Gibraltar Olive Press Newspaper – Issue 47

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Gibraltar news

www.gibraltarolivepress.com

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Gibraltar culture

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1 Gibraltar Gibraltar June 21st - July 4th 2017 business classifieds PAGE 17

The Rock’s original community newspaper

www.century21gibraltar.com Century21 Tel: 00 350 200 51020 202-204 Main Street Mob: 00 350 56523000 Gibraltar info@century21gibraltar.com

BRAVE: Gonzalez

True hero A BRAVE Gibraltarian firefighter was among the first to enter the fire-ravaged Grenfell Tower in London. Russell Gonzalez, 31, was part of a search and rescue team which saved the life of a woman on the 21st floor of the 24-story block. The third-generation firefighter, based in Paddington, was able to use special breathing apparatus which allows firefighters to stay in burning buildings for longer. This was pivotal for the dangerous mission of making it to the upper floors of the block. His father watched his TV screen in horror as the tragic scenes unfolded. He said: “When I saw those images, I thought to myself: ‘If he’s in there, he’s dead’.” Thankfully Russell made it out safely, making his family and Gibraltar proud.

Geldof weds

Exclusive look at Pixie Geldof’s wedding day

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Costa gem

Our annual Marbella travel supplement

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FREE

Vol. 3 Issue 47 www.gibraltarolivepress.com

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June 21st - July 4th 2017

The Rock has had many inspirational LGBT leaders. We honour them during International Pride Month, see page 6

The Olive Press launches campaign for much needed makeover of North Front cemetery By Laurence Dollimore and Laura Duckett

THE Government has promised to address the state of the North Front Cemetery thanks to an Olive Press probe. It comes after we drew attention to the poor state of the graves and mounting anger of relatives of those buried there. Photos sent to us by Ivana Finlayson, whose mum, sister in law and grandfather are buried there, are now also circulating on social media. The 47-year-old Gibraltarian and many others are concerned about the lack of maintenance. “It’s dangerous and in a very poor state of repair,” she told the Olive Press this week. “It needs to be made respectable and tidied up not only for my loved ones but for everyone visiting the place.” She added it is very hard to reach some of the graves, which are strangled by thick shrubbery and weeds. “If you are lucky enough to get to your relative’s grave you either get your legs scratched or dirty from the amount of high weeds. “I worry most about people tripping up and falling in the process. “An elderly visitor could easily

of Grave concern E THEM GIV

RESPECT

An

campaign GRAVE: Under weeds have a very serious injury,” she said. She claims its current state is the worst she has ever seen it in the 13 years she has been visiting. Another relative added: “When I visit my son's military grave I cringe as the cemetery is a disgrace.” Another said: “When is some-

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thing going to be done? I feel bad that I have to step over graves just to visit relatives.” Last year a change.org petition was launched to counter ‘years of neglect’, gaining more than 700 signatures, but it has garnered little attention from the government. Opposition MP Trevor Hammond of the GSD fully backed our campaign this week, however, insisting that the public’s

concerns are ‘falling on deaf ears’. Last November, he tabled a motion to Parliament, calling for the government to put together a management plan for the cemetery. He explained last night that despite it passing unanimously, nothing has been done since. “While the Minister's attention is elsewhere, many people struggle to access the graves of loved ones. This is simply not acceptable,” he told the Olive Press. The Gibraltar Heritage Trust declined comment. Environment minister John Cortes insisted the government was due to act ‘imminently’ on the matter. He told the Olive Press yesterday that a ‘major announcement on the maintenance of the cemetery will be issued imminently.’

Sign the petition here: https://www.change. org/p/cm-gibraltar-govgi-improve-our-cemetery

UNKEMPT: Cemetery


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