The Gibraltar Magazine September 2007

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Small Can Still Bile

As I write this the Commission is going through its annual process of assessing what we see as the risks that lie ahead of us next year. It is a fascinating, if somewhat sobering process. It forms the basis of our business plan; it helps us determine where we should place our resources and whether we need to Increase these resources.

We rate each identified risk bv likelihood and impact. Some we do nothing about, some we seek to mitigate, others we act to remove. A highly unlikely event which even if occurred would do little harm is generally ignored. A likely or certain one with a high impact on our work is one we seek to remove. An improb able event, like a small dog, may be unlikely to bite you, but if its does in the wrong place it still can hurt. These risks we seek to remove or mitigate.

Yet there is a problem, if 1 can paraphrase Donald Rumsfeld "There are known risks. These are risks we know that we know. There are known unknown risks. That is to say, there are risks we know we don't know.But,there are also unknown unknown risks. These are risks we don't know we don't know".

The risks we know we know are simple. For example, we have a raft of EU directives to implement. They are certain,they are important; they have a major impact on the finance industry. We have to dedicate our resources to this task. Not only in terms of new rules and regulations but also explaining them to the finance sector and then monitoring compliance. In doing this we can remove the risk.

We also know what risks we don't know.The current problems with credit derivatives for in stance. If this were to develop into a major crisis.

what impact would that have on the Gibraltar finance centre? Similarly what would be the impact of a major fall in Spanish house prices? We can work with the industry to identify and deal with the direct impact, but in an increas ingly interconnected financial world, we have no idea the indirect effect. We certainly cannot remove this problem. As a small finance centre we are driven by, rather than drive, world economic events. Wo do not set interest rates; we do not fix currency levels. But as we know this we can, at least plan for such events. We can establish the exposure of our licensees; we

can then increase our monitoring of those who would be vulnerable. The risk is not removed but it is mitigated.

The problem is the third group,the ones that we don't identify and therefore do not specifi cally plan for. It is not the trucks vou see but the one you didn't that causes the problem. 1 have no present examples of this, if 1 did they would,by definition,fall into the second group. History is,however replete with them.Ofcourse there will be those who claim they knew the event would occur(the benefit of twent)'twenty hindsight), but in the main, no one saw them coming. The 1987 market crash is an example. 9:11 another. We seek to learn from them, to make sure that they then are put in the second group. Sometimes we learn the right lessons, sometimes the wrong ones.

Sometimes our reaction sets off a new range of risks. Under regulation becomes over regula tion. Indeed over regulation is now perceived by many businesses as the biggest risk they face.

Regulatory overkill was recently identified as the greatest risk facing the global insurance industry by the UK Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation's latest "Banana Skins" sur\'ey. In it more than 100 respondents to the sur\'ey said that excessive regulation is endan gering the industry by loading companies with costs, distracting management and creating barriers to competition and innovation. This finding is linked to concern about growing political interference, particularly in markets where governments regulate insurance products and prices.

By way of comparison climate change ranked the 4th greatest risk, fraud 30th and terrorism 18th.Too little regulation ranked 32nd narrowly beating asbestos and, had the list been any lon ger, presumably just above alien abduction.

To us however, the risk assessment process, however flawed, represents one of our most powerful tools. We strongly encourage those we license,of whatever size, to do likewise. It is not a long process,nor is it written in tablets of stone. It can change over the year, as new issues arise and old worries disappear. It has to be a build ing block on which boards make their strategic decisions. Yet we find some fail to undertake it in a systematic way. If we ask "have you considered the risks?" we are told "absolutely". Yet if we ask "what risks did you identify and how have you handled them?" there is often an uncomfortable shuffling of feet.

Like failing to have business continuity plan ning, risk asse.ssments after the event are better called post mortems. In large companies they are considered by your successor, in smaller by your administrator.

Over the next year the Commission will move further in its process of being principle rather than simply rule based, and, in doing so will hold senior management accountable for failures within their firms. We will continue to look behind the failures, was it a result of Rumsfeld's third group,sometimes referred to as "S!C4>t happens" or was it an identifiable risk that could have been mitigated. Even if it was, if the mitigation seemed,at the time,reasonable, then we will take this into account. But senior management who take reckless risks will not be considered so sympathetically. Perhaps that' should be put in some firms risk assessmentfor next year.

An improbable event, like a small dog,may be unlikely to bite you,but If Its does in tbe wrong place It still can burt.

Tbese risks we seek to remove or mitigate

Eloy Pinero Moreno is now carrying out all kinds ofjewellery repairs from his shop on the 1st floor of 77 Main Street. Eloy not only repairsjewellery but also uses his 15 years experience to re-design (old to newj. make modern and classic designs, set and interpret customer's ideas. Although he specialises in beautiful solitaires in platinum and gold, he also creates and repairs pendants, rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, and does a lot of works for many jewellery shops in Gibraltar. Call him on 79470(Mobile:0034 629 739 077)or call in at the shop to discuss your requirements.

Gibraltar—The Plan

The Government's Town Plan ning Division, in conjunction with the Development and Planning Commission has produced a Dratt Gibraltar Development Plan for public consultation. This Plan, once approved in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Town Planning Act, will replace the existing 1991 Gibraltar Devel opment Plan.

The new Plan will provide the framework for land use planning in Gibraltar for the next decade.

The Draft Gibraltar Develop ment Plan is open for public consultation until 16lh October 2007 at an exhibition in Casemates Exhibition Galleries on the first floor of Casemates Barracks.

The exhibition includes a large model of the whole area of Gibral tar comprising the Midtown and Mid Harbour projects. This model shows how that regenerated zone of Gibraltar will look including the construction of the Mid Harbour Government Rental Estate, the King's Bastion Leisure Centre, the public park, the New School, the Midtown Development, the King's Wharf development, the

new roads and parkings and the small boat owners Marina. The exhibition will also include im ages of the Government's new rental housing estate, new air terminal and related new roads and tunnel scheme.

The exhibition is open Monday to Friday lOam-lpm, 2.30pm5.00pm. A web version of the Exhibition is available at www. gibdevplan.gov.gi including a full version of the Plan.

Phill Brear:New Head ef Gambling Regulatien

The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, as Gambling Commissioner, has announced the appointment of Mr Phill Brear to the new post of Head of Gambling Regulation for the Authority.

Paul Canessa, Chief Executive of the GRA said"We are delighted to have made this appointment. Our e-gambling industry is the hub of a global industry that aspires to the highest standards in socially responsible and trans parent services. It is essential that we have the right blend ofregula tion, experience and innovation to work with our operators in meeting and developing those standards. Phill brings strength in depth from his role as one of the top team with the UK Gambling Commission".

Mr Brear will start with the GRA on 1st October and is cur rently making arrangements to move into Gibraltar.

Speaking about the appoint ment, Phill Brear said "1 feel very privileged to be taking up such an important post at such a critical time. The Government has demonstrated its continuing commitment to licensing and hosting the world's strongest and most dynamic operators in remote gambling. With that comes a responsibility for all parties to ensure we help develop and meet the highest international standards around player protec tion, integrity of facilities and resilience of systems. Gibraltar has a first class reputation in these areas and as the industry comes under increasing demand and international scrutiny we must ensure that reputation goes from strength to strength.

"I am keen to build on the strong and productive relationships we have with all our operators, in cluding our traditional gambling operators, and work with them to move our position forward."

Phill Brear was appointed as Director of Operations in the Briti.sh Gambling Commission in October2005 following a career in policing. As Director of Opera tions he had responsibility for the Licensing, Compliance, Intelli gence and Enforcement functions of the Commission, including a key role in the shaping and de velopment of the new policies, conditions and codes of practice for the British gambling industry under the recent Gambling Act. He also led the team responsible for setting up the operational staff and systems for supervising,and where necessary, investigating, over 2500 British operators. His role has allowed him to meet many of the key gambling staff in Europe and he is a mem ber of both the European Gam bling Regulators Forum (GREF) and the International Association of Gambling Regulators(LAGR).

In his 30 year police career he became Deputy Chief Constable of the fourth largest police force in England, West Yorkshire, and his responsibilities have included oversight of Specialist Opera tions,Complaints and Discipline, Performance Management,Legal and Media Affairs and IT. He was widely regarded as a very 'hands on'manager who literally kept his feet on the ground by engaging in operational duties despite the demands of running an organisation of 8,500 staff and a £40()m budget.

Marraciie&Co makes internationai Contriiiution

by Nicholas Pinero, Barrlster-atLaw and Tax Specialist

Marrache & Co have published the first article to feature in the Gibraltar publication of the International Bar Association (ISA), currently celebrating its 60th anniversary as a forum for practicing lawyers and an invaluable source for informa tion around the world.

The IBAis committed to promote the exchange of information be tween jurisdictions from around the globe. Marrache & Co understands the importance of this worldwide collaboration and as Gibraltar's International Law Firm takes the lead with the article "Europe's Comeback Kings."

The article considers Gibraltar's present and future role as a finance centre in the international scene fo cusing on the"hard hits" its new tax regime has received from Brussels and its unstoppable momentum to become the "New Monaco" (The Times 19th February 2007).

If you would like more information on this issue, please contact Nicholas Pinero on 79918 or e-mail npinero© miirrache.com.

«...as the industry comes under increasing demand and internatienai scrutiny we must ensure that reputation goesfrom strength to strength"

Til TaxAdvantag Your Options

In his June 2007 budget speech the Chief Minister introduced a new dual system of income tax assessment in Gibraltar. The choice taxpayers now have is whether to continue to be assessed on the existing Allowance system or to opt for the new Gross Income system. Now that taxpay ers have had time to absorb the details of the new system they may already have decided on which basis they prefer to be taxed from July 2007, or they may yet have to make up their minds.

In his budget speech the Chief Minister pointed out that under the existing Allowance system there are very high headline rates of taxation of income, although these can be reduced to lower effective rates by tax allowances which in clude mortgage interest relief, life insurance premium relief and child allowance. However he went on to sav that some taxpayers"who can not benefit from these allowances because they are single, have no mortgage, no children or no life insurance are left to pay the very high 'headline' rates."

It was for this reason that the new Gross Income system of assessment was introduced. Under this system tax rates are broadly the same but, in return for waiving all individual allowances(including the personal allowance and allowances for mort gage, pension and life insurance payments)the lower tax rate bands are considerably wider.

Anthony Drew of European Financial Planning Group argues that whether an individual decides to pay tax on the existing Allow ance system or the new Gross Income system should depend as much on their saving ambitions as on reducing tax. He cites two examples of the sort of person who may benefit from the new Gross Income system.

Firstly there is the person earn ing £40,000 per annum, who is unmarried and lives in Spain and therefore only able to claim the Per sonal Allowance. Secondly there is the individual earning £80,000 per annum who is married who owns a property in Gibraltar on which they are able to claim mortgage relief of £6,000 per annum. In both cases if no other allowances are claimed

under the Allowance system then the individual will be significantly better off under the new Gross Income system.

However,both these individuals may want to make personal pension contributions of5% of their income. In addition the single person earn ing £40,000 may want to save a

further £500 per month, and the married person earning £80,000 may want to save £450 per month.

On the basis that all of these savings are of a tax relievable type then the amount of income tax due under the Allowance system would then reduce to the same amount as would be payable under the new

Gross Income system.

Drew says "What's really going on is that under the Gross Income system if the taxpayer can pay less tax he can take the money and spend it on other things".

"Alternatively under the Allow ance system, where they can claim income tax allowances through saving by making life insurance or pension payments,they can reduce their tax bill by the same amount. However,through doing things this way there is a requirement to save the income tax saved rather than having the freedom to spend it. Not only that, but there is a requirement to make further additional savings as well. This may seem like a dis advantage, but if you want to save anyway this is fine."

The key issue. Drew says, is given that there are the tax reliefs available on savings not to let the question of the choice of taxation basis cloud the issue of the need — or the best way — to save over the long term.

"Whilst someone who opts for the Gross Income system could sim ply spend their tax saving equally they could, for example, save by increasing their mortgage repay ments and hence saving interest. If they live in Spain and cannot claim tax relief on a Gibraltar mortgage this may very well be sensible.

"On the other hand the advan tage of the Allowance system for those whose tax bill can be reduced by as much or perhaps more than under the Gross Income system through saving is that it has a sav ings discipline built into it. It is better to decide if and how much you want to save and then workout the best way of being taxed — not the other wav round".

Freemasons'Donation to Holy Trinityj

Grand Master in Ctiarge of Gifrrattar's a cheque for £5,000 to the Cathedral of the ampaign."

to the Very Reverend Alan Woods ID,FCCA, Dean of Glbrattar, on behalf of the Freemasons' Grand Charity of the United Grand Lodge of England. The District Grand Lodge of Gibraltar is delighted that the request for the grant was approved by the Committee and Council of the Freemasons'Grand Charity of the United Grand Lodge of England.The District Grand Lodge of Gibraltar believes it is a worthy and most needed cause,and it is hoped that the grant will help in the repairs and restoration of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.

^Mnthony Drew FCU FPFS of

"..under the Gross income system If the taxpayer can pay less tax he can take the money and spend it on other things"

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 associate 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.

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european financial planning

Guess who's peacefully invading the Fine Arts Gallery this September with his solo exhibition of 30 oversized paintings and a selection of drawings and watercolour studies? COSQUI, in capi tals, is the name that signs some of the largest, loudest, cheekiest artwork Gibraltar has ever seen — as if there wasn't enough room on the canvas for the author's full name Paul Cosquieril

Under the title "Between the Rock and a hard place", graphic designer by trade and artist bv pas sion Paul will go larger than usual — even if that is hard to believe possible without an upgrade to frescoing — on the monographic theme of the Rock's northern face.

Paul is renowned for his 'fas cination' with the shape of the Rock and the endless ways he can re-invent it from different angles, through the use of colour and even three-dimensions, with raw papier-mache and rags which he leaves obvious and bare so that one could even read breaking news on the Chronicle snippets formed into edifices and cliffs!

His Rock Formations 3 and 5 landed him first and second prizes at the 2004 Spring Exhibition and the 32nd Gibraltar International Exhibition respectively, after his warm-up with a high commenda tion at the 31st International for his anti-tobacco campaign piece "Smoker" — dissimilar subject

matter, but same technique, and he wisely realised that one mustn't change one's winning horses.

Sounds boring, like the same old soup presented under flowery names on a trendy restaurant's menu? Not at all, if you just recol lect the artistic wonders some guy by the name of Andy Warhol could attain with a can of soup!

And so Paul is caught within the vision of "the Rock and the hard place" of his inner exploration — the subject matter supports the infinite ways it can be portrayed and introspected according to the artist's mood, interest, conscious and subconscious.

No limit to the imagination then.

Tbut what about practical problems?

Paul confesses that'going large'can feel quite physically challenging, whenever he thuds his head against his studio's ceiling or he's got to ap ply a whole-bodied momentum to his drawings rather than the simple wrist strokes necessary for more traditionally sized media.

But all his stretching and perch ing over a 360 x 120cm board laid on the floor,standing on stools and splashing paint everywhere,finally pays off when the final product is lifted vertical and viewed from far enough away to appreciate that in Paul's world size matters indeed.

In his 2005 solo exhibition, Paul introduced his earl)' work as a'pot-

pourri of undefined and immature concepts'. Now he is taking his flirting with art to the next level, consolidating a relationship the offspring of which will appeal to savvy art collectors, though he swears he paints mostly for himself, since parting with his brainchildren pains him — proof being the noncommercially-viable dimensions he picks and price tags deliberately high.

But it pleases him to sec the works permanently displayed in prestigious venues like the Finan cial Services Commission offices and in the forthcoming Gibraltar National Gallery, where his "Rock Formations 3" will be housed alongside fellow International Ex hibition past and future winning entries which become Ministry of Culture property, and will collec tively showcase Gibraltar's grand entrance into the 21sl Century as far as fine arts are concerned.

However,COSQUI reckons that Gibraltar,like any othersmall town,

Now he is taking his fiirting with art to the next level,consolidating a reiationship the offspring of which will appeal to savvy art collectors

no matter whether insular or verg ing on a metropolis, isn't exposed to enough art trends and is prone to curl up in safer styles which he at tributes to the Gibraltarian 'colleclive protective nature'— a positive trait in social relationships, but too cautious when it comes to investing in the avant-garde without fear of being dismissed as controversial or ridiculed.

Even if he doesn't want his unique style to be pigeonholed,and wishes to be identified as an 'hon est' artist rather than 'the painter of...', Paul admits to being influ enced by some mid and late 20th Century American and Spanish artists, like jackson Pollock (who doesn't?), Willem De Kooning, An tonio Saura and Antoni Tapies.

In Gibraltar Paul is already causing a stir among the younger generation and creating some'dis ciples', thanks to his exaggerated way of speaking through colour and shapes — a mirror to offer society something to reflect on and about.

Hisstriking "Crucifixion",whore he captures its goriest anatomical and barbaric quintessence, for ex ample,is recognised to be one of his masterpieces so far, and somewhat deviates from the almost cartoonlike way he deals with the human

figure, and endorses the aesthetics that inspired Aaron Soleci's Young Artist of the Year Award winning artwork last year.

As most of his paintings scream out as if they want to burst from the square, two dimensions and centimetres,however plenty,aren't enough for Paul who recently branched into pottery, sculptures and the millions of possibilities offered by pixels.

The latter resulted in a co-ex hibition with fellow genius Willa Vasquez last spring, where he suc cessfully proved how the camera is yet another instrument through which his creative mind can express the feelings triggered by mankind's negative traits as well as the bold images he encounters in his daily life as a businessman.

COSQL//'s exliihiti(yn opens to the public on 24th September. For private viezving, contact ivsi]uif''cos(jui.com or 57857000.

MH Blands:

strength in Unity

The name MH Bland is synonymous with the history of Gibraltar. It is a local company with its heritage firmly embedded in the Rock of Gibraltar. Over almost two centuries the company has charted a course which has made it a model of the entrepreneurial spirit local companies evoke.

when Marcus Henry Bland ar rived in Gibraltar from Liverpool at the turn of the 19th century,little would he have known that he was laying the foundations of a busi ness that would still be alive and flourishing today.

In ISIOheestablishedashipping agency in his house in Irish Town which at the time was the com mercial hub of Gibraltar. There was undoubtedly competition in this field but the business developed and 30 years later he went into partnership with Charles Middleton and John Mackintosh to set up a larger firm.

The Company grew as a conse quence of opportunities created by the development of steam engines and greater trade due to Gibraltar's strategic location in relation to North Africa and Britain's wider empire.

As a result of the deaths of Mar cus Henry Bland (1856), Charles Middleton (1860) and John Mack intosh (1865), Marcus' children, Horatio and John gained control of the company. Together, they developed the business locally as ship agents, ship owners and coal merchants.They also played a very important role in the development of the port of Tangier.

However,as the century drew to a close, Horatio and John left most ofthe running of the business to Jo seph Gaggero who had joined their company as a clerk in the 1860s. Joseph had been born in the build ing where Middleton, Mackintosh and Bland had their offices, a coin cidence that no doubt influenced

his future career,for in 1891 both Joseph and his brother Emmanuel purchased the company for the sum of £28,474. Joseph Gaggero was officially appointed Managing Director, with his brother becoming a Director and his right hand man.

The company expanded and the fleet of ships grew as trade boomed between the North African

by Sonia Golt

the family. Joseph died in 1911, Emanuel died in 1913 and Avellano Gaggero passed away on 2nd August 1914.

At a hastily arranged board meeting, 17 year old George Gag gero (son of Joseph Gaggero) was appointed Managing Director. It was a daunting responsibility for one so young;not least because War was declared on 4th August 1914, just two days after his appointment. However, shortly afterwards his brother Charles also joined the company.

Together, the two brothers, steered the company through the difficulties of World War I, the great depression of the 1930s and the tumultuous years of World War II. Despite all this the company diversified into salvage,ship repair, timber, an ice making factory and aviation in addition to the existing shipping interests.

1946 was a crucial year for the Gaggero family as they decided to divide the business in what was to be the first re-organisation of the family interests. George retained the shipping and aviation interests of MH Bland and in post-war years developed further into tourism and aviation in Gibraltar, Morocco, Spain and the UK. Unfortunately this growth was cut short by the closure of the frontier in 1969.

Some years before his death Sir George (knighted 1941) reinquished his responsibilities as Chairman of what had then be come known as the Bland Group to his sons Joseph and John who ran the business until it was again divided in 1986. John retained the maritime and port related activities as well as the Cable Car under the original name of MH Bland and Co Limited.

MH Bland is to celebrate its 200th anniversary three years from now in 2010, still true to Marcus Henry Eland's maritime legacy. It will be John Gaggero's sons, Johnnie and George, together with their sister Mandy who will steer the Group though this historic period.

1 asked them how they got in volved with the company and this is what they had to say;

Johnnie Gaggero:"1 do not think there was ever a time in my life when 1 did not think that 1 would eventually join the family business. It was in the blood so to speak.1 did a degree in Economics and Public Administration and studied to bea chartered accountant but when my father told me that he and my unde were thinking of dividing the busi ness 1jumped at the opportunity to return to Gibraltar."

George Gaggero: "As a fam ily we lived the business thai Dad was involved in. Shipping has always been part of my life

In the centre ofthis photograph is Sir George Gaggero QBE

Above: Local female stafffrom the fVlons Calpe. Right: Bland Line M.V. "Mons Calpe"in service between Gibraltar and Tangier

Coast,Spain and the UK. Busine

As a family we lived the business that Dad was involved in. Shipping has always been part of my life''

ss improved as a result of the French and Spanish taking over Moroccan affairs but war was on the horizon and it was also a difficult time for

Hercules 1 - Paddle ship 1866•firstship built for the Company and used for sahrage work and Tangier service and having learnt something of the shipping industry in London and Cape Town and later with Cunard, I was delighted when the opportunity arose to return home to the business. I have always felt it a tremendous honour to follow in my grandfather's and father's footsteps. It is also immensely re warding to work next to my brother in building up a business of which we can be proud. We enjoy what we do and have built a team of like-minded people who share our passion and values."

Their sister Weeny worked for a few years in the company but left to start a familv and their younger sister Mandy joined them in 2005 after a short but successfLil teaching career locally. Mandy has carved out a role looking after the group's marketing but has a much greater influence due to her enthusiastic and creative character.

I asked Johnnie how many peo ple they employed.

"We employ 92 full time staff but this number grows during the summer months when we employ additional personnel to cope with the busy tourist season. We believe that the greatest asset we have is our staff and we are very proud of the team wc have built around us as the business has grown. They area group of young and dynamic people who work incredibly well as a team and they are the company's lifeblood."

What has changed within the company since those early days?

"Those who have been at the helm at any given time have had to adapt to sometimes traumatic world events. Locally, 1 trust that they helped, in their own small way, to shape Gibraltar into the vibrant community it is today. As we take our fir.st tentative stepsinto the 21st century, we wonder what those who went before us would think of the internet, mt)bile phones and such-like and hope that wc

can participate in our community of today as our grandfathers did in theirs."

The MH Bland Group still fo cuses on maritime activities as a core business which includes port agency offices in Gibraltar, Algeciras and Ceuta. MH Bland Marine Services operates the cargo terminal and a fleet of support vessels. The company continues to operate the Cable Car to the Top of the Rock, where recent refurbishment works have been carried out to the top sta tion. It owns Calypso Tours which operates a fleet of coaches provid ing excursions to visitors arriving on the Rock and Calypso Travel which while offering a complete travel agency service specialises in cruise holidays. The latest addition to the Group,Dolphin World,oper ates excursions into the Bay to see the local marine life in its natural habitat.

The Gaggero family is intrinsi cally linked to Gibraltar and its history. The present generation is all too aware of the responsibility they bear to past generations as well as to future members who may judge their stewardship.

As part of their commitment to be active in community life, this year saw the second annual walk to the "Top of the Rock" which the staff and their families organised. This year staff and friends from other local companiesjoined in and together they raised £17,000 in aid of cancer research. A first this year was the participation in the Caval cade with an innovative float.

As the bicentenary draws near, all those who have participated over the years to the Group's ac tivities can reflect proudly on their contribution in the knowledge that it has been an enormous inspiration to the current generation in whose hands the future of the Group lies.

Certainly, if the past is any indi cation, the future will be nothing if not interesting.

The present generation is all too aware of the responsibility they bear to past generations as well as to future members who may judge their stewardship.

The Europe Point Projoct

A project to refurbish the Europe Point area and convert it into one of Gibraltar's leading leisure facilities for residents and tourists has been launched by the Government.

The area earmarked tor this project has im mense potential and, through the new beautificalion scheme which fully integrates and extends facilities for ail users in a harmonious and attractive environment, the Government believes it can encourage greater use of the area by residents and tourists. The proposals include:

• Demolition of existing buildings to allow for extended open area and exposure of views into lighthouse area and cottages.

• Removal of traffic from current asphalted square.

• Development of asphalt square and adjacent open decks as pedestrian public prom enades.

• Creation of a new roundabout to limit vehicu lar traffic to eastern roadway only.

• Formation of public pavement along roadway East boundary to allow views down onto Europa Promenade.

• Formation of public open vehicular parking area with provision for small coaches and taxis.

• Creation of new bus lane and relocation of bus stop within.

• New pedestrian avenue linking Nun's Well and Europa Point areas.

• Assignment of historic sea wall frontages as pedestrian walkways to be re-paved and beautified.

• Improvement of links between main prom enade,sea walls and Europa Promenade.

•Provision ofextensive open air children's play ing areas with shade structures and seating.

• Provision ofextensive seating/ picnic benches overlooking general leisure promenades.

• Changing the nature of the present mound viewpoint, by re-exposing the underlying Harding's Battery, and creation of a new

glass enclosed viewing platform with internal displays.

• Re-exposure of the stone magazine(under the former sunflower shop building) to house public toilets with facilities for the disabled and a new ground level cafeteria.

• Introduction of new paving, street furniture throughout.

• Introduction of orientative lighting for night users.

• Introduction of historical references for the area.

• Introduction of referenced indigenous land scaping.

•Promotion of natural history aspects through the provision of a new G0NH5strait monito^ ing and viewing enclosure.

•Reinforcing the sports leisure aspect ofthe area by building of a new pistol shooting range adjacent to the present rifle range.

The Government empasises that all new works will be carried out with consideration for the historic sensitivity ofthe area and with equal consideration for the present users. Materials, finishes and landscaping will be selected for optimum performance under the prevailing high-exposure conditions.

It is expected that the project will give a new lease of life and make valuable use of a signi6cant and historic area. The project is estimated to take approximately 15 months.

"The scheme for Europa Point has been under consideration for some time. I believe that this project will regenerate an area that has been under-utilised for many years," said the Hon joe Holliday, Minister with responsibilit)' for Tourism, adding "I am glad this new scheme will provide leisure and tourist facilities for residents and visitors as well as beautifying yet another area of Gibraltar."

Musical Magic

Nine years, one hundred events: the Gibraltar Philharmonic Society is celebrating in style this season with a programme that truly pledges music for your ears!

New and old acquaintances will share the stage at St. Michael's Cave, the Convent and Sacred Heart for the monthly rendezvous with melody,solo instruments and angelic voices, often conducted by local maestro Karel Mark Chichon, who has made Gibraltar proud with his success abroad — soon he will be conducting Carmen at the Latvian National Opera and at Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre with soprano Elina Garancfa in the title role, and Barbiere di Siviglia at the Vienna Volksoper, just to quote some of his forthcoming profes sional engagements.

That's why the Philharmonic Society's 100th concert on 5th No vember will be one for the history books, featuring an all-star cast of Karel's friends and colleagues in Rossini's Barbiere di Sivigliii: Adrian Erod,Elina Garanfa,Alfred Sramek and the European Sinfonietta, ha bitue of Gibraltar's classical scene.

The Society's spokesman Gino Sanguinetti is delighted with the personal friendship built with the artists invited for many happy returns to Gibraltar after their pre miere here — a premiere which in some cases has been the proverbial 'being at the right time at the right place' which launched their inter

national

career. Even if they have moved on to prestigious theatres they are still fond of Gibraltar and ready to offer us another encore.

Since their debut on 26th No vember 1998, featuring the Israeli Sinfonictta, the Philharmonic con certs bring to Gibraltar the cream of global talent, with its"sustained quality" portfolio of artists,as Gino describes it, and the best and widest repertoire, kept varied,original and well beyond the most known bits and bobs likely to end up as film or commercial soundtracks or even as cell-phone ring tones!

However, if Karel's advice is final when scouting for perform ers at the high levels he wants to maintain, predicting which com posers and compositions will be a success with Gibraltar's audiences proves slightly more complicated and sometimes totally unpredict able. Once Stravinsky's Firebird surprisingly stole the show while

organisers were expecting the ex cerpts from Bizet's Carmen, played just after it, to be the most'popu lar' — although Gino shies from this word for describing selection criteria.

So, like exotic food, one cannot dismiss adventurous marriages of flavours without tasting them first. For classical music the Phil harmonic Society is inviting the public to experience more and more treasures from a cultural patrimony which spans some 600 years, although sometimes mere economic or logistical restraints are the culprits that hamper grandiose operatic productions.

Gino directed La Traviata and Toscfl a few years ago, and he re members them as an "interesting nightmare". Never fear, though if his beloved Wagner masterpieces are to stav in the pipeline a little longer than hoped, momentous anthologies of the best operatic

arias, duets and songs will come to Gibraltar as soon as 29th May 2008 in a gala evening with Tamar Iveri, Maria Jos6 Montiel, Valter Borin and Guillermo Garcia-Calvo on pianoforte.

Sometimes the Society itself decides to'archive' their'regulars' who have made a big name for themselves, in order to allow new promises to bud into this spirited world. Being invited to Gibraltar has somehow become a strongpoint on an artist's curriculum vitae, thanks to the Philharmonic Society's reputation for hunting out the best professionals, instead of compromising standards just for commercial viability's sake.

Dramatic soprano Angela Brovm for example, co-winner of the Grand First Prize and the Audience Award at the Altamura/Enrico Caruso International Voice Compe tition held in 2001 at St. Michael's Cave, made excellent use of the Gibraltar springboard to take rite Metropolitan Opera by storm with her 2004 title role in Ai'da, which the Nezv York Tfwt's acclaimed with the words "At last an Aida".

Her fans will have to travel to Bilbao at the end of November in order to witness her Aida interpreta tion live — since this year she isn'^

i^iition.ii uweoK uoncen ^lui .itipiefiinBr • riiiiiKifndiii

The Philharmonic Society has a reputation for hunting outthe host profossionais, instead of compromising standards lustfor commorciai viahiiity's sake

like many other artists who have graced us in the past, planning a courtesy call to Gibraltar — how ever, pianist Ingrid Fliter, recipient of the 2006 Cilmore Artist Award and rave reviews, is back on 31st March for a recital at the Convent, followed in April by the triumphant 'homecoming' of violinist Barbara Doll, who has already several times literallv struck a chord with our audiences.

But who are these audiences? A nucleus of regulars who wouldn't miss it for the world and a good bunch of enthusiasts helping call upon new supporters, to an extent that sometimes they have to be turned away from the sold-out limited-capacity venues.

What a pity Gibraltar lacks acous tically fit auditoriums larger that the 150-seater Convent ballroom or St. Michael's Cave, which is restricted by fire regulations to 400 people, including audience, cast and crew!

Thanks to the tickets' affordability and venue convenience, such facilities would allow a bigger slice of the community to enjoy the monthly cultural challenge — music to make you an aesthetically active and attentive listener, notes never played identically in two different live performances of the same piece, and appealing to your emotions.

The Philharmonic Society is also

pleased to invite schoolchildren, whenever possible, to rehearsals — and even more pleased with the positive response of genuine sur prise and curiosity most youngsters show when first introduced to the powerful live sound of orchestras, solo instruments or the vibrant trills of operatic voices.

Another hefty vote of confidence towards the work of events coor dinator Angelo Sanguinetli and chairman Ian Angus comes from the many sponsors who promptly pledge financial support to cover the many organisational expenses — overseas phone calls, airfares and accommodation, props and infrastructure — thus tangibly endorsing the sterling job the So ciety is doing for Gibraltarians and the many Costa del Sol residents who travel here attracted by an unique opportunity of being part of the worldwide philharmonic panorama.

To kick off the 2007/2008 season, the traditional National Week con cert will be held on 2nd September, featuring local tenor Nathan Payas, accompanied by Raimond Macats on harmonica and the South Lon don Philharmonic Orchestra, con ducted by Karcl Mark Chichon.

Info ami credit card ticket purchase from Angela Sanguinetti on 72134 or e-mail tgpsociety«''gibteU'com.nef.

~1lill Dib Dib!Scouting on the Rock

Do Your Best is a familiar concept to all citizens who spent some of their formative years as Boy Scouts and Girl Guides — Jon Lewes does his best to find the details of scouting as it was in its earlier years in Gibraltar and uncovers some fascinating facts.

"Don't pitch your tent between the ants' nests," is the instruction one veteran Girl Guide remembers ot her scouting days in the 1940s. The other special memory she has is of making the Scout's Oath that "On my honour I promise that 1 will do my best — To do my duty to God and the King,To help other people at all times, To obey the Scout Law".

Scouting is considered to have started when, after a first camp in August 1907 at Brownsea Island, Lord Robert Baden-Powell of Gilwell began promoting Scouting in Britain, with Scouting for Boys, the first Scout handbook, appearing in six fortnightly installments in a boys' magazine starting in Janu ary 1908. The Scouting movement developed rapidly from there, first through the British Empire, and afterwards around the world.

A number oftroops claim to have been the first to start in Britain in 1907, with the 1st Glasgow Scout Troop in Scotland holding the ear liest known registration certificate, dated 26th January 1908 but the first recognised overseas unit in a country controlled by the United Kingdom was chartered in Gibral tar, also in 1908, followed quickly by Malta.

In the spring of 1908, Canada became the first overseas Domin ion with a sanctioned Boy Scout programme,followed by Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. By 1910 India and Singapore had Boy Scouts too. Now,the number of scouts, a term which refers to both boys and girls in the scouting

movement, who have made the Scout's promise has risen to more than 28 million, spread through some 216 countries and territo ries across the world and with a strong, active presence of scouts in Gibraltar.

When Lord Baden-Powell started 100 years what has now become the world's best-known, and largest, youth organisation he was sure of one thing... that his scouts would learn to be caring people and good citizens but they would have fun while they were learning — to "Promise to never give up, be a caring citizen,and have fun..." The aim of modern scouting is, in the words of the Scouting Association, "to promote the development of young people in achieving their full, physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential,as individu als, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities." The Association goes on to say, "the method of achieving the aim is through the provision ofexciting and adventurous activities with progressive training based on the Scout Promise and Law guided by adult leadership."

Once a scout, always a scout has now become an integral part of the concept of being a scout, with

many well-known members of the movement proud to acknowledge the core Scout values of trustwor thiness, loyalty and to "do their best" which they learnt during their formative years as young teenag ers, during the brief period of their lives aged from ten to 14 years'old. Many former,or veteran,.scouts at tended early-morning ceremonies for the Renewal of the Promise held round the world at 08.00 on 1st Au gust this centenary year 2007 — al though it is uncertain how many of them presented themselves at their nearest local venue, veteran scouts with names well-known to the public, and demonstrating the international and across-theboard spirit of the movement, include: David Beckliam, Sir Paul McCartney,Sir Jack Brabham,Cliff Richard, Billy Connolly, Nelson Mandela, Harrison Ford, Richard Gere, Walt Disney, Stephen Spiel berg and Bill Clinton.

The Scout Association of Gi braltar operates as a branch of the United Kingdom Scout Association due to Gibraltar's affiliation as an overseas territory of the UK. The first overseas troop of The Scout Association, the 1st Gibraltar Scout Troop, has since amalgamated with the 4th Gibraltar Scout Troop, becoming the lst/4th Gibraltar

(Marquess of Milford Haven's Own)Scout Troop and while this year celebrates the 100th anniver sary of scouting movement, and the 150th anniversary of the birth of its founder, next year, 2008, will celebrate the 100th anniversary of scouting in Gibraltar.

There are at present eleven differ ent troops, packs and colonies mak ing up the Scout Group in Gibraltar, developed from the first meeting of the Gibraltar Boys' Brigade 1908.

By 1910 they were busy with scout-like activities including the first hike of Gibraltar Boy Scouts to the Upper Rock and the first Gibraltar Boy Scout Camp,held at North front. In July of that year Prince Louis of Battenberg was so impressed with the 1st Gibraltar Scout Troop he offered his Patron age and later that month Gibraltar Boy Scouts made their first overseas visit, to Tangier.

The 2nd Gibraltar Boy Scout Troop was formed by members of the Eastern Telegraph Company (now Cable and Wireless), with the Gibraltar Chronicle & Official Gazette of 22nd May, 1911, reporting that "His Excellency The Governor of Gibraltar has graciously consented to become the Chief Colonial Scout for Gibraltar". The following year Scouts and Boys'Brigade members lined part of the route for the visit of the King and Queen to Gibraltar and by 1915,after the earlier merger with the Boys' Brigade,there were more than 150 scouts in Gibraltar.

Gibraltar Boy Scouts played a part during the First World War acting as messengers, signallers,

the first recognised overseas unit in a country controiied by the UK was chartered in Gibraltar in 19G8, foiiowed quickly by Maita

and ambulance men assisting in the landing of casualties at Gibraltar and their conveyance to hospitals.

Bv 1925 a branch of the Girl Guides Association had been founded in Gibraltar and in 1929 Baden-Powell made a short visit to Gibraltar, followed in 1934 by a longerstay. Lord Baden-Powell,as ChiefScout,and Lady Baden-Powell, as Chief Guide, arrived at Gi braltar on the SS Adriatic "together with 680 Scouters and Guiders" while a local Jamboree was being held, with the local Boy Scouts camping with Spanish, French and a contingent of Hebrew Scouts from Spain and Morocco.

Gibraltar scouts today participate in numerous camps and events.

In order to accommodate many different religions within Scouting around the world, "God" may refer to a higher power, and is not specifically restricted to the God of the monotheistic religions.

The WOSM Constitution explains "Duty to God" as "Adherence to spiritual principles, loyalty to the religion that expresses them and acceptance of the duties resulting therefrom."

One event which remains the

same in every country and terri tory is the Jamboree held every four years. The Jamboree held this centenary year in Essex, UK was the 21st, attended by mom than 22,000 scouts from 550 groups, including Gibraltar — the first Jamboree was that first camp held in London in 1907. They have been held every four years except for the period between 1937 and 1947 because of the Second World War,and the 1979 Jamboree, which was to be held in Iran but was cancelled due to the political upheaval in the region at that time.

The Jamboree provides Scouts from different nations with the opportunity to interact and learn about each other, but as one Gibral tar veteran scout points out:"Jam boree is like Gibraltar itself — one of the lessons that vou soon learn at a Jamboree is that everywhere takes at least twice as long to walk from place to place because of the time it takes to meet and greet and speak to everyone on your journey — it really is fabulous!"

With thanh to the Scouts Associalion Gibraltar Branch for assisting with historical information

On Yer Bike!

HSA Junior Cycling Championships

6th September 2007

Are you a young person with dreams of competing at the Commonwealth Games or Island Games at cycling? Do you want to take part in a competitive and growing sport?

Are you aged between 8 and 15 years?

Ifso, why notjoin us at the HSA Junior Cycling Championships on 6th September 2007 on the East side near the Caleta Hotel.

This is the second year this event, sponsored by healthplan provider HSA, has taken place, and the organisers are anticipat ing a big turn out, and fierce competition.

"Cycling in Gibraltar has be come a really high profile event over the past year, with three cyclists representing Gibraltar at the2006 Commonwealth Games," comments Sigurd Haveland from the Gibraltar Cycling Association. "Although we are still waiting for premises in order to fully develop Junior Cycling in Gibraltar we're hoping that a healthy turn-out will show the government the future potential in Gibraltar for

junior cycling. So,even if you've never taken part in this type of event before, why notcome down and join in the fun?"

Richard Halley from HSA com ments: "The new location for the championship, and the rising profile of this sport means we are expecting a great turn-out this year. Kids can enter three events, the first for those aged 8-10 years, the second for those aged 11-13 years and the third for 14-15 years. The roads will be closed off, and every safety precaution has been considered to ensure this will be a safe and fun evening. We really hope this event helps encourage more young people to get in volved with cycling as it is a great way to get fit and healthy."

For further info or to lake part email mart&'gibnel.gi Tel: 43354.

lamboree is like Gibraltar itself— everywhere takes twice as long to walk because of the time it takes to meet,greet and speak to everyone

Poker un the Roek

Another millionaire was crowned last July in Las Vegas following the completion of the 38th World Series of Poker, Beating a field of 6,358 players Jerry Yang, of Laos, took $8.25 Million for first place and a bracelet of holygrail stature.

The interest generated worldwide by the World Series of Poker is almost unequalled by any sporting event.For the last few years it has been hard not to notice the increase of enthu siasm for poker. In 2000, when Chris 'Jesus' Ferguson took $1.5 Million for 1st place there were just 133 entrants in the WSOP.This is far removed from the field that Yang this year had to compete against for his 1st prize. From 133 players, the majority of which were .seasoned professionals in 2000, exploding to 6,358 in 2007, most of which were amateurs who had qualified for a few dollars online, testifies to the cataclysmic momentum poker has built up in just a few years.

Largely we can put this increased interest down to the speedy development of online poker. Anyone residing in Gibraltar or La Linea would not have failed to notice this rise, as it has all been happening so close to home. The ma jority of leading online poker sites have found their home here and as a result a legion of poker player's working here have made Gibraltar and La Linea a microcosm of the poker world. Regu lar games are played at the Casino, the 3 Owls, The Quarter Deck or Betty Blues Bar in Spain.

These games vary from the weekly £20 Rebuy Multi-toumament, followed traditionally with the £1/2 cash game which never fails to create a flurry of action up until 3:00am. Elsewhere games vary depending upon the players,some opting for low /middle stake cash games,others preferring one table Sit and Gos,

The inexhaustibility of games and venues is matched equally by the diversity of players sit ting in these games,each unique, each coming from different backgrounds,but not all working for online gaming companies. Recently the most notable success came from a young Gibraltarian, Stefan Borge, who broke a record when he was placed 1 st in the £50 Freezeout at the Casino on 14th July, then followed this back-to-back the next week with a 1st place win in the regular£20 Rebuy event — and then astonishingly placed 1st once again the following week in the same event. Stefan netted £1,428 in just three weeks, although this pales somewhat in comparison with the achievement itself. Three successive wins in the same event consolidates this young players standing among Gibraltar's mostfeared and skilled players. Although Stephan is now

a fixture at most events he is relatively new to the poker circuit. Foker-lifc-wise it's all relative though.Ok,Yang beats6,358 and wins$8.25 Mil lion,but Stephan's recent local success is equally notable, although evidently smaller.

Among the poker crowd there are many veterans who have been doing the rounds for years. Perhaps one of the most recognised faces is that of 'Tiger' Timmy Baybutt. Tim is an experienced player with many tales to tell; his play is often described as unorthodox, and it seems that the creativitv he applies to his game mirrors his varicoloured personality: a maths' prodigy, extensively travelled, skilled in all forms of gambling; a true Quixote of the gambling world. If you were to ask any local player what their most memorable hands played locally were, the majority, me included, would mention Timmy. In fact of the few hands that I doubt 1 will forget in my life, Tim was on the scene. 1 have both won and lost significant pots to Tim in the past,and I'd not rather lose to any other player —- on the flipside there is no other player I'd rather beat.

The bravado and humour players likeTmmy bring to the table makes playing poker in Gibral tar and Spain more than a game of mathemat ics and psychology. Nowhere else have I ever plaved where I can not play one single hand and still leave satisfied that 1 have had a good ses sion;not profit-wise perhaps, but socially mani fold, Tim is one of many familiar faces found at nearly every poker event held in Gibraltar and Spain; he is also the reigning champion of a big Spanish tournament in which he recently earned a tidy $5000+. If you have never been to one of the local poker events look out for these characters also, all of who have earned legendary local status: Stuart'Omaha Legend' Lobb, Miguel'the punch'Campo,Terry Bamett Adam 'Stuey Linger' Vella, Robert Spencer,Ed die Mead,Chris'Chicken Supreme' Hirst,Jane Smith and Colette Stewart,among many others. Collette is partly responsible for the successlive poker has seen on the Rock, dedicating herself to organising the weekly Casino events; she is also a skilled and avid player.

Poker on the Rock has become an institutioa all in itself in the last few years, establishing a solid community of players and even fostering the talents of a handful of full-time Profession al's who will no doubt be international namesin the near future.To sit down with such a plethora of nationalities gives the Gibraltar poker scenea feel of genuine innovation, freshness and ami ability, With the advent of two other notable poker sites moving onto the Rock we will seea new influx of poker enthusiasts and other char acters into the already thriving mix of players and available games, all of whom will be more than welcome and nurtured into this unique community.

Visit ii'unv.iiibpoker.orgfor all upcoming events.

Ever walked into a bar in Gibraltar or Spain and heard 'bad beat/'got rivered','pot odds' or 'but I was the favourite'? Well now you'll learn who's saying it and why.

To Sit down with such a piethora of nationaiities gives the Gihraitar poker scene a leei of genuine innovation,freshness and amiahiiity

Building a Community Centre

Coming up with an idea for a project, no matter how ambitious, I suppose, is not such a difficult task. Raising funds to see that project through to fruition is another matter. Built on the city walls, the Catholic Community Centre has become another of Gibraltar's very useful institutions.

Boulevard and behind Line Wall Road, was known as a seedy rendezvous at night, so get ting rid of unwanted prowlers in that corner of the world was a case of'killing two birds with one stone' really-

Local architect Natalio Langdon was brought in to get the centre underway. I can't imagine him getting away with plonking a concrete structure right there on the city walls nowadays, with all your interested government depart ments and curious heritage followers barking at the door and reprimanding for interfering with our treasured historical vestiges. Maybe they did make a fuss but were won over by the idea.

Bishop Charles remembers,"Tt was built on a pill box which housed an 80 ton gun left over from WWII. We had everyone in. Government, the MOD, experts of all kinds, and they just couldn't move it, until one day some workmen took on the task by using the method of leverage with an iron bar!" Clever men!The gun is in fact still there, downstairs in a corner somewhere. Construction then moved on and the centre was finally built at a cost of £15,000 — peanuts, by today's rates.

"There simply isn't enough to keep young people occupied," was the cry then as it is, in variably today. The Youth Service wasjust kick ing off aided and abetted by Fr Rapallo (later Bishop) who pressed Government, through the Education Department, to do more for the Gibraltarian youth. Other organisations were also getting offthe ground like,the YCW(Young Christian Workers association) and the CYO (Christian Youth Organisation).

Well the first thing that comes to mind is a group of people need a place to meet. They used to get together in a room by the Cathedral where the shop Isolabella is now situated. When the Sisters of Bon Secours vacated their premises in Library Ramp, that property too, was ac quired and put to good use as a meeting place. Through obvious necessity someone came up with the idea of building a community centre. A centre that would serve the community as a whole,notjust our youth. So more suggestions were needed to producefunds to build the place —good,innovativefund raising plans that were going to fill the kitty, until it overflowed.

A young priest called Fr. Caruana was all for the idea. Full of enthusiasm and energy he got stuck in and straight to work, wracking his brain for ways to raise the large amount(then) of cash required.

"We thought of all sorts of fund raising measures which were pretty much unheard of in those days. Starting our own football pools, which actually became very successful, wasone idea. We held a fashion show at the Rock Hotel with backing music for the models to parade to! That was the very first time that was tried out in Gib."

The Catholic Community Centre dreamers even raffled a flat!

"You can imagine,in the sixties people would say'A flat? What do I want a flat for?'," Bishop Charles recalls. "1 used to stand outside the cathedral trying to sell tickets at 50p each and it was very difficult to get people interested. The thought of owning a flat was alien to them then!" How times have moved on.

Money was also donated by local business people and the Church in Rome, but more and more fund raising activity was needed, in whatever shape or form possible. Then Fr Charles Caruana had another great idea — the Gibraltar Song Festival, which went on to be come the most important event in Gibraltar's social calendar together with the Miss Gibraltar Show. Funds raised from the festival went into the kitty also.

Community events can be noisy affairs at times so choosing Zoca Flank, slightly away from town,as the spot to build the centre, wasn't a bad idea. That area, towards the end of the

1 remember going to the Community Centre for the first time to attend song festival rehears als in 1968 but it wasn't inaugurated until the following year, 1969. So what was the centre used for once it opened? In one word — ev erything. It has been used for weddings(not so much now. The more affluent members in our community prefer other venues on the Rock or going abroad), concerts, bingo nights, Christ mas dances, dance group rehearsal sessions, ballroom dance sessions, meetings of all sorts, senior citizen tea dances, bible studies and lots of other activities. It really has been put to good use. Nowadays St Bernard's Social Club has its premises there, since moving from Main Street They have the whole of the ground floor.

For close to 40 years the venue has been in constant use and it shows. The building looks tired and in serious need of refurbishment, inside and out. "That is why we have just had the main floor of the events hall upstairs reno vated. We are always being told by the users not to polish the floors because then it beconies too slippery for them to work on, but we must, once and for all look after what we have at the centre before it's too late."

Bishop Charles is concerned that money is in short supply for maintenance and users should be more mindful of leaving lights and overhead fans going all the time, and of looking after the centre with a little more tender loving care.The. feeling in some quarters is that notenough cashj is generated from hiring out the centre toaDAe| different groups which make use of it.

In Gibraltar, money is raised for many chai^| ties and causes,including some abroad,whichls,| commendable,but maybe a little more thou^

Fr Charles Caruana had another greatidea—the Gihraltar Seng Festival, which went on tehecome the mostimportant event in Gihraltar's social calendar

should be given to places like the CCC. After all, charily, as they say, begins at home,so some things may have to change.

2010 marks 100th anniversary of the formation of the Diocese on the Rock and plans are afoot to make the centre a proper pastoral or catechetical centre. In some measure, it'll become a place of study and learning and provide for marriage guidance and other

services and can also be used as a computerised resource centre. Weil I'm sure pastoral and community requirements can live comfortably side by side with other activities

— properly run, of course.

You could say that the CCC has gone full circle. A great idea comes to mind and the word 'funds' raises its ugly head along with it once again... So time to fill the kitty to overflowing, one more time!

American Colleges Overseas Visit to Gibraltar

On Wednesday, September 19th, a group of universities from AGO (American Colleges Overseas) will hold its first-ever college fair in Gibraltar.

ACO is a sub-committee of CIS (Council of International Schools) and is composed of approximately 30 private American-style uni versities with campuses outside the U.S., mainly in Europe. As the name suggests, ACO member institutions offer American-style degree programs. Each of their programs has English as the lan guage of instruction and is either accredited in the USA and/or within their host country. In ad dition, the colleges and universi ties within the ACO group take advantage of their international locations in their academic, cul tural, and travel programs. The student bodies are multicultural and diverse, and students benefit from a truly international edu cational experience. Please refer to the ACO website at www.aco. eu.com to learn more about the member institutions.

For high school students start ing to think about their universitv options, the upcoming ACO col lege fair would be an ideal time for them to compare different possibilities. The participating university representatives will give short presentations in order to inform students about the

u

American university system, scholarship opportunities, the college application process, etc. Afterwards, students will have time to speak to the university representatives personally and pick up brochures.

This year, there will be eight ACO institutions represented at the college fair: American Col lege of Dublin; Franklin College, Switzerland; Jacob's University, Germany; John Cabot Univer sity, Rome; Richmond University, London; Saint Louis University, Madrid; Suffolk University Ma drid Campus;Webster Universit)', Geneva.

The ACO College Fair will take place on Wednesday, 19th September from 10.30am to Ipm. The venue for the fair is still to be determined. For questions re garding the fair, contact Elizabeth Gonzalez74525. For specific ques tions about ACO and the upcom ing ACO Fair, contact Alina Choo at alina@suffolk.es or Ashley Teal at teala@madrid.slu.edu.

ACO hopes you will be able to attend their first-ever college fair in Gibraltar. Meanwhile, visit the ACO website at www.aco.

Record A'Level Results

^ Once again our students have iroken all previous records in the -level examination results.

The overall percentage pass rates are 98% for Westside and 97% for Bayside giving an over all pass-rate of over 97% which compares very favourably with UK. Gibraltar College pass rate is 89%.

At Westside the percentage of A and B grades is over 60% in the following subjects: Art & Design,

Physics,English Literature, Maths and Spanish. The correspond ing subjects at Bayside are Art & Design, Chemistry, History and Spanish.

Two boys(Luke Perera in Soci ology and Christopher Buhagiar in Art & Design) received special mention letters from the Award ing Body highlighting that they were among the top 5 out of the thousands of candidates entered in their respective subjects.

When you care enough to send the very best.

Cards. 'rapping. Gifts & Toil's

John Mackintosh Square

Louis Triay:

Man of Our Times

During the 2nd World War Louis Triay was evacuated to Madeira where he passed his school certificate exams and then coached Gibraltarian pupils in maths. In the years after the War there were only two scholarships a year available to study in the UK;one from the Gov ernment the other the John Mackintosh Trust. Louis, a model pupil at the Christian Brothers Line Wall College, was the scholar of his year and chose the Government award. At the age of 17 he read law at University College, London University and at the age of 21 was called to the Bar at Middle Temple before starting his career on the Rock,setting up Chambers in the family house at 290 Main Street.

When the business become too large to service from his home Louis moved to College Lane, and in 1969 to Regal House, and a couple of years ago to the large luxurious suite of offices in Town Range.

In 1952 National Service on the Rock was duly completed but not before he was awarded the first Sir William Thomson Key for the most outstanding recruit of the intake. The competi tion was fierce as it included Peter Isola, Charlie Piccone, Edgar Lavarello and Reggie Norton.

In 1960 Gonzalez, the Sports Outfitters, sponsored the Sportsman of the Year Competi tion. It was won by Louis Triay. The Cup was presented by his eventual grand father in law and awarded by his future father in law. There was no nepotism as it was not until 1966 that he married Valerie Gonzalez. (They have a son, Louis Junior, a daughter, Sophie and five grandsons.)

Louis took silk in the 1980s and as expansion was necessary enticed James Neish to movefrom the Civil Service.This was a huge coup asJames was being groomed to become the eventual head of the civil service.

Five years ago the practice was joined by the Chambers of Guy Stagnetto and two years ago law firm Denton Wilde Sapte was absorbed into the practice. Now Triay heads one of the largest and most successful law firms on the Rock.

Whenever Louis suggests to the younger partners, which include his son Louis Jnr, that perhaps he should retire they unanimously insist he remains as he still attracts new clients and at the same time services the old.

Criminal law was his speciality, and his forte was as a defence lawyer in jury trials. But at the same time he developed expertise in tax plan ning and financial law.

He forsaw the development of what was to become the Costa del Sol and opened an office in Marbella. As British lawyers were not able to practice in Spain he acted as consultant to his own chambers.

By this time Louis sensed Franco's Govern ment was about to impose restrictions although the frontier remained open. At the time it was possible to enter politics without being a mem ber of a party, it was the era of the independent, so he stood and was elected in 1964 to the newly formed Legislative Council.

Action soon followed when some Gibraltar ians decided to support a group of French fami-

lies on the Gibraltar side of the frontier who the men in tri-cornered hats had decided not to let through the gates. The crowd blocked the fron tier gate and an ugly scene developed — Louis dashed down to the frontier to offer assistance. He was asked by the Deputy Commissioner of Police to calm the crowd. He reached the front of the demonstrators,grabbed a loud hailer and told the multitude to follow him to the Convent where a protest would be made. Thissuggestion met with universal approval and so Triay, like the Pied Piper,led the walk to Convent Place. In the meantime he phoned the Convent to advise what was about to take place.

On arrival he and a handful of protestors were met by a senior Police officer and escorted into the Convent. Eventually the Governor,General Sir Dudley Ward, came down in his pyjamas and dressing gown and said: "I want to know who is responsible for inciting the crowd? Tell them that if they do not like the way Britain is handling your affairs then them is only one thing for you to do and that is to go back to Spain". This outburst was received in silence — very much the lull before the storm.

Louis intervened and told his companions that what the Governor meant was that if you do not accept the way the British Government is handling vour affairs you would be walking straight into the hands of the Spanish Govern ment. Sir Dudley, harrumphed and said "Yes, that is what I meant to say; thank you Louis". He then asked what he should do next. Louis replied that he should go out onto the balcony and greet the crowd. This was duly done with a boxer's salute. Fortunately the Governor did notspeak Spanish as he was greeted with shouts ot'hijodeputa','cabwn' and other choice insults. However it placated the crowd and they then walked to protest outside Sir Joshua Hassan's house.

In 1963 Sir Joshua Hassan and Peter Isola made the first visit to address the Committee of 24 at the United Nations. This led, in 1965, to the formation of a coalition government and Triay was appointed Minister for Port & Trade and a member of the Economic Development Committee.

Louis Triay is known throughout the finance industry as the man who more than anyone else created what has become today's finance centre. This came about when he introduced the legislation to create the exempt company which lasted for several decades before being phased out recently as a result of sustained pressure from the EU and the OECD. A great compliment followed when this concept was copied by the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man; another Gibraltar first. It was the exempt company that attracted the expatriate financial managers and trust companies.

Louis is an acclaimed international yachtsman having sailed for both Gibraltar and Spain. He was taught the basics of sailing by Willie Piccone who instilled in him a love and respect for the sea and the finer points of yacht racing. He started in Sharpies, then the RNSA class, followed by Dinghies,then Victories.

Luck follows him around. At the time the cost of a Victory was way beyond his means but Wil lie Thomson recognised his latent sailing talent and told him; "You young whipper snappers think you are the cat's whiskers as far as sailing goes. Why don't you try a real boat and see what you can do. You can skipper my Victory for one race and if you win can take her for the second race. Should you win the series then you can have the boat for the second series and if you

Louis Triay, 78, is one of the most successful Gibraltarians of his generation. Mike Brufal talks to him about his event filled life...

Louis has had an eventful life and one which he has no intention of winding down as he approaches his 80th birthday

win the King's Cup the boat is yours,"

Ninfl was a fast boat and Louis went on to win the King's Cup and so the Victory became his. Sir William Thomson was a man of his word.

In 1956 Louis crewed for the Duke of Ed inburgh on Faiiy Fox when the Royal Yacht Britannin was moored in Gibraltar. Afterwards he was invited to stay for supper and watch the evening's film. The Sit'en Yenr Itch.

During this time Gonzalo Fernandez de Cor dova y Larios(then the Marques de Povar now the Duque de Arion, whose mother was Talia Larios,daughter of Pablo Larios the second, who owned Connaught House now the City Hall) crewed for Louis in dinghy races. They were a successful team and one day Gonzalo asked Louis to crew for him in Spain in the Snipe class. For four years 1959-62they won the Spanish Na tional Championships and remarkably no busy body Francoist queried why a Gibraltarian was in the boat. Louis went on to represent Spain in two European championships and in the World Championships held in Brazil and Long Island Sound. Had the latter championship been won he would have received a medal of merit from General Franco. Alas they came third so perhaps it was divine providence at work. The Brazilian team won the event and went on to win the Olympics.

In 1959 Gibraltar applied for recognition to take part in the 1960 Rome Olympic Games. Louis was hoping to represent Gibraltar and was subsequently elected Chairman of the Gibraltar Olympic Committee;a position he has held ever since. The bid was rejected on the grounds that it did not have sufficient national federations for recognised sports. They applied again in 1991 just ahead of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, but politics reared its ugly head and the Commit tee was told the application could not be heard ahead of the Spanish games. Off the record they were told Gibraltar qualified in every way. After the Games another application was made but by then the rules had changed and only sovereign states could be considered. The Gibraltar Olym pic Committee is still seeking recognition as a National Olympic Committee which if granted will enable Gibraltarian athletes to take part in future Olympic Games — the case is now before a Judge in Lausanne.

Louis, after such a colourful and eventful life, has a host of other stories to tell. Here are a few to whet the appetite.

In 1963 Gonzalo Povar and Louis found them selves on the Spanish Royal Yacht Girahia taking part in the Fastnet race. With both the Conde de Barcelona and Prince Juan Carlos on board, the yacht was collected from the east coast of Denmark and Louis had the young future King ofSpain in his watch. Upon arrival at Cowes all on board were invited to shower and breakfast on the Royal Yacht Britannia as the guests of Prince Philip, During the race from Cowes to Plymouth the Giralda scraped against a rock off the Scillies and so was out of the race.

The next year after his election to the Legisla tive Council Louis was automatically declared a persona non grata and so was unable to enter Spain. Upon his retirement from politics he was taken off the PNG list and was asked to crew for King Juan Carlos in Palma, an invitation he accepted and so he became the first Gibraltarian to take part in the Copa del Rey race. A photo graph of the King and Louis was published in the Spanish national press.

Louis never took advantage of his friendship with the future King unle.ss there was some thing that he could do in the back channels of

politics. For example he brought to the King's attention the fact that there was nt» telephone communication between Gibraltar and Spain, The King arranged a meeting with the Prime Minister Adolfo Suarez which duly took place. Telephone communications were restored by the end of the year.

Louis was appointed Chairman of the Gi braltar Rowing Association in 1965 as the two rowing clubs would neither compete or talk to each other. His smooth diplomacy resulted in the restoration of communications and racing.

He was also Chairman of the Gibraltar Yacht ing Association and mooted the idea of a regatta involving Spanish and Gibraltarian teams to take place in the waters of the harbour.Triay suggest ed this idea to King Juan Carlos who agreed that it would great and he would ensure the Spanish teams were allowed to travel from Spain to Gi braltar. At that time the frontier was closed and so it was decided that two motor boats would go over to Algeciras and fetch them.

One morning he was telephoned by a Spanish Foreign Office mandarin asking questions. The Governor, General Sir William Jackson, then telephoned to warn him that the regatta would never happen, Louis replied that it would and he was prepared to wager a magnum of cham pagne. The deal was struck.

On the due day two motorboats sailed over to collect the Spanish sportsmen and on ar rival were told that the local military authorities would not allow the Spaniards to board. Louis was galvanised into action and made a series of telephone calls to members of the King's household. He was told the King was travelling and so was not contactable. An urgent message was left for the King to say Spanish bureaucracy was preventing the regatta from taking place. A message resulted, an hour or so later, from a senior admiral countermanding the local mili tary, the Spaniards jumped on the boats and a

few hours later than scheduled a most successful regatta was held.

Subsequently Sir William congratulated Louis on achieving the impossible and invited him round to the Convent to drink the magnum.

During his student days in London Louis struck up a lasting friendship with Paco Mayans who was a committed socialist, Paco wished to be a diplomat but his politics ruled him out so he entered the Spanish tourist office rising to be appointed UK director. Eventually he became press secretary at the Spanish Embassy and, when a Labour Government was elected, made a late entry into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Brussels Agreement was signed on 27th November 1984 when Fernando Moran was Minister for Foreign Affairs. In 1982 Paco Mayans was appointed special adviser to the Spani.sh Minister. On 11th January 1985 Mayans 1^ a delegation to the Campo area for talks prior to the opening of the frontier. Louis thought it would be helpful if he arranged a meeting between Mayans and Sir Joshua Hassan. This took place in Louis' flat in Trafalgar House and lasted for two hours. The two men got on like a house on fire and became good friends,

A meeting was held in Geneva on 5th February to iron out any last minute difficulties between the two Foreign Ministers, Hassan attended as part of the British delegation. Ten days before the meeting Paco called Louis; "Tell him my senorito(Moran)is damn annoyed about an ar ticle in a Geneva newspaper in which Sir Joshua is quoted as saying some derogatory remarks about him. Moran is minded to impose some conditions before removing the restrictions." The message was passed to the Chief Minister who asked him to use the back channel to say he had never said anything and the report was journalistic invention.

Salvador went to the talks and when he came back told Louis, such was Mayans' powers of persuasion, the threat to impose conditions was not mentioned and the Spanish delegation gave a party in the Chief Minister's honour resulting in Sir Geoffrey Howe remarking he never knew Sir Joshua was so friendly with the Spaniards, Such is the power of a friendly word in the ear.

Louis has had an eventful life and one which he has no intention of winding down as he ap proaches his 80th birthday. He is an example of how excellent is the education on the Rock and shows what can be achieved with the right com bination of determination, charm and brains.

For four years1959-62

tliey won the Spanish National Championships and remarkahiyno hnsyhody Francoist qneried why a Gihraitarian was in the heat

Ernest Victory:

Boxing Clever

The Gibraltar Amateur Boxing Club was part of the Dockyard Sports Association. When changes came Club'owner'and trainer Ernest Victory grabbed the reins and has held them ever since.

Ernest 62, believes he was a natural boxer. He actually always wanted to be a footballer but from the age of 6 or 7 he remembers carrying boxing gloves around trying to get the other kids to fight with him.

"I remember the Spanish workman taking a rest and watching us fight,cheering us on," says Ernest."When I was older I joined the club and I have never thought of doing anything else, it is in my blood."

He trained hard and long, and as an adult he was offered terms as a professional and had seven fights. His career was sadly cut short by a circulatory problem which left him devastated and medically unable to continue professionally. Boxing's loss ultimately became Gibraltar's gain as Ernest turned from fighter into trainer.

Boxing in Gibraltar has always been a bit of a bridesmaid and never a bride. Many parents don't want their sons involved in what seems

barbaric to some and noble to others. It was during one of these quiet periods that Ernest took over and formed Gibraltar's first true boxing team.

"We have had some good boxers," says Er nest."My son was good as were other members of the family. One of the funny things about boxing though,as we tried to encourage people to join, was the reaction of some fathers. These same fathers that consider boxing dangerous buy their sons huge motorbikes and let them

rideoff without any training at all. It's all about perspective I think."

Ernest received a medal and certificate from the World Boxing Association in recognition of his work and in 2004 he was awarded the M.B.E for services to boxing in Gibraltar and also more importantly for charity work in the UK and Gibraltar.'That was probably the best moment of my life," he remarks."To be given the honour and to be given it by the Queen at Buckingham Palace was fantastic. I felt a little out of place at first. There were about 100 people from all nations, politicians and famous faces but when the Queen spoke to me about the award I just wasembarrassed by how much she thanked me for what I had done."

The club has had some success too, most nota bly the team that went to a European Champion ship tournamentin Cyprus. The Championships involved 21 nations but Gibraltar's four boxers all came home with a gold medal. Ernest also had a hand in the training of former Newark, England boxer Carl Greaves. Carl trained here in Gibraltar for about 18 months with Ernest before heading back to the UK and taking the WBF Super featherweight title in 2003.

"My favourite boxer though is Oscar de la Hoya, some consider him to be one of the greatest. I am also a big fan of Mike Tyson, at his best he was definitely one of the best the world has ever seen. As a classic boxer though you would find it hard to beat Mohammed Ali and I think that in any era, Ali would be world champion."

Currently the club has 30 young members and 25 adult members. Not everyone is into boxing but they want the intensity of training so some members come along just to do that. Ernest continued,"We aren't interested in forc ing people to box but we have a great training regime that is of benefit and tough. Adults pay just £15 per month to train while children go free. We must be the only boxing club in the world that does that but it isn't just about box ing, it's about getting kids off the streets, away from drugs and other temptations. It's an old cliche but boxing does give kids and young adults a purpose and a belonging, they stay clean and they earn respect."

On the subject of talent right now he said, "We have some very promising boxers coming up at the moment who have been training for two years now and arc almost ready for their first fight. We are hoping to have a tournament in Gibraltar sometime in November. There are no details yet but we will publish them as we get them.

"I often get requests to send boxers to fight in little tournaments here and there but I never rush our boxers. No matter how much money is offered I would rather a boxer fight when he is ready than take a risk for a bit of cash."

1 finally asked Ernest where after 55 years he still finds the drive to go to the gym and train people."I don't know," he replied."Many times

^^It's an old cliche but boxing does give kids and young adults a purpose and a belonging, they stay clean and they earn respect^'

I have tried to take if easy. My wife is a boxing widow and I remember one day saying I would stop and spend more time at home. Two days.... Just two days I lasted until my face got miserable and grumpy."

What about the rewards I wondered. "The silly thing about it is as a trainer you are always on the losing side. If your boxer loses it is you that has to pick up the pieces and shoulder some of the blame on the other hand if he wins, he gets all the congratulations and the trainer gets to tidy up and go home."

if you are intercepted in boxin;i or perhaps boxing training then contact Ernest on 42788. Training times are: Monday. Wednesday and Fridayfrom 7 -9 pm. Boys over years and adults train either boxing or keepfit as they wish. Training runs each yearfrom Ist September until july/August when the club closes for the summer.

A Sporting Chance

by Alan Gravett

The words "it is not the winning but the taking part that counts" are usually attributed to Baron de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Gemes, but it is actually based on words used in a sermon by the Bishop of Central Pennsylvania, Ethelbert Talbot, given in St Paul's Cathedral, London, in July 1908.

I suspect that many of today's"sportspcople" know nothing of Baron de Coubertin let alone his stolen phrases.

Firstly, we have highly paid footballers whose strange take on ethics causes them to fall over at the touch of a feather in the hope of provoking either an opponent or some punishment for him but, if the same poor fellow is touched by the same feather, will kick the ball into touch so he can gain medical treatment!

Then there is Christine Ohuruogu,a Brit ish athlete of Nigerian descent and Com monwealth 400m champion, who is desper ate to appear in the World Championships. So desperate, in fact, that she completely overlooked three appointments for drug tests and is banned. Allowed back in lesser events,she may nevertheless be banned for life by the British Federation and will, if necessary, consider running for some other country. And,some other country, will prob ably accept her.

In motor racing, Lewis Hamilton and Fer nando Alonso have had a spat because, as members of the same team,they do not like losing to each other let alone anyone else.

And the English cricket team is really confused. Sledging, the habit of talking to one's opponents during the game has been taken to new heights,or should I say depths. Sledging is practised in order to undermine psychologically one's opponents and,in the words of one England stalwart, to prove we are a tough team to beat like the Aus tralians. Well we need more practice as our latest Olympian effort, which has caused the coach to tell the team to calm down,resulted in India winning only their fifth test match ever in England!

When it comes to cricket I have always envied our Scottish, Welsh and Irish friends because, no matter the make up of my team (and it usually contains a sprinkling of play ers born in the former colonies), we resolutely insist on "taking part" as England.

Not everyone is into boxing but they still want the intensity of training so some members come along just to do that. ^^We aren't interested in forcing people to box but we have a great training regime that is of benefit and tough.

<Rotary Shares' under new President

The Change of President Gala Dinner is an annual event at The Rotary Club, eagerly awaited by all, but most especially by the President-Elect. This summer was nq exception as past President Roger Stentiford with his wife Jennifer, hosted Roger's last evening as President of Gibraltar's Rotary Club.

The event was attended by Gov ernor & Commander-in-chief of Gibraltar His Excellency Lieutenant General Sir Robert Fulton, KBE and Lady Fulton, His Worship the Mayor of Gibraltar, the Honorable Clive Beltran and Mrs Beltran and Commodore Matt Parr, Royal Navy, Commander British Forces Gibraltar, as well as many local and visiting Rotarians and their guests.

The Club received its Founding Charter in 1966 and celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. This year the 42nd President in the Club's history was sitting at the main table — (an Le Breton was ready, willing, and very able, to take on the role he had been pre paring for during the last year as is customary with Rotarians by hav ing an incoming President-Elect. It is traditional for the incoming President of Rotary International to decide upon a theme by which all 30,000 + Clubs, with a total membership worldwide of around 1.2 million members, can work towards the year ahead. Tradition ally in Gibraltar, the local President decides on a local theme.

Ian, on hearing of this year's in ternational slogan 'Rotary Shares', decided it also summed up all the things Gibraltarians are known for — Gibraltar ranks as one of the most generous places on earth when it comes to helping others. Ian felt that as far as the local Rotary Club was concerned, this same theme would mean recognis ing that locally Rotarians share not only all the money they raise with those who need it, but also their time, experience and knowledge and therefore it would be appro priate to just add a word to the international slogan — 'Gibraltar Rotary Shares.'

During hisspeech at the gala eve ning Ian pointed out that, having so much support from local busi nesses and individuals, the main emphasis of the club is to support local causes. He also pointed out that there is an international char-

ity that he wishes to continue to ; help — the Cheshire Home (more formally known as Dar El Hana)in Tangier where Hon.Rotarian Mark : Montovio dedicates so much of phis time, together with a group of : volunteers, to help these children

P.BnsiifMitof Gibraltar's Rotary CliA,

in need.

lan's charm and personality is ideal for this job and, after being involved with the Rotary Club for many years, he had a lot to say about his involvement.

"I first became involved in the Rotary movement almost 30 years ago when 1 joined the Rotaract Club in my home island of jersey. 1 was also an active member of ^e Nas sau Club during my time working in the Bahamas from 1994 to 1997. 1 became very involved in that club's activities although I do recall an embarrassing incident when 1 was in charge of the Bouncy Castle at a function. I wasn't paying too much attention to the Castle and when it collapsed in on itself with four children playing inside, I suddenly became most concerned. Luckily,

we managed to re-inflate the thing but it won't surprise you to learn that I was never allowed to run the Castle again.

"On a more serious note now, in November 20041 took up my posi tion as Managing Director of the local Sovereign office. My partner and 1 live in Gibraltar and we both love the life here and have made many friends. Of course we visit Spain and nearby Morocco regu larly but it's always great to return to our Watergardens home.

"1 think that my roots as a Jerseyman have prepared me well for living in a small community such as ours. Sadly, 1 can never be a true 'llanito' but I try my best to give back a little of what Gibraltar is giving me. We both plan to stay here for a very long time."

A few years ago the Rotary Club of Gibraltar opened its doors to women and now it has around 40 members,ten of which are women. In 2005 the club had a woman Presi dent, Barbara Sellers, for the first time in its history,and to prove they had done the right thing she did a marvellous job. Again this year the incoming President-Elect happens to be another woman, Bea Adams, who together with Ian is sure to make a successful team.

"Membership is open to all who wish to make a difference by help ing others. The present member ship ranges from those in their 20s to our senior member who is in his 80s whilst remaining very active within the Club. Meetings are held every Tuesday at the Rock Hotel and all members are encouraged to participate actively in our fund rais ing activities throughout the year. Fellowship and fun are important parts of any Rotarian's time within Rotary but the main objective is to help others through fund raising and other activities."

Fellowship is an important ideal for all Rotarians who warmly wel come all visiting Rotarians, and some local members attend other clubs around the world each year. The benefit is that many things are learned which can later be imple mented locally if the need arises and it is good to promote the Rock and its generous population around the world.

"The concept of the Rotary Year Presidency has been in place dating back through most of the history of the Rotary movement — which incidentally began way back in 1905," Ian explains. "I think the limitations of such a short time actually benefit everyone. Taking on the Presidency can be a very time consuming task and we have busy professional lives to attend to at the same time. This would be a good moment to recognise the total support that Sovereign Trust (Gibraltar) Limited is giving me as I take on this challenge. Sovereigft supports many charitable cai across the world, most notabl through the Sovereign Art Foi dation.

"Of course, leading the CIi for only 12 months means every incoming President is to maintain their commitment

Ian Le Breton:

think that my roots as a Jerseyman have prepared me well for living in a small community such as ours... We both plan to stay here for a very long time''

enlhusia.sm without any danger of becoming stale. One can only take on this rcsponsibilitv with a dedi cated team behind the I'rcsidcnt — known as the Council. We have put together a formidable group of people as Council members this year and I salute their commitment and drive.

"I had a wonderful year as Presidcnt-Elect under the wise and dedicated presidency of my prede cessor Roger Stentiford and his wife Jennifer who is an active member of the Club in her own right. My goal this year is to emulate his success and if 1 can achieve even some of what he achieved in the last year, 1 shall be more than pleased.

"Our main aim will be to con tinue helping those in need of help

and on taking over the presidency 1 pledged to work tirelessly to achieve this goal throughout the coming year."

Having seen lan's enthusiasm in the past year as President-Elect he is sure to accomplish what he says and will endeavour to benefit all charities concerned,still he believes it is team work and says it.

"I know all 40+ members of the Club will join me in this com mitment and we will strive to do everything we can to help as many people as possible living in our community who are in need this coming year. We warmly welcome new members so if anyone is in terested in joining us, please get in touch with me at ilebretondPSovereignGroup.com or call 76173."

Time for Beautiful Bangles,..

When Beau Jangles opened in June 2005 it did so with a range of totally unique silver jewellery. But due to client demand for fash ion pieces, owner David Bentata looked for and found a range of original items never seen in Gi braltar before. This was a range offun rings,earrings and bracelets in anodised aluminium, printed with wonderful designs ranging from flowers to abstracts in ev ery colour of the rainbow. These are produced by Noa Tamari, a prize-winning design artist from Tel Aviv.

This summer,teaming up with David who first conceived of the idea, Noa has brought out a similar item, but this time it is the Bangle Watch.

These 5cm wide bangles are first graphically printed with a special lacquer that offers some protection against scratches. Af ter that, Noa inserts a neat little square quartz watch in the centre.

Once done, the bangle is curved into shape.Simple, light, hypoallorgenic and fun!

The range has an astounding selection of 38 different designs, all hugely attractive to young and not-so-young ladies looking for something tasteful, different and reasonably priced.The Watch Bangles sell at D9.95and the only problem is which to choose!

The success of the Watch Ban gles is matched by one of the most tasteful souvenirs of Gibraltar, also a joint effort of Noa and David — the Rock Bangle. This bangle comes with very colourful paintings of the Rock of Gibraltar, but in a selection of different hues that Is so attractive that even Gibraltarians are buying them, especially at only £12.95.

We asked David what is next?

"Working with such a talented designer like Noa Tamari, new ideas are always being conceived^ so... watch this space!" s

<<we will strive to do everything we can to help as many people as possible living in our community'*

The Komponent loudspeaker system from Linn

15th-16th September - Clean-Up the World campaign

cleaning-up OUR world.-

Mortified, horrified, outraged with the eyesore below? It's sufficient to spend an afternoon hiking around Gibraltar's extra-urban areas, perching off the balustrades, peeping in some tucked-away crevices, ogling the bushes,to realise that the Rock's cliffs are covered in the most hideous fruit of consumerism.

You name it and it is there:empty cans, plastic bottles and bags, con struction residue, old furniture, hazardous chemicals and all those bits and bobs that our fervid imagi nation suggests is suitable to lazily dump wherever and whenever in stead of correctly disposing of.

You can amend the trend — all year round by making an effort to use the bins provided and once a year volunteering as helper for the "Clean-Up the World" campaign, co-ordinated by the Environmental Safety Group in Gibraltar.

For the third year in a row, concurrently with the worldwide endeavour, Clean-Up the World will amalgamante some 35 million people in over 100 countries in the gargantuan chore ofeach clearing a little plot of their homeland, while learning about keeping it cleaner in the future and saving the planet from our own destructive hands.

Clean-up Gibraltar needs at least 300 volunteers for the 30 hotspots they are planning to leave spic and span on the weekend of 15th-16lh September, with a forecast target of some 50 plus tons of rubbish to be collected.

Although they cannot guarantee it, the volunteers will make their best attempt to separate the various materials like paper, plastic, glass, aluminium or batteries, to facilitate recycling at the Los Barrios plant which processes Gibraltar's mas sive stacks of domestic refuse.

The weekend is kicking off with the popular carnival-likc parade that in previous years attracted the support of a large cross-section of the community, to raise awareness through music and dance and show everyone how being environmen tally friendly can be easy and fun. Well-known local artists who on previous occasions have already shown their green side are most likely to take part again, alongside schoolchildren, scouting and edu cational organisations.

The Government and the Minis try of Defence are directly involved in the venture loaning some of the infrastructure on the day and following up the outcome with targetted maintenance strategies as well as encouraging their em-

ployees to join the initiative on a voluntary basis.

Every team will be issued safety guidelines and equipment in cluding thick gloves, pickers and transparent bin liners to help store the different kinds of recyclable "yuckl".

Meanwhile, divers will recover materials deposited on the sea bed, particularly southwest of the Rock. You couldn't imagine what they retrieved in past years, Janet Howitt reminisces in surprise and disgust,derelict motorbikes, prams and all!

In the spirit of this year's global Clean-Up the World theme: "Our climate, our actions, our future", the ESG is working on a project together with GONHS to weed and prepare for forthcoming reforesta tion of the natural oasis created on the east side's sandy slopes when the corrugated metal sheeting water reservoirs were peeled off and the area, of high ecological and biodiverse interest, has been restored to its former glory as an undisturbed habitat for all sorts of flora and fauna,some unique to

it. The reforestation itself will be a joint project between the Ministry for the Environment and GONHS in the forthcoming year.

Besides the habilud groups of enthusiasts like schools, civil ser vants, and essential services' of ficers that have before answered the call of the wild and donated if not the entire weekend at least a big chunk of it towards reinstating their homeland's pride, fit volunteers are required for tackling the areas of uneven,slippery or bushy terrain.

Most cliffs are so inaccessible that professional abseilers have to secure themselves with ropes before actually descending — and obviously the remoter they are,the more arduous it is to grab all the debris accumulated there, mostly but not always, carelessly tossed by vandals.

Sometimes, forces beyond hu man control like battering waves and sweeping currents are to blame for the rubbish found on the west ern shallower coastline, where most flotsam is washed ashore by the tide and gets trapped on the rocky outcrops.

On the contrary, Europa Point's cliffs are shamefully dumped on from the land side with no regards to the biological impact, as if the seas were able to swallow, break down and re-inject in the circle of life any kind ofsynthetic substance trapped in these precipices, whose vertical and ragged profiles make it mission impossible to decon taminate without deploying major equipment.

Therefore making itself merci lessly obvious to binoculars, all this haphazard littering introduces Europa Point to cruise liners and yachts heading to our harbour.

Environmentalists appeal to Gihraltarians' civic pride in keep ing tidy their small country, which should be considered less of a dumpster and more ofa really large garden — and you wouldn't in discriminately trash your own backyard, would you?

The ESG also calls on early edu cation campaigns to .sensitise chil dren on sustainable recycling issues still for many shrouded in mysterv. For argument's sake,someone may commit to separating the waste,but what's the point and the motivation if appropriate containers aren't provided in town and one must 'export' one's domestic refusal to discard it in the recycling bins just across the border?

The ESG plans to help promote correct disposal guidelines both at the Clean-Up the World exhibition on Saturday 15th September and in the media throughout the run-up to the campaign.

In Gibraltar, nature is a delicate balance at the very foundation of our national identity and tourism industry;in the future it might even provide an indispensable source of renewable energy (solar, eolic and tidal) when the much abused fossil fuel oil we are almost wholly relying on today runs out for good — or bad.

And according to the ESG's worst case scenario, this could even be in our lifetime!

Ifyou wish to volunteer,please phone laiiei Howitt (43156), Ernest Teuma (74467), Pat Scott (71020) or e-mailes^@f^ihtelecom.net. Check out the website: umno.cleanuptheivorlci.org.

Environmentalists appeai to Gibraitarians'civic pride in keeping tidy their smaii country,which should he considered less of a dumpster and more of a really large garden

Rothschild Yacht:[ros OH the ROCk

Baron Henri de Rothschild liked nothing better than sailing the Mediterranean and his luxury yacht Eros was a frequent sight in Gibraltar harbour during the 1920s and 1930s.

Outwardly the 215-toot Eros wasn't particularly streamlined or pretty but the ships interior was sumptuous and her passengers and guests included many of the wealthy glitterati enjoying the good life between the two World Wars. As it turned out the Eros would wind up a permanent resident of the Med, but sadly(m the bottom of it.

Henri, born in July 1872, was a scion of the fabulously wealthy Rothschild banking empire. He led a sheltered childhood surrounded by women and became a doctor on the insistence of his stern mother. He did manage to obtain a medical degree but his true interests lay else where and with the help of an uncle he found a mistress and enjoyed the wicked pleasures of Paris in what were known as the 'Ciav 90s'.

Henri regularly attended wild parties and recorded his memories of one thrown by the mistress of a cousin;

"...during the memorable eve ning, young bachelors from the best families, husbands estranged from their wives, actresses and fashion able coquettes...were the guests of the agreeable mistress of the house. Each was assured of finding under her hospitable roof, the best cuisine, excellent wines and cigars imported directly from Havana. After dinner, poker and baccarat were openly indulged in by wealthy enthusiasts until two or three o'clock in the morning.

"The men who resorted to Genevieves(the name of the club) were either'boys'looking for experience or those engaged in illicit affairs. The women,so agreeable and easily intimate, gave themselves without restraint to 'games of love and chance'."

Inevitably Henri's mother found out about the goings on.She sent the mistress packing and Henri off on a tour of America.

Henri enjoyed the travel and began to write about his experi ences. He soon developed into a compulsive writer and through the remainder of his life he had pub lished works ranging from fiction and stage plays (often under the pseudonym Andre Pascal)to medi cal treatises(breast feeding was a fa vourite subject) travelogues, books on collecting and his memoirs.

When he turned 23, Henri, with out seeking permission, married Mathilde von Weissweiller. Mathildc was perfectly respectful and Jewish but still it was considered a rebel-

lious act by family members.

Years later Henri gleefully wrote of how he broke the news to his imperious mother.

"About 7 o'clock, 1 tidied myself up and entered my mother's pres ence. Baronne James (mother) was busy writing an important letter and motioned me to take a seal and wait for a few moments. I sat down in a chair and waited quite a while, silent and motionless. 1 felt weary,emotionally spent. At last my mother raised her eyes.

'Well what's new? She asked. '1 hoped there hasn't been a disaster of some kind.'

'Not exactly,' 1 replied.'I've come to bring you some good news — I am engaged'."

Mathilde would turn out to be

almost as strict with Henri as the nH>ther. She disapproved of her hedonistic husband's infatuation with the stage. Like most Roth schilds Henri had a philanthropic bent and did manv good works but he was a doctor who couldn't bear suffering and a scientist with no sense of self promotion. When he sought company it was among ac tors, actresses and impresarios. He was welcome company as much for his money as for any artistic merit.

Henri backed many plays,financed the first Russian ballet with the great Nijinsky to tour Europe and paid for the construction and rurming of the Theatre Pigalle.

Henri and Mathilde had three children, James-Henri, Nadine and Phillipc, before Mathilde died sud denly in 1926.

Fmed from marital restraint Henri ordered the construction of a motor yacht which he named Ems after the Greek god of love and sexual desire. This, l,(100-ton cruiser gave

Henri a means of escape and a place to entertain friends and family in private. Philippe described it as 'Papa's toy'.

One dancer and writer who re called enjoying the pleasures of Eros at Gibraltar in the spring of 1929 was Sidonie Gabrielle Colette, author of the Claiiiiinc series of romantic nov els and famousenough in her day to be known simply as'Colette'.

She wrote:"The first person who we met there was Henri de Roth schild, whose yacht was anchored in the roads and who invited us to dinner that same evening.It was our first contact with Ems."

At dinner Henri asked Colette and her husband about their trip and was astonished to learn that they had been so extravagant as to take a taxi from Madrid to Algeciras.

The taxi had cost 9,500 pesetas

"Nine thousand five hundred pesetas," ex claimed Henri."But it's madness."

Colette thought this was an astonishing re mark coming from a man who had spent 22 million francs to build and furnish Ems.

"Why?" interrupted Colette. "Since we happened to have them (the pesetas)for once."

Sadly for Henri his love affair with Ems would be destroyed with the approach of World War II.

During the Czechoslovakian crisis of 1939 the French Navy, much to Henri's anguish, confis cated Eros and turned her into an escort vessel. When the war started that September she was sent to the Mediterranean for convoy duty.The Eros, now simply number P 140, was based in Tangier. Ironically her last service for the Allied cause was to carry a French Naval mission to Gibraltar.

When France surrendered, the Germans seized Eros and converted her to an 'unterseeboats - jaeger' or in English 'submarine chaser'. Designated UJ-2216 she worked the waters between Genoa and Mar seille and was sunk by US FT boats on 13th September, 1944.

Baron Henri de Rothschild spent the war in Portugal and died in 1946. Today his beloved Eros rests (appropriately erect)on the seabed near Genoa and is a registered dive site particularly popular with Germans.

Baron Henri de Bothchild aiAard Eros: inset•Baron Henri de Rotnhild 6 Eros

inevitably Henri's motherfound out about the goings on.She sent the mistress packing and Henri off on a tour of America

Gibraltar's Governors - A Royal Connection

The town was under siege by the Russian army, as it had been for six months. Cholera was rife, and food — real food — a mere memory. Emaciated horses were being slaughtered to feed hospi tal patients, but those not lucky enough to be dying on the wards had to fend for themselves or pay street traders as much as 100 piastres each for the bare-boned carcases of their feline victims. I'm not exactly sure how much 100 pi astres was,but it was a lot of money in those days.

No General likes to throw in the towel. Some have been known to ban towels from their tents lest they fall prey to the temptation. But by 28th November, even General William Fenwick Williams, who had led Kars in its heroic resistance, realised that his position was hope less. He sent word to the Russians that he was ready to capitulate (writing it down because his mouth refused to say it) and on that cold and miserable morning, made more miserable by the painful task he had to perform, Williams rode out to negotiate the terms of his surren der with the Russian commander, Mouraviev.

As he pushed his horse reluctant ly towards the Russian lines, the Crimean mud must have seemed a very long way from the fresh sea breezes of Annapolis, Nova Scotia, where Williams was born on 4th December 1800. Perhaps his horse also sensed the sombre mood, but knowing that the alternative was star billing on the hospital menu felt disinclined to turn back.

William Fenwick Williams was, we must assume (for the his tory books tell us so), the son of the barrack-master of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Commissary General Thomas Williams. Yet in at least one account of his formative years we detect a tantalising whiff of possible intrigue and mystery in the casual declaration that he was "brought to England at an early age by the Duke of Kent". Why? Why would the Duke of Kent, whose exaggerated devotion to military discipline would make him,in time, one of Gibraltar's more disastrous governors, take such a personal interest in the son of a lowly bar rack-master?

History is uncharacteristically silent, but let it be noted purely

in the interests of research, that in May 1799,the Duke had been made commander-in-chief of the British forces in North America and for some time thereafter had lived, by a most astorushing coincidence, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Having sown the seeds of a scandal, we leave it to grow and move on.

In 1823, Williams obtained a coinmission as second lieutenant in the Roval Artillery. His rise through the ranks was steady, if unspectacular, and it was not until 1837, a full 14 years later, that he could call him self a Captain. His career seemed to be drifting rudderless through the backwaters of military life when he was sent to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)to work as a geographer and engineer. He was approaching 40, a far more venerable age then than it seems today, had achieved very little, and could not have imagined that things were about to change too much when his services were loaned to Turkey in 1841.

After a stint as captain of the

arsenal at Constantinople (not a football team) he suddenly found himself arbitrating,as British Com missioner, in a boundarv dispute between Turkey and Persia (now Iran). The squabble ended with the Treaty of Erzerum in 1847,though it need not be stressed that the region remains a source of confusion and conflict to this day.

Williams' obvious diplomatic skills were quickly recognised,and he served in a similar capacity in other disputes for at least a decade. He became a colonel, and in 1852 was awarded the Companionship of the Bath.

But trouble was brewing. Russia and Turkey were increasingly at each other's throats. We need not trouble ourselves overmuch with "reasons", for like all human con flict its roots lay in the misguided notion that one race is superior to another and "owns" the land on which it crawls all too briefly with the ants. All we need to know for the purposes of our tale is that the

two declared war on each other in 1854.

Williams was made a commis sioner in the Turkish army, and thereafter in rapid succession a ferik (lieutenant-general)and a pa sha (a vaguer catch-all title indicat ing in this instance a high-ranking military commander).

Thus it was that fate finally led William Fenwick Williams down the long and winding road to Kars.

The town was strategically im portant, the "key to Asia Minor", and a Russian attack upon it was considered certain. Williams first visited it on a fact-finding mission, to familiarise himself with the situa tion and pencil in a few ideas for its defence. He was appalled.

It was clear that the town's Turkish garrison was woefully unprepared for the coming as sault. Mouraviev was already marshalling his troops like a fox stalking a chicken coop and the Turks, although there were 16,000 of them, were ill-trained and lacked sufficient arms.

Williams pleaded with the Turk ish government to improve matters, and to an extent they did,but when the Ru.ssian attack finally came it was overwhelming.Williams,who was both British and a diplomat, described it with characteristically masterful understatement: Noth ing could be more perfect than the handling of the enemy's army as it advanced upon the front of our entrenchments.

Translated into the(expurgated) language of the soldiers at the front, they knocked the stuffing out of us.

Nevertheless, under Williams' determined leadership, the gar rison held, and even scored a no table victory over the Russians on 29th September 1855. Mouraviev, bloodied but unbowed, decided on a swift change of tactics. The siege began.

If the people of the town greeted the new^ plan by thumbing their noses and baring their buttocks at the troops beyond their walls,th^ soon regretted it. By November, starvation had succeeded where guns and cavalry charges had failed, and we are back once more where we began, with Williams and his shivering horse riding out

In the Turkish Armenian town of Kars in the dying days of November 1855, the cost of living was not measured by the price of fish, stilNess by that of a Fortnum & Mason Christmas hamper, but by the price of a dead cat.

"I have no wish to wreak an unworthy vengeance on a gallant and long-snlferlng army,which has covered itself with glery,and enly yields to famine.'

in the chill ot the morning to de liver the keys of Kars to Moraviev. By all accounts it was a curiously gentlemanly affair. Reports of the conversation that passed between the two men have clearly been written with posterity in mind, and reck unmistakeably of the woodenly theatrical, but will give us some idea.

Williams,though defeated,found some reserves of bravado, and laid down the conditions upon which he was prepared to surrender."If you grant not these terms", he is alleged to have said, apparently losing his grip on grammar under the strain of it all, "every gun shall be burst, every standard burnt,every trophy destroyed, and you will then work your will on a famished crowd."

If he did indeed say this, or anything remotely like it, Mouraviev could have been forgiven for staring at him as though he were a lunatic, or asking if he wished to lie down for half an hour before continuing, but the Russian was too much ofa gentleman to do anything but reciprocate. "1 have no wish to wreak an unw-orthy vengeance on a gallant and long-suffering army, which has covered itself with glory, and only yields to famine."

More words of a similar nature followed, and the surrender of Kars ended with a handshake and, perhaps, a vodka or two.

The Russian success was short lived. Before long they were in dis array,and by IS56 the war was over. Until, of course, the next time.

For William Fenwick Williams, the heroic, though ultimately doomed defence of Kars was a turn ing point. Honours were heaped upon him by the British and Turks in equal measure. He was given a baronetcy (taking, predictably, the title of 1 St Baronet Kars),the Grand

Cross of the Legion of Honour, the K.C.B., the freedom of the city of London, an honorary degree from Oxford University, and for all we know an inscribed plaque and a canteen of cutlery. The British love of the gallant loser was never more eloquently expressed.

Back home in England, he be came member of parliament for the borough of Caine (from 18561859), and commanded the Royal Artillery until, in 1859, life turned full circle and he found himself rediscovering his roots in Canada as commander of the British forces. He even became governor of Nova Scotia — a post he held until 1870. A triumphant return for the erstwhile son of a barrack-master. What the Duke of Kent (who had died in 1820) would have made of his protege's success we shall never know, but it is unlikely that he would have boasted about it.

But the persistent connection between the two had one more twist,for on 25th July 1870,50 years after his benefactor had finally relinquished the job to everyone's profound relief, William Fenvvick Williams became, in his turn. Governor of Gibraltar. He stayed in the post until June 1876, before returning to England full of years and memories. His final official ap pointment was as Constable of the Tower of London in 1881.

He died in London on 26th July 1883.The life of Sir William Fenwick Williams, Bart., was split neatly in two. His first 40 year.s or so were relatively uneventful, his remaining four decades full of incident and colour. And might it all have been very different, we wonder, had the Duke of Kent not intervened at such an early stage?

We wonder,but idiv, for we shall never know.

Last month the Gibraltar Taekwondo Association held its annual "Summer Sports" events at the Victoria Stadium. A good turn out of youngsters came along to train with some of the members and qualified instructors. Thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who attended, the children had the opportunity to practice some of the Taekwondo techniques, like kicks and self-defence.

Emma Returnsfrom

Emma Rodgers took part in he final of Miss Tourism Queen nternational 2007 which was held n several cities across China over a jeritxl of three weeks. Sponsored n' Mount Productions and the Chinese Government, Emma had he opportunity to compete in the rontest which attracts models from ill over the world and boasts a top rrize of 10,000 US$ with another OUT cash awards for the runners titles.

The winner was the delegal from Russia, Olga Zarubina.

"China certainly was an exf>er ence of a life time," said Emm "I loved visiting all the differer places and learning about thei way of living and history.The fine night was amazing. Never in m life had I seen such a big stage. I was an opportunitv of a lifetim and I am unlikely to forget it."

For further infonmtian contac rtiouiilP^ibraltnr.gi Tel: 40338.

Whatthe Duke of Kent would have made of his protege's success we shall never know,hut It Is unlikely that he would have hoasted ahout It

Santo a Mill In the mIIIs

Molino del Santo may be counted among Gibraltar's best-kept secrets. An odd thing to say, perhaps, about a hotel high in the Andalucian mountains close to the village of Benaojan (ten minutes from Ronda), but since it first opened its doors to the public twenty years ago, it has become an undoubted magnet for Gibraltarians seeking an idyllic chill-out weekend (or longer), or just a perfect day out topped off with a superb lunch. But few visitors know the fascinating story of how a decaying old mill became one of the finest hotels in the hills.

It was built to process olive oil and flour, and its name is gener ally and understandably translated as "Mill of the Saint", but this is misleading. There is no religious connotation.Santojust happened to be the name of the mill's first owner, whose saintliness or otherwise is not a matter of record. Moiino del Santo actually means no more than "Santo's Mill". Santo came, milled, and went on his way leaving little but his name to mark his pass ing, and by the 1940s the mill had outlived its purpose. Abandoned, it crumbled in silent neglect for at least two decades until, in 1970, it attracted the attention of Fred Felty, an exiled Texan lawyer working at the Rota American naval base. He bought it and made if his weekend home.

The eccentric Texan lived in termittently in his isolated mill until 1986, gradually filling it with all manner of, well, junk, that he picked up here and there for noth ing and carried to the mill each weekend.In December of that year, feeling the weight of the years in his bones, he decided to sell up and spend whatever time remained to him in the land of his birth.

He found some unlikely buyers: four English schoolteachers from Southampton who had decided to get out into the world and do something different with their lives. Two of them had recently spent a holiday in Greece and, attracted by its unspoilt beauty, suggested that the quartet pool resources and move there to open a small hotel. It was an attractive idea, but there was a problem.At that time foreign ers could not operate businesses in Greece without a Greek partner.The only Greek that any of them knew was Prince Philip, and despite one of the four having achieved the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award in 1974, it seemed unlikely that he would be interested.

But the idea had taken root. One of the four, Pauline Elkin, had a degree in Spanish,Spain was about to join the European Union (still known then as the EEC),and an old

Texan was pining for home.Destiny was calling.

When they bought the mill, its 80-year old owner took away two suitcases, and left behind 15 years worth of accumulated bric-a-brac. It is an interesting literary concept: tell a man's life by the rubbish he leaves behind him. But the new owners were there to run a hotel, not to write biographies. They worked ceaselessly through the winter to clean and refurbish the place, and to their immense credit they were able to open their doors for business in May 1987.

It was not easy. Dreams quickly gave way to the twin realities of lumbering Spanish bureaucracy and hard, relentless work. Molino del Santo was,at that time, virtually the only rural hotel in existence, and though it had only seven rooms, they were difficult and expensive to fill.

By 1989, two of the original four had given up and gone home to England,leaving Pauline Elkin and

partner, Andy Chapell, to forge on alone. During that year, three new rooms were added. A further two followed in 1992, and with a littl

e EEC support a major expansion was undertaken in 1995. Pauline and Andy's faith was finally pay ing off.

Molino del Santo's reputation as somewhere very special began to grow. The problem now was not filling the rooms they had, but providing more for those clamour ing to get in. Even the expansion of 1995 had not been enough.Another two rooms were built in 1997, and three more in 2000. In 1997, too, a new swimming pool replaced the old. Pauline, especially, hated to sec the old one go, but it was a sign of the times. The hotel was now a huge attraction for discerning visi tors from Britain and elsewhere to whom Spain meant more than neon nightclubs, bars beaming down British football matches by satellite, and crowded beaches.

Not the least of its attractions was

and remains its widely admired cuisine. The food is produced lo cally and the excellent kitchen staff is recruited from the village. Many people drive up regularly from Gibraltar and the coast merely for the pleasure of taking lunch under the willows by the stream.

Molino del Santo has changed considerably since the departure of Two-Case Tex. Its original seven rooms have grown to 17, a full size restaurant has been added, and its once tiny swimming pool, fed by the mountain stream, has doubled in size. In the early days, the pool was invigoratingly cold, even in the heat of summer. That ended when an American visitor — it had to be an American — complained, and solar panels wore installed to remove the chill.

Yet all this has been done dis creetly so first time visitors would be hard pressed to decide which were the original rooms,and which the additions. During the build ing of the restaurant, part of the mill's original foundations were uncovered, and left in situ, inside the main building, the grinding wheel can still be seen. There are no TVs or radios in the rooms to shatter the idyllic peace (a point on which Andy and Pauline remain adamant),and at night the loudest sound to be heard under the crystal clear starlight is the timeless whis per of the mill stream.

But what really makes Molino del Santo a model for others is the way that Andy and Paulino have integrated so fully into the local community and economy. Their hotel could easily have become an island of outsiders — a tourist ghetto in, but not of the mountains. Instead both it and they have be come as integral a part of Benaojan as the chorizo for which the v illage and its environs are famous. It is an example others would do well to follow.

Behind the hotel, a track, until re cently worn into the hillside onlv bv the trudging of countless feet, but now concreted, leads upwards to Benaojan. The mountains beckon, where anyone so inclined may walk for hours in silent, but visually stunningly solitude.

There is a great deal of develop ment going on around Molino del Santo these days, and much of it can be credited to the success of the mill over the past two decades. But somehow, through all of the changes, Andy and Pauline have stayed true to their original vision. Little wonder those who find their way to its door,by accident or, more frequently by recommendation, tend to go back again. And again.

Moliiw del Saiito Tel: 00 34 952 161751 info&nwliuodelsaufo.com

Many people drive up regularly from Gibraltar and the coast merely for the pleasure of taking lunch under the willows hy the stream

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Wh n Debt Geta Gut Gf Control

The late September sun sank into the ocean as John's head sank into his hands. It had been a wonderful summer and the whole family had been quite the socialites — barbecues, chiringitos, parties. It was always great when summer hours started. Susan and the children had looked great in their new summer clothes and it was smiles all round on their week long holiday in Florida. The house had been bulging at the seams in June with all of the relatives taking advantage of the cheap pre-school holiday flights.

John didn't mind the drive to Malaga but was glad to not have to do it again until next year. The two children, Laura and Stephen had seemed to double in height over the summer and now both needed new school uniforms and school starts next week! If he were to be honest, John would admit that things had started to irritate him at the end of June. The rela tives had sat in the back of the car crowing over the price of bargain flights they bought on the net, yet not once did they put their hands in their euros to contribute to food,the tolls or petrol.John would probablv have refused but the offer never came. He and Susan had become taxi driver, hotelier, entertainment and restaurateur. Even Susan was glad to see the back of them.

The children constantly de manded i-Pods, computer games and every other electronic gismo on the teenage credibility list. Susan wanted to join the new gvm that everyone was raving about, not to mention the fitness fashion ac cessories. John also had his "must have" list — golf club membership, the latest sat-nav device, blue tooth, on-line games,anti-virus packages, all with their annual subscriptions. The family list goes on.

In August the cracks had started to show. The credit card was at its limit, the arranged overdraft was within five pounds of its second ex tension, the store cards were bend ing under the strain and tempers had become frayed. Susan now slept in the children's room and every evening was either a tense silence or a screaming match and tears were regular visitors.

John sat at the kitchen table as Susan and the children took their sports bags full of clothes and slammed the door behind them on their way to Susan's sister's house. The letter on the table sneered at John, it read, "Due to an error on our electronic accounting system we find that you have underpaid your revenue commitment by £2,500.That amountis now due for repayment. Sorry for any inconve nience caused."

John just sobbed as he reached

for the whisky bottle. Many of us consciously plan and work hard to achieve the optimum work/life balance, but whatever formulae you devise, life sometimes steps in as the unknown variable. Things are further complicated by other people's lives and their impact on us. Conducting this orchestra of chaos is human desire using ran dom chance as its baton. It would be negative to think that we don't have a chance of winning the battle against such formidable foes but even as we seemingly regain con

trol, familv illness, employment issues, relationship difficulties and so forth can once again send the strategies into disarray.

As the pressure rises our toler ance levels diminish,and relatively insignificant irritations are magni fied into marriage breaking propor tions. It has long been observed that we tend to attack first those closest to us, whilst the actual providers of our misery escape criticism.

Gibraltarian society has long recognised the value of the family for support during difficult times.

but even here it is not infallible as all families have their own pres sures and dynamics. It is essential that, rather than promoting divi sion, as with John's family, the problems need to be faced together especially where debt is concerned.

With discretion, even the children should be included in the discus sions so that everyone can be part of the solution and gain valuable life lessons. Most organisations to which money is owed are more interested in recovering that money than in litigation and if contacted, are happy to look at payment ar rangements. The Citizen's Advice Bureau has financial advLsers who will be able to help.

Unfortunately, sometimes the antipathy reaches a point that can not be turned around even when the pressures of debt have been dealt with,and irreparable damage is done to the family relationships and love dies bleeding.

Working together and support ing each other instead of abandon ment and accusations can build a special strength and feeling of cohesion in the family. When you are up to your neck in debt, you feel as though you're in quicksand and there's no escape,but this is not so. Sound financial strategies can be organised by financial advisors, and a short course of counselling can address the emotional and psychological difficulties resulting from debt.Counselling also helps to address impulse control and rede fines the difference between "need" and "want". Failure to resolve things can result in marital/rela tionship breakdown, depression, increased alcohol consumption, substance misuse, and, in extreme cases,suicide. All of these outcomes are totally unnecessary and can be prevented.

Asking for help to save your sanity, dignity and family is a sign of great strength and maturity not weakness. Climbing out of debt is not easy and does not happen overnight, but if you grasp the LifeLine firmly you can ensure not only a successful climb but also guard against the possibility of falling back in.

As the pressure rises eur teierance levels diminish,and relatively Inslgnlllcant Irritations are magnified Into marriage breaking proportions

Taking tne

Sports therapist Isabella

Jimenez has found that many people — both men and women — prefer to be treated by a female s

The only female sports therapist on the Rock, 22 year old Isabella told me that this is generally true, especially when dealing with mas sages."Alot of men don't feel com fortable having a male masseur," she said when I called in to see her Main Street clinic.

Her customers,or patients,cover all the ages that are capable of tak ing part in sports, which means she has a lot of children to fix — she told me that this is because children's sports are very demanding.

As well as running her clinic, including outside visits, Isabella is the official coach for the Rhythmic Gymnastic Team."I prepare them for competitions, and then I give

them a check-over afterwards, which includes a full massage each," she said, her light, bright personality matching her light, bright clinic. "It's important to check them before a competition for safety, to avoid anything unpleas ant happening that could have been avoided."

Isabella is well equipped and well qualified, with a BSc degree

in Sports Therapy, Health and Fit ness and is ranked at Level 3 as an advanced gym instructor and per sonal trainer; and while she covers the whole gamut of sports injuries, massages play a big part in her working day."People come in just for a relaxing general massage," she said; "also for problems that aren't necessarily caused by sports participation: back aches, knee

problems — an injury is an injury, no matter what caused it."

As proof of this, many of Isabel la's clients arc older people with general aches and pains, caused by a long-term involvement in the game of life.

She pointed out that as well as back and hamstring massages for sports in general, it's particularly important for swimmers to relax their backs.

Isabella studied at the University of Kent, going there straight from school in Gibraltar. What made her decide on sports therapy as a career? "I had two knee operations when 1 was 15,and I liked what the physiotherapist did," she told me; "and 1 also liked the idea of helping people recover."

Always involved in sports and gym at school, she passed 'A' Level in gym and also spent her work experience in the physio department at St Bernard's Hos pital. Then, while looking at a list of university courses, she spotted Sports Therapy. "I was impressed by the variety of modules, they covered so many different areas. They even had psychology and one on running a business in the sports industry," she said.

1 was interested to learn that sports therapy is quite a new dis cipline — less than 10 years old. Before that the work was done by physiotherapists — which brought me to my next question; whatis the difference between a physiothera pist and a sports therapist?

"Basically,it is that we specialise in sports injuries and we are also qualified in first aid so we can attend matches. We also need a good knowledge of every type of sport and the demands that each one makes on the body," Isabella explained.

Her range of services can be summed up as covering personal training, massages, injury treat ment and rehabilitation, the lat-

need a good knowledge of every type of sport and the demands that each one makes on the body"

by Brian McCann

ter including early to late stages — some people come with an injury that has been bothering them for months. The parts of the body covered arc all of the muscles,liga ments and tendons.

You might think that the only equipment needed is a pair of hands and the knowledge, but there is more to it than that. Since setting-up shop last year, Isabella has been busy buying more and more equipment.

There arc all the electronic and ultrasonic devices for pain relief and to stimulate and rebuild mus cles; a wobble board for balance and proprioception,(which means 'awareness of balance', as I'm sure you know).

Then there are medicine balls and all sorts of lotions, and, possibly the most fascinating, there is cryotherapy. This is a like a small duvet which is connected to a compres sor that pumps refrigerating fluid through its inner pipes and applies a constant deep chill to the part it is

wrapped around.

"Ice-cold is the most important treatment in the first two days," Isabella said. "Heat only makes it worse in that period, especially where there is swelling."

Her hours are very flexible —•"I just can't say'no'!" — and although she has the clinic in The Dental Care Centre opposite Marks & Spencer, she uses a mobile phone for appointments, call-outs and emergencies: 54002226.

A full ma.ssage is only £25 for an hour, which will give an indication of her reasonable charges, and she also provides gift vouchers which are a much appreciated present.

Finally, her tips on avoiding sports sprains and strains:

"Always stretch before and after an event; don't overdo any sport — pain is your body telling you to slow down;injuries don't go away, they just get worse — the easiest to treat are those that have just happened, when the injury is still clearlv visible."

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Ice-cold is the most important treatment in the first two days. Heat only makes it worse in that period, especially where there is swelling^'

Another Lonely Hearto for FernandezS*

Raymond Martinez Fernandez was a notorious serial killer born to Spanish parents in Hawaii in 1914 and executed for his crimes in New York in 1951.

I have written about Fernandez in Gibralfnr Magazine and in my book Gibrnltar Coiinectionn. The handsome six-footer and his plump lover and accomplice Martha Burk went to the electric chair for the murder of two women and one little girl. Fernandez was known to have killed other women and I have recently learned that he probably killed a woman in La Linea.

In my book I wrote that when the Spanish Civil War broke out Fernandez , "...sailed to Gibraltar on a luxury liner accompanied by the wealthy lady who financed the trip. After a few days on the Rock he kissed the lady goodbye, crossed into Spain and enlisted in the Nationalist Army of General Francisco Franco."

Well now it turns out the previ ous information I relied on was wrong and that Fernandez did not 'kiss the woman goodbye', he killed her.

Fernandez was born on the is land of Hawaii on 17th December, 1914 and when he was three the family moved to Bridgeport, Con necticut. A sickly child and spindly youth Fernandez had always been a disappointment to his father so

when he turned 18 he was sent to Spain to work on his uncle's farm in the village of Orgiva which is located 50 kilometres southeast of Granada on the edge of the Parque Natural de Sierra Nevada.

Work on the farm agreed with Fernandez and by the age oftwenty he had evolved into a handsome, well-built man. It is said that he had a calm,gentle manner and was well liked in the village and became fully accepted when he married a local girl named Encarnacion Robles.

Fernandez did side with the Na tionalists during the Civil War and survived unscathed. When World War II broke out he joined the Span ish merchant marine and moved with Encarnacion to an apartment in La Linea. He was soon working for the British.

In Gibraltar Co)inL'ctioiis I wrote: "Because he was fluent in Spanish and English and because of his

connections with Franco's Spain he was readily accepted and put to work spying on the Rock and in La Linea and Algeciras."

By now the slick-haired, good looking Fernandez was an aspiring gigolo and spying proved the ideal occupation for him.All he had to do was hang out in bars,chat up pretty girls and befriend workersfrom the Gibraltar dockyard. His job was to listen for any talk of sabotage. The fact that he had fought for Franco gave him credibility with the proGerman elements.

Thanks to Fernandez' efforts several spies and saboteurs were exposed and although British Intel ligence never gave out any details the Defence Security Office in Gibraltar did insist that Fernandez was "...entirely loyal to the Allied cause and carried out his duties, which were sometimes difficult and dangerous,extremely well."

When the war was over Fernan-

dez decided to return to America promising Encarnacion that when he was established he would send for her and their two children.

He managed to book passage on a freighter but during the voyage suffered a severe head injury when .a steel hatch fell on the top of his head. When the ship docked in De cember 1946 he was taken directly to hospital where he remained for four months.

Friends say that from the time of the accident Fernandez was a changed man. They claimed he wentfrom being sociable and cour teous to being distant and moody.

Whether or not this is true he continued to have a power over women and now he began to ex ploit it.

He immersed himself in the world of lonely hearts club columns in the papers and magazines writ ing to dozens of women at the same time. One of his contacts was a wealthy,recently-separated woman named Jane Lucille Thompson. This was the'wealthy lady'I wrote about who financed the cruise to Gibraltar. She had probably never heard of La Linea but that is where she would die.

With the lady footing the bill the couple wined and dined their way around Spain before return ing to La Linea where Fernandez introduced his mistress to his wife. It has been reported that initially the three got along well and were frequently seen out dining together in the town.

But on 7th November, 1947 neighbours reported a fight be tween the two women and the next day Jane Thompson's lifeless body was found in her hotel room.

Fernandez must have had some influence amongst the local of ficials, or perhaps he paid a bribe, because with few questions being asked the American woman's body was removed and she was buried without an autopsy being performed.

Not surprisingly Fernandez abandoned his wife and children and was on the first boat to Ameri ca.On arrival he produced what he claimed to be Thompson's last will and testament and took possession of her New York apartment.

During his romancing of Jane Thompson, Fernandez had kept up his correspondence with a woman named Martha Beck. It is hard to imagine what the handsome and lean Fernandez saw in the fat, dowdy woman but they soon became a team and the 200-pound nurse would become his true love and help him con and kill dozens of women.

The first confirmed victim was 66-year-old widow Janet Fay who

Killing couple — Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck

The Defence Security Office In Gibraltar Insisted Fernandez was"...entirely loyal to the Allied cause and carried out his duties., extremely well."

lived in Albany, New York. Fer nandez convinced her to give him $6,000 and to \nsit him at his apart ment (actually Jane Thompson's) on Long Island. There Martha Beck beat the unfortunate woman to death with a hammer. The grue some couple then made love on the floor next to the bloodied corpse. The bodv was buried in the base ment of a house thev had rented earlier.

Three weeks later Fernandez and Beck travelled to Bvron Center near Grand Rapids, Michigan where they talked 28-year-old widow Delphine Downing into allowing them to move in. Over the next two weeks they convinced Downing to sell some property and hand over the proceeds. On the night of 28th February, 1949 they drugged the poor woman and when she passed out they shot her in the head. Martha then drowned Downing's two-year-old daughter in a bathtub while Fernandez looked on. The merciless pair then went out to the

movies where they had popcorn and soda.

Fernandez and Beck went to the electric chair for the murders of Fay, Downing and Downing's daughter but police believed that Fernandez was responsible (with Beck's help in many instances)for the murders of as many as 17 women.

On his arrest Fernandez boasted, "I am no average killer. I have a way with women, a power over them."

One of those women was Jane Lucy Thompson who sailed with high hopes to Gibraltar and died in La Linea.

Author's note: The story ofthe Lone ly Hearts Killers is retold in a recently released film starring John Travolta. Thefilm titled Lonely Fiearts is ivritten and directed by Todd Robinson,the grandson ofElmer Robinson the detec tive zvho tracked and arrested Fernan dez and Beck. Trandta plays Robinson while Jared Leto portrays Fernandez and Salma Hayek (trim and pnetty) is a very unlikely Martha Beck.

Marina Bay)

On his arrest Fernandez beasted, '!am no average killer.I have a way with women,a power over them.'

LAST MONTH'S ANSWERS: Across 5. Christopher, 7. eros, 8. Road test, 9. Ebb tide, 11. Moral. 13. Under, 14. Censure, 16. Relevant, 17. Bone, 18. Incredulous. Down; 1. Kris, 2. Astride,3. Coral.4 Whatnots, 5. Carabinieri, 6. Restaurants. 10. The fence, 12. Centaur, 15. Laver. 17. Boot

Crossword Winner

DeW'u .1') Diuvr Cnwrf collect your voucher from The Gibraltar Magazine ofRee|

Across

1) Story tellers(10)

7) Resounding loudly (8)

8) Tournament/competition for all to enter(4)

9) Regretted (4)

10) Children's game involving coloured glass balls(7)

12) Not requested (11)

14) Balearic island (7)

16) Ringlet(4)

19) Small area of land surrounded by water(4)

20) Children's game involving jumping over another person (8)

21) In a cheerful manner(10)

Down

1) King, for example(5)

2) Children's game with horse chestnuts(7)

3) Boy's name- Christmas(4)

4) Way in -enrapture(8)

5) Four-sided figure with oblique angles(5)

6) Rely (6)

11) Strikebreaker(8)

12) Not comfortable (6)

13) Highly prized subterranean fungus(7)

15) Last letter in Greek (5)

17) Whorled - slightly mad (5)

18) Car for public hire(4)

Friday 31st August

National Week Celebration - GBZ Gi

braltar Beer Zone Fest presented by Lewis Stagnetto Ltd, Saccone & Speed Ltd and Anglo HIspano Company Ltd at the Marquee, Commonwealth Parade 7pm - late. Tickets £5 include free Tshirt. For info/tickets contact Stephen Tel: 54005729.

Saturday 1st September

Ceremonial Guard Mounting at The Convent 12.00 noon. Tel: 53624

Sunday 2nd September

Battle of Britain Remembrance Service at King's Chapel 10.30am, Tel: 53624

Concert• The Central Band of the Royal Air Force at The Alameda Open Air Theatre 8pm. Tickets: Adults £7.50, £2.50 for children under 12 years. For info & tickets contact Adrian Goodwin Tel: 53315

The Gibraltar Philharmonic Society

National Week Concert. Nathan Payas -tenor, Raimonds Mascats- harmonica. The South London Philharmonic Or chestra, Conductor: Karel Mark Chichon at St Michael's Cave 9pm. Tickets: £14.00 includes a return shuttle service departing from Ince's Hall at8pm,avail able from Solomon Levy,Convent Place & Sacareilo Coffee Shop, Irish Town Pensioner's tickets: £10.00 available from John Mackintosh Hall. For info and credit/debit card purchase contact Angelo Tel: 72134. Email: tgpsociety@ gibtelecom.net

Monday 3rd - 14th September

The Gibraltar Photographic Society Exhibition "Our Gibraltar" at John Mackintosh Hall, Lower Exhibition Room. Entrance free. Contact Leslie Li nares Tel; 57363000 Email: lesllnares@ gibtelecom.net

Tuesday 4th to 6th September

Santos Production -Stage Play - A New "Llanito Comedy" El Susto by Chris & Richard Mor at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre 8pm. Tickets: £10 from The Nature Shop. For info contact Christian Santos: Tel; 58008448 Email: chrls-

tian@christiansantos.com.

Thursday 6th September

Dance Extravaganza organised by The Ministry of Culture at Casemates Square 9.00pm. For info contact Seamus Byrne Tel: 47592 Email: minculture@ gibtelecom.net

Friday 7th September

Glamour Creations 2nd Annual Wed ding Dress Competition at The Alameda Open Air Theatre 9.30pm. Tickets: £12 from Blossom - ICC Building. For info contact Bianca Chiara Tel: 54000377 Email: bchiara@hotmail.com

Saturday 8th September

The Royal Gibraltar Regiment will open

the gates of Buffadero Training Centre (BTC)to everyone on the Rock for a fun filled day (see page 54 for details).

New Life Church Family Fun Day Fete for charity as part of National Week celebrations (money raised for the GDSG, KGV Hospital and Childline) at the Piazza 10:30am-3pm. Live music (Felicity Sardeiia & Friends), extraor dinary puppets, face painting, bouncy castle,tombola,bobbing ducks,gulping goldfish and much more. For details Tel: 43205 info@newlifegib.com

Monday 10th September

National Day (holiday) — events for all the family throughout the day (wear red & white!) — for details Ministry of Culture Tel: 48063

Wednesday 12th September

Organ recital by John Keys at the Ca thedral of the Holy Trinity at 7.30pm. Entrance free.

Saturday ISth September

GONHS - Outing Gibraltar - Clean up the World Weekend. Location to be an nounced 9am. Contact Albert Yome Tel: 78333 Email: albert@gonhs.org

Tuesday 18th September

GONHS - Meeting - Trees for Birds by Keith Bensusan at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre 8.30pm. Entrance free. For info contact John Cortes Tel: 72639 Email: jcortes@gonhs.org

Wednesday 19th September

The American Colleges Overseas - Col lege Fair from 10.30am to 1pm.(See page 27 for details)

Saturday 22nd September

The Gibraltar Heritage Trust a cultural tour of the South of town led by: Manolo Galliano. Met outside Ince's Hall 10.30am. For info contact Tel: 42844

Gibraltar Botanic Garden Tour. Meet George Don Gates (at the south end of Grand Parade) 10.30am. No fee but do nations welcome. For info contact Tel: 72639 Email al3meda@wildlife.gib.gi

22nd & 23rd September

Two day International Dog Show, at the Tercentenary Stadium. Large entry expected.

Tuesday 24th September

Fine Arts Association exhibition by Paul Cosquieri at Casemates Vault, Casemates Square. Contact Paul Tel: 57857000 Email: cosqui@cosqui.com

Thursday 27th September

Ceremony of the Keys at Casemates Square 6pm. For info Tel: 53624

Sunday 30th September

Caipe Rambles meet Spanish Side of the Frontier just to the right of the Aduana Vehicle Exit 8am. Contact Ray Tel: 71956 or John Tel: 74645.

Jewellery Centre Expands

The Jewellery Centre in Casemates Arcade has now been extended and owner Suhila has brought in a large selection of crystal, unusual jewel boxes, and necklaces of semi-precious stones.

The Jewellery Centre is full of wonderful gift ideas(whether you are treating yourself or someone else!) including a large selection of Gibraltar gifts, a variety of silver jewellery and some lovely glass jewellery.

As you can see from the pho tograph, above, the selection of silver photo frames has to be the best anywhere, and there is lots more besides.

Suhila is always friendly and

helpful, and the shop is air-con ditioned and nicely set out, so browsing is an absolute pleasure. Though you may come away with more treats than you intended, especially when you catch sight of the irresistible and exclusive teddy bears for all occasions!

Visit the Jewellery Centre at 1/7A Casemates Arcade,Tel:47104, whatever the occasion — from Christening to Christmas,Birthday to Anniversary.

Stm'iI mill Miishnmrii. Prppcr. Rraiidy or Bourbuii Miirr. hDmnnudr chips t saliul gumlsh

Fillet Or.lulin Dory £7.25

^rr-li I'liti-l »l Jiiliii Uiirv c.mkrd in a frceii peUoaaiiir mid KipptsI wilh climr au giWJii

Chilli Con Carne £5.75

Moiiu'ihiide rhitll nened on a bed oTHce

Spaghelli BolognaJse £5.25

'l\ plriil Uiilliiii piistii ilUli wilJi iiiimvd inrul In liimBIn auurr

Lasagne £5.50

Itii' iNilliiii ImiHirilr. liiyiTsol paHlnuiKl niiiuvd brrl.amvdkvUlihniiilTnadr(llips

IIMS Breakl'asI £5.00

^ I'tiu. rii^iirrs nr haoiii. Iiinsi, nui^hrmiaiii, liiirulnrA. Iwkrd brana.and chips

Vegetarian Pasta Baked £5.25

S|>iiiilM-iii irxikisl III a rli-li kifnalo uiKV.Iapp)4 »ilh rtiniip Biiil boknl in llM-uvm

Steak & Ale Pie £ 5.50

Our tmii sleak & u)e pie served with homemsdr* clii|»4

Swuixinsli £7.75

.s<-ni'il i.|||i|.r plolii piillnl. wilh iwrtic bullrriirwllli a liiiiialn and hnsil luiuui lliiarbcili'r isyuiin.

Chicken curry (in) £5.50

ll'iiiK'UKidr I'hirirn <nri> m-imhI im> a bml «rri<r.inimhi-riil ixirriirrsspecialafrnm ihrSiar Riir.

Breaded Scainpi £6.75

Snixuleni scntupl needs no inlriKliieUoii. with iHirlitxnemitkM'liipsandu salmi ganiiiih

The cliel's .special of the day please ask yoiu- waiter

We also seive a lange of llomf niadf Pi/zas, Bumlos.Jacket Pntalocs, Burgers & Sizzlcrs

Gibraltar l.ive Music Society

Venue of the Year All Matches Live

RCR OPEN DAY

On Saturday 8th September the Roval Gibraltar Regiment will open the gates of Buffadero Train ing Centre {ETC) to everyone on the Rock.

The Commanding Officer of the regiment. Lieutenant Colonel John Perez MBE,has a clear view of what the Open Day will achieve:"People have an idea of the regiment which is based on what they see around them in Gibraltar every day. They are aware of the ceremonial side of what we do.They may know,from what they see in the press, about the regiment's work in Morocco and that we deploy soldiers on operations in Iraq,Afghanistan and elsewhere. But the reality of that role is distant. We want to show the people of Gibraltar the operational side of life in the regiment,in a way which lets them get as close as pos

sible to the kit and lets them meet members of the regiment.

"Although the Roval Gibraltar Regiment has a role to play within the British Army's regular estab lishment, it belongs to the people of Gibraltar. We want everyone to come away from the event feeling as if they have joined their regiment for the dav."

The event will include displays by the soldiers and officers of the regiment of their urban battle techniques and marksmanship. Visitors will be able to get handson with some of the Army's latest equipment, including the DCCT — a life-sized and realistic interac tive marksmanship trainer. There will be demonstrations of how the regiment operates in the field: a full regimental aid post — its own small hospital — will be up

and running, as will a battlegroup command post, observation posts and sniper hide. Ever)- aspect of the regiment's operational work will be on displav.

This year sees a new emphasis on ensuring that every member of the family is looked after and having fun for the whole day. The central core buildings of the training centre will become a shadv rest area, with food and drink — and even babychanging facilities — available throughout the day.

Children will have free use of bouncy castles; braver ones can have a go at the climbing wall and paintballing.

Doors open at 10am on 8th Sep tember and the event finishes at .■^pm. Last vear'sopen day attracted more than 4,000 people, so the best advice is to get there early. Keep an eye out for more information about the day as it becomes available in the local press closer to the dav.

Model Aciiievemonts

The final of International BestMale and Female Model Worldwhich took place in Finestrat, Benidorm in Spain, saw Mount Productions' models returning to Gibraltar with top awards. The male delegate from Spain and the female model from Sri Lanka were selected as winners for 2007.

Mark Montovio from Mount Productions also co-hosted the final together with Spanish televi sion personality Montserrat Fiter.

Neil Llanelo was selected 2nd runner up and Mr Friendship, Krystle Robba was selected as 1st Runner up and Best Physique and Moumen El Maghroauy was selected as 1st Runner up. Best Physique and MostAthletic. Chris Heggie, a total newcomer, did extremely well and he was a firm favourite together with Neil and Krystle, with the British press in Spain.

"The week I spent in Benidorm was unforgettable," said Krystle. "Everyone was so friendly, es pecially Miss Spain with whom I shared the hotel room. 1 was extremely overwhelmed after

receiving the Best Physique title and even more so when 1 was awarded the 1st runner up posi tion. The winner from Sri Lanka was placed 2nd runner up in Miss World 2005 so 1 felt privileged to come 2nd to her."

Neil Llanelo, who was spon sored by Energy Replay Ltd in Gibraltar was delighted with his experience as was Moumen who narrowly missed being awarded the top prize.

Aim^e Jay Montovio from Aimeejay Intimates was also invited to form part of the international panel of judges and Jaydan Fa, who worked with the four models to develop a portfolio for them, was theofficial photographerdur ing the final night with exclusive access backstage and throughout rehearsals.

Thecontest in Benidorm, now in its fourth year, isgrowing steadily and was thisyearsponsored fully by the local Government who ac knowledged the role that fashion andhosting modelsand the media from all over the world can have on the community.

The sand slopes on the east side of the Rock were created in pre historic times when wind-blown sands accumulated there. Over time, these dunes have become consolidated, and an important, if not unique, community of plants and animals live there.The removal of the corrugated iron sheets that formed the water catchments has increased hugely the area of the habitat,allowing the further spread of species, and the re-introduction of species that were eliminated when the catchments were con structed.

One such successfully re-in troduced species is the yellow sand vetch {Anthyllis hamosa). This densely hairy annual grows on

sandy places near the coast,and can form small clumps around 50 cm across.The flowers are around 1 cm long,and grow in terminal clusters.

Seeds of this plant were spread in the area when the catchment sheets were removed,and since then, the number of plants on the slopes has been increasing steadily.

One of the most common plants of the slopes is the sticky catchfly {Silcne nicaeejisis). As the name

implies, the plant is covered with sticky glandular hairs which trap sand particles which protect the plant from loss of water in this harsh environment.The flower pet als are white, tinged purple on the underside. They are about 1.5 cm across,and only fully open between evening and early morning.

The area of the slopes found directly above the Both Worlds complex was never covered with

the plant is covered with sticky gianduiar hairs which trap sand particles which protect the plantfrom loss of water in this harsh environment

catchment sheets. It is different to the rest of the slopes in that it is a mixture of loose sand and lime stone rocks. As a result the com munity of plants growing there is somewhat different to that growing on the rest of the slopes which are just sand. A few species are only found in that area and nowhere else on the Rock. Two such species are the sheep's bit(Jasione montana subsp. bleplwrodon), and the southem spurge (Euphorbia baetica). The sheep's bit is a hairy annual with stems from 5 to 30cm tall. The tiny blue flowers form rounded heads 5 to 20 mm across.The spurge forms rounded clumps up to 40cm across. The yellow-green flowers are rather insignificant,and produce rounded

capsules around 4 mm across. Like all spurges, when the stems are cut it exudes a white sap which is a skin irritant.

A rare member of the madder family which is typically found growing in places near the sea is the coastal crucianella (Crudaiiella maritinin). The plant forms strag gling clumps with stems up to 50 cm long. The closely overlapping leaves are grey-green and are spiny-tipped. The yellow flowers have long tubes about a 1 cm long, which protrude from the overlap ping loaves.

The Spanish toadflax (Liiiaria amethi/stea)grows in large numbers on the lower parts of the slopes. It is a member of the snapdragon family. The flowers are up to 2cm long,are white with purplish spots, and have a violet spur. The leaves are grey-green, typical of plants which arefound growing in coastal areas.The grey colour is either due to a coating of fine silvery hairs or else,as in this case,a waxy coating. Both are an adaptation by coastal species to reduce water loss, and reflect sunlight.

iSTEPOfVIA ©OLF

2 PLAYERS 18 HOLES including buggy 78.00C

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

After 15.00 1 player 9 holes Including a buggy 25.00C

unlimited golf

2 weeks unlimited g^f^ - 360.00C

1 months unlimited golf- ,«-^480.00€

2 months unlimite|^olf 650.00C

-3

6 months unliminl golf 1.050.00€^^

1 years unlimited goH^^, 1,500.^00€^^..

Sundayl.i^ch ^very Snnday^^urif only 18.00€ - bookings essential

During spring, the sand slopes can be seen to have acquired a reddish flush. This is due to the flowering of the horned dock (Rumex bucephalophorua). The tiny reddish-green flowers are about 1.5mm long, and form lax spikes5 to 40cm long.These plants are only found on these sand slopes.

Cordero

All

During spring,the sand siopes can be seen to have acquired a reddish fiush. This is due to the floweriug of the horned dock

Rets accessories

Emergency:8977

The moxt imaginative j;itt shop. If nature hasn't thought of it— it's not worth having. Come and enjoy shopping

Anyonefor BroaklastP

Chase away the after-summer blues with a night of brilliant entertainment: saucy servings of marital mishaps may sound cliche and deja-vu, yet they will make you roar with laughter thanks to the finest ingredient of farce.

Farce with no clowning around though, because director Trevor Guilliano is inspiring his cast of local thespians to keep the twisted storyline of sexy (but not scurrile) two-act early 90s' comedy Ani/onc for Breakfast? consistent and logical, amplifying hilarious gags without drooping into unnecessary cabaret. The cast acts out the misadven tures of two married couples, plus squash instructor Mark, and Luf thansa stewardess Helga, who try to consumate their love affairs in the same house— unknowingly of each other's presence, of course.

The stage background for the play, this year's Gibraltar Amateur Drama Association joint presenta tion, is one fixed set with many doors through which characters constantly enter and exit, strategi cally missing each other,thickening the plot into a flurry of innuendos seasoned with witty lines and clever bodv language which form the full-length play produced by Howard Danino.

Shirley (Lisanne Blagg) is more

than happy to help her best friend Jane (Michelle Francis) to a quiet place for her amorous rendezvous with her potential tov boy (Mario Prescott). By lending Jane her emp ty house,Shirley can in turn spend the evening with her own lover, who happens to be Jane's husband Roger (Nicholas Pinero)!

it seems plain sailing until Shir ley's husband Gilbert (Trevor Norton) turns up at home unex pectedly, with his German mistress tagging along.

Helga provides extra comic relief with her foreign accent and some ridiculous grammar and vocabulary mistakes.She is played by Charlene Figueras, well known in Gibraltar for her meteoric career as model,international beaut\' pag

eant delegate and photographer. Unquestionably the audience can expect a memorable portrait of the stereotypical leggy high-flving beauty from this multitalented debutante actress who has shown on many previous occasions how looks and brains do get along well together and actually con spire when a pinch of self-irony is added.

However,she has taken her part very seriously indeed, even doing research to design her'uniform'as acurately as possible. The other actors were given some licence in providing their own wardrobe, including Jane (Michelle)'s seduc tive dress specifically required by the script to be flaming red — there, another clicht', but don't expect

this show to aim deep, it wasn't playwright Derek Benfieid's prior ity when pursuing guffaws galore — the few critical hints on human shortcomings are subtly sparse between the lines.

Though Charlene and fellow former beauty queen Michelle are stepping on stage for the first time ever as actresses, their talent is already shining through,thanks in part to the patience of their di rector. In six months of rehearsals Trevor Guilliano has taken it very easy, sowing new friendships and cementing old ones,instructing the cast on how to manage their part and in his turn listening to their suggestions.

"It is a democratic process," Trevor admits,"although I am one ofthose directors who gives precise instructions to the actor, actually stepping on stage and showing in detail how to project the lines," as opposed to the other category that just sits back in the director's seat and enjoys the cast's initiative,only interspersing it with some general

Don't expect this shew te aim deep,it wasn't piaywright Derek Denfieid's priority when pursuing guffaws gaiere

guidelines.

To confirm that he isn't bossing everybody around but,on the con trary, accepts and encourages the wide breath of their creativity, Ma rio endorses the professionalism of Trevor, who, according to him, "is capable of perfectly playing all parts" and transforming himself into each persona to practically il lustrate how to carry the character and make it believable.

The key to a smooth perfor mance is that the actors must make sure they see with crystal clarity what their characters ignore so they can make the spectators well aware of the bigger picture, while acting naturally clueless.

Confusing? It is for anyone who reads the script for the first time, but with attentive reads-through, everyone involved has learned first of all to keep a straight face on stage when delivering their comic exploits — which is one of the most testing moments in a comedian's career — and secondly, but not less vitally, to choreograph their en trances or exits to the split second in order to guarantee the accurate unfolding of onstage events.

Some architectural challenges are posed by the set, which must be roomy enough for some essential furniture and include a stairwell to the upper floor fit for actual use. Building it safe and sound enough to support the weight of quick escapes and storming appear ances was a fiddly job for GADA's set designers, but stage manager Sharon Garcia and her engineers have already worked their magic to upgrade set construction to the standards we are becoming ac customed to through a whole lot of previous amateur productions. And with Drama Week still to come, they're saving the best for last — or for Christmas presents.

Anyonefor Breakfast? is playing at the Ince's Hall on 3rd, 4th and 5th October 2007.

Party4 Kidz

Above; birthday girl Yasmin celebrates at her party and (right) party organiser Gina Morello of Party 4 Kidz dressed as a but terfly at one of her animal themed parties with the party girl Lucia

Gibraltar gets a taste for the Taste

The owner of what has quickly become a favourite dining venue for Gibraltar residents heading across the border, Adnan Shah, says he is delighted with the way things are going at his new Indian restaurant.The Taste. Adnan is no newcomer to the restaurant trade, however,and spent eight years in Edinburgh in a restaurant owned by his uncle, then operated a suc cessful restaurant in Fuengirola for some time, before eventually opening the Taste in La Linea at the end of March this year.

The chef who cooks up the fantastic range of Indian food from tandoori chicken to prawn dahansak,lamb jalfarezi to channa masala, is also part of the family and has been with Mr Shah for the last six years. In fact, none of the attentive staff have been with

Hit basic lifev^>^ and cidinaiy iraditiona. are Mill carried on by the modern di^v Caurhoa. wHo ride out on The Pampaa lodi^y. Martin Flcms depicted io the akelck below rrom ibe frontispiece ofa book el'hit pacci>' wnrten in ihe 1890*0. ia

Adnan for less than five vears. The Head Waiter, Abdul, is the man who will guide you through the menu with his friendly and profes sional manner, describing dishes for the uninitiated. There are lots of pleasant touches to add to the dining experience too,such as cold beers served in glasses which have been kept in the freezer — lovely. The food, as many have already discovered, is very good indeed, and the prices very sensible.

And an added bonus? There is a terrific view of Gibraltar,in all its glory, from the picture windows.

You will find The Taste on Avenida del Ejercito — simply walk

Partij4l|id2

straight ahead after crossing the frontier, and when you reach the foot bridge.The Taste is just on the other side. Tel: 00 34 856 12 29 18 for reservations.

The Bo^tyafd

NOW OPEN

An Exclusive New Restaurant. Lounge & Cocktail Bar.

Modern Australasian Cuisine & Seasonal Menus

Fine Dining atthe Boatyard

Newly opened and very stylishly decorated in whites and neutral colours, The Boatyard restaurant, lounge and cocktail bar is a great new addition to Queenway Quay marina.

Opened by Doris, Sharon and Gary, The Boatyard has a large terrace right next to the yachts and a comfortable interior from which diners can enjoy modern

Australasian cuisine, a cocktail or just a drink.

The friendly English-speaking staff serve up everything from Thai/Asian sharing plates, to rare Argentinian beef, bruschetta and Australasian Caesar salad, and even chocolate orgasms!

Open for lunch and dinner from 12 noon to 12 midnight. Telephone 50540 for reservations.

Dine outside on the marina

Or enjoy a cocktail in the air conditioned lounge at The Bogtygi-4

Queensway Quay Marina

Open for lunch and dinner 12:00 noon - 12:00 midnight

Tel 50540

Available

Breakfasts (Full English to Egg or Beans bToast)* Breakfast Baguettas (alldayl * Baguettes/ Sandwiches(Egg Mayo to Honey Roasted Ham to Steak b Onion) • Tltna Out Open Sandwiches (Mouarelia,Basil h Red Pepper•Cajim Chicken•Honey Roasted Ham b Cheese•Chargrilled Chicken ft Avocado •Tuna,Prawn, Lmnon ft Cretne Fraiche)• Wraps (Chicken Caesar • BIT • Feta. Olive, Mint ft Yoghurt Oresstng • Chargrifled Chicken, Red Pepper h Onion)* Panini * Starters 6 side dishes (Onion Rings b Nachos to Pouto Skins) • Mains (from Chicken "nkka fldasala to Fish h Chips, Bangers ft Mash or Quiche or Roast of the Day)• Salads (from Chicken Caesar or Greek to Ptougiiman'sl* Jackets (Chilli ft Cheese to Snwked Saimonj * Desserts • Drinks etc

A Bicycle made for two

The Environmental Safety Group is currently running a campaign to get us all out of our cars and onto foot or bicycle. An admirable plan and one which should be adopted by all car and motor scooter drivers immediately. The idea that, in a tiny place like Gibraltar, anyone should be able to drive anywhere and then have a (free) parking place both outside the destination and back at home again is quite ludicrous. And yet there are regular letters in the Chronicle and elsewhere bemoaning the lack of parking facilities.

Has it occurred to anyone(except the ESG) that a car is not actually necessary in Gibraltar? And if a car is genuinely necessary — perhaps because of disability — then because noH^ne else will have a car there will be nodifficulty with parking- Motor cycles and scooters should ofcourse be banned completely — imagine the glorious sound of silence which would descend upon Gibraltar, punctuated only by the puffing of cyclists going uphill. A pipe dream, of course, rather like eating foie gras to the sound of trumpets (Sydney Smith's idea of Heaven)or having a Puligny Montrachet permanently on tap for free(my idea of Heaven) but a glorious one.

Wine and bicycles go together. They are both natural products — well, a bicycle is not natural of itself but it does rely on nature to work. A little gentle pedalling creates a thirst which is beautifully assuaged by a glass of Pinot Grigio {£4.20 from Anglo Hi$pa)io) perhaps with a bit of soda water and an ice cube added.

The Tour de France goes through some of the best vineyards in France. It is a pity that the cyclists in the Tour rely on blood transfusions and artificial stimulants rather than a glass of whatis all round them. An Apremont (from the Savoie region — not spotted in Gibraltar vet but seen in Carrcfour at about 5 euros) would help no end in getting to the top of an Alp, with a congratulatory glass of chilled Gamay when you reach the bottom again. And the time trial in Bordeaux would be a doddle if there were a bottle of,say, Mouton Rothschild waiting and available at the end of it.

Meanwhile,on your bikes for the find of the month;Chateau Garonne Ste Gemme. Morrison's have this 1999 Haut-Medoc at £8.49. 1999 is not the greatest Bordeaux vintage but it is ready for drinking now and a steal at the price. Deep and rich with a lingering aftertaste, it is reminiscent of a Talbot at a quarter of the cost. The minor difficulty is that you will want more than one bottle and bicycles do not lend themselves easily to carrying shopping. No real problem: make several trips for one bottle each

time. The exercise is good for you and the minor inconvenience will be more than compensated for by the reward. I have ^ied to negotiate with Morrison's that they will only sell one bottle at a time to accredited cyclists, and not allow petrol guz zlers to enjoy this jewel, but they

one

were unwilling. I suppose that since it is about the only place in Gibraltar where you can be guaranteed a free parking place on arrival they have a point. This creates a problem for the cyclist: should he boycott Morrison's on the basis that they encourage the use of cars?

Perhaps not for the time be ing, because Morrison's have also introduced a new range of wines called 'Sandpiper'. I mentioned last month that a lot of French vineyards were being bought by Brits: this is an Australian operation in France. Thev have gone into what are considered to be rather lower-class areas (L'Herault, Pays d'Oc etc), planted varietal grapes and sell them as blends of grape with only a small mention of place of origin. These all go for £6.79.

I can recommend the Carignan Shiraz (you can tell it's an Austra lian operation because they call it Shiraz) and the Sauvignon Chenin Blanc. They are all well made(and well marketed) and a great deal better — although slightly more expensive — than a VDQS Cha teau Jenesaisquoi from the Herault which, despite the expensive-look ing label, is very ordinary.

Having made the numerous trips at one bottle a time you need to con serve energy and not get through the bottles too quickly. This requires careful planning. Set aside a bottle of nicely chilled white (back to a Soave perhaps) and contemplate it while vou get your breath back. Then pour a little finger of lemon .squash in a glass, add a little finger of gin, three proper fingers of the wine and finish off with fizzy water, a couple of ice cubes and a slice of lemon. This traditional family recipe, handed down over genera tions, is particularly refreshing but should be treated with caution as it is much stronger than it tastes. When serx'ed at a cocktail party, illadvised quaffers have been known to fall over backwards into a rose bush with no warning, either to themselves or others. However, taken once a day and kept out of the reach of children,it is the perfect answer for a September evening. It may be best not to get back on the bicycle until the following day.

Casilloro del Diablo is cur* rentiy the leading Chilean brand, both in volume and value. Over the past few years, it has gathered a loyal band of followers — mostly down to Marceio Papa's astonishing tal ent for winemaking on a large scale. With every vintage, he manages to deliver even more quality and value for money. This year, a big brother to the range has been launched something for fans of Casillero to trade up to. Casillero del Dia blo Reserve Privada is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Syrah, aged in French oak barrels for 14 months. The wine retails at £8.99 and is currently on the shelves in Morrisons.

The fruit for Reserva Privada is sourced exclusively from Concha y Toro's own vineyards. The Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Pirque vineyard in the Maipo Valley. Located in the coldest part of the valley,the mature vines are planted on rocky, infertile soils. Massive swings between day and night time temperatures contribute towards the intensity and tannic structure of the Cabernet component. The Syrah comes from hillside sites in the Peumo vineyards, in the Rapel Valley. Free-draining,south-facing and configured to catch the cooling breezes off the Cachapoal River, the vineyards benefit from a cool microclimate within a warm,sunny valley.

Casillero del Diablo's head winemaker, Marceio Papa says, 'The blend for Reserva Privada is perhaps atypical for Chile, but the combination of the Pirque Cabernet and Peumo Syrah works perfectly, produc ing a balanced and intense wine.'

£8.99, exclusive to Morrisons •Save £2 until 9th September 2007

Having made the numerous trips at

bottieatime you need to conserve energy and not getthrough the hotties too quickiy

restaurants

The Boatyard

Queensway Quay Tel:50540

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

Open: 12 noon to 12 midnight.

Cafe Solo

Grand Casemates Square. Tel:44449

Modern Italian eatery set in the livelv Casemates square. Eveiything from chicory and crispy pancetta salad with walnuts, pears and blue cheese dressing,or king prawn, mozzarella and mango salad to pastas(eg: linguine with serrano ham, king prawns and rocket; smoked salmon and crayfish ravioli with saffron and spinach cream)to pizzas(eg: Vesuvio spicy beef,cherry tomatoes, roasted peppersand red onitins; and Romana chorizo, black pudding,egg and pancetta) and pizzas (eg; Quatto Stagioni topped with mozzarella, ham, chicken, pepperoni and mushroom) and specialities such as salmon fishcakes, beef medallions and duck. Good daily specials menu on blackboard.

Cafe Rojo

54 Irish Town. Tel: 51738

Sleek modern 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 (chocolate mousse in a must). Lunch 12- 3pm and dinner 7-lOpm includes salads(from smoked magret duck breast and papaya to warm goats cheese and fa-sh spinach), pasta dishes(faim sauted scallops,spinach and mushrooms, to langostine pil pil) and main dishes ranging from lamb shoulder with rosemary and red wine sauce, to medallions of pork fillet, and poached fresh fillet of salmon. Open: from 10am. Closed all day Sundays, and Saturday lunch.

Casa Pepe

18 Queensway Quay Marina. Tel/Fax: 46967

Situated right on the water front at Queensway Quay, Casa Pepc has a comprehensive a la carle menu which includes dishes such as melon & Serrano ham,stuffed piquillo peppers and filled mushrooms to start, fol lowed by a choice of salads,rice and noodles and fish, poultry and meat dishes which include King Prawns

Macarena(cooked with fresh ginger,tomatoes, mangos and bananas served with basmafi rice, fried bread and bananas). Medallions of monkfish cooked with white wine and lobster sauce, duck breast Armanac-style (with Cognac, mushrooms and pine nuts). Medallions of pork loin cooked with Serrano ham and dry Jerez sherry, and fillet steak Malaguetia cooked in creamy garlic mushrooms and sweet sherry sauce topped with prawns. Wide range of tapas/raciones also available.

Open: Monday to Saturday 11am till late.

Claus on the Rock Bistro

Unit 14 Queensway Quay. Tel: 48686 www.cIausontherock.gi

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

Gauchos

Waterport Casemates Tel: 59700

Nestled just next to Waterport roundabout within the city walls. Recently opened by renowned local restaurateur Andr^ of the Tunnel fame, Gauchos of fers some interesting dishes with a tempting South American Gaucho theme. Try the Chorizo Criolla de Argentina(spicy sausage grilled over coal and wood), or the Mariscos del Rio Plata or Empanada deQueso Azu!(blue cheese oven baked in a black pepper pastv) to start,or for main course perhaps the Fillet de Salmon Chimichurri(salmon with grilled banana, mango and

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

avocado sauce), or Crepe Argenteuil (with grilled as paragusand wild mushiwms),or one of the steaks(lots from Lomo de Alto,Solomillo, and T-bone to Corazon deCuadril - 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)-5- and the desserts are to die for too! They say "this is a new experience for you to savour"....give it a try! Call 59700 to reserve your table.

The Rib Room Restaurant, Rock Hotel

Europa Road Tel: 73000

E-mail: rockhotel^gibtelecom.net

www.rockhotelgibraltar.com

With stunning views over the bay,the restaurant at the Rock Hotel has gained two coveted AA Rosettes for its food. High standards of service and cuisine but you won't need an arm and a leg to be waited on hand and foot! A glass of Manzanilla and an appetiser welcomes diners and the 'house' and h la carte menus offer a range of dishes thai reflect Gibraltar's British heritage, as well as her location betwixt Spain and north Africa. Current temptations include Gibraltar Bay Sea Basson a Chorizo Ragout with Pickled Lemonsand Baby Clams; Lamb Loin with Slow Braised Shoulder and Aubergine 'Caviar'with Ras el Hanout or how about Argentine

Beef Fillet with Potato and Rosemary Rosti with Pan Seared Foie Gras and Madeira Jus? Vegetarians will enjoy Wild Mushroom and Marls Piper Pithivicr on a Leek and Black Olive Fondue or for pudding why not consider Lime Leaf Cr^me Bruise with a Salad of Biackberr)' and Moroccan Oranges? There is also a 'house' menu which changes daily and during the cooler months traditonal Sunday lunch. The wine list, amusingly written, makes no excuses for majoring on Spain and the house wine is excellent- Fully air-condi tioned, non-smoking policy, children welcome, high chairs. Restaurant Manager, Mohamed Youznassi. Head Chef, Alfred Rodriguez. For large parties and celebrations call Toby or Nina or e-mail.

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

Credit Cards: All major credit and debit cards

Simon's Restaurant

44 Cornwall's Lane. Tel:47515

Excellent food in a sophisticated,intimate atmosphere. Hosts Suzanne and Simon ensure everyone receives personal attention. Start with Simon's own pat^ with red onion jam and hot toast,or king prawns thermidor with tarragon mustard, white wine and cheese cream sauce or 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,redcurranland red wine sauce or the grilled fillet of mere with avocado and prawns. There is something to delight every palate. Fully air-conditioned.

Open:evenings(bookings recommended).

Charlies Sizzlins Specials with steaks or mixed grills. We also carry^ a good selection of wine. spirlLs and beers.

Steak House Grill & ToDem

Salad/£t

Where people meet to eat a line ami varied Kiiuii menu and a comprehensive a la cane menu iliai compUmenLs botli our kitchen and our customers.Kvcrvthing fn)m loasties to lagliaielle and from full F-nglish breakfast

Jamaican Pepper Pol.

We're on the harbour wall at the beautiful Marina Ray so book a pleasant table for two or just sit watching the world go hy while sipping an ice cold beer.

Reserve on Tel/Fax: 79993

No. 2 .•idmiral'sVt'alk, Marina Bay.(libr;iltai' E-mail; georgeta'gibnei.gi

We love to cater for groups and parties so why not spend ihai neM special occasion at Charlies''

Thyme Restaurant

5 Cornwall's Lane. Tel: 49199

Email: thyinegib@hotmail.com

Modern wine bar serving refreshing cocktails and a wide range of New World and European wines in a cool lively atmosphere,and on the 1 st floor above is the restaurant serving bistro cuLsine with a menu featur ing dishes from all over the world. Try one of these dishes from the wide selection: crispy fried monkfish, rocket salad, chilli jam and creme fraiche; steamed mussels flavoured with ginger, lemongrass, chilli & coconut milk; hand rolled ravioli of smoked chicken, crab, basil & marscapone, parmesan veloute; or mains of millefeuille of char grilled salmon & Mediterranean vegetables, seared scallops and basil pesto; charred aubergine, tomato, basil & mozzarella parcels, red pepper & olive reduction; or Slow braised Moroccan lamb shank,tabbouleh,spiced onion,almond & sultana chutney. Main menu changed seasonally and specials run daily. Everything made on the premises using only the best, fresh ingredients. Wide range of New World and European wines.

Open: 12.30 - 3pm and 7pm till late. Closed Sundays.

informaleating

Ai 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. Breakfast from Bam.

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 K)am - 5pm,Thursday, Friday and Saturday I0am-4pm and 7pm-midnight.

Charlie's Steak House Grill

Marina Bay. Tel/Fax: 79993

George and Paula are your hosts at Charlie's where you will find a wide selection of international food including 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 Comer 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 oflambdemi 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 Joust

248 Main Street & Casemates. Tel/Fax: 76699

Smoothies are vitamin packed super-food and increasingly popular for the health concious. Get Joost makes delicious fresh fruit juices and smoothies made from natural ingredients v\'hich 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 Mon -Friday, 10-7 Saturday, 10-6 Sunday.

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:Bam - 6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sal.

Just A Nibble

1st Fir International Commercial Ctr. Tel: 78052

Full blown licensed cafeteria serving English break fast, vast range of toasties, rolls, and other snacks. Meals include steak and kidney pie, Bob's famous chicken curry/chilli con came,& now Kentucky-style fried chicken, plus all the old favourites - jacket spuds, burgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, and daily specials. Ideal meeting place.

Open: Monday •Saturday from 9am.

Just Desserts 1st Floor ICC Tel:48014

Comfortable bright, airy cafe serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine from breakfast and lunch to aflemcwn tea. Homemade desserts a speciality. Eat-in or takeaway at sensible prices. Outside catering.

Open:Bam - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Munchies Cafe

24 Main Street. Tel:43840 Fax:42390

A great sandwich bar/cafe offering an unusual range ofsandwiches on while or granary bread, plussalads, baguettes, soups,desserts, homemade ice-cream and hot/cold drinl«. Business lunches, parties and kids parties also catered for (for party and office platters phone or fax order by 5.30pm day before - minium orders for delivery £12).

Open: Monday - Friday 8.30-7, Sat 9•4, Closed Sun.

Roy's Cod Plaice

Casemates Square

Located below the clock on Casemates Square,Roy's Cod Plaice serves all kinds of traditional chip shop fare,including battered plaice,cod,haddock and hake with chips, breaded fishcakes, and scampi, jumbo pork sausages, mushy pease etc to eat in or fake away. Roy's also offers full meals such as pork chops,grilled mushrooms, tomatoes and mashed potatoes; mixed grill; or meat pie with ma.sh and gravy.

Open:9am-U)pm Monday-Saturday. Closed Sun.

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,entre cote 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 excellent salad bar, specials of the day and dishes such as lasagne, steak and mushroom Guinness pie, hot chicken salad, toasties, club sandwich and baked potatoes. Art exhibitions. Available for parties and functions in the evenings.

Open:9am-7.30pm Mon-Fri.9am-3pm Saturdays

Smith's Fish & Chips

295 Main Street. Tel: 74254

Traditional British fish and chipshop with tables/seat ing available or take-away wrapped in newspaper.

Menu:Cod, haddock or plaice in batter,Cornish past ies, mushy peas etc. Also curries, omlettes, burgers.

Open:8am-6pm Mon-Fri. Breakfasts from Bam.

Located: Main Street opposite the Convent.

Solly's

Salt Beef Parlour & Delicatessen

8 Cannon Lane. Tel: 78511

On Cannon Lane this carvery,charcuterie and deli of-

fers 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. (Glaft Kosher)

Open: 12pm-late,Sunday 6pm-late. Closed Sat.

Solo Express

Ground Floor, International Commercial Centre

Solo Express, located right next to Pizza Hut, serx-es 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. Thesalads are fresh and tasty and include Greek, Waldorf,cous cous,tuna pasta,etc and are great value. Jacket potatoes, quiches, tea, coffee etc plus cakes(such as flapjacks and muffins)are also available throughout the day. Eat-in available. Soups in winter months.

The Tasty Bite

59a Irish Town.Tel: 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 Rd Tel: 76044 Fax: 72760

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

bars&puhs

All Sports Bar

4 Cornwall's Lane Tel:59997

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

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

All's Well

Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 72987

Traditional pub in fashionable Casemates area. Named for the 18fh century practice of locking the Gates to the city at night when the guard announced 'All's Weil' before handing the keys to the watch. All's Well serves Bass beer.s, 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 arc complimented by a range of salads and filled jacket potatoes. Large terrace.

The Angry Friar

278 Main Streel. Tel: 71570

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

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

Located: Opposite The Convent.

Aragon Bar

15 Bell Lane. Tel: 78855

A friendly traditional bar serving good homemade food.

Outside tables 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 Aniin makes cous cous or lajine to order.

Located:off Main St at Marks & Spencer.

The Gibraltar Arms

184 Main Street. Tel: 72133

Good food served all day at this typical pub right on

Main Street. Everything from all day breakfast to Irish fillet steak roll, burritos, and the popular fresh local mussels.Draught lager, bitter, cider and Murphys plus free WiFI. Terrace seating right on Main Street.

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. Curry and chilli specials on Sunday.

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

Facilities:.Main Streel terrace.

Lord Nelson Bar Brasserie

10 Casemates Sq. Tel: 50009 www.lordnelson.gi

E-mail: reservationsff'^lordnelson.gi

Attractive bar/brasserie in historic Casemates building. Done out to respresent Nelson'sship with cloud and sky ceiling crossed with beams and sails. Spacious terrace

Menu:Starter & snacks include tre.sh local mussels, blue cheese and rocket bruschelta, Lordy's potato skins,spicy chicken wings and calamares. Main courses cover a range from chilli con came and chicken and mushroom pie, to crispy aromatic duck burrito and British fish and chips. Try one of the salads or Nelson's platters. Jacket potatoes, burgers and children's menu. Credit cards accepted. Live music every weekend.

Open: from 10am till verv late.

Pickwicks

Governor's Parade. Tel: 76488

Run by well-known friendly face, Mandy,thissmall pub with a large terrace is situated in Governor's Parade away from the traffic and safe for all the family. Good food available including the best freshly made sand wiches and jacket potatoes, salads and burgers.

Open: Mon - Fri from 9..1(lam

Location: tum off Main St at Marks & Spencer, Pick wicks is opposite the Elliot Hotel.

The Pig and Whistle Unit 18, Watergardens. Tel: 76167

A comfortable pleasant pub with pool table and ter race on the quayside. Big screen television for sporting events.

Open: K)-midnight (Fri-Sat 11-Iam)

Red Lion Pub

Watergardens. Tel:44392

The Red Lion is a cosy pub in Watcrgardens serving fresh homemade food every day for lunch and "possibly the best breakfast on the Rock". Terrace seating.

Open:Sam - late Mon-Fri, 12 midday to late Saturday.

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 runs 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 includ^-s fillet steak, fish and chips and salads. Kids menu 99p. Home of Med Golf(10% discount on food for Med Members). Home of Leeds United PC supporters club.

Facilities: Outside seating.

Open:from 7am every day.

Located: first right off Main Street (walking from N to S).

The Three Owls

Irish Town

The Three Owls is a traditional bar serving best of English beers. Three separate bars/floors: ground floor — big screen tv, pool table, poker machines, games machines, bar — open fmm 11).30am dailv. First floor 'Hoots' — 2 match pool tables, poker machines, darts board, games machine, bar — open from Ipm daily. Second Floor 'Nest' — American pool table, poker machine, games machine, card table, bar — open from 5pm dailv.

The Three Roses

Governor's Street. Tel: 51614

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

Open:every day. Mon-Sat from Ilam, 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 siz zling .specials from 7pm. Selection of international meals,Indian specialities, vegetarian selections, home made ice-cream. Sundav 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 Streel, 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 IDam

Located: Main St near Casemates Sq, opp. the ICC.

Wembley Bar

10 South Barrack Ramp. Tel: 78004

Popular bar for hot and cold bar snacks, function rixtm, in south district. Fridays lOam for breakfast. Air conditioned. The home of the Real Madrid Sup porter's Club.

Open:Ilam - midnight Sunday - Thursday,10am - lam Fridav, Ilam - lam Saturdavs.

acrosstheborder

The Taste Indian Restaurant

Avda. del Ejercito,esq. Calle Gibraltar, La Linea Tel:00 34 856 12 29 18 / 00 34 626 88 40 38

Good Indian ix-staurant convenient to the frontier. All the favourites from chicken Madras to lamb channa, and king prawn vindaioo. Specialities include Chicken Tikka Krahi (chicken tikka topped with fresh chillies, herbs and .spices), Bhindi Ghost (lamb with okra in a spicy sauce),and Special Mixed Balti. Lots of vegetable dishes, bread and rices.

Open;every day 5pm-late, Fri, Sat & Sun Ipm-late

Located: On the comer of Plaza de la Constitucion, which is about 4(10m straight up from the frontier.

still very active in the kitchen,aided by executive chef Danny."We have a very experienced team in the kitchen," said Chris,"and Danny is the man to keep things rolling."

The vast menu includes 16 Healthy Options, lots of sizzlers, plenty of pastas, baguettes hot or cold,a children's section,omelettes, salads, and traditional favourites such as bangers & mash and cla.ssic roast dinners with all the trim mings. The roasts are £5.95, which gives a flavour of the general price range throughout the menu.

"Our famous sizzlers are still on the new menu," Chris reminded me, referring to such hot dishes as Jamaican pepperpot or chicken in black pepper & brandy, for example.

Fine food from proven chefs,but The Turmel is nonetheless a friendly and informal spot, part pub/part restaurant, which gets very lively in the evenings — especially at weekends when there are live DJs. It seats 60 outside and another 60 inside, where the decor is modern but sensible whilst at the same time retaining the original Portland stone block construction of the for mer city walls/barracks.

No less than five television sets are mounted high above the long bar, and Chris told me that they make sure that most major sports are covered. 1 was impressed by the exceptional air-conditioning, which, coupled with the through breeze, made for a very com fortable atmosphere.

the TUNNEL Vision

"Our supplier owns the farm and the export business in Argentina. All our steaks are Argentinian steers crossed with Aberdeen An gus cows, giving a unique flavour and texture," Chris continued.

The son of local fine food celebri ties Andr^ and Lyn de Barre, Chris is a key member of the management team at The Tunnel in Casemates Square, and is clearly dedicated to good food and customer service.

The Turmel opened just over six years ago, and its combination of outstanding food and attentive staff has seen it go from strength to strength, with many of its cus tomers coming from the Costa on the personal recommendation of their friends as well as the many local people who love the food and the style.

The latest development is the launch of their new menu, which looks good enough to eat in itself.

Following modern trends, it incor porates many dishes cooked on the brand new charcoal grill which by itself gives a sumptuous choice from 16 course.s, covering prawns, fish, vegetables,steak,chicken and gammon.As an indication of what lies behind that simple description, the chicken alone can be tikka ke bab, tandoori supreme or supreme in garlic sauce; or boneless thighs in a creamy mushroom sauce. All the grills come with chips, rice, or jacket or mashed potato.

Star turn of the whole menu of eighty-one dishes must be the meat or fish parilladas. This a feast

for two people served on a special tray-cum-hotplate, because ordi nary plates just wouldn't do. The meat parillada comprises garlic chicken, garlic tandoori, sausages, bacon, tomato, steak pieces and more, while the fish parillada is similar but predominantly fish and prawns. At £24.95 for two it represents satisfaction in taste and value for money.

With an international cooking and serving staff of almost 30 people, customers enjoy the swift and friendly attention whilst appre ciating that good food isn't served up in minutes. Andre de Barre is

Like all good pubs, breakfasts are a popular feature,but it's more than just the Full English. That classic meal is there, of course, at only £4.95 for two sausages, two eggs, bacon, tomato, mushrooms and beans with toast and jam,and tea or coffee; and the coffee is ex cellent — Chris kindly served me a cup while 1 was visiting. All in all, there are a total of 12 breakfast variations on the list, and it looked to me as if there was something for every breakfaster. Breakfasts are served from 9am to midday, seven days a week.

The Tunnel is very popular for parties and other functions, and there is a host of menus to suit most needs. There is a special National Day menu too — along with some highly interesting drinks promo tions — but by mid-August the bookings were rolling in, though it's still worth checking to see if there is room for a few more,espe cially if you are a small group.

Open every day from Sam until late — z'ery late at jveekends — The Tunnel is clearly marked in Casemates Square,just two doorsfrom the tunnel towards Spain,and the phone numbers for reservations and any other enquiry are 74946 and 44878.

"We can trace every piece of steak to its Argentinian animal of origin,"said Chris de Barre of The Tunnel.

"Our famous sizzlers are still ou the new menu,"Chris reminded me,referring to such hot dishes as Jamaican pepperpot or chicken In hiack pepper ahrandy

First item on the agenda this month has got to be the weather and I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't seem to matter what time of the year it is the weather is never quite right. Let's be honest when it's wet, cold and windy during January, February and Marc^ everybody looks forward to the summer, but when it finally arrives it's not long before we're all moaning about how hot it is, and it doesn't get any hotter or stickier than the month of August. How we've suffered. I don't know if it's been any hotter than any other year but this year it seems to be more uncomfortable than ever, perhaps I'm just getting old but I won't be sorry to see August end.September is often a far nicer month and of course we shall all celebrate National Day on the 10th and as far as I can remember that's always been a good day. In fact 1 often think that the best times of the year are spring and autumn the weather is more enjoyable,there's not quite as many visitors on Main Street and if that wasn't enough the football season is well under way again but more of that later on. Yes, there's no doubt about it September is a good month.

Global Warming

And while I'm still on the subject of the weather one of the "in subjects" at the moment is global warming and its affect on us all along with matters green and eco-friendly. 1 can only say that if the climate over the last few weeks is anything to go by then 1 don't think that there's any doubt about the fact that global warming is affecting us all. On the subject of "green matters" we should all be doing our best to help save our planet. And one of Gib's bars has gone all eco friendly namely Pickwicks up at Governor's Square where 1 found out quite by chance that Mandy is doing her bit to save the planet. When I asked her what a strange looking piece of mechanical hardware was on one of her terrace tables, she went on to explain to me that it was a "tin crusher" and showed how it worked. I won't bore you all with details hut 1 have to say I was impressed. But that's not all, it's not only tin crushing because she's also gone eco-friondly by not having any little plastic sachets of various sauces, in fact she's gone back to the good old days when milk is poured from a proper milk jug and sugar comes by the spoon from a sugar bowl. Just as well for me because I always seem to have problems trying to open brown sauce and mustard sachets — half of it ends up either down my trousers or all over my hands and I'm sure I'm not the only one. But good on you Mandy, if we all do our bit on eco matters we might still be able to save the planet.

Many Happies

Birthday boys and girls this month include Billy, Janine,Susie, Kev,

Mac,June,Christine,"Green

Mandy"and J.Shephard Snr. who along with his wife Nicky also celebrate their wedding anniver sary as do Maggie and Norman, Janine and Pete, Geeta and Peter, Doris and Barry and Thomas and Dee. Congratulations to them all and congratulations also to Jeremy and Karen, and Jesse and Sheila on their recent weddings.

In August Sharon of the Angry Friar had a birthday and to teach her a lesson for all the stick she gives out. Pal Harris and the Friar's staff decided to lock her up for a while with a ball and chain. She must have played up a lot because they left her locked up for over four hours!

A Fishy Tale

Now if there was ever a bunch of people who can tell a tall stor\' it's fishermen and over the years some of their stories have almost been almost beyond belief. So when I bumped into young Mike Manning and his son recently and they started to tell me this tale 1 thought here we go again. 1 can't remember all the details but it went something like this, Mike decided to take his lad on a fishing trip and there thev were the pair of them all set up and enjoying the sport, it was a lovely day and Mike decided to take 40 winks and let junior keep an eye on the rods. He'd hardly nodded off before junior woke him up to tell him he'd got a bite. Mike grabbed his rod and started to try and land the fish but he could hardly pull it in and he knew it was a monster /C -

started to'LTh'' in.Jit. As he wasllltg ^this^

^ive up but went and 1 knew he was a compkte nutcL^ h,.f all the time had an honest look on h.s t dM I T' ^e fish I'm not sure but I suspect it what went on next but I can't remember so we'll n u°' u probably told me .he fehe^en.u,what a ,a.n,en,»■ "

A Ticket to Ride

pBipii§s=| sn^m

Sports Report

0 s played like heroes and won by 2 goals to 1 and what h ^ awayatSouthend the "Super thefirstgameoftheseason waTgoLi notonlvforSi

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Sdmson'sPeterborough

Bristol Rovers got a draw in their first match in Divicinn i n ! u'^coming from PeteYeoman after ComeonyouSuperO's. Seeyou31^0Ma^Street

"^^^^tyOrient"

C. 'Id'

Aris t C/.r.'f.s

The Arts Centre. Prince Edward's fld Art

Classes fer children (5-6pm Mon. 5-6.30prn

Tues. 5-7pm Thursl, adults (Mon - Tues 6.30pm-8pm. Wed 6 30pm-8.30pm, life paint ing Wed 7pm-9pm|. Tel 79788.

The Fine Arts Association Gallerv 1 st Floor above Gibraltar Crystal, Casemates. Open

1 lam-2pm.4-6pm Mon - Fri, Sat 11am-2pm.

Arts & Crafts Gallery (next door}opens Mon - Fri 9 30am - 5pm (summer} -6pm (winter), Sat 9 30ani - 3pm

The Poetry Society meets on 20th of each

month. Contact: Audrey Batty on 44355

Board Gomes

Chess Club meets in Studio 1. John Mackin tosh Hall 8-10 30pm Tues.

The Gibraltar Scrabble Club meet John Mackintosh Hall Mondays. Bank holidays changed to Thursday same week. 7pm-11pm

All welcome. Tel 73660 or 75995.

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

Donee

Modern 6 Latin American Sequence Dane* ing Mondays Catholic Community Centre

8 30om I beginners 7.30). Over 15s welcome

www gibnyne* gi/msfcccsegdance/

Old 6 Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at the 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 manvlo(a)

gibnet.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, lea and biscuits Entrance free.

Classical Ballet classes for children A-r.

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 E3. Instructor Pedro Vera. Urban Dance Studio, Jumpers Bastion. Rosia Road. For all levels, adults, singles and couples, no experience necessary, come and have fun, exercise and enjoy the rhythms.

History b Heritage

The Gibraltar Heritage Trust The Main Guard. 13 John Mackintosh Sq Tel 42844.

The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association

Dedicated to preservation of Rock's iransport/motormg heritage Assists members in restoration / maintenance of classic vehicles Members/vehicles meet first Sunday of month. Morrison s car park from 10am. New members welcome. Tel: 44643.

Music

The Gibraltar Music Centre Trust Complete spectrum of Instrument learning strings drums etc Theory lessens- Five days a week 4om-9om Tel 75558 for details.

The Gibraltar National Choir and Gibraltar Junior National Choir rehearse on Monday b Thursday 7 30 - 9pm. New singers of all ages welcome Tel Lill 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: samagib@hotmail.com

Outdoor Activities

The Caipe Ramblers This group walks on last Sunday each month,except July and August

Meeting place is the Spanish side of the frontier Sam just to the right of and opposite the Aduana vehicle exit. For any information contact co-ordinators 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 date over 5 million young people from over 100 countries have been motivated to undertake a variety of voluntary and chal lenging activities. For further details contact The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Montagu Bastion. Line Wall Road. Gibraltar

Tel 59818 Fax: 51971 Reg. Ctiarity 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. Tapes 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 visiimg the Rock can contact Charles Poison (Tel 781421 for assistance or information

Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (Gibraltar Province) meets RAOB Club. Vault

1 Jumpers Bastion on these days. Provincial Grand Lodge, 1st Monday/month, 8pm. Executive Meeting, last Mon/month 7pm. Knights Chapter, 2nd Mon/month 7.30pm.

Examining Council, 3rd Mon/month 7pm.

William Tllley 2371. Thurs 8pm. Buena Vista 9975. Weds(fortnightly)7pm For Favor 9444, Weds (fortnightly) 7pm Farewell 10001.

Tues 8.30pm Goldacre 10475 (SOCiall last Fri/month 8pm

The Tuesday Ladlas' Club meets 8pm. Queensway Club on first Tuesday each month. Open to all women in Gibraltar who enjoy making new friends Non-profit making, proceeds donated to charity. Tel: Anne 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 Mon at around 8pm, Wellington Front. Basic courses, competitions etc.

Harley Davidson Owners' Club www. hdcgib com

UN Association of Gibraltar PO Box 599,22a Mam Street. Tel 52108

Sports Supporters Clubs

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Club meet at the Royal CaIpe Jel 75890i 'wnen Spurs games are te'evised - call the Royai CaIpe prior to matches to check it the game is being televised. The pub does great food lor a lunch if the KO Is early or an early supperif the game Is later. For more mfo 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 74661

Athletics: Gibraltar Amateur Athletics As sociation holds competitions throughout year for juniors, adults and veterans. Two main dubs(Calpeans 71807, Lourdians 75180)hold training sessions at Victoria Stadium.

Badminton: Recreational badminton is avail able weekdays at Victoria Stadium (Tel: 78409 for allocations). Gibraltar Badminton Assodation (affiliated to IBA 6 EBA)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, passarelie. cadets, seniors and adults at a variety of levels. Tel: John 77253. Randy 40727 or Kirsty (minisi 49441.

Billiards & Snooker: Gibraltar Billiards and Snooker Association (member IBSAl round leagues and competitions at various venues. New members welcome. Tel: Eddie 72142 or Peter 77307.

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

Canoeing: Gibraltar Canoeing Association. Tel Nigel 529l7orEugene58014000

Cricket: Gibraltar Cricket Association(mem ber ICCI 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 WDFI adult/junior leagues/competitions, Tel: 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 foolball 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(memoers FlH 6 EHFl 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 Budokal 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 Sholokai Association sessions (or junior/seniors, gradmgs and demos at Karate Clubhouse,41H

Town Range Tel: Andrew 48908.

Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Rac ing Association Tel Wayne 75211

Netball: Gibraltar Netbal Association (af filiated FENA & IFNA) 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: Linda 74753.

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

Rugby: Gibraltar Rugby Footbal l Union training sessions for Colts(14-I-), seniors and veterans. Play in Andalusia 1st Division Oct - April. Tel. James 72185

Sailing: Gibraltar Yachting Association junlOr/senior competitive programme through season (April - Oct) Tel. RGYC 48847.

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

Shooting: Gibraltar Shooting Federation over 14s only. Rifle, Europa Point range (Tel: Joe 749731: day pigeon. East Side (Tel: Harry 74354); Pistol, near Royal Naval Hospital (Tel; Fidel 71990).

Skating: Gibraltar Skating and Xtreme Sports Association opens its Skate Park. Coaling Island, Gueensway, Monday, Tuesday 6 Wednesday, from 5pm til 8pm Saturday & Sun day, from 2pm til 5pm Thursday 6 Friday, closedSat 2-6pm. State of art ramps for Xtreme/aggressive roller blading /skate boarding, Leisure skating facil ities provided within excellent rink

used for roller hockey train ing). Tel: Eric 70710(after 5) or just turn up

Snorkelling 6

Spear Fishing:

Spear fishing. Tel: Joseph 75020.

Squash: Gibraltar Squash Association. The Squash Centre. South Pavilion Road (members WSF & ESF). Adult/)uniOf tourna ments/coaching Tel' Ronnie 44922 or Barry 73260.

Sub-Aqua: Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Association taster dives for over 14s. tuition from local clubs. Voluntarysportsclubs:Tel: Phil44606, Noah's Dive Club Tel: Leslie 79601,8885 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 - Fri 7-8.45am, 12-4pm. 8-9pm Junior lessons (Rebecca 71342). squad for committed swimmers, water polo (Chris 72869).

Table Tennis: Gibraltar Table Tennis As sociation (members ITTA) training / playing sessions, Victoria Stadium. Tues 6-lOpm and Thurs 8-11 pm with coaching and league competition. Tel: Lizanne 45071/54020477 or Eugene 58014000, Taekwondo: Gibraltar Taekwondo Associa tion classes/gradings Tel: Mari 44142.

Tennis: Gibraltar Tennis Association, Sandpits Tennis Club, excellent junior development programme Courses for adults, leagues / competitions Tel: Frank 77035.

Ten-Pin Bowling: Gibraltar Ten Pin Bowling Association (members FIG 6 WTBA)leagues ai Ultra Bowl, training for juniors and squad. Tel Gary 42447 or Charlie 71125.

Triathlon: GibraitarTnathlon Union(members ITU) Tel Chris 75857 or Harvey 55847, Volleyball: G ibraltar Volleyball Association (members W & EVF) training, leagues, com petitions tor juniors/seniors. Tel: Tony 40478 or Elizabeth 58306000.

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

Theatrical Groups

Gibraltar Amateur Drama Association Ince's Hall Theatre Complex, 310 Mam Street E-mail gibdramafn'yahoo.co.uk Tel; 42237 www.geocitios com/gibdrama

Stage Musicals Group Tel Trevor 73098. Trafalgar Theatre Group meet 2nd Wed of month. Garrison Library 8pm. All welcome.

support

Support Groups/Associations

Alcoholics Anonymous meet 7pm Tues and Thurs at Nazareth Hse Tel: 73774.

A Step Forward support group for single, separated,divorced or widowed people, Meet 8pm Mondays at St Andrew's Church, Childllne Gibraltar confidential phone line for children in need, Freephone 8008 - 7 days a week 7pm • 11pm.

Citizens' Advice Bureau Open Mon - Fri 9,30-12,30 and 2,304,30, Tel: 40006 Email: infa@cab.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 1 st 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 Arthri tis, Formed to ease day-to-day challenges of individuals, families and care partner. Meetings at Catholic Community Centre Book Shop at 7,30pm first Thursday of each month. Contact Sue Reyes Tel: 51469 Email: copeadsupport® hotmail.com

Dignity At Work Now. Confidential support and advice for those who are being bullied at work Tel' 57799000 Mon - Thur 8pm-9pm

Families Anonymous Support group for rela tives and friends who are concerned about the use of drugs or related behavioural problems. Meetings are held alternate Thursdays at 9pm at 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

Sertaty's PassageTel:78509 Mobile: 54007924 website: www.gdsg.co.uk

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

Gibraltar Society for the Visually Impaired. Tel: 50111 (24hr 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 granchlidren. Tel: Richard 46536, Jason 76618, Dominic 54019602, Psychological Support Group, PO Box 161, Nazareth House. Weekly Meetings Tuesdays at 7pm, Fridays 8pm, Tel: 51623.

SSAFA Forces Help Gibraltar, is a national charity, to assist serving and ex-Service per sonnel and their families, Tel: (5)5481, E-mall ollvero@sapphlrenet,gi

With Dignity Gibraltar support group for separated, divorced, widowed or unattached people Meetings Weds 9pm, Catholic Com munity Centre, Line Wall Rd. Outings/activities, Tel : Flor 54007181 or Marie 79957,

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

Chtircl) Scri'ices

Bahia Teh 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

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

Church of Scotland St Andrew's, Governor's

Pde. Tel: 77040. Worship & Sunday School 10,30am, 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 RdTel: 50186.

Jewish 10 Bomb House Lane Tel: 72606, Methodist 297 Main St Tel: 77491, Sunday services 11 am & 7pm, Midweek Fellowships, Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned. 215 Main St Tel: 76688, The Cityline Church 13 Castle Street Tel: 75755 email: citylinegib@yahoo.com.

Sunday 29th July and the Stendata Classic at Estepona, saw the conclusion of the Med Golf com petition season for 2006/07and the "Player of the Year" and "Senior Player of the Year" winners being decided. In addition, there were also invitations to be won for the Med Golf Masters at Valderrama.

The event attracted over60 golf ers competing for the sponsor's trophy and leading the way was Paul Garden, followed by Geoff Watchorn and Charlie Manvella. As well as winning the crystal trophy, Paul also collected his Valder rama invitation. Geoff had some consolation by winning the senior section and the "top team" prize with Andy Ferguson. Caroline Jeffreys, who narrowly missed out on the main prizes, won the ladies section.

After a good performance on the

day, John McHale was crowned "Player of the Year", narrowly beat ing long time leader Steve Parry in to second place.John wins a year's free membership, valued at over 1400 euros, which is sponsored and donated by Estepona Golf Club. Winning the seniors title was the experienced Frank Samways, who was rewarded for his consis tency and he now takes his place at Valderrama.

Med Golf has introduced a new tournament prize and rankings format for the 2007/08-competition season. Working with their spon sors, along with the usual crystal trophy, each tournament winner will receive a fantastic prize of a weekend for two in one of the superb hotels on offer from Med Golf holidays. As for the rankings, they will still be working on the average of the best five tournament

scores and based on this, the "top ten" players at 31st July 2008 will automatically receive an invitation to the Med Golf Masters at Valder rama, with the overall winner once again receiving a year's member ship, kindly donated by Estepona GolfClub.The changes will reward members for participation and consistency over the year.

The next competition is at El Paraiso on Sunday 16th September, where a weekend for two will be on offer to the winner, as well as the usual crystal trophies and other prizes. The tournament is also a ranking competition for Valder rama and as this is a very popular venue, you should book your tee times as soon as possible.

Contact Jobnatliari Goodson on (0034)639741886 or e-mail jg&medgolfgi. Full details are on the web site wwrv.teethnespain.com

College Cesmes U-9s In Manchester

place of their league.

This turned out to be the very triumphant end to a busy week of activities, which included coaching clinics with the Premier Football Coaching Academy and with Mick Bennett of Bolton Wan derers. They were also privileged to be taken on behind the scenes tours of both Bolton Wanderers' Reebok Stadium and Manchester United's Old Trafford. The team also played a friendly match against Wilmslow High School. The boys{and supporting parents and families) were also treated to a day out at Gadbury World.

The College Gosmos Under 9s have recently returned from a very successful attendance at this year's prestigious Umbro Inter national Gup in Manchester. The team finished 2nd in their class in the Mini Soccer Boys League.

Gollege Gosmos played against teams from Glackmannanshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Birming

ham,Manchester and Lincolnshire. Two of the teams were youth sides for Oldham Athletic, who won the tournament and Birmingham Gity. Games were played at Manchester University's Sports Fields. They won their first2games,lost the 3rd and drew their other 2. This meant that due to their goal average Gol lege Gosmos comfortably took 2nd

Gollege Gosmos would like to take this opportunity to thank the many sponsors who contributed to a memorable experience for the kids, especially Mark Salmon of Fenmar Senas Ltd, all parents and families for their continued support and to the team coaches for the many hours of time they give to train the team.

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's advisable to take a Rock Tour by taxi/mini bus.The Natural His tory Er Heritage Park is also reached by cable car (leaves Grand Parade 9.30am-5.15pm Mon-Sun. Last cable down: 5.45pm|.

ThefloraandfaunaontheUpperRock

are considered to be of great conservational value. It's a perfect place for birdwatchers, as migratory species use Gibraltar as the shortest crossing be tween Europe and Africa, but botanists will also be interested to see over 600 species of flowering plants, including some unique to Gibraltar. Watch out for colourful lizards, non-venemous Horseshoe Whipsnakes. butterflies and pipistrelle bats. Info on flora and fauna is found at the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society's information centre at Jews Gate.

St. Michaef'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. C500 fine for feeding the monkeys• don't do it!

The Great Siege Tunnels: Tunnelling in the Rock began during the Great Siege (1779-1783) when France and Spam made an attempt to recapture the Rock while Britain was busy with the American War of independence. Governor General Elliot offered a reward to any man who could tell him how to mount a gun on the north face of the Rock. It was a Sgt. Major Ince who sug gested tunnelling and there are now over 30 miles of tunnels inside the Rock with various exhibitions inside the tunnels.

The Military Heritage Centre: Housed in one of the Rock's many historic batteries, the Military Heritage Centre displays infor mation on the development of Gibraltar's military defences through the ages.

A City Under Siege Exhibition: Exhibits depicting the lives of the civilian population during the many sieges, are housed in one of the earliest British building on the Rock. Original graffiti, drawn by duty soldiers to stop themselves falling asleep, is still vis ible, the earliest dating back to 1726.

The Moorish Castie: actually just part of a Moorish town and castle which was built up during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula,spearheaded from Gibral tar in 711 AD by Tarik-ibn-Zeyad ("Gibraltar" is a corruption of the Arabic words 'Jebel Tarik" - Tank's mountain). The part we see today. The Tower of Homage, dates back to 1333AD. when Abu'l Hassan recaptured the Rock from Spain.

Natural History b Heritage Park Walks: The recommended walk is St Michael's Cave through to Charles V Wall but walkers should be relatively fit. It is also pleasant walking along the upper rock roads Fact Piles and brochures are available free from all Tourist Board offices.

Botanical Gardens: Opened in 1816, the Alameda Botanical Gardens fell into dis repair but are currently being restored to their former glory. Visitors can enjoy a stroll beneath pines, dragon trees and palms,and see many of Gibraltar's native plants as well as exotic species. The shop sells environ mentally friendly gifts, plants and seeds. Tel: 72639/74022. Large car park.

Nelson's Anchorage: Rosia Road 9.30am - 5.15pm Monday to Saturday (lasl entry at 5pm). Closed on Sunday Admission: £1,00 (free of charge with Nature Reserve ticket. Tickets for the nature reserve can also be bought at this attraction).

Parson's Lodge: Rosia Road. A narrow limestone outcrop with a labyrinth of underground tunnels surmounted by an impressive battery, which has witnessed

the development of coast artillery over 3I}0 years. Once housed three 18 ton 10-inch rifled muzzle loaders positioned behind a unique sandwich of armour plate and teak, known as'Gibraltar Shields'. Open 10am to 6pm every day except Mondays. Adults £2/ Children 8 OAPs £1. Cafeteria on site.

Flat Bastion Magazine Flat Bastion Road, Geological Research Station and Lithology of Gibraltar. To visit contact: F. Gomez Tel. 44460. P Hodkinson 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 1pm-2pm.

Trafalgar Cemetery: Trafalgar Road, open Sam - 7pm rtaily (admission free).

Business information

Gibraltar Finanoidl Services Commission Tel: 40283/4 website: www.fsc.gi

Chamber of Commerce

Tel: 78376

Federation Small Businesses. ...Tel: 47722

Company Registry

Useful Numbers

Airport (general mfo.l

Hospital, St Bernards

Weather information

Tel: 78193

Tel: 73026

Tel: 79700

Tel: 5-3416

Frontier Queue Update Tel: 42777

General Information

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 Tourist Board. Duke of Kent House. Cathedral Square, Gibraltar. UK Tel 0207 836 0777 giblondon(5)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-11pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends.

Bicycle Racks

Bicycle parking is provided at the follow ing locations: Europort Road, Casemates Tunnel. Land F^rt Ditch. Fish Market Road. Commonwealth Car Park. Reclamation Road by English Steps and Line Wall Road.

Public Holidays

Gibraltar b UK remaining 2007 Na tional Day* 10 September. Christmas Day 25 December, Boxing Day 26 December - 'Gibraltar Or^iy

Spain Fixed: New Year's Day 1 January, Epiphany 6 January, St Joseph's Day 19 March, Labour Day 1 May. St John 24 June. St James 25 July, Assumption Day 15 August. National Day 12 October. All Saints 1 November, immaculate Concep tion 8 December, Christmas 25 December

Moveable: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Corpus Christi

silve by a troop of soldiers n VSnt cdntury period uniform. Thesoldiei msrt^ from Bomb House Lane at 17 noon to Casemates. At Casemates iht y carry out a "Ceremony of the Keys" an^ then march back up Mam Street to th^ Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned