October 2016 Vol. 21 # 12 FREE
Halloween Mysteries - unveiling its past
Edge of Innocence - Angelwings
Glorious Grammarians - 65 years of hockey
Bats Misunderstood - creature spotting
Books for Children - Literary Festival
Dukes & Taxes - costly inheritance
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2015
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editor’s note
OCTOBER ISSUE O
ctober always creeps up on us, surprising with its presence. It was the summer just now but we’re suddenly in a full blown autumn. When did that happen? Can I still wear sandals or is it time to cover my toes? Julia shares her ideas on how to extend the summer through our wardrobes (p.65) but the arrival of pumpkins on every corner makes it pretty obvious what season we’re in… Halloween! A fantastic excuse to dress up as a witch, a zombie or a vampire. Gibraltar has a longstanding tradition of trick-or-treating as well as countless terrifying tales of lost souls wandering around old military defences. How much do we know about the Celtic origins of this festival and its eventual spread to America, where the true commercialisation of All Saints’ Eve spread worldwide? We unveil its morbid past and local ghost stories, including the Convent’s ‘Grey Lady’ (p. 34). In terms of things that go boo, Nicole goes bat spotting, but don’t worry, none flew into her hair. She tells us about the misunderstanding behind the cute, little, fuzzy mammals that are causing a sensation on the Rock (p. 38). Still within the realm of the underworld, Mark dances on ‘The Edge of Innocence’ with a fallen angel as he enters the bowels of the cemetery works to interview the Rock’s symphonic Gothic metal band, ‘Angelwings’.
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When you’re done carving your pumpkins into scary Jack-o-lanterns, why not convert them into one of our two delicious recipes, pumpkin apple harvest rice and four ingredient pumpkin pie (p. 84)? Still on the gastronomic subject, we turn back the clock to the origins of Gibraltar’s favourite treat - pizza. Local celebrity chef Pepe Palmero talks about Genoese settlers at Catalan Bay spreading their culinary influence to great effect (p. 80). We continue the coverage of local photographers with Anthony Williams who won this year’s ‘Our Gibraltar’ Photographic Exhibition with a wide-angle posterised photo of Rock, airstrip to dockyard (p. 58), as well as captured the spirit of October for our cover! The Gibraltar International Literary Festival is fast approaching so Polly gives us some tips on books for children (p. 96) with local poet Rebecca Faller poking fun at the Rock’s move to include male beauty pageants in a satirical poem (p.95). UK author Thomas Mogford returns to the festival with his murder/mystery series based on a fictional Gibraltarian lawyer, ‘Spike Sanguinetti’ (p.62).
with Spanish assets (p. 21). Gibraltar sport fans celebrate the Grammarians Hockey Club’s 65th anniversary with a historical rendition of their achievements (p. 74) and Gibraltar Cricket takes on Spain in the first official encounter against their rivals (p. 77). Finally, Team Britannia will set sail from Europa Point in a bid to make history for the Rock by becoming the quickest to sail around the world (p. 46). Psychologists studying pranksters agree that playing tricks on others is a way of initiation, bringing people in, no matter how mean the joke may seem. At the end of the day, we come out stronger, often laughing and sometimes even transformed, so, let’s embrace the tradition and be tricked or get tricking (p. 18)…
Anna
In Business, Eran and Ayelet Shay take us down the route of customer satisfaction and its importance when forming business strategies (p. 26) while Ian explains how inheritance can be rather costly, especially GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
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contents 8 NEWS 16 Around town 18 Hello there: Best trick
BUSINESS 21 23 26 28 30
Dukes & Taxes - Inheritance can be highly taxing Brexit Spirits - Omne trium perfectum, non certe! Customer Satisfaction - Don’t take us for granted! Recipe for Recruitment - Effective selection tips Eradicating Left & Right - A morning with Minister Costa
LIFE 34 38 44 46 48 50
Mysteries of Halloween - Unveiling its morbid past Bat Spotting - Creatures of misunderstanding Love, Practically - Helping in Peru Team Britannia - Breaking the sailing record No Enemy Shall Expel Us - The Royal Gibraltar Regiment Buying from Home - Then and now
SCENE
21#12 October 2016
© Anthony Williams, Infinity Photography Contributing writers: Ian Le Breton, Riaan de Lange, Eran Shay, Ayelet Mamo Shay, Sylvia Kenna, Elena Scialtiel, Mike Brufal, Richard Cartwright, Julia Coelho, Aidan Hernandez, Andrew Licudi, Rebecca Faller, Polly Lavarello.
The Gibraltar Magazine is published monthly by Rock Publishing Ltd Portland House, Suite 4, Glacis Road, Gibraltar, PO Box 1114 T: (+350) 20077748 | E: info@thegibraltarmagazine.com Copyright © 2016 Rock Publishing Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written consent of The Gibraltar Magazine.
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Email: anna@thegibraltarmagazine.com Tel: 200 77748 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
52 The Edge of Innocence - Angelwings 58 Narrating at Lens - Anthony Williams 62 Hype for Spike - Thomas Mogford
LEISURE 65 69 74 77 80 82 84
Trends to Try - Extending the summer Sensory Overload - Hong Kong Glorious Grammarians - 65 years of hockey World Cricket - Gibraltar right up in the Block-hole Pizza Heritage - A slice of stone baked heaven Wine Online - Best wines are within a mouse click Recipes: Pumpkin Apple Harvest Rice & Pumpkin Pie
86 95 96 98
Guides and Information Poetry: Mr Gibraltar Mum on the Rock - Books for children Coffee Time and Schedules Editor: Anna Kolesnik anna@thegibraltarmagazine.com Head Journalist: Nicole Macedo nicole@thegibraltarmagazine.com Sales & Marketing: Mark Viales mark@thegibraltarmagazine.com Distribution: Jordan Brett jordan@thegibraltarmagazine.com Accounts: Paul Cox paul@thegibraltarmagazine.com 7
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UEFA GRANTS GIBRALTAR THIRD EUROPEAN SLOT
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ibraltar was awarded a third slot in European club competitions by UEFA last month following Champions League and Europa League success in the last two years. The additional spot will be in the Europa League and will commence as from next season, creating more competition this year as teams fight it out to be the best of the rest.
The Gibraltar FA has decided that the winners of this season’s Rock Cup, along with the First Division runners-up, will compete in the Europa League qualifiers for the 2016/2017 season. The league winners will take part in the Champions League third qualifying round as normal. If the second-placed team from this season’s league wins the Rock Cup, the third-placed side in the league will take the second Europa League slot.
A statement from the national association said that the increase in the co-efficient prompted them to write to UEFA and formally request an additional spot in the UEFA Europa League next year. “Following further discussions between GFA officials and UEFA at the recent Congress in Athens, the GFA’s request has now been granted by the UEFA Executive Committee,” the spokesman said.
The decision by UEFA was made as a result of Gibraltarian clubs performing well in Europe and gaining an impressive tally of club co-efficient points to move above San Marino and Andorra in the rankings. Lincoln Red Imps’ historic 1-0 win against Celtic stands out in the memory, but points were equally marked in the club co-efficient rankings through successive progression to the second qualifying round, bettering opponents from Andorra and Estonia. Europa FC flew the flag in the Europa League and also gained valuable points when they progressed to the second round through a 3-2 aggregate win against Armenian outfit Pyunik.
POETRY COMPETITION GAINING PACE
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his year’s Poetry Competition, organised by the Gibraltar Cultural Services and in conjunction with The Gibraltar Chronicle, is already taking entries for the event. The competition is open to Gibraltarians and residents of Gibraltar who may submit up to two original works. The overall winner will receive the Ministry of Culture prize of £300 and a trophy. The winner in each school category will receive a £50 voucher and a pen donated by the Gibraltar Chronicle as well as a trophy from the Ministry of Culture on 9 November at John Mackintosh Hall at 4pm. All the winning entries will be printed in the Gibraltar Chronicle as from the following day.
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“We started organising these literary competitions in 2008 and we need to encourage more people to put pen to paper,” said Seamus Byrne, CEO of Gibraltar Cultural Services “We want to get the community more involved in literature. We get over 300 entries a year, so I think this competition is going from strength to strength.” Additionally, there will also be four categories based on school years or college equivalent from school years four to five; Years six to seven; Years eight to 11; Years 12 to 13. Entry forms and full conditions are available from: School; the Gibraltar College of Further Education; The Department of Education; Gibraltar
Cultural Services; John Mackintosh Hal; Mario Finlayson National Art Gallery; John Mackintosh Square, or e-mail info@culture. gi. Entries must reach Gibraltar Cultural Services by Monday 10 October. For any further information please contact Gibraltar Cultural Services, 308 Main Street on telephone 20067236 or email: info@culture.gi. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
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NOISY WORKS AT WTC DISRUPT BAYSIDE CLASSES
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oisy works at the World Trade Centre last month disrupted classes at Bayside Comprehensive School which is located opposite the site, prompting complaints from school staff.
was a one-off mistake. “The Government has pursued the matter with the contractor to avoid a repetition,” the spokesman said. “The Department of Education continues
to monitor the situation and welcomes the agreement of the World Trade Centre project managers to keep to the 3.30pm agreement.”
A statement from the Gibraltar Government said that there was an existing agreement with the contractors of World Trade Centre that noisy works should only be undertaken after 3.30pm. “Noisy works were mistakenly begun at 3:00pm and regrettably, lessons were temporarily disrupted,” a government spokesman said. “The Head Teacher was alerted and promptly contacted the contractors to remind them of the existing agreement whilst students waited with their teachers in a school patio.” The spokesman said that the government ‘regrets any unnecessary disruption’ to the school day and understands that the noise
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BERLIN PHILHARMONIC PRINCIPAL VIOLINIST TO PERFORM ON THE ROCK
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irst Principal Violinist of the Berlin Philharmonic Amihai Grosz will perform a recital with pianist Yaron Rosenthal on 19 October at 8.00pm at the Convent Ballroom. The concert was organised by the Gibraltar Philharmonic Society. Grosz was born in 1979 in Jerusalem, Israel, and initially learned to play the violin at five-years-of-age, before switching to the viola at age 11. In Jerusalem, he was taught by David Chen, later by Tabea Zimmermann in Frankfurt and Berlin as well as in Jerusalem by Haim Taub, who had a formative influence on him.
Amember of the ‘Young Musicians Group’ of the Jerusalem Music Center, a program for outstanding young musical talents, Grosz received scholarships through the American-Israeli Cultural Foundation. This gave him the opportunity, at a very young age, to work with renowned artists such as Isaac Stern or the Guarneri Quartet. He won 1st prize in the Braun Roger Siegel Competition of the University of Jerusalem and received the renowned Gottesman Prize for Viola in the Aviv Competition, the most prominent competition in Israel. Amihai Grosz works, in solo and in chamber music projects, with artists such as Yefim Bronfman, Emmanuel Pahud, Mitsuko Uchida, Oleg Maisenberg, Janine Jansen, Julian Rachlin and David Geringas; he performs in concert houses and at festivals all over the world, including at the Jerusalem Chamber Music Festival, Delft Festival, Salon Festival and Verbier Festival, at the BBC Proms, in the Bahnhof Rolandseck, at the Utrecht International
Chamber Music Festival, at Spectrum Concerts Berlin and at the West Cork Chamber Music Festival. After ten years of professional work, 2010 marked the start of something new for Grosz: Beginning in the 2010/11 season, Grosz was the Principal Violist with the Berliner Philharmoniker, an orchestra with which worked on various projects in recent years. Yaron Rosenthal is member of Piano Faculty, the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. He has played as a soloist with leading orchestras such as the Israel Philharmonic, the Jerusalem Symphony, National Orchestra of RAI, Turin, Calgary Philharmonic, Santiago de Chile Philharmonic, the Camerata Virtuosi of New York, and other orchestras. Rosenthal has given recitals and participated in chamber-music concerts in Israel, Europe, North and South America, Australia, and South Africa. The programme will feature compositions for viola and piano by J.S.Bach, E.Bloch, R. Schumann and F. Schubert.
NEW NAMES RELEASED FOR GIBRALTAR LITERARY FESTIVAL
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new set of novalists for the forthcoming edition of the Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival was announced last month by the Gibraltar Government. Giselle Green; Paula Byrne; John Bentley; Horatio Clare; historian Bettany Hughes; artist Barbara Rae have all been added to the prestigious list of authors taking part. Giselle Green was born in Chiswick UK in 1960, but lived in Gibraltar since the age of seven, when her family relocated to the Rock. An award-winning, contemporary women’s fiction author, she enjoys creating emotionally-gripping story-lines about family and relationships. Her latest novel ‘Dear Dad’ has been described as a heart-warming love story that develops when a determined nine10
year-old desperately tries to find his father. Paula Byrne’s most recent book is a biography of Kathleen Kennedy, sister of former United States President John F. Kennedy who was assassinated. Before this, Paula wrote the tie-in book to the period drama film, ‘Belle’. She has also published an innovative biography called ‘The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things’. Paula’s first top ten bestseller was ‘Perdita: The Life of Mary Robinson’, the story of the 18th century actress, poet, and royal mistress (1757-1800). John Bentley’s debut novel ‘The Royal Secret’ is a mystery thriller centred round a modern day woman’s search for a famous and extraordinary Elizabethan, a quest
which unravels not just his secret life and love, but also the influence of Freemasonry and the Templars in modern day political events. Horatio Clare has written two memoirs, the bestselling ‘Running for the Hills’ based on his childhood experiences, and ‘Truant: Notes from the Slippery Slope’, a novella, ‘The Prince’s Pen’, and two works of travel and nature writing. In 2015 he published ‘Orison for A Curlew’, a combination of travel and nature writing, and an acclaimed children’s book, ‘Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot’. The festival will run from 20 to 23 of this month in what is undoubtedly one of the highlights in Gibraltar’s calendar for those who enjoy reading on the Rock. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
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LATINO LEGEND JOSÉ FELICIANO TO HEADLINE GIBRALTAR JAZZ FESTIVAL
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egendary Latino singer/guitarist José Feliciano is set to headline this year’s Gibraltar Jazz Festival, the Ministry of Culture announced last month at the Gibraltar Music Festival. One of the best known Hispanic entertainers in the United States and a major star in the Spanish-speaking world, Feliciano and his eight-piece band will perform at St Michael’s Cave on 25 November.
Feliciano received two Grammy Awards for the song, one for best new artist of 1968 and one for best contemporary pop vocal performance. Feliciano!, the 1968 album that featured ‘Light My Fire’, was just as successful, earning the guitarist his first gold album.
His musical career has been immortalised with a Star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame and New York City has honored him by renaming Public School 155 in East Harlem, ‘The Jose Feliciano Performing Arts School’.
The Puerto Rican came from humble beginnings with his family of 12 supported by his father’s work as a farmer, but by the age of six, Feliciano had taught himself to play the concertina simply by listening to records and practicing. This is even more astonishing due to his visual impairment since birth.
A Gibraltarian favourite, the best-selling Christmas single, ‘Feliz Navidad’, was also one of his creations and will likely be enjoyed by all on the night.
He went on to learn an array of different instruments and in 1968,he released his version of the Doors’ 1967 hit, ‘Light My Fire’which sold over a million records. This made the singer an overnight celebrity.
Tickets are available at www.buytickets.gi/.
DANZA ACADEMY HOLDS ‘FUN PACKED’ SUMMER SCHOOL
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ocal dance group Danza Academy held a series of summer dance sessions last month with an array of different activities for children over the holidays. Participants were treated to ballet lessons from ex-professional Polish dancer Magdalena Lis from the Wroclaw Opera House as well as local dance sensation Jonathan Lutwyche, a former pupil of the academy. Jonathan has just completed a year at the Jeoffrey Ballet School in New York and taught the children dance gymnastics. Danza Academy students have worked extremely hard this summer following a varied, disciplined and fun programme incorporating Classical Ballet, a variety of Modern Styles, Dance Gymnastics, Choreography and Improvisation. Young dancers also had the chance to experience Ballet lessons from an ex
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
professional polish dancer, Magdalena Lis, from the Wroclaw Opera house. “During Summer we have time to look at fine details and refine techniques covered throughout the year. We have a chance to be more creative and experimental in our approach,” said Danza Director AnneMarie Gomez. “The children have worked solidly throughout the holidays and have produced inspiring material which we can further develop into choreographies or competition work. Those experiencing dance for the first time have truly enjoyed the challenges posed. Our main aim throughout being trying to develop versatile dancers.” A spokesman for the academy said that, although not all students will make a career in dance, the discipline and skills learned over the ‘varied and challenging’ summer programme are valuable in a young person’s development .
“The Academy prides that both Jonathan Lutwytche and Janice Felices, currently studying at Elmhurst, the feeder school of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, as did Simon Bolland, currently working in UK’s top theatres, always attended the summer School,” the spokesman said. 11
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GORHAM’S CAVE OFFICIALLY INAUGURATED AS UNESCO WHS
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he Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, believes that the inauguration of Gorham’s Cave as an UNESCO World Heritage Site is an ‘important realisation of the value that lies around us’. He made the comments at a special ceremony held in mid-September where he officially accepted the Certificate of Inscription from UNESCO, branding the cave as a World Heritage site. A plaque commemorating the occasion was also unveiled.
UNESCO, said that it is ‘our hope that future research on these sites will continue and become even more exemplary. The real work begins now’.
Speakers and international officials, scientists and intellectuals shouldered both political parties as well as Natural History Museum’s Professor Chris Stringer on one of the prospective panoramic platforms overlooking the landmark cave.
“Two very special people have been with me in this project since the very beginning, that’s Geraldine and Stuart [Finlayson],” he said. “Stuart started coming down at the age of six, which means he can truly say he was brought up in Gorham’s Cave. Our adventures in the 1970s had made us share an experience with the Neanderthals, as these birds had been roosting here since at least 125,000 years ago.”
Professor Minja Yang, the presenter of the award on behalf of the Director of
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Professor Clive Finlayson, who has worked on the project for over 20 years was overwhelmed with a sense of pride as the occasion unfolded. He thanked the support of two of the closest people to him in this project, his wife and son Geraldine and Stuart. The Chief Minister said that Gibraltar would not be found wanting in the protection of Gorham’s Cave and the trusteeship we will now carry for mankind. “We are just the present-day generation who have loved this place and found comfort, peace and protection under its towering heights,” he said. “Now that we are distinguished as one of the most important 30 sites in the world that work will continue.”
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
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LETTER BOX INSTALLED TO COMMEMORATE GORHAM’S CAVE
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ibraltar’s Gorham’s Cave UNESCO World Heritage Site bid was commemorated last month by the Royal Gibraltar Post Office with a British style mounted letter box installed at Europa Point. The RGPO installed the Elizabeth II lamp pedestal-mounted letter box in the lighthouse area near the ‘Welcome to Europa Point’ sign. A plaque celebrating the feat was also included in the fitting. The letter box pays tribute to the hard work behind the scenes to gain acceptance for Gorham’s Cave Complex into the UNESCO World Heritage List.
“Post Office surveys have indicated the need for a letter box to cater for the increased number of visitors, and the postcards that they will likely generate, now that postcards and stamps are available at the Europa Point Express outlet,” Neil Costa Minister with responsibility for Postal Services said. “The inscribing of Gorham’s Cave Complex into the UNESCO World Heritage List will undoubtedly further enhance the number of visitors to the area. Further, in order to commemorate this incredible achievement for Gibraltar, a plaque to this effect has been added to the letter box.”
GTB PROMOTES NATURE TOURISM AT TOP BIRDWATCHERS’ EVENT IN UK
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fficials from the Gibraltar Tourist Board participated in the annual international British Birdwatching Fair in August at Rutland Water, England.
other birdwatching equipment, plus artists and tour companies, displayed and sold their wares. Those present were also able to attend lectures and other attractions.
During the fair, Gibraltar was marketed as anattractive destination for bird watching and nature tourism which has become a fashionable trend in the global travel trade in recent years.
An unexpected visitor to the Gibraltar stand was former Governor, Field Marshal Sir John Chapple, a keen birdwatcher himself and Life President of GONHS.
Local company Avian Tours also took part and promoted its popular bird-watching holidays in Gibraltar and was represented by avian enthusiast Andrew Fortuna.
Samantha Sacramento, Minister for Tourism, said last month that the GTB’s participation at the event was a ‘positive
move’. “We are interested in developing new tourist products and niche markets, and ornithology and bird watching in general are themes of great interest to nature lovers,” she said. “I think that we have a lot to offer in Gibraltar in this respect as our natural history tourist sites are truly outstanding and there are exciting business opportunities that can be pursued.”
Jill Yeoman, a representative of the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society (GONHS) also participated. “First held in 1989 and described by the UK press as ‘bird-watchers’ Glastonbury, thousands of keen enthusiasts from all over the world ‘flocked’ to the fair located at one of England’s most prominent rural nature reserves, to see rare and exotic species,” a GTB spokesman said. “All the organisers’ profits are donated to a charity, Birdlife International, in support of bird conservation strategies and in saving critically endangered species around the world.” Large quantities of supplies such as binoculars, cameras, books, clothing and GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
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NATWEST AIMS TO RAISE £10,000 FOR CHARITY
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he local branch of NatWestBank is setting a target of £10,000 that would be allocated to five chosen charities selected by employees of the institution. Three events, including a drinks reception, a quiz and the increasingly popular bubble football, aim to entice companies and teams of individuals who are interested to take part. “For one week in October it’s all hands to the pump and we’re really going for it with the goal being to raise as much money as possible, but also have a lot of fun in the process,” a spokesman for the company said. “With this in mind we’ve arranged a number of fantastic events.We write to you today to highlight our endeavours, seek your support (raffle prize donations are very welcome) and to extend invites to
you and your colleagues to a number of our events.” An evening of drinks and canapés on Tuesday 4 October to meet representatives from some of the chosen local charities will have a ‘fantastic’ raffle on the night that would go towards the charities. The Charity Quiz will take place at the Manchester United Football Club on Wednesday 5 October and each team should consist of four members and will cost £100 to register. Those interested will be welcomed to the club with tapas and a bottle of wine on every table. The first NatWest Bubble Football Tournament will be held at Europa Point on
Sunday 9 October and teams will consist of five players with a minimum of two of the five players being female. Each team will cost £150 to register more information on the game can be found on: http://www. bubblefootball-gib.com/. The chosen charities are: St John’s Ambulance, Cancer Relief Gibraltar, Calpe House, Babysteps Gibraltar and A Pathway Through Pain. “We will donate everything that we raise equally to these local charities,” the spokesman said.
GGCA DONATES £350 TO RIFCOM CHARITY CHALLENGE
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he Gibraltar General and Clerical Association donated £350 to its President, Wendy Cumming, for her upcoming ‘3 Peaks Challenge’ for local charity RifCom. RifCom’s main aim is to make a positive contribution to the impoverished region of the Rif Mountains in Northern Morocco through education, health, sport, cultural exchange and environmental conservation projects.
GGCA is keen to acknowledge and support this important work. The 3 Peaks Challenge will take place from the 21 to the 24 October and involves climbing the Jebel Musa peak, the Jebel Lakraa Peak and, on the last day, the twin peaks of Jebel Chuiat and Jebal Kalaa.
Ms Cumming, is very grateful for the support from the committee and hopes to make the team proud in October by completing the challenge. Those interested in donating to the cause can do so on Ms Cumming’s Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ Wendy-Cumming.
“The GGCA committee welcome the opportunity to sponsor this challenge, particularly as initiatives in the field of educational and vocational training are very much in keeping with trade union ethics and principles,” a GGCA spokesman said. “The GGCA Committee would especially like to highlight the vocational training schemes in electrical studies and dressmaking for the youth in the villages neighbouring Chefchaouen, as well as the setting up of a sewing co-operative in the villages of Kliaa and Izarhan. “ The GGCA believes that this will help create employment opportunities for the youth of the region, and as such, the 14
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ERG PRESSES GOVERMENT ON CHILD AND GENDER RIGHTS
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he Equality Rights Group made its concern known to the Gibraltar Government last month about having to ‘chase them’ to focus attention on both children’s rights and domestic violence. The ERG has requested information in writing to see where Gibraltar stands on the adoption of two important pieces of international legislation into Gibraltar law.
of physical abuse and later manifestation of domestic violence. The research in that regard is getting stronger.”
Rights of the Child, pointing out that the government ‘awaits the UK’s extension of the Convention to Gibraltar’.
The group has also asked for information on whether Gibraltar is considering, or is en route to adopting the Council of Europe’s ‘Convention On Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence’.
“However, the ERG and the public can be assured that all necessary laws and policies are already in place in Gibraltar in order to comply with treaty obligations,” a government spokesman said. “As far as Gibraltar is concerned, all the necessary steps have been taken at our end in order for the Convention to be extended to us.”
“This is an inexcusable time delay on our part here in Gibraltar,” a ERG spokesman said.
“We hope that we will not be as backward in adopting these measures as we have been on the rights of the child,” the spokesman said. “The ERG fully supports Claire Borrell and the Women in Need organisation in their many concerns regarding the increasing incidence of domestic violence in Gibraltar. It is a worrying situation, and it is equally clear that a holistic approach to better handling these issues is necessary.
The pressure group spokesman said that, although Minister for Justice Gilbert Licudi has usually attended its requests, over a year has gone by without any updates.
The ERG said that, for its part, it will continue to press for adequate compliance and early adoption of international and other legislative measures.
“The Minister first advised us over a year ago of processes which were being undergone for Gibraltar’s adoption of this legislation safeguarding the rights of children, but we are concerned to have received no further update on progress since then,” the spokesman said. “We are particularly concerned because there are strong research indicators pointing to a correlation between early child experience
“This is necessary in providing the formal backbone frameworks required to support the logistical and community-based responses that are needed,” the spokesman said.
The first item is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in November 1989 and ratified by 20 countries in September 1990. While Britain ratified the Convention in 1991, 25 years later, Gibraltar has still not adopted this Convention.
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Minister Licudi replied on behalf of the government citing that he has already responded to Mr Alvarez’s request for an update on the UN Convention on the
The spokesman said that the Government is taking a multi-agency approach in order to develop strategies to combat domestic abuse. “There has also been significant investment in the holistic training of Care Agency staff to support victims of domestic abuse and also to work with perpetrators to help prevent future incidents,” the spokesman said. “This work is in parallel with the spirit of the Council of Europe’s Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention).” The government is, however, already working in parallel with UK by actively adopting strategies and implementing policies that combat domestic abuse. “It should also be noted that the Istanbul Convention has not yet been ratified by the UK,” the spokesman said.
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around town
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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
around town
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hello there
Katie Grig, 29 Company Secretary
Andrew Jeswani, 38 Air Traffic Controller
My favourite prank was on April Fools’ Day. I dumped my other half as a joke through a text message. He seemed devastated and didn’t get it, so I told him to check out the date and he came to his senses, realising it was a joke.
I used to work for GB airways and one day a friend of mine decided to tie a few balloons and condoms to his bag and left it at the steps of the aircraft so everyone would see it before they boarded. They must have thought someone was going to have one hell of a party.
HAVE YOU BEEN
Squidgy, 61 Community Worker at Nazereth House
Alan Stevensen, 33 Director at JP Haulage
I had an interesting prank done to me as a young 17-year old in the Navy. I was told to get a bucket of steam for the steamer. I just picked up a bucket, filled it with water and chucked it on the person who told me to fetch it. When he cried out in anger, I just said that it had gone cold.
I went out on my brother’s stag do and he had a picture of himself as a toddler when some random guy walked up to him and said: “Tell your mum I feel sorry for you ‘cos that’s one big head you’ve got”. It made at least 17 of us crack up in hysterics.
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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
hello there
Phil Taylor, 52 Assistant Transport Coordinator My best prank was when I kidnapped the head of a life-sized Father Christmas cardboard stand and I raffled it off for charity in BFBS Radio. The owner of the Red Lion bar at the time offered to pay a certain amount of money to have it returned. It was fun and it had the added bonus that the money went to the Help for Heroes charity.
Ashlene Gallardo, 35 Receptionist When visiting a friend at university, one morning we were preparing to go shopping and I decided to prank her, so I grabbed some powder and put it in her hairdryer. She used to take over two hours to get ready, you cannot imagine. So, she got the hairdryer and out came the powder all over her face and clothes. She was not happy, but I certainly was.
TRICKED OR TRICKING?
Nigel, 25 Customs Officer I told my mum that my girlfriend was pregnant. She wasn’t...
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
Denisa Fussiova, 26 Manager at Wagamama’s Restaurant I called my sister to pick me up one day from prison and she began to panic, so I quickly told her it was just a joke.
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business
DUKES & TAXES Inheritance can be highly taxing
S
ummer is finally over and things minster and one of Britain’s wealthiest men margin, was the £11 million (more than can start returning to “normal”. The – attracted only brief coverage. His vast £200 million in today’s terms) paid on an months of summer were always estate was estimated to be valued at some estate estimated at between £40 million referred to as the “silly season”, £9 billion, including some of London’s and £60 million on the death of the third Duke of Westminster” in 1963. It seems when the British press struggled finest real estate. the Grosvenor family did not repeat the to keep their readers’ attention They are not with a succession of frivolous error. When the fourth duke died four subject to tax But what is it about the passing of news stories – Loch Ness years later, the declared estate was now this particular gentleman that makes when a family monster or Lord Lucan sightings just £4 million. it so noteworthy for a financial member dies. were perennial favourites – column? The answer is to be found while Parliament was in recess I did not know the sixth Duke personally, in the famous quotation: “Tis imand the courts were not sitting. But now, it possible to be sure of anything but death still less of any financial arrangements he seems that “hard news” has stopped taking and taxes.” In succumbing to the first, the and his family might have made. But we a summer holiday. sixth Duke presented the press with plenty can safely assume some things, I think. Under UK tax law, “death duties” are charged of material in respect of the second. The at the penal rate of 40% on an inThe Brexit vote and all the ensuing political big question was how much dividual’s assets – subject to a “nil turmoil set the ball rolling and, what with would his estate pay in inYou may reside the US elections, the fighting in Syria, heritance tax (IHT for short)? rate band” of £325,000. In theory in Gibraltar but terrorist outrages, attempted coups, then, if his reported £9.35 billion you could still be fortune had been in the form of not to mention the Olympic Games, it After all, according to The “domiciled” in personal assets, then the taxman has continued to roll right through the British Tax System – a 1980s another country... would indeed have been due the summer. So much so, in fact, that one of textbook co-authored by best part of £4 billion. the sadder stories, the untimely passing of future Bank of England Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor – who also Governor Mervyn King – “the largest sum happened to be the sixth Duke of Westever paid in death duties, by a considerable No doubt, some IHT will be due on assets
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business held personally by the Duke, but the bulk of the Westminster fortune is now owned by a series of trusts. As a result, the assets are legally owned by the family as trustees, not individually, which means they are not subject to tax when a family member dies. As the late Duke himself once said: “I would rather not have been born wealthy, but I never think of giving it up. I can’t sell. It doesn’t belong to me.” All very interesting but, dear reader, how and why does this worry us in Gibraltar? After all, don’t I keep praising the benign tax regime that operates here, on the Rock? There is no VAT, no Capital Gains Tax and, to come to the point of this There are piece, no IHT either. But that is definitely not the end of the story, read on. generally ways
to mitigate these
Whilst a Gibraltarian resident is not problems and liable to IHT locally, one has also to they can be fairly consider the location of any assets held creative. another day. The point rules operate in many civil and Shari’a law abroad and, even more crucially, your of this piece is to alert countries. Again, this is a very wide subject nationality. You may reside in Gibraltar readers to the danger of doing nothing. and professional advice is always recombut you could still be “domiciled” – another mended. way of saying where you are originalIHT is charged in many countries and ly from – in another country, perhaps whilst the terms and tax rates differ widely, There are generally ways to mitigate these England or Spain. Domicile is a tricky area the principle is broadly the same. The tax problems and they can be fairly creative. In and something to return to in a future aris generally levied on an estate before respect of trusts, I am reminded of a wellticle. But for now, let’s consider an all too the beneficiaries receive any benefit. known advertisement by a famous Swiss typical example. Like stamp tax, it is a simple and highly watch company, which informs us that we effective revenue raising mechanism and never own one of their timepieces – we Mr Bloggs is a successful businessman, the figures involved are staggering. The UK merely look after if for the next generation. now widowed, who has lived in London all revenue garnered £4.7 billion in the last And for those managing wealthy estates, his life. He leaves England and retires to financial year from IHT alone. This record it may be possible to donate valuable Gibraltar, leaving assets in the UK valued figure compared to £3.8 billion the year assets to the “nation” in lieu of IHT. An 18th at £2,325,000. He enjoys the good life century portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds before. A recent survey has shown that on the Rock rather too much and sadly has recently been accepted – saving IHT bills have risen by more survives for only a couple of years. In this than 90% since 2010. The tax payable the donor’s estate £4.7 million in hard simple example, his estate will almost cercash. on Spanish tainly be liable to UK IHT because he has Gibraltarian residents assets can be property in England and is still UK-domiSo, be aware; Gibraltar may not charge should take heed. They ciled too. much higher... IHT but that is not the end of the may well fall into the scope story. When writing or reviewing our of this tax should they own The UK government helpfully allows a property in the UK or, of course, if they are will – as we should all do from time-to£325,000 allowance – known as the “nil time – we should check on current legislaoriginally from the UK and have not taken rate band” that does not suffer the tax. But steps to establish a domicile of choice tion and allowances, the current status of on the rest (in Mr Bloggs’ case, the balance elsewhere. It is also important to note that our residence and domicile and whether is £2 million) tax is charged at a single rate changing asset values should cause us to the same problems exist across the border of 40%. So for every £100,000 in its value, in Spain. In fact, the tax payable on Spanrethink things. Death and taxes may not be the estate suffers tax of £40,000 – a cool very pleasant subjects but neither can they ish assets can be much higher because the £800,000 for the Bloggs estate and, by be ignored, for both are indeed certain. nil rate band equivalent is even lower. this stage, there is no escape. The Westminster case shows that action can be In the UK, it is possible for a couple to taken in advance but that is a subject for combine their allowances so that assets worth up to £650,000 may be protected. From April 2017, parents will each be offered a further £175,000 “family Ian Le Breton home allowance” to enable them to pass is Managing Director residential property on to children tax-free of Sovereign Trust after their death. In Spain, the tax free (Gibraltar) Limited allowance is much lower and the position is further complicated because the tax Tel: +350 200 76173 rates vary depending on the relationship of Email: ilebreton@ the beneficiary to the person making the SovereignGroup.com bequest. Such so-called “forced heirship” 22
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
economics words | Riaan de Lange
BREXIT SPIRITS Omne trium perfectum – Non certe!!!
“
one, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol Make no mistake the Referendum was a are a triad, you might not that a tricolon is vote to leave the European Union, but where three words or phrases are equal in which Ebenezer Scrooge receive visits is was also a vote for serious change. … in length and grammatical form. Or that, from three spirits - The Ghost of Christmas Brexit means Brexit. … There a hendiatris is a figure of speech Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present, and Anything The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. will be no attempts to remain where three successive words are within the EU.” - Theresa Mary used to express a single central more than May, Prime Minister of the idea. The Olympic motto, in Latin, is three is Democracy - Brexit en route United Kingdom, 11 July 2016. considered “citius, altius, forties“ - faster, higher, stronger. This spirit encapsulates Although the majority of Gibraltarians confusing, Team GB’s performance at the Rio had wished, possibly even prayed, for a overwhelming, 2016 Summer Olympic Games. The rule of three different result, “the people have spoken” and an (Three classes of medals Also known as the power of so the “people’s will should be overextension. were awarded.) respected”. The “people” of the three, contends that those A hendiatris is a UK, including Gibraltar, that is. things that come in threes tend figure of speech Is there perfection in This is the premise of democto, amongst other, be more effective, satiswhere three threes? In Latin, “omne trium racy, which is governed by the fying, and inherently easier to understand successive words principle, popularly underperfectum” means that everything than those of alternate number. Anything that comes in threes is perfect, or are used to more than three is considered confusing, stood as “majority rule”. With express a single that every set of three is coma 1,269,501 vote majority, in overwhelming, and an overextension. So, plete. You might well counter with central idea. 382 voting areas, the vote to you should limit your attention to only “Non certe!!!” - Certainly not!!! leave the European Union. three tasks. (Three meals – breakfast, lunch Which might well render you mistaken. and dinner.) Subsequent to the Brexit referendum, you Come to think of stories of moral subhave, no doubt, read how closely contestThree is an interesting number. Whilst you stance that reference three, there is but ed it was with 51.9% voting to leave and might know that three collective elements
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economics In any such endeavour, one would assume the Committee’s first course of action to be, to agree on the status quo - social, political and economic. (Another group of three.) There must be no dispute as to the exact details of the advantages that avail to Gibraltar through its EU membership. Although I attempted to be rigorous in identifying these advantages, I might well have missed one or two. In such instance, the correction would be appreciated.
48.1% to remain, possibly, it was even imprinted in your brain. But statistics faithfully serve many a master/mistress and his/her cause. As an illustration, consider the statistics from a different angle. Of the 382 voting areas 263, or 68.85% voted to leave, and on the size of votes cast in the voting areas, Gibraltar was 377th, or in the bottom 1.31%, with 20,145 votes. Whilst Gibraltar’s people had spoken differently than the majority of UK voters, as a British Overseas Territory (BOT), Gibraltar is part of the UK. Similarly to Gibraltar, there were 30.89% voting areas that had voted differently from the majority,
What do we know? Gibraltar, an internally self-governing territory, is a member of the EU by virtue of Article 227(4) of the Treaty of Rome (and by virtue of Article 299(4) of the Treaty of Nice), a unique status as no other BOT is. (It is also the only colony which is an EU member, the only one which is on the European mainland.) As an EU member, it has the advantage of not being part of the EU’s Customs Union, nor of various other parts of the EU. As a consequence, it does no levy Value-added Tax (VAT), is excluded from the Common Customs Tariff (and the Common Agricultural Policy) imposes its own customs duties and excise duties. (It effectively has a “hard border” with Spain.) Its taxes are lower than in the EU. It is also a part of the European Economic Area (EEA), established on 01 January 1994, by virtue of the UK Treaty but they will have no option but, with the of Accession, which provides for the free majority’s voice, to leave the UK. movement of persons, goods, services and capital within the European Single Market. As an EU and EEA memThere must be Exceptional advantages ber, entities established in Gibraltar no dispute as HM Government of Gibraltar, can take advantage of European to the exact on August 15, 2016 through a rules and are able to provide its details of the press release, informed of its services or operate throughout the advantages proposed motion to establish member states. It enjoys passa Select Committee on the that avail porting rights into the member EU, reflecting the composition to Gibraltar states with respect to investment of its Parliament. The terms of through its EU services, insurance and banking. reference of the Committee Additionally, Gibraltar entities are membership. would no doubt be to provide able to provide services within Parliament with a negotiating the EU which are not regulated by position in its deliberations with the UK. relevant directives, provided they comply with the laws of that member state. Gibraltar’s challenge is to define its Brexit negotiating position, with the preservation of its exceptional advantages. Gibraltar’s three choices - scenarios What choices does Gibraltar have? Let me just clarify, it’s the choices of Gibraltar, not that of the UK. If you are interested to learn more about the choices available to the UK visit www.cebglobal.com - a best practice insight and technology company - which offers four, namely (i) The UK becomes part of the European Economic Area (EEA), (ii) The UK enters into a bilateral integration treaty with the EU, (iii) A tariff-free trade agreement between the UK
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economics
and the EU, and (iv) The UK makes no access agreements and trades with the EU as a third country. Borrowing from Charles Dickens, and in the spirit (no pun intended) of scenario planning, Gibraltar has three Brexit ghosts.
Gibraltar entities are able to provide services within the EU which are not regulated by relevant directives...
• The Ghost of Present Leave with Britain, but rewritten • The Ghost of Past Remain, but with Spain • The Ghost of yet to Come Gain independence, with ascendance
These are the three distinct choices, although there might well be hybrids of the three, but the three choices cognisant of the immortal words of Albert Einstein “Everything Should Be Made as Simple as Possible, But Not Simpler.”
To ponder Although the date on which Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty will be triggered is still unknown, it is a fait accompli, as is the fact that Gibraltar would be a party to a new agreement.
Whatever you do, keep your spirits up, The Ghost of Present - Maintaining pun intended. Who knows, you might yet Gibraltar’s EU preferences within find your genie, which no doubt too would the UK, and within an agreement grant you three wishes. with the EU. The Ghost of Past - In the spirit of “out of the Wishing the Select Committee on box thinking” what about a Gibraltar the EU well with their endeavours. dispensation similar to the entities are They might do well in heeding VanilHong Kong Special Adminisable to provide la Ice‘s hendiatris - stop, collaborate trative Region of the People’s and listen. services Republic of China, an within the autonomous territory? The Disclaimer: The intention of this article EU which are Ghost of yet to Come - Being is not to offend, but to challenge the master of its own destiny not regulated you to look at things differently. I am by relevant and doing so independently. reminded of the immortal words of directives Thomas Paine “He who dares not offend cannot be honest.”
The rule of three applies to almost all parallel structures GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
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business
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION Don’t take us for granted!
O
f all strategic mistakes that businesses (small and large) make, one stands out: Taking the customer for granted.
provide is adequate and the poor level of service remains the norm. There are many ways in which businesses take their customers for granted. For a start, this may be in the general appearance of the premises: there are some shops and restaurants around that still look as though they are in the 1960s or 70s…Their owners may be thinking “Why invest in a facelift or modernisation if customers continue to come in anyway?”
the number one asset they have. Research indicates that it costs about six to eight times more to acquire a new customer than it does to retain one. So, business owners should be going beyond the “extra mile” to show gratitude to their customers. Their goal should be to provide such great products and services that their customers will become part of their sales force. Customers will love their business so much they will brag to their friends, family and co-workers about it.
Taking the customer for granted Some is, unfortunately, something that businesses are abusing in Gibraltar has become rather more common in some sectors. the situation, After all, it is a small, contained treating their economy; there aren’t many clientele as if competitors around, so conit is a captive sumers have fewer alternatives audience. to turn to. Some businesses Indeed, don’t assume that because you have a customer today, you’ll have them know this well and are abusing tomorrow. You don’t own your the situation, treating their clientele as if Another way may be not reit is a captive audience. Surprisingly, the customers. They are doing you a turning calls to clients or ignorIt costs about situation is sometimes exacerbated by the ing their emails, with business 6-8 times more favour by giving you their business. Treat them accordingly, try consumers themselves. Given the closestaff thinking something on the to acquire a knit social and family ties in Gibraltar, to discover their wants, needs and lines of “Why should we bother new customer desires and educate them on how people often shy away from complaining or chasing after clients, we have than it does to your products and services can providing criticism because those providing enough work already…”. retain one. the service may be relatives, friends or help them. people they interact with socially. Faced Every business that wants to with no complaints, businesses’ owners, According to research the reasons why achieve outstanding long-term success in turn, think that the service level they most businesses lose customers are: must understand that their customer list is
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business 68%
Felt "indifference" 14%
Leave due to dissatisfaction with the product or service 9%
Leave because they got a better price or product Listen to a friend or relative and switch to another business
5% 3%
Move away
1%
Die or go out of business 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Source: “The Ultimate Marketing Plan” by Dan Kennedy
Service or retail businesses with large volumes of customers have many options. Surveys can be done on site or later online. Customer feedback will never be 100% but you may be surprised how many will respond to your survey. Most people will appreciate People often shy away from your attempt to keep their business. That alone sets you apart – and in complaining first place.
As evident by the above chart, the vast majority (68%) of your customers will leave you because of what they perceived as “indifference” from your company. Simply put, they felt “unappreciated, unimportant and taken for granted”.
•
How many businesses can afford to lose 68% of their customers? My guess is none. or providing What are you doing to make criticism... your customers feel appreciated and important? What’s your plan to differentiate your business from your competitors? If you don’t have one, it’s time to start taking some action. Whether you are a big corporate or a small business, below are some examples of actions companies can make to demonstrate to their customers they are not taken for granted: •
• Comment cards on restaurant tables or at the cash register are still quick and easy ways to obtain feedback. Their content Don’t assume is relevant because it reflects that because an immediate experience. •
A professional services firm that works intensively with clients over a long period may find it most useful to just have a conversation Most about how the relationship people will is working. This conversation appreciate can pull in thoughts about your attempt future client needs and may to keep their lead to additional assignbusiness. ments.
Repair or home improvement businesses can benefit from follow-up surveys after a service call. This survey will let you know how well your technicians are performing, not only in doing the work but in how they’re handling customers.
• Send clients info you think will help them. Learnt something new or read an article that could positively impact or help a client? Shoot over an email and let him or her know.
•
Show you care via social media. Sharing a customer’s blog post or a recent success (even a shout-out on Twitter or Facebook) with your social network lets customers know you’re thinking of them.
•
Give them free stuff! Whether that comes in the form of an e-book, webinar, a free drink or even just a snack bar, your customers will love free gifts.
Whether you sell to individuals or businesses, people have more options every GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
day. We live in a global economy where customers are only a click away from ordering their desired product from the other side of the world rather than from their local shop. Keeping their business is a matter of rising to the top when they consider their need for your product or service. As mentioned before, it is also up to us consumers to let retailers and other business owners know if we are unsatisfied with the service or if we think more can be done. You’ll be surprised how many businesses would welcome constructive criticism.
you have a customer today, you’ll have them tomorrow.
Eran Shay is Managing Director & Ayelet Mamo Shay is Business Development Director of Benefit Business Solutions Ltd. Tel: (+350) 20073669 Email: general@benefitgibraltar.com 27
business words | Sylvia Kenna
RECIPE FOR RECRUITMENT Effective selection tips
D
o you wish you could wave a magic wand to make the perfect employees appear?
It is possible when your company has the charisma to attract the best talent and you and your hiring managers have the skills to avoid making recruitment mistakes.
The single most important skill for any manager is assessing people...
The single most important skill for any manager is assessing people so here are some tips on how to improve the quality of your recruiting to save you money and a lot of headaches.
What if you could create an incredible selection and recruitment process that would be the envy of other companies? Well, you can, by following this recipe for Effective Recruitment and Selection. Here’s what you need to begin: 28
Prime ingredients I recently went to a farmer’s market. I don’t consider myself a “foodie,” but I have to say, the fruit and vegetables tasted amazing. Even though I frequently purchase fruit and vegetables from the local shop, shopping at the farmer’s market is going straight to the source. I can be selective about what I purchase and get exactly what I want for what I need.
is unacceptable. This begins with hiring the absolute best to achieve this goal. But in order to do so, you must have a culture that treats employees as well as you treat your customers and clients.
When I think of excellent customer experiences, I always think of my experience with Apple shops. Let’s face it. Most people don’t grow up dreaming of one day working in a shop. Yet, this company doesn’t seem to have a problem attracting I wonder if you are being as choosy as top people while other retailers settle for you should be when selecting people who consider customers employees who will represent I can only think as an irritating interruption. your company. I suspect that for of a handful many of you, the answer is no. I Next time you are tempted of companies say this because I can only think to hire a new employee, ask where service of a handful of companies where yourself, “Is this person good is truly service is truly exceptional. How enough?” If you can’t say, “Absoexceptional. many can you think of? lutely!” right away, then pass. Delivering the finest customer experience should be the number one goal of every CEO and team of managers. Anything less
Go back to the basics Large organisations use applicant tracking GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
business
If you really knew the true cost of turnover, systems that are all the rage these days, tion as a good employer. Mediocre staff then you’d be taking names and heads but are they really effective? Most screen will make customers feel that they aren’t would be rolling. The cost of job adverts, applicants out, rather than really that special. Customers will recruitment fees, salaries of your own in. Is that really your intent? Most people look for a place where they feel they recruiters, background checks, opportunity receive a better service. don’t grow up cost, refunds for poor service, and matters If your operation is small dreaming of one that didn’t get done because you were enough, go back to the baday working in Bring in a master chef busy focusing on disciplinary problems all sics. Have your hiring mana shop. add up to quite a hefty number. agers personally go through We see too many companies using each application to ensure shortcuts when it comes to training Some recipes are worth keeping and that small gems aren’t being looked over. their staff in how to assess people. Some passing from generation to generation, and Make hiring managers fully accountable for actually believe that you can learn this skill others should be thrown. the selection of their people. Encourage by watching a 45-minute video. It doesn’t them to pass on candidates who don’t work this way for the majority of people so appear to fit with your culture. To become a master at Effective Recruitconsider bringing in an expert place at who can work with your peoCustomers will ment and Selection, book your our workshop on October 4th. Contact ple as they practice their craft. look for a place Bev at HRadvice@theHRDept.gi Give managers a hiring process that works where they feel Benefits of selecting right they receive a You don’t see many recipes with only inthe first time around better service. gredients and no directions, do you? That’s because people usually need to follow Besides the obvious benefit a process in order to achieve consistent of hiring good people the first time around, results. Most companies that I’ve encounthere are a number of other benefits: tered somehow expect their supervisors and managers to appear on the scene fully • Reduced stress trained on how to select the best people. We know many CEOs, and managers The HR Dept. has been brought in to train who have lost countless nights of sleep people on Effective Selection and Recruitworrying about how they were going to ment who have been managing for years fire someone who never should have been ans every session we hear, “I wish I had hired in the first place. Do this right the known this years ago!” first time and eliminate the stress. Accelerate the process
•
I’ve also noted that companies are taking too long to hire good people. As your businesses begin to grow, speed will be imperative. Vacant positions will lead to existing staff becoming overworked and demotivated bringing down your reputa-
In any business, your people are your brand. Hire the right people and you can bet that others will be singing your praise.
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
•
Improved reputation
Decreased cost of employee turnover 29
politics
ERADICATING LEFT AND RIGHT A morning with Minister Costa
W
over thirty approved contractors and they eekdays kick off at 5:30am, his increasing years and his recently found more often than not have selected the although waking up and interest in meditation, which helps him to responding to emails at 1am be mindful. candidates for whom we have arranged is not unusual. interviews.’ The team works even more closely with the individuals they are seekGovernment Minister Neil Costa Reaching full employment He is ing employment for, ensuring they either works every day of the week, feverishly attend their interviews, or face the stern bar Saturdays, which, instead, he He is most likely to be remembered tries to reserve for spending time keen to words of the Employment Director, who for drastically and successfully reading the Economist, cover issues warnings of temporary removal from accelerate lowering local unemployment and the unemployed list. ‘That will unfortuto cover, and bonding with his by assisting to find employment through as nately mean they can’t collect benefits. daughter. BREXIT, not surprisfor a staggering 170 individuals much work The idea is not to penalise, so much as ingly, has added several hours to since the initiation of the Focused as possible... help them understand that if they don’t his every week. Having taken on Employment Strategy, three short the role of Minister for Business attend an interview or accept an months ago. ‘The A Team’, as offer, the employer might think and Employment in December 2014, a Neil has so aptly dubbed them, is a far cry from his former responsibilities of working group made up of members His recently that people we ask them to meet found aren’t serious. Such behaviour Tourism, Public Transport, and the Port, of his ministerial team that front interest in harms all future candidates Neil Costa has steered his Ministry on a the project. ‘I need people who are path of efficiency, instilled with the vibrant identified by my Ministry and the meditation fully engaged,’ the Minister tells me, minds of his young team, whom he meets praising his staff. ‘Krystle, Christian, helps him to Employment Service. To date, only two persons have been with every day. He is feverishly keen to ac- Elka, John and I work extremely be mindful. prevented from registering as celerate through as much work as possible closely with contractors identifying unemployed for a definite time during his finite time in Government, but vacancies with them and arranging period for failing to accept employment also has an air of calm and collectedness interviews for those that are registered as about him. That, he expresses, is thanks to offers or not attending interviews.’ unemployed’. I have personally met with 30
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
politics He explains that EU law recognises the mitment to continuous and genuine stakeentirely worthwhile social objective of holder engagement that we have excellent assisting the long-term unemployed find working relationships with the Unions, the gainful opportunities. ‘We make it as easy GFSB and the Chamber. Whereas we will as possible for the approved contractor to fiercely disagree on certain topics, they are interview the suited individuals by arrangacutely aware that my teams, and I personing the interviews ourselves and preparing ally, take soundings before making policy the candidates with skills seminars. The decisions and passing laws. In my view, crucial aim for us is to help effect benefithe wider and deeper the consultation, the cial change in people’s lives and to keep better decisions we will take and the better unemployment down to a numlaws we will pass, as we will have ber that is entirely manageable considered and debated all aspects. Costa’s role for us to help in individual cases. requires It does mean a lot of hours explaining your position and your thinking robust – but that is what we are paid for In the definition of some relationships and it is well worth the exertion to economists, Gibraltar enjoys full with unions get it right.’ employment. For me, one person and business on the unemployment list is one too many.’ Full employment does groups. Time for April not take into account certain individuals, such as those moving between Spending a morning at the Ministry, expejobs, having quit or lost a seasonal job, and riencing a day in the life of Minister Costa, those incapable or unwilling to work. Cosstaff meetings fill the morning, congruent ta’s role requires robust relationships with with the rate of the rising early mid-sumunions and business groups. ‘They fiercely mer sun that creeps over the Rock and put forward their members’ interests and streams through the glass of his third floor here, as he takes me through the process they expect me to be as candid with them Europort office windows. His ministerial re- his departments follow, with the help of when I don’t agree. Then again, you don’t sponsibilities stretch across Business, Ema legal team, to transpose new legislation need to convince this Government of the ployment, Skills, Social Security, (pensions and present Bills to Parliament. ‘As a lawimportance of protecting and enhancing and benefits) and Postal Services. I first yer, and one who used to challenge everyworkers’ rights and keeping the costs of interview him post Budget, and he seems thing under the sun when I litigated, I used business to an absolute minimum. elated, relieved to be able to return to his to find the most effective arguments were routine duties. Summer is often a time technical submissions on points of law.’ We introduced whistle blowing legislation during which the public assumes and, separately, bullying legislation. In my all is quiet on the governmental He calls in his Legal Counsel, John Throughout Budget Speech, I demonstrated how past front, but that’s not the case here. his manic day, Paul, (also particularly young), to budgetary measures had, in fact, signifiOften working well into the evediscuss an element of the Emhe always cantly decreased the costs of business ning and night, I question when ployment Act that they have been ensures he over the past five years. I think it says and how he fits in spending time working on. Walking me through makes time something about the government’s comwith his daughter. ‘I’ll work from the process he eludes, ‘the act is for the gym... home in the evenings, and even an over-arching statutory framethough I can’t play with April or work that then allows for secread to her the entire time, I can certainly ondary legislation.’ In July, Costa’s Ministry sit with her whilst I work on my papers announced wide-ranging reforms of the and she enjoys re-watching and singing to Industrial Tribunal, involving amendments Frozen. ‘Love is an open door’, you know.’ to the Employment Act, ‘we’ve changed Throughout his manic day, he always enthe act by way of an amending bill. The bill sures he makes time for the gym; a respite, sets out enabling provisions that will allow and place to release built up tension and me to introduce entirely new secondary stress from his weighty workload. Coffee legislation, on which John Paul and I enis used as a means of maintaining focus. ‘It gaged, as you would expect, in a detailed helps to keep me sharp. The business of consultation process. John Paul has government doesn’t stop and you have to ensured that the regulations are written deal with it. If I don’t have a coffee, I find in plain English so that if you were to find I’m not as focused and I don’t have that yourself victimised, you could have a read luxury.’ He is meticulous with his actions; of them yourself. We’ve also extended the reading, re-reading and questioning powers of the tribunal.’ official documents submitted to him and re-writing correspondence, press releases John Paul breaks down the legal jargon for and other documents, until he is entirely me, explaining that secondary legislation satisfied with their content. ‘I revised my includes regulations and orders. ‘For the budget speech at least nine or ten times. government to amend primary legislation, I’m not exaggerating.’ the bill has to be debated and approved Amending legislation His lawyer turn of mind becomes evident GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
in Parliament, in order for the legislature to scrutinise the new law and keep checks and balances on the actions and policy decisions of the executive.’
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politics in the employment sphere, a disciplinary do, so long as it doesn’t hurt or interfere one, and should not be a criminal one. The with anybody else’s freedom’. Philosopher question therefore, as far as I can see, is John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty had a lasting simply whether we decriminalise personimpact on him as a teenager. ‘His reasonal possession or do we regulate and tax ing as to why people should be allowed to and distribute that revenue to education, live their life as they judge best, unless it health and community projects? affects another’s liberty or violates another person’s freedom, just struck a chord with me as making absolute sense.’ Coming Portugal is a very good example of a from an economy that licences gaming European state that, according to reports, providers and sells alcohol and tobacco, has seen a drop in drugs consumption, and he insists that he is against ‘legislating on drug-related problems, after decriminalisamoral issues’. I think individual tion. To decriminalise personal possession freedom should be applied across has the added benefit that police resourcCoffee is used the board, instead of drawing es can be diverted on actually stopping Head of the Office, Francis as a means of what, to me, are arbitrary lines the importation into Gibraltar of narcotics. Muscat, another young and bright of what is or is not acceptable.’ Let me make clear that these are my own member of the team with a history maintaining focus. Even drugs? I probe. ‘Drugs are a at a leading law firm, tells me that personal reflections and do not arise out good example, as they represent of any Cabinet discussions and certainly the OFT has also served to create a taboo subject that we need to openly do not indicate policies. Any considera single point of contact, which greatly discuss as a community. I can’t deal with ation in respect of such an important and assists the establishment of new businesssuch an intricate issue as a small part of a delicate subject will require the breadth es, particularly the process of applying for larger interview, however. But let me make and length of consultation, the community business licences. ‘It’s not just about oba few points for us to consider, perhaps in taining a license anymore, although many is now accustomed to objectively look at a later discussion. The medical evidence is the advantages and disadvantages of the people come here for that and we have that smoking kills, and yet we sell the item status quo.’ taken a quantum leap in facilitating and on the basis that it is for the individual to expediting such a process, but it snowballs make that choice, and because of ecointo a very welcome one-stop service for Reflecting on his own political past, I ask nomic interests. The US is now suggesting entrepreneurs, which only need to deal him about his relationship with the Deputy that the war on drugs has been lost, even with one government department. The Chief Minister. Neil tells me he joined office was created by the bringing together though it has cost trillions of dollars and the Gibraltar Liberal Party in 1999 as a are openly reconsidering how to deal of three existing departments.’ The BusiLaw student, working with the “brilliant, with personal possession. Let’s ness Licensing Authority, a board made encyclopaedic brain” of its leader, remember that some US states “One of the up of representatives of the GFSB, the Dr. Garcia. ‘Joseph is a steady hand have legalised marijuana for Chamber of Commerce, the Unions, and in Government. He’s an excellent nicest things personal and medicinal use. independent members of the community, about this job parliamentarian and Deputy Chief overseas all cases of new businesses apMinister, who provides first class is that every plying to obtain licensing, unless the BLA Closer to home, I see, almost day is entirely advice and is a veritable workhorse. had already approved a similar business, daily, how some young perIt’s been my personal pleasure to different.” and does not need referral to the BLA. sons, because of a criminal get to know him as a friend. It’s conviction for a small amount only normal to work very closely to of cannabis resin, have great difficulty in those who share your values and are also End of left and right – political influence finding employment. There is a very real concerned about other people’s aspirations and damaging cost to individual lives. and dreams.’ As a staunch liberal, Neil subscribes to For me, consumption of drugs, legal or the philosophy that ‘people should be otherwise, should be a health issue and, allowed to do whatever they want to He is keen to express how personal his role is, noting how he frequently meets with individuals struggling to find employment and remembers them by name and surname. ‘I meet with my staff every day and ask pointed questions about certain cases and why they haven’t been progressed. People understand that a Minister cannot, most of the time, accede to what they’re specifically asking for, but I am certain our community knows that we care deeply enough to find alternative solutions and that, for us, employment is a priority.’ He puts the most recent election success of the GSLP/ Liberal alliance in not just governing by the gold standard of what is best for the entire nation, but also by investing time and resources in all the individual cases that come forward. ‘The day that I actually think of myself as a minister, is the day that I should leave this job,’ Costa insists, ‘because every day I still go back Taking me upstairs to the Office of Fair Trading, a new department that came to fruition in October 2015 with the aim of protecting the interests of consumers and relieving the burden of administrative tasks on businesses, Neil comments, ‘one of the nicest things about this job is that every day is entirely different.’ There is affection and sarcasm in equal measures here. The office maintains a consumer protection element to assist the public with consumer matters, and to prevent business practices which are harmful to consumers.
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politics to my original motivation for standing for Despite his traditionally left leaning views, public service, which is to assist individuals he believes that the concept of left and in leading the best life they can right in politics is defunct. ‘I and to work daily to provide those “People should totally don’t see the world in conditions. One of my senior civil those terms. I think the real be allowed to servants had to remind me the division today is between do whatever other day that I am the “system whether or not you believe in a they want to now and no longer a pup barking liberal society of open borders, do, so long as up in the face of it!”’ free trade, open economies and it doesn’t hurt whether you hold fast to the or interfere economic and social value of As two keen followers of British with anybody integration and the fundamental politics, we shift the discussion to else’s freedom.” liberal democratic structures of the recently appointed Conservafreedom, equality, human rights tive Prime Minister, Theresa May, and the rule of law. My own internal analand Neil expresses his admiration for her ysis, for example, has shown that, from a attention to detail, ‘my impression of her strictly financial and economic perspective, time as Home Secretary is that she forms cross border workers contribute to our strong views after carefully considering economy much, much more than the cost details and follows through. The Prime of EU pensions or the cost of unemployMinister has already given some very ment benefits to EU citizens. Gibraltar, important signals on her Government’s if I may, is an exemplar of how an open views on Gibraltar, not least by meeting European border should work. Without our Chief and Deputy Chief Minister on such economic migration, we the very day she was due to kiss hands. would not thrive – end of story. I read that people are able to change her “The day that Europe is important to us; we mind with cogent reasoning and argument, His enthusiasm is contagious, I actually believe passionately in the Euroso if that’s the case, I think we will be able think of myself he has such a fervour for what pean project and in the ideals of to work solidly in Gibraltar’s interests.” he’s doing, and it is clear in his as a minister, peace, stability and prosperity. I, On being asked, he replies: “The fact that is the day that achievements. Moving in to his for one, will not accept the UK she’s a woman, to me, is neither here nor fifth year of Government, Neil I should leave referendum result as the death there. You will have noted that her sex did notes that he has an open mind this job...” knell to my progressive and not feature once in my answers to you. It as to whether he plans to run for cosmopolitan view of the world. did not even feature in my thinking. If you another term, but hopes he can Quite the contrary, the referendum result ask me, there is absolutely nothing that a make way for new politicians wishing to has, if anything, reinforced the need to woman cannot achieve in Gibraltar and bring in fresh ideas and energy. �NM respect and embrace other cultures, values would be delighted to work with the first and ways of life. I am British, European and woman Chief Minister – a person’s gender in this context is just so shoulder shrugging I am also a citizen of the world. We are all flesh and blood, are we not?’ irrelevant to me. Seriously, who cares?’
Neil with his daughter April
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MYSTERIES OF HALLOWEEN Unveiling its morbid past
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this period leading up to the winter marked ith October comes the sessions and buying out all the limited ‘the death of life’, which ties in nicely with promise of crisp auburn oak edition Halloween Haribos in her local suthe Christian celebration of All Saints’ Day, leaves, milky mid-evening permarket. But where do these, and all the also known as All Hallows, on November sunsets, an extra other macabre traditions come from? 1st . All Hallows’ Eve, the night before, layer of clothing and the likeliThe earliest hood of rain. However, it also commences the three-day Allhallowtide reference Samhain and Christian influence means the ghoulish delights of ritual, a Christian observance dedicated to to dressing Halloween, a holiday that few remembering the dead, particularly saints Dressing up and ‘guising’ dates back up has been know the real history of. To me, and martyrs. Before Christianity became to Halloween celebrations in Ireland found to Halloween provokes memories widely observed, the Roman festival of and Scotland in the late 19th centudate back to ry, although the earliest reference of plastic insects dotted over Pomona, held during the same time, also the 1500s... to dressing up has been found to ghoul themed party foods, bin filtered into the Samhain celebrations, bag witch’s cloaks, late night honouring the apple harvest and observdate back to the 1500s to a festival school discos, moulding marzipan spiders, ing some of the traditions of their festival that pre dates the more modern Hallowthe long awaited Simpsons ‘Treehouse of of the dead. The links between the een that we are familiar with. Horror’ episodes and digging around in the Celtic and Christian celebrations are Samhain (meaning summer’s Today’s dressing up box. I’m sure I’ve mentioned often debated, with some claiming end in Gaelic) is a Celtic festival tradition before that my mother has always made that older traditions were absorbed observed on 31st October that of Trick or holidays as festive, creative and all emcom- marks the commencement of into the Christian holiday. During Treating was this time, Christians would wear passing family fun as she possibly could. winter with the harvest - much Her delight in hosting amusing activities masks and costumes to disguise their like pre-Christian Easter folklore started by the Irish... has been passed down to the next family identities and avoid being recognised predominantly celebrated the generation, since having a child my sister by the souls that found their way time as the end of the dark and gets so much joy out of planning Easter through the overlap between the physbaron winter and the beginning of spring egg hunts, orchestrating Christmas baking ical world and the afterlife. Followers of and new life. Some have suggested that 34
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life Picking and carving pumpkins dates back to an olde Irish folktale of a drunken farmer who, after death, was forced to wander a dreadful purgatory after dealing with the devil. To guide his soul, Jack made an o’lantern out of a turnip. Honouring the legend, the Irish would carve their own turnip lanterns to ward off Jack’s wandering spirit. Tricking, treating, pumpkins and turnips Celts believed that leaving Jack o’lanterns outside their homes would hold all Today’s tradition of Trick or Treating was started by the Irish, If you didn’t the other lost souls that rise on Halloween, to find their way back to the the true vanguards of Halloween give them afterlife. Pumpkins took over the trawho passed the holiday on to money or dition as it swept over North America the US, with the influx of immifood, your and an abundance of them were grants in the mid-19th century. house could found sprouting across the land. People disguised themselves be cursed Now, over £800,000 worth of the going door to door to ask for or haunted. orange vegetable is sold in the US food, a practice similar to the on Halloween alone. The pumpkin medieval souling, which saw poor imagery is also widely used to commemopeople knock at strangers’ doors to ask rate harvest time. Witches have long been for food in exchange for prayers for the associated with the ghoulish holiday, with dead. Bygone superstition dictated that their stereotypical pointed visiting souls could pose as beggars, and if black hat, wart-ridden you didn’t give them money or food, your Picking and noses, big cauldrons and house could be cursed or haunted. The carving black cloaks. The figure tricking element of the act comes from pumpkins stems from pagan goddess a longstanding tradition of pranking on dates back the Crone or Earth Mother, Halloween. Having started in the US in to an olde who was honoured during the late 1800s, original pranksters would Irish folktale Samhain for ‘turning the knock over outhouses, egg buildings, and of a drunken seasons’. Her cauldron leaving farmers’ gates open. When these farmer... is said to symbolise the escapades began to get more serious, the ‘Earth’s womb’, an article concept of handing out sweet treats was by Live Science claims. After death, souls coined, to curb the misbehaviour. Samhain would await reincarnation in cauldron. celebrations also included pranks.
Samhain similarly felt that spirits could find themselves mixed up in the material world on the 31st. It’s from this that an obsession over the paranormal and Halloween has led to a scary film, haunted house fuelled mania.
Jack made an o’lantern out of a turnip
Paranormal link and local ghost stories Halloween’s link with the occult has filtered so much into our popular culture that we have become completely enthralled by it. We love an insomnia inducing ghost story; a cringe filled, and badly produced horror film, and scaring the holy hell out of our loved ones and pets. What is it that entices us? A fear, or intrigue of the unknown, of a world we have no control over? I sat down with two keen believers of the paranormal, Kayron and Krisanne Pozo, who orchestrate ghost hunts across varied historical sites Jakub Schikaneder - All Souls’ Day 1888
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Souling
on the Rock. ‘Gibraltar has always had a very strong belief in the paranormal, but up until very recently everybody has had it kept quiet. Catalan Bay area was known for having mediums and a circle that practiced,’ Kayron tells We love an me. The duo have witnessed insomnia many a paranormal anomaly, inducing not least during a séance I ghost story... attended and covered for the May 2015 issue of the magazine. Kayron and his soul seeking peers also appeared on GBC’s Ghost Trail show which saw them scout out some of Gib’s most infamously haunted haunts, and document what they saw and experienced. With such an abundant military history, many sites are claimed to have spine
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chilling stories behind them, not least the Covent. Built in the 1530s, the very well known story of the Grey Lady claims a former nun roams the corridor outside one of the guest rooms after having been buried alive behind a wall in what used to be her room. ‘The new magistrates court is supposedly very haunted. The area was once known as Los Nueve Tumbas, the nine tombs, and there used to be a bar there.’ Kayron retells the story of a military officer and his dog, alleged to be roaming in the depths of the Fosse Way World War II tunnel within the Rock. ‘That story’s repeated quite often.’ Some of the tunnels date back to the Seige, but were updated to suit the military facilities of the Second World War. We chat about Grand Casemates Square, which has an incredibly rich and gruesome back-story, having been used for public military executions up until 1864. After the Great Seige, most of the buildings within the Casemates Barracks were demolished after having suffered damage. “Catalan Hangings were also carried Bay area out in other spots around was known Gibraltar, namely Alameda for having Gardens and The Moormediums ish Castle Prison. Capital punishment was ceased on and a circle that the Rock in 1965, except practiced...” as punishment for Treason and piracy, which, by some fluke, was still retained until 2001. ‘The old St. Bernard’s hospital maternity unit was renowned, according to the nursing staff, for being haunted.’
The wandering violinists It seems almost everyone in Gibraltar has their own ghostly story to tell. Kayron’s belief in the supernatural was first cemented when he felt a hard pat on the back during a night in on his own, as a teenager. Krisanne has felt the presence of the supernatural since a young age, telling me she used to see an old woman walking around her family’s first home. My own experience has been justified to me as a perfectly rational occurrence, with no paranormal influence. As a teenager, and very into the occult, my group of friends discovered the joys of exploring abandoned and derelict buildings and war tunnels, particularly along the Northern Defences. On one particularly bleak morning, the kind when you just can’t bear to go to school, a friend and I snuck off in the early morning, up Clutchett’s Ramp, and into the unknown territory colloquially known as ‘the Jungle’. Our favourite spot was just outside the entrance to the first of the Northern Defences tunnels, hidden beyond a dense thicket. We sat there quietly for a couple of hours, pondering life, until the dulcet sound of two violins wafted from within the tunnels. We thought nothing of it until it slowly grew louder, and hours later, two top hatted men in wing tipped wedding suits appeared from the darkness and wandered straight past us and off into the light of the afternoon. We were left baffled. Earlier in the morning we had ventured into the tunnel slightly, not walking too far as we had nothing to illuminate the pitch-black. We’d GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
life seen no sign of them in the tunnel, and no sign of light. They hadn’t appeared to have any torches or lights with them as they exited the tunnel. I consider the incident a paranormal sighting or, perhaps, I’m just hopeful, because I’m keen to believe in the unknown. “We’re
and an intriguing collection of heat, infrared and soundwave testing technology to help them detect any otherworldly presence. Since their first experiment, the group has worked with various mediums, who are able to communicate with the spirits of the dead and lead the séance. They retell stories of tipping opening their tables, door slamming, flying rocks, Good intentions eyes to the temperature dropping, footsteps, unexplained coloured lights deep within I probe Krisanne and Kayron possibility of something else the WWII tunnels and mediums that on their previous paranorbeing there...” could recall group ghost hunts without mal experiences, wondering having been on them. ‘I do believe that if anything has ever gone the intent of what you’re doing plays a big wrong on their charity fund raising driven influence. If you’re intending to find ghosts, ghost hunts. They both nod cautiously, because it’s Halloween and you’re looking looking back on their first séance in the for a scare, that’s obviously what’s going to tunnels at Maida Vale that follow the Great happen,’ Krisanne explains. They are adaNorth Road, a passage that allowed lorries mant that you must always have respect. to travel from the north to the south of What kind of response do they receive Gibraltar entirely within the Rock. ‘We The nun or the grey lady as she is known at the from individuals who join stood in a circle and asked everybody to Governor’s residence. A former them? ‘We’ve had all sorts, close their eyes and relax, I remember one including non believes, now nun roams of the guys involved, and one sceptical honesty, sometimes your imagination can believing. We’re not trying friend of mine started to feel unwell and the corridor play a big part in it.’ to change anyone’s beliefs, fell into trance, talking about his military outside one we’re opening their eyes to experience. At the end of the night, the of the guest Although they’ve been out of the game the possibility of something medium that we used put three individuals rooms after since last year, the duo discusses plans else being there and then from the group into trance and antaghaving been for another fund raising charity hunt at each person can make up onised them, it was pretty scary. That was buried alive... the Alameda Gardens, once they are their own minds. We do a learning curve.’ granted permission. For more informake sure that it is realistic. mation check out their Facebook page We try to keep a level head and rule out The group that orchestrates the hunts also Soulseekers. �NM all the logical explanations of things. In all includes friends of Kayron and Krisanne
Pumpkins took over the tradition as it swept over North America...
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Rhinolophus ferrumequinum
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environment photos | Stewart Finlayson
BAT SPOTTING Creatures of misunderstanding
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he link between bats and the rap for centuries. There are 1,240 known occult stems from an ancient Asian species of bat in the world, the majority myth about vampires that fed on of which feed on insects, eight of which the blood of innocent are present in Gibraltar. The Rock on sleeping victims. In 1897, Vampire bats which we reside is home to a great Irish horror author Bram Stok- don’t actually deal of unique fauna, much of it well er brought the association documented and praised; macaques, suck blood, between bats and vampires Barbary partridges, exotic birds of but instead into the mainstream. prey, dolphins, whales and other lap it up after marine mammals, but somehow bats making an have been left out of the list, with little The concept follows the incision in documentation on their presence and ‘vampire bat’, a species native movement available. to Central and South America the flesh... that, much like the medieval There are monster of its namesake, feeds on blood 1,240 known The Gib Bats boys (of livestock though, not humans) as its species of bat prey sleeps. The mythical vampire preIn 2013, local friends in the world... dates the discovery of the bat species by and animal enthusiasts over four hundred years, meaning the bats Stewart Finlayson, Tyson must be named after the gothic creatures. Holmes and Giovanni Santini set out to Unlike the vampires of folklore however, discover the hidden lives of these elusive vampire bats don’t actually suck blood, but creatures that are often spotted darting instead lap it up after making an incision across the twilit sky. Their interest was first in the flesh with their teeth. Thanks to this piqued when notable bat researcher James association, bats have been getting a bad Shipman contacted The Gibraltar Museum, GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
the workplace of both Stewart and Tyson, in an effort to dig up research on local bat species. Appropriately, Tyson tells me, the project was initiated on Halloween. ‘The official list of species in Gibraltar at the time only had four on it, one of which we already knew was locally extinct. We thought it would be a good opportunity to update that list, to be able to protect and conserve the species. We’ve actually brought the official list up to eight species and we’re in a position that we can say that there should be another species on that list relatively soon. The reason we haven’t committed to it is that we have preliminary findings which we need to confirm,’ the group explains. Bats are tremendously misunderstood mammals, particularly with the unfortunate Dracula mix up and their unusual features. Although popular culture has also associated the mysterious nature of bats with everyone’s favourite DC superhero, Batman himself, who like the night time dwelling mammal, only appears after the sun goes down. 39
environment
Bats are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flights.
In its three years of existence, the three main Gib Bats members have been fully trained to handle the species, allowing them to now track their movements, research them and document their existence on the Rock.
Eptesicus serotinus isabellinus (Isabelline Serotine Bat)
Through immense dedication, they bepotential. The trio also carried out further came qualified under training carried out training elsewhere and experienced a great by James who helped set up deal of ‘hands on’ work. Tyson the initiative that he calls ‘a insists that they have also spent Bats are European Bat research projmuch personal time researching tremendously ect’. After his initial visit, he felt misunderstood and reading about the species. that Gibraltar had tremendous Much of their work is dedicated to mammals... conserving and establishing local species. Their most recent projThe first E. isabellinus found in Gibraltar ect has seen collaborations formed with universities in Morocco, Algeria, Spain and zoo colonies in Portugal. ‘It’s a much larger scale project, looking for the metapopulation of certain species. We’re going to be surveying large areas in Andalucia, from this region up to Extremadura. We have colleagues in Morocco and Algeria also looking out for the bats that we are tagging and trying to track the movement of, to see where our bats come from.’ Sir Humphrey and the local species Bats are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flights. Their intricate wings are covered in a thin membrane that stretches all the way to the ankle and tail. Their fingers are much more flexible than that of any other mammals. ‘We’ve all been involved with wildlife, in one way or another, earlier on in our lives. I think the thing about bats is that so little is known about them because so few people are working on bats. There’re a lot of questions unanswered,’ Stewart notes.
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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
environment During our chat, an ominous looking box twilight and are often seen darting around is brought into the room and left on the residential areas in the evenings. Kuhl’s table top. Reaching his hand in confidently, were only discovered two years ago on the Tyson reveals a tiny, baby IsaRock. belline Serotine curled up in the The palm of his hand, peering his Pippistrelle’s The Shreibers bat is medium sized canine looking face at us. His and is exclusively cave dwelling. The preferred body makes him look like a rospecies was once found in abundwelling is dent, until you spot his delicate dance locally, but has suffered a in the cracks wings, which are just incredible sharp decline, with only hundreds and unlike anything I’ve seen on and crevices now left. an animal before. ‘He’s more re- of urban lated to you than a rodent,’ they buildings... The Issabeline Serotine species was explain to me. ‘The latin name discovered locally soon after Gib Bats for a bat, actually translates to hand wing,’ was initiated. Despite being mostly rock Tyson divulges, showing me his fingers. He dwelling, they have adapted to living in is introduced to me as Sir Humphrey, and urban areas. has been in the care of the Gib Bats boys for a few weeks. They tell me they’ve had The European Free-tailed is Europe’s mixed success in maintaining bats in capsecond largest species, mostly living in tivity as young bat require a huge amount crevices in limestone caves. They are rarely Schreibers Bat with ring, ready to be released of care, having to be fed milk very often seen as they emerge quite late and fly at a and their habitat kept at an extremely high high altitude. Museum excavation within the Rock. temperature. Detailing the eight species local to the Rock, the team outlines them The Greater Noctule bat is Europe’s largest from smallest to largest starting with the and rarest species, feeding on birds, partic- Critically endangered Soprano Pippistrelle, and their slightly larger ularly during migration periods. These tree ‘99% of the Gibraltar bat population family members the Common Pippistrelle dwellers hunt their prey during flight. has disappeared, that is a fact,’ Stewart and the Kuhl’s Pippistrelle. laments. Their habitats are often disruptThey are Most recently, the team ed, particularly since neighbouring town The Pippistrelle’s preferred dwelling is in rarely seen as La Linea de la Concepcion transformed were alerted to the existhe cracks and crevices of urban buildings, tence of the Greater horse- they emerge into a built up area, eradicating much of including roof tiles, cavity walls, and wall shoe species, which was quite late the flat wasteland areas that were once cladding. They tend to emerge during found during a Gibraltar prime bat locations, rife with insects. and fly at a
high altitude.
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Kuhls Pipistrelle
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environment Over 20% of the world’s bat population is under the threat of extinction, with twenty-five of the many species classes as Critically Endangered. In Europe, over 95% of the bat population has disappeared over time. ‘I would say that Gibraltar was once an incredibly important location for bats, we’ve found evidence that the population was extremely high twenty or thirty years ago. The problem that Gibraltar has had is that the numer really has dropped. It’s only in the last five years that people have become aware of it and are starting to try and help these populations. It seems that there has been a slight pick up from that crash, thanks to legislation and planning.’ Pesticides have had a huge influence in the population decline, and although they were banned years ago, the rate at which bats reproduce is so slow that to boost numbers will take hundreds of years. ‘Generally, they only have one pup a year’. Many bat enthusiasts also put the near extinction of some species down to the public’s ill informed prejudices against bats. ‘I think it’s important to let people know that there is nothing to fear about these animals. These bats eat the cockroaches and mosquitos that people generally don’t like or want around. Bats are really “These bats eat important to the ecosystem.’ With help from the Department for the Environment, particularly Stephen Warr, who has had a keen interest and a lot of participation in the project, the word about bats is being spread, and conservation initiatives have become a reality. Stewart tells me that the Government have been very helpful throughout the project, as well as GONHS (Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society) who are also members of the group. Once in a while they organise Bat Nights on which they take the general public around Gibraltar to
the cockroaches and mosquitos that people generally don’t like or want around.”
Cluster of Schreibers’ bats (Miniopterus schreibersii)
discover more about the species. ‘I think really want to generate this awareness. We it was about two years ago get lots of enquiries about setting we had a walk that attracted up bat boxes, which give the bats an “99% of the around two hundred and fifty area where they can frequent or even people. Young people really are Gibraltar bat establish a colony.’ curious. Once you show a child population has disappeared...” Bat boxes have been set up by the a bat, they are really keen. We Department for the Environment around different parts of Gibraltar. ‘The bats The team - Stewart Finlayson, James Shipman, Giovanni Santini and Tyson Lee Holmes usually like facing north, you don’t want them in direct sunlight either. We always tell people that if they are interested, we are happy to go and see the sight and advise them.’ These artificial roosts offer more homes to bats, which have had many of their natural habitats removed because of human inhabitation. ‘Everywhere around the world bats are incredibly well protected, in Gibraltar we have our laws that are similar to those in the UK. To be able to handle a bat, if one is found, you need to be licensed by the Government and we are the ones here who are.’ �NM For more info, contact the Gib Bats team at info@gib-bats.com. If you come across a bat locally, contact them on 200 74289, 200 66588 or 58007963.
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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
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life words | Elena Scialtiel
LOVE, PRACTICALLY Helping in Peru
C
as their guides will be waiting to escort andyfloss girl Chantal Hosken is She makes clear how the purpose of this them in the thick of the wilderness, about to get in a sticky situation exercise isn’t ‘missionary’ in the Ancien mountains high and rivers low, to meet the this October, when she travels to Régime sense of the term, still God will be tribes whom they will assist in channelling the Peruvian rainforest ever present in her thoughts, while fresh water from a well. They are expected to bring hope to the natives “A fortnight drawing strength from prayer and to communicate in Spanish, but a Quechua spreading the universal love that isn’t long the support of her parishioners back translator is tagging along just in case. ties mankind in practical ways home. “Indeed, we aren’t invading enough such as access to fresh water, their lifestyle to shove God down to change healthcare and education. their throats, so to speak,” Chantal Because of their landing in Peru right anyone’s life says, “but we will explain how our after the end of hurricane season, they anticipate to carry out repairs to what This is Chantal’s first ‘expedition’ but my own, faith is what drives us. It will be a but it can taxing time for me, and I confide in Chantal describes as ‘tribal banana leaf and she has been preparing be a start.” God for inspiring me to overcome my shelters’, and of course to participate both for it for almost one year, since fears and doubts, as He has manually and economically in her application to non-profit done before in my life.” larger architectural and farming organisation ‘Blessed to be a Blessing’ was They projects. Chantal is tasked with accepted. “I’ve always longed for travels anticipate the most rewarding and most and adventures and this trip will give me Chantal, her two British and one to carry out responsibility-laden ‘ministry’: the opportunity to do good as well as Irish companions are meeting repairs to entertaining and educating the explore the world. I know that a fortnight and flying from Heathrow on isn’t long enough to change anyone’s life 14th October, to Bogota first, and ‘tribal banana children. To prepare for this, she leaf shelters’... has been collecting donations subsequently hopping around but my own, but it can be a start. There of arts and crafts materials and Latin America to Lima next and will be challenges, yet my team wants eventually bound to the ‘Imperial City’ of educational books. “After this interview for to build a relationship with the hosting Cuzco. Alas, no time for sightseeing around example,” she chirps, “I am fetching some communities and show them God’s love in the fellow UNESCO World Heritage Site, balloons and paint from a local shop that is the most practical way.”
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life kindly sponsoring me.” And there they go turned into lather by water, without She is also in charge of documenting the in her backpack the acrylic colours for face polluting the delicate balance of the forest expedition with photographs and videos: and finger-painting sessions... never fear: in environment. “I don’t know how much of tribal life we case they run out, surely the jungle will be will be allowed broadcasting, but I will put prodigal of mud, clay, berry together a naturalistic documentary upon “My petty dislike is the bugs, and juice, sap and chlorophyll for She came across I am readying myself for plenty my return, portraying the exotic species every shade of earth tones of plants and animals we find along the of them, since we are sleeping ‘leaf shampoo’, in its most literal sense! way.” And here she is faced again with under the stars.” She had several a sort of the hi-tech dilemma of civilisation: how vaccinations in the build-up to the lyophilised soap trip, furthermore one team member to film virtually every day for two weeks Away from civilisation for that is virtually in an electricity-deprived location? “I two weeks, without water, has medical training, with antidotes weightless in am stocking on batteries for my phone, electricity and definitely no to snake or spider poison, and crisis camera and waterproof camera, as well internet connection, Chantal the backpack... first-aid kit packed to counteract as memory cards,” she explains. “I am won’t be able to speak or permanent consequences of hiking also experimenting with a solar-powered see her little boy: “I know I am gonna miss accidents or sudden illnesses, in order camera battery, which will solve many him like crazy,” she admits, “because I am to stabilise the patient before they are problems if it works efficiently.” taking two weeks off my life to make one shipped back to civilisation within the of my dreams come true and help the less twenty-four hour critical period. There’s fortunate as much as I can.” the Zika virus scare looming too, but Although she is adamant that the best Chantal is not intimidated by worst case support she can wish for is prayer, scenarios and she trusts her bug spray and Chantal and her team have been tirelessly During the preparatory weekends in the citronella ‘bugracelets’ alongside fundraising in the build-up UK, Chantal immediately realised how her faith are enough to protect her. to this life-changing trip, as privileged she has been with the readily “I am also she needs at least £3000 to available commodities our society affords, experimenting cover her expenses (flights, after taking them for granted all her life. Day-to-day foraging is still with a solarvaccines, equipment, props), “We won’t have tents, and definitely no sketchy to Chantal who has been powered while any extra donations will indoor plumbing, so our showering and training to improve her fitness and be retained and administered laundering will happen only when we find simplifying her diet to accustom her camera battery...” by the locals to complete their rivers or waterfalls, where we will also metabolism to basic nourishment projects and stock up on their replenish our flasks of drinking water, - unsure whether they will be medical supplies with the final aim of being filtered through the steriliser, that we have ‘hunting and gathering’ or living out of enabled to break the cycle of poverty. to ration wisely.” And she goes on telling energy bars and powdered drinks, of one how she came across ‘leaf shampoo’, a thing Chantal is certain: “We will be fed of sort of lyophilised soap that is virtually course, but not overfed, as we must save Visit www.btbab.org for more information. weightless in the backpack and is gently as much as we can for our hosts.”
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life words | Molly Parody
TEAM BRITANNIA Breaking the sailing record
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ive years ago in Ocean Village, I met Most record holders have a certain air of a man who could be described as superiority about them, not Alan, he is so someone who had their sensidown to earth and humble, you bility removed and danger and feel maybe you should double His desire adventure implanted into their brain check official records to see if, to achieve instead; Alan Priddy, an extraordinary indeed, he is the legend of the matches man at 63. seas the world knows him as.
his desire to enjoy the journey of life and all its voyages.
Upon meeting the ‘silver fox’, I was taken back by how much he exudes the vivacity, drive and enthusiasm of a man half his age. His desire to achieve matches his desire to enjoy the journey of life and all its voyages. Nothing really gets him down, but many things get him up in the morning, excited and ready to take on the day and the world. He inspires others and he inspired me proving that you are never too old to attempt and achieve any goal in life you want. Alan has spent the majority of his life at sea having started sailing when he was a mere eight years old. Three years later, he owned his first vessel and since then, has accumulated nearly fourty world records. 46
Over a few glasses of wine Alan told me about his dream to one day beat the current record for fastest circumnavigation round the world by more than a week. Believing it was the wine talking, I laughed, but within a couple of years, Alan really lay down plans to achieve this dream.
This is how Gibraltar, on October 23rd, will be the starting point for what could be a record breaking event that may never be broken. Before you start to think this Alan guy sounds like someone who should be monitored by specialists, you need to know his attempt to break the world record with Team Britannia will not be the first time Alan has circumnavigated the world. In fact, he is the only person who has done so by motor boat and sail boat on two separate occasions.
Because of his experiences at sea, Alan had an edge when it came to One part I have met with Alan on numerof this goal knowing what type of boat needed to be built. He can talk to you about ous occasions since that day, was for sharing a meal, a bottle of wine or the whole technical side of things the race to and it’s easy to listen, but the passion two and talking about his goals, mainly his aim to achieve the fast- start from in his voice masks over all of that and Gibraltar... all you can hear is that Alan had one est circumnavigation around the world. One part of this goal was goal in mind, creating a vessel that would complete the challenge in a record for the race to start from Gibraltar, a place Alan had a passion and love for. that would be “nearly impossible to beat.” GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
life Sailing from Europa Point, Alan will skipper Team Britannia into the history books, where once again we will see Britannia rule the waves. A challenge not for the faint hearted.
Sailing from
This adventure of a lifeEuropa Point, time will be undertaken Alan will in a multi-million pound skipper Team revolutionary semi-wave Britannia into slicing powerboat, she is the history so sleek and attractive books. looking she could easily be described as ‘sexy’. In fact, many people in the know call her just that. To the untrained eye, she looks like she belonged in one of the ‘Back to the Future’ movies. In addition, this powerboat, amazingly enough, is run on a fuel emulsion that slashes harmful emissions, this aspect of the boat appealed to my environmentally aware heart greatly. Earlier this summer, I met up with Alan for dinner where he confidently told me he will crush the current record held by New Zealander Pete Bethune and shave up to seven days off 60 days 23 hours 49 minutes record. In fact, so confident is he in the bid, he firmly believes it could be done faster than that. His dream, in a nut shell, is to sail round the world quicker than anyone has ever done and bring the world record back to Great Britain where it belongs, but he wants to do it in such a timing that it will be near on impossible for anyone else to beat him.
Alan with the team behind the bid at the Houses of Parliament
To complete this epic journey, a voyage the week leading up to the race day. Some most of us would never dare to dream of these events include the incredible about doing, and gain the record, the boat Thundercats, an event of high action thrills must pass through the Suez and Panama and spills that leaves spectators with their Canals, cross the Tropic of Cancer, the hearts in their mouths as speed, accuracy Equator and start and finish in the same and some wipe-outs take place on water. place. When he does this, Gibraltar will be the starting and finishing place for, quite The activities will also include a couple of possibly, the greatest boat race in the hisnights of free entertainment in Casemates tory of humankind. Despite this accolade, Square, provided by local acts for everyone Alan remains as modest as on the Rock to enjoy, because Alan the ocean is deep, he is just His dream is wants this to be a community filled doing it because he wants to. to sail round achievement. A gala event will be held on the Sunborn the night before the the world Earlier this year, Alan watched race, where Alan minus his boat shoes quicker than and shorts will don a suit to meet and as engineers and designers anyone has started construction of the greet his already won over fans or those ever done... boat, with every piece of who are yet to become fans. aluminium cut for the 80 feet long vessel and every bolt wielded. He When the boat arrives on the Rock follooked on with pride and a sense that this lowing her exhibition at the Monaco Boat is real and his dream will come true. Show, she will be berthed in Ocean Village and there for everyone to fawn over, and Alan was in Gibraltar with other team fawn over her you will, it’s inevitable. With members last month and we discussed the some luck, you very well may get to meet dignitaries who are coming, the maritime Alan, buy him a beer, take a seat and listen activities and events that will be hosted in in awe to the stories he can tell. Team Britannia boat
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life words | Mike Brufal
NO ENEMY SHALL EXPEL US The Royal Gibraltar Regiment 1939 - 2014
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r Matthias Strohn is the author of the history of The Royal Gibraltar Regiment 1939-2014 which will be launched later this month at The Gibunco International Gibraltar Literary Festival. He lectures
Attaché (reserve) and in this position has served on the defence attaché staffs in Madrid, Paris and London. He was also deployed to Iraq several times with the British Army and to Afghanistan with both British and German armies.
Dr Strohn, 39, was to British educated at Friedensschule officer cadets in Münster (Germany). At and officers... Münster University (19982001) he read Modern History, Political Science, English and Applied Cultural Studies. In 2001, he went to Hertford College, Oxford University, where he obtained a Master of Studies in Modern European History the following year. For the next five years he worked to be awarded a Doctorate in Philosophy in Modern European History. His thesis was on the German Army in the interwar period. Subsequently, in 2010, this was published by Cambridge University Press under the title ‘The German Army and the Defence of the Reich’. He speaks German, English, French, Latin and basic Spanish.
Dr Strohn has considerable experience in planning and conducting battlefield tours for civilian and military audiences. He has taken such groups to Berlin; the Isonzo; Kursk; Moscow; Normandy; Pas de Calais; the Somme, Verdun; Wolgograd and Ypres.
Studies Department, the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He lectures military history to British officer cadets and officers and is responsible for the First World War commemorations. He is also a senior Research Fellow at the Humanities Research Institute at Buckingham military history University.
Today, he is a senior lecturer at the War 48
He has lectured at the Joint Forces Command and Staff College at Shrivenham, Oxford University and German staff college. As an expert on 20th Century European military history, he also supervises MA and PhD research on He has written and edited several 20th and 21st centenary wars. In 2013, he books and contributed articles to many was appointed adviser to publications. His publications include various German and British editing three books on the First World He was also Government bodies for the War: The Great Adventure Ends; New deployed to First World War Centenary Zealand and France on the Western Iraq several Commemorations. Front; The World War One Companion times with the and The Battle of the Somme. Dr Matthias is commissioned British Army... in the German Army and is His principal research interests are now a Lt. Colonel. As a reserve officer, he the German army in the First World War, was attached to the German Staff College the military history of the interwar period for four years as the Military History Staff 1918 - 1939, and the German Army in the Officer. Since 2012, he has been a Military Third Reich and in the Second World War. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
life He has a special interest in the conduct of war, the development of doctrine and military thought and how armies learn.
This connection with Gibraltar whetted Dr Strohn’s appetite to learn more and so he took up the invitation to write the history. Research started in 2014 and the His objective history was completed in July this year. was to
Matthias was a consultant advising on the History Channel’s ‘The Liberation of Paris’ and involve as BBC2’s ‘37 Days (July Crisis many serving All three visits to Gibraltar were 1914) and has appeared on radio, made and during the first visit, members as most recently in connection with he searched the Government possible. the centenary commemorations archive in case there was, first and of the battle of the Somme. He is foremost, material relevant to the a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. history of the regiment, but also his book about the First World War. Lt. Colonel Ivor Lopez decided that a history of The Royal Gibraltar Regiment By coincidence, long before this must be written and contacted the War commission, he had a late entry Studies department at the Royal Military Gibraltarian member in one of his of the regiment from all private soldiers Academy Sandhurst which resulted in all Sandhurst groups and he had long to the commanding officers, especially members of staff being advised of this conversations with him about the those who went on operational tours. His request and asking if any suitably qualified Regiment. He was curious to find out how objective was to involve as many serving person was interested. At the time, Dr the Gibraltarian soldiers integrated into the members as possible. Matthias was researching for a book about British army. the First World War and was reading about This included meetings with members a distinguished officer whose Regiment Dr Matthias’s search was greatly helped of regimental council (consisting of originated in Hanover. when Monica Ritchie gave him her late the former commanding officer of the husband’s draft of the history of the regiment), and talking with the present In 1775, George III, King of England, Regiment which John Ritchie had started Band Master and his predecessor. Aside was also Elector of Hanover. He needed many years ago. This saved him a huge from the knowledge provided by members fresh troops to allow English soldiers to amount of time. Monica also gave him of The Royal Gibraltar Regiment, generous be repositioned to fight in the American access to a large collection of military help was given by those in Fortress Revolution. Five battalions of Hanoverian images which had been collected by John Head Quarters, the Gibraltar Chronicle, troops were raised of which three; and Ivan Navas. The papers also included Government archives, the Garrison Library, Hardenberg’s, Reden’s and De La Motte’s, documentation from the National Archives the RMAS library and the British library. were sent to Gibraltar in 1775 under the in Kew. Subsequently, he carried out He found useful mention of the early years command of Major General De La Motte. further research in the National Archives. of the Regiment, especially in the latter. The Great Siege took place from 1779-83. Lt. Colonel Ivor Lopez was the driving force The Regiment has been seen on parade, As a gesture of appreciation, King George behind the project which meant that no in particular the stunning one to mark III in 1784 announced that all members doors were closed and no one the 75th anniversary. He also saw the of the three Hanoverian battalions were declined to be interviewed. “It was a Regiment on exercise in Thetford, to wear a blue cuff title embroidered The history is not just about privilege to Norfolk. GIBRALTAR on the power right sleeve the officer class but about the get to know of the waffenrock, and this honour was whole Regiment. Dr Matthias the soldiers One of the history’s aims is to show renewed by Emperor Wilhelm II in 1901. interviewed many members how the Regiment, which is the only guarding one in the British army which does not the Rock.” deploy as a unit because it is home based, has evolved and adapted to the ever-changing threats and challenges that Britain and Gibraltar have faced. Many of its soldiers are sent on operational tours by being seconded to British Regiments. Many have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and other theatres. This enables the soldiers to work with other units of the British Army and not feel they are merely a domestic force confined to Gibraltar. Dr Strohn commented: “Writing the history of the regiment was an immense pleasure. It was a privilege to get to know the soldiers guarding the Rock. I hope that they will find that the book does them and their achievements justice.” Dr Strohn is married and lives with his wife Rocio and two children in Camberley. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
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life words | Richard Cartwright photos | Luis Photos
BUYING FROM HOME Then And Now - It’s all about spending!
I
t’s not quite the same but when you your street which, when full, were pretty two large baskets stuffed with clothing require or wish to purchase something, heavy - a couple of old currency pennies – which, you can imagine, needed ironthere are some similarities on how we a bucketful was the payment. They’d ing thoroughly - for you to choose from went about it in the past and the mobe emptied into a large, clay receptacle and perhaps buy. He would let you have dus operandi preferred by many standing in a corner of the kitchen which the items ‘on tick,’ and return the these days. Is there anything you kept the water nice and fresh. Another following week or fortnight to Is there can’t get from home nowadays ‘two basket’ street trader was my favourite, collect part payment of the goods anything without exiting your front door? the cake man. He too appeared loaded you purchased. I clearly remember you can’t get a fat, leather-bound book which I think you can procure almost with cakes to tempt the sweet toothed from home everything, including settling bills and others. All the favourites were there he produced holding details of his and ‘what-nots’ from the comfort in his baskets... ‘Japonesas’ and ‘mil ojas’ customers’ debts… It worked! The nowadays of your home, by simply switching without cash amounts were negligible com- were amongst the selection which you on your laptop, tablet or i-phone. could see and choose through glass lids pared to today’s purchasing power, exiting your Long before this wonderful of course, but everyone was happy, on the baskets. These days, your weekly front door? technology came to us, however, or monthly food shop - mainly from the the neighbourly clientele and our there will be many out there who large supermarkets - can be done via friend, ‘El Ditero.’ That remember purchasing items not by just efthe internet, well, no internet in the was the trend then: fish venHe came fortlessly fiddling with a modern gadget sat dors, bread, fruit and vegetable armed with 50s and 60s and big supermarkets like in a comfy armchair, but by only taking a today’s were somewhere in the future, vendors and all-sorts doing the two large few steps to your front door. So you see? It rounds coming to your door. ‘El but there was no shortage of corner baskets was purchasing from home just like today! shops which were ready, willing and Lechero’ – the milkman – came stuffed with able to deliver your list of goods for round also with his milk urn clothing... you right to your doorstep. By simply offering fresh milk by the pint, Yes, I remember in the 50s and early 60s, popping into your regular corner vendors of every type coming to your door as did ‘El Aguador’, delivering shop when you were out and handing in fresh water which you would otherwise offering their merchandise and all manner have to fetch yourself in zinc buckets your shopping list, you could consider it of stuff. ‘El Ditero’ was one – the ‘debt done - delivery on the way... You’d have to from ‘distribution water points’ situated in man.’ Debt, because he came armed with 50
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
life
A door to door vendor had to have strong shoulders
Fresh oil would be delivered right to your doorstep
Needed a knife sharpened? Help was always at hand
meet him on the quiet, so you had to go Internet banking? No need, no money, so provide the shop keeper with a bottle or along to his home and knock on the door... no bank account. HP payments for car... container though, for your oil which he’d No car. What was a mortgage... How nice! pour out ‘on tap’ out of a big oil Who would be tied up with one of drum. Then we had Salvador... he He was the those, I don’t think we could even was the salesperson selling ‘Pari’ So, over time, the basic similarity and realguy who spell the word! Very few kids went shouting out, ‘Pari’ very loudly. It ity about all of this is that, whether on the sharpened to ‘UNI’, so no extra expenses for was a triangular shaped type of internet or attending to the door to door your knives, that, and going out to restaurants wafer, buttered with one of two seller or hawker it involves, in the main, usor three choices: a coconutty kind scissors and was unheard of then, if for no other ing your well earned income. With summer reason, because money was in very of confectioner’s custard, a vanilla other blunt over and autumn creeping in, try not to short supply. Because of the cash spread and some other. He also blink, because in a few weeks it’ll be Santa utensils shortfall, there were occasions sold toffee apples and coconut you-know-who knocking on YOUR door, that needed when our parents needed to borballs on a stick. ‘Calentita’, still so watch your pennies because drawing an overhaul. row, so they knew who the ‘shark’ enjoyed today, was very popular funds, digging in your pockets, coughing money lender was and where he then and sold by the portion. up, or in a word, ‘spending’ begins all over lived – even though his commission was That product was delivered by a characagain, whether it’s by the old fashioned in the region of 20 or 25% payback on ter we used to call, ‘Paloma’ (don’t know method or via the modern way, the mesthe amount borrowed, there was a need why) and served from a large, round metal sage is, manage your pennies wisely. So, for extra funds so you had to go tray balanced on his head. Another ‘yeller’ in the meantime, it’s therefore wise along with the inflated commistradesman comes to mind - ‘El Afilao’, Going out to to turn the tap off and stop the sion and payback agreements. In the ‘Sharpener’. He was the guy who cash flow electronically or, as in the restaurants those days, you’d prefer to keep sharpened your knives, scissors and other past, with Emilio, Salvador or Pedro things of this nature very low-key was unheard paying you a friendly but tempting blunt utensils that needed an overhaul. because it wasn’t ‘nice’ for others of then... He would go round blowing his pan pipe visit to your doorstep... Whichever to know that you owed money announcing his arrival in your area – oh, the method, ignore the laptop or and were in debt! There was no internet to you had to take a few more steps and go tablet and don’t open the door...they may find out who the ‘shark’ was and where to out into the street for that one - pushing be back! his barrow type, large-wheel-on-a-strap ‘Walls’ ice-cream sold from the back of a bicycle Selling live chickens was common contraption powered by strong leg muscles that turned ‘the stone sharpener’ in order to give your piece of equipment a new lease of life. Surprisingly, that tradesman is still around today whizzing around on a motor scooter. Clearly, he’s upgraded his mode of transport from the contraption his former self used to push around. I actually saw him in Soto Grande, up the coast. And the pan flute is still featured to attract potential customers. Those similarities begin to wane at this stage. It’s plainly obvious many of the facilities offered today which you can opt for by merely tapping into modern technology directly from your home or office. This cannot be matched by what was available all those years ago but, as I’ve highlighted, there are parallels to be drawn in the sense of purchasing goods from home by staying put and not having to go out. However, much of what can be done now wasn’t possible or even required then... GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
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music
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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
music scene photos | John M. Piris Mark Galliano Anthony Williams Jonathan Mañasco
THE EDGE OF INNOCENCE Angelwings: A fallen angel finds her grace in Wonderland
A
female demon of the night flies around searching for newborn children to consume, but this is no mere wicked witch. Lilith, as she is known in one of her forms, is a fallen angel who also seduces men unwittingly into her chamber to propagate demon sons. Known in Medieval Jewish sources She gained as the ‘dreadful’ first power and wife of Adam, Lilith was became a cast asunder by God for supernatural not accepting her male winged devil... counterpart. She gained power and became a supernatural winged devil by pronouncing God’s avowed name. Even though Lilith was the one who left, it was she who felt rejected and angry. A Muslim version of the tale also suggests that she slept with Satan and woke up with bleeding angel wings as she herself turned into a demon. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
Essentially, the story represents the archetypal battle of the sexes. Man cannot cope with woman’s desire for freedom, and woman will settle for nothing less. In the end, they both lose. Modern feminists also celebrate her bold struggle for independence from Adam.
In symphony The five-piece symphonic metal band is made up of Divi Cano - vocals; Glenn Cano - keyboard; Paul Cano - guitar; Darren Fa bass; Mark Brooks - drums.
Layered in the theme of a fallen angel who has found her grace, Divi accentuates a dignified dark elegance coated with This story of female self-reliance against sadness that storms into a vigorous the subsequent, almost expected, persecution struck a chord with Divi Cano, crescendo before escaping her cruel fate lead vocalist for local symphonic metal and finding a promising new beginning. Her character, whose flamboyant attire band ‘Angelwings’. The powerful singer, impacts upon the audience as she airs who uses operatic tones in her voice her feelings unto them and entraps them mixed with rock and other genres, has under her mesmerising spell. “There is a lot incorporated this story into her own life and used it as her creative muse during of feeling and depth to it. We like to mix composition. “The myth has a it up and everything we do is quite different,” she said. “I like dark twist to it because Lilith was Divi to grunt. It comes from my rock a normal girl who happened to accentuates a influences and comes to me meet Satan, sleep with him and dignified dark turn into this demon,“ she said. “I elegance coated naturally. You can hear this in really like this sort of stuff.” our track ‘The Fallen’.”
with sadness...
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music she was inspired. “A lot of her music is very powerful. ‘Bring me to Life’ - Evanescence’s most popular track paints the picture of a fallen angel who is desperately seeking her path to be ‘brought back to life’,” she said. The developing artist draws from the innermost and darkest feelings of her past where she was confined to home in her teens due to a severe bone disease. “Much of what I write stems from a lot of pain I felt during my childhood. Feelings of despair and fear haunted me and my life felt like an endless darkness,” she said. “I’ve certainly come a long way since then and I am proud of the woman I am today, but it gives me great material, and I also use mythology that inspires me. I spend many hours reading “Feelings of stories.” The reason she delves into her live soon leading her onto the path of performances so deeply is due to the symphonic metal through the iconic level of personal expression surrounding band ‘Nightwish’. “I was overjoyed the original compositions. Divi writes a when I heard her,” said Glenn. “I background to each piece and sends them couldn’t believe it and I thought that to the other band members so symphonic music could be right up her street.” that they can grasp the concept The developing before jumping into rehearsals. artist draws Divi’s early life was layered from the with sadness and depression, She discovered her voice as innermost and a nine-year-old singing in a darkest feelings but when she discovered the band Evanescence and, in local choir with her uncle and of her past... particular, lead singer Amy Lee, keyboard enthusiast, Glenn,
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despair and fear haunted me and my life felt like an endless darkness.”
Lead guitarist Paul earned his spurs on guitar through an eighties metal education of Van Halen, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and others but has since turned his tune. “I don’t listen to that stuff as much anymore. Symphonic metal really made an impression on me when I was first introduced to it,” he said. “I like orchestration and a combination of all of our instruments makes the music sound more epic. I make sure that whatever I do fits in with the collective sound.”
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music Although very capable to do so, Paul is not interested in fifteen minute solos, instead taking the original idea and seeing how best he could complement it. “I try not to be a carven copy of anyone else and I try to come up with my own original bits that follow the music. ‘Wonderland’ uses happy tones, so the guitar follows suit. ‘Memories’ is the complete opposite, but completely fitting to the song. I use a lot of distortion and delay, but I also like a little bit of clarity in my soloing.” With the melodic tones emerging from Glenn’s orchestral-sounding keyboards, this is where the symphonic side really comes to the fore, but nevertheless, in a complementary fashion. “We take one idea, one sound and then expand from it. We then tweak it a little, but really it is the original sound “I use a lot that guides us,” he said. of distortion
and delay,
Glenn recently purchased the but I also like Vienna Symphonic range of a little bit of music program for his keyboard Mark’s percussions are a crucial Mark was the last to join the band when that contains a whole orchestra clarity in my soloing.” element in this genre of music that he was approached by a friend who had within it. “I also undertook an delves into metal. As the heartbeat of recommended him to the group since orchestral keyboard course, the band, his drums drive the they where looking for a drummer. so I’m playing around with the thousands “We usually song and set the tempo. “I “It started out from the promise that of combinations,” he said, giving some guess what I play gets people finish a song I would only lend them a hand, but examples of different creepy tones cached moving,” he said. “We have gradually, I saw the dedication and at the same within the settings. Picture emerging from commitment from my band mates and I a foggy creek with ghostly shadows around a great connection since we time, even have been influenced by the decided to stay.” you and coming across a ‘Nightmare in rehearsal same music before becoming Before Christmas’ Jack O’ Lantern playing and always symphonic music enthusiasts, an organ made out of bones. “Sometimes know what is Darren also feels that the band gels so the foundations where together very well and are able to read I go overboard with the effects but it directing us there way before Angelwings one another musically, greatly aiding transforms the song and gives unique forward.” was born.” song construction in what is very symphonic layers.”
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music (at the time) in a haunting fashion with a phenomena that would challenge their beliefs.
intricate music. “We usually finish a song at the same time, even in rehearsal and always know what is directing us forward,” he said. “There are no arguments there. This has worked very well because we have evolved together.” Spooky stories
The pair were on a choir school trip to Rome and were ushered into a century-old cadaverous hotel. There was no space available except for some old rooms in the basement that had not been used in decades. The girls turned to one another with unease and hastily entered the old-fashioned lift that creaked as they stepped inside, leaving them unsure of the strength of the corroded cable keeping them aloft. The teenagers gave a sudden jolt as the rusty metal bars of the eerie elevator screeched, grating across its unused doorframe. The lights flickered incoherently as the old machinery cranked into gear and spluttering convulsively as if it suffering from a bad cold.
The bellboy, himself dripping with sweat, perhaps from carrying “I was confronted the bags, or he was also overwhelmed by the with crucifixes unnatural surroundings, and unfinished pulled the lever to descend tombstones.” into the unknown.
Divi is a self-confessed adrenaline junkie who likes to be scared and hang around creepy places, also venturing up the Rock and exploring dark tunnels and caves in her younger years. “My best friend Isabella Montegriffo and I would go up with torches and I remember going quite deep into one tunnel that was particularly scary. We wouldn’t venture too far and if one of us heard a noise, we would dart out instantly. I think that we just spooked ourselves out, but who knows.”
The paranormal would, however, ghost its way into the mind of the young teenagers
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“I heard a noise that seemed to come from inside the tombstone factory.”
They arrived at an endless corridor with century-old life-sized portraits of unfamiliar figures lining the damp macabre walls. The youngsters crept with caution behind the bellboy who led them past the unsettling and intimidating portraits that seemed to follow them with their eyes. Once they arrived to their room, the bellboy wasted little time to make a quick exit and leave the girls to their own affairs. The uneven crimson red walls seemed to drip with blood with red bulges distorting them due to decades of damp. Divi made
her way into the bathroom while Bella sorted out her attire for the evening, the two separated for a moment. As Divi combed her hair, she began to see a strange image conjure up inside the mirror. Terrified, but unable to move, she was unconsciously drawn closer and closer. She let out a deafening scream. A little girl with long unclean hair hanging chaotically in front of her face had formed inside the mirror to her horror. In tandem with this incomprehensible occurrence, Bella had witnessed exactly the same little girl appear in the bedroom mirror. They both ran out of the room and called the hotel manager who was shocked, but overwhelmingly understanding when he heard the story. A little too much perhaps, considering what happened next. Had a paranormal event taken place here in the past? “The hotel manager took it really seriously when we said it was a little girl, as if it had happened before and immediately called a priest to exorcise the room,” Divi said recounting her harrowing story. “We had to take all our bags out and they closed off the whole downstairs area. That was the last we saw of it. I haven’t been to Rome since, but if I do, I’ll never go back there again. We were really freaked out and to this day I don’t know if we just both imagined it, but it felt quite real to us at the time.” The nurturing of Angelwings’ macabre tones takes place within bowels of Gibraltar’s cemetery works, where tombstones are made. A fitting scene for this genre of music. Paul has stayed on until the early hours of the morning honing his compositions within the unnerving surroundings of the band room.
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music One of these very nights, the guitarist heard a clattering of metal crash onto the floor, alarming him and forcing him to take action, despite the uncertainty. “I heard a noise that seemed to come from inside the tombstone factory. It was as if someone had kicked over a large tin can and it was rolling around on the floor,” he said. He swiftly sent a text message to Glenn to ask if anyone was supposed to be there. The response was no. Paul’s heart jumped to his throat, but he, nevertheless, worked up the courage to check out the disturbance in the air. The light switch was at the other end of the establishment, so he had to negotiate his way through all the cables and amplifiers blocking his way in complete darkness, using his guitar as an axe should a mysterious person or thing attack him. “As I panned the weak light on my phone across the room, I was confronted with crucifixes and unfinished tombstones. But I was stopped in my tracks by one tombstone with no name on it which was quite unnerving to see at that moment.” Another clatter of metal sounded right behind him and Paul was ready this time, turning around to shine the light on the entity that had infiltrated his space. “It turned out to be a seagull that had come in through the window. It scared me to death but I was relieved in the end. At least, it is not an inexplicable story like Divi’s,” he joked.
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New album The band is currently working on a debut LP album that has no fixed release date as the musicians want to get it right from the start. But that has not stopped a flurry of offers from international record labels making their way to the band’s doorstep. “We have had eight offers from record labels. It’s been crazy,” said Paul. “We’ve narrowed “Despite our it down to two, and we international always have the option of recognition, going through with it on we have only our own. We must be doing something right.” appeared
once on our local TV station.”
The labels approaching Angelwings range from countries such as Paul is adamant that the band “We have France, Italy, America, needs to pick one of the record had eight Portugal, the UK and Spain. The labels that would help them offers from fact that the band has had airtime create the best songs within record almost every night somewhere in the their field of music. “We are labels. It’s world for a lengthy period has given in this position because we been crazy.” have not limited ourselves to them the scope to tap into these international markets. “Despite our Gibraltar. We are not putting international recognition, we have only out stuff for the sake of it and, instead, are appeared once on our local TV station. We looking to inspire people on any level.” would want to play more often, but we don’t have the chance to do that because Angelwings will play a memorable concert we cannot fit into a pub. There is just not at the Rock on the Rock club on 28 enough space and, furthermore, I don’t October in celebration of Halloween and think that they would be the biggest fans a chance to update fans on their new of our genre. But this does not mean that material. It will be one to remember with we are not active. On the contrary, we are Angelwings standing on the brink of working very hard to finalise our project.” something special. �MV
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scene words | Elena Scialtiel
NARRATING AT LENS Anthony Williams
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A good photographer also needs to know mergency medical technician Twenty-two-year old Chloe-Anne also Anthony Williams suddenly jumped devised the family business’s name, ‘Infinity how to move about stealthily, getting in front of the camera when he Photography’, described as ‘a passion close to the subject without intruding in won first prize at ‘Our Gibraltar’ more than a business’. The name illustrates the ceremony’s intimate moments, how to be ready for the right snapshot without photographic exhibition with his wideAnthony’s penchant for wide and wild turning the participants into actors under angle posterised photo of the landscapes or dramatic cityscapes the scrutiny of the camera. Of course, the entire nation, airstrip to dockyard, A pinch of featuring contrasting light effects that captures the natural beauty and colour-popping, as well as pressure lightens when open-air photos improvisation and the hectic lifestyle of a cityirregular grids of intersecting lines, are taken, yet a pinch of improvisation and initiative often obtained by trailing head and initiative is always advisable, perhaps state in a single bird’s- eye view. is always because of poor weather or time and tail-lights in long advisable... constraints. “Wedding shots are exposed shots. Despite being his first time A good participating in an open photographer carefully planned in advance, but when the day comes, we may photographic competition, Anthony has an But Anthony’s signature is also needs to find ourselves struggle with gusty impressive portfolio of varied work, from photographing people at their know how to winds or sudden rain, and need artistic landscapes to posed portraits that lives’ milestones when they are all move about to deploy a plan B. Some brides spell elegance and originality. dolled up to the nines, and willing stealthily... can’t help feeling camera-shy on to look straight at the camera: their big day, while others take the “I’ve taken many photos around “I like to tell a story with my pictures,” opportunity to proudly ‘model’ their gown, Gibraltar and abroad since I became Anthony says. “I carefully arrange pose, and I can obtain some artistic shots, like actively involved with photography nine props and background to create an my ‘Runaway Bride’, snapped on a rail track years ago, and there is just so much one atmosphere and build up the narrative. holding an old-fashioned suitcase.” can do to find an original angle or light for I couldn’t do it without the help of my an iconic landscape, whereas portraits are daughter Chloe-Anne, who is my assistant, always unique and enthralling.” Weddings are hard work, he admits, not advisor and inspiration.” GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
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scene different and non-conformist light, often in monochrome.
Anthony with prizes
just because of the many hours he is expected to stand and run around from ‘here comes the bride’ to the happy couple’s departure, but also because there is no allowance for mistakes and do-overs, since every shot must be perfectly natural the first time around. This brings Anthony to his favourite subject, modelling, where he can take all the time in the world (or almost!) in building the picture-perfect shot, and do-overs are not only allowed but also encouraged.
Chloe-Anne’s favourite commissions are babies’ and toddlers’ photoshoots, when she entertains the child while her dad snaps away. “Babies are easy, as we usually photograph them when they are asleep and we gently position them the right way. She carries toys and props with her, so we can include them in a background that tells a story.”
“We smooth out temporary imperfections like wrinkles, dark circles or zits...”
“I can count on my daughter’s help to style the ladies and advise them on their poses in the retro settings of alcoves and futons. Boudoir is very popular with women, whether for their own keepsake, or as a Valentine’s present to their partners,” Anthony explains. It involves time-consuming sessions to figure out what settings suit best the subject’s personality, but it allows scope for experimentation, both with angles and light effects, and especially in digital post-production when one can elaborate the layered textures and the chiaroscuro effects of lace on nude skin.
Anthony has learnt to master the art of slow photography, in which every detail is cared for and duly prepared before clicking the button, thus, he claims not to be interested in ‘news photography’, the kind when a fleeting moment is captured, and composition or light precision are sacrificed to poignancy, social or historical
He has produced the portfolio for several local models and participated in pageants and fashion events: “I was privileged enough to photograph the Miss Gibraltar 2016 rehearsals,” he says. He dismisses the myth about airbrush excellence: “When making a portfolio for a model, the photographer must keep it truthful to his or her real looks, or else they will be rejected by judges or agencies once they measure the photos against their appearance. Of course, we smooth out temporary imperfections like wrinkles, dark circles or zits, but we don’t tamper with complexions or facial features. “Understand When the right shot features accidental blemishes like visible your camera, tan lines or shadows, I do understand fade them out, but I wouldn’t your light, change body shapes and understand proportions, unless specifically your required by the assignment.”
imagination.”
Indeed, he could digitally manipulate any photograph into anything he wants to experiment with, but that would go beyond the modelling portfolio and stray into purely artistic territory, something that down-to-earth Anthony hasn’t adventured with yet, although, he reckons that digital painting presents endless possibilities and challenges as a valid alternative to brushes and oils. One of his favourite fields, where he can exercise his creativity at leisure, is ‘boudoir’, the lingerie-clad fad that seems to be here to stay, designed to “empower women”, especially “mature ones”, to feel comfortable with their body image and revaluate their femininity in elegant intimate portraits that capture them in a 60
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significance and spontaneity.
“Portraits are always unique and enthralling.”
His mantra is ‘understand your camera, understand your light, understand your imagination’, as he believes that without imagination even the best camera in the world will not be able to take memorable pictures. He offers as examples
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
the bridal shots in Lower St. Michael’s Cave which demanded heaps of initiative, agility and some waddling. A member of the Digital Photography Club, Anthony is a passionate self-taught student thanks to his keen interest in their courses and
“I like to tell a story with my pictures...”
online tutorials, paired up with a learning curve ascending the rungs of trial and error. “Practice makes perfect and so I encourage my friends to be my models to gain as much experience and expertise as possible. I am always open to new ideas, even though my job limits the free time I can dedicate to my true passion.”
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scene words | Elena Scialtiel
HYPE FOR SPIKE Thomas Mogford leads ‘Sleeping Dogs’ to the GLF
“
books that try to prove (often against the Spike Sanguinetti, the lawyer I never logical site and a vulnerable young woman was and the action hero I will never disappears. facts) that Homer’s settings correspond to be”: thus novelist Thomas real places. One such place is Corfu, where Mogford describes his Odysseus is thought to have washed up The body of “In this book, Spike and Jessiafter escaping the clutches of Calypso, personal relationship with the ca find themselves teaming up an Albanian who is meant to hail from Malta, the land protagonist of his Gibraltar-flaromantically and also in trying to national is voured crime saga ahead of his of Spike’s forebears, incidentally. I’ve been solve the mystery. Jessica will play found at an return to the Literary Festival holidaying on the north-east coast of Cora big part in ‘A Thousand Cuts’, the archaeological this autumn. Tom confesses that fu for years, so I was sure it would make a next book in the series, which is site and a great setting for a book.” Spike is far braver than him: “I set entirely in Gibraltar, when a vulnerable try to think of the opposite of routine case at the Magistrates’ what I would do, and make Spike young woman Court leads to reveAlbania required a specific research disappears. do it. Then he comes alive.” lations about a WW2 trip with his wife: “Thankfully, Ali “We found and I didn’t bring the children along cover-up. I don’t want to ourselves when, armed only with a notebook “I first participated in the Festival in 2013, give too much away about book visiting a and a camera, we found ourselves when my second book had just been five, but I’m convinced that you mountain visiting a mountain village that published, whereas my fifth is due in a won’t be able to put it down!” village that few months’ time, so I definitely feel more was believed to allegedly produce was believed most of the marijuana marketed in experienced now,” he says. This year, he Since murder and archaeology to produce Europe. That adventure influenced will present and sign his new book ‘Sleeping are always a winning combinamost of the the plot of ‘Sleeping Dogs’.” Dogs’, set mainly in Corfu, where Spike is tion, especially when peppered marijuana...” taking a well-deserved holiday with old with lavish parties and shady flame detective sergeant Jessica Navarro. tycoons, Thomas thoroughly reMalta has such close ties with It’s all fun and games until the body of an searched the background to ‘Sleeping Dogs’. Gibraltar that it was the obvious setting Albanian national is found at an archaeofor Spike’s second adventure, ‘Sign of the “I re-read Homer’s ‘Odyssey’, and various 62
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scene Cross’, where family, love and business carnal’ without the cringe factor is very eye, partly because lawyers are such a intertwine with intrigue and deceit. Tom hard. Romance is important nonetheless, familiar feature in Gibraltar, partly because flew to Malta purposely to trace Spike’s yet I am inclined to sacrifice a fancy line he did a postgraduate degree in law and movements across the island: or metaphor to the cause of making his wife is a lawyer too, but mainly because “I wanted to give him free rein the story flow more easily for the “I’ve overdosed on police procedurals and Malta has to explore the Mediterranean reader. And these days I avoid grawanted to try a different angle.” Furthersuch close ties – while enjoying his tax-deduc- with Gibraltar tuitous violence – there is so much more, Tom feels at liberty to explore the table holidays, naturally.” sickening stuff in the news already, protagonist’s ‘intellectual hinterland’, as he that it was that one doesn’t want to add to it in believes that “sometimes the poetry-lovthe obvious fiction as well.” ing cop can be a bit of a stretch credibility The idea of a rock-solid setting for wise.” crime-investigating lawyer first Spike’s second Tom explains how the character’s dawned on the author when he spent some time in Gibraltar adventure... looks and brains came together: Tom had written a few books which didn’t – “the country with the highest “I originally had Spike pegged as a get published before hitting the shelves density of lawyers per square metre, more balding thuggish type, but my wife perwith ‘Shadow of the Rock’ in 2012. “They all than anywhere else in the world” – to gain suaded me that a bit of dash never goes featured a crime as the engine for the plot, experience after his postgraduate degree amiss. However, I believe that a character’s but they weren’t really crime novels as in Law: he realised that the Old Town ability to stir an emotional affinity with the such. So I decided to write a proper crime would make the ideal setting for some reader is more important than their looks. novel: there wasn’t a massive difference old fashion mystery, and soon afterwards, I’m currently reading a Michael Connelly between the two, just a sense that the ‘Shadow of the Rock’ was published. novel and I have no idea what Bosch looks story had to come first and that each event like (and don’t really care): he just resohad to contribute to furthering the plot. nates! Hopefully, Spike’s moral fibre, even Perhaps that’s why I’ve always been drawn He hoped that people might be interested if he makes mistakes, particularly to crime fiction: I like to be whisked by Spike’s adventures in Gibraltar as an inalong by story.” triguing location, since he felt that the Brit- with women, is his most alluring He realised aspect.” ish media often portray Gibraltar just for that the Old its connections to Britain. “There is much Town would To those who dismiss crime fiction more to the place than that, and I wanted Spike is “a composite of a number as beneath literary, he replies that make the there’s plenty of crime fiction that people to discover it for themselves, and of lawyer friends I have watched ideal setting can rival classic fiction, and that the visit the Rock to learn more.” over the years, who combine for some distinction is fairly futile anyway. testing jobs with the demands of old fashion “As long as the characterisation is relationships and families. I get A Gibraltarian of mixed Italian and Malmystery... strong, and the writing is fresh and the sense that life ‘goes to work’ tese descent, Spike runs a successful legal truthful instead of lazy or clichéd, it on lawyers in quite a brutal way: practice which keeps him crazy busy, but doesn’t matter what genre your book falls be they the commercial solicitor fighting to never so much that he can’t help out a into: good writing is good writing.” Crime make partner who works a hundred-hour good friend, or sleuth out a good mystery week and never goes home, or the criminal fiction is highly versatile, he adds: “Most – and definitely never so much that he books contain a crime somewhere in the barrister slowly becoming inured to what can’t score some romance along the way. plot. From ‘Jane Eyre’ to ‘Oliver Twist’, find they see day to day, lawyers are pulled in Romance is a pivotal part of the story beme a classic that doesn’t!” cause “if you are trying to make a character all sorts of directions and their personalities get sorely tested. Of course, the breathe on the page, you have to show beauty of the legal profession in Gibraltar The first three books in the series, ‘Shadow his or her full life, and relationships are is that all types of legal work are available, of the Rock’, ‘Sign of the Cross’ and ‘Hollow essential to that”. so Spike can be pulled in any direction I Mountain’ have recently been optioned want!” for television. “No guarantee they will get However, Thomas’s wife advised him filmed,” Tom sighs, “but in case they do, any against sexually explicit scenes, so this suggestions for casting Spike and Jessica He chose the less-travelled path of a novel contains nothing to alarm the are much appreciated!” lawyer protagonist over the more clichéd guardians of young readers. “I’m grateful For more info visit www.thomasmogford.com. detective, whether police officer or private for that advice, as writing about ‘matters
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fashion leisure words | Julia Coelho
TRENDS TO TRY Extending the summer
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et’s be honest - as much as we like to study runway trends and predict which ones will be embraced by the street style scene and even the red The trends carpet, the trends that that really really make it to our beloved make it to shops are the ones that we, our beloved the consumer, make trendy shops are the ourselves. Although I don’t ones that we actively seek out trends per make trendy se, some I genuinely love, while others are simply hard ourselves. to avoid. What I do love doing is taking a trend and making it my own. Think of it this way: trends are there for a bit of fun; something we shouldn’t take too seriously and should only serve a purpose of enhancing our already individual personal styles. I love incorporating trends into looks and giving them a cool little twist, as opposed to creating purely trend-led looks. There’s nothing more frustrating than being inspired by amazing street style or editorial shots from our favourite magazines, GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
thinking, I need that in my life right now, but left feeling rather dejected after realising that it’s pretty much all designer, and way outside of your budget. The best way to freshen up your wardrobe, without breaking the bank on pieces that you’re not likely to wear more than once or twice, is to peruse the magazines, blogs and runways, make a mental note of the upcoming trends that draw you in, and gradually find ways to appropriate that trend in items and pieces that fit your everyday life. Very often, there aren’t actually huge differences in trends from season to season; just a couple of tiny tweaks here and there. Fashion is conThere aren’t sumer driven, after all, actually huge and your average person differences in won’t be swindled into trends from something totally unreseason to alistic or impractical for season... their wardrobe. In Gibraltar, we’re lucky enough to basically consider October an extension of summer.
While we can gradually start to incorporate some autumn trends into our wardrobes, we also don’t have to fully pledge our allegiance and commit to them. The fact that we can keep some of our beloved summer favourites alive well into autumn is perfect for someone like me; in a constant state of denial about the weather until late November. For instance, satin slip dresses were a huge trend this past spring and summer, and although it doesn’t look like they’re going anywhere anytime soon, if you’re really into them and never quite got a chance to explore some looks, our mild Gibraltarian autumns would probably allow us to uphold them as a firm favourite. A pale pink slip dress would look so cute paired up with a casual tee, a metal choker and some thigh-high boots – or even some trainers if you’re looking to keep things more relaxed. If it’s a cooler evening, finish it off with a duster jacket. Perfect! So, with all of that in mind, here are seven of the trends we should expect for the upcoming season, along with pieces from some of our favourite high-street and online stores! 65
fashion BOMBER JACKETS We can all breathe a sigh of relief, the bomber jacket is here to stay! This staple pieces swept the high-street last season in Japanese-inspired prints, but for this season, think richer and deeper autumn tones, and more textures.
FIFTY SHADES OF TAN Khaki, camel, beige and cream are just a few of the shades of tan that are set to take centre stage this season. This neutral colour palette has definitely been around for a while (think Kimye’s entire wardrobe, basically) and they’re also not a far cry away from the colours of the 70s trend, which incorporate a myriad shades from this tan spectrum.
ANIMAL PRINT Animal print never really goes out of style, but this trend usually manifests itself in faux fur coats, primarily. This season, though, animal print tops, skirts, and bags will be where it’s at! Zara Animal Print Top - £25.99
ASOS Bomber Jacket In Floral Jacquard With Fur Collar - £65
WESTERN This is really just a slight shift from the 70’s trend that took the fashion world by storm last season.
Parallel Lines Jumper With Wrap Front - £35
Think pointed-toe ankle boots, suede, studs, and fringing. And denim, of course. Lots of denim.
Topshop MOTO Fitted Western Shirt - £36
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fashion
RUFFLES Ruffles have been on the scene for quite some time now, and although many of the ruffles seen on the catwalk were totally wacky and unwearable for the majority of us, a plethora of our favourite shops on the high-street offer some gorgeous simple ruffled pieces that add that extra touch of femininity to any look. The best thing is that they’re so wearable and easy to style; you can dress them up or down, for a cool Victorian-vibes chic look. Fashion Union Shirt With Ruffle Front Detail - £24
SHOULDER CUT OUTS The off-the-shoulder neckline was unquestionably one of the most popular styles of the summer, and it’s a major trend for the upcoming season too. The good news is that this silhouette is one of the most flattering designs on all body types. There are so many different shapes and cuts; you’re sure to find a piece that speaks to your personal style. Alice & You Cold Shoulder Bodycon Dress - £24
DUSTER JACKETS As I mentioned earlier, these are perfect for us Gibraltarians, because they’re a transitional piece that we can start wearing sooner rather than later; for those days where it’s starting to get a little chilly, but not quite cold enough for a coat. They’re also great for anything from work outfits, to casual and going out looks, so they’re definitely a versatile staple piece worth investing in. Lipsy Satin Duster Jacket- £45
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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAY 2016
words & photos | Aidan Hernandez
SENSORY OVERLOAD Hong Kong: Asian melting pot of skyscrapers, neon lights and colonial heritage
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generated most of the money needed to y visit to Hong Kong brought city break into what I found to be a most with it the thoughts of cheap peculiar and interesting part of the world. buy tea) led to the First Opium War which electronics, Bruce resulted in the British occupying Hong Lee and Neon Island in 1841. The British Background Lights, but the city proved to be rule was the so much more. Once I got lost The British rule was the foundation to I couldn’t say much for the history foundation in its myriad of narrow streets make the territory what it is today, with of the area preceding the colonial to make the ceding to Great Britain in 1842 aside amongst colonial relics and a thousands of Chinese migrants fleeing multitude of buzzing night mar- territory domestic upheavals in the mainland, from the fact that Hong Kong was what it is kets that sold everything from settling in the colony. In 1860, after the under the rule of Imperial China since the latest phone accessory to Second Opium War, the British also gained today... 214BC during the Qin Dynasty. The an exotic bird of some kind, I a Perpetual Lease over the Kowloon area remained largely unoccupied realised that I was truly in one Peninsula which led to China leasing the during the period, eventually serving of the premier cities in the world. territory (1898) and its surroundas a port, naval base as well as a ing islands to Britain for 99 years. fishing and pearl hunting harbour. Many fear In a mash-up of cultures, in what is a melta loss of ing pot in the orient, I was overwhelmed Japan occupied Hong Kong during The British East India Company cultural and inspired during a short stay in the city WWII and during the three and a commenced trading with the identity and back in March as a stopover in my travels half years of occupation, an estiChinese around 1699 where the the growth of mated 10,000 locals were executthrough Asia. Hong Kong never prominent- demand for tea fuelled a rapid competitors... ed with many more residents fleely featured in my long term travel plans but expansion of trade, with the the more I spoke with other travellers, the ing to mainland China due to food British resorting to fuel the trade more they labelled it as a must-see destishortages. After the war, there was a trend with exports of opium (then opposed by nation (if only for a few days!). So, I took of decolonisation sweeping the world, Chinese rule). What was essentially a masa small detour and spent a short five-day however, Britain kept Hong Kong for sive trafficking operation (which by 1825
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Hong Kong Island Skyline
strategic reasons where a great population democratic freedoms are being eroded boom in 1949 following the Communist by China, with thousands taking to the revolution and civil wars saw streets in pro-democracy rallies. Social thousands flee mainland China tension between people of Hong Kong It is fairly and return to the city. During easy to get and mainland China has heightened in this time, it grew into one of recent years as the communist superaround the economic powerhouses of power imposes more control over the the city... the region (known as the ‘Asian region. Many fear they will lose ground Tigers’) and established itself in international markets as a conseunder a Free-Market Democratic System. quence of Chinese integration. In 1984, China and Britain began talks on the future of the region and signed a joint declaration on the conditions under which Hong Kong will revert to the Chinese Rule in 1997. Under the ‘one country, two systems’ formula, Hong Kong became part of the communist-led country while retaining its partially democratic political system for fifty years after the handover. There have recently been growing concerns within the general public that such
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connection to Gibraltar’s case. One where a proud people hold a strong sense of identity and make a stand for their rights to democracy and freedom of speech. Getting around
It is fairly easy to get around the city, the fact that most locals speak perfect English makes the initial culture shock factor of the city almost unnoticeable. Getting around Although Hong Kong still retains its culturis straightforward and not that expensive, al identity to an extent, I couldn’t help the be it on the MTR, tram or bus system, it feeling that nearly twenty years after the is worth getting an ‘Octopus Travel Card’ re-integration into mainland, Beijing has with some credit on it so you can tap in been progressively steamrolling into the and out of stations - they even work in territories freedoms. This was some supermarkets for that my impression when I spoke emergency snack along the way! The recommended to some locals who claimed way up to the top that they were “deprived of of the 552m peak is Hong Kong Island their rights to self-determinaalso an experience tion in 1997”. This scenario Strictly not a sight in itself, but in itself... struck a chord as made the a district where I personally found the more interesting Financial District vibes when it came to experiencing the last remnants of the British rule. The site of the original British settlement, most street names retain their Britishness, complete with Gloucester Road and Jubilee Street. But, sadly, there seems to be an active Chinese revival where old colonial relics are being bulldozed to make way for more modern architecture. Sure, there are some impressive modern buildings such as the HSBC building, also known as the ‘Robot Building’, which looks like something straight out of Blade Runner and it’s good to hear that thousands demonstrated against the demolition of relics such as the Star Ferry terminal in the past. However, it is clear that since the territory was ceded back to China, there has been a distancing from that colonial past. Nevertheless, this is a buzzing area of the city, boasting double decker trams and traditional Chinese merchant shops juxtaposed with westernised high streets in what is surely one of the most densely populated areas in the world (one above Gibraltar on the GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
travel rankings!). You will be sure to find something to keep you busy here. The Peak
You are sure to find a swarming market somewhere along the way with plenty of opportunities to find a treasure!
If you had to choose one of the classic sights in the city, Victoria Peak would probably top the list. Do make sure that the weather is decent, as I remember sadly missing out on what is considered to be one of the top cityscapes in the world due to a dense fog - or smog as seems to be prevalent here! Luckily, the recommended way up to the top of the 552m peak is also an experience in itself, so I couldn’t complain. Catch the tram from the terminus just off the Hong Kong Park and you will be rewarded with a trip up some crazy gradients in one of the city’s oldest forms of transport. At the top of The Peak, there are plenty of cafes and ‘tourist-traps’ to keep you busy (aside from the viewing platforms of course) and if you are into the current fitness craze, the 50km Hong Kong hiking trail also starts here; not after a large lunch though!
Night markets
captivating you with their song and sharing space with stacks of plants as well as rare orchids - a sensorial overload guaranteed! Wherever you find yourself, you are sure to find a swarming market somewhere along the way with plenty of opportunities to find a treasure!
I love a street market. I find that there is always something interesting to be discovered in the chaos. Hong Kong offers a bizarre variety of markets which come alive in the evenings and something that I would recommend checking Giant Buddha - Lantau out. Temple Street Market in Run away from the overbuilt madness of Kowloon may be a place for fake labels and the city with a day trip to nearby Lantau counterfeit goods, but it is definitely one Island referred to as the ‘lungs of Hong of the liveliest; imagine a Chinatown scene Kong’ due to its verdant mountainous terin some B-movie complete with fortune rain. The relatively underpopulated island teller stalls and Cantonese street perforis home to a few small traditional mances and you’ll be right fishing villages such as Tai O and, on the mark! For something Imagine a in complete contrast, a Disneyland! a bit different, head over to Chinatown scene Mong Kok where you can in some B-movie However, one of the most popular walk through countless shops complete with attractions on the island is the with bagged and stacked fortune teller 34m high Tian Tan Buddha statue live aquarium fish known as stalls and and Po Lin Monastery. It is reachGoldfish Market. The Yuen Po able via the Ngong Ping 360 aerial Cantonese street Flower and bird markets carry tramway. The 5.7km-25-minute an array of exotic caged birds performances... High Rise Hong Kong Island
Star Ferry Hong Kong is a place with many sides to it and sometimes the voyage between them can be just as memorable. Fair enough, you can probably get by quicker by hopping on to the MTR underground system which is actually quite reasonably priced and efficient when compared to other major cities around the world (TFL I’m looking at you…!). Nothing, however, is more memorable than hopping on to the Star Ferry (established in 1888) from the Victoria harbour (Kowloon) to head over to Hong Kong Island (Central) and admiring what must be one of the most dramatic neon-lit cityscapes in the world: probably the best value boat tour anywhere on Earth! Man Mo Temple Amongst the endless winding streets and steps in the central area (Hollywood Road) lies this must see Taoist temple nestled around a couple of grimy high-rise flats. Now declared a monument, this temple is a tribute to the ‘God of Literature’ (Man) and the ‘God of War’ (Mo). On first entering the complex, you will be greeted to a collage of colour, light and smell as a multitude of lit lanterns and unusual incense coils hang from the ceiling. Locals can be seen paying homage to idols as they burn incense sticks in this really atmospheric, and downright smoky chamber, making it a complete contrast to the hustle and bustle of the financial district nearby. Top photo-taking opportunities abound - although strictly speaking you aren’t allowed-oops! GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
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Man Mo Temple
Po Lin Monastery
Po Lin Monastery
gondola ride provides beautiful vistas to Portuguese Empire since the mid 16th the South China Sea on a clear day and century and was one of the last European you can opt to ride on a glass colonies remaining in Asia until bottomed crystal cabin for that 1999. Nothing is more extra wow factor. Once at the memorable than Buddhist complex, make your Best known at ‘the Vegas of hopping on to way up 268 steps for a closer China’ the Macau special adminthe Star Ferry view of the iconic bronze statue istrative region is where Chinese from the Victoria (world’s largest outdoor Buddha high rollers flock for a spot of statue) while dodging the count- harbour to head gambling - it actually dwarfs over to Hong less pilgrims from all over Asia! Vegas’ gambling revenues by Kong Island... a considerable margin and it The Po Lin (precious Lotus) shows. High-rise glitzy casinos Monastery is an interesting and colourful with some eclectic designs (peppered piece of architecture complete with its with many a jewellery store) dominate the nice gardens and devout monks. This is skyline here but beyond this lie some very definitely a good contrast (and respite) to ‘Mediterranean’ vibes in what is another the high-rise overload of the main city. cultural hotpot.
the wrought iron balconies and the painted wooden window shutters that reminded me of home, and it made for a nice change to all that neon. The most famous monument as you walk up some stone stairways (expect masses of tourists - as in all UNESCO world heritage sites!) are the ruins of the Church of Saint Paul also known as the ‘Gates to Nowhere’. They are the remains of the stone facade of a 17th century catholic church that was burnt down in 1835. It was one of the greatest monuments to christianity in Asia and it’s definitely worth a look.
Day trip to Macau If you have the time, it is definitely worth spending a day in nearby Macau, 64km to the west of Hong Kong across the Pearl River Delta. Macau was part of the
As I walked through many of the paved streets of Senado Square and narrow alleyways, it actually reminded me a lot of Gibraltar. There was something about the architecture,
You will need your passport for this trip, but it is relatively straightforward to get there from Hong Kong Island. Head over to the Hong Kong Macau This temple Ferry terminal and catch the fast is a tribute to TurboJET ferry - which has a the ‘God of regular schedule to get to and from Literature’ (Man) Macau - and in little over an hour and the ‘God of you will be munching down on War’ (Mo). some nice Portuguese Egg Tarts!
Victoria Harbour
Top tip: make sure that the weather is nice and clear as my experience was marred by heavy fogs which led to a three-hour delay (both ways!) as we lay stuck in the middle of the South China Sea with little more than two-metre visibility! Flavours In my opinion you can never immerse yourself in another culture without exploring their culinary habits yourself; you have to taste a culture to understand it and in some ways, many of my highlights
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travel while travelling have always revolved around food. Hong Kong is definitely a foodie paradise and it is plain to see out in the streets with many a street food stall, restaurant and food hall busy with locals well into the night. Cantonese influence on the cuisine is clear. One can readily find the best examples of ‘Siu Mei’ (or roast meats Hong Kong style) including roasted and crispy belly pork, or ‘Char Siu’, or the best versions of the classics roast duck or fragrant chicken. One dish that i had previously not tried before was the Cantonese Congee or savoury rice porridge. This velvety soupy broth is sometimes served with ground pork and tends to be a breakfast staple with locals definitely a hearty and comforting dish. Perhaps more than any other dish (or set of dishes) I was looking forward to before getting to Hong Kong was the Dim Sum. Traditionally served with tea, these small morsels of delicately presented Robot (HSBC) Building Double Decker Trams fried and steamed food would The Po Lin and cups - this is dubbed as the many of the overwhelming shopping expebe wheeled around diners Monastery is ‘cheapest Michelin Starred restauriences to be had, there is truly nothing like in carts where they could be an interesting rant in the world’. Look around at the it. It is definitely a place of mixed identities mixed and matched to your and colourful locals (and admittedly some tourists) and one of those places that needs to be liking. One such place that piece of as they wash their chopexplored to be truly appreciated. served the dim sum this way architecture... sticks in bowls of tea and High-rise Sure, it remains a city of two halves, was “Maxims Place’ in Hong tick away their orders on one marred with political uncerKong Island where the deliglitzy casinos small pieces of paper! tainty and somewhat of a pollution cately steamed shrimp dumplings (or ‘Har with some problem, but it remains an intense, Gau’) and other little tasty dishes served eclectic culturally unique and certainly a in bamboo steamer baskets, were brought In a nut shell designs global city. Go ahead, dive into a in one after the other and ticked off a list dominate place that will surely have something (easily building a considerable tally!) However many days you spend the skyline... to match all tastes - if not, just head in Hong Kong, this metropolis over to Macau and gamble your You can make the pilgrimage to one of the is bound to leave an impressorrows away! Michelin starred restaurants of the Tim Ho sion on any visitor, be it with the futuristic Wan chain, don’t fret, think plastic chairs skyscrapers set amongst steep gradients or Hong Kong’s skyline
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GLORIOUS GRAMMARIANS 65 years of hockey celebration
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through in the end and came back the he Grammarians Hockey Club other sports, these boys formed the following year with a vengeance, going on is Gibraltar’s longest standing multi-sport Grammarians Association. As to win nine consecutive league titles. and most successful the years went by, the other local hockey team with sports slowly gave way to the “They had accolades extending abroad, giving remaining and strongest sport, It was quite a change and it was due to the never played the Rock European recognition as fact that they were boys playing against on grass before hockey, which was always a top hockey nation. With over regarded as the spearhead of men the previous year, but that season and it made it thirty league titles to their name the association. However, it hardened them and it was now a collective a completely and two nine-year title streaks, disbanded in under a decade unit of men with skill and passion in different game.” before the conversion to the renowned side boasts an abundance. unmatched dominance on the Rock. the Grammarians Hockey Gibraltar became full members of the Club with the help of one of the Christian Carl Ramagge, President of the Gibraltar European Hockey Federation in 1969 and Brothers at the local Grammar Hockey Association and a competed in the European Championships School, Brother Doherty. “I was 15 when third generation Grammarian, that year. When it comes to Grammarians bleeds the club’s colours I played my competing on foreign soil, they have This year is the club’s 65th and gave his rendition of his first game for also had the greatest success with four anniversary so there is a real buzz hockey club’s scintillating the men’s team history. “It must be championships to call their own. surrounding hockey. alongside Mark considered that Grammarians Casciaro...” The Grammarians Association was formed also had a smaller pool of From the beginning in 1951 by a group of teenage hockey players to choose from at that players who had just completed their time,” he said. “The credentials to play for Grammarians competed in the 1951/1952 studies at the former Grammar School the team required any potential addition to season, but the record shows that they and were no longer eligible to turn out have attended the Grammar School. That struggled a little and, in fact, were on for the school team. In conjunction with policy stayed for a good few years.” the brink of breaking up. But they pulled
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sport and many from that team retired from disappointment after having prepared so well for that tournament.” Third Generation Shortly after that fateful match, the third generation came along in the late nineties with the familiar names of Casciaro, Coitiño and Ramagge dominating the team-sheet once again. The pattern continued. “I was 15-years-old when I played my first game for the men’s team alongside Mark Casciaro, one of my generation’s best players,” he said. “That team won the 2002 European Cup C Division Cup in Wrexham, Wales, securing Grammarians’ first gold medal in the history.” Grammarians defeated Spanish club San Fernando 2-1 in a friendly
An unbelievable record of dominance between 1957 and 1962 saw the team concede only three or four goals in five seasons. This was a real period of ascendancy and it would not stop there.
“His hit could take down a concrete wall.”
In the Spring of 1958, Grammarians made history as the first Gibraltarian hockey club to play a friendly match on foreign soil. The battleground was Portugal and two matches would take place, one against Benfica and the other against a Portuguese select side.
“They played in front of a crowd of 4,000 people which was unreal at the time,” Ramagge said. “They lost their first match to Benfica 3-2 and beat the Portuguese selection 1-0. It must have been incredible. Former players involved in those matches told me that the pitch used against Benfica was on a surface they had never played on before, grass. In Gibraltar, hockey was played on concrete or gravel.” Playing on grass is completely different to the aforementioned surface, affecting the traction and speed of the ball greatly and creating a slippery surface for those lacking studs on their boots.
Second Generation The sons of the talismanic first generation eventually came through, Carl’s father’s team, and many of the surnames were repeated as they continued the evergrowing hockey tradition. “Funnily enough, they came in, played a few seasons and also won nine titles on the trot from the mid-eighties to the mid-nineties, replicating the glory from former years.”
With several other European Cup victories, on paper, this was the most successful side to have competed abroad, but they have not yet won nine consecutive league titles. It is a feat that may escape them due to the sands of time catching up to the more senior players approaching their mid-thirties. Nevertheless, the team is extremely proud of its achievements and is well respected within the club. Best player
Ramagge said that Douglas Casciaro Jr is widely regarded as the best player to have In 1992, the European Cup B Division was ever donned the shirt with a visiting Great played in Gibraltar and all the matches Britain coach asserting that he had were played in front of a packed incredible talent. Good enough Victoria Stadium. “I remember “He is a fiery being absorbed by the ambiance character who to become a top professional. “I as a young eight-year-old boy. leaves his skin played briefly with him when I was We lost in the final against the on the pitch...” fifteen and he was approaching the end of his career. Although he Scottish champions on penalties Shane Rammage is another third generation Grammarian in the height of his career
“They had never played on grass before and it made it a completely different game. But they did very well considering the conditions and it must have been amazing to have played in front of that crowd.” This side is referred to within the club as the ‘First Generation Team’, although many of these local legends played well into the eighties, but eventually, had to retire from the game. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
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First generation
Second generation
Third generation
High Standards Grammarians when they play locally and was not very mobile by the time I saw him, abroad. That is the difference. Playing his vision and skills had never For some reason, Gibraltarians abroad is one of the most fulfilling been seen before. His hit could “They bleed for have natural ability in different moments and when you are alongside take down a concrete wall. I sports and often produce skillful the colours of never saw him in his prime, but players across the board. In hockey, family and close friends, you fight for one Grammarians I am told that the Great Britain the Rock adopts a Spanish or Italian another. It is a beautiful thing that can be when they found in many sports around the Rock.” coach visited Gibraltar to do style of hockey where flair-type play locally some work with Grammarians players with resounding technique and abroad.” and he said that Casciaro are churned out year in year out. Future Generations would have easily made it into his GB squad. This was the same coach Hockey has also remained, by and large, an Grammarians used to have a very who guided Team GB to an Olympic amateur sport around the world, which is strong ladies team for many years, but it medal. That is how good he was.” why teams from Gibraltar and the national dissipated until the club resurrected it this team itself have done so well over the year thanks to Diana Soussi. “I think it is Mark Casciaro is another player who sticks years. “However, hockey is becoming more great to finally have a ladies team. That out and is another role model for the up professional and, whereas in the past we was one of my personal projects when I and coming youngsters who are eager could compete in the A Division, nowadays returned from university, to help rekindle to make a name for themselves. “He has the gap is too wide. It is quite unrealistic the Grammarians ladies hockey team. It been unbelievable and I always try to get that we could get a result in the top is true that there are fewer teams right him down when I am coaching the kids division because they are all professional now in the men’s league, but the women’s to show them what level they themselves at that level. We would have league has grown and is probably could achieve if they work as hard as he some way to go.” bigger than the men’s at the moment.” “I think it did. They go nuts with him.” is great to When Gibraltar compares to finally have a Mixed hockey events are also very M. Casciaro is the first Grammarian to smaller hockey nations, the ladies team.” popular in Gibraltar and provide receive a contract to play abroad, turning results and history speak for a more social side to the game, a out in the Canary Islands and Dutch themselves with the Rock welcomed break from the highleagues with some success. “He is a fiery much superior to countries in a similar intensity competitiveness that is expressed character who leaves his skin on the pitch weight class. “We are very dedicated and during league matches. and this really inspires young players to my youth team trains three or four times pick up a hockey stick.” a week. They bleed for the colours of With numerous youngsters coming through, the future is bright for Grammarians, despite competition from The ladies team was resurrected this year other sports chipping away at their best athletes. The club works with local schools to introduce kids to the sport as well as inter-school competitions in a bid to motivate them to sign up. “Chrissie Caetano has done fantastic work with the kids and Peter Pizzaro before her. We cannot complain about our coaches’ dedication and we hope for a bright future as we put things in place to improve our standards.” With 65 years gone by, history is still being written for Grammarians as the team competes yearly for the local league title and the European Cup. The club will aim to reach new heights despite the incremental rise in standard as European nations continue to profesionalise the sport. �MV
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sport
WORLD CRICKET Gibraltar right up in the Block-hole
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The Gibraltar national team left for he Gibraltar Cricket Club is one any ICC associate member. “Our strengths Sweden in mid-August to take part in the of the oldest cricket associations lie in our passion and enthusiasm on the in the world having been formed pitch, we are all local and we have that World Cricket League Europe Division in 1883 and admitted into extra fight in us,” said Mark Bacarese, a Two against Spain, Germany, Sweden, Isle of Man and Israel. The conditions the International Cricket Council, the prominent member of the national team were dire for cricket with heavy spells of international governing body for the sport, and the Gibraltar Cricket Board, “We will rain converting the pitch into a slippery in 1969. No one knows exactly when not roll over and let our heads down if the sport commenced on things go wrong because we are a surface endangering the players as well as the Rock, but it was likely lowering the quality. “Our strengths close-knit bunch.” brought over by the many lie in our British servicemen stationed passion and It was these conditions that took their Bacarese started playing in school in Gibraltar as far back as toll on a Gibraltarian side that seemed to before taking up the sport more enthusiasm on the late 18th century. seriously in 2002. Although a decent be cursed as they approached the much the pitch...” maligned tournament. “I am not giving footballer in his teens, something excuses because we should have The sport has ebbed and inside drew him towards flowed since then with the senior and cricket. “Never in my wildest “We also had played a lot better, but there were many obstacles in front of us in this youth sides winning the European Division dreams would I have thought number of Two championship twice. The womens’ that I would be doing this freak injuries tournament,” Bacarese said. “We had six for nine years. You really or seven players back home who would team won five out of six matches in a over in have made a substantial impact but tournament held in Birmingham against have to love the sport to get Sweden that were unable to take part for different involved in Gibraltar because county sides, a much higher level than in were mindreasons. However, we also had number Europe. there are many other sports numbing.” of freak injuries over in Sweden that with a higher turnover of were mind-numbing.” players,” he said. With approximately 30,000 residents, Gibraltar has the smallest population of
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sport Guy Dumas sustained one of these injuries while slicing bread in the canteen for breakfast, sparking a frenzy amongst the staff and players within view. “As I was walking out of the canteen with my roommate Ian Latin, a member of the Swedish contingent told us that one of our players had hurt his hand. We quickly rushed in and saw a pool of blood on the floor, so we followed the trail until we arrived at “He had Guy’s room. We took him put all his straight to the hospital to weight on receive stitches. There was his leg and blood everywhere”.
it snapped.”
But that was just the beginning. Matty Hunter, one of Gibraltar’s best bowlers and a shoo-in for the starting lineup, was warming up and suddenly slipped on the wet surface, breaking his fibula in the process. “People back home asked how one could break their leg playing cricket, well, the way he fell, unfortunately, he had put all his weight on his leg and it snapped. It was quite unbelievable.” Despite these setbacks there were, nevertheless, some good individual performances with Adam Orfila managing to get four wickets in a tough match against Sweden, the eventual runners-up.
Israel
Isle of Man
Bacarese was confident before stepping onto the field that his side would have a chance against Israel if they executed their game-plan correctly. But following a decent start in the first fifteen overs, it was undone in the last five and the Israelis ran out eventual winners by five wickets. “We didn’t really push on from the good start we had, only achieving 100 runs, and we didn’t bowl particularly well. We did a half job with the bat and then when we bowled. You will never win a game of cricket with half jobs.”
Conditions began to worsen in the match against the Isle of Man with literally an inch of water on the field of play before the first ball was bowled. Bacarese spoke to the coach and umpire during the interval in order to convince them to reconsider their decision and postpone the game. In a difficult game Gibraltar lost by nine wickets. “Our fielders looked like Bambi on ice. The officials and organisors were under pressure to complete the tournament within the schedule, but the game should have never been played. We rely heavily on spinners and with rain, the ball becomes like a bar of soap, so, apart from the safety of the players, the quality of the game was also compromised. Many of the following games were canceled as a result.
Bacarese believes that the standard in Europe is improving with many Asian migrants bringing their natural game to their host countries. After a four-year residence, these migrants, many of whom have cricket in their blood, attain the same rights and can qualify for the national side. “Most of these “We rely Germany guys have grown up with heavily on cricket in their culture. The spinners and Gibraltar had beaten Germany two disadvantage for Gibraltar with rain, the years earlier, but the ‘Llanitos’ realised in this sense is that we do early on that this was a completely ball becomes different side. These guys could play not get enough of these like a bar of migrants coming in because and would eventually take the title in soap...” we are so small. However, the tournament and gain promotion to this does bode well for Division One. “We gave it our all and native Gibraltarians who want to have a scored 80 runs, but it was not enough. We chance at playing at international level.” pushed them and it took sixteen overs for ‘Howzat’ Gibraltar 1960
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sport them to surpass our total,” he said. “We Gibraltar lost by seven runs in the closest were beaten by a better side. They were game in the tournament, but it could faster bowlers and were great with the bat. have been very different if Gibraltar had We could have done better against the capitalised when batting. “We started first two teams, but we have to be humble off bowling really well and the pitch was here and appreciate the standard we better. We limited them to 95 runs but played against. I believe that Germany will when it was our turn to bat, we realised compete at the highest level with that they had some decent bowlers.” Sledging is the likes of Ireland and Scotland within the space of nine years Bacarese was up to bat in the becoming or so, purely because of the fact less frequent 14th over and the pressure was on that cricket is in the blood of when he looked at the scoreboard and people many of these migrants.” are focusing and saw only thirty runs marked down. It was a mountain to climb. more on “Ian and I had a huge task ahead of Spain the actual us to recuperate the lost ground. cricket. All in all, we put in a good effort This was the first official match and only came in seven runs short against Gibraltar’s rivals, with of achieving a good result. We had to Gibraltar winning and losing single friendly go for it and we almost got there. It was matches in the past. But there was no the hardest game of cricket I have ever bad blood between the sides with cricket played. There was a lot of pressure as it not succumbing to political influence and was against Spain. Gibraltarians aren’t into good-neighborly relations replacing the cricket, but, be it any sport, when it comes possible dispute. “We thought that there to playing against Spain, there is more would be more sledging - a term used in pressure to overturn them, despite the cricket to describe the practice whereby difference in size.” some players seek to gain an advantage by insulting or verbally intimidating Gibraltar lost the opposing player - during the Spain by seven runs Sweden game, but apart from the odd one or two in the closest comments that slipped out, nothing really With the side a little game in the happened. The tournament was played in demoralised after losing tournament... the right spirit. Sledging is becoming less to Spain, the match frequent and people are focusing more on against Sweden was the actual cricket. It is not in our nature to pushed ahead even though there was do it and I have never been a big fan of it.” insufficient recovery time for the Rock.
“The organisers needed it to go ahead or the tournament would have been considered void. We had a lot of bad luck, but we need to look forward and learn from it.” Gibraltar lost by 95 runs, the highest runs total of the tournament. Cricket Facilities Gibraltar cricket is crying out for more facilities with many youngsters unwilling to trek all the way to Europa Point to play in such a poor pitch made of shale and gravel. “We have had fantastic support from both governments and for that we are grateful. We are also realists, but it is a hindrance that we can only play one game at any given time. In our recent inter-school tournament, we had four games going on at the Victoria Stadium’s main pitch.” Bacarese believes that the association could offer more to kids if an AstroTurf pitch was laid up in Europa Point that would allow little pockets of games for youngsters. Gibraltar also competes regularly abroad and would provide excellent exposure for any sponsors interested in promoting their brand abroad. “It would help the sport grow and be much easier to manage. We could even have two sports going on at the same time,” he said. “Cricket has been in an uncertain position for the last few years but I hope the Gibraltar Government will take care of our interests.” �MV
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food
PIZZA HERITAGE A slice of stone baked heaven
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local pizza pies. Many of the Italians who ometimes in life you are confronted area around Naples to add tomato to their settled in Gibraltar were not very wealthy with an irresistible aroma that yeast-based flat bread and this is regarded can send you down memory lane as the pizza we know today. It was soon and the pizza would have been ideal as that brings forth an insatiable to become an extremely popular dish, a way to feed a large family on simple ingredients. Italians share a culture of craving for that cuisine. Pizza is a common eventually becoming a tourist attraction ‘family-first’ with Gibraltarians, a virtue choice for many who are blissfully in love as these impoverished locals began to that is sung wholeheartedly in Gibraltar with the beautiful marriage take advantage of the adoration from between crust and sauce. The The modern abroad. A similar occurrence took as a place of empathy for your relatives delightful melted mozzarella place in the United States in the late and close friends. Arguably, the mix of day pizza as Italian, Spanish, Maltese and the culture cheese blankets the sauce to 19th century when Italian immigrants we know it opened Pizza up to the American of other Mediterranean countries that create a culinary masterpiece. comes from populace. They were to take the dish immigrated to Gibraltar might have served Make no mistake, when pizza Italy, Naples on a different direction, keeping the is in the air, there will be as the building blocks to this mentality. to be exact. essentials, but spreading their own mouths watering aplenty. Pizza might have initially been a dish to keep ‘within the family’, but how could the brand on the now global produce. Rock resists such a tasty treat? Just like in There is a never-ending debate as to the the United States, the Italians would origins of the homely hot pie that has In Gibraltar, pizza may have come open up and unleash their ravishing warmed the hearts of billions of people in as early as when the first Italian It is a bit of and scrumptious pizzas to the local all corners of the globe. Some argue that immigrants from Genoa sailed an art at population. similar bread based dishes with an array of to the Rock, finally settling in times and different toppings, similar to pizza, could Catalan Bay. The tiny Genoese would be a Well-known Gibraltarian chef Pepe have originated from Greece, Egypt, Rome settlement on the East side great show. Palmero is fond of the ‘simple fastand other places. However, the modern of Gibraltar was a factory of day pizza as we know it comes from culinary activity with homemade food delicacy’ and told me of the Italy, Naples to be exact. By the late 18th story when he encountered pizza for the pastas of all kinds and fillings, numerous century, it was common for the poor of the Italian recipes and possibly the very first very first time. 80
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
“After the first reclamation some decades ago, the first estate to be constructed was Harbour Views. I used to run a shop in a small market that was set up in the building site selling all sorts of goods,” he said. “There was an English lady called Maggie - descendant of Italians - who ran a canteen there and started creating this little snack that became very popular.”
was built where La Mamela restaurant now stands at the top of a hill overlooking the Genoese village of Catalan Bay. “She had an old fashioned oven to create the best kind of pizza and even made her own dough from scratch. She made all versions of the pie and people used to go crazy with it. There were long queues that formed to “What snatch up these hot snacks you need as there were no deliveries is flame back then and not everyone and heat had a car or a bike.”
However, much of the excitement has sprung up in the last few years through the introduction of the traditional Italian stonebaked pizza oven. The baking chamber is made of fireproof brick, concrete, stone, clay, or cob. The traditional way to heat the oven is to use wood or charcoal to create an intensive heat that cooks the pizza to perfection. In some cases, an old stone-baked oven would even add its own flavour to the pizza after decades of use, Scores of hungry customers, from making it unique. However, nowadays construction workers, to any passersmost of them are often fired with natural by would be ensnared by the alluring to make a gas or even electricity. It still keeps the aroma emanating from a pizza freshly good pizza.” heat at the top, which is the essential pulled from the oven. It was the first Second wave component to cook the pizza, and can time, in Pepe’s memory, that the dish became commercialised and sold in vast The craze then slowed down when Maggie also give an authentic taste. “My Grandson loves the stuff. It is like a second wave of quantities. There was no stopping the gave up the restaurant business, but pizzas has landed on the Rock. In these culinary movement on the Rock and many has really come back with a bang in the ovens, it heats the pizza pie the whole way businessmen saw the potential behind last decade or so with fast-food giants round and does not use electricity. It gives such an overwhelmingly Pizza Hut and Domino’s now mainstays it that authentic and rustic taste. What charming and lovable dish. in Gibraltar and delivering right to your The you need is flame and heat to make a good doorstep. traditional pizza.” Once the estate was built way to heat and the workers moved “Bianca’s Restaurant was also one of the oven is Gibraltar is now spoiled for choice with onto their next project, the first restaurants to make the proper to use wood Italian style pizza some time ago. The chef Italian and American style pizzas galore Maggie then opened ‘The or charcoal... there specialised in it and used traditional at the people’s beckoning call but Pepe Market Restaurant’. “It was said that it is actually very easy to make in very traditional and a bit of methods, even spinning the dough on reality. “As soon as you see a nice brown a man’s dominion in this smoking cafeteria his finger like an expert showman, just crest then out it comes. It doesn’t need - something out of a 50s black and white like they do in Italy. I think that many a lot of cooking. Put your tomato, salt, movie it seemed,” he said. “But Maggie Gibraltarians enjoyed this. I have always pepper and some herbs and that’s it. But would be there serving this delicious pizza asked myself why nobody has made a you need to know what you are doing, if as well as other fantastic Italian dishes.” pizzeria with a window into the chef’s not, it can be a disaster. It is important to kitchen to see them prepare them. It is a keep an eye on it and make sure it does The Anglo-Italian culinary expert went bit of an art at times and would be a great not burn.” �MV from strength to strength and decided to show. I am sure someone will do it once open something new, ‘The Piccolo’ which they read this article.” GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
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wine words | Andrew Licudi AIWS
WINE ONLINE Best wines are within a mouse click
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many - that particular accolade has to go o doubt, like me, you wonder 50p excluding delivery, or even our biohow we ever managed without degradable coffin – “reviews not available to supermarkets, it has certainly made buythe internet. It’s for this product”. Want to know what ing and selling wine easier and more interchanged our life in esting and you can spend as much time as The Internet Monica Lewinsky or Rolf Harris are up you want researching wines before parting many ways - mostly positive. to these days? No problem, it’s all there cannot claim with your hard earned cash. Take one of We can communicate with for your delectation and entertainment to have each other effortlessly and - Miss Lewinsky told the Guardian that the leading sites www.wine-searcher.com. demystified I am not referring to that 20 years on, she is still trying to reclaim Here, you can compare wine prices across wine... element of social media inher identity, “The shame sticks to you many merchants in whatever country you want, in whatever currency you require. habited by selfie takers, blog like tar,” she claims. Rolf Harris is doing writers, Facebook aficionados or twitting time though the Mirror claims he is earning Take Tondonia Reserva White 2000 listed by Anglo Hispano at £19.95 retail. twitters with Trump as the undisputed king £1300 a day whilst in jail. of the two liners. No, what I am referring Doing a search in wine searcher and You can to is how our interactions with businesses limiting my results to UK and GBP, Even finding a new wife or the site comes up with two results: such as airlines, shops or holiday providers, husband can be done from your compare wine prices to mention a few, has changed forever. living room sofa whilst sipping 1. Woodwinters Wines and Whiskies a fino or perhaps a good Rioja. across many £28.00 per bottle We can order a new bed, (only after Meeting the person in the flesh merchants is only required just before the having read countless reviews by satisfied in whatever 2. Berry Brothers £30.20 per bottle (incl tax and duty) buyers!), read your own electricity meter wedding to confirm that the six- country you foot Scandinavian blonde really and send in the readings, learn the secrets want... Clearly, in this case, we are getting of Michelin star chefs or how to filet a likes Burgundy and Bartok. tremendous value partly due to highbream the Japanese way. We can order an er duty in the UK. Getting only two results out of print, second hand art book from a Whilst the Internet cannot claim to have suggests the wine is no longer widely availprivate seller in Wyoming - cost of book demystified wine or made it available to able and will shortly become a rarity once 82
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
wine Another world beating wine site is Cellar Tracker, www.cellartracker.com. Here, you can keep track of your wines in a virtual cellar or you can make a cellar up for fun and see if your wine choices will accrue in value in the future! The site is technically superb and has all sorts of bells and whistles. I use it regularly as I have found that wine reviews, in spite of being amateur reviews, are useful as some wines will have been reviewed perhaps dozens of times with overall, aggregate scores proving very accurate. As an example, I again inserted the above white Tondonia Reserva 2000. This is what I got:
the last few bottles are sold.
It’s the only wine merchant which will deliver wines free of charge...
Today, the society has become a powerful wine buyer. It remains non-profit making which Unfortunately, whilst we get treis reflected in its unrivalled mendous value from our merprices. Unlike supermarkets, chants in Gibraltar for Spanish it can offer wines from small producers wines, for the wine enthusiast and members are happy to accept that at least, there is a very limited many wines will be in short supply. choice of non-Spanish wines. There is no advantage to the Society The enthusiast may have of sourcing wines which are not no choice but to resort to exceptional value irrespective of online wines as the only price and members are encouraged means to access good to write in their reviews. Members’ French, German or Italian reviews are uncensored so the wines at a fair price. Society wine buyers are under continual pressure to keep quality If there is one online up and prices down year in year wine merchant par out. Some wines may be limited excellence, it has to be to several bottles per member, The Wine Society. This something that is also done to mutual online merchant ensure the sought after wines are is run for its members not bought by merchants and then and as such, is non-profit resold! Life time Membership costs making. £40 and this can be passed on when you die! The least expensive It all started in London wine on their list is a half-bottle of 1875 when wine producThe Society’s Cotes de Cascogne ers from around the world at £3.50 and the most expensive is shipped over wines for a bottle of Domaine Rousseau Clos one of the great exhibide Beze 2012 at £850. The Society’s tions. The wines were stored website, www.thewinesociety.com, is full of in the cellars of the Albert Hall useful information on producers, vintages, but in spite of their grandiose surroundwines and even food recipes. I buy most ings were, by and large, ignored by the of my wine here and it’s the only wine public and significant stocks remained unmerchant which will deliver wines free sold. The producers appealed for help and of charge and weeks later send you an at the behest of the British Government, invoice for payment! There’s the architect of the Albert Hall, Magood old fashion trust for We get jor General Henry Scott, arranged you! You can opt to have your a series of lunches to generate intremendous wines stored by the Society terest in the wines. It was a success value from and suggestions were made for the our merchants until you are ready to ship them or sell them on when establishment of a mutual society to in Gibraltar prices have risen though maksource wines directly from producfor Spanish ing business out of the Society ers and to sell these at a fair price to wines... is not encouraged! its members. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
Average Score from 20 reviews 91.5points, (anything over ninety is extremely good). With this level of points I would begin to consider this as a potential purchase though I would not forego the wellknown mantra of producer, producer, producer. Some reviewer’s notes are more useful than others. One reviewer described the wine as fruity. That is one thing white Tondonia Reserva is not! Overall, the reviews were fair and the overall score high but accurate. The site relies on donations for its existence and if you have a virtual cellar there, it will continually update its market value, though this is only available to those making a contribution.
Wines to be tried at least once in your life Morrisons Best Champagne NV Produced by Boizel If you don’t want to splash out on an expensive bottle of champagne then you could do worse (a lot worse) than Morrisons own best champagne. Having recently tasted Boizel’s Vintage Champagne 2002 and their top end Joyau de France 2000, I was curious how this £15 champagne, on special offer, by the same producer, would stand up. Being a non-vintage champagne, I was not expecting much and whilst it could not be compared to the £75 Joyau or the slightly cheaper 2002, it was still enjoyable. Quite mature on the palate with plenty of character and a good finish. It’s not Joyeau but then, it was never meant to be. 83
recipes Recipes by Kathy Patalsky
PUMPKIN APPLE HARVEST RICE INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
1 ¾ cups cooked brown rice
1. Prepare brown rice - set aside in large mixing bowl.
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 small sweet onion, chopped
2. In a small bowl, combine the pumpkin, maple syrup, cider vinegar, spices. Warm in microwave. Mix well. Add this mixture to the warm brown rice. Fold until well distributed.
1 tbsp parsley flakes
3. Prep your apples and onions by dicing.
2 tbsp organic raisins (golden or purple)
4. Fold into the rice mixture: raisins, apples, onions, walnuts, olive oil, parsley flakes and salt to taste. Top with optional warmed chickpeas.
1 ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 small honeycrisp apple, diced
½ cup walnuts, unsalted 1-3 tbsp maple syrup (depending on how sweet you want it) ¼ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp fine pepper 2 tbsp olive oil ½ tsp salt (to taste) optional: 1 cup warmed chickpeas over top
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Serve warm or keep in warm oven until ready to serve. But do not over-heat. You want the apples and onions to still have a crispness to them when you serve. Other optional add-in’s: nutritional yeast, truffle oil, cayenne, cubes of butternut squash or sweet potato. GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
recipes
PUMPKIN PIE TIME Four-ingredients and oh so yummy!
INGREDIENTS: 1 ¼ cups raw soaked cashews 1 cup maple syrup 1 can organic pumpkin puree (450g), or use fresh puree 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice optional: ½ tsp salt to taste (depends how much salt you soaked your cashews in) 1 standard pie crust
DIRECTIONS: 1. Soak about 1 cup of raw cashews in about 2 ½ cups of water in a large bowl. Add about ½ - 1 tsp of salt to the bowl mix to dissolve. The salt allows the water to absorb more efficiently into the cashews and also adds some salt for your recipe. 2. Soak this cashew bowl overnight in the fridge. You want well-soaked cashews so that your pie mix blends up perfectly creamy. Minimum of 8 hours but don’t soak for more than 2 days. 3. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
*using high quality spice is helpful *grade B maple syrup has rich amber tones
4. Drain the water from your cashews. They should be very soft to bite and a slight purplish dark hue - this is normal. Add 1 ¼ cups of cashews to a food processor or a high speed blender. 5. Add pumpkin to blender. Next, add in the maple syrup and pumpkin pie spice. Blend on low -> high for about 3-5 minutes until the mixture is completely
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
creamy. If your mixture is a bit thick, you can add in a few teaspoons of either water, maple syrup or even nut milk. After blending, do a taste test and add a ½ teaspoon of salt, if needed. 6. Pour your mix into a par-baked pie shell (you can toast the raw pie shell in 400O oven for about 8 minutes). You can buy a frozen crust or make your own. 7. Bake pie at 400O for 15 minutes, then reduce to 350O and bake for an additional 30-40 minutes - or until the edges look fluffy and a darker caramel orange tone. Use a toothpick in center if unsure. The tooth-picked filling should come out slightly wet - but very thick and dark. 8. Remove pie from oven. Cool on counter for at least 30 minutes then place in fridge until ready to serve. It should cool for at least 2 hours. A warm pie will be tasty, but still a bit “wet” to slice. 9. Serve chilled with a swirl of coconut whip on top. 85
restaurants, bars & pubs
food & drink directory e to wher drink eat &e Rock on th
Casa Pepe
A delightful terrace, bar, restaurant on the prestigious Queensway Quay Marina. Wonderful location for business meetings, weddings, anniversaries and other special occasions. Specialising in fresh fish caught locally with daily specials including seabass, dorada, sole, and bream, plus a very comprehensive a la carte menu. Also available are tapas and raciones (double size tapas) to share (or not!) prior to a main course. Mixed paellas also available, as well as fish cooked in rock salt, whole suckling pig and baby lamb to order. Open: Tues-Sat lunch & evening, Sunday lunch only, closed Mondays. Casa Pepe, 18 Queensway Quay Marina, Tel/Fax: 200 46967 Email: casa.pepe.gib@gmail.com. Visit: www.casapepegib.com
The Lounge Stylish Lounge Gastro Bar on Queensway Quay Marina serving best quality food prepared by passionate, qualified chefs. Popular quiz on Sundays from 7pm and a relaxed friendly atmosphere. A separate Lounge Bar Area serving a wide range of hot drinks, wines, beers, spirits and cocktails at reasonable prices, with large TV’s for sports and events coverage. Open: 10am-late Mon - Sun Be sure to arrive early to ensure a seat! The Lounge 17 Ragged Staff Wharf, Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 61118 info@thelounge.gi
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Nunos Italian
Nunos Italian Restaurant, overlooking the Mediterranean, is popular with hotel guests, tourists and local residents. This 2 rosette rated, AA restaurant is renowned for its eclectic interior, intimate atmosphere and fine cuisine. Savour a wide selection of freshly prepared Italian delicacies, including bread, pasta, meat and fish, followed by delicious desserts. In the summer months, the hotel offers alfresco dining for private parties in the Garden Grill. Sitting nestled in the colonial garden you can enjoy a mouth-watering menu of charcoal-grilled meats and freshly prepared salads in candlelit surroundings. Open: Mon-Sun 1-3pm lunch, 7–11pm dinner Nunos Italian Restaurant and Terrace Caleta Hotel, Catalan Bay Tel: 200 76501 Email: reservations@caletahotel.gi
Solo Bar & Grill Solo Bar and Grill is a stylish and modern eatery — perfect for business functions or lunches — and part of the popular Cafe Solo stable. Serving everything from Goats’ Cheese Salad, Mediterranean Pâté and Cajun Langoustines to Beer Battered John Dory, or Harissa Chicken, and Chargrilled Sirloin Steak. This is a delightful venue in Europort with a cosy mezzanine level and terrace seating. Well worth a visit, or two! Available for private functions and corporate events — call 200 62828 to book your function or event. Open: 12-8pm. Solo Bar & Grill, Eurotowers Tel: 200 62828
Café Solo Modern Itali a n e at e r y s e t in lively Casem a t e s s q u a re . Everything 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 salads (eg: Vesuvio spicy beef, cherry tomatoes, roasted peppers and red onions; and Romana chorizo, black pudding, egg and pancetta) and pizzas (eg: Quatto Stagioni topped with mozzarella, ham, chicken, pepperoni and mushroom) and specialities such as salmon fishcakes, beef medallions and duck. Daily specials on blackboard. No smoking. Café Solo Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 200 44449
Jury’s Café-Wine Bar Next to the Law Courts, with a terrace seating area, Jury’s has a selection of Ciabattas, paninis, baguettes and wraps, plus popular sharing dishes, such as Your Honour’s platter. Jacket potatoes, main courses, pasta and some innocent salads too. For those with a sweet tooth, there are tantalising homemade desserts, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, as well as Lavazza coffees and frappes. Open: 7am-midnight Mon-Sat, 9am-midnight Sun. Jury’s Café & Wine Bar 275 Main Street. Tel: 200 67898
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
appetite
restaurants, bars & pubs
All’s Well
Traditional pub in fashionable Casemates area. Named for the 18th century practise of locking gates to the city at night when the guard called ‘All’s Well’. All’s Well serves Bass beers, wine and spirits plus pub fare. English breakfast all day, hot meals such as pork in mushroom sauce, sausage & mash, cod & chips and steak & ale pie plus a range of salads and jacket potatoes. Large terrace. Karaoke Mondays and Wednesdays until late. Free tapas on a Friday 7pm. All’s Well Casemates Square. Tel: 200 72987
Bridge Bar & Grill Located on the w a t e r ’s e d g e , Ocean Village, just across the bridge from O’Reilly’s. This bar & grill is a fusion of an American themed menu with Tarifa chill out style. Open for breakfast from 9am serving healthy options, freshly squeezed orange juice and Italian Lavazza coffee. Try the spicy Caribbean rum ribs, southern fried chicken bucket, the popular Texas burger or a selection of tasty salads and homemade desserts. London Pride, San Miguel & Carling beer on draught, live sports. Bridge Bar & Grill Ocean Village Tel: 200 66446
Gibraltar Arms On Main Street opposite the cathedral, enjoy a meal, coffee or a cool beer on the terrace and watch the world go by! Bar decorated with rare military plaques from regiments and navy ships visiting Gibraltar. Full breakfast menu served from 7am, draught beers on tap include Old Speckled Hen bitter, Murphys Irish stout, Heineken lager and Strongbow cider. Gibraltar Arms 184 Main Street. Tel: 200 72133 Visit: www.gibraltararms.com
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
O’Reilly’s
Tr a d i t i o n a l Irish bar with full HD sports coverage and Irish breakfast from 8am (Sunday f ro m 9 a m) . Guinness on draught. Food includes salads, jackets, beef & Guinness pie, Kildare chicken, chicken brochette, gourmet burgers, wraps, children menu, homemade desserts, daily specials and more. And just like in Ireland there’s no smoking inside, so a great atmosphere for all.
e to wher drink eat &e Rock on th
Lord Nelson
Situated in the corner of Casemates Square, the bar is a celebration of the life of Lord Nelson. See the collection of nautical art & memorabilia, including a brass pin from HMS Victory itself. HMS crews’ breakfast served from 10am, full menu including steak & ale pie, traditional fish & chips & much more served all day until 10pm. Jam session Thursday, live top local band on Friday & Karaoke Saturday nights.
O’Reilly’s Ocean Village. Tel: 200 67888
Lord Nelson Bar Brasserie 10 Casemates Tel: 200 50009 Visit: www.lordnelson.gi
Star Bar
Picadilly Gardens
Gibraltar’s oldest bar, just off Main St. Small cosy and famous for its full English breakfast from 8am (9am on Sunday). A full menu including fish & chips, until 10pm. The home of Star Coffee, draught beers include Heineken, Old Speckled Hen, Murphys and Strongbow cider. Managed by Hunter Twins from Stafford, England, also home to Med Golf & Tottenham Hotspur supporters club. Star Bar Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 75924 Visit: www.starbargibraltar.com
The Three Owls
Relaxed bar restaurant located near to the Queen’s Hotel and Cable car, it has a cosy garden terrace, which is great for drinks, tapas and food al fresco. English breakfast, tapas, hamburgers, fresh fish, paella by pre-order, prawns, squid, clams and a variety of meat dishes. Eat in or takeaway. Open: 6:30am till late. Piccadilly Gardens Rosia Road, Tel: 20075758
Solo Express
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, bar — open from 10.30am daily. First floor ‘Hoots’ bar, two match pool tables, poker machines, dartboard, bar, open from 4:30pm daily. Second Floor the ‘Nest’ — pool table, poker machine, card table, bar — open from 7pm daily and also at weekends. If you are looking for a sociable game of pool or darts this is the place to be.
Located next to Pizza Hut in Casemates and in Eurotowers, serves a variety of salads/baguettes (white, brown, ciabatta) filled with a deli selection such as roast chicken; smoked salmon & mascapone; ham, cheese and coleslaw; or humous, avocado & roast red pepper. Salads fresh and tasty (Greek, Waldorf, cous cous, tuna pasta etc), great value. Jackets, quiches, coffee plus cakes (flapjacks, muffins) available all day. Eat-in area. Soups in winter.
The Three Owls Irish Town. Tel: 200 77446 FB: The Three Owls
Solo Express Grnd Flr, ICC, Casemates & Eurotowers Tel: 200 62828
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7 Casa Pepe 18 Ragged Staff Wharf, Queensway Quay, Gibraltar
APARTMENTS
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Raj’s Curry House 1 Ragged Staff Wharf, Queensway Quay, Gibraltar
The Waterfront Restaurant & Bar 4/5 Ragged Staff Wharf, Queensway Quay, Gibraltar
Ipanema 14 Ragged Staff Wharf, Queensway Quay, Gibraltar
Le Bateau 14 Ragged Staff Wharf, Queensway Quay, Gibraltar
The Landings Restaurant 15 Ragged Staff Wharf, Queensway Quay, Gibraltar
(Lunch & Dinner)
The Lounge Bar
Comorant Wharf
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17a Ragged Staff Wharf
The Lounge Gastro Bar 17b Ragged Staff Wharf
Telephone: 200 46967 Email: casa.pepe.gib@gmail.com
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clubs & activities Arts & Crafts Cross Stitch Club: John Mackintosh Hall, 1st Floor, Mon 6-8pm, fee £1. Gibraltar Arts & Crafts Association: Children: Mon&Fri 12.30-2pm, Mon-Fri 3.45-5.15pm Adults: Wed 5.45-7.15, Sat 10.30 to 12.30, Tel: 20073865 email: gibartsandcrafts@hotmail.com Knit and Natter Group: Tues 11am-3pm, Thurs 5.30-7.30pm, at Arts & Crafts Shop, Casemates balcony. Free to join and refreshments provided. Tel: 20073865. The Arts Centre: Prince Edward’s Road, Art classes for children and adults. For more info call Tel: 200 79788. The Fine Arts Association Gallery: At Casemates. Open 10am-2pm, 3-6pm Mon-Fri, Sat 11am-1pm. The Gibraltar Decorative and Fine Arts Society: Affiliated to UK NADFAS meets third Wed of month at 6.30pm at Eliott Hotel - lecturers & experts from the UK talk on Art etc. Contact: Chairman Claus Olesen 200 02024 claus.olesen@sghambros.com. Membership Ian Le Breton 200 76173 ilebreton@SovereignGroup.com Board Games Calpe Chess Club & Junior Club: meets in Studio 1, John Mackintosh Hall Thursday, Juniors: 5p.m. - 7 p.m. / Tuesday & Thursday 7p.m. - 10:30 The Gibraltar Scrabble Club: Meets on Tuesdays at 3pm. Tel: Vin 20073660 or Roy 20075995. All welcome. The Subbuteo Club: Meets in Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall. Dance Adult Dance Classes: Wed evenings at Kings Bastion Leisure Centre from 7-8.30pm. Contact Dilip on 200 78714. Art in Movement Centre: Hiphop/Break Dance,Contemporary Dance, Pilates, Capoeira, Acrobatics, Street Kids & Tods, Modern Dance. Performance and Film opportunities. Judo & Jujitsu Classes: Tue/ Thur with Sensei Conroy. All ages. Budokai Martial Arts Centre, Wellington Front. www. artinmovement.net FB: Art In Movement A.I.M, tel 54025041 or 54007457 Ballet, Modern Theatre, Contemporary & Hip Hop: weekly at Danza Academy. Training from 3 years to Adult Advanced. 68/2 Prince Edward’s Rd Tel: 54027111. Bellydance Classes, all levels, Tue 8-9pm at the Ocean Village Gym (non–members welcome). Contact 54005593. DSA Old & Modern Sequence Dancing: Sessions at Central Hall Fri 8.30pm, beginners 8pm. Tel: 200 78901 or tony@gibraltar.gi Everybody welcome. Modern & Latin American Sequence Dancing: Mon at Catholic Community Centre 8pm. Tel. Andrew 200 78901. Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Flexibility, Hip Hop & Dance Theatre: Classes weekly at Urban Dance Studio, 2 Jumpers Bastion. Tel: Yalta 54012212 or Jolene 54015125. Rockkickers Linedance Club: Governor’s Meadow 1st School. www.rockkickers.com Salsa Gibraltar Salsa: Tues at Laguna Social Club, Laguna Estate. Beginners 7-8.30pm. Intermediates 8.30-10pm. Tel: Mike 54472000 or info@salsagibraltar.com Zumba Classes at Urban Dance: Jumpers Bastion, with certified instructor Tyron Walker. Tel: 20063959 or 54012212 or Twitter: @UrbanDanceGib History & Heritage The Gibraltar Heritage Trust: Main Guard, 13 John Mackintosh Sq. Tel: 200 42844. The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association: Dedicated to preservation of Rock’s transport/motoring heritage. Assists members in restoration / maintenance of classic vehicles. New members welcome. Tel: 200 44643. Garrison Library Tours: at 11am on Fri, duration 1h 50mins. Tel: 20077418. History Alive: Historical re-enactment parade. Main Street up to Casemates Square every Sat at 12 noon. Music Gibraltar National Choir and Gibraltar Junior National Choir: Rehearses at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Tel: 54831000. The Calpe Band: Mon & Wed. For musicians of brass/woodwind instruments
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of all standards/ages/abilities 7-9pm. Tel: 54017070 or thecalpeband@gmail.com Jazz Nights: Thurs at 9pm at O’Callaghan Eliott Hotel. Tel: 200 70500. Outdoor Activities The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Gibraltar: Exciting self-development programme for young people worldwide equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world. Contact: Award House, North Mole Road, PO Box: 1260. mjpizza@ gibtelecom.net, www.thedukes.gi. Social Clubs The Rotary Club of Gibraltar meets the Rock Hotel, 7pm Tuesday evenings. Guests welcome. For contact or info www.rotaryclubgibraltar.com Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes: (Gibraltar Province) meets RAOB Club, 72/9 Prince Edward’s Road - Provincial Grand Lodge, Thu/month, 7.30pm. William Tilley 2371, Thurs 8.30pm. Buena Vista 9975, monthtly, Social Lodge. www.akearn1.wix. com/raob-gibraltar, william.tilley.lodge@ hotmail.co.uk, Clive, tel: 58008074 Special Interest Clubs & Societies Creative Writers Group: meets up on Tuesday mornings at 10.30 in O’Reillys Irish Bar and it is free to attend. Tel: Carla 54006696. Gibraltar Book Club: For info Tel: Parissa 54022808. Gibraltar Horticultural Society: meets 1st Thurs of month 6pm, J.M. Hall. Spring Flower Show, slide shows, flower arrangement demos, outings to garden centres, annual Alameda Gardens tour. All welcome. Gibraltar Philosophical Society: devoted to intellectually stimulating debate. Frequent lectures and seminars on a range of topics. Tel: 54008426 or Facebook: facebook.com/gibphilosophy Gibraltar Photographic Society: Meets on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. Wellington Front. Induction courses, talks, discussions, competitions etc. For details contact the secretary on, leslinares@gibtelecom.net Harley Davidson Owners’ Club: www.hdcgib.com Lions Club of Gibraltar: Meets 2nd and 4th Wed of the month at 50 Line Wall Road. www.lionsclubofgibraltar.com St John’s Ambulance: Adult Volunteers Training Sessions from 8-10pm on Tues. Tel: 200 77390 or training@stjohn.gi The Royal British Legion: For info or membership contact the Branch Secretary 20074604 or write to PO Box 332. UN Association of Gibraltar: PO Box 599, 22a Main Street. Tel: 200 52108. Sports Supporters Clubs Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Club: Meets at Star Bar, Parliament Lane, when Spurs games are televised - call prior to matches to check game is televised. Great food for a lunch if KO is early or an early supper if the game is later. Gibraltar Arsenal Supporters Club: Meets match days upstairs at Time Out Café, Eurotowers. Gooners of all ages welcome. For info/news visit www.GibGooners.com Tel: 54010681 (Bill) or 54164000 (John). Gibraltar Hammers: Meets on match days at the Victoria Stadium Bar, Bayside Road. All league games are shown live. All West Ham supporters and their families are welcome. For details visit www.gibraltarhammers.com or gibraltarhammers@hotmail.com Sports & Fitness Artistic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Artistic Gymnastics Association. Tel: Angela 200 70611 or Sally 200 74661. Athletics: Gibraltar Amateur Athletics Association holds competitions through year for juniors, adults and veterans. Two main clubs (Calpeans 200 71807, Lourdians 200 75180) training sessions at Victoria Stadium. Badminton: Recreational badminton weekdays at Victoria Stadium (Tel: 200 78409 for allocations). Gibraltar Badminton Association (affiliated to BWF& BE) junior club/tournaments, senior leagues/ recreational. www.badmintongibraltar.com Ballet Barre Fitness: Adults on Wed 10am & Fri 6pm at The Arts Centre. Tel: 54033465 or pilatesgibraltar@hotmail.com
Basketball: Gibraltar Amateur Basketball Association (affiliated FIBA) leagues/ training for minis, passarelle, cadets, seniors and adults at a variety of levels. Tel: John 200 77253, Randy 200 40727. Boxing: Gibraltar Amateur Boxing Association (member IABA) gym on Rosia Rd. Over 13s welcome. Tuition with ex-pro boxer Ernest Victory. Tel: 56382000 or 20042788. Cheerleading: Gibraltar Cheerleading Association, girls and boys of all ages. Chearleading and street cheer/hip hop at Victoria Stadium. Recreational / competitive levels. Tel: 58008338. Canoeing: Gibraltar Canoeing Association. Tel: Nigel 200 52917 or Arturo 54025033. Cricket: Gibraltar Cricket, National Governing Body & Associate Member of ICC. Governs International & Domestic Men’s, Women’s, Boys’ & Girls’ cricketleague & cup competitions and in-school coaching. www.gibraltarcricket.com, info@ gibcricket.com, Twitter: @Gibraltar_Crick Cycling: Gibraltar Cycling Association various cycling tours. Darts: Gibraltar Darts Association (full member of WDF & affiliate of BDO). We cater for men, ladies & youth who take part in leagues, competitions and a youth academy for the correct development of the sport. Tel: Darren 54027171 Secretary, Alex 54021672 Youth Rep, Justin 54022622 President. Email: info@ gibraltardarts.com Football: Gibraltar Football Association leagues/competitions for all ages OctoberMay. Futsal in summer, Victoria Stadium. Tel: 20042941 www.gibraltarfa.com Gaelic Football Club (Irish sport): Males any age welcome. Get fit, play sport, meet new friends, travel around Spain/Europe and play an exciting and competitive sport. Training every Wed on the MOD pitch on Devil’s Tower Road at 7pm. Andalucia League with Seville and Marbella to play matches home and away monthly. Visit www.gibraltargaels. com or secretary.gibraltar.europe@gaa.ie Hockey: Gibraltar Hockey Association (members FIH & EHF) high standard competitions/training for adults/juniors. Tel: Eric 200 74156 or Peter 200 72730 for info. Iaido: teaches the Japanese sword (Katana), classes every week. www.iaidogibraltar.com Iwa Dojo, Kendo & Jujitsu: Classes every week, for kids/adults. Tel: 54529000 www. iwadojo.com or dbocarisa@iwadojo.com Judo and Ju-jitsu: Gibraltar Budokai Judo Association UKMAF recognised instructors for all ages and levels at Budokai Martial Arts Centre, Wellington Front. Tel: Charlie 20043319. Ju-jitsu: Gibraltar Ju-jitsu Academy training and grading for juniors/seniors held during evening at 4 North Jumpers Bastion. Tel: 54011007. Karate-do Shotokai: Gibraltar Karate-do Shotokai Association - Karate training for junior & seniors at Clubhouse, Shotokai karate centre, 41H Town Range. Monday: 9:30 p.m. & Wednesday 9:45 p.m. Karate: Shotokan karate midday Mon beginners, other students 8.30pm. Thurs 8.30pm. In town at temporary dojo or privately by arrangement. Contact Frankie 54038127 or info@fhmedia.co.uk. Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Racing Association Tel: Wayne 200 75211. Muay Thai and Muay Boran Club: Tues & Thur at Boyd’s Kings Bastion Leisure Centre at 6:30pm, Tel: John – 54024707 FB: Gibraltar Muay Thai Netball: Gibraltar Netball Association (affiliated FENA & IFNA) competitions through year, senior/junior leagues. Tel: 20041874. Petanque: Gibraltar Petanque Association. New members welcome. Tel: 54002652. Pilates: Intermediate Pilates: Tues & Fri 9.30am, beginners Pilates: Fri 10.50am at the Shotokai Centre, 41H Town Range. Tel: 54033465 or pilatesgibraltar@hotmail.com Gibraltar Pool Association: (Member of the EBA) home and away league played on Thurs through out the season, various tournaments played on a yearly basis both nationally and internationally, Tel: 56925000 gibpool@gibtelecom.net, www.gib8ball.com Rhythmic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Rhythmic
Gymnastics Association runs sessions from 4 years of age, weekday evenings. Tel: 56000772 or Sally 200 74661. Rugby: Gibraltar Rugby Football Union training for Colts (w+), seniors and veterans. Play in Andalusia 1st Division. Contact: secretary@gibraltarfu.com Sailing: Gibraltar Yachting Association junior/senior competitive programme (April - Oct) Tel: Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club at 200 78897. Shooting: Gibraltar Shooting Federation. Rifle, Europa Point Range (Stephanie 54020760); Clay pigeon, East Side (Harry 200 74354); Pistol, near Royal Naval Hospital (Louis 54095000). Snooker: Members of European Billiards & Snooker Association - facilities at Jumpers Bastion with 3 tables. Professional coaching for juniors/seniors. Organised leagues/tournaments and participation in international competitions. Tel: 56262000 / 54000068, or info@gibraltarsnooker.com Squash: Gibraltar Squash Association, Squash Centre, South Pavilion Road (members WSF & ESF). Adult and junior tournaments and coaching. Tel: 200 44922. Sub-Aqua: Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Association taster dives for over 14s, tuition from local clubs. Voluntary sports clubs: Noah’s Dive Club and 888s Dive Club. Tel: 54991000. Commercial sports diving schools available. Time - Thursday 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.. Telephone, Jenssen Ellul - 54027122 Swimming: Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association (member FINA & LEN) opens its pool for leisure swimming. Junior lessons, squad for committed swimmers, water polo. Pool open Mon&Thurs: 7-10am, 12.30-4pm. Tue, Wed, Fri: 7-10am, 12:305pm. Sat: 3-5pm. Sun: closed. Mon to Fri from 5-6pm groups training. 6-7.30 squad training. Mon, Wed, Fri 7.30-8.30 swimming joggers, Tues & Thurs 7:30-8:30 junior Water polo. Mon, Tues & Thurs 8:30-10pm Adult water polo. Tel: 200 72869. Table Tennis: Gibraltar Table Tennis Association training and playing sessions, Victoria Stadium, Tues 6-10pm and Thurs 8-11pm with coaching and league competition. Tel: 56070000 or 20060720. Taekwondo: Gibraltar Taekwondo Association classes/gradings Tel: Mari 20044142 or www.gibraltartaekwondo.org Tai Chi: Tai Chi for children and adults. Mon-Thur 6.30-8pm at Kings Bastion Leisure Centre and Sat 9am-1pm at the Yoga Centre, 33 Town Range. Tel: Dilip 200 78714. Tennis: Gibraltar Tennis Association, Sandpits Tennis Club. Junior development programme. Courses for adults, leagues and competitions. Tel: Louis 200 77035. Ten-Pin Bowling: At King’s Bowl in the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre every day. Gibraltar Ten Pin Bowling (members FIQ & WTBA) leagues, training for juniors and squad. Tel: 200 52442. Triathlon: Hercules Triathlon Club organises swimming, running and cycling training sessions and competes regularly in Andalucia and Internationally. Contact chris.walker@york.gi or Facebook “Hercules Triathlon Club” Volleyball: Gibraltar Volleyball Association training, indoor leagues, beach volleyball competition, 3 v 3 competition, juniors and seniors. Tel: 54001973 or 54885000. Yoga: Integral Yoga Centre runs a full programme of classes from Mon-Fri at 33 Town Range. Tel: 200 41389. All welcome. Theatrical Groups Gibraltar Amateur Drama Association: Meet at Ince’s Hall Theatre Complex, 310 Main Street. Tel: 20042237. Trafalgar Theatre Group: Meets 2nd Wed of month, Garrison Library 8pm. All welcome.
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
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The Gibraltar Magazine is looking for a bright and keen journalist with writing experience and knowledge of the local industry. The successful candidate will be required to come up with articles and content for the magazine each month based on interesting things going on, what’s in the news and fascinating Gibraltarians that deserve coverage. Our content covers a variety of categories, from business to lifestyle, local events, health, environment, food and drink, travel, sport and biographies. It will be your job to follow up on interesting articles, interview the relevant individuals and write the features. The candidate will also be responsible for social media and website management with photoshop skills and interest in photography being an advantage. You should speak good Spanish and be willing to work flexible hours. Working in a small team, we all search for new advertising, follow leads and perform administrative tasks. If you’re creative, hard-working and resourceful, please email anna@thegibraltarmagazine.com to apply.
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
We are hiring! 93
information
Useful Numbers Airport (general info.).Tel: 200 12345 Hospital, St Bernards.Tel: 200 79700 Weather information.Tel: 5-3416 Frontier Queue Update Tel: 200 42777 Gibraltar Museum Tel: 200 74289 18/20 Bomb House Lane 10am-6pm (Sat 10am-2pm). Admission: Adults £2/ Children under 12 - £1. Exhibitions also at Casemates gallery. Gibraltar Garrison Library Tel: 200 77418 2 Library Ramp Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm. Free Library tour offered every Friday at 11am. chris.tavares@gibraltargarrisonlibrary.gi Registry Office Tel: 200 72289 It’s possible to get married within 48 hours. A fact taken advantage of by stars such as Sean Connery & John Lennon.
Rock Tours by Taxi Tel: 200 70052 As well as offering normal fares, taxis provide Rock Tours taking in the Upper Rock, Europa Point etc. John Mackintosh Hall Tel: 200 75669 Includes cafeteria, theatre, exhibition rooms and library. 308 Main Street 9.30am 11pm Mon-Fri. Gibraltar Public Holidays 2016 New Year’s Day Friday 1st Jan Commonwealth Day Monday 14th Mar Good Friday Friday 25th March Easter Monday Monday 28th March Workers Memorial Day Thursday 28th Apr May Day* Sunday 1st May Spring Bank Holiday Monday 30th May Queen’s Birthday Monday 13th Jun Late Summer BH Monday 29th Aug Gibraltar National Day*Saturday 10th Sep Christmas Day* Sunday 25th Dec Boxing Day Monday 26th Dec In lieu: Mon 2nd May, Mon 5th Sept & Tue 27th Dec
Emergency Services Emergency calls only: Fire/Ambulance �������������������������������������Tel: 190 Police �������������������������������������������� Tel: 199/112 Emergency Number Tel: 112
Non-urgent calls: Ambulance Station �������������������� Tel: 200 75728 Police.......................................... Tel: 200 72500 Emergency Nos: �������������� Tel: (5) 5026 / (5) 3598
Pick up the first copy of next month’s edition of The Gibraltar Magazine free with your smoothie at:
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Support Groups ADHD & Learning Difficulties (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) Meetings at Fellowship Bookshop Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Road. Coffee, chat, books and resources on display. Tel: 54027551 or 54014476. Alcoholics Anonymous meet 7pm Tues & Thurs at Nazareth Hse Tel: 200 73774. A Step Forward support for single, separated, divorced/widowed people, meet 8pm Mon at St Andrew’s Church. Mummy & Me Breastfeeding Support Group those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have breastfed to get together for coffee / support. Partners and older children welcome. Meets 1st Wed / month at Chilton Court Community Hall at 1.30pm. Enquiries and support 54014517. Childline Gibraltar confidential phone line for children in need. Freephone 8008 - 7 days a week 5pm - 9pm Citizens’ Advice Bureau Open Mon-Thur 9:30am4:00pm, Fri 9:30am- 3:30pm. (Summer Hours 8:30am – 2pm) Tel: 20040006 Email: info@cab.gi or visit at 10 Governor’s Lane. Free & confidential, impartial & independent advice and info. COPE Support group for people with Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Formed to ease challenges of individuals, families and care partner. Meetings at Catholic Community Centre Book Shop at 7.30pm first Thursday of each month. Tel: 200 51469 Email: copeadsupport@hotmail.com Dignity At Work Now. Confidential support and advice for those who are being bullied at work. Tel: 57799000. Families Anonymous Support group for relatives and friends concerned about the use of drugs or related behavioural problems. Meet weekly on Thursdays at 9pm at Gladys Perez Centre, 304A Main Street, Tel: 54007676 or 54014484. Gibraltar Cardiac Rehabilitation and Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 8.30pm at John Mac Hall, except for Jul & Aug. Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group 72 Prince Edwards Rd Tel: 200 78509 Mobile: 54007924 website: www.gdsg.co.uk Gibraltar Marriage Care. Free relationship counselling, including pre-marriage education (under auspices of Catholic Church, but open to all). Tel: 200 71717. Gibraltar Society for the Visually Impaired. Tel: 200 50111 (24hr answering service). Hope. miscarriage support Tel: 200 41817. Mummy & Me Breastfeeding Support: Meets every Thursday 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous Tel: 200 70720 Parental Support Group, helping parents and grandparents with restrictive access to their children and grandchildren. Tel: 200 46536, 200 76618, or 54019602. Psychological Support Group, PO Box 161, Nazareth House. Meet Tuesdays at 7pm, Fridays 8pm. Tel: Yolanda 54015553 With Dignity Gibraltar support for separated, divorced/widowed or single people. Meet Weds 9pm, Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Rd. Outings/activities. Women in Need. Voluntary organisation for all victims of domestic violence. Refuge available. Tel: 200 42581 (24 hrs). GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
The Gibraltar Magazine is published and produced by Rock Publishing Ltd, Gibraltar. Tel: (+350) 200 77748
Business Information Financial Serv. Commission Tel: 200 40283/4 Chamber of Commerce Tel: 200 78376 Federation Small Business Tel: 200 47722 Company Registry.Tel: 200 78193
poetry words | Rebecca Faller
R
MR GIBRALTAR
oll Up! Roll Up! There’s a new gig in town
Is what this competition is all about
Sod all your hobbies, show us your bum
Brace yourselves ‘cos it’s all going down
‘Cos men are different or didn’t you know?
I don’t care if you love your Mum
If you wanna see flesh in a tip-top state
Their bodies are not meant for show
I don’t care if you want to bake
Go and buy a ticket before it’s too late.
They must prove more than the fairer sex
Your auntie’s famous Aero cake.
Calling all boys and strapping men
Oh Mr Gibraltar just show us your pecs.
Pageants are what pageants be
It’s beauty pageant time again
It matters not if you can cook
And you’re on display for all to see
We can’t get enough of parading girls
Or whether you have read a book
So don’t pretend it’s something more
So we’ve asked our men folk to join as well
I want to see a ripped physique
It’s not about the boy next door
It’s not just about the way you look
Adonis at his splendid peak
It all boils down to lust and sex
You have to show the judges that you can cook
The tightest speedos stretched across
Mr Gibraltar, show us your pecs.
Charity work and social clout
A perfect, bouncing, pinch-able arse
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
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parenting
BOOKS FOR CHILDREN Discovering infinite possibilities
W
been able to reach me. I also developed a hat are your most endurwhich you spend reading or listening to ing childhood memories? them. We had many picnics in “forests” strong passion for learning about history For me, holidays, on the hunt for A.A. Milnes famous through reading engaging books like “Elizabirthdays and funny Books are “Pooh Bear”. My brother and I wastbeth: The struggle for the throne” by David Starkey. I had a gentle introduction to the pranks (usually gone wrong) all ed a roll of film trying to capture a so much feature strongly, but there is one more than picture of him “flying” off the sofa af- great philosophers when I read “Sophie’s thread that runs through them ter reading J. M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan”. World” by Jostein Gaarder, which lead onto the time all. A memory that grew and I struck up a close friendship which me making the decision to study Philosoin which developed with me - books! From still endures today over a mutual phy A level. you spend appreciation for Philip Ridley’s quirky bedtime stories to novels I read by reading or children’s books. Much to my mothmyself. The different books I read These are just a handful of examples. listening over my childhood shaped and er’s horror, I also found myself being While bookstores rapidly close their doors framed the world I saw around me. to them. the owner of a real life “Templeton” due to the rise of the e-readers, children’s the rat after reading Dick Kingbook sales continue to do well. Simply Smith’s “Charlotte’s Web”. And yes, because there is no substitute for One of my fondest memories is peeking I finally was the proud owner of a the tactile enjoyment of a bright my head over the top of my bunk bed Children’s children’s book. A pleasure which guitar (but unfortunately it wasn’t while my brother lay in the bunk below, book sales involves all the senses. magical, certainly if my playing both of us enjoying being read to by my continue skills were anything to go by). father. As a trained actor, he never let us to do well. Before my first child was born, I had down, reading each character with a colourful array of accents and tones. At one As I started to navigate the rocky already collected most of my childtime, he even made up his own story for journey of my teens, books like “Junk” by hood favourites and eagerly read them to us, “Polly and the magic guitar”. Melvin Burgess communicated to me the her before she could even see straight. perils of drug-taking on a level which my Now she is a toddler, watching the pleaparents or teachers would have never sure she derives from books is such a joy. Books are so much more than the time in 96
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
parenting As a Mother to two, it allows me precious one on one time with her and I love it that we can now interact over them. It doesn’t take much thought to understand why an enjoyment of reading is so integral to learning. Books open our children and adult minds to new ways of thinking. Imagination is the driving force of ideas and progress. Books educate and inspire. They can teach empathy, encourage passion, unlock parts of your mind and touch feelings you were previously unaware of. In celebration of Gibraltar Literary Festival which starts later this month, I asked the question: “Among books that you have read as a child or a teen, which had the largest impact or influence and why?” Ashley Henwood, owner of online children’s bookstore “The Storyteller Gibraltar” has fond memories of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson. “It’s one of those books that I can reread over and over again, and still get completely lost in the plot. The marvellous Misselthwaite Manor, the beautiful moors, and above all, the secret garden the children discover; every single aspect had me yearning for the English countryside as a child.”
tures. I read this book again and again, hiding under my duvet with a torch, it definitely led me to a love of reading.”
It spoke of the universal conflict between good and evil.
It was this book that sparked off the Anna discovered the world of adult fiction longing to create my own imaginary worlds when she was 16 and read “Birdsong” by and to write their stories. As a writer, “Lord Sebastian Faulks. “It made a big of the Rings” taught me about the impact on me as it was powerful, complexities of plot and subplot, Now she is thought provoking and moving characters, tension, texture, layers, a toddler, but it was also the first book I read about words and their musicality, watching The novel has influenced Ashley’s attitude as a teenager that wasn’t aimed their magic, their powers to create, the pleasure to transport, to transform.” to life. “There’s the wonderful recurring specifically at teens. My eyes were she derives theme throughout the book that happiopened to a whole new world of from books ness and positivity can get you anywhere books that I could read.” Never has there been a better opand anything. It’s a simple notion, but is such a joy. portunity to discover great writing, one that’s stuck with me and which I try Jackie Anderson, Freelance Writer or be introduced to celebrated to adhere to. Now, all I need is a dusty and award winning Poet shared “I was authors. With a line-up of well-known old Manor to call my own and my life is a prolific reader as a child and am an names, (I’m particularly excited about Maucomplete!” avid reader now. So what to pick? “The reen Lipman, Louis de Bernieres, Anthony Secret Seven” had me nosing for mysterWorrall Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, Enid Blyton introduced Anna ies in nooks and crannies of the Tony Hawks and Sue MacGregor). Gibraltar Bogie, Children’s Book Author, Rock. The “Malory Towers” series Literary Festival is bringing over exciting There is no to a love of reading “The Magic probably warped my expectaspeakers as well as celebrating homegrown substitute for Faraway Tree holds a big place tions of secondary education but talent on the Rock. Don’t miss this chance the tactile in my heart; it was enchanting, spoke to me about friendship and to create some wonderful memories. After enjoyment fun and full of quirky advenloyalty. “Wuthering Heights” and all, this Festival is more than books and auof a bright “Jayne Eyre” inflamed my sense of thors. It’s dreams, ambitions, experiences, children’s book. feminist and class outrage in my comedy, tragedy and so much more. turbulent teens and Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” fortunately put me off hallucinogenic drugs before I got as far as university. But tucked somewhere between “Heidi” and “David Copperfield” came the epic “Lord of the Rings”. “Lord of the Rings” was a doorway into new worlds; worlds of infinite possibilities. It opened my eyes to a myriad of peoples and races with their mix of attributes and flaws – if, in the world of imagination, this was acceptable, then surely, it is not so strange to accept differences in real life? GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
Polly Lavarello is Editor of Mum on the Rock Email: polly@mumontherock.com Web: www.mumontherock.com 97
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2) Labourer (7)
21
3) Purveyor of written tidings (9) 4) Athletics event of the 5) 18) for teams (5)
23
22
First Prize Lunch for 2 at
5) & 18) Quadrennial sporting event (7,5)
Completed crosswords to be returned to the Clipper by 20th Oct
Last months winner:
Walter Hodson Watergardens
6) Last part of a chess game, play etc. (6) 11) Robot (9) 13) Dog, for example, of mixed breeds (7) 14) Zilch (7) 15) Imaginary line running round the world (7) 16) Symbols used in e-messaging etc. (6) 18) see 5
Flight & Cruise Schedule - October 2016 Day Flight
new from 31st Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun till 23rd only till 23rd only till 23rd only till 23rd only till 23rd only till 23rd only till 23rd only till 23rd only
ZB7240 EZY8901 BA492 BA490 ZB064 ZB446 ZB574 EZY8905 EZY8901 BA490 ZB064 EZY6299 EZY8901 BA490 EZY1963 ZB064 ZB446 ZB574 EZY8905 EZY8901 ZB7240 BA490 AT990 EZY6299 EZY8901 BA492 ZB064 BA490 ZB446 ZB574 ZB7240 EZY8905 EZY8901 BA492 BA490 EZY8901 EZY6299 BA492 EZY1963 BA490 AT990 ZB574 ZB064 ZB446 EZY8905 ZB7244
Airline
From
Monarch Gatwick easyJet Gatwick British Airways Heathrow British Airways Heathrow Monarch Luton Monarch Birmingham Monarch Manchester easyJet Gatwick easyJet Gatwick British Airways Heathrow Monarch Luton easyJet Bristol easyJet Gatwick British Airways Heathrow easyJet Manchester Monarch Luton Monarch Birmingham Monarch Manchester easyJet Gatwick easyJet Gatwick Monarch Gatwick British Airways Heathrow Royal Air Moroc Tangiers easyJet Bristol easyJet Gatwick British Airways Heathrow Monarch Luton British Airways Heathrow Monarch Birmingham Monarch Manchester Monarch Gatwick easyJet Gatwick easyJet Gatwick British Airways Heathrow British Airways Heathrow easyJet Gatwick easyJet Bristol British Airways Heathrow easyJet Manchester British Airways Heathrow Royal Air Moroc Tangiers Monarch Manchester Monarch Luton Monarch Birmingham easyJet Gatwick Monarch Gatwick
98
Arrives Flight 10:15 10:55 11:05 16:15 19:10 19:10 20:10 20:35 10:55 16:15 19:10 21:25 10:55 16:15 17:55 19:10 19:10 20:10 20:35 10:55 10:55 16:15 18:45 21:25 10:55 11:05 11:30 16:15 19:10 20:10 20:30 20:35 11:40 15:05 16:15 10:55 11:05 11:15 11:30 16:15 18:45 19:10 19:10 20:30 20:35 20:45
ZB7241 EZY8902 BA493 BA491 ZB065 ZB447 ZB575 EZY8906 EZY8902 BA491 ZB065 EZY6300 EZY8902 BA491 EZY1964 ZB065 ZB447 ZB575 EZY8906 EZY8902 ZB7241 BA491 AT991 EZY6300 EZY8902 BA493 ZB063 BA491 ZB447 ZB575 ZB7245 EZY8906 EZY8902 BA493 BA491 EZY8902 EZY6300 BA493 EZY1964 BA491 AT991 ZB575 ZB065 ZB447 EZY8906 ZB7245
Departs
To
11:00 Gatwick 11:25 Gatwick 12:05 Heathrow 17:00 Heathrow 19:55 Luton 20:00 Birmingham 20:55 Manchester 21:05 Gatwick 11:25 Gatwick 17:05 Heathrow 19:55 Luton 21:55 Bristol 11:25 Gatwick 17:00 Heathrow 18:35 Manchester 19:55 Luton 20:00 Birmingham 20:55 Manchester 21:05 Gatwick 11:25 Gatwick 11:40 Gatwick 17:00 Heathrow 19:35 Tangiers 21:55 Bristol 11:25 Gatwick 12:05 Heathrow 12:20 Luton 17:00 Heathrow 20:00 Birmingham 20:55 Manchester 21:15 Gatwick 21:05 Gatwick 12:10 Gatwick 15:55 Heathrow 17:00 Heathrow 11:25 Gatwick 11:35 Bristol 12:05 Heathrow 12:00 Manchester 17:00 Heathrow 19:35 Tangiers 19:55 Manchester 20:00 Luton 21:25 Birmingham 21:05 Gatwick 21:45 Gatwick www:gibraltarairport:gi
Arrival
Sat 01 08:00 Sat 01, 08:00 Sun 02, 08:00 Fri 07, 12:00 Sat 08, 06:00 Sat 08, 09:00 Sun 09, 15:00 Mon 10, 09:00 Mon 10, 09:00 Wed 12, 08:00 Wed 12, 08:30 Thu 13, 08:00 Fri 14, 08:00 Sat 15, 08:00 Sun 16, 14:00 Mon 17, 07:30 Mon 17, 09:00 Mon 17, 13:00 Wed 19, 09:00 Wed 19, 12:00 Thu 20, 07:00 Thu 20, 09:00 Fri 21, 08:00 Fri 21, 12:00 Sat 22, 09:00 Sun 23, 08:00 Mon 24, 08:00 Mon 24, 09:00 Tue 25, 08:00 Tue 25, 08:00 Wed 26, 11:00 Sat 29, 06:00 Sun 30, 08:00 Mon 31, 06:00 Mon 31, 07:30 Mon 31, 08:00 Mon 31, 09:00
Vessel
SIRENA MARINA AURORA COSTA MAGICA MEIN SCHIFF 1 THOMSON SPIRIT MSC SPLENDIDA HEBRIDEAN SKY VENTURA BRITANNIA BOUDICCA MEIN SCHIFF 4 CELE. SILHOUETTE BALMORAL COSTA FAVOLOSA CLIO HAMBURG KONINGSDAM ORIANA MAGELLAN BRILLIANCE OT SEAS SAGA SAPPHIRE SEVEN SEAS NVGR MARCO POLO THOMSON SPIRIT CARNIVAL VISTA MEIN SCHIFF 4 OCEANA EURODAM OOSTERDAM TUI DISCOVERY MEIN SCHIFF 4 LE LYRIAL SERENISSIMA CLIO THOMSON SPIRIT TUI DISCOVERY
ETD Pass 21:00 18:00 13:00 18:00 14:00 22:00 21:00 21:00 16:00 14:00 16:30 18:00 17:00 18:00 22:00 17:30 13:30 23:00 13:00 22:00 15:00 18:00 18:00 22:00 22:00 23:00 18:00 23:00 13:00 23:00 22:00 14:00 18:00 22:00 18:00 17:00 17:00
American American British Italian German British Italian International British British British German International British Italian American German American British British International British American British British USA/Canada German British American American British German French British American British British
Operator
Capacity
Oceania Cruises 684 Oceania Cruises 1269 P & O 1874 Costa 2702 TUI Cruises 1924 Thomson Cruises 1254 Msc Crociere 4363 Noble Caledonia 120 P & O 3096 P & O 4324 Fred Olsen 880 TUI Cruises 2506 Celebrity Cruise Lines 2886 Fred Olsen 1350 Costa 2989 Granc Circle Cruise L 89 Hapag Lloyd 420 AL 3152 P & O 1880 Cruise & Maritime V 1452 Royal Caribbean Int’l 2112 Saga Cruises 700 Regent Seven Seas 490 Cruise & Maritime V 850 Thomson Cruises 1254 Carnival 3936 TUI Cruises 2506 P & O 2000 HAL 2104 HAL 1916 TUI Cruises 1804 TUI Cruises 2506 Ponant 264 Noble Caledonia Ltd 110 Granc Circle Cruise L 89 Thomson Cruises 1254 TUI Cruises 1804 ww.gibraltarport.com
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2016
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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2015