise you take a "long" position. If you thin k the price will fall you take a"short" position(selling stock you don't own then buying it back 'later, hopefully at a lower price to realise a profit).

So what are the advantages over traditional share dealing and how can they be used to enhance port folio returns?

i No Stamp Duty. The 0.5';"- stamp duty payable on UK equity purchas es does not apply to CFD trading.

ii Going short.CFDs offer investors the possibility ofgoing short,thereby being able to profit from falling as well as rising markets.

iii Margin.CFDs are dealt on a mar gin basis. For most shares a deposit of 10% (known as "initial margin") is required. For example, if you wanted to purchase 10,000 shares of Vodafone at 120p, you would need just £1,200 to place the trade, rather

than the full £12,000. Positions are automatically rolled over each day and marked to market so further margin (known as "variation mar gin") may be required depending upon the performance of the under lying share.

iv Gearing. This idea of margin allows investors to leverage their positions significantly. For example a 10% rise in Vodafone to 132p on the above position would result in a profit of £1,200(excl. commission and financing costs) on a capital outlay of just £1,200. This gearing however works both ways and a fall of 10% to 108p will result in a loss of £1,200 thereby wiping out your entire capital.

V Costs. With no settlement costs, CFD brokers are able to charge around 0.25% for opening and closing positions. Also, as you are effectively using the brokers money on the £10,800 not required, long positions attract a financing charge,

generally LIBOR + 3%.

Trading Strategies

Low commission,leveraged trad ing and zero stamp duty all make CFDs attractive for investors hop ing to benefit from predominantly short-term price movements.CFDs are not a substitute to traditional share dealing but can complement an investment portfolio by using the following strategies:

i Hedging. Investors can use CFDs to hedge against price falls in exist ing shareholdings by taking out a short CFD.1f the share price falls, the investor loses money on the underly ing shares but gains on the CFD.

ii Index/Sector Reviews. As com panies are promoted to/demoted from the FTSE 100 index during its quarterly review, tracking funds are forced to buy/sell the affected shares. CFD traders can take ad vantage of this by going long/short of these shares. Other opportunities

V Pairs Trading. Pairs trading involves identifying two similar shares-usually from the same sector-with prices that generally move in tandem but that have temporarily diverged. The idea is then to exploit the anticipated convergence ofthese prices by buying the laggard and short-selling the leader so that any narrowing of the price differential would result in a profit. Examples include BP/Royal Dutch Shell. The beauty of pairs trading is that it doesn't matter whether the market rises or falls, since the outcome of the trade simply relies on the relative movement of the two shares, vi Stripping the Dividend. If you own an equity CFD on the day the share goes ex-dividend (the day the shares no longer trade with the right to the next dividend payment), you will be credited with the net dividend. Theoretically the share price will fall on the XD date by the same amount of the dividend. But a stock with good momentum behind it may not fall by the whole amount. A trader who buys a share paying a large divided the day before and closes the position on the XD date may be able to book a small profit.

In summary, CFDs are an excel lent vehicle for short-term trading strategies.Asa leveraged,margined instrument the risks are inherently higher than traditional share deal ing as you may lose more than the original sum invested. Investors should therefore seek professional advice prior to dealing and incor porate stop losses and other risk management techniques into their investment strategy.

Mark Mahtiey is a Director of Gibraltar Asset Management Limited, 1 Irish Place. Tel: 75181

What are the advantages over traditional share dealing and how can they be used to enhance portfolio returnsP

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THE GIBRALTAR MARITIME SERVICES HANDBOOK

ss.v.-5ss:Na-.v^'K.v.'3

NPWFDITIQN FVFRY YEAR

Editor: Dr D, M. Sloma

I^ihraltar

www.gmsh.gi Jpl F F;.y nfiOI

Maritime Services in Gibraltar

Maritime Legislation in Gibraltar

Doing Business in Gibraltar

A-Z Index of Maritime & Ancillary Services

Smooth Moves for Argus

Although Gibraltar's civil servants and the employees of some of the Rock's bigger businesses and profes sional firms should enjoy a relatively comfortable retirement, a substantial number of today's work force have no form of pension arrangements and face hardship when they can no longer work. Several times in recent years, Chief Minister Peter Caruana has rung alarm bells to this effect — but the response from much of the business sector has been, at best, luke warm, and suggestions that individuals should take responsibility for their own needs appear to have fallen on even deafer ears.

Part of the problem — which is not unique to the Rock but affects much of the developed world —stems from an increasing lon gevity brought about by medical advances and improved social con ditions in the decades since World War II. It already puts heavy burdens on the health and social welfare provisions of western gov ernments, and Gibraltar — where our population has the second highest life expectation of any EU country — is no exception.

Simply stated this meansthat fu ture old age pensions provided by Government will not be enough to allow many of the elderly to enjoy the same standards of living and quality of life to which they have become accustomed during their working years.

handbook

"Most of us are not saving enough for the future; but even more alarming is the fact that a surprising number of Gibraltar's bigger companies make no provi sion for pensions for their staff — they simply have no pension funds," says Tom Eraser, manag ing director and CEO of European Financial Planning Group(EFPG) told me recently.

In a step towards addressing these concerns, the Government has introduced Provident Fund 3 — some aspects of which remain ill-defined, and which has been met with a mixed response from insurers on the Rock.

chartered financial planner from the UK,alluding to the fact that tra ditionally ultra-safe investments give poorer returns than those with greater risk.

However, the situation could change for the better as Argus/ Norwich Union continues to ex pand its local business.The Bermu da-based insurer Argus —which acquired Norwich Union's Gi braltar operations two years ago — has extensive experience of and expertise in the pensions market and is looking at the possibility of applying these on the Rock, ac cording to the company's chairman and CEO Gerald Simons.

Since it was established in 1950, Argus has grown into the Carib bean's largest provider of health insurance as well as of property cover... and pension planning.

"On our side of the Atlantic, Argus group is one of the largest providers of pensions and we ad minister pension plans for many of the major companies in the Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 lists," he told me.(Each year the US international finance magazine "Fortune" lists the top 100 and top 500 American corporate businesses.)

On sale at Bookshops & Newsagents in Gibraltar at £15.00 sterling (€25.00). Airmail order service at £25.00 sterling (€35.00) from GMSH,PC Box 555. Gibraltar. Please make cheques payable to "The Gibraltar Maritime Services Handbook".

"We actually welcome PF3. It is good and safe — though perhaps too safe," says Anthony Drew, a

"These demand the highest standards of administration and pension planning is one of the ar eas in which we are most at home, So, while we have no immediate plans to enter the pensions market in Gibraltar, it is an area where we would be happy to provide insight and it is something we are certainly looking at."

Argus has grown into the Carlhhean's larg est provider of health Insurance as well as of property cover„.and pension planning

For all you

In fact, since the Argus Group takeover — and in the face of growing competition in the local insurance industry — Argus/ Nor wich Union has introduced several innovative products. Earlier this year its motoring customers were offered a string of attractive new options including a protected no claims bonus — which the then local chief executive Sandy Guthrie claimed as a "market first" for Gibraltar.

The firm's Protected No Claims Bonus has proved "highly suc cessful" a company spokesperson claims, A novel additional feature of this is the company's guarantee to maintain the premium without any increase for two vears if no material changes are made to the policy in that period.

Though Guthrie retired sooner than the board in Bermuda expect ed,"there is no immediate rush to

replace him,"Simons says."Sandy had developed a strong triumvi rate of managers who have taken over seamlessly and are operating well as a team.

"The reality is that we have three first class guys and our Gibraltar operations are running every bit as well as when Sandv was there — probably thanks to the strong skills he passed on. But, clearly this triumvirate cannot continue in the long term and we are looking at several options... We have made a few inquiries in Gibraltar, but are also looking elsewhere.

"Any one of the present three managers are good candidates to take over the Gibraltar operations in the future and ideally it would be useful to find an older person to fill Sandy's shoes as a mentor for a few years to encourage each of the three to come through."

Sandy had developed a streng triumvirate of managers who have taken ever seamlessly and are operating well as a team."

ExcitingTimeslorTourismSector

/^:i onrl cr\v/orc»inntV i<? tO bfi CC

A new air terminal which will remain under Gibraltar's control and sovereignty is to be com pleted within the nexttwo years and the new road structure, which will provide a four-lane subway beneaththe Eastern Beach end ofthe runwaywill be built in parallel,Tourism Minister Joe Holliday announced during a presentation in London during the seventh annual Gibraltar Dayfinancial and social gab-fest. Andthough no costforthe proiect has beenfinalised, it would "run to tens of millions of pounds," Chief Minister Peter Caruana told me later.

Part of the cost of the tunnel and road network feeding it will be borne bv the developers of the D50-million Sovereign Bay devel opment, 1 understand. However, one hurdle still has to be crossed — the feeder road from the tunnel to the new air terminal buildings on the frontier side of the airport will cross Ministry ofDefence land which has not yet been released to the Gibraltar Government.

Holliday's disclosure was part of an extensive tourism package which he presented to an audience of UK travel writers, during which he also unveiled the final destina tion details of the Robert Noonan Fly Gibraltar airline scheme and figures which showed a massive hike in Gibraltar's revenue from tourism — up by 89 per cent in less than a decade to provide a re cord £209 million spent by visitors last year, though, with 7.5 million visitors arriving during the course of 2005, this represents a spend of less than £30 a visitor. Neverthe less, visitor arrivals have increased by 30 per cent since 1997 Holliday pointed out.

"We have also made it our aim to increase arrivals by sea and in par ticular from the cruise market," he added. "In 2005 thehighest number of arrivals in this sector since 1973 wasrecorded and wewexpect there to be 207 cruise ship visits this

year with 226,890 passengers and the expected numbers in 2007 arc even higher."

It was evident that the Gov ernment's tourism policies had achieved "impressive growth" and it now aimed to sustain that growth... something the Septem ber tripartite agreement would facilitate.

Outlining the main sectorsofthe agreement Holliday added that although these were essentially "political issues", aspects such as the promise of improved frontier flow and the enhanced use of the airport would have a direct im pact on tourism and "the tourist product."

And, briefly wearing his other Ministerial hat as head of the Department of Trade Industry & Communications he pointed to the growing investor confidence reflected in property development and by the mass of investment proposals received post 18th Sep tember [the date of the Cordoba entente].

"These will not have been

dreamed up in a few days or weeks, they are obviously plans forprojectswhichhavebeenonthe drawing board or in the pipeline for some time — and the outcome of the agreement has encouraged them to seek approval" he said.

"In response to the expected growth in leisure and business activities, the Government is now considering 11 new hotel projects in Gibraltar," he continued. "These include a major hotel in Sovereign Bay, a hotel at Buena Vista, a bou tiquehotel in thecitycentreand the extensions to the Eliott and Caleta hotels."

There were also five other hotel projects about which he could not give details for reasons of com mercial confidentiality, but between then the eleven could potentially triple the current hotel slock in the next three to five years.

There were also a number of leisure and property development projects that had either started or were about to start that would offer "exciting new products" to leisure and business visitors. These

GiUraltar's revenuefromtourism—up by89 percentiulessthanadecade toprovidea record £209 miiiiou spoutbyvisitors lastyear

included Sovereign Bay with up to 2,200 apartments, underground car parks, a yachting marina, a 300 bedroom four-star hotel, as well as retail, commercial and office accom modation.

"This represents an inward in vestment in excess of £1-5 billion, the largest ever in the history of Gibraltar by a very long way," Holliday said. Greg Butcher's multi-million Ocean Village{which Holliday described as "one of the largest complexes being built in Gibraltar " would also "bring new retail and leisure attractions to Gibraltar's tourism product";while the Government's own develop ment of the King's Bastion leisure centre which would be completed bv August next year and the beauti'fication and refurbishment of Orange Bastion would both add to Gibraltar's attractions for visitors.

Holliday also expects that the first flights between Gibraltar and Madrid, which are part of the Cordoba deals package, will start in December with others to "other European" destinations following soon afterwards." Final details of theFlyGibrallarschedule—which comes into operation next April were also released. Each week there will be 11 return flights to Stansted airport near London, five to Man chester and Birmingham, four to Bristol and three to Dublin.

Datatec:ingineering in Gibraltar

;i., ooIIqh all arm ind the world in their yacht.When tl-

Now Roy runs architectural and engineering consultants Datatec, along with his daughter Gaye who is director in charge of quality control and safety. The rest of the family arc directors or sharehold ers too.

So, what exactly does an archi tectural and engineering consul tant do? "We mainly design the complex mechanical and electrical systems in new buildings, or in buildings being refurbished," replied the friendly and very good-humoured Roy "Mechanical and Electrical engineering are our main strengths. We designed all the complex engineering installations for Cassava at Europort, which is the world-famous 888.com com pany; and we are currently also heavilv involved in the design of mechanical and electrical services at the new King's Bastion Leisure Centre, which is an exciting and adventurous project."

1 learned from Roy that Volker Stevin are working on the Leisure Centre project,which explains why they have so many site offices at Reclamation Road but little sign of external activity. Once the Leisure Centre is well under wav the Dutch company will then start work on the 32-storey tower block in Naval Ground No 2, Reclamation Road.

"We are the only local consul tants to have been engaged for the Leisum Centre," said Roy, when his equally good-humoured daughter Gaye prompted him. "The other members of the design team are mainly northern European profes sionals."

Gaye added that Datatec does tend to be appointed the local spe cialist consultant for many large international companies.

In fact it transpired that Datatec hasbeen involved in a great deal of Gibraltar's modernisation,includ ing, currently, the dome-topped new building next door to the NatWest bank in Line Wall Road, the new exciting Cliff Top House project and the new 9-storey Filomena House which is to be con-

to love engineering " especially CAD, (computer-aided design) — but not all. What appears to be missing here is career guidance, to point young people in directions that arc most suited to their inter ests and abilities."

How did Datatec come about?

"Weall lovedGibraltarat firstsight, but at that time there were labour restrictions which meant the only way wecouldworkwithin Gibral tarwastoformourowncompany," hetold me.ThusDatatecbeganlife; firstly at Garrison House, then the Cornwall's Centre and finally in Fish Market Lane as part of Ocean Heights.

s

tructed next toStTheresa's Church in Devil's Tower Road. Described as 'affordable-plus' housing, the project has been designed around an ancient tree, which eveiybody wanted to save.

Roy and Gave are always looking at innovations to include within their designs, particularly the use of sustainable energy sources such as solar power.'This could reduce carbon emissions by as much as one tonne per dwelling per annum, Rov said.

As well as being appointed by international concerns,Datatec also works with many Gibraltar contrac tors and architects. "Sometimes we work for them," he said,"and sometimes they work for us. But most of our clients usually end up becoming our friends as well."

Before setting off on the world tour by yacht with his family, including the cat and dog, Roy held an exalted position as senior Engineering Manager for Ford of Europe. Coming from Westclifteon-Sea in Essex,he studied at Lon don University and came away as a Doctor of Philosophy in alternative energy sources,one of his passions, although he uses traditional meth ods as well on many of Datatec's projects. _ .

iAcommitted and proud Freema sonfor thelast44years, Roy takesa deepinterestin all Gibraltaraffairs and social development. He regrets that the family unit appears to be breaking down as, increasingly, both parents are forced to work to provide for their mortgage. "So children now do not get the home life that we of the older generation were fortunatetohaveexperienced. And it is going to get worse — not just here but all over Europe as economic demands on the fam''y unit become greater," he said, his good humour briefly replaced by real sadness.

Datatec also provides training for students from the College of Further Education, providing work experience to a mixture ofstudents, "Often they are placed on a course of study because they are not sure of what thev really want as a ca reer"Roy told me."Some are often surprised to find that they come

He brightened again though, as he added, "But Gibraltar is the greatest of all places. I have lived and worked allovertheworld,and it is definitely the best community ofall inwhich toliveand work.The wonderful people,lackofcrime,the climate, and no VAT, everything... Even the problems with ourSpan ish neighbours tend to add to the rich tapestry oflifewearefortunate to enjoy," he said.

Datatec is in Fish Market Lane, beside the entrance to the Ocean Heightsapartments.Thetelephone numbers for any enquiries are 78362 and 74636 or email them on datatecSS'gibraltar.gi.You'llbehard pressed to find such a combination of friendliness and professional knowledge in such technical fields as Datatec's.

■■OimattarIsthegreatestelallglaces.Ihave' J worKedallovertheworld,andItIsdelimtelvthehest communltvolallinwhichtoliveandwork

Using Interiordesign to convey corporate Identity

performance levels.

The ri;iht flooring for the right situation — there is a huge range of resilient and attractive natural hardwood flooring,luxurious deep pile carpeting, and ceramic tiles for high density areas, vinyl, pres tigious marble and slip resistant solutions for wet areas.

Moving on to ceilings — sus pended ceilings offer considerable advantages over a conventional fixed ceiling. Concealing con structions they allow easy access to all pipe work, data carriers and air conditioning ducting in stalled above. Maintenance ofthese items and additional installation of equipment can be carried out eas ily. Suspended ceilings also offer enhanced sound insulation, and present a clean uniform look to a building. Existing joints need not be level or even straight to install suspended ceiling.

In short, if your offices look messy, disorganized or just plain tired, that glimpse can turn into a lasting image of your company that is very hard to change.

A well planned and designed of fice layout can help you to win new business, recruit talented employ ees and establi.sh reladonships with suppliers. Unfortunately, many offices just say go away.

Wonderfully evocative, well designed spaces show us that it certainly doesn't have to be that way.

Creating office space that evokes a product or a corporate brand means answering challenging ques tions. What kind of company are we? Do we want to come across as informal and hip or serious and ex perienced? Are wc into European, Asian or Midwestern values? Do we favour collaboration or solitary work or some a combination of

tables, to really trendy state of the art office furniture.

Furniture restoration — often in Gibraltar some of the offices have a wealth of wonderful old furniture that has been sadly neglected and formed wood rot or termites, this is often well worth restoring.

Building and office refurbishment. from initial concept through to detailed designs — a designer will consider your unique requirements, advise on increasing storage and seating capabilities,recommended options for specific tasks and effec tive work environment solutions

Partitioning systems offer an ideal solution to creating offices, meeting rooms, staff, dining, toilets and other areas tailored to your exact requirements allowing highly effec tive use of space available.

Lighting — the careful selection and deployment of lighting has beneficial effect on staff tiredness the two?

What is the area an interior designer looks at when they are called in? Office furniture most important, this again depends on the image your company wants to betray, from wonderful antique re production desks and board room

Decoration — to enhance your working environment, it is impor tant to select the right colours and finishes when decorating. Window blinds enhance the look of any of fice and can be used as low cost and attractive privacy screening for of fices with glazed partition walls. Bespoke^niiture truly reflects the style and image of your business.

With almost unlimited options in traditional and contemporary designs, you can design unique pieces of furniture — tailor-made boardroom tables, call centre fur niture,storage walls and seating to your exact specifications, drawing on a wide range of materials such as hardwood and leather.

Corporate identity is much more than a name. It reflects the compa ny's goals, strengths, personality and philosophy. Used wisely, in terior design can convey all this in the first meeting.

Jane Hart, Denville Designs, 62 Engineer's Lane, Gibraltar. Tel:44012 email:jane@denvilledesigns.com iinm denvilledesigns.com.

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Shakespeare and Murders for Drama We

'She' is Isabella Valcnzuela, sea soned actress and debutant director who — after a short but intense stint as co-director to Abigail Ryan Wallace in last summer's drama workshops for kids productions is all geared up to fly solo with the funny black comedy Nasty things, murders!,by Arthur Lovegrove — a play in which three elderly ladies discover that life is more blood curdling than fiction when their television set breaks down!

Isabella, whose ambition is to be cast in a professional production, got busy with drama as soon as she landed in Gibraltar and imme diately made herself known for her high-level of aptitude and dedica tion, besides her chameleonic abil ity to feel at ease in any character's shoes — from the bossy know-it-all Primary Care Centre nurse she played in joe Gomez's original comedy El Tili, to cross-dressed sword-brandishing Beatrice in multi-nominated A senmitfor two masters by Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni,which earned her the best actress accolade at the 2006 Royal Navy Drama Festival.

Isabella is now working with a cast of veteran actors,three of them with sound directorial skills, who, as a Trafalgar Theatre Group staple member and local drama guru Christine Thomson explains,"don't keep their mouths shut and give her plenty of advice, just to make things more difficult for her, re ally", because each of them would carry the scene with a completely different style!

But Isabella "wouldn't have it any other way", in fact the directorial suggestions she gets from Christine, Jean Penney and Margaret Seed (best known for her pantos)are helping to pull together a real up-tempo theatrical delight which will keep the audience riv eted to their seats until the chilling final twist.

In their turn, Christine and Jean are the directors who lead Isa bella and five other young actresses in the modern and ironic When Shakespeare's ladies meet by Charles George, an imaginative lesson in true love by Shakespearean roman tic epitome, Juliet.

As they often have difficulties in recruiting male actors, this year

the group has decided te go for two all-female short productions,which promise to be entertaiplpg without being silly or shallow

the group has decided to go for two all-fomale short pro ductions, which promise to be entertaining without being silly or shallow. One counts on fi ve accomplished 'professionals'

(Ana Maria Anes and Liz Gon zalez complete the cast, playing Louise and Matron respectively) and the other play counts on six up-and-coming promising actors of local drama.

When Shakespeare's ladies meet is set in a surreal situation, featuring some of the most fa mous and tragic Shakespearean female characters who gather to give their in-character advice to lovesick Juliet, played by young and talented Lijianna Marsden, a familiar face on Gibraltar stages.

So, Portia (Isabella Valenzuela)from the Merchant of Venice, rationally explains to her all the legal implications of mar rying someone against their parents' will; Cleopatra (Lucy UjiauM

Porro)from Anthony and Cleopatra tells her the tricks of the trade for winning all men and forgetting about her obsession with Romeo; Desdemona(Kelly Bensadon)from Othello warns her on the hazards of jealousy, while Hamlet's Ophelia (Anna Felices) roams the stage in her insane delirium, and Taming of the Slmno's Katherine(Bryony Bawson) completes this supermarket of unsolicited advice — until wise Juliet, stating she is determined to fulfil her romance whatever the price, demonstrates to them that theirs isn't unconditional love, on which subject she has more to teach them than vice versa.

iThe play is in modern English with accentuated American idioms and the odd Shakespearean verse thrown in,obviously out of context, and in its svelte format is accessible to all audiences.

Likewise, Nasti/ things, murders! is a gripping piece set in a classy retirement residence, where three friends — sardonic and rational Ethel (Christine Thomson); her antithesis, the emotional and prone tojump to conclusions Louise(Ana Maria Anes); and down-to-earth Madge Penney) who keeps the balance between these two extremes — are joined by ladylike, prim and proper, shy newcomer Mary (Margaret Seed).

Soon it becomes clear that the newcomer is hiding a secret,spark ing the hilarious ping-pong of conjectures in Louise's mind that Ethel dismisses and confutes one by one — but Madge gets slowly but surely convinced when Mary foretells the end of a gory murders programme on TV,in perhaps sus piciously too much detail, but the party cannot finish watching due to an electrical fault impromtu techni cian Madge isn't able to fix.

Still confused? Then the only way to clear up your thoughts is to go and watch these two comedies which the Trafalgar Theatre Group is entering in this year's Drama Week, to be held at the Ince's Hall at the end of the month.

For info, detailed programme and ticket sales, watch out for the official poster or contact the Ministry for Culture, 310 Main Street, telephone 41687 or 48063.

She directs them to act like 60's retired gentlewomen and they direct her to meddle in a Renaissance girl's love life. Confused? You should be.

Marsdan as Juliat

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Smit/i -D(HTiaI A Remarkable Man

For many Victorians, war was a "glorious game" in which dashing young men fought gallantly, and by the most rigorous of gentlemanly rules,for queen and country. If they died, as alas they sometimes did, their scarlet tunics neatly hid the fact that their deaths involved the spilling of their blood. The mind less slaughter in the stinking Flanders mud changed all that.

Horace Smith-Dorrien's life army training camp, straddled both worlds. In 1885 His reforming zeal, first seen in he was on hand to shout the last his early crusade against corrupremained undiminished, and hurrah; at the Battle of Gennis tion, to see British soldiers fighting in red tunics for the last time. Thirty years later he was to witness the carnage at Mons, at Marne and at Ypres. But the road from Gennis to the trenches was itself long and bloody.

We think of "the Boer War" as a single event. In fact, hostilities between the British and the Boer settlers in South Africa {mainly Dutch, but with a sprinkling of French and German)erupted twice — first in 1880, and again in 1899. It is the second conflict that became generally known as the "Boer War".Smith-Dorrien was otherwise engaged during the first, but on October 31st 1899 he was sent to the Cape in time to play a full part in the second. In February 1900 he assumed command of 19 Brigade, and less than two weeks later was promoted to the rank of MajorGeneral. In battle after battle his actions were exemplary, and while the reputations of other British commanders were being torn to ribbons, his was one of the few not merely to survive the war, but to emerge enhanced.

In 1901 he returned to India to lead the 4th Division in Baluch istan as Adjutant General to his old friend Kitchener. Here his diplomatic skills proved equal to his military ones when he deftly avoided taking sides in an arcane military squabble between Kitch ener and Lord Curzon that is far too silly, a century and more later, to interest anyone at all,except pos sibly Major Humphrey BuffingtonBlitherwick (Retd) of Tunbridge Wells, who is not known to read this magazine.

By the early 1900s, Smith-Dorrien had seemingly spent half his life in the thick of it, with soldiers continually running around him screaming and firing their guns. Now came a period of rare tranquil lity. Swapping a plethora of exotic, if noisy, locales for the altogether more mundane surroundings of Aldershot, to became GCXI of the

he set about doing what he could to better the lives and conditions of the troops. His innovations ran the gamut from improved marksman ship training to enhanced sports facilities and,as is inevitable when ever the status quo is threatened even gently, his efforts attracted both praise and damnation. Most damnable, so far as establishment figures like Douglas Haig and Sir John French were concerned, were his views on the cavalry. SmithDorrien was perceptive enough to know that the cavalry, as he and his contemporaries had known it, was a spent force. While others imagined horsemen charging into war with sabres raised forever, Smith-Dorrien urged the army to buy machine-guns. He understood earlier than most that when his beloved Queen Victoria died, her world had died with her.

He was a persuasive man, un afraid to air his opinions, and his views often carried the day,though not without cost to his popularity in certain quarters. This may have been due to the soundness of his arguments and the eloquence of his advocacy, or it may have owed something to the vehemence of his tantrums. For despite his undeni able virtues, Horace was given to frequent bursts of rage. When these explosions came, his subordinates were reduced to scuttling invisibly for hours on end in whatever dark corners were available to escape the lash of his tongue and the flashing steel of his anger. Some blamed the pain from an old knee injury,but he had faced fiercer enemies than knee pain,and the most arthritic old lady manages to soldier on each day without kicking the cat. It is more likelv that since childhood he had

been used to getting his way, and he expected nothing less.

Annoying Haig, French and oth ers by consigning the cavalry to history and the novels of Georgette Heyer did not hinder Horace's progress overmuch. More promo tions followed,and on 10th August 1912 he became a full General.

Though a world died with Queen Victoria in 1901, it was possible for those who did not wish to believe it to cling to their nostalgic illusions for another thirteen years until, in 1914, such notions were finally extinguished. Not merely extinguished, but driven into the earth with such ferocity that no trace of them would ever rise again. World War 1,"the Great War", was 1 a tunnel of fire from which no-one

e.scaped unscathed, and those that did emerge coughing and retching on the other side found them selves lost and naked in another dimension as alien as the surface of Mars.

At first it seemed Smith-Dorrien would be little more than a specta tor. He was given command of the Home Defence Army, but things changed suddenly with the death of Sir James Grierson, commander of the British Expeditionary Force II Corps. Horace's friend Lord Kitch ener (soon to stare and point from the most famous recruiting poster of all lime) had risen to become Secretary of State for War. Against the wishes of Field Marshal Sir John French, who as we have seen had little time for him. Kitchener gave Grierson's job to Smith-Dorrien.

He was soon at the front again, fighting at Mons, Le Cateau, the Marne and the Aisne, where his troops frequently suffered heavy casualties. Simultaneously, the animosity between himself and Sir John French grew. He considered

He was a persuasive man,unafraid to air his opinions and his views often carried the day, though not without cost to his popularity

French arrogant and stupid(a view which Haig came to share), but French was his superior, and had the upper hand.

Things came to a head with the second Battle of Ypresin May 1915. French gave orders that Smith-Dorrien considered asinine. Heignored them and recommended instead a tactical withdrawal.French sacked him and replaced him with Herbert Plumer, his choice for the job from the start. The unfairness of this can be gauged from the fact thatPlumer immediately made the same rec ommendation, which French now instantly accepted. It was too much for Kitchener. He promptly dismissed French and gave his job to Douglas Haig,

French, as vindictive as he was occasionally stupid, later wrote a book in which he virulently attacked Smith-Dorrien who, as a serving soldier, was unable to reply.

Back in London, Smith-Dorrien kicked his heels until he was asked to go and fight the Germansin Ger man East Africa (now Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi). But on the way he fell ill with pneumonia and was unable to assume command. His military career effectively over, he returned home in January 1917 and was appointed lieutenant of the Tower of London.

He was 58 years old, and after a lifetime of almost constant combat a lesser man might have hung up his sword and devoted himself to feeding the ravens. But Horace found life dull without a challenge, and in July 1918, he moved on yet again. He became the Governor of Gibraltar.

It would be nice to say that this is where the story really starts, but despite holding office until May 1923, his time on the Rock was relatively uneventful. It might be imagined that a man whose first act on arrival was to close down the brothels would have been deeply unpopular with the troops,but this does not appear to be so. Autocratic he may have been, and his temper showed no sign of mellowing, but he was fair and decent, and the men knew it. And his celebrated impatience with foolish superiors can have done little damage to his reputation in the barracks.

After five quietly distinguished years, Horace left Gibraltar

in September 1923, retiring first to Portugal, and later to England. It would have been entirely out of character for this man of action to spend his twilight years growing roses and snoozing behind a wellthumbed copy of The Times,and it should come as no surprise that he filled his hours with more energy than many a man half his age. He and his wife, Olive (they married in 1902) devoted much time to the welfare of Great War veterans,and Horace still found enough to write his memoirs, which were published in 1925. Here he showed himself a greater and far more magnanimous man than his old advocate John French. Given at last the oppor tunity to extract revenge for the insulting inaccuracies in French's book, he did not do so. French was still alive, and he wished to spare his feelings. Indeed, when French died shortly after the publica tion of Smith-Dorrien's memoirs, Horace acted as a pallbearer at his funeral.

A year later he played himself in a film recounting the story of The Battle of Mons.

Horace Smith-Dorrien died in Chippenham, Wiltshire, on Au gust 12th 1930. This man who had survived a lifetime of fighting in conflicts that spanned the world finally met his death not at the hands of a determined enemy, nor as the result of debilitating disease. It took a car crash.

Oh — and that trivia question with which we began? The Ca nadian mountain, the Australian vineyard, the road in Leicester, the avenue in Gibraltar all named in his memory are self-explanatory. But John Betjeman?

In Chapter 3 of his blank-verse autobiography. Summoned By Bells, the poet wrote:

In late September, in the conker time. When Poperinghe and Zillebeke and Mons Boomed with five-nines, large sepia gravures Of French, Smith-Dorrien and Haig were given Gratis with each half-pound of Brooke Bond tea.

When Betjeman's book was published in 1960,Hor ace had been dead for 30 years. The sepia gravures had long since faded,the tea had long been drunk. But his name was still fresh. He would have liked that.

Autocratic lie may liave lieen,and tils temper showed no sign of mellowing,bnt he was fair and decent,and the men knew it

A Pen Awayfrom Sailing Dream

Browsing through the Gibraltar Chronicle one day Richard Benady's father noticed an article offering the chance for his son to sail on Gypsy Moth 4 around part of Australia. The Gypsy Moth was Sir Francis Chichester's yacht in which he circumnavigated the globe single-handedly in 1967. The United Kingdom Sailing Academy(UKSA)and a group of like minded businessmen bought and restored the Gypsy Moth 4 to recreate this voyage with a mix of youth and experience.

They apparently paid £1 and a Gin & Tonic for the yacht but whatever the price after restora tion the ground was laid and young people throughout Britain and beyond tried to earn a place on board with the help of a fund set up in memorial of a man called Steven Thomas.

Steven was part of the original idea but tragically died in an acci dent in Antarctica in January 2005. So to earn a placeon this prestigious trip all they had to do was send in an application and tell the Steven Thomas Bursary fund why they wanted to be part ofthe voyage and how it benefited them.

Many an article such as this has been read and discarded by the ever more pessimistic youth of today but notso Richard Benady who listened to his father and given his personal love of sailing from a very young age, submitted his application to the UKSA.All the applications were looked at in the UK and interest ingly Richard felt that if he was successful the trip would not only benefit him but the younger chil dren he sometimes teaches to sail herein Gibraltar at the USSC sailing club in 4Corners. It certainly struck a chord with the judges as Richard was one of the three people short listed from Gibraltar and luckily for Richard he was ultimately selected for the trip.

His leg was to take him from Cairns to Darwin around the Eastem coastline of the Northem Terri tory of Australia.After some sailing course work here in Gibraltar and a small four day course on the Isle of Wight, Richard, armed with a flight ticket and some spending money courtesy of the Gibraltar Govern ment and his mother left Gibraltar.

Passing through Gatwick, Heathrow, Singa pore, Darwin and finally Cairns the 24 plus hours travel was well worth it as a couple of days later he was on board and sail ing the Pacific ocean in a world famous yacht.

Life on board was very

1

different from at home. There was no fridge for example a detail that kept the authenticity of the trip alive for all on board. Some food

they took with them but they also caught their own fish and Richard recalls catching two huge Spanish mackerel one day.

The trip was definitely a once in a lifetime experience and his memories of it are as many as the stars he could see on those nights on watch shift.

"In Australia you can see millions of stars," he recalled "Ieven saw the Milky Way."

I wondered whathe had leamedfrom the trip.

"Well mostly teamwork and the ability to get along with a bunch of strangersin a confined space. There were six of ustwo girls and another guy around 18 years old. Then two older men who were the captain and sort of first mate if you like. 1 also became more environmentally aware because you have to bag your entire rubbish notjust discard it into the ocean.

"I remember visiting an island called Morris Island that had only one palm tree on it, totally unspoilt. Apparently British sailing ships during their voyages planted trees all over the place so thatif they were shipwrecked there would always be a means to make rope and fruit of some description to eat."

So if you ever wanted to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef instead of Little Bay,view giant turtles,sharks, giant clams and sea snakes; spend two and a half weekssailing aroxmd Australia in one of the most unspoilt parts of the world; see crocodiles, octopus and reputedly one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world then do as Richard did and go for it. At 16 could it get any better? I doubt it. All it took was a little time, thought and a pen and paper.

The enthusiasm was there to be heard and though he admitted he missed his family he also felt it was difficult to leave when his time came. 12,000 miles away from home and just the"best experience of my life. It has made me see things differently.I remem ber the Captain's words during one of the trips to an island, 'whenever we visit these places the only thing we should leave are our footprints and the only thing we should take are photographs,' nice that."

At16 could it gotany betterP

doubtIt. Ail it took was a iittie time, tbougbtand a pen and paper

Saturday 28th October •4th November David Gilson - Cathedral Organist daily on the king of instruments "an orchestra of 2400 pipes" 12-1pm except Sunday as part of Arts Credo 2006 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Free.

Monday 30th October •3rd November

Daily face painting as part of art experi ence programme by well know local party organisers. 10.30-12, 2-3.30pm. Register to reserve a place on 76183 - part of Arts Credo 2006 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.

Wednesday 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd,29th

Talk on Foods and their Healing Power at John Mackintosh Hall - Lecture Room 7pm to 10.30pm. Entrance free.

Wednesday 1st

Organ and Piano Recital featuring Alessandro Orsaria - Bologna (organist)and Aaron Monteverde (pianist) as part of Arts Credo 2006 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity 8pm-9.30pm with interval. Free.

Name-a-Saint phone in broadcast live from the Chancel Steps with the Dean and Precentor 10-11am 6 4-5pm as part of Arts Credo 2006 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.

Thursday 2nd Gibraltar National Choir in concert with the Danza Academy as part of Arts Credo 2006 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity 8pm-9.30pm with interval. Free.

Friday 3rd

Jazz Concert a first in the fabulous Cathe dral setting by the Gibraltar Jazz Society as part of Arts Credo 2006 at the Cathedral

of the Holy Trinity 8pm-10pm with inter val. Free.

Saturday 4th Rock concert featuring live music in the Ca thedral-don't missafirsti Tickets£4(13-f) 8pm -10pm vflth interval at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity as part of Arts Credo.

Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th

Religious art competition ages 4-12 entry forms from Early Learning Centre, ages 13-19 entry forms from Terry's Art Shop. Judging 4th, awards presentation 5th, as part of Arts Credo 2006 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.

Monday 6th to Friday 10th

Watercoiour exhibition by Chritiane Fagan "Watercolour Painting of Gibraltar/Soldier Horses" at John Mackintosh Hall. For info Tel: 75669. Entrance free

Friday 10th 6Saturday 11th

Alegro Music Production — "Gibraltar Festival for Young Musicians" —at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre. Friday 4-8pm and Saturday 10am-8pm.The Gala Perfor mance is on Wednesday 22nd November from 7.30pm -10.30pm. Tel: 76150 for information.

What's On (>-Pcm l^c/

Saturday 11th

Armistice Day at House of Assembly 11am. Contact HQBF 53624 for info.

Sunday 12th

Remembrance Sunday - Cross of Sacrifice 12.00 noon. Contact HQBF Tel: 53624 for info.

GONHS-Outing - Upper Rock tree planting meet Jews'Gate. Led by John Cortes Sam. Tel: John Cortes Tel: 72639 or Bob Wheeler Tel: 78322 email: jcortes(§)gonhs.org

Monday 13th to Friday 17th

Watercolour Exhibition by James Foot at John Mackintosh Hall. Entrance free. Tel: 76669

Tuesday 14th

GONHS Monthly Meeting - The Natural History of the Alameda Gardens by John Cortes (General Secretary - GONHS 6 Di rector - Gibraltar Botanic Gardens)at John Mackintosh Hail - Charles Hunt Room.Tel: 72639/76818 Email jcortes@gonhs.org

The Gibraltar Philharmonic Society Violin Recital - Sergei Krylov violin Tatiana Postnikova (pianoforte)at The Convent.Tickets available from Solomon Levy - Convent

V i I V e r s hb p

Place ft Sacarello Coffee Shop,Irish Town. For info and credit/debit card purchase contact Angelo Tel: 72134

Friday 17th 6 Saturday 18th

Stylos Dance Academy Choreography Festival at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre. Contact Lilian Montero 42896

Saturday 18th

Gibraltar Heritage Trust visit to the King's Chapel led by Pepe Rosado. Meet King's Chapel 10.30am. Gibraltar Heritage Trust Tel: 42844

Gibraltar Botanic Garden Tour meet George Don Gates (at the south end of Grand Parade) 10.30 am. No fee but donations welcome. Tel: 72639 Email alameda@ wildlife.gib.gi

Thursday 23rd b Friday 24th

Gibraltar Bird Breeders Association Live Birds Exhibition at John Mackintosh Hall. Contact 56175000 Email: peter@alcomdata.com

Thursday 23rd

Gibraltar Museum talk by Geraldine Rnlayson "Llevame Donde Naci" poems, prose and promises at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre 8.30 pm. Entrance free

Sunday 26th

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

November-5th December

Tuesday 28th

Gibraltar Amateur Drama Festival. For a full programme • Ministry of Culture Tel: 48063 Email: minculture@gibtelecom.net

4

silver & cubic /jrconlum necklace & earrings £64

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Gibraltar as much as it helped Spain. Franco's era was on its way out — though not yet completely eclipsed—and atlocal government level, in the Campo, there was a similar sense of urgency," he recalls. "The eagerness of all three parties was almost tangible."

Though Reyes did not regard it as a drawback,or go so far as to de scribe his approach as 'autocratib — a view that not all observers will share — he stresses Sir Joshua's reputation as "the Octopus".

"He enjoyed having a finger in every pie," Reyes recalls. But then the same can be said of Sir Joshua's successors — Sir Robert (Bob) Peliza, the present Opposi tion leader Joe Bossano and Peter Caruana.

"They all come in proclaiming their policy of giving free rein to their ministers to take decision... but it doesn't last for long," he chuckles and the laughter is re flected in sparkling hazel eyes. "Pretty soon everything comesback to decisions at, and by. No 6."

A Civil Service

As personal secretary to two successive Deputy Governors and, in the past ten years as Clerk to the House of Assembly, Dennis Reyes — who retired in September after a distinguished Civil Service career — has been party to some of the most memorable moments in Gibraltar's recent history.

In his early years at the head of the Assembly's small staff Reyes was, perforce, a reluctant eaves dropper on the plans and strate gies of joe Bossano's Opposition party which at that stage had no offices of its own and often held its caucus meetingsin the larger of the Assembly's two offices.

"I heard a lot, but said nothing," Reyes told me recently.

It was a reticence that he had learned earlier when as secre tary to Foreign Office appointees Dick Neilson and John Broadley as successive deputy governors — Reyes became subject to the Of ficial Secrets Act for he was party to many of the triangular discus sions leading to the opening of the frontier...

"But, as on other occasions, I was a little pawn... very much in the know,but I couldn't talk about what I knew," he says ofthis period in a Civil Service career that has spanned more than three decades.

And though Reyes has a reputa tion for outspokenness that has not alwaysendeared him to colleagues in the Rock's bureaucracy or to some of our politicians whom he has helped over procedural hurdles

in the House of Assembly, some of that ingrained reserve remains. For,above all Reyes — who retired earlier this month — is the epitome of tact.

Greying-haired and soft-spoken, he was an unlikely candidate for the wrath of any Chief Minister so his widely publicised contretemps with Peter Caruana in the House of Assembly last year surprised every one — including Reyes himself.

"It was a momentof stupidity on my part... and a moment I would prefer to forget," he admits."But it had been a bad day in the House... the Speaker had had a bad day... in fact it was a bad day for every one." Tactfully we turn back to the opening of the frontier and Sir Joshua Hassan — for whom Reyes confesses affection and consider able respect.

"I'm a great admirer," he says. "Sir Joshua was not only a very astute politician, he was also very

much a man of the people, in the best possible sense. He had a mar velous capacity of remembering people's personal details — the sort of man who would walk down Main Street and stop to talk to a street cleaner, asking him how his wife was.'I've heard she wasn't too well recently,' he would say. Or he would stop and chat to a grand mother and congratulate her on the birth of her latest grandchild."

Sir Joshua, as the then Chief Minister, played a significant part in the discussion surrounding the opening of the frontier and Reyes reckons that throughout the highly secret negotiations both Sir Joshua and the Spanish brought with them a sense of urgency.

"After 18 years that the border had been closed Gibraltar seemed to be stagnant and Sir Joshua was determined to bring about a revival — for one must remember that opening the frontier benefited

Reyes cut his Civil Service teeth in the Tax Office, where he started his career in May 1965, and later moved from there to become Civil Service Training Officer — a post he filled with distinction for five years. In this role he was not only responsible for all the induction courses for newcomers to the Civil Service, but held and organized training sessions across the board within the service to mid-manage ment level. He mourns the disap pearance of this post — which he views as important to inculcating the sort of dedication weexpect,but don't always get,from Government employees.The post"disappeared" during the Bossano regime for the former trade unionist was "no lover of the Civil Service", Reyes admits wryly.

As well as his spell in the Deputy Governor's office and a return to the Tax Office, Reyesfinally moved to the Financial & Development Secretary's staff "where I thoughtI would probably end my career."

Instead,when a vacancy as Clerk ofthe House occurred ten yearsago, Reyes applied for thejob.It also cast him in the role of returning officer for several elections — the first in the by-election of 1999 — and he was also referendum Administra tor in the watershed referendum of 2002 as well as handling the European Parliamentary elections — again a first for the Rock.

These "firsts" for a Gibraltarian give Reyes a particular sense of pride, he admits. For he sees them as among the highlights of his career.

"In the 1967 referendum Britain dearly regarded us as incapable

"as on other occasions,1 was a little pawn...very mnch In the know,hut I conmn'ttalk ahont what I knew..."

of running something like that ourselves and sent someone out from the UK to administer it/' he says. And again he chuckles as he recalls, with justifiable pride, the fact that in all the elections which he has supervised only one ballot paper has ever been lost.

"That was in the 2002 refer endum and when I found out, I immediately reported it to Gerald Kauffman the senior British Labour MP who had been sent out as a senior observer of the process. He was astonished that 1 mentioned it at all, and told me that in British elections literally hundreds of bal lot papers went missing each time. 'Don't bother to report it,' Kauff man advised me... but 1 did." And those who recognize Reyes' deep integrity will not be surprised that he did so.

"1 can't say for sure what hap pened to that missing ballot,though probably someone decided to keep it as a souvenir of what, after all, was to be a historic occasion — or itmighthavejustbeen thoughtless ness on the part of an elderly voter who forgot to put it in the ballot box, crumpled it up and put it in his or her pocket instead. Unfortu nately, we'll never know."

And his skills as a returning of ficer and Referendum Administra tor are such that although he has officially retired, Reyes has been asked to take on the cloak of author ity for a final time to administer the referendum on the new constitution when it is held later this year.

As Clerk of the House Reyes has seen "major transformations' dur ing his decade in office. As well as

the "much needed" major refur bishment ofthe Assembly premises

— "It must be the only parliamen tary building in the world that has two commercial cafes or restaurants on its ground floor," he points out — there have been major changes in the production of Hansard (the parliamentary record) and of vari ous booklets which the House staff produce in situ.

"Things have moved quickly in a very short time," he says, and though the House of Assembly is "not unique in this respect", the changes have been significant. Computerisation has both eased and speeded up the work of the House's small staff, and during Reyes'term has made it possible to provide a full index of all questions — making these and the ministerial answers swiftly accessible for the first time.

"Before we produced the index one could spend hours oreven days trying to track down a question and the answers to it," he adds.And,as well as the technical changes, he also believes that the standard of debate and the level ofspeeches has improved.He is too tactful,though, to say whom the better speakers are or have been.

"What will I do in retirement? I don't really know." A smile lights up his face. "All my life I've been too busy to develop any hobbies or outside interests. and I shall cer tainly spend time on all the books that 1 have bought but haven't man aged to read. But I don't intend to be a couch potato — I'm sure that I will find something interesting to do."

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War to End All Wars".

As in previous years, the occa sion will be marked with a short ceremony at the Lobby of the House of Assembly. Here memo rials are found commemorating the names of those Gibraltarians who gave up their lives in the wars. The two-minute silence will be marked by the firing of a gun by the Royal Gibraltar Regiment at 11.00 hrs. Buglers will then sound The Last Post and wreaths will be laid.

His Worship the Mayor, the Hon.Qive G Beltran, will be lead ing the ceremony. Guards ofHon our will be provided by the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, the Royal British Legion Gibraltar Branch and by local War Veterans.

Reyes has been asked to take on the cloak of authority for a final time to administer the referendum on the new constitution when it is held later this year

Greetings- Hallmark Is back

Hallmark cards were originally named after the company's founder, Joyce Hall, in 1910 — and now they are back on the Rock.

"We've got over 600 different Christmas card designs alone," said Stephanie Lima-Hinchliffe, who has taken over the distribution of Hallmark products in Gibraltar.

The shop is in the same place as the previous Hallmark premises at John Mackintosh Square, which is not only as central as you can get but means you don't have to remember where it is.

Stephanie told me that as well as cards for every social situation, there are also such things as party invitations, wedding stationery,gift wrapping paper — and soft toys.

The toys at the moment are the Forever Friends range, which is Hallmark's own famous brand of teddy bears. In future Stephanie hopes to have a good choice of small stocking filling toys and small games as well.

"At the moment," she said,"we are selling mainly Hallmark prod ucts, which are very timely with Christmas just around the corner. Soon we will be adding a range of party table wear — things such as cups, paper plates and themed paper products for both children and adults, in fact everything to make parties go with a swing. We will also have new lines and stock arriving throughout the year and will be catering for every season and special day with the latest lines and fashions as well as some newinnovative ideas and products for the Rock,"

Apparently Hallmark does not insist that their retailers stock solely Hallmark goods so Stephanie will be adding other makes to the shop's attractions.

"But," she emphasised, "every thing we introduce will be up to the same high quality standards of Hallmark and will, where pos sible, be the latest things available to consumers."

She told me that Hallmark has been very helpful, and even sent one of their men over last month to help set the shop up, "Their support and infrastructure is the market leader and it is great to have thatsupport and expertise on hand," she said.

The shop has been totally mod ernised and revamped. Stephanie has made some worthwhile im provements, which give the shop a cleaner less cluttered look."We've made the aisles wider, which is not only more comfortable for shop-

hcMHIeinside 019

d r

pers but also means pushchairs and wheelchairs can fit in effortlessly."

She also told me that the shop front now has double doors to allow easy access for wheelchair users, If only everyone thought like that.

Stephanie is also working on an innovation, to be introduced next year — individually-designed bespoke wedding stationery."Weddings are so important to people in Gibraltar," she said."So we'll soon be able to produce special designs according to individual tastes. Most weddings are in the spring and summer, so we're hoping to have that service up and running by then."

Missouri, and is the largest manu facturer of greeting cards in the United States. Approximately 50% of greeting cards sent in the United States every year are manufactured by Hallmark. The cards and other products are translated into more than 30 languages and are popular in over 100 countries

When young Mr Joyce Hall started in 1910 at the age of 18, he was simply selling postcards, but by 1915 the company was known as Hall Brothers and had added Valentine's Day and Christmas cards to its lines. Then, in 1917, Hall and his brother Rollic invented modern gift wrapping paper when they ran out of traditional colored tissue paper.

In 1928, the company adopted the name "Hallmark", after the hallmark symbol of quality used by goldsmiths in London from the 14th century on,and began printing the name on the back of every card and promoting it in advertising campaigns,a practice the company continues to the present day.

And it was in 1944 that it adopted its current slogan,"When you care enough to send the very best," which was created by a salesman at a meeting. The cocktail napkin on which it was originally handwritten is on display at the company head quarters. in 1951, Hall sponsored a television program for NBC that gave rise to the Hallmark Hall of Fame, which has won 78 Emmy Awards.

It wasn't until 1954 that the com pany name waschanged from Hall Brothers to Hallmark.

Hallmark's greetings business now has 18,000 employees in the US, of which no less than 800 are designers artists, stylists, writ ers, editors and photographers. Together they generate more than 19,000 new and redesigned greeting cards and related products per year. The company has more than 48,000 products in its model line at any one time, which should be enough for anyone

A major success story. Hallmark Cards is a privately owned Ameri can company based in Kansas City,

So, now you know the back ground as well as the foreground. The new bright and airy Hallmark shop is unmissable in John Mackin tosh Square;and is open from 10am to6pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays.The telephone number for any enquiry is 79500 or you can email to stelagreet® gibtelecom.net

"We've made the aisles wider, which is not only more comfertahie for shoppers hut also means pushchairs and wheelchairs can fit in effortiessiy."

Who Caresfor the OarerP

There are surgical wards for people requiring surgery, geriatric wards for the sick elderly and paediatric wards for sick children. Hospital admissions are traumatic for both the patient and family. It can become even more stressful if the patient is transferred to other hospitals such as Cadiz or the UK.These are wonderful hospi tals with state of the art facilities but the distance from a loved one is a great source of stress. Trying to hold yourself and your family together with the demands of work,schools and normal life in general makes you think that the pillars of Hercu les should be in your living room.

There are many services, profes sionals and facilities for the care of the injured,sick and infirm but who cares for the carer? Indeed why should the carer need caring for?

The short answer is that we are all human and none of us has all the answers, limitless strength, boundless patience and endless resources to deal with life's battles and storms. A particularly difficult area of healthcare in this respect is Mental Healthcare.

The symptoms and causes are

not always as obvious as a broken leg or a fever with a time line for treatment and eventual reha bilitation. Mental illnesses such as Alzheimer's Disease (Dementia), or Schizophrenia can be long term and degenerative illnesses. Tragi cally this can be a very slow torture

for the people that love them, but remember these are still the same people whether they remember you or not, whether they talk to you or not or whether they are aggressive to you or not.

"They are also frightened by what is happening to them and the

by Jenny Ndiweni

unfamiliarity of the people and sur roundings. Notwithstanding every human being can feel the warmth of genuine love and affection even if they do not recognise who it is com ing from so do not hold back.

There is still a lot of stigma attcTched to Mental Illness and Mental Institutions. The facilities are fore boding, not to protect society from the mentally ill but rather to protect them from society. Many times I have walked down Main Street seeing people back away from these 'slightly odd people'or poke fun at them just to laugh at the torrent of abuse that is guaranteed to follow. The stigma should not be attached to mental illness but more to how general society treats people with mental illness.

As carer, it is important to re member that your relative is receiv ing the best professional care for their particular illness and that you are developing the best possible coping strategies. Everyone would like to think, in the case of parents, that as they loved and looked after you as a child when you were vul nerable, you would do the same for them as they become elderly and infirm. In the case of children, that they would receive unconditional love and support for as long as you draw breath. Ideally both of these commitments would be met with life long gratitude. I am afraid that for the vast majority of us the reality is rather different

Even though the staff of the GHA Mental Health department are very hard working committed professionals the trauma of seeing your relative admitted to a Mental Health facility is emotionally shat tering. Feelings of guilt for not fulfilling the promise you made to yourself, feelings of anger toward the relative for developing such an illness and the guilt that goes with that, and fear that you might develop the same illness later in life. Anger at the hospital and staff for being necessary.

none of us has ail the answers,limitless strength,houndiess patience and endless resonrces to deal with iilo's battles and storms

There is also premature bereave ment because the strong vibrant person that you have grown up with is disappearing before your very eyes or grief at the loss of a promising future and the fading of future dreams.

Sometimes these emotions can produce very aggressive behaviour bordering on abuse towards the staff of the facility, who in fact care very deeply about all of the patients in their care.One also has to be care ful not to alienate other members of the family who may wish to help but do not quite know how to.

Mental Illness affects people from all strata of society and re spects no cultural boundaries. It should come as no surprise that the treatment tends to be the same no matter where you are from — all that changes is the brand name on the bed linen and the flowers in the foyer.

What I am really getting at is that in all situations the patient is well looked after and catered for whereas the relatives are not.

Think about yourself for a while, guilt free. Are your thoughts and emotions going round in a mael strom of confusion? Counselling can take you out of the storm and allow you time and non-judge mental support to work together to rationalise and separate the emotions from the reality.

There may be past issues that you have always wanted to deal with but with the onset of mental illness you will not now be able to. Perhaps an older relative was not as loving and supportive as they could have been when you were young and now you resent having to care for them. Perhaps you have a business empire and only one

heir who is mentally ill, or feel that your child will not manage to look after themselves or you as the years advance. All these issues must be identified and dealt with.

People with mental health prob lems are not bad people but they are vulnerable human beings with a different perception of and a differ ent angle on the world and reality.

With the use of various bio-psy cho-social models counselling can be tailor -made to reduce the impact and continued trauma that mental health issues have on a family, pro moting a much more productive re lationship between the patient and family, notwithstanding between the family and other relatives.Fam ily breakdowns and feuds are very destructive and very long lasting and hopefully avoidable, at least on this issue.

As a registered nurse and coun sellor 1 have seen the effects on relatives when dealing with mental health issues over many years in mental healthcare and nursing and have lifted the veil on mental ill ness for many relatives, providing emotional relief to many strained family relationships. 1 often say "There is no mystery to therapy. It is a case of having the ability and training to untangle balls of emo tional spaghetti without breaking any strands."

Sometimes the emotions and reactions tied to an event such as a hospital admission to a mental health facility seems dispropor tionate, but just as a single oil well releases the pressure of a vast sub terranean oil field, the admission can release a multitude of other issues. I am there to offer a life line to those who are struggling in the emotional tempest.

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The Essential Services 60km Charity Walk took place last month, with approximately 60 people tak ing part from Gibraltar's Essential Services and their families.

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with rest stops at Ventas along the way.

Organised by Sgt. Fields of the Royal Gibraltar Police the walk was a tough challenge but worthwhile, and was helped on the day by very good weather. The walk started at 7.20 am and ended at 6pm in Casemates Square.

Primary Care Centre, Mc Fridays between 2pm and 4pi:^ The vaccines will be administer^^ at the Treatment Room. ^ Individuals who have prevM ously received the vaccine maf* attend without prior appoii^i ment. Individuals who have nla previously been vaccinated shou^ make an appointment with th^ G.P. who will then refer to tl®' vaccination clinic.

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Homeopathic Remedies arnicoy

the cells and promotes healing. Mountain goats eat this plant after sustaining falls or other injuries.

The central idea for the use of arnica is trauma,soreness to the touch is also a central theme.

I recommend that everyone should have arnica at home in various potencies, such as 30C, 200C and IM (in Spain you have to add an "H", for example 30CH, to obtain it from the pharmacies). Higher potencies are used for more sever injuries, but any potency you have will serve.

Arnica is often called the boxer's remedy. This is a very good description as it is good for all sorts of blows and should be the first homeopathic remedy given in any trauma. It calms

In Spain you can obtain arnica from any pharmacy, which is the only place to get homeopathic rememdies from in that country. Otherwise it can be obtained by mail from Helios or Ainsworths in the UK, links to which can be found on my website www. homeopathy.euni.org.

by Ken Oftedal BSc, MAEHU

the UN asindependent states did not apply to Gibraltar's application as it was made before that particular rule was introduced.

"Anyway, that rule has already been bent several dmes in favour of smaller associations," Bubi points out. Initially the main thrust of Gibraltar's application, which he and the GFA president Joe Nunez have spearheaded from the outset, was to develop football locally and improve levels of football.

"However,now we have our own leagues — there are seven big clubs, five of which play in the premiership — as a UEFA member we could con sider entering European preliminary rounds or join in amateur and junior foreign competitions. That creates a new scenario and certainly estab lishes new and stronger incentives for youngsters to become players."

Bubi Optimistic on UEFA Bid

When the executive committee of UEFA met in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana early in October, the Rock's footballers thought the final barrier had been crossed in their prolonged attempt to join Europe's controlling soccer body. Instead, a final bid by Madrid to block the Gibraltar Football Association's ap plication succeeded... and it came as a shock.

Returning from the UK on crutches after a painful operation on both hips — the result of injuries sustained as a soccer and basketball player—it was the last thing Albert(Bubi) Buhagiar wished to hear after years of personal effort and protracted legal wrangling to achieve the goal of UEFA mem bership. But that is what the vicepresident of the Gibraltar Football Association faced — a last-minute ploy by Spain's Football Federation to postpone the Rock's provisional membership of UEFA and the final step that should have opened the door to full membership of the body early next year.

And "Bubi",as he is known to ev eryone in Gibraltar sport, is furious — not only about the deviousness of the Spanish body,but the fact that UEFA "has not yet had the courtesy to tell us why provisional member ship has been postponed...even though our entry has been ordered by the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS)."

"What we know are only the stories we have read in the Spanish press," Bubi tells me when we meet in the garrison-walls office of the cleaning company he started after leaving the MoD nearly 15 years ago. A gallery of team photographs,fam ily portraits,and a large pastel oftwo of his daughters dominate the walls and a clutter of sporting memorabilia

share shelves with ledgers..

Bubi's blue eyes flare as he con templates what he sees as UEFA's du plicity and the fact that the powerful soccer body has caved in to Spanish pressure for an undisclosed reason.

"At first we understood that Spain's objection wason the grounds that our pitches and soccer facilities were not up to standard — which if it were the case(and here we differ) is something which funds from UEFA when we're admitted to membership would help rectify.

"Then the nexttale we hear — and again from the Spanish media — is that they are objecting because our sportsstadium is built on the isthmus and is thus on disputed territory that belongs to Spain. 1 ask you!" His eye brows raise in mock horror at what is clearly a ridiculous situation. "And from Lars Chrisfer Olsson [UEFA's chief executivel what do we hear... a deafening silence."

Nevertheless, the GFA vice-presi dent is optimistic about the eventual outcome of Gibraltar's application.

"I've always been optimistic because I believe we have a very strong case

and I am convinced we will win."

But first there will be UEFA's double-standards to overcome.

"The fact that we have to be grant ed provisional membership before at taining full membership is part of the procedure, so we are not concerned about that," he says. "Provisional first is how it's done,and that's then ratified and full membership granted by the full UEFA Congress.

"But what is so amazing — and upsetting — is that when there are disputes between players or clubs or even countries in European soccer, the UEFA executive insist that they use CAS to settle their differences. Yet, where Gibraltar is involved, they constantly have broken their own rules and in this instance have refused to abide by a CAS judgment in our favour."

Following a long legal battle by the GFA, CAS recently ordered UEFA's executive "to admit the Gibraltar Football Association to provisional membership at its next meeting."

And it sided with Gibraltar's argu ment that a rule granting member ship only to countries recognized by

Bubi's enthusiasm for sport began as a schoolboy after private schools education on the Rock which ended at St Jago's "which I loved". In the late 1970s and early '80s he played for St Joseph's before joining Man chester United the local team named for its UK counterpart, a club which he still enthusiastically supports — watching their games whenever he visits Britain.

Later as president of the local club and a keen manager trainer, "1 took a talented young Gibraltarian player across to the UK and Man U actually signed him on... but it didn't last. He didn't have the attitude. To be a success in professional football nowadays, a youngster has to live and breathe soccer... The clubs in Britain want nothing else; but in Gibraltar boys start thinking about girlfriends early on and by the time they're 15 or 16 football is no longer the love of their life,"

As a player, Bubi's preferred posifion was centre-half. "I was a lazy soccer player and didn't care much for the fairly arduous training sessions which we were expected to attend in those days. There was a lot of running through the streets — which I didn't like. And on the pitch, 1 would much rather stand back and watch what was going on ahead — and then respond to defend if necessary," he chuckles.

It was during one of those reluc tantly-attended training sessions that he first injured a knee — an injury that worsened and eventually forced him out of soccer as a player. But he still retained his close ties with, and membership of, Manchester United where his enthusiasm for the "beau tiful game" pitch-forked him onto the club's committee in 1982 and eventually into its presidency "Tor so many years that I can't actually remember."

Deprived of active soccer Bubi turned to basketball which he played until he was 34... in the process seri ously injuring his knee again and then damaging both his hips-hence the recent visit to the UK to have the

"I've always been optimistic because I believe we have a very strong case and I am convinced we will win."

hips "resurfaced" — which is a new technique that he expects will allow him to discard the present brace of crutches "in the next week or so."

It was as president of the local club that Bubi became involved in the CPA when the then existing execu tive walked out en masse following friction with the clubs.

"We as clubs were faced with the dilemma that someone had to run football in Gibraltar. Each of the clubs was represented but we had to find someone totally independent to become president. It was an uphill struggle to persuade Joe Nunez to take on the task, but he eventually did and has been a terrific president. Bubi became general secretary and then vice-president — in both roles playing a leading part in the drive to gain UEFA acceptance.

But he admits to taking these sorts of battles in his stride, having cut his teeth as a trade unionist and shop steward during the 15 years he worked for the MoD — which he joined after nine years as a dental technician, his chosen path after leaving school.

"Being a dental technician was poorly paid and in those days there

were better wages to be earned in the Dockyard." He joined the MoD as a stores assistant and was eventually promoted to the job of stores officer where he was in charge of the arma ments depot for 15 years.

"But I was bit of a lefty and when I became a shop steward and later MoD union convenor,the authorities couldn't quite reconcile the fact that 1 would put my responsibilities to my members before my job," he recalls.

"They were never actual hostile to trade union membership, but the pressures became intense and I even tually left for medical reasons."

Here his trade union activities served him ill, for where other employees suffering from tensions and pressures were 'invalided out' with comfortable disability benefits he was not.

But though it took him two years to recover from his MoD experiences, Bubi is resilient and he bounced back to start his cleaning firm which now employs 16 staff"doing almost every type of cleaning including chimneysweeping."

He is, in fact, a fighter—just what Gibraltar needs to continue to take on UEFA.

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Gibraltar Posting was Lucky Break

Junior reporter Alan Moorehead was certainly in the right place at the right time — Gibraltar.

Moorehead, who would go on to become a famous war corre spondent was a young man in his twenties when he sailed from his native Australia to London in hopes of finding work as a journalist. His ambition was to be a foreign corre spondent for a major newspaper.

Before applying for a job Moore head traveled around the conti nent to gain some life experienc. He celebrated his 26th birthday, 22nd July 1936, in Paris where he watched Josephine Baker dance in her famous 'banana' girdle at the Folies' Bergere. He took in the 'Nazi' Olympic Games at Berlin before returning to London where a friend introduced him to, Arthur Christiansen, an editor of the Daily Express owned by Lord Beaverbrook.

In his biography of Moorehead, Tom Pocock wrote: "Christiansen, knowing Beaverbrook's liking for keen young men from the frontiers of the Empire, greeted Moorehead warmly. There were no staff jobs available, he said,but he could offer temporary work,"

The big story of the day was the Spanish Civil War.

That was being covered by senior staff reporters but Christiansen liked to keep reporters just off stage and there was an opening at Gibraltar. He offered Moorehead the job on a retainer of £5 a week and expenses. Two weeks later the inexperienced lad from Down Under was checking into the smart new Rock Hotel.

Initially Moorehead found little to do in Gibraltar.

He met government officials and officers of the garrison and "...walked endlessly up and down the narrow length of Main Street, noisy each night with the blare of flamenco musicfrom gramophones playing in shops and brass bandsin the bars; he scanned the bare hills across the bay through binoculars for signs of war."

Then on 30th May, a Sunday, Moorehead got his big break when a pale-grey warship steamed slowly into the harbour.

She was the German battleship Deutschland and she had been given permission to dock at Gibraltar

to offload her dead and receive medical attention for her wounded. The Deutschland had been bombed while lying off Ibiza and twentythree of her crew had been killed and another eighty-three were wounded.

It was not known if the Deutsch land had been giving covert aid to Franco's Nationalist army or if she had been bombed in a case of mistaken identity but Moorehead had his first big story.

The next morning the headline 'Nazi Battleship Bombed'stretched across the top of the front page of the Daily Express and on page two there was a report from Gibraltar by a'Daily Express Correspondent'. Newspapers were very miserly with bylines in those days.

In his book Pocock recorded that the text, "...was largely couched in the sub-editors'journalese but a few descriptive touches suggested that its original author had been an eye-witness. Enough remained to convince Moorehead that the way to success in journalism lay as much in descriptive writing as in the delivery of hard news",

In London Christiansen was im pressed with the young reporters 'fresh' eye so when Deutschland's sister ship Graf Spee bombarded Valencia in retaliation Moorehead was ordered to go there and report. The only transport Moorehead could find, however, was a tramp steamer and he arrived too late for the main story.

Buthe wasnow firmly entrenched

in the job and was assigned to sail around the Mediterranean and investigate blockade running by the Russians (for the Republicans) and the Italians and Germans (for the Nationals).

fMoorehead had spent six months in Gibraltar learning his craft and from there he never looked back. During World War II he won an international reputation for his cov erage of campaigns in the Middle East, Asia, the Mediterranean and Europe. He was twice mentioned in dispatches and was awarded an OBE. He also became a successful author with his books Gallipoli, The White Nile, The Blue Nile, The Traitors, The Russian Revolu tion and a biography of General Montgomery.

Gallipoli, released in 1956, re ceived unprecedented critical ac claim, won the Sunday Times gold medal and was the first recipient of the Duff Cooper Memorial Award* (see below) and the presentation was made by Winston Churchill.

Moorehead visited Gibraltar again during World War II. He reacquainted himself with the Rock Hotel and was given a personal tour ofthe tunnels by the Governor, General Mason-MacFarlane. After the war he became a celebrity in his own right and hob-nobbed with the likes ofErnest Hemingway,Charles Laughton, P.G. Wodehouse and the cartoonist Charles Addams. He confessed that his social life had "a whiff of F. Scott Fitzgerald" about it.

Alan Moorehead was born in Melbourne in 1910. He married Lucy Milner in October 1939 and they had two sons and a daughter. Lucy was killed in 1980 when the car she was driving in Orbetello, Italy was hit by a lorry. Moorehead was in the passenger seat at the time. He was unharmed except for a mild concussion but he had suf fered a stroke a few years earlier and after Lucy's death his health deteriorated. He died in London on September 29th 1983.

* Alfred Duff Cooper, 1st Viscount Norwich(February 22,1890 - January 1,1954),known as DuffCooper, was a British diplomat. Cabinet member and acclaimed author.

Alan Moorehead

Two weeks later the inexperienced iad from Down Under was checking inte the smart new Rock Hetei

Q:

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

Legends on the Rock

LORD NGLSON CASEMATeS

Starters & Snacks

FVesli Local Vliisseis Beef In Special Sauce £5.25

Our Signature Dish £5.95 TfndiTUiir-iuflM-trnndfn'^hvrjtflnble*

Krv*li niiiMi'ls in h white wine, giuiie. iiml ii i" "»e ehtT* speeial prn>> vremn smiee. served with i-risp) bread Also CalatllflrCS £4 25 tivnilnlile ns ii main emirse Htillereil s«|iiid Imd The Classic Bruachella £2.75

\ dieev ol eriM'Inndell eiubatin bread, ,\llIieja.S - Babv OaniS X4.95 topped with Innuilnes,(Uii'lii' iind fn-sh basil Ceded in a iinriie and while wine stuiiT

Blue Cheese & Rocket Monlatiilo •...£2.00

Bruschella £5 15 ^'"'"^••'"''^'■''"'""■"'''^rennptvrknilel

Gibraltar hit the world stage last month for charity. I say the world stage because the following night on national television John Barnes, ex- England and Liverpool midfield footballer mentioned he'd been playing in Gibraltar the night before. I think he felt proud actually having played at such a venue as the Victoria stadium, the Rock behind it and a Monarch jet taxi-ing less than 100 metres away from the Liverpool goal. Which though unusual, not unusual enough to put Liverpool legendary goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelar off his game as the Gibraltar 'legends'team, or 'Rock 11' as they were billed, failed to score.

Liverpool trotted home worthy 20 winners but the Rock 11 did them selves very proud indeed and nearly scored on several occasions. Marvin Cartwri^ht and Paul Lyon were both superb in goal for Gibraltar stopping a couple of certain strikes each half with aplomb.The rest of the lads did well too, Chiqui Fava a lone figure up front showed that being an ex rugby player has it's advantages when facing Phi! Neal, John Wark and Gary Gillespie at the back for Liverpool. Another light Colin Ramirez as always showed some of the skill that made him a first call up in whatever team he played.

All in all the full stadium enjoyed anevening'sentertainment, RBSand the other sponsors, of which there were many, enjoyed dinner after wards at the casino with the players and an auction of memorabilia.

Well done to Dennis and Christian

U (^t(kc Ea.r6/^

The fir-St Annual General Meet ing of Triads of the Earth Gibral tar will be held on Thursday 9th November at 8pm in the Charles Hunt Room of the John Mackin tosh Hall. All members should aim to go along as important items are up for discussion. If you want to submit an item or nominate someone for an elective post(Co ordinator, Secretary or Treasurer) please contact Friends of the Earth Gibraltar,33 Marina Court, Glacis Road Tel: 77655. There is also a social evening and dinner on

Santos ofSantos Productions as well as Chiqui Fava who between them came up with the idea. Well done to the Liverpool Legends who came, played with such great spirit and en thusiasm being mobbed everywhere they went. Finally well done to all the fans who made the evening so enjoyable and profitable for Research into Childhood Cancer to the tune of more than £28000.

Gibraltar: Marvin Cartwright, Paul Lyon, Dennis Santos. Ian Payas, Frank Barton, Peter Moreno, Johnny Moreno, Anthony Bayers, Colin Ramirez. Mick McElwee, Francis Caruana, Ernest Gil bert, Chiqui Fava. Adrian Olivero and Michael Yome.

Liverpool: Bruce Gobbelaar, Phil Neal, Alan Kennedy, Gary Gillespie, John Wark, Michael Thomas, Ronnie Whelan, Mark Walters, John Barnes, John Durnin, Paul Walsh, David Fairdough, Ian Rush, John Aldridge, Jan Molby and Jimmy Case.

Wednesday 8th November at Charlie's Tavern, Marina Bay from 8pm. Tickets £10 per person plus drinks. Again contact 77655 (not Charlie's).

TDrai/n^ QirfJ2.007

Dream Girfof the Year 2007 will be held on Friday 2nd March 2007. closing dates for applications is Friday 1st December 2006. Girls between the ages of 10 and 13 are invited to sign up for this Beauty Pageant, entry forms can be col lected from Blossoms, Unit F22, First Floor, ICC building or contactBianca on mobile 54000377.

3 sfKvsoriiHLsiedeiHbBlla bread. Iitfiped nidi Stultcd PeppCfS £4.75 diced tnmain. blur cheese ami rresh nn-kel SliifTcd peppers with lima tupped with a ].or,ly's PoUlo Skins £4,25

Our tainiius skins, lopped with Cheddar rll-PU PrawilS X4.95 chresr, erispv bni»n and {Uirlic mnvnn- l^'"" us Miiierd with garlic, white wine, noise (in the side spices (iiul liinittio

AUanlic Prawn Cocktail £4.45 Chicken Plnchilo's ..............£3.50 The imditionni sinrier. Aiinniic prawns on - mnnimtrd and gnllrd chicken kebabs a bed of kebenj icuuce with tomato a Ballcn'd Ring Prawns X5..50 nicumbrr and Mars Rose sauce p^esh Kin^ prawns deep-rried and served Grilled Cliorizo Sausages X4.25

ClaMic Spatiisli snicv sausape. served with g Prlfd Mo/zaivila SUcks X4.25 cri*pv hrrno Cmp nnd gtiltk'n ihi ihr (Hiliwlr nnd bit in Uw Spicy Chicken Wings £4.75 V""" » a siHcv dm ki-n vvinp. served vviih a sweet Ellglaild expectS that evePy tdiiiii wucr dip man will do his duty

Main Courses

Fresh Local Mussels - Our Fillet Of John Dory X7.25

Signature Dish £6.95 •'''•csbnilcliifJohiiDorvcnokedlnapreen ivcsh miiksels in n while wine, garlic, and a I*"*!" *»"'** Inpped with c^heese nu gratia tream same, served with mspv bread Chilli CoH Came £5.75 BrllLsh Fish And Chips £5.75 Hn'ttemadechllll sened on a bed or rice

■Our laniotis (iulnness balierefl fish and liiHne- Spaghetti Bologliaise X5.25 madechipswrvedwilhatanarsaui-c npu iil llHlliin piiMa dish with iiiiiiced Chicken Milanese £8.75

Kresh chicken nilel coated in brendrrumbs l,aSHSIie £5.50 and pan-fried. Sencd with a fresh luiimlii Thr llaliun t'avourilc. lasers of pasta and nnd moTxarFlIn salad and crisps potato minced beef, senetl with homemade dtips

HMS Breakfast X5.00

Chicken & Cheese .£7.95 l egg. 2 sausages. 2 mshers of bacon. tuoRt. "fvinling skillet of onions nnd peppers, mushriMons. (nmnloes. baked beans, and logethrr wilh garlic-marinated chicken chips breasts lopped with cheese. Sened with Vegetarian Pasla Baked .£5.25 tmr homrmadr t hips Spnghelli coi4ipd in a nch Uimato sauce.

Chicken & Mushroom Pie ...i5.50 lopfx-tl clx-e* and baked in the «nen Chefs homemade cnistv lopped pie served IjOlUSiaiia Pork £ 6.25 Hilh homrmndr chips Medallions ofjuicv pork morinaled in AdnilraLs Mine FliJet Steak -£11.50

Serv ed with MushriKtm, Pepper. Brands or Steak & Ale PtC £ 5.50 Bourbon sauce, homemade chips A salad Our own steak A ale pie served wilh garnish homemade chlp.s

Desserts Servedwith cream oricecream

Apple Pie £3.75 Lemon Meringue Pie ....£3.25

TrndliionnI Apple pie served hot or cold A pastes base, with n lemon filling lopped wlili meringue

TVipic Chocolale Riol....£3.75

Kver> womon's dreaml Double chiHtilale inke CarrotS And n. Ff. rti cx nK Cocoiiut Cakc £3.45

Creamy BanofTie Pie ....£3.25 i,-s,hec«ptmnsr«vourite!

Sticks lolTec served on n biscuit base

Also available a selection of Burritos, Sandwiches, Salads,

Festivalfor Young Musicians

Tomorrow's Aaron Monteverde, Andrea Martin, Elie Massias, Karel Chichon and Nathan Payas — that's the kind of musical talent and more which Allegro Music Productions is aiming to scout in the second edition of the Gibraltar Festival for Young Musicians.

The Fesitival is as sociated with the Brit ish and International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech, under the pa tronage of Gibraltar's most eminent musical ambassador, Albert Hammond.

"I'm honoured to be the Patron of this association. Music has been my life and I have no regrets. It's been a very fulfilling and rewarding experience. My advice to you all is to hang on in there! Persevere and work hard — it's not easy I know, but you must give it your full commitment.You'll see how it's worth it in the end and fame and fortune has nothing to do with it!" That is the message Albert Hammond sent to all participants on the occasion of the initiative's launch last year.

Albert also donated the shield which the adjudicator will award to one school each year(St Martin's Special School Choir is the current holder),on the basis of outstanding merit of a soloist, choir or ensemble in the non-competitive section.

"Having grown up in Gibraltar," he continued "1 guess I heard more music maybe than if I'd grown up in London. Probably in London I would have heard one kind of mu sic only, but in Gibraltar you heard everything from flamenco to Arabic to Mexican to R'n' B to rock to pop to... So 1 would imagine Gibraltar is an influence in my life."

Music schoolteachers Wayne Smith and Cathy Batchelor,respec tively chairman/music director and vice-chair/administrator, are organising a gala concert on 22nd November at the John Mackin tosh Theatre, hosted by Allegro's president, former GBC presenter and musical pundit Richard Cartwright.Some finalists will perform their pieces and trophies will be presented to the most promising musicians in different categories.

The concert, open to the general public for a £6 entry fee, will also be a platform for non-comf)etitive pieces,including original composi-

tions, choirs and ensembles.

Prior to the gala night, pre-selections will be held on 10th, 11th and 12th November — open to the general public, although more oriented to an audience of parents and teachers — for each musical class and age group.

And they are aplenty!

In fact, the event will tune in the budding voices and instruments of children from age five, as the first category is open to school year 3 and under, up to adult perform

ers, as long they haven't studied or aren't studying music atany college or university.

There's also a time limit, to guarantee equal exposure and fair judgement, from two minutes for the Infants up to ten minutes al located to Choirs.

All non-competitive participants will receive a certificate and in the competitive section a number of bursaries to cover one year student tuition fees are also at stake for the most promising performers.

Last year's adjudi cator, Andrew Hansford, said of the per formers: "It has been a real privilege and pleasure to have adju dicated here in Gibral tar for the very first Gibraltar Festival for Young Musicians 2005 — the standard has been very good,dem onstrating a wealth of musical talent and commitment.,.."

This year, the com petitive section will be adjudicated by an other authority in the field: clarinettist Paul Harris, an examiner, adjudicator and judge for the BBC Young Musician of the Year and the Classic FM Teacher of the Year. He will also be giving music workshops for the children as well as a teacher's seminar.

The most appealing categories for the general audience are the ones the programme defines 'spe cialist classes':jazz solo, adult choir and church choir,all genres that are enjoying a wonderful renaissance in Gibraltar.

Other classes are brass, wind, re corder, guitar,string, vocal(soloists and ensembles).

With all performers receiving a technical assessment, the festival is a unique occasion for young musicians to overcome their stage fright, measure up to others and learn from them, gain self-esteem and understand the full potential of their artistic gift — showcasing their talent with the hope of being given the opportunity of taking it to the next level.

It isn't a classic battle of the bands pop style, nevertheless pop tunes are allowed, and entrants are all exhorted to dress up to their piece because not only the mere performance,but the whole act will be judged and graded — so if it is piano you're playing, throw in for good measure a little of Mozart's boy genius attitude!

Forfurther information, e-mail Al legro Music Productions at: gibjym® holmail.com or visit their ivebsite at: imvw.gibfym.com.

Top: Junior Instrumental ensemble ■ 1stSt Joseph's. Above Left: Cathy Batchelor, Above Bight: Wayne Smith

"Probably In London I would have heard one kind of music only,but In Gibraltar you heard everything from flamenco to Arabic to Mexican to R n'B to rock to poo to."

This family of plants is generally ignored by most people as grasses do not have colourful,showy flow ers. In fact they do have flowers although these are usually very small and do not have petals. The colourful petalsofother flowers are there to attract pollinating insects; grasses do not need them as they are wind-pollinated.The grass fam ily is economically the most impor tant family in the plant kingdom as they produce all the cereals: wheat, maize, rice, barley, oats, rye, millet, sugar cane,sorghum.Locally there are 56 different species. Here are some of them.

The giant reed or cane {Arundo

doiiax) is the largest of the family represented in Gibraltar. Most peo ple would not realise that this is in fact a grass. These plants can grow up to6 metres tall,and the feathery plumes formed by the flowers are quite attractive. These plants grow where there is some source of water

underground.Here they are mainly found around the North Front, but they can be seen all round the Rock. The stout stems have traditionally been used as broom handles.

There are two species of wild oat growing in Gibraltar. The largest is the animated oat(Avena steriiis).

These plants can grew up to6 metres tall, and

These plants can reach a height of 1.5 metres, and the drooping flowering panicle give the plant a rather elegant appearance. These plants are quite common through out Gibraltar.

The large quaking grass (Briza maxima)is perhaps the most attrac tive of the grasses. The spikelets that form the flowering heads are 1 to 2 cm long, and look like paper lanterns.They are suspended from very slender stalks, and the slight est breeze makes them tremble. These plants are not very common. They are only found on the Upper RcKk.

One of the most common of

the feathery plumesformed hy the flowers are quite attractive

grasses is the wall barley(Hordeum leporinum). This is found growing all around Gibraltar, including coastal areas. The flowering spikes are between 5 and 10 cm long, and have been used traditionally by kids as arrows that stick to wool len clothes.

Hyparrhenia {Hyparrhenia hirta subsp. villosa) is another common species. These can be found all round the Rock. They form at tractive, golden coloured clumps, reaching a height of 1.2 metres.The flowers are softly hairy.

Arguably the grass that most people will be familiar with is the hare's tail {Lagurus ovatus). The

ESTEPONA @OLF

Winter Rates

starting from September 15th

18 holes 57.50€

9 holes 29.00€

After 14.00 2 players including a buggy 110.00C

Before 10.00 1 player 9 holes including buggy and breakfast 30.00€

i.OO 1 player 9 holes including a 16.

1 week unlimited qoli^-

2 weeks unlimited golf *

f months unlimiteA^olf months unJimitfl golf

3 months unlimilfld golf

6 months uniimitei^blL

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480.00^

650.00

820.00#^1.060.00#^:!^''

1 years unlimited iplf / 1,500.00€^ 'J'

Sunday Lunch every Sunday s cour

Sunday Lunch Menu

plant is aptly named as the flowers are densely packed to form a softly hairy plume resembling a hare's tail. This cottony flowering head can be between 2 and 7 cm long. These plants are very common on the Upper Rock.

The esparto grass (Stipa tenacissima)forms large,dense tufts which grow from limestone crevices. As such they will only be seen growing along roadsides, and on clearings and rocky outcrops, mainly along the upper and southern parts of the Upper Rock. The flowering stems can reach a length of 1.5 metres. This plant is used in rope and paper making.

Gazpacho

Fresh homemade chilled soup with tomato, garlic & onion

Chefs Special Salad

Crispy salad of lettuce, blue cheese and chopped bacon

Smoked Salmon

Scottish smoked salmon salad

Lenguado

Baked whole Dover sole with lemon and thyme

Supreme Of Chicken

Saut6d supreme of chicken, with mushrooms, lemon juice & parsley

Cordero en Salsa de Ajo y Miel

Shoulder of lamb baked in our chef's special garlic and honey sauce

All served with a selection of garden fresh vegetables

Walnut And Honey Ice Cream

Delicious!

Hot Apple Pie

With vanilla ice cream

A Selection of Fine Farmhouse

Cheeses

Served with walnut bread

by Alan Gravett

12"gate;computers

13B College Lane

Tel: 50612

GDSG

GIUAITU DYSLEXIA GROU^

Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group

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

One entry per person.

FIRST PRIZE: Lunch for 2 at The Cannon Bar

Winner noticed in next issue of The Gibraltar Magazine.

Closing date:24th November 2006

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Missionary Zeai

On the morning of 21st October 1843 several hundred citizens of Gibraltar gathered alongside the sailing ship Iberia to listen to the preaching of a rotund, red-faced crusader on a mission to save two British soldiers being held captive by Muslims.

Thetwo soldiersfound themselves in a situation not unlike that of the two Fox Newsjournalists who were Latin,he fancied himsel recently forced to convert to Islam The journalists, American reporter Steve Centanni, 60, and Olaf Wiig, 36, a photographer from New Zea land, were videotaped reading pre pared statements embracing Islam but after being released Centanni said they had been threatened with execution if they did not convert.

The difference between the two journalists and the two soldiers.

Colonel Stoddart and Captain Con nolly, is that despite months of torture and imprisonment in a filthy hole the soldiers refused to convert and were summarily executed.

In 1842 Stoddart and Connolly had been sent to Afghanistan to negotiate with Emir Nasrullah on behalf of the British East India Company. Believing they were sub versives benton fomenting rebellion Nasrullah had them thrown into a vermin-infested hole in the ground. The men were told their only hope for freedom would be to convert to Islam. Despite the horrific conditions they refused and after months ofsuf fering the brave soldiers remained stubbornly loyal to their Christian faith and were beheaded.

In 1956 American judge and travel writer William O. Douglas visited Bukhara and found that the pit was still there and was being kept as a macabre museum.Douglas'descrip tion is chilling:

"As I looked into the bug pit, 1 thought about [Bible character) Jeremi^:

Vien look they}eremiah,and cast hm into the dungeon ofMalchiah the son of Hammelech,that was in the court ofthe prison:and they let dozen Jeremiah zoith cords. And in the dungeon there zvas no zoater, but mire:so Jeremiah sunk in the mire(38:6).

"In 1843 Emir Nasrullah held two British officers for two months in the bug pit of Bukhara before beheading them. They had come to interest the Emir in British assistance against Russian cunning,They were beheaded for their intrigues and be cause, after having embraced Islam at the insistence of the Emir, they returned to the Christian faith.

"The two months they spent in the pit must have been horrible ones. They were kept bound, hand and foot, and given nothing to eat or drink. As they lay there helpless.

they were chewed and mutilated by vermin. For this was the bug pit famous in Central Asian history where ticks,scorpions,and other in sects were raised specially to torture prisoners.

"The Soviets [Bukhara was then in the Soviet Union and now is the fifth largest city in Uzbekistan]have dramatized this bug pit. In it today are two dummies tied hand and foot,representing the two benighted Britishers."

When Stoddart and Connolly were not heard from, their friends and associates feared the worst but the British government, claiming that the men were not acting in an official capacity, disavowed all re sponsibility for their welfare.

Among the people, however, sentiment ran high at this affront to British imperial dignity. Private funds were raised to finance a factfinding mission to Bukhara.

The person who stepped forth to undertake this mission was a crusad ing clergyman named jo.seph Wolff (1795-1862)and it was this odd man who addressed the people of Gibral tar at the dockside that day.

"I am Joseph Wolff, the Grand Dervish of England, Scotland and Ireland and the whole of Europe and America and I will demand the bod ies, either dead or alive, of Colonel

Stoddart and Captain Connolly from the butcher of Bukhara."

By all accounts Wolff was an un likely adventurer. A portly, middleaged man,he wasadept at wangling invitations to dine with the rich and famous whotolerated him because of the amusing anecdotes he recounted about his travels abroad.

Wolff was a Bavarian Jew who had converted to Roman Catholicism when a young man. He had studied for the priesthood in Rome but had been expelled for his unconventional beliefs. After being ordained an Anglican priest instead, he married a wealthy Englishwoman. Fluent in Hebrew, classical Greek and

fa latter-day Apostle Paul, bringing the Gospel to the "Lost Tribes of Israel" in the Middle East.

When he set out for Bukhara in 1843, he carried in his luggage several Christian bibles printed in Hebrew.

After leaving Gibraltar the Iberia sailed to Malta, Greece and then Constantinople (Istanbul). Wolff seemed to be in no hurry to reach the hostages and he spentsome time in Greece visiting the Acropolis and dining with the Queen. He spent three weeks in Constantinople preaching and making diplomatic calls at the various embassies.

The reason Wolff was in no hurry is because he was convinced that Stoddart and Connolly were already dead. He admitted this to British Ambassador Justin Shiel at Tehran in January 1844.

In April 1844, seven months and five thousand miles after sailing from Southampton, Wolff arrived at Bukhara. He quickly came to the point with Nasrullah as to the fate of Stoddard and Connolly and was curtly informed by the Emir —whom he described as'the most disagree able fellow I ever saw' — that the men had been executed because they had not shown the proper respect and because Cormolly 'had a long nose'(an expression meaning he was too proud).

Mission accomplished, Wolff was anxious to get out of Bukhara but he wasn't allowed to leave and instead was interrogated for days on end. He prepared to meet the fate of the soldiers but was spared when the Shah of Persia intervened on his behalf. Wolff would claim later that the real reason he was allowed to go was because the Emir couldn't stop laughing at his comical appearance when he dressed in full canonical garb.

On 3rd August 1844 Wolff began a nine-month journey home. This time when he stopped at Gibraltar he was greeted as a hero by cheer ing crowds, paraded through Main Street and invited to dinner with the Governor Sir Robert Thomas Wilson.

When he finally reached home Wolff vowed never to travel again and to end his days in England. However,it is said that he was plan ning another great missionary tour when he died on 2nd May,1862.

he was allowed to go booauso the Emir couldnl stop laughing at his comical appoaranco

Hemingway,Capote & Gibraltar

Hemingway loved Spain and spent considerable time attend ing bullfights and carousing with matadors all over the country, very often in Andalusia at towns such as Algeciras and Ronda. And yet I have been unable to find, in any of his works or biographies, even one mention of Gibraltar. When I wondered in this space some years back if the great man had ever actu ally been here" (see end of story)

1 received a letter from a resident who said he saw Hemingway in the 1950s gassing up his car at a petrol station near Waterport Gates. Last month 1 found further confirmation in the form of a magazine article written by Valerie Hemingway,nee Danby-Smith.

Danby-Smith was a 19-year-old freelance writer when she inter viewed Hemingway in Madrid in 1959 for a Belgian News Service. She must have made quite an im pression because she was invited to join the'cuadrilla'(the nickname for Hemingway's entourage) to travel to bullfights around Spain and to attend Hemingway's 60th birthday party at Malaga. Danby-Smith went on to work for Hemingway and married (and divorced) his youngest son Gregory. Today she lives in Bozeman,Montana and is in frequent demand for interviews as one of thefew surviving people who knew Hemingway in the last years of hislife—he committed suicide by shotgun on 2nd Julyl961 two years after they first met and just 17 days shy of his 62nd birthday.

Many years after Hemingway's death Valerie wrote an article enti tled: The Garden ofEden rei'isited: with Hetningivay in Proi'cnce in thesummer of'59. The article tells of her travels with Hemingway that summer and in it she confirms that he had indeed been on the Rock:

"I can remember the day Ernest, Bill [Bill Davis a friend of Heming way's with a villa at Malaga], and 1 were driving in the Pembroke Coral, the nickname for the car Ernest and Mary[the last of Hemingway'sfour wives]had rented in Gibraltar at the beginning ofthe summer,and which we used while the Lancia was being repaired."

So there we have confirmation that Ernest Hemingway was in Gibraltar in 1959. It would be in teresting to find out what type of car the Pembroke Coral was, and which company rented it to him, but Valerie does not give any further detail in her article. It would seem a

Gibraltar mechanic had the honour of repairing the Lancia.

And whataboutthatother famous writer Truman Capote?(His non-fic tion novel /" Cold Blood, a gripping account of terrifyingly, senseless murders and the subsequent execu tion of the killers, is one of the best books I have ever read).

Like Hemingway, Capote was a world traveller but he didn't spend nearly as much time in Spain as his older contemporary. In 1949, however,he did spend three months in Tangier, where he socialised with the likes of writers Paul and June Bowles, the wealthy socialite Barbara Hutton and various artists and writers, including Tennessee Williams and Gore Vidal, who en joyed the liberated sexuality(mairrly homosexual)of the Moroccan city.

To get to Tangier Capote took the ferry from Algecirasso he obviously had, at the very least, a good look at Gibraltar. And yet 1 have been able to find only one minor refer ence which appeared in his book Answered Prayers (unfinished and pubbshed after his death).

"Tangier is a white piece of cub ist sculpture displayed against a mountainside facing the Bay of

Gibraltar."

That's it. That's all that this hugely talented writer has to say, the Rock itself doesn't even get mention.

I can only suppose that Gibraltar wasn't his sort of thing. The very camp Capote was more interested in writing about high society and peoples' mores rather than history and wars.

His most famous books, besides In Cold Blood,are Breakfast at Tiffany's and Answered Prayers. The former is the story of a young country girl. Holly Golightly, trying to climb the social ladder in sophisticated New York while the latter is a gossipy commentary on the decadent lives of the international jet set.

Capote never finished Answered Prayers but three installments were published in Esquire and caused a sensation. In the book Capote drops names, real and fictional, but all of the characters are easily recognisable. For an outsider it's a good,fun,read but for those named it must have been a tremendous embarrassment.

I will keep up my search for men tions of Gibraltar by Hemingway and Capote and any help from readers would be greatly appreci-

ated. Fortunately Capote did leave us some witty and acerbic observa tions of Tangier written in letters to his friends.

To Catherine Wood, his high school English teacher:

"I do miss Italy but it is quite strange and beautiful here. I am living in a wonderful house in the Casbah; it is really great fun, and promises to be more so, for Cecil Beaton and Greta G. [Garbo] are coming here week after next...

"It is hot here, but it is a dry, not too unpleasant hot, and there are excellent beaches nearby — though 1 must say I don't go often."

To Andrew Lyndon,a non-celeb rity friend:

"I have written Phoebe [Phoebe Pierce a poet] about the journey through Spain, so maybe she has told you;it was ghastly.Such a beau tiful country,though.I even went to a museum:TTne Prado,natch.But am mad for Africa; life in the Casbah is quite my cup of tea. I don't think Jack [Jack Dunphy, Capote's life long companion]is so aazy about it; he says it is no fun to live in a place where you are frightened to walk in the streets alone. All the shadiest people are gathered here because it is an international city. The most extraordinary people. It's the most exciting place I've ever been.There is the most divine nightclub here called Parade... We are living on a mountain in a little tiny house with a fabulous view over Tangiers and the harbour..."

To Cecil Beaton, Internationally famous photographer: "...are you still coming? I very much hope so. We've had a few adventures — the most dazzling of which happened between Granada and Algeciras when suddenly ev eryone on the train began to scream and throw themselves on the floor; bandits! Bullets flying though the air.

"Only it wasn't bandits — just a group ofSpaniards who had missed the train and were firing on it to make it stop: one old man got hit in the head. But I like Tangiers, a marvellous cit>' really. We are living on the mountain at a place called Farhar — I should not recommend it to anyone,but it will suffice.

"It is an excellent day here, cool and the water crashing on the rocks and the sky classic in its clearness: just below me there is a quite beau tiful Arab standing stark nude on a rock..."

To Irwin Edman,American phi-

Previously in this space I have expressed surprise that Ernest Hemingway spent so much time around Gibraltar but never wrote about the world's most famous Rock. Now I have the same curiosity about another renowned writer, Truman Capote

"All the shadiest people are gathered here hecause It is an internatienai city.The most extraordinary people.It's the mostexciting place I've ever been. "

losopher and writer:

"Several weeks ago something happened here which might inter est a philosopher. Four Arabs were walking down the road near my house, and one of them suddenly disappeared; he'd fallen down a hidden overgrown water well. And his three friends simply leaned over the well, calling miktoub (it is fate) miktoub'. Then they walked away, calmly shaking their heads.The next day the police passed and nailed a tip on the wall. Nobody seemed to care about the poor man,long since drowned. This is perfectly true."

Again to Andrew Lyndon:

"Yesterday was Jack's birthday, and we had the most beautiful party. Cecil Beaton is here,and helped me arrange it; we gave it in the grotto at the caves of Hercules, there was champagne and an Arab orchestra and it lasted all night. I've gone nuts on the subject of Arab music — Abu Muhud has replaced Billie [Holliday]in my affections..."

When Capote grew tired of Tang ier he and Dunphy travelled to Paris and then back to New York where the collection of short sto ries he wrote while in Tangier, A Tree of Night and Other Stories, was released.

Truman Capote wasbom Truman Streckfus Persons in New Orleans, Louisiana, to salesman Archulus "Arch" Persons and 17-year-old Lillie Mae Faulk. When he was four, his parents divorced, and he was sent to Monroeville, Alabama, where he was raised by his mother's relatives. In 1933,he moved to New York City to live with his mother and

her second husband,Joseph Capote, who adopted him and renamed him Truman Garcia Capote. When he was 17, Capote ended his formal education and began a two-yearjob at The New Yorker.

Between 1943 and 1946, Capote wrote a continual flow of short fic tion published in both literary quar terlies and well-known magazines, including The Atlantic Monthlif, Harper's Bazaar, Harper's Magazine, Mademoiselle and The New Yorker.

His first published novel was Other Voices, Other Rooms(1949).

Capote achieved popular fame with Breakfast at Tiffany's in 1959 and recognition as one of the truly great writers of his time with In Cold Blood in 1966.

His writing career and infamous social life peaked that year when he threw the highly publicised Black and White Ball for several hundred select guests at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. But he angered and alienated most of those same people with the publication of the excerpts from Ansioered Prayers. The excerpts revealed scandalous secrets they had confided in him. An alcoholic and drug addict, Capote and his work deteriorated over the follow ing ten years and he died on 25th August 1984 at Los Angeles in the home ofJeannie Carson,wife oftalkshow host Johnny Carson, one of the few friends who had remained loyal to him.

*Hemingwayfirst saw Gibraltar in 1919 when the ship bringing him homefrom the war(he zoos an ambulance driverand had been wounded)stopped here.

he alienated peeple with the puhlicatien of excerptsfrom Answered Prayers—revealing scandalous secrets they had confided In him

More colour in the gardensP

You could probably fit in about nine or ten football pitches in the Gibraltar Botanical Gardens, so you would have thought that they could have managed to introduce more colour in some areas of the 55,000 square metres plot on the Red Sands.

"It's not an uncommon remark, made by some who visit us here, both tourist and local," the words of John Cortes, director at the Botanic Gardens. John tells me the sentiment is taken on board but it's not an easy one to tackle.

"Colour"is difficult in these gar dens because for most of the time sunshine is in shortsupply for these

purposes,I'm informed.That lucky old sun doesn't hit the gardens till late it seems. It doesn't manage to creep over the Rock rill about 10am and then its rays are barely allowed through because of all the heavy trees and thick branches growing all around. However "with more planning and better resources the colour issue could be tackled more successfully," says John.

"Speaking of the need for more

colour, a lawn is what's needed to plant more bulbs and that's some thing we're looking at favourably".

Despite the shade problem, John says this year has been a more 'colourful' one.

But it's not all to do with colour, pretty as many species are. The Alameda Gardens are of botanical importance as well. We have some important species of succulents here of international repute. There

Despite the shade prohlem, John saysthis year has heen a more 'celourfurone

are about 300 species of plants and over 70 species of trees in the gardens and some,like the Dragon Tree, pre-date the opening of the gardens in 1816 and are more than 200 years old!

Another attraction is the Dell with its sunken gardens and its inhabited ponds.There's the'must see' view that I'm sure everybody finds so calming and peaceful — that's the view from the bridge. The Dell is looked after by 81 year old Jimmy Catania with a lot of love and affection. In fact this is one area in the gardens where more colour is evident.

Then we have the monuments,

where the Duke of Wellington,Gen eral Eliott and others are depicted. There's the Wildlife Park which is a popular attraction, especially for youngsters. The Open Air theatre, on the edge of the gardens, is in constant demand by local drama groups, particularly during the summer months, and the recently opened reception area situated at the southern end of Grand Parade offers information and a cup of tea or coffee just before you start your trek around the gardens.

"I'm very excited about our cot tage exhibition which we hope to open in the not too distant future. There, you will be able to learn all about the Alameda Gardens. Did you know that two of the Humphries [nearby residential] blocks were going to be built next to and in the actual gardens?" John asks. "Nope," was my quick reply.

14 staff members are tasked with keeping the gardens up to scratch and are kept very busy looking after the whole area. Pruning and planting is ongoing, whether it be Gibraltar plants, species typical of this region,or African,American or Australian varieties of vegetation.

I'm sure they check the archway made out of the jaws of a whale periodically too, to see that it's still holding up to the elements,after all, it's been standing there since 1842 or thereabouts.

"For many years the gardens were in a mess and unmanageable, particularly during the 70s and 80s. Nothing was done. There was rubbish everywhere," John tells me. Wildlife (Gibraltar) Ltd took over the management of the Alameda Gardens in 1991 as a Botanic Gar den. Restoration and development of the area is part of the job.

A subject that rears it's ugly head every so often is vandalism and drug use in the grounds. I'm told it's not so rampant these days mainly because the garden gates are locked at night.During the summer holidays when youngsters have more time on their hands and they get a bit bored, they do manage to get in at night and tamper with the plants and embark on a little wan ton destruction.

Perhaps they take the words of the Lt Governor of Gibraltar, Sir George Don, who in 1815 called for an Alameda to be established and said, "there being no place of public recreation in this garrison... etc etc," too much to heart! No,the then Governor was referring to cre ating an area where the inhabitants

mightenjoy a walk around gardens, where the air was protected from the extreme heat of the sun.

"The only other 'interference' of sorts we experience," John tells me, "is when the odd vagrant or hitch hiker manages to get in and takes possession of a bench, or an area to pitch a tent for the night."

Well it's during the daytime,that the gardens have to be used and enjoyed,butsometimes I wonder if we take enough advantage of that. Yes mothers take their children to the play park quite a bit I've noticed — maybe it should be made bigger affording more of a play area for the toddlers.But you know what would be nice? That lawn John spoke about... or maybe two. One for his bulbs and another for picnicking! How does that sound?

Some people use the gardens as a thoroughfare to avoid climbing Europa Road if they're heading south, and atthe same time take advantage of that shade George Don intended us to enjoy, particularly in July and August. Clearly the Alameda Gar dens is a place to go to in spring, autumn or winter. The trouble is,

as far as I'm concerned,I just don't remember it's there,do you?

Well just remember this. The gardens are laid out with many, many paths that lead to all areas, eventually. The layout is a bit like a maze really, with all that limestone on the edge of the walkways.You'll be reminded of Gibraltar's military history at almost every turn, with cannon and busts of famous mili tary heroes of Gibraltar's past. It's less aggressive at the next turning perhaps, when you come across an open space with a bandstand!

And here's another bit of info 1 wasn't aware of. There's a plaque on the bridge above the Dell that says Guiseppe Codali, a Genoese gardener and horticulturist, was responsible for much of the work evident in the gardens today. The Dell was re-inaugurated in 1992 by his grandson Lionel Codali, who didn't follow in his grandpa's foot steps — quite the opposite.

So next time you have some time on your hands to spare, take a walk on the wild side and pay the gardens a visit. It's pleasant and exhilarating. There may not be a lot of colour to behold, but there's plenty to see and who knows, you may even learn how to pronounce, Melaleuca decussate. I didn't... But my visithasn'tbeen in vain,at least I've learned that it's a plant species from Australia!

nexttime you have seme time en yeur hands te spare,take a walk en the wild side and pay the gardens a visit

Irish Jm Tel: 79791 Bar Restaurant

Top Sporting Events Always Covered

on 5 iar^e overhead TVs

Traditional Homemade Pub Food including Fish & Chips, Steak & Ale Pie Quiches etc

FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED

FRIENDLY FAMILY ATMOSPHERE

Food Served from:9.30am-10pm Mondays to Saturdays, 12am - 10pm Sundays

CRiaocas

7^ Qifrafidr /\rms

The Hunter Twins John and Andy took over management of the Gi braltar Arms in Main Street from the beginning of October. The pub's new menu will reflect the most popular items from the Hunter's other establishments such as the Early Starter, All Day Breakfast, Breakfast Club Sand wich and Irish Fillet Steak Roll from the Star Bar and dishes such as the range of burritos plus the fresh local mussels from the Lord Nelson. David Olmo the Head Chef from the Lord Nelson will oversee the introduction of the new menu whilst Dominique Palmer takes charge of the front of house.

Draughtbeers include Heineken, Speckled Hen, Greene King IPA, Strongbow Cider and Murphys and following the successful launch of free WiFi at the Lord Nelson the same service is now available to clients at the Gibraltar Arms.

Andy Hunter commented "We are delighted to have taken on the Gibraltar Arms, and following an amazing refit in which our contrac tors performed miracles in just 7 days we look forward to offering our own brand of quality, value and service on Gibraltar's Main Street".

The Gibraltar Arms is situated next to Stag Bros'at 184 Main Street, telephone 72133 and is open from Sam (10am on a Sunday)serving meals all day until late.

Aiufput' Well-know

QHuafed

right on the water's edge at Marina Bay

offers you a full a la carte menu and exceptional dally specials

We're open all day,7 days a week, so come on down end enjoy excellent food and ambience at realistic prices.

Admiral's Walk. Marina Bey Tel: 73379 Fax: 79061

\dca\\y, chef/^ula, formerly of the Barbai^Ape, has opened this clean and bright take-away down at Marina Bay. Helped by Sarah and occasionally her mum Ann, Paula serves up all homemade sandwiches, quiches, pasta and

pies, plus muffins, hot and cold drinks and smoothies, as well as providing an interesting special for every day of the week. Paula will also cater for corporate par ties - give her a call on 42006. Get Stuffed is open from Sam to 4pm on Monday to Friday and from Sam to 2pm on Saturdays.

'/^A sleek modern newrestaurafit with an intimate d comfortable atmosphere has opened on it's doors on Irish Town. Run by host Annette and Chef Luis, Cafe Rojo is open for brunch,lunch and dinner with a tempting array of freshly cooked pastas, salads and main courses on offer. A little lounge area to the rear of the attrac tive restaurant has comfy red arm chairs for relaxing with a coffee and cake during the day, or enjoying a

S Z^^^^lizabeth(above)

Said are the hosts at this cafe which is located right opposite the Convent (Governor's Residence).

Serving good cafe food from quick

drink before dinner when the tables are candle-lit and the ambience is chic and sophisticated,but retains a warm and friendly welcome.

Cafe Rojo can be found at 54 Irish Town and is open from 10am - late.

Telephone 51738 for table reserva tions

snacks to burgers, liver & onions, sandwiches,salads,fish and chips, and even entrecote steak, you will be well fed at very reasonable prices in an idealspot to watch the world go by. Open from 10am.

Time Out Cafe / Bar

106 Eurotowers, Europort Road, Gibraltar

Full Takeaway Service

Available for Private Functions • Party Menusfrom £4.95 per head

~ Full Sports Coverage on 3 Screens

Breakfasts (Full English to Egg or Beans frToast)* Breakfast Baguettes (all day)• Baguettes/ Sandwiches(Egg Mayo to Honey Roasted Ham to Steak k Onion) •Time Out Open Sandwiches (Mozzarelia,Basil(t Red Pepper•Cajun Chicken•Honey Roasted Ham ft Cheese•Chargrilled Chicken Er Avocado • Tuna,Prawn,Lemon b Cr^me Fralche) ■ Wraps(Chicken Caesar • BIT • Feta, Olive.

Mint b Yoghurt Dressing • Chargrilled Chicken, Red Pepper Et Onion)• Panini • Starters It side dishes (Onion Rings b Nachos to Potato Skins) * Mains (from Chicken Tikka Masafa to Fish Er Chips, Bangers Er 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

tires

All pleasures are transient. An enjoyable book,a holiday, a comedy programme — even a glass of wine. The length of time the pleasure lasts depends on what you find pleasurable in the first place, and then the cost/benefit ratio. I enjoy sailing, ski-ing and reading, and of course drinking wine, among other things. I have a rather small boat and not a 40-footer, an occasional visit to France or Switzerland in winter and not a chalet at my permanent disposal. However, I do enjoy a sizeable library of books and a decent cellar of wine. The cost/benefit ratio works like that.

To be a premiership footballer re quires no little skill and hard work. Whether that skill (and work) is worth upwards of £60,000 a week may be debatable. But with that(to me)unimaginable amount of cash, what do they do with it? Fast cars, fast women and a few fast vodkas. What a waste.

As the Ritz Hotel porter is re puted to have asked, on discover ing George Best cavorting with Miss World on a bed covered with £10 notes and bottles of vintage champagne all around:"Where did it all go wrong, George?"

It is not for me to deny such people their supposed pleasures (although 1 wouldn't have minded a bit of the champagne)butin terms of cost/benefit I am happier with a bottle of decent claret, a copy of Our Mutual Friend and a few snores emanating from the bedroom.

A bottle of wine lasts no more than an evening and so the cost/ benefit analysis needs to be fairly strict. What are you drii^ng it for?

If a quiet evening at home with a cottage pie before curling up in front of the television then either an ordinary claret (Gineslef from Morrison's at £3.35 is recommended) or indulge yourself with something rather good(Mugaatabout£8.00ora Chateau Bellevillefrom Anglo Hispano at£18.50)—you don't have to share it with anyone else,esp>ecially if the snores are already emanating from the bedroom.

Then there is the small dinner with friends. Here, the company and the conversation are more important than the wine on of fer, although the wine should be drinkable and help lubricate the conversation. Start with an Alsace Riesling (between £6.00 and £10.00 at Morrison's or Anglo-Hispano) — Riesling is neither too sharp for it to get in the way of conversation nor too cloying to stick on the pal ate. Ideal with your first course of a light patd, some pasta or just a salad. Then the main course requires a careful choice. Do your friends appreciate wine,or are they

just impressed by the label? In the latter case,Morrison's have all sorts ofimpressive-looking Chateau thisor-that from about £6.00 upwards. But a new entrant on the market (in Gibraltar) is Marques de Grinon from Dominio de Valdepusa.

All these wines are a treat. The knowledgeable people at AngloHispano will tell you all about the revolutionary methods used to produce them,and the fact that the

Marques is a real toff. But for £9.00 upwards, although your friends may not recognise the label, they will be stunned by the quality.

Mainly CabernetSauvignon and Syrah(although there is a good old Tempranillo as well)these compete with and beat any of the Chateau this-or-that, and are a good match for much more expensive clarets. They have kick without being overpowering, an aftertaste that

lingers without going sour, and a glorious deep colour. Perfect with your meaty main course and the cheese which follows. Since they are new to the market you may be able to negotiate a discount! But even without a discount they are worth it.

At a dinner party involving a blind tasting recently, one friend insisted that he would not drink any more because it was too good for the likes of him and I should not waste my hard-earned wages. A brilliant method of ensuring he got another glass.

Then there is celebration time. An important birthday,a wedding, an armiversary perhaps. Again,the choice needs making carefully in terms of cost/benefit.

A wedding requires champagne, normally, but will all your guests appreciate that you are giving them a vintage Krug? Most of them will not notice (especially when the bottle is wrapped up in a napkin). So keep the vintage for the favoured few — and make sure that the people serving understand what bottles are for whom.

Other celebrations are perhaps easier. You are pouring large amounts of wine down the throats of people who will — sadly — be more interested in the fact that Paul has reached the grand old age of 40 or that Rosina has had another baby. As long as it is drinkable, the celebrants will not notice how good or bad the wine is, and you will be doing yourself no favours by pointing out its excellence and your generosity in providing it. Back to ordinary claret and a decent Muscadet(or Barbadillo).

The pleasure, while it is still tran sient, does not depend upon the amount of money spent. It depends on the occasion and your analysisof what pleasure you want. Oneofthe greatest pleasures can be had in sip ping a splendid Marques de Grinon while watching a somewhatover-indulgent friend pouring yet another glass ofordinary claret. But be care ful not to mix up the bottles.

You are pouring large amounts of wine down the iliroals of people who will—sadly—be more Interested in the fact that Paul has reached the grand old age of40 or that Roslna has had another baby

Just A Nibble

Qet Stuffed.'

Biancas Restaurant

6/7 Admiral's Walk, Marina Bay. Tel:73379 Fax:79061

Popular and pleasant restaurant on the Quayside at Marina Bay with large quayside terrace. Try chicken tikka raita, avocado & smoked salmon or fresh carrot & ginger soup to start, followed by barbecued spare ribs, beef Viagra, swordfish steak, Cajun Ceasar salad, kuku nyama pizza, or chicken and smoked salmon tagliatelie to name hut a few for the main course. Crepes, pies,ice cream sundaes etc for dessert. Children's menu,vegetar ian dishes, daily specials. Great for all the family. Open;7 days,9am - late.

Cafe Solo

Grand Casemates Square. Tel:44449

Modem Italian eatery set in the lively Casemates square. Everything from cajun spiced langostines Caesar salad, or aromatic prawn salad on romaine leaves bound in wild mushroom & sherry mayonnaise,to pastas(eg:tortellini with roasted garlic cream, tagliatelli with prawns and mushrooms)and pizzas(eg:Quatto Stagioni topped with mozzarella, ham, chicken, pepperoni and mushroom) and full main courses such as steaks and salmon. Good daily specials menu on blackboard.

Cafe Rojo

54 Irish Town.Tel: 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(Baileys cheescake in a must). Lunch 12- 3pm and dinner 7-lOpm includes salads(from sauted blade pudding and walnut to mixed seafood - langostines,squid & mussels,lightly marinated in chilli & herb oil), pasta dishes(from roasted aubergine to asparagus & sauted mushrooms) and main dishes ranging from half honey roast duck, slow roasted leg baby lamb to chargrilled fillet steak. Open:from 10am.Closed Sundays.

Casa Fepe

18 Queensway Quay Marina. Tel/Fax: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 peppersand filled mushroomsto start,followed by a choice of salads, rice and noodles and fish, poultry and meat dishes which include King Prawns Macarena (cooked with fresh ginger, tomatoes, mangos and ba nanasserved with basmati rice,fried bread and bananas). Medallions of monkfish cooked with white wine and lobster sauce,duck breast Armanac-style(with Cognac, mushrooms and pine nuts). Medallions of pork loin cooked with Serrano ham and dry Jerezsherry,and fillet steak Malaguefia cooked in creamy garlic mushrooms and sweet sherry sauce topped with prawns. A wide range of tapas/raciones is also available. Open: Monday to Saturday 11am till late.

Glaus on the Rock Queensway Quay. Tel/Fax:48686

International menu served on the quayside for lunch, afternoon and dinner. Well worth a visit, espedally if you appreciate good wines and cigars. Open: Lunch & Dinner. Closed Sundays.

Gauchos

Waterport Casemates Tel:59700

Nestled just nextto Waterportroundabout within the city walls. Recently opened by renowned local restaurateur Andr4 of the tunnel fame, Gauchos offers some inter esting dishes with a tempting South American Gaucho theme. Try the Chorizo Criolla de Argentina (spicy sausage grilled over coal and wood),or theMariscosdei 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 Guacho (for two - steak, sausages, chicken, pork and lamb),salads(try the Remolacha Tostada con Queso de Cabra - tasty goat's cheese salad)— and the desserts are to die for too! They say "this will be a new experience for you to savour".... give it a try! Call 59700 to reserve your table.

Da Paolo Marina Bay. Tel: 76799

Da Paolo serves a high standard of attractively presented international cuisine right on the waterfront at Marina Bay. Try baked leek & wild mushroom tartlet or lobster bisque to start, or for main course,crepe offish & prawns glazed with hollandaise sauce; baked aubergines filled with ratatouille gratinated with mozzarella;or perhaps the loin of pork baked in cider with cinnamon.Continen tal/English breakfast,lunch,inc.light meals& baguettes.

Award winning breakfastsfrom 7.30am

Great meals & snacks all day

Evening Steak House menu Med Golf Clubhouse

Leeds United Gibraltar HQ

Parliament Lane Tel: 75924

and full a la carte dinner served. Quayside terrace. Open;from 9.30am. Closed on Sundays.

The Rib Room Restaurant, Rock Hotel.

Tel:73000 www.rockhotelgibraltar.com

With stunning views of the bay, the Rib Room is ac claimed for its high standard of service and cuisine. Ultimate venuefor intimate dinners,or larger gatherings, the Rock HotePrises to the occasion with style and so phistication.Glass of fino and appetiser welcome diners. Fabulous new A La Carte offers dishes such as creviche of king prawns with lime ginger, bloody mary sorbet;or caramelised sea scallops dusted with orange and grape fruit powder set on cauliflower pur« with caper velout# to start;and butter roasted fillet of beef,gorgonzola crust, rioja and walnutjus;or marinated and seared tuna with a saut^ of caramelised radiccio and rocket, warm capsicum vinaigrette; or aubergine and wild setas souffle with rosemary scented char grilled vegetables — just a few of the main courses. Finish up with vanilla rice pudding, quince with star anis purw,fig and date ice cream or one of the other delicious offerings. Comprehensive wine list. Sunday lunch — welcome Manzanilla, 4-courses always includes roast sirloin and some of best Yorkshire puds in town.Sunday newspapers. Relax afterwards to the resident pianist/guitarist. Air-conditioning,parking, kid's menu/ high chair.

Open:7pm-10pm daily. Credit cards: AE,D,E, M, V

Simon's Restaurant

44 Cornwall's Lane. Tel: 47515

Excellent food in a sophisticated, intimate atmosphere. Hosts Suzanne and Simon ensure everyone receives personal attention.Start with Simon'sown pate with red onion jam and hot toast, or king prawnsthermidor with tarragon mustard,white wine and cheese cream sauce or perhaps 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 lamb with mint, redcurrant and red wine sauce or the grilled fillet of mero with avocado and prawns. There is something to delightevery palate. Fully air-conditioned.

Open:evenings(bookings recommended).

Thyme Restaurant

5 Cornwall's Lane. Tel: 49199

Email:thymegib@hotmail.com

Modem wine bar serving refreshing 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 dishesfrom all over the world. Try one of these dishesfrom the wide selection: crispy fried monkfish, rocket salad, chilli jam and creme fraiche;steamed mussels flavoured with gin ger,lemongrass,chilli & coconut milk;hand rolled ravioli of smoked chicken,crab,basil & marscapone, parmesan veloute; or mains of millefeuille of char grilled salmon 6 Mediterranean vegetables, seared scallops and basil pesto; charred aubergine, tomato, basil & mozzarella parcels, red pepper & olive reduction; or Slow braised

Charlies Sizzling Specials with sieaks or mixed grills.

We also carry a good selection of wine, spirits and beers.

Steak House

Grill &Taoem

Where people meet to eat a fine and varied lunch menu and a comprehensive a la carte menu that compliments both our kitchen and our customers.Everything from toasties to t^aielle and from full English breakfast to Jamaican Pepper Pot,

We're on the harbour wall at the beautiful Marina Bay so book a pleasant table for two or just sit watching the world go by while sipping an ice cold beer.

Reserve on Tel/Fax: 79993

No. 2 Admiral's Walk, Marina Bay, Gibraltar

E-mail: george@glbnei,Ri

We love to cater for groups and parties so why not spend lliat next special occasion at Charlies?

Moroccan iamb shank,tabbouleh,spiced onion,almond &sultana chutney. Main menu changed seasonally and specials run daily. Everything made on the premises us ing only the best, fresh ingredients. Wide range of New World and European wines.

Open: 12.30 - 3pm and 7pm till late. Closed Sundays.

informal*

A] Andalus Bar Restaurant

3 College Lane. Tel: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 lamb)or the tapas - £1(eg:Spanish omelette, boiled crab legs, garlic chicken, cuttlefish stew).

Open:Sam -late evening. Now serving breakfast from Sam.

Buddies Pasta Casa

15 Cannon Lane. Tel:40627

Tasty Italian specials in pleasant ambience. Large se lection 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 10am -5pm,Thursday,Fri day and Saturday 10am - 4pm and 7pm - midnight.

Charlie's Steak House Grill

Marina Bay. Tel/Fax: 79993

George and Paula areyourhostsat Charlie's where you will find a wide selection of international food includ ing sizzling steaks, tandooris and seafood dishes plus daily specials.Try the special sizzling mixed grill which includes tandoori and garlic chicken breasts, slices of prime fillet, king prawns,sausages, bacon, tomato and peppers. Regular theme nights. Quayside terrace.

Open:9am - late every day.

The Corner House Restaurant

Continental Hotel

1 Engineer's Lane

Tel: 76900 Fax:41702 Email: contiho@gibnet.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. Tel/Fax: 76699

Smoothies are vitamin packed super-food and increas ingly popular for the health conrious. Get Joost makes delicious fresh fruit juices and smoothies made from natural ingredients which are a meal in a cup. The top five smoothies they sell are wild strawberry; breakie on the run; energy blast; raspberry ice ; and tropical surrender. Tel/fax: 76699 for delivery.

Open: 8-7 Monday - Friday, 10-7 Saturday, 10-6 Sundav.

Get Stuffed Marina Bay. Tel: 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:Sam - 4pm Mon-Fri,8-2 Sat.

Just A Nibble

1st Fir International Commercial Ctr. Tel: 78052

Full blown licensed cafeteria serving English breakfast, vast range of toasties, rolls, and other snacks. Meals include steak and kidney pie, Bob's famous chicken curry/chilli con carne, & now Kentucky-style fried chicken, plus all the old favourites - jacket spuds,burg ers, hot dogs, fish and chips, and daily specials. Idea! meeting place.

Open: Monday - Saturday from 9am.

Just Desserts

1st Floor ICC Tel: 48014

Comfortable bright and 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 cater ing service-

Open:Sam - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Khan's Indian Cuisine

Unit 7-8, Watergardens. Tel: 50015

Eat-in or lake-away at this traditional Indian eatery. Everything from onion bhajia and green pepper pakora to chicken tikka, tandoori king prawns. Khan's special fish curry,chicken jalfrezi,lamb roganjosh,naan bread, rices, vegetable dishes and everything in between!

Mumtaz Indian Cuisine Take-away

20 Cornwall's Lane. Tel:44257

Good Indian take-away service serving all the favourites from masala naan and spinach bhajia to lamb biryani.

chicken Hkka masala, king prawn korma and tandoori chicken kebab roll. Sauces and vegetarian dishes plus speciality dishes each Sunday (all dishes reasonably priced). Open:7 days a week II - 3,6 - late.

Munchies Cafe

24 Main Street. Tel: 43840 Fax: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, Saturday 9-4, Closed Sunday.

The Real Taste of Cornwall

16 City Mill Lane. Tel: 70737

Real pasties, handmade in Cornwall and baked in Gi braltar, are available from this Pasty Bar and Takeaway located just off Main Street near Mothercare. Go along for a quiet pint or take a pasty home for tea, many fla vours available from beef & Stilton to Cheese & Bacon, Steak & Ale to Broccoli, Cheese & Sweetcorn.

Open: 10am - late Monday to Saturday.

Roy's Cod Plaice

Casemates Square

Located below the clock on Casemates Square, Roy's Cod Plaice serves all kinds of traditional chip shop tare, including battered plaice, cod,haddock and hake with chips, breaded fishcakes,and scampi,jumbo pork sausages, mushy peaseetc to eat in or takeaway. Roy's aiso offers full meals such as pork chops,grilled mush rooms, tomatoes and mashed potatoes; mixed grill; or meat pie with mash and gravy.

Open:9am-10pm Monday-Saturday.Closed Sundays.

Roy's Pub Restaurant

la Convent Place Tel: 75654

Situated right opposite the Governor's residence (the Convent)this eatery serves good food at reasonable prices from jacket potatoes,fish and chips,and quick snacks to chicken cordon bleu, liver and onions,entrecote steak to quiches,salads and sandwiches!

Open:from 10am

Sacarello Coffee Co.

57 Irish Town.Tel: 70625

Converted coffee warehouse, ideal for coffee, home made cakes/afternoon tea, plus menu including excel lent salad bar, specials of the day and dishes such as lasagne,steak and mushroom Guinness pie,hot chicken salad, toastics,club sandwich and baked potatoes. Art exhibitions.

Open:9am - 7.30pm. Closed Sundays.

Smith's Fish & Chips

295 Main Street. Tel: 74254

A traditional British fish and chipshop with tables/seat ing available or take-away wrapped in newspaper.

Menu:Cod,haddock or plaice in batter,Cornish pasties, mushy peas etc. Also curries, omiettes, burgers.

Open: 8am-6pm Monday-Friday. Breakfasts from Sam.

Located: Main Street opposite the Convent.

Solly's

Salt Beef Parlour & Delicatessen

8 Canon Lane. Tel: 78511

Newly opened 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. (Clatl Kosher)

Open: 12pm - late, Sunday 6pm - late. Closed Satur days.

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 ecus, tuna pasta, etc at just 75p per generous scoop. Tea,coffee etc plus cakes(such as carrot cake and muffins)are also availabe through out the day. Eat-in available.

The Tasty Bite

59a Irish Town.Tel: 78220 Fax; 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.

Time Out Cafe Bar

106 Eurotowers, Europort Road Tel: 76044 Fax: 72760

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 3screens.

bars&pubs

All's Well

Grand Casemates Square. Tel:72987

Traditional pub in fashionable Casemates area. Named for the 18th century practice of locking the Gates to the dty at night when the guard announced'Ail's Well'before handing the keys to the watch. All's Well serves Bass beers, wine and spirits plus pub fare. English breakfast served all day. hot meals such as pork in mushroom sauce,sausage & mash,cod and chips and steak & ale pie are complimented by a range of salads and filled jacket potatoes. Large terrace.

The Angry Friar

278 Main Street. Tel: 71570

The Angry Friar is everything you'd expectfrom a British 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: 78855

A friendly traditional bar serving good homemade food. Outside fables available.

Open:7 days, lO-late, food 10 -10.

The Cannon Bar

27 Cannon Lane. Tel: 77288

Now run by Amin,the friendly face from the kitchen for over 18 years! Good pub food served all day plus Amin makes cous cous or tajine to order.

Located: off Main St at Marks & Spencer.

The Clipper

Irish Town. Tel: 79791

Large popular bar serving good homemade food from breakfast to dinner. Large varied menu. Top sporbng events covered on overhead TVs. Private functions catered for.

Open:9.30am to midnight(Friday and Saturday to lam).

Food served 9.30am to 10pm).

Da Vinci's Queensway Quay Marina. Tel:50859

On Queensway Quay,this freehouse serves a wide selec tion of bottled beers and spirits inside and on the large terrace right on the marina's edge. F<wd is available all hours and is supplied by the Pie Machine so you will fi nd freshly cooked pies, sausage rolls, quiches etc. Flat screen plasma TV tor sports fans.

Open:every day Sam - late.

Duck & Firkin

Building 6,Europort. Tel:72745

Live football on a giant TV showing all premier league action from Sky Sports plus more. Quiz machines, 2 poker machines,2 pool tables. Karaoke on 2nd Saturday in month. Food served 10am •3pm Mon-Sal.

Open: from 10am -midnight (Friday-Sat urdayllam1am)

The Gibraltar Arms

184 Main Street. Tel: 72133

GcHid 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.

Open:from Sam (10am Sundays)until late.

The Horseshoe

193 Main Street. Tel: 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. Curiy and chilli specials on Sunday.

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

Facilities: Main Street terrace.

Lord Nelson Bar Brasserie

10 Casemates Sq. Tel:50009 www.lordnelson.gi

E-mail: reservations^Iordnelson.gi

Attractive bar/brasserie in historic Casemates building. Done out to respresent Nelson's ship with cloud and sky ceiling crossed with beams and sails. Spacious terrace

Menu:Starter & snacks include fresh local mussels,blue cheese and rocket bru.schetta, Lordy's potato skins,spicy chicken wingsand calamares. Main courses cover a range from chilli con came and chicken and mushroom pie, to cri.spy aromatic duck burrito and British fish and chips. Try one of the salads or Nelson's platters. Jacket potatoes, burgersand children's menu. Credit cards accepted. Live music every weekend.

Open: from 10am fill very late.

Pickwicks

Governor's Parade. Tel: 76488

Run by well-known friendly face, Mandy,this small pub with a large terrace is situated in Governor's Paradeaway from the traffic and safe for all the family. Good food available including the best freshly made sandwiches and jacket potatoes, salads and burgers.

Open:Mon • Fri from 9.30am

Location:turn off Main St at Marks& Spencer, Pickwicks is opposite the Elliot Hotel.

The Pig and Whistle Unit 18, Watergardens. Tel: 76167

Acomfortablepiedsant pub with pool table and terraceon the quayside. Big screen television for sporting events.

Open:10-midnight (Fri-Snt 11-lam)

Red Lion Pub Watergardens. Tel:44392

Pleasant recently refurbished pub in Watergardens serxing all homemade food for breakfast and lunches with Sundav lunches starting soon. Plasma TV for sports fans.

Open:9am - late, including Saturdays and Sundays.

Royal Oak Bar 59c Irish Town. Tel: 71708

Informal good local pub, popular for its pool table and sports talk. Outdoor seating-

Located: Irish Town, the street which mns parallel to Main St.

The Star Bar Parliament Lane. Tel: 75924

Reputedly the oldest bar in Gib, this bar opens early for breakfast (English or toast & cereal). Lunch/evening menu includes fillet steak, fish and chips and salads.

Kids menu 99p. Home of Med Golf (lO'l discount on food for Med Members). Home of Leeds United FC supporters club.

Facilities: Outside seating.

Open:from 7am everv dav.

Located: fi rst 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 fv. pcK>] table, poker machines, games machines, bar — open from 10.^am 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: 51614

Ann from Plymouth and Stuart from Scotland run this bar, known as The Scottish Embassy. Fully air-condi tioned 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 liam, Sun from mid day.

The Tunnel

8 Casemates Square. Tel: 74946 Tel/Fax: 44878

Large bar located in the historic Casemates Square.

Menu:Wide variety of affordable food including sizzling specials from 7pm. Selection of international meals, Indian specialities, vegetarian selections, homemade ice cream. Sunday carvery served lpm-9pm (hot & cold).

Facilities: Large terrace, big screen TVs, and regular live music.

Open:7 days a week 9am - very late.

The Venture Inn Lynch's Lane. Tel:75776

A good central meeting place right at the beginning of Main Street, this bar serves home-cooked food all day. Terrace seating on the edge of Main Street — perfect place to watch the world go by.

Open:from 10am

Located: Main Street near Casemates Square, opposite the ICC.

Wembley Bar

10 South Barrack Ramp. Tel:78004

Popular bar for hot and cold bar snacks, function room, in south district. Fridays 10am for breakfast. Air con ditioned.

Open:Ilam - midnight Sunday - Thursday, 10am - lam Friday, 11am - lam Saturdays.

The smooth way to good health

1 was talking to Angela John son and her mother Barbara at the highly successful Get Joost Smoothie Bar, where I was quickly learning all about the benefits of the natural drinks and meals-in-a-cup they produce every day,

Juice barsare all the rage through out most of the world,and Angela, who came here from Sydney with her mother, previously worked in her native Australia launching the same type of bars throughout the country for a major chain.

If you think the GetJoost Smooth ie bar is just a pub with no beer,sell ing regular fruit juices, then think

again. The choice is phenomenal and the underlving dedication is to provide totally healthy drinks that fill you up like a meal and which are also highly enjoyable. Drinks and supplements,such as the hangover cure, or Wheat Grass, for instance.

One 20ml shot of the latter has the same value as eating your way through two and a half kilos of greens, but only takes one second to toss it down your throat.

The enjoyable part is demonstrat ed by the fact that it wasschoolchil dren who first discovered Gel Joost.

"In the beginning," said Barbara, "our customers were 75% school children. Now we deliver all over Gibraltar, to gaming com panies, banks, government offices, Rooke, lawyers... ev erywhere.And tourists from all over the world are de lighted to disI cover that Gifl braltarhasaCet

^ jff Joosl Smoothie F Bar." Delivery is m free for orders of £10 or over, and ' there are fax order forms available in the bar.

1 learned that tod dlers love it, too, and they drink things they wouldn't normally open their mouths for, such as beetroot or car rots, because the bar adds sorbet to make them deliious.

In fact, Barbara pointed out that the customers range from 18 months up to a man who is prob ably in his nineties.

"He comes ev ery day and stands at the door for his order

because he can't get up the small front step," she said.

It's popular with pregnant wom en, loo, who can't eat very much — some send their husbands to gel their meals in a cup; it's all takeaway at Get Joost.

And then there is the obesity therapy that follows from a deli cious diet of Get Joost products

— all made to order in less than four minutes. One 11 year old local boy went from obese to sleek and lean in just six weeks,and enjoyed it thoroughly."It's protein,protein, protein," said Barbara, "and just once a week indulge yourself in a pizza or burger if you want." She added that she was very proud of the Gibraltar kids for the way they have caught on to the healthy op tions.One of the daily peak periods is still when the schools finish for the day.

What sort of things are there, then? Well,Dairy Smoothies(using very low fat from skinny cows, as Angela put it) include Choc Roc, Jungle Monkey and the Ultimate Iced Coffee. All contain fat-free frozen vanilla yoghurt,which is just like ice cream to eat. Then there are Nice & Icy Smoothies, in tropical, raspberry, watermelon or lemon; Power Smoothies, which include Breakie (breakfast) on the Run

— a filling mix of banana, honey, toasted muesli, low fat milk or soy, yoghurt and an energizer shot (another one of the half a dozen supplements).

To fullv appreciate the range

— in which wild strawberry is the most popular, closely rivalled by Berry Skinny juice, a blend of apple, blueberries, pineapple, raspberries and a citrin shot (another supple ment) — you should look in at least once. And order without fear — when your choice is blended, you can have a small taster cup,and if you don't like it then you don't have it. No problem.

The only other thing that the Get Joosl Smoothie Bar has become re nowned for,along with the healthy tasty choices that fill you up as much as a full meal, is the natural friendliness of Angela,Barbara and

the other two partners, Brian Flem ing and Barry Pullen. "We chat to all the customers," said Barbara, while Angela dug out a copy of an email to GibFocus from an English man who positively raved about the staff's friendly style, "The other establishments in Gibraltar should send their staff there for training in customer relations," he wrote.

Spurred on bv their own success, and the popularity of the concept throughout many other countries, the team are going to open no less than twenty more Get joost Smoothie bars throughout Spain in the coming twelve months.

I've had to leave a lot out — as you can see we are almost at the bottom of the page. Just enough space to let you know that the bar is at 248 Main Street,opposite Tommy Hilfiger and Exchange Travel. It's open every day:8am to 7pm Mon day to Friday; 9am to 7pm Satur day, and 11am to 6pm on Sunday. The phone/fax number is 76699, email contact@getjoost.com

Don't worry, what I've missed out you can learn from the staff.Ask away, they love to talk about it, or have a look at their website: www. getjoost.com,where you can get the full menu and order form.

Get Joost will be giving away £500 Christmas money -see in store for details. Competition ivill run until 20th December 2006.

"The navy snapped up our hangover supplement when they were here on the recent exercise — so they could go straight out and drink some more," said Angela.

the team are geing to open no lessthan twenty more Getloost Smoothie hars throughout Spain in the coming tweive months

Around town...

I 1

am hardly believe it but it's ala'ady November. Where does the time go? It only seems like vesterdav that I was writing about being on the beach, warning about being careful in the sun and suggesting the use of plent) of sun oil. And now all that seems like nothing more than a distant memor) and already sun tans are beginning to fade. Mind you, up until now the weather hasn't been to bad(famous last words) and most of us are still wear ing shorts and summer clothes even if swimming gear has been put awaj until next year. But it was good while it lasted and the way time seems to fly, it won't be teio long before summer comes around again.

Winter Warmers

For some of the "jack the lads" around town it doesn't matter much if it's summer or winter, they wear shorts all the year round. I bumped into one such fellow just recently and it was noneother than the infamous"Sparky". Now I hadn'tseen mv old mateSparkv for some time — he's either been very busy or for some reason or other he's been keep ing a very low profile — but he diwsn't change much. There he was riding along on his scooter until he saw me then he pulled up to say "hello". Now sometimes when some body in a crash helmet says hello 1 don't

always recognise who they are but there's no doubting the identity of Sparkv —he's easily recognisable as the man with the fat test ugliest knees on the Rock and his use or is it mis-use of the English language is colourful to say the least. But he always makes me laugh and usually has a story to tell and this time was no exception, and it was all to do with his new crash helmet. He went on to tell me that some wretched person had stolen his old crash helmet from his box and that it had been difficult for him to get a new one, mostly because he'^ got such a big head and partly because he's tcx) mean "OMw Spend much on a new one. He even admitted that he'd tried to get a kid's push bike helmet on his bonc< but it was too small so eventually he'd had to splash out and buy a proper one. And if you had heard his thoughts about the cost of it you would have fainted and with his expletives still ringing in the air he w-as off into the wide blue yonder, what a character he is. Sparky wasn't the only fellow baring his knees to the world just recently Norrie of Blanch was also seen with naked knees at thi wedding of his daughter Laura — liku a true Scot Norrie wore a kilt and ver\ smart he looked as well.

Bad Leg Club

One of the things I'm often aske'. about as I walk up and down Main Street is how I find out about so man\ people who have hurt their legs and become members of the "Bad Leg" | Club(which has so many members that 1 couldn't tell you exactly just how man\ there are now). But the answer to the question is of course if you spend as much time on Main Street as 1 do sooner or later vou bump into just about evervonv and so it was recently as I was walking across Casemates Square and saw comiiv,', towards me none other than "Storming Norman Bradbury" golfer extraordinain on crutches."What have you been up to?" I asked and he went on to tell the sorr\ story about how he'd fallen off a ladder while working and not only broke one le.; but injured the other one as well and very painful it looked. Norman's golf wil certainly be curtailed for quite a while but he can console himself with the fact that

he is the first double member of the Bad Leg Club once for each leg. Now there'^ also another first for the club this month and the next proud new member is none other than "Charlie" who hasalsosuffered a broken leg, but what makes Charlie unique is the fact that he's a dog and he belongs to Natalie of The Dental Practici-. just exactly how poor old Charlie broke his leg I don't know but however it happenc\i he becomes the first member of the Ba^i Leg Club with a waggly tail.

Yet another way I find out about broken legs is because the office.s of The Gibraltm are situated on the 2nd floor oi the I.C.C. and every time I go in or out of the office I have to go past the health centre so I'm always running into people limping in and out of the doctors. And so it was just recently when met Peter ofSecurity Express moving about very gingerly on crutches,now if there wasever a prize for honesty Peter would win it because when he told me just how he'd hurt his leg he was honest enough to ad mit that he'd come a cropper on his motor bike and it happened because he was going too fast.So for his honesty and his broken leg Peter becomes the 3rd new member this month. I hope all this month's new members will soon be back to full fitness and ^in Peter's case have learned a valuable lesson.

Congratulations!

Birthday boys and girls this month include Barbara Dunn, Wendy, Amber, Jayne, Ben, Dave Evans, Ray Langham,judy Whurr, young Sally of Wyse Hire, Big Bill, Trevor, Heidi and last but not least Mr.Denis PenaJver who is teaching his fianc# Dominique to drive would you believe. Now just what sort of teacher he is 1 can only imagine but on only her second lesson he taught her how to crash into a wall. Fortunately both teacher and pupil survived unscathed and after that I can hardly wait to hear about the third lesson. Congratulations to Louis and Zoeon the birth of a son to be named Max,and toAimeeand Mark who also had a son to be named Bailey. Best wishes also to Mr.& Mrs J. Drury who were married in September and to Ken and Laura, also married recently David of the Hong Kong Restaurant has now handed over the prem ises after many,many years of trading. He would like to thank everyone for their support over the years, and promises he will be back soon!

Sports Report

Frieivdsof the Ewtlt

And so to this month's sports report. First the gcx)d news — after o great weekend of golf Europe retained the Ryder Cup and it wassome of the best TV sport I've watched for a long time what a great competion it was. I was on the edge of my chair for the whole weekend.Another great sporting occasion was the soccer match in Gib. featuring the Liverpool Legends—a great match that wasenjoyed bv many of Gib'-. scouse fans and Jamie Read was amongsi them proudly wearing his Liverpool shirt His dad Chris wont with him and he also wore a Liverpcxjl shirt I only wished I couki have seen him squirming because he's a West Brom fan and it must have been hard for him to wear the red of Liverpool instead of his team's shirt. Now it's usually about now that the "Pride of The East-End" the Mighty Orient get a mention but I'm sorry to say that the lads are struggling this year so the less said the better, things can only get better I hope.

And finally remember to be careful of Gib's famous monkeys they may look a friendly bunch but they are wild animals and can give you a nasty bite if you're not careful as Andrea of The Gibraltar Magazine found out on a walk on the Up per Rock just recently.

See you on Main Street.

Photos:top row:Showing a knee:Sonia joins in the Big Draw:fohn and Sigitta with son fames;The Clean-up Gang. Middle roiv: Big Drazvfun:GBC at work: Laura & Ken: Vin and Frankie. Bottom row: Helen in Albor: David and Lai Quen;Big Draw smiles: Mario the artist

Arts 6 Cr.ifrs

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

Tues, 5-7pm Thurs). adults IMon • Tues 6.30pm-8pm, Wed 6.30pm-8.3(}pm, life paint ing Wed 7pm-9pm) Tel: 79788.

The Fine Arts Association Gallerv 1st Floor above Gibraltar Crystal, Casemates. Open 11am-2pm,4-6pm Mon- Fri, Sat 11 am •2pm. Arts & Crafts Gallery(next door)opens Mon - Fii 9 30am - 5pm (summer)-6pm (winter), Sal 9.30am - 3pm

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

Bonrd G.nuvs

Chess Club meets m Studio 1, John (y^ackintosh Hall 8-10 30pm Tues.

The Gibraltar Scrabble Club meet John Mackintosh Hall Mondays. Bank holidays changed to Thursday same week.7pm-11pm

All welcome. Tel: 73660 or 75995.

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

Dance Modern b Latin American Sequence Danc ing Mondavs Catholic Community Centre

S.SOpm i.beginners 7 30) Over 1 Ss welcome, www.gibnynex gvlnst'cccsegdance,''

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

The DSA Old & Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at Central Hall Fridays 8pm. begin ners 7.30pm. Tel: 78282 or e-mail manvioO gibnot.gi Everybody welcome.

Senior Citizens Teatime Dances at The Youth Centre, Line Wall Rd on Mondays 2-5.30pm. All senior citizens welcome for coffee, tea and biscuits Entrance free.

Classical Ballet classes for children 4-i-, Spanish dance and hip-hop at Liza School of Dance. 3rd floor. Methodist Church, 297/299

Mam St Classes Weds & Fri from 6pm at Chiltern 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 & Heritage

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

The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association

Dedicated to preservation of Rock's trans port/motoring heritage Assists members m restoration / maintenance of classic vehicles. Members/vehicles meet first Sunday of month, Safeway's car park from 10am. New members welcome. Tel: 72481 Fax: 72033.

Music

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

The Gibraltar National Choir and Gibraltar Junior National Choir rehearse on Monday & Thursday 7 30 - 9pm New singers of all ages welcome. Tel Lili 40035, 54006727

St Andrew's Music Academy Musical Monsters Club, musical workshops. Group musical activities for kids 3-7 years. Sing ing, rhythmic games etc. Tel: 42690 email: samagibCDhoimail com

Otntioor Activities

The Caipe Ramblers This group walks on last Sunday eacl^ month,except July and August. Meeting place is the Spanish side of the frontier Bam just to the right of and opposite the Aduana vehicle exit. For any information contact co-ordmaiors Ray Murphy 71956 or John Murphy 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 dale 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: 59818 Fax: 51971 Reg. Chanty 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: 78142) for assistance or information.

Royal Antediluvian Ordar of Buffaloes (Gibraltar Province) meets RAOB Club, Vault

1 Jumpers Bastion on these days Provincial Grand Lodge, Isi Monday/month, 8pm Executive Meeting, last Mon/month 7pm. Knights Chapter, 2nd Mon/month 7.30pm Examining Council, 3rd Mon/month 7pm, William Tilley 2371, Thurs 8pm. Buena Vista 9975,Weds(fortnightly)7pm.Por Favor 9444.

Weds (fortnightly) 7pm Farewell 10001, Tues 8.30pm. Goidacre 10475 (social) last Fn/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 charily. Tel Anne 43869, or Margaret 70816.

Special Interest Clubs b Societies

Gibraltar Horticultural Society meets first Thurs of month 6pm, John Mackintosh Hall.

Annual Spring Flower Show Also slide shows, demos on flower arrangements and outings to garden centres plus annual tour of Alameda Gardens. All welcome

The Gibraltar Photographic Society meets on Men at around 8pm, Wellington Front. Basic courses, competitions etc. Harley Davidson Owners' Club www hdcgib.com

UN Association of Gibraltar PO Box 599,22a Main Street. Tel 52108.

Sports Supporters Clubs

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Club meet at the Royal CaIpe (Tel: 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 for a lunch if the KO is early or an early supper if the game is later. For more into 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 m evenings. Tel: Angela 70611 or Sally 74561.

Athletics: Gibraltar Amateur Athletics As sociation holds competitions throughout year for juniors, adults and veterans. Two main clubslCalpeans71807.Lourdians75180)hold training sessions at Victoria Stadium

Badminton: Recreational badminton is avail able weekdays at Victoria Stadium (Tel: 78409 for allocations). Gibraltar Badminton Associa tion (affiliated to IBA & EBAl has leagues and training for adults and secondary school. Tel: Ivan 44045 or Linda 74753.

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

Billiards b Snooker: Gibraltar Billiards and Snooker Association (member IBSA) round leagues and competitions at various venues.

New members welcome. Tei: Eddie 72142 or Peter 77307.

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

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

Cricket: Gibraltar Cricket Association(mem ber ICC)runs leagues/competitions at Europa Point/Victoria Stadium.Junior/senior training.

Tel. Tom 79461 or Adrian 44281

Cycling: Gibraltar Cycling Association various cycling tours. Tel: Uriel 79359 Darts; Gibraltar Darts Association (member WDF)adult/junior leagues/competitions. Tef: Tony 70379 or Harry (Junior darts)41798.

Football: Gibraltar Football Association runs leagues/competitions for all ages October - May. Futsal in summer months, Victoria Stadium. Tel: 42941 www.gfa.gi. Senior Tel: Albert 41515, Junior Tel. Richard 58654000, Women's Tel: Brian 52299. Recreational foot ball for over 35s Tel: Richard 70320.

Golf: Med Golf tournaments held monthly. Tel: 79575 for tournament venues/dates.

Gibraltar Golf Union has competitions through year, EGU handicaps. Tel: Bernie 78844.

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

Judo: Gibraltar Judo Association UKMAF rec ognised instructors for all ages and levels at Budokai Martial Arts Centre, Wellington Front. Tel: Charlie 73116 or Peter 73225.

Ju-jitsu; Gibraltar Ju-jitsu Academy training and grading for juniors/seniors held during evening at 4 North Jumpers Bastion (Rosia Rd). Tel: Tony 79855 or club 47259.

Karate-do Shotokai: Gibraltar Karate-do Shotokai Association sessions for junior/seniors, gradmgsand demos at Karate Clubhouse,41H Town Range Tel Andrew 48908.

Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Rac ing Association Tel: Wayne 75211, Netball: Gibraltar Netball Association (af filiated FENA h 1FNA) competitions through year, senior/junior leagues, Tel: Moira 41795 or Suzette 41874, Petanque: Gibraltar Petanque Association plays at Giralda Gardens, Smith Dorrien Ave. New members welcome Tel: Francis 70929

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

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

Rugby: Gibraltar Rugby Football Union training sessions for Colts(14-i-), seniors and veterans Play in Andalusia 1st Division Oct -April Tel Darren 77938

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

Sea Angling: Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers (members FIPS-M & C1PS) Superb calendar of events with four clubs participat ing. Tel: Mario 72622 or Charlie 74337.

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

Skating: Gibraltar Skating and Xtreme Sports Association opens Its Skate Park, Coaling Island, Queensway. Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, from 5pm til 8pm Saturday 6 Sun day. from 2pm til 5pm Thursday & Friday, dosedSat 2-6pm. State of art ramps for Xtreme/aggressive roller blading /skate boarding. Leisure skating facilities provided within excellent rink (when not

used for roller hockey train ing). Tel: Eric 70710(after 5) or just turn up. Snorkelling 6

Spear Fishing: Over 14swelcome for snofkelling, over 16s for

Spear fishing. Tel: Joseph 75020.

Squash: Gibraltar Squash Association, Tne Squash Centre, South Pavilion Road (members WSF & ESF) Adult/jurtior tourna ments/coaching. Tel: Ronnie 44922 or Barry 73260

Sub-Aqua: Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Association taster dives for over 14s, tuition from local clubs, VoiuntarysportsdubsiTel: Phil44606, Noah's Dive Club Tel: Leslie 79601,888s Dive Club Tel: Martin 70944. Commercial sports diving schools also available.

Swimming: Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association (member FINA & LEN)opens its pool for leisure swimming Mon-Fn 7-8.45am. 12-4pm, 8-9pm. Junior lessons(Rebecca 71342), squad tor committed swimmers, water polo (Chfts 72869).

Tabia Tennis: Gibraltar Table Tennis As sociation (members ITTA) training / playing sessions, Victoria Stadium, Tues 6-10pm and Thurs 6-11 pm with coaching and league competition. Tel: Lizanne45071/54020477or Eugene 58014000, Taekwondo: Gibraltar Taekwondo Associa tion classes/gradings Tel: Marl 44142.

Tennis; Gibraltar Tennis Association.Sandpits Tennis Club, excellent junior development programme Courses tor adults, leagues / competitions Tel Frank 77035.

Ten-Pin Bowling; Gibraltar Ten Pin Bowling Association (members FiQ 6 WTBA)leagues at Ultra Bowl, training for juniors and squad. Tel Gary 42447 or Charlie 71125, Triathlon: GibraltarTnathlon Union(members ITU) Tel, Chris 758B7 or Harvey 55847. Volleyball: Gibraltar Volleyball Association (members W 8 EVF)training, leagues, com petitions for juniors/seniors. Tel: Tony 40478 or Elizabeth 583061700, Yoga: integral Yoga Centre runsa full program of classes from Mon-Fri at 33 Town Range. Tel. 41389. All welcome.

Theatrical Groups Gibraltar Amateur Drama Association ince s Hall Theatre Complex,310 Mam Street E-mail.gibdrama(diyahoo co.uk Tel: 42237 www.geocities.com/gibdrama

Stage Musicals Group Tel: Trevor 73098. Trafalgar Theatre Group meet 2nd Wed of month. Garrison Library 8pm. All welcome.

sk/i >orf Groups!Associations

Alcoholics Anonymous meet 7pm Tues and ''hjr; 31 Nazareth Hse Tel: 73774.

Childline Gibraltar confidential phone line for chilcrert m need. Freephone 8008 - 7 days a wee< 7prn - 11 pm.

Citizens' Advice Bureau Open Mon - Fri 9,30-12.30 and 2.30-4.30. Tel; 40006 Email: fnloiuJcab.gi or visit 10 Governor's Lane. No appointment necessary, no charge. Gibraltar CAB outreach clinics at St Bernard's Hospital every Tuesday. Advisors available at 1st floor reception. Zone 4, 9am-3pm. Info and advice is free, confidential and impartial.

COPE Support group for people with Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia or Rheumatoid Arthrilis. Formed to ease day-to-day challenges of individuals, families and care partner Meetings at Catholic Community Centre Book Shop at 7.30pm every first Thursday of month. Contact Sue Reyes Tel: 51469 Email: copeadsupport® hotmaii.com

Dignity At Work Now. Confidential support and advice for those who are being bullied at work. Tel: 57799000 Mon - Thur 8pm-9pm

Families Anonymous Support group for rela tives and friends who are concerned about the use of drugs or related bahavioural problems, l/eetings are held alternate Thursdays at Spmai Nazareth House. For more details Tel: 70047 or 73465.

Gibraltar Cardiac Rehabilitation and Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 8.30pm at the John Mac Hall, except for July and August.

Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group 3/8

Serfaiy's Passage Tel: 78509 Mobile:54007924 website wwwgdsg.co.uk

Gibraltar Marriage Care. Free relationship counselling, including pre-mamage education lender auspices of Catholic Church, but open '0 311; Tel 71717

Gibraltar Society for the Visually Impaired. Tel 50111 t24hr answering service).

Hope, miscarriage support Tel 41817.

Narcotics Anonymous Tel: 70720

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

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

Psychological Support Group. Nazareth house. Group therapy Tuesdays 7-9pm isKiai, crafts, games, music etc.l. Workshop "hursdays 2pm-4pm Tel 51623.

SSAFA Forces Help Gibraltar, is a national charity, established to assist serving and exService personnel and their families. Helps to irr.prove the lives of 80.000 people annually -approximately 7,000 voluntary workers. Com munity Support Team Tel: (5)5481.

With Dignity Gibraltar support group for separated, divorced, widowed or unattached people Meetings Weds 9pm, Catholic Comrr unity Centre, Line Wall Rd. Outings/actrvities. Tel: Flor 54007181 or Marie 79957.

Women in Need.Voluntary organisation lor all ,.:tims of domestic violence. Refuge available. Te -42581 (24 hours).

'■ h Srr/irrs

Bahia Tel: 43637 for meetings.

Bethel Christian Fellowship Tel: 52002. 47

Queensway Sunday service at 11am.

Church of England Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Tel 78377. Sung Eucharist, Sunday 10.30am. Sunday School.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Suite21a Don House, 30-38 Main Street. Tel:

50433 Sundays 10am.

Church of Scotland St Andrew's, Governor's Pde Tel 77040. Worship 6 Sunday School 1030am Bible Study Tues 7.30pm, Evangelical Bretheren Assembly, Queensway Quay Sun 11am. Tues Bible Study6pm. Thurs

Prayer Meeting 6pm.

Hindu Engineer's Lane Tel: 42515.

Jehovah's Witness Line Wall Rd Tel: 50186.

Jewish 10 Bomb House Lane Tel: 72606.

Methodist 297 Main St Tel: 77491. Sunday services 11am b 7pm. Midweek Fellowships.

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

The Cityline Church 13 Castle Street

Static TDance

Productions shall be or ganising the fifth edition of the Gibraltar Stage Dance Festival be tween 1st and 3rd March 2007 at the John Mackintosh Hall. Producedby Seamus Byrne and Alfred Rumbo tfie festival will follow the same procedureas UK National Festivals accredited by the British Federation for Music, Dance & Speech.

Director Seamus Byrne said, "M.O. Productions shall set its aims as last year following Mr Lucas's recommendations. The organisa tionisconfident thatonceagainthe festival shall be a worthwhile com munity and cultural activity."

The event is open to all indi-

Breast Cancer

Charity Calendar 2007 Launched

The Gibraltar Bosom Buddies will launch "The Gibraltar Calen dar of Girls 2CX)7" on 9th Novem ber 2006 in aid of breast cancer charity.

12 courageous local ladies have found an innovative way of mak ing money for this worthy cause through the sale of calendars de picting them (the idea came from the hilarious "Calendar Girls" film starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters). The calendars will be on sale from 10th November (£5) from Valmar I'harmacy, Sacarello's Newagency, Heart's Boutique, Claudia's Clinic, Attractions Hair Salon, Aimee Jay's Intimates and Gold Law or call 46520 during working hours to order them.

On Saturday 11th November the Bosom Buddies will be sell ing calendars outside Morrison's supermarket.

These calendars make great Christmas giftsand stocking fillers so help a worthy cause and help raise awareness about breast cancer at the same time by giving them as a gift this Christmas. "Early detec tion equals survival."

%idual dancers, groupsand schools. Dancers will be divided into the fol lowingagecategories: Baby Open (6 & Under), Children (7 to 11), junior (12 to 15) and Adult (16 to 25) and dancers can participate as soloists, duets, trios and groups. An entry fee of £5.00 payable upon registra tion with closing date forentries on Friday 15th December 2006.

"Our fifth edition that is pro

moted via UNESCO has already received interest from groups from Gibraltar, England, Spain, France, Denmark and Romania. Hope fully with these and more interna tional dancers taking part, dance standards as well as Gibraltar's international dance profile shall be increased," added S^amusByrne. for info contact Seamus on 71635 or e-mail: seamus@gibtelecom.net

It turned out to be a father and son affair at the latest Med Golf competition, when young Josh Jones pushed his dad Kevin into 2nd place to win the Lewis Stagnetto trophy at La Duquesa on Sunday 17th September. "There was some consolation for Kevin when, along with Josh, he won the days "top team" prize. In 3rd placewas theeverimproving Mike Welsh, with Rob Whatley taking the "senior" prize, Julie Brewer being the "top lady" and the day's "star quality" player award went to Les Housely.

josh now joins all the previous 15 competition winners, for the Med Golf Masters on Sunday

5th November, which Blue Sky Management, Aage Marine Hempel Electronics and Aloha Bookies sponsorthisyear. WithValderrama hosting theVolvo Masters the pre vious week, the course should be in superb condition.

The competition season and qualification for next year's Med Golf Masters continues at Estepona Golf Club on Sunday 12th November, where Ibex Insurance are thesponsors. Tobook teetimes, ring Johnathan on Spain (0034) 639 741 886 or e-mail jg@medgolf.gi. Tournament schedule and info on substantial greenfee discounts avail able to Med Golf members is on the website iuww.teetimespain.com

16 leading ladies fronmhe chess world including Antenaeta Stefanova the wonian^world champion, have already con firmed their attendance at the 5th Gibtelecom Chess Festival due to take place at the Caleta Hotel from 25th January to Thursday 1st February 2007

The festival wnicn^g^ws in strength yearon year is mw firmly established in the wnrTd of chess. Leading gentlemen players such as the world's living legend Viktor Korchoni and last year's overall winner of the Gibtelecom Festival Georgiev Kiril are also playing. Confirmations from no less than

65 master players, a mixture of both Grand Masters and Interna tional Masters, have already been received.

For further information on the 5th Gibtelecom Chess Fesitval contact:The Caleta Hotel Tele phone: 76501 E-mail: conf.banqiS' caletahotel.gi

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General Information

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 £7/ Children 5-12 years: £4, Children age 4 and under free, vehicles £1,50, Private vehicles may be restricted at certain times and it is advisable to take a Rock Tour by taxi/mini bus. The Natural History6 Heritage Park can also be reached by cable car(leaves Grand Parade 9-30am5,15pm Monday to Sunday, Last cable down: 5.45pm),

ThefloraandfaunaontheUpperRock

are considered to beof great conservational value. It's a perfect place for birdwatchers, as migratory spe cies use Gibraltar as the shortest crossing between Europe and Africa, but botanists will also be Interested to see over 600 spe cies of flowering plants, including some unique to Gibraltar. Watch out for colour ful lizards, the non-venemous Horseshoe Whipsnake, butterflies and pipistrelle bats. Info on the Rock's flora and fauna is found at the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society's Information Centre at Jews Gate,

St. Michael's Cave:The cave comprises an upper hall with five connecting passages and drops of 40-150ft to a smaller hall. A further succession of chambers, some at 250ft below the entrance, is reached through narrow holes. The Cathedral Cave is open to visitors and is used as an audito rium for concerts and theatre. The cave was prepared as a hospital in WWII, but never used. A further series of chambers ending in a mini lake is called Lower St. Michael's Cave and can be visited with a guide.

The Monkeys' Den: There are around 160 monkeys in the Park and around 30 can be seen at the Monkey's Den. Often called apes, they are tail-less Barbary Macaques and Europe's only free living monkeys.£500 fine for feeding the monkeys.

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 over30 miles of tunnels inside the Rock with various exhibitions inside the tunnels.

ITie 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 71 IAD 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, The tower is an excellent view point.

Natural History & Heritage Park Walks: The recommended walk is St Michael's Cave through toCharles V Wall but walkers should be relatively fit. It is also pleasant walking along the upper rock roads. Fact Files and brochures are available free from all Tourist Board offices.

Botanical Gardens: Opened in 1816, the Alameda Botanical Gardens fell into disrepair but are currently being restored to their former glory. Visitors can enjoy 8 stroll beneath pines, dragon trees and palms, and see many of Gibraltar's native plants as well as exotic species. The shop sells environmentally friendly gifts, plants and seeds, Tel: 72639/74022, Large car park available.

Nelson's Anchorage: Rosia Road 9.30am - 5.15pm Monday to Saturday (last entry at

5pmj. Ciosed 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-inflh 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 & GAPs £1. Cafeteria on site.

Rat Bastion Magazine Flat Bastion Road, Geological Research Station and Lithoiogy of Gibraltar. To visit contact: F, Gomez Tel, 44460, P Hodklnson Tel. 43910,

Shrine of Our Lady of Europe (Museum within premises) Europa Road, 10am-7pm Monday to Friday, 11am-7pm Saturday, Sun day and Public Holidays. Closed 1 pm - 2pm.

Trafalgar Cemetery: Trafalgar Road, open 9am - 7pm daily (admission free).

Business Information

Gibraltar Financial Services Commission Tel: 40283/4 website: www.fsc.gi

Chamber of Commerce

Tel: 78376

Federation Small Businesses. ...Tel: 47722

Company Registry

Tel: 78193

Customs Tel: 78879

Dept of Trade & Industry

Useful Numbers

Airport(general info.)

Hospital, St Bernards

Weather information

Tel: 52052

Tel: 73026

Tel: 79700

Tel: 5-3416

Frontier Queue Update Tel: 42777

Gibraltar Museum Tel: 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: 72289

It is possible to get married on the Rock within 48 hours of arrival. A fact taken advantage of by stars such as Sean Connery and John Lennon.

Rock Tours by Taxi Tel: 70052

As well as offering normal fares. Gibraltar taxis provide a complete Rock Tour taking in the Upper Rock, Europa Point and other sites of interest. It is the best way to see the Rock's major features in a short time.

Tourist Board Tel: 74950

Gibraltar National Tourist Board, Duke of Kent House, Cathedral Square, Gibraltar, UK Tel: 0207 836 0777 Fax: 0207 240 6612 E-mail: giblondon@aol,com

John Mackintosh Hall Tel: 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.

Holidays remaining 2006

Christmas Day 25 December

Boxing Day 26 December

Spain ^/xed,' 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.

Moveable: Corpus Christi,

Ambulance Station Tel:

Gibraltar Services Police:

IS'brbught alive by a troop of soldiers in. 18th century period uniform. The soldiers march from Bomb House Lane at12noon to Casemates. At Casemates they carry out a "Ceremony of the Keys" and then march back up Main Street to the Catherlral of St Mary the Crowneti.