Senior Times (June 2018) by Times of Malta

SENIOR TIMES JUNE 2018

Malta’s monthly newspaper for the elderly

Mysterious Malta See PageS 4-6

qalb li tħabbat In-nisrani dejjem imsejjaħ biex jibqa’ jħobb, jgħid Dun Jonathan Farrugia. See Page 8

Aerial view of Villa Mystique. PHOTO: OLIVER GATT

sailing by See PageS 12&13

Understanding tinnitUs Treatments and therapies for tinnitus available. See Page 20

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

EDITOR’S WELCOME

IN THIS ISSUE

Every day, a surprise

ome say surprises are only for those who, unlike the proverbial scouts, are not prepared. For others, surprises are the essence of curiosity; the almost childlike astonishment of being alive. This month, one letter from a Senior Times reader, Anita Kilbride-Jones, surprised me. The format is that of a letter – like scribbles from a lost friend, found hiding between the chapters of a book that you’re about to treat to a second, or third reading. Yet it is more than a letter – it’s a stream of consciousness spill that transforms a mundane May morning into a magical mystery tour. The magical element comes from the author’s incredulity at how the humdrum of a random day – so uneventful that it sloshes from yesterday and overflows into tomorrow – can indeed bewitch you. Little things – like the scramble of a stark bougainvillea on golden limestone, the disorganised organisation of a village hardware store, a fisherman painting his boat in vibrant splashes, and a red sail caught between sea and sky – burst into a universe that expands, continuously. In much the same way, Malta surprises Fiona Vella who, together with Oliver Gatt, has researched and written a book, Bizarre Malta. In this issue of Senior Times, she writes how a journey of exploration around Malta unearthed places which – even though we drive by them every day with hardly a second glance – hold some kind of mystery, surprise, whim or riddle. Like the folly architecture of Villa Mystique in Madliena, the Dar tal-Bebbux in Għaxaq or the memory of mummified friars in the Capuchin’s Crypt in Floriana. So as summer simmers and the days mist into a haze, prepare to be surprised. Or rather, don’t be prepared, so that you can be surprised.

Stanley

SENIOR TIMES

4. Writing on the walls

JUNE 2018

7. Malta on a mid-May morn

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Stanley Borg E-mail: seniortimes @timesofmalta.com CONTRIBUTORS Carmel Baldacchino Tonio Bonello Joe Busuttil Tony C. Cutajar Dun Jonathan Farrugia Christine Galea Louis Gatt Anita Kilbride-Jones Ramona Portelli Andrew Sciberras Fiona Vella PUBLISHERS Allied Newspapers Limited Triq L-Intornjatur, Mrieħel BKR 3000 www.timesofmalta.com

Fiona Vella tells the story of how a simple endeavour became a fantastic journey of exploration around Malta.

Senior Times reader Anita Kilbride-Jones finds inspiration in the early hours of summer.

8. Il-qalb li tibqa’ tħabbat... In-nisrani dejjem imsejjaħ biex jibqa’ jħobb, jgħid Dun Jonathan Farrugia.

10. Strateġija ta’ komunikazzjoni korporattiva Bi strateġija ta’ komunikazzjoni tajba, inżidu is-sens ta’ parteċipazzjoni kollettiva, waqt li nsaħħu il-viżjoni u direzzjoni tagħna, jgħid Tonio Bonello.

12. Sailing by As an island, Malta’s history frequently docks in its safe harbours. Senior Times and Bay Retro board the boats of time.

16. ‘Protezzjoni u kura lill-annimali’ Ramona Portelli tiltaqa’ ma’ xi voluntiera tal-MSPCA.

DESIGN Christian Busuttil SALES & SUBSCRIPTIONS Marion Muscat Tel: 2276 4331 E-mail: marion.muscat @timesofmalta.com © 2018. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publishers is prohibited.

18. The classic Floriana Cup encounter Every time the two oldest league clubs in Malta, St George’s and Floriana played, they made football history, says Carmel Baldacchino.

20. Understanding tinnitus Tinnitus cannot be cured or stopped completely. However, thanks to neuroscience, today we are beginning to understand it better, says Andrew Sciberras from Loud & Clear.

21. Words that heal A healing word can bring comfort and will add a positive element to our surroundings, says Christine Galea from the Cana Movement.

22. A different gear What attracted John Drury to classic cars is their unique difference, Joe Busuttil from the Old Motors Club says.

24. L-Antikrist Mattew Silta mir-rumanz ġdid ta’ Tony C. Cutajar.

25. Growing old in Malta How is it for you, Louis Gatt asks.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

NEWS

Living with dignity in the community

he Department of Active Ageing and Community Care (DAACC), under the remit of the Parliamentary Secretary for Persons with Disability and Active Ageing, is responsible for delivering services within the community for individuals aged 60 and over, to enable the elderly to live with dignity in their own home. The services vary from those that provide assistance for basic, medical and social needs as well as shelter services. To cater for the basic needs of the elderly, such as eating properly, hygiene, domestic chores, services such as Home Help, Handymen Services, Carer at Home Scheme, Meals on Wheels and Continence Service are provided. Moreover, medical care is also vital for the elderly to be able to maintain their life in the community. Such services provided by the DAACC include the provision of domiciliary nursing/caring service,

Allied Health Service, the Dementia Intervention Unit, Community Geritatrician Services, as well as Telecare. The social aspect of the elderly’s well-being is central to philosophy of providing services in the community. Therefore, the DAACC supports elderly with social work services, active ageing centres, and telephone rent rebate. In addition, in cases where the elderly are sleeping alone, permanently or temporarily, the DAACC offers night shelter, residential respite or respite at home services. Most of the services are firstly assessed by the Comm Care team, so to ensure that the services are being utilised by those who really need them. Those who would like to inquire further information or apply for any of these services, can contact Centre Servizz Anzjan at 3, Old Mint Street, Valletta VLT 1510, call on 2278 8800, or send an e-mail on aaccd-services@gov.mt.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

MYSterY

WRITING on the

WALLS

Fiona Vella tells the story of how a simple endeavour became a fantastic journey of exploration around Malta.

turret of lourdes house. Photo: oliver GAtt

he Maltese Islands are brimming with history, mystery and narrative. Some of the places are pretty popular and yet time has turned them into mundane sites. Others are known by the few and therefore they are unfamiliar and unvalued. A number of sites are located on private grounds and so they remain distant and elusive. This is why Oliver Gatt came out with the idea of collecting a number of these interesting

spots and present them in an intriguing book to inspire and provoke readers to know more about them or to go out and look for them. I was entrusted to join him in this endeavour which eventually developed into a fantastic journey of exploration of the most exciting corners of our islands. Interestingly, some of the selected places are plainly in sight. We drive past them regularly and possibly never even notice them or just take them for granted.

An aerial view of the Ċirku tal-Bidni. Photo: oliver GAtt

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

Dar tal-Bebbux in Għaxaq. Photo courtesy of roderick Vella and stePhen BuhaGiar, the PeoPle of Malta

Bizarre Malta, by fiona Vella and oliver Gatt (Bdl Publishing)

Two such examples are dwellings found in Żabbar. One has a large niche dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes built right into its facade, while its top floor is embellished with intricate architecture and a turret on each corner. The other building has a mutilated facade with a historical French artillery cannonball still stuck into it. Folly architecture is designed to attract attention and awe. Yet the demise of their owners tends to render such structures irrelevant or simply misunderstood. Villa Mystique in Madliena is anything but standard.

In fact, while at first hand many might believe that this building is just a ruin, in reality this villa was constructed in a haphazard way just for the ecstatic feeling of originality. Similarly, Id-Dar tal-Bebbux (The House of Snails) which is found in Għaxaq, was decorated late in the 19th century with a

multitude of seashells that form intricate shapes and patterns. The uniqueness of such buildings have often led to the deliberation of whether they should be considered for scheduling by the Planning Authority in order to protect and preserve them. However this has not materialised so far.

Chilling and horrifying places could change considerably over time. Nevertheless the shocking nature of some of them will continue to strike fear into anyone who dares to visit them. Even though the corpses of mummified friars no longer hang in the niches of the Capuchin’s Crypt in Flori-

ana, their eerie presence is somehow still felt, especially when one comes face to face with the frightening replica of a mummified friar or with the actual gaping mummy of Fra Crispin Zammit which is believed to be miraculous. Correspondingly, although today silence and tranquillity

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

MYSterY

reign in Wied Għammieq cemetery in Kalkara, the knowledge that it originally served to bury those who died during the cholera epidemic of 1837 makes it somewhat creepy. This place is rendered even more intimidating through old rumours which narrate that some people were mistakenly buried alive in this cemetery due to the frenzy of the numerous burials at the time. The cries of these unfortunate ones are said to have been heard coming out of the earth by passers by. Mysterious sites have an inherent ability to appeal to a wider audience. Yet somehow, some of them remain relatively unknown or simply undealt with. A case in point took place in 1969 when three secret passageways filled with human bones were accidentally discovered at the old church of St Gregory in Żejtun. Very few people have ever visited this historical place and no conclusive studies are available about the existence of these passages and the presence of human remains. Another baffling site is located at the limits of Żabbar and is known as Iċ-Ċirku talBidni. Both because of the remoteness of the area and since it is in private property, the place has rarely been seen and there is only scant information available about it. It is not known whether the circular feature was geographically

An aerial view of Villa Mystique in Madliena. Photo: oliVer GAtt

lourdes house in Żabbar. Photo: oliVer GAtt

created or man-made, however the surrounding landscape has presented several interesting archaeological discoveries. Some old buildings have captivating stories to tell about the past local society and culture. An old hospital in Rabat, Malta, which now serves as the National Archives of Malta, still preserves a feature which was originally known as ‘La Ruota’ (the wheel). This was a revolving contraption that made it possible for unwanted babies to be left anonymously at this place in order to be cared for by the authorities. Similarly, a door of the Convent of the Franciscan Friars Minor leading onto St Ursola

Street in Valletta, is a grim reminder of a tragic day in 1823 which saw the death of more than 100 children. These poor souls were killed during a stampede that took place after the celebrations of carnival. Local natural sites also have their share of narrative on these islands. The Dwejra area in San

Some old buildings have captivating stories to tell

Lawrenz, Gozo, is imbued with splendid natural beauty but also with various interesting stories. One example is the plant, known as the General’s Root, that grows at the top of a huge rock which is renowned as Il-Ġebla tal-Ġeneral (the General’s rock). Back to the 17th century, due to the popularity and significance of this plant which was deemed to be able to cure all ills, strict measures were taken to prohibit people from removing any. These included the construction of the Dwejra Tower from where the rock could be guarded and also the smoothening of the rock’s sides to eliminate footholds. In contrast to Dwejra, the

subterranean cavern of Ħarq Ħammiem at St George’s Bay in St Julian’s lies hidden away from curious eyes. Indeed, since the place is isolated and in the confines of private property, not many people have ever set foot within it and less individuals have ever heard about it. Things somehow changed when the recent extensive regeneration of Paceville was communicated and people came to know of the existence of this cavern. Several attempts to reach the bottom of this cavern which leads to underwater channels have proven futile due to their extent. Till now, expert divers have reached the depth of 52 metres below sea level. The cavern has been scheduled at Grade 1 by the Planning Authority. Hopefully, it will not be impacted by new developments in the vicinity. The book Bizarre Malta explores these themes and many others. Each story invites the readers to be curious about the Maltese Islands and to appreciate the deep narrative which they are endowed with. Bizarre Malta is available from Book Distributors Ltd at 13, Giorgio Preca Street, San Ġwann and from all leading bookshops, stationers and souvenir shops. For more information, contact Book Distributors Ltd on 2138 0351 or www.bdlbooks.com.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

READERS

Malta on a mid-May morn

Senior Times reader Anita Kilbride-Jones finds inspiration in the early hours of summer.

ougainvillea smothering your window. Mosaic of sun and shade on the patio. Oleanders in the wind, cactus slumped over a wall. Sunflowers, flat-faced, serene and smiling. Sonorous sounds of cicadas at dusk and merlins at dawn. Sobbing cadence of a Maltese voice pleading with fractious “Too-nio”. The High Street on Monday. Morning cacophony. Comforting warmth of the Kangaroo Bar. Ninu and Angela are God’s own people. And other Ninus and Angelas will always be carbon copies. Ugo in the Mocambo. Sizzling lampuki perfuming the air. Patient, immobile face of Joe in the Siren’s Bar. “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers”. No, Joe will not forget. Charlie and Phyllis bustling with business. “We are here for your comfort and pleasure.” Antonio in his hardware shop. Buckets and shovels jostling for position, 60-watt

bulbs easily located under mats, hats, baskets and barrels. Lines of enamelled chamber pots clambering for the sky. Antonio full of love for his fellowman; the essence of wisdom. Loud, booming cry of Angelo shouting his wares. Mosè resplendent in crimson rose. “The apparel oft proclaims the man.” The butcher’s shop. Joe, cool, calm and efficient. Carmelo at his fruit van. Handsome, happy, jolly, kind, pure heart. Charm for everyone. The good, the bad, the beautiful, the plain. Nobody escapes. A social healer, God bless him! Binko, nimble and birdlike flashes you a sudden moon-like smile. Volatile and friendly. Ludovico wrestling with a rueful smile. Felix, the other Francis on the Friary steps flutter of holy hands in a blessed benediction. The boys at Johnnie’s Bar. Indolent and watchful. Victoria still under the mimosa tree. Fingers more arthritic.

Ċikku painting his boat eternally.

Could not do her crochet today. Was only speaking of you yesterday. Loves your hat and your ‘honest’ kaftan. Calls you Madame. First time for everything. Ċikku painting his boat eternally. Heat seeping through your frozen bones from the honey-coloured stone of the fortified tower. Blues and greens on the shimmering water. Could you ever grab this beauty and put it in your pocket? A red sail floats kite-like between Saint Paul’s islands. And St Paul, he said: “Wisdom in this world is foolishness with God,” and aren’t you inclined to agree with him? A tiny exquisite lizard fixes you with a cold stare and then speeds down into the green cool of his bamboo world. A mound of ants makes you feel uncomfortably indolent by its feverish diligence. You drag yourself home for a meal of delicious Maltese bread, goat’s cheese and Lachryma Vitis.

And so to Valletta. City of romance, charm and historical resonance. Enchanting immutability. Caught in its age-old embrace. Blanketed in contentment. Patina of weathered steps in a street called Strait where foolish mortals left their doors ajar. Mdina, medieval marvel. Mystery of Cathedral. Effusion of colour. Comfort of thick walls. Drapes of bougainvillea cascading in purple glory. Bleating of goats in the distance. Snoring of supine dogs. Shock of sudden bells in the silence. Glory of Ħagar Qim. The Tarxien Temples, silent, waiting. Evening in Mellieħa. Violent sunset. Gargantuan meal at Da Rosi. Happy as a lark with a heart full of hope. A dishful of swordfish and a hat full of bluebells and daisies. You are so glad you came. Sure you’ll never be the same. Because of Malta on a mid-May morn.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

RELIĠJON

Il-qalb li tibqa’ tħabbat... In-nisrani dejjem imsejjaħ biex jibqa’ jħobb, jgħid Dun Jonathan Farrugia.

unju jġib miegħu l-festa talQalb ta’ Ġesù. Fl-imgħoddi meta din kienet tiġi ċelebrata f ’kull parroċċa b’ħafna pompa, kienet issir purċissjoni bisSagrament mat-toroq imżejnin bilqsari, tawpet u fjuri u bin-nies jimux wara s-sagrament jew għarkupptejhom fil-bibien ta’ djarhom. Kulħadd kien jiftaħ id-dar, qisu biex xi ftit mill-barka li tkun għaddejja mit-toroq tidħol f’daru. Kienu forom kif missirijietna kienu jippruvaw juru ftit rikonoxximent lejn din l-imħabba ta’ Ġesù li qatt ma tonqos, minkejja kollox. Jekk nitkellmu ftit fuq l-imħabba nemmen li naqblu li hija għadma pjuttost iebsa x’nomgħodu. L-ebda tip ta’ mħabba ma hija faċli, la l-imħabba bejn il-maħbubin, la l-imħabba bejn il-ħbieb u l-familjari, u lanqas l-imħabba in ġenerali li Kristu jagħmel referenza għaliha meta jitkellem fuq it-tieni kmandament li jaqbel mal-ewwel wieħed: “ħobb lil għajrek bħalek innifsek” (Mk 12, 31). Forsi din tal-aħħar hija l-aktar waħda iebsa fil-fatt, għax nassumi li forma ta’ rabta bejn familjari, maħbubin u ħbieb hemm u din ġeneralment tippromwovi r-rispett u limħabba; imma meta nitkellmu fuq “proxxmu” li ma jaqax taħt dawn il-kategoriji m’għandekx garanzija li se ssib rispett, u wisq anqas imħabba. U dan jista’ jkun li b’xi mod qed nixhduh anke fi żminijietna u f ’pajjiżna. Mhux bi ħsiebni f ’din il-paġna nxejjer il-bandiera tas-simpatija lejn ittagħlim tal-Knisja u lejn min jipprova jippromwovih dakollu għax jien saċerdot. Biss naħseb li ħadd ma jista’ jiċħad li r-reazzjonijiet li saru matul dawn ix-xaharejn lejn kull min ipprova b’xi mod jitkellem kontra jew ikun kritiku lejn il-proposti għall-emenda tal-liġi dwar il-“protezzjoni” tal-embrijun, li issa għaddiet mill-Parlament u qed tiġi

Giovanni Gasparro, Sacro Cuore di Gesù.

ifformulata biex tgħaddi għallapprovazzjoni tal-President tar-Repubblika (nirringrazzjaw lil Alla u lis-sens komun li taħrika fid-direzzjoni t-tajba rajna f ’dawn l-aħħar ġranet). Tul dawn l-aħħar ġimgħat kien hemm min prova jiftaħ għajnejn il-poplu dwar il-gravità, mhux biss morali imma anke etika, tal-proposti riskjużi li kienu fl-abbozz oriġinali. Dawk li resqu ‘il quddiem ma kienux –

Persważ li sitwazzjonijiet iebsa bħalma rajna jistgħu jkunu mumenti ta’ grazzja biex l-eżempju ta’ min irid verament jimxi mal-kmandament ta’ Kristu jħalli l-frott

bħalma ppruvat tingħata l-impressjoni minn numru ta’ membri parlamentari fil-kummenti tagħhom fuq il-mezzi talmedia soċjali – kollha nies ‘konservattivi’ jew ‘klerikali’. Kien hemm pedjatri, esperti fil-ġenetika, bioloġisti, ex-ministri u esperti in ġenerali li l-biċċa l-kbira huma għalliema fl-Università ta’ Malta. Ma dawn kien hemm ukoll numru (ikolli ngħid żgħir wisq) ta’ saċerdoti u relġjużi, fosthom jien, li tkellmu apertament kontra l-manuvri li kienu qed isiru. Fil-waqt li l-kummenti tal-esperti ġew imwarrba b’mod pulit li ma kienx nieqes mir-rispett dovut lejn il-pożizzjoni tal-persuni konċernati, il-mod kif ġejna tattati aħna li nilbsu l-kullar kien xi ftit differenti. Apparti mit-tgħajjir personali fuq il-profiles tagħna fuq il-media soċjali u fil-pubbliku, kien hemm ukoll artikli fuq news portals b’attakki personali bi screenshots u ritratti meħudin mill-profiles pubbliċi ta’

xi saċerdoti bil-għan li jkissru lillindividwi partikulari – dak li bl-Ingliż insejħulu character killing – ħaġa li ma tidher fost il-kredenzjali tal-ebda news portal serju. Waqt li bl-ebda mod ma rrid ngħid li dak li ntqal min-naħa tagħna kien żgur kollu tajjeb u li żgur intqal blaħjar mod possibbli, niġi f ’diffikultà meta nippova nevalwa b’mod oġġettiv ir-reazzjoni qalila li kien hemm kontrina u kontra min hu “tal-Knisja” f ’din ilkwistjoni kollha. Li hu żgur hu li dan kollu, meta mpoġġi fil-kuntsest ta’ dak il-kmandament li bdejna bih, ikompli jurina kultant kemm huwa diffiċli li tħobb lil min huwa “proxxmu” imma li ma jaqbilx miegħek. Iżda żgur ukoll li sitwazzjonijiet hekk jistgħu jkunu mumenti ta’ grazzja biex l-eżempju ta’ min irid verament jimxi mal-kmandament ta’ Kristu jħalli l-frott. Ħa nagħlaq b’silta minn kitba tat-tielet seklu ġejja minn komunità ta’ insara li kienu jafu li qed jgħixu f ’soċjetà li trid teqridhom. Ir-raġuni għalfejn se naqsamha magħkom hi għax millespejenza ta’ din il-komunità aħna lkoll nistgħu nitgħallmu xi jfisser li timxi verament fuq il-passi ta’ Ġesù u minkejja kollox… tibqa tħobb. “L-insara jħobbu lil kulħadd, imma kulħadd jobgħodhom. Ħadd ma jaf xejn dwarhom, imma xorta jikkundannawhom; […] kulħadd jinsulthom, imma f ’dawn l-insulti huma jiġu glorifikati. Kulħadd jitkellem ħażin dwarhom, imma huma ġusti f ’għajnejn Alla; jiġu misħuta, imma huma jbierku; in-nies jgħajruhom, imma huma jwieġbu billi jġibu rispett lejn ħaddieħor; jagħmlu t-tajjeb, imma jiġu kkastigati bħal nies li jagħmu l-ħażin. Meta jkunu maħqura, huma jifirħu daqs li kieku ngħataw il-ħajja; il-Lhud u l-barranin għandhom għalihom, il-Griegi jippersegwitawhom, imma dawk li jobgħoduhom mhumiex kapaċi jagħtu raġuni għal din il-mibegħda. Biex nitkellmu b’mod li niftehmu, nistgħu ngħidu li n-nisrani hu għad-dinja dak li r-ruħ hi għall-ġisem. […] Il-ġisem jobgħod lir-ruħ u jissielet magħha, mhux għax ir-ruħ għamlitlu xi ħsara, imma għax ir-ruħ tieqaflu meta jkun irid jagħmel ta’ rasu. Daqstant ieħor id-dinja tobgħod lill-insara, mhux għax għamlulha xi ħsara, imma għax ma jaqblux mal-modi tagħha. […] Alla fdahom b’missjoni tant kbira li anqas kieku jridu ma jistgħu jwarrbu minnha.” (Lil Djonjetu, V-VI).

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

NEWS

Improving quality of life

Finally we meet... US President Donald Trump walks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore on June 12. PHOTO: REUTERS

uropharma Ltd., a member of Michele Peresso Group, offers cost effective, high quality pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostic products and aids for the elderly, disabled and rehabilitation across a broad range of disciplines. Europharma Medical Centre was the first retail outlet in Malta selling aids for the elderly and disabled, and after three decades, it is still honoured to be offering this service. Europharma’s experience over all these years has enabled the company to fine-tune the choice of products offered to ensure it reaches out to all esteemed customers’ needs, while aiming at exceeding their expectations doing so. The dedicated sales-team running the medical centre has been part of Europharma’s success story since the very beginning, and surely the reference point of many customers who often visit the centre, describing their ailment, and leave it in the good hands of an experienced sales-team to provide options for solutions. Europharma Medical Centre offers a very large variety of product on display, and a portfolio of over 5,000 products. The company’s primary objective is to improve the quality of life of customers offering value for money solutions, and, after all these years, remain at the forefront of providing new solutions which assist in reaching the company’s objective.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

OPINJONI

Nużaw l-informazzjoni biex il-pubbliku ma jiġix aktar hu jfittex x’servizzi noffru aħna, iżda mmorru għandu aħna.

Strateġija ta’ komunikazzjoni korporattiva Bi strateġija ta’ komunikazzjoni tajba, inżidu s-sens ta’ parteċipazzjoni kollettiva, waqt li nsaħħu l-viżjoni u d-direzzjoni tagħna, jgħid Tonio Bonello.

’dawn l-aħħar xhur kont assenjat biex nikteb u nintroduċi strateġija korporattiva ta’ informazzjoni u komunikazzjoni fl-ambjent taxxogħol. Dan meta issa, il-qasam li fih inwassal isservizzi tiegħi m’għadux speċifikament u esklussivament issettur tal-anzjanità attiva, iżda b’mod aktar diversifikat mifrux fuq 10 entitajiet inkluż dak imsemmi. L-istrateġija proposta tkopri 14 -il proġett li jien qsamt f ’żewġt dimensjonijiet, jiġifieri, komunikazzjoni korporattiva interna, u dik esterna. Ma jistax ikollok strateġija korporattiva inidirizzata lejn il-bżonnijiet tal-pubbliku mħaddma b’mod professjonali jekk qabel xejn m’għandekx strateġija nterna b’saħħitha tara l-bżonnijiet ta’ dawk qed jaħdmu miegħek. Meta l-impjegati tagħna jkollhom fihom element ta’ ‘sense of belonging’ fuq il-post taxxogħol, il-messaġġ korporattiv lejn il-pubbliku se jasal, tassew bi tbissima, b’aktar sens ta’ lejaltà u f ’sura fejn bħal bnie-

dem qed jaqsam miegħek dak li int tinħtieġ, aktar milli sempliċi jtik servizz. Bħala komunikazzjoni korporattiva interna, tfittex li limpjegat ikun mgħarraf biddrittijiet, pero’ wkoll bl-obbligi tiegħu. Gwida f ’forma ta’ manwal li tingħata lil kull impjegat u aġġornat regolarment jagħti identità lill-entità u direzzjoni lill-impjegat. Uniformi serja u dokument ta’ identifikazzjoni jkomplu jagħtu dinjità lillimpjegati tagħna u sens ta’ impenn u serħan il-moħħ fost il-pubbliku li qed jirċievi jew jistenna servizz. L-impenn u l-motivazzjoni ma jiġux waħedhom. Attività annwali fejn ikunu ċelebrati kisbiet distinti minn impjegati tagħna li eċċellaw f ’xi speċjalizazzjoni jew fil-qadi ta’ dmirijiethom huma fundamentali. Bl-istess qies, opportunitajiet ta’ tagħlim estiż bl-għan li l-individwu jista’ jkompli javvanza u jagħti kontribut lill-pajjiżu, mhux biss fuq il-post taxxogħol, pero’ anke f’kuntest talistess familja tiegħu, f’oqsma ta’ volontarjat u aktar. Dan hu dak li jagħmel soċjetà b’saħħitha.

Formazzjoni ħolistika ta’ individwu bħala impjegat, ma tissarrarfx biss f ’vetrinà ta’ dak li aħna aħna bħala entità statali, iżda ta’ dik iddifferenza li nistgħu nagħmlu fil-familja u/jew fl-ambjent ta’ kull ċittadin Malti u Għawdxi. Hu f ’dan id-dawl li l-istrateġija tħares lejn dimensjonijiet aktar profondi li huma ntenzjonati jersqu aktar lejn il-persuna bħala bniedem sħiħ. Fuq komunikazzjoni korporattiva esterna, tfittex li l-pubbliku ma jiġix aktar hu jfittex x’servizzi noffru aħna, iżda mmorru għandu aħna! Mhux se nħabbtu bieb bieb, iżda se niżguraw li se nkunu f ’kull kamra ta’ kull dar permezz ta’

L-impenn u l-motivazzjoni ma jiġux waħedhom

mezzi diversi li toffri l-media tradizzjonali, dik moderna u futura, skont l-għażla u l-istil ta’ ħajja ta’ kull individwu. Dan jista’ jseħħ permezz ta’ pubblikazzjoni professjonali u informattiva ta’ kull tlett xhur, partkolarment maħsuba għal dawk mhux intiżi fl-elettronika. Se jkun qed iseħħ ukoll permezz ta’ siti soċjali popolari u mezzi oħra waqt li tkompli l-parteċipazzjoni minn impjegati tagħna fi stazzjonijiet tar-radju u televiżivi magħrufa lokalment. Lanqas l-għarfien ma jiġi waħdu. Hi triq sempliċi għal ħafna – iżda diffiċli f ’kuntest monetarju – li jagħżlu jassenjaw kampanja ta’ reklamar f ’diversi media. Din aktarx tfisser piż finanzjarju u żmien limitat tal-effett tagħha. L-għarfien f ’din listrateġija qed ikun imdawwar mod ieħor. Jiġifieri, ejja ninċentivaw lil min għandu l-għarfien, lesperjenza u l-mekkaniżmu biex iwassal dak li ninħtieġu nwasslu aħna, possibilment b’impenn aktar milli bi ħlas. Hu f ’dan id-dawl li l-istrateġija

taħseb biex aħna nkunu amalgamati ma’ entitajiet awtorevoli bl-għan li nirrikonoxxu l-apprezzament tagħna għal ħidma kollaborattiva biex jitwassal il-messaġġ ta’ servizz u għajnuna lil min tassew jinħtieġa Permezz ta’ parteċipazzjoni kollettiva, iżda b’ħafna ħsieb, impenn u kreattività nistgħu niffaċilitaw biex aktar ħidma f ’din id-direzzjoni timmaterjalizza, aktar sens ta’ parteċipazzjoni fostna jkompli jsaħħaħna, u aktar viżjoni u direzzjoni li bosta’ drabi, aktar titlob sens komun milli nfieq u riżorsi, jkomplu jagħtu dik il-forma lejn il-kwadru sħiħ, komplut li fl-aħħar mill-aħħar irridu nwasslu: aħna qegħdin hawn għasservizz tiegħek, tal-familja tiegħek, tal-poplu Malti u Għawdxi kollu. Tonio Bonello huwa editur tal-midja (information and communications executive) fl-uffiċċju tas-segretarju permanenti, fi ħdan il-Ministeru għall-Familja, Drittijiet tatTfal u Solidarjetà Soċjali.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

NEWS

Free hearing tests in your locality in national study

K Medical is a local provider of quality medical equipment with strong ties to the community. OK Medical is now taking it further and embarking on a National Hearing Screening initiative to gather data and raise awareness on hearing loss. Hearing loss is more widespread than we know, with approximately one in five people expected to have some form of hearing loss. If left undetected or untreated, hearing loss may significantly lower quality of life and also affect mental well-being. OK Medical will be working in collaboration with local councils to offer free hearing tests in localities across Malta and Gozo. This initiative was officially launched on June 2. The company will be sending out fliers prior to testing in each locality, with anyone over the age of 18 being able to participate. People are encouraged to participate, even if they do not suspect a hearing loss. Apart from benefiting from a free hearing test, participants will also be forming part of a study to determine how common hearing loss is in the country and help with our local understanding of the condition. A dedicated helpline and booking line has been set up for any enquiries one may have. For more information call on 2148 0300 .

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

PhoTos An idyllic summer scene captures happy holidays at Għajn Tuffieħa in the 1950s. PhoTo: BAy ReTRo

The stars of Malta Story, Alec Guinness and Muriel Pavlow, enjoy a boat trip during a break between filming in 1952. PhoTo: BAy ReTRo

Sailing by As an island, Malta’s history frequently docks in its safe harbours. Senior Times and Bay Retro board the boats of time. PhoTos couRTesy oF BAy ReTRo

The Royal yacht Britannia sits in Grand harbour during the Queen and the Duke of edinburgh’s visit to Malta in 1954. PhoTo: BAy ReTRo

A Malta-based RAF Lancaster on maritime reconnaissance duty flies over Filfla in 1952. PhoTo: BoB younG/BAy ReTRo

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

Marsaxlokk in the 1970s. PHOTO: BAY RETRO

People waiting to board at the old Valletta Ferry Station. PHOTO: MAX SLOAN/BAY RETRO

The Delfin hydrofoil service operated between Malta and Gozo from 1964 to 1968. PHOTO: BAY RETRO

HMS Narvik and her six Royal Navy submarines sit in Msida Creek in 1960. PHOTO: BAY RETRO

Families enjoy a stroll in the sunshine along the promenade next to the Chalet in Sliema in the early 1960s. PHOTO: BAY RETRO

A bird’s eye view of Sliema and Manoel Island in 1961 with Royal Navy destroyers sitting in the middle of Sliema Creek. PHOTO: BAY RETRO

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 1

EASY CROSSWORD 1

DOWN 1. Wrestling hold (6) 2. Confectioneries (6) 3. Snakes (4) 4. Craftsman (7) 5. Iron alloy (5) 6. Romany (5) 8. Dandy (4) 9. Before (3) 12. Incision (3) 13. Carpenter’s tool (5) 15. Glossy fabric (5) 18. Academy Award (5) 19. Torn cloth (3) 20. Offer (3) 21. Restricted (7) 22. Mat (3) 23. Sturdy (6) 24. Cupid (4) 25. Hand digit (6) 26. Dosh (5) 27. Giant (5) 28. Brown (3) 30. Daring (4)

16 17

32. Appreciative (8) 33. Diversion (6)

7 8

20 21

22 26 29

30 31

31 32 33

32 33

ACROSS 1. Kicked an Edwardian with a cry of derision (6) 7. A patient improvement, perhaps (8) 8. Pricked by a wild rose? (4) 10. Admiral’s familiar name for part of London (6) 11. Avenge the destruction of a city (6) 14. Helpful line in advertising (3) 16. Rant wildly about love, yet betray (3,2) 17. Transported in part (4) 19. He goes half a mile in a taxi (5) 21. A topping editor, but very unpopular! (5) 22. Pulled or kicked out of the way (5) 23. He has a taste for the sea (4) 26. Robbery of some people in a car? (5) 28. Sunny little chap (3) 29. With just one article, she upsets the male (6) 30. Who? (6) 31. Very Scottish (4) 32. Bullied by boys (8) 33. Come out of a stupor? (6) DOWN 1. He’ll do a trim job (6) 2. Cheap American (3-3) 3. Attracted some well earned reward (4) 4. Looked displeased when let down (7) 5. As worn by Bert out East? (5) 6. Thomas used some heady language (5) 8. Speak unkindly of a picture (4) 9. Angler’s name for a perch? (3) 12. Catch in an untenable position (3) 13. It’s said of a number (5) 15. A fluid we confuse with tar (5) 18. When uncle is in a state (5) 19. Cry of a ravenous bird! (3) 20. Persuaded to have left the keys (3) 21. Lost in a novel movie! (7) 22. Terry’s phone’s cut! (3) 23. Possibly sore about a cricket club providing football (6) 24. Viola’s voice (4) 25. Object of wild rage during a race (6) 26. Hide away from cold and pain (5) 27. Seat in the upper chamber (5) 28. He soon has nothing to lose (3) 30. Useless clothes? (4)

MAY ISSUE SOLUTIONS: ACROSS: 4. A-gent’s 7. Hot cakes 8. Spira-L 10. Sylph 13. Meal 14. Tell 15. Tots 16. Be-E 17. I-ran 19. Taut 21. Mean-S t.-est. 23. Ma-SS 24. Talc 26. Dad 27. Ho-E-d 29. Op.-a-L 32. F-E-ar 33. Stony 34. Majors 35. T.-Hird man 36. Faults. DOWN: 1. Ch.-est. 2. Stall 3. Wash 4. Asset (Tessa) 5. E-V-il 6. Tea-set 9. Pastel 11. Yew (Wey) 12. Plies 13. Mo-nster 15. Tan 16. But 18. Rasher 20. A-Scot 21. Mad (Max) 22. T-AD 23. Malaga 25. Pan 28. Oasts 30. “Pom”my 31. Lying 32. Foil 33. So-re.

ACROSS 1. Queasiness (6) 7. Covertly (8) 8. Honk (4) 10. Guides (6) 11. Arm muscle (6) 14. Consumed (3) 16. Tarnish (5) 17. Gumption (4)

19. Moroccan capital (5) 21. Ancient language (5) 22. Stiff (5) 23. Sandbank (4) 26. Fact (5) 28. Hill (3) 29. Source (6) 30. Monkey (6) 31. Burden (4)

MAY ISSUE SOLUTIONS: ACROSS: 4. Sortie 7. Airstrip 8. Ostler 10. Trash 13. Hope 14. Silo 15. Sofa 16. Kim 17. Foul 19. Rhea 21. Badminton 23. Sari 24. Dial 26. Pup 27. Oval 29. Ewes 32. Buoy 33. Psalm 34. August 35. Executes 36. Beggar. DOWN: 1. Halts 2. Trial 3. Etch 4. Spoof 5. Rite 6. Iberia 9. Sparta 11. Rid 12. So far 13. Holiday 15. Sum 16. Ken 18. Odious; 20. Holes 21. Bap 22. Nil 23. Suture 25. Eel 28. Voter 30. Waltz 31. Smash 32. Bung 33. Puck.

WORD SEARCH V

Aches Artist Caste Cling Cocoon Cooled Courier Cuckoo Dangles Earnings

Egged Ensue Entropy Fight Flour Gnome Groom Juicy Limbo Markets

Messier Mixer Moment Nomad Noose Notch Nozzles Opposes Parity Plane

Proud Scare Smuggled Stamina Sulks Technological Tester Tinge Voyaged Yeast

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

Ngħidu kelma

COMPETITION

QWIEL MALTIN U XI JFISSRU Agħlaq il-bieb qabel ma taħrab id-debba. Shut the door before the mare bolts. Agħmel il-ġid u nsieh, agħmel id-deni u ftakar fih. Do good deeds and move on, do harm and never forget it.

Gone Without Trace by C. J. Carver

Agħti jekk tiflaħ tagħti qabel ma jagħtuk. Give while you can.

Alla jagħlaq bieb u jiftaħ mija. God closes one door but opens a hundred others.

Missing Persons by Stephen White

Aħfer biex Alla l-imbierek jaħfirlek. Forgive so that God forgives you.

Historic Times This month, we are giving away three bestselling paperbacks. To win, tell us the date when this Times of Malta front page, reporting on a historic assassination attempt, was published. Send your answers via e-mail to seniortimes@timesofmalta.com or by post to ‘Senior Times Competition’, Allied Newspapers Limited, Triq L-Intornjatur, Mrieħel BKR 3000. The first three correct answers that we receive win a paperback each. Last month’s winners are Paul Saliba, who wins a copy of How to Cook Better by Shaun Hill, Miriam Cassar, who wins a copy of Ikel Sajfi by Anton B. Dougall and Tony Bugeja, who wins a copy of Imħabba Għamja by Emmanuel Portelli.

Aħfer lil kulħadd iżda mhux lilek innifsek! Forgive everyone except yourself.

Previous Convictions by A. A. Gill

SUDOKU

3 4

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9

3 1 4 2 8 3 6 7 9 5

8 9 3 7 5 4 6 2 1

6 5 7 9 2 1 3 4 8

7 8 6 5 9 2 1 3 4

2 3 9 1 4 7 8 5 6

4 1 5 6 8 3 9 7 2

3 6 1 4 7 5 2 8 9

5 2 8 3 6 9 4 1 7

9 7 4 2 1 8 5 6 3

8 2

3 4 5 2

9 6 1 9 2 6 5

6 1 2 9

Qabbilli waħda Darba waħda sparat bomba, tal-fajjenza x’qata ħa, l-iskarpan telaq ix-xifa, qattus nanntek kemm int ġifa. Ħanini mar u ħallieni, issa x’namel biex ninkieh? Naqbad ieħor aħjar minnu, W’minn quddiemu ngħaddi bih. X’dawl ta’ qamar tela’ il-lejla, Ċaqqufa ħsibta xelin. W’in-nies tat-Triq il-Ġdida, Kollha borom imġiddmin.

6 1 4

Ħanini mar u ħallieni, issa x’namel biex ninkieh? Naqbad ieħor aħjar minnu, W’minn quddiemu ngħaddi bih.

O Gesu` tini l-pacenzja, U mal-pacenzja tini l-flus. Mal-flus tini d-dota, U mad-dota tini l-għarus.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

PETS

‘Protezzjoni u kura lill-annimali’ Ramona Portelli tiltaqa’ ma’ xi voluntiera tal-MSPCA.

l-bniedem maħluq biex ikollu kumpanija. Tista tkun ta’ persuni oħra u anke xi kumpanija ħelwa li jaf joffri annimal. F’dan ir-rigward, ħafna persuni llum il-ġurnata jrabbu xi annimal bħal kelb jew qattus, jew xi tip ta’ annimal ieħor. Għall-intervista tal-lum għażilt li nitkellem ma’ rappreżentanti mill-MSPCA (Malta Society for the Protection and Care of Animals), kif ukoll voluntiera fi ħdan l-istess soċjeta. Tkellimt mal-Business Development Manager talMSPCA, is-Sur Keith Lewins fejn infurmani li l-MSPCA ilu mwaqqaf mis-sena 1938, u dejjem kien fl-istess post li jinsab illum, ġewwa l-Furjana. Bħala voluntiera fil-preżent b’kollox illum jammontaw madwar 40. Interessanti l-fatt

Dak li ma jkollux bżonnu xi ħadd, jaf ikun teżor għal xi persuna oħra

Elaine Levitte

ukoll li l-MSPCA jħaddan miegħu mhux voluntiera Maltin biss, iżda wkoll minn diversi pajjiżi fosthom Ingliżi, Ġermaniżi, Amerikani, Belġjani, Skoċċiżi, Spanjoli, Awstraljani u anke Ġappuniżi. “L-għan ta’ dawn il-voluntiera kollha, irrelevanti minn liema pajjizi gejjin huwa wieħed – dak li jagħtu protezzjoni assoluta u kura lill-annimali kollha fi ħdan MSPCA. Kollox ma’ kollox fi kliem il-voluntiera stess huwa żvog u gost fl-istess ħin li jagħtu ftit mill-ħin taghhom, u fuq kollox huwa mezz fejn jiltaqgħu ma’ diversi persuni oħra,” spjegali s-Sur Lewins. Charity shops tal-MSPCA Bħala charity shops għandhom tlieta madwar Malta – wieħed f ’Tas Sliema u tnejn oħra fin-Naxxar. Filfatt voluntiera jahdmu f ’dawn ic-charity shops bħalissa hemm 25, kollha jaħdmu fuq bażi volontarja bis-shifts tagħhom. L-etajiet tagħhom ivarjaw bejn 18-il sena sa l-ikbar wahda 75 sena. Ridt inkun naf jekk mic-charity shops hux iffinanzjati biżżejjed kull sena sabiex imantnu, u jżommu kull annimali li jkollhom fis-santwarju. Filfatt is-Sur Lewins spjega miegħi li kollox jgħin, bħal anke jorganizzaw fundraising, u joħolqu sistemi

ta’ partnerships, u corporate sponsorships sabiex isaħħu d-dħul finanzjaru tagħhom. L-appell tiegħu għall-qarrejja kien sabiex iħeġġeġ aktar persuni joffru ħin għall-volontarjat, għax fuq kollox huwa opportunita tad-deheb, b’esperjenzi sbieħ għall-ħajja, irrelevanti mill-eta tal-individwu. Għal din l-intervista tkellimt ukoll ma’ waħda mill-voluntiera li toffri xi sieghat taħdem b’mod volontarju fic-charity shop li jinsab f ’Tas-Sliema. Hekk kif wasalt il-ħanut, sibt lil Elaine Levitte tistennini preparata għall-intervista mieghi.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

biegħu minna bi prezzijiet relattivament baxx,” tbissmet.

PHOTOS: JONATHAN BORG

Bdiet tgħidli li normalment taħdem b’mod volontarju b’żewg shifts fil-gimgħa, li jitqassmu fuq zewg nofstanhari. Fi kliemha stess, dak li jinbiegħ miċ-charity shops iservi bhala teżor għall-użu mill-finanzi li jitħallew millbejgħ tal-affarijiet li jinbiegħu. Mistoqsija minn fejn jiġu lprodotti li jbiegħu, li normalment ikunu jikkonsistu fi ħwejjeg, żraben, handbags, kotba u xi logħob tat-tfal, dawn jaslu mingħand persuni li ma jkollhomx użu għalihom aktar. “Dak li ma jkollux bżonnu xi ħadd, jaf ikun teżor għal xi

persuna oħra,” sostniet miegħi is-Sinjura Levitte. Kompliet tgħidli li hekk kif jaslulhom xi ħwejjeġ jew prodotti oħra, hemm proċess li jsir bihom qabel dawn l-istess affarijiet jinbiegħu. Filfatt spjegatli li hekk kif jidħol xi basket affarijiet, dawn jitpoġġew fissular t’isfel ta’ taħt il-ħanut fejn hemm sorting area apposta. “L-istess affarijiet jigu maħsula, stimjati u ssortjati qabel ma jkunu prezzati għall-bejgh. Hemm proċess twil qabel ma jkunu maħruġa għall-bejgħ. Kif ħafna forsi jaħsbu, l-affarijiet ma jiġux għandna u jintefgħu

għall-bejgħ dirett. B’hekk ilprodott jasal għand il-konsumatur fl-aqwa tiegħu għalkemm ikun intużat qabel.” Għal dawk li forsi huma mħajra jagħtu xi kontribut ta’ oġġetti li m’għadhomx bżonn aktar, tlabtha tgħidli x’jirrikjedi li jsir. “Min ikun jixtieq jagħti xi affarijiet għall-bejgħ, iridu jzommu f ’moħħhom li jkunu f ’kundizzjoni tajba. Aħna charity shop u mhux junk shop, u lkawża wara l-bejgħ hija waħda ġusta. Aħna kuljum b’xi sorpriża hawn. Qatt ma taf biex ikunu ġejjin. Ikollna ħafna affarijiet tad-ditti u li jin-

Re-homing dogs and cats For this interview, I spoke again with Keith Lewins. Being he was also a volunteer some time ago within the re-homing section, before his present role as a business development manager, he was pleased to answer some of my questions prepared. Throughout this interview with him, I got to know that dogs and cats at the MSPCA get good quality food, thus all animals are all on good diet. “They do get vaccinated, neutered and chipped. MSPCA pays all for the animal welfare,” he says. I got to know that MSPCA, last year re-homed 43 cats, 20 kittens, 48 adult dogs and 11 puppies, neutered over 400 dogs and cats in the wider community and also gave educational talks in Malta and Gozo to over 3,000 children. With regards to re-homing, there is also a prior process. In fact they ensure that the new family has a good home which will suit the animal’s need, and careful matching. For any readers interested to adopt a dog or cat, I ask him what the process is and if there are any fees involved. “There’s no fixed price, however a genuine donation is appreciated. One has to keep in mind that all animals ready for adoption are already vaccinated and neutered, being all the expenses already paid by MSPCA. To run the home we need an approximate €140,000 euros a year, which includes all food, welfare, specialists, vet nurse, drugs and chipping.” Being curious, I wanted to know if they have any experience to share about a dog or cat that had a special treatment from MSPCA while volunteering.

In fact Mr Lewins introduced me to Chris Pace who is a re-homing and education manager, and could share a great experience with me. “I remember this particular dog, a dogo argentino known as an Argentinian mastiff. Her name was Lily. The breed has a notorious reputation because with the wrong sort of upbringing and training they can be dangerous dogs, just like any other dog that’s got some power to it, but Lily is a poster child for how docile these animals are if they are not trained to kill. “The dogs’ owner ran into some trouble with the law and the police asked us to look after the dogs - a white boxer, a tiny fox terrier and Lily – while the owner was under arrest. With the owner’s agreement we placed the dogs for re-homing so he could focus on getting back on his feet. “All the dogs found homes in their due time but Lily had the hardest time. She was very shy, scared and didn’t quite know what to make of the world but she started coming around. Luckily this great couple showed up after seeing her in a magazine and though she needed some adjustment with the dog they already had and the busy life that comes with living with humans, they gave her the time and patience she needed and now she is even an activist for animals’ rights as she has posed in a photo shoot to raise awareness on chained dogs recently. Stories like this make the hard work worth its while.” Malta Society for the Protection and Care of Animals, St Francis Ravelin, Floriana, FRN1231, Malta. For more details and information visit www.maltaspca.org

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

SPORT

The oldest existing photograph of St George’s FC. The picture was taken in 1896 to commemorate the Saints’ first victory over Floriana on November 18, 1894. Unfortunately none of the players could be identified because a written report of the game does not exist.

St George’s FC Floriana Cup Winners 1899-00: Cordina, Salvu Gili, G. Belido, E. Camilleri, A. Abbott, Lawrence Busuttil, G. Briggs, G. Grima, E. Caruana, F. Mallia, Johnnie Born. Bottom: The Floriana Cup trophy won in 1900 by St George’s after they defeated Floriana 3-1 in the first classic encounter in the history of Maltese football. The cup rests proudly to this day in the Saints’ showcase.

The classic Floriana Cup encounter Every time the two oldest league clubs in Malta, St George’s and Floriana played, they made football history, says Carmel Baldacchino.

t is a known fact that the two oldest league clubs in Malta, St George’s and Floriana, first played against each other in 1894. We know nothing about this match except that St George’s won the game 2-1. It is certain that St George’s were formed before Floriana and therefore they were more experienced in this new game which was being played by youngsters from around the Grand Harbour area. After the defeat they suffered at the hands of St George’s in 1894-95 one hardly catches a glimpse of Floriana FC in existing documents, although Frankie Debono in the list of matches played by St George’s which he published in The Bulletin of October 5, 1955 states that the two teams met each other seven times between 1894 and 1899: St George’s won six of these games, with Floriana’s only positive result being a one-all draw in 1896. In 1950, on the 50th anniversary of the 1900 match, one of the players who played in that match wrote a letter in IlBerqa, giving his own version of the list of matches played by St George’s and Floriana between 1894 and 1899. It tallies in general with that of Debono except in the results. In the midst of this activity on January 1, 1897 Floriana FC lined up against the First West Riding Regiment on the Floriana Parade Ground. Floriana, who at the time were still wearing their original red and green colours were making a halfhearted effort to form a competitive team. Curtis kicked off for the West Ridings and quickly afterwards Woods scored for the regiment. Floriana fought hard for an equalizer but failed to alter the score. The game ended in a 1-0 victory for the Ridings. In the meantime, the rivalry between St George’s and Floriana continued to increase. By 1899 the pique had reached

such proportions that it led to one last great encounter. May 13, 1900 is one of the most important dates in the annals of the history of Maltese football. On that day, Floriana and St George’s decided to do battle again. This time however, the game would be played for a wager. Six years had passed since the first match in 1894 but really very little is known about the two clubs’ activities during those years. St George’s were the first team to represent a town or village, and they were very proud of this fact. Ta’ Bormla, as they were known, registered some successes against Service teams and they considered themselves to be the champion team of Malta. Floriana, still smarting from the series of defeats since 1894 were eager to turn the table on their opponents. It was inevitable, therefore that things would start to boil over. It seems that sometime during the first months of the new century, someone from the Floriana camp suggested that the teams should meet again for a wager. St George’s accepted and the two captains, J. Jones of Floriana and J. Born of St George’s met in the Captain’s Bar on Santa Margerita Hill in Cospicua to arrange the details. The negotiations were long and hard but at the end an agreement was reached between the two parties. It was agreed that the match would be played at Marsa at the old Navy ground near the Canteen. This ground was situated somewhere below the ‘Ghammieri’ farms. The match was played for a wager of £5.10s, which in those days amounted to a year’s wages. Each team presented a list of its players, each of whom had to fork out a 10s gold piece as his share of the wager and

the money was deposited with the ‘Captain’ and the date set for Sunday, May 13, 1900. Thus the scene was set for one of the classic matches of Maltese football. Thousands of Maltese from all over the island wended their way to Marsa on that fateful Sunday. Many side bets were made and the atmosphere was electric. Conditions were crude. there were no crossbars or nets and the spectators spilled on to the pitch leaving very little space for the players to take throw-ins or corner-kicks. Both teams agreed that the referee would be R.G.A. Rose of HMS Ardent. St George’s were the first to enter the pitch, wearing white vests with blue collars and black shorts, accompanied by the cheers of their supporters and jeers and whistles of their opponents. Then it was the turn of Floriana, wearing green and red shirts and black shorts to trot on to the pitch again accompanied by cheers or abuses from all sides of the ground. The match started with St George’s, who favoured the ‘Scottish’ style of football, taking possession of the ball and passing it skilfully around with a number of short passes. Floriana responded with the more physical English style of ‘hit and run’ football. Midway through the first half, the Saints much in the run of play, scored the first goal. Floriana reacted, missed a good chance, and then scored the equaliser. At half-time, the score stood at 1-1. A little while after the start of the second half, the Saints’ outside left, J. Born scored. Floriana protested for offside but the referee let the goal stand. The referee was hustled by both players and supporters and the Floriana players threatened to leave the pitch unless he was changed. A new referee was found from amongst

the crowd. Rose handed him the wager money and retired. The goal was allowed to stand and the match was continued. Floriana pressed for the equaliser but it was St George’s who scored through centre-forward Grima who fired a longrange shot which hit the tape before going in. The referee awarded a goal and immediately pandemonium broke out. The Floriana supporters invaded the pitch claiming that the ball had gone over the tape, followed by the Saints’ supporters celebrating their team’s success. After the Police had restored order, the referee was ready to resume the match but the Floriana players had enough. They left the pitch and match was abandoned. St George’s were declared winners. With the wager’s money St George’s bought a silver cup which they named ‘The Floriana Cup’. St George’s wrote the following inscription on the cup which now rests proudly in the Saints’ showcase. The names of the Saints’ players who took part in the match are also written on the cup: Salvu Gili, A. Cordina, G. Bellido, E. Camilleri, A. Abbott, Lawrence Busuttil, G. Briggs, G. Grima, E. Caruana, F. Mallia, and Johnnie Born. With these names were added the names of the two reserves, A. Portelli and S. Caruana. The players who turned out for Floriana were: Willie Andrews, John Debattista, Alfred Vella, Joseph Polidano, Ġuliano Tabone, Wiġi Scerri, Geatano Busuttil, Emmanuel Muscat, Joseph Friggieri, Joseph Vella and Emmanuel Camilleri. This defeat quenched the spirit of the team from Floriana. For a while they disappeared from the local football scene. However, they never forgot the humiliation they received by St George’s. They vowed that they would avenge themselves when the opportunity arises. Their dream did come true. That, however, is another story.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

NEWS

Simblija Care Home celebrates Dementia Awareness Week

imblija Care Home in Naxxar recently held a Dementia Awareness Week to educate people about dementia and advise on the importance of seeking help early once relatives or carers identify the symptoms. The activities in Simblija’s dedicated Butterfly Ward for people suffering from dementia are designed to spark interaction with the people using different channels and different tools. “We need to be creative as the mind of a person with dementia just works differently,” Charmaine Attard, director of Simblija Care Home commented. “For instance, we installed the so called memory boxes instead of numbers on the front doors of the rooms where the resident can put pictures or special ornaments. People with dementia are more likely to identify their family photo or a picture of themselves than a room number. These small changes make their lives easier and gives them a sense that they are still in control,” she added.

A person with dementia may find it difficult to initiate a conversation or an activity themselves. When no one else does anything to engage their attention, the person has no choice but to retreat into their own thoughts. With this in mind, Simblija Care Home is proud to have a schedule of daily activities within the unit. Kim Agius Cutajar, the events coordinator, believes that the more interaction the person is presented with, the more likely it is for the person to remain active overall. She is also a strong supporter of pet therapy since it has been found to be very effective for people suffering from dementia. She added that when animals such as dogs are introduced to people suffering from dementia, they have a very positive calming effect on them. The activities at Simblija are therefore very varied and are aimed to appeal to every resident. Charlotte Stafrace from ACTive Ageing provides drama-based projects that truly inject new life into residents. She

does a number of activities which entice their imagination. Once a month a group of volunteers called K9 visit the unit specially with their trained dogs, where the dogs and their handlers interact and play with the residents. Jess Rymer attends the unit on a weekly basis singing old songs. “It’s amazing to see how a person that would otherwise sit quietly in their

chair starts humming to the old tunes and even sing along their favourite ones,” Ms Cassar continued. “These moments show me that we have the right formula. I deeply believe that people suffering from dementia need this kind of interaction since apart from keeping them active they stimulate their memory and keep them have a better quality of life.”

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

NEWS

Understanding tinnitus Tinnitus cannot be cured or stopped completely. However, thanks to neuroscience, today we are beginning to understand it better, says Andrew Sciberras from Loud & Clear.

hat determines the onset of tinnitus? The principal cause of tinnitus is any degree of hearing loss, which does not have to necessarily cause any problems in everyday life. Tinnitus can be triggered by loud music, ear or head injuries, ear diseases and infections, medication, stress and anxiety or other emotional disorders. Sometimes wax buildup can block the ear and also cause tinnitus. There are different types of tinnitus. Subjective tinnitus is a persistent noise that can only be heard by the person who has it. It can take the form of tones, noise, high frequency sounds or even low frequency sounds – sometimes the intensity of the tinnitus can affect the ability to understand or hear properly. Objective tinnitus can be heard by others – however, it is uncommon and is a result of problems with blood vessels, muscle contractions and inner ear bone conditions. Pulsatile tinnitus is a persistent rhythmic noise heard by the person suffering from this condition and normally occurs as a result of change in blood flow in vessels close to the ear. If a person is experiencing this type of tinnitus, it is important to have this checked by your GP or ENT specialist. Musical tinnitus is rare – instead of hearing buzzing sounds a person will actually hear music which can be very distressing.

What are the main symptoms of tinnitus? Common tinnitus symptoms are ringing. buzzing, hissing or humming in the head but close to your ears. Most of the time this can be masked by environmental sounds or even music – however it can also be heard in the presence of background noise. Tinnitus can just appear and disappear without any warning. Other symptoms of tinnitus include: difficulty going to sleep, inability to concentrate, poor hearing, anxiety and sensitivity to loud noise. How common is the condition, locally and worldwide? It is estimated that 22 per cent of the world’s population suffers from tinnitus. Also, 90 per cent of those who have hearing loss will experience tinnitus at some point. Is tinnitus a condition or a symptom of an underlying condition? Tinnitus is a conscious awareness of sound that is not created by external sounds – basically, an area of the brain receives input from the peripheral nerves. When we hear a sound these nerves are stimulated and begin to fire signals that end up in the brain and are then perceived as sound. Tinnitus is caused when these same nerves begin to fire spontaneously without being stimulated by an external sound either due to a quiet environment, temporary loss of

Tinnitus can just appear and disappear without any warning.

hearing after being exposed to noise or a permanent hearing loss as a result of trauma, old age, and severe noise damage. Sometimes hyper activity in the brain – as a result of stress and anxiety – can also cause the nerves to fire, and therefore sounds are produced. Tinnitus is can be different from one person to another and can be loud or soft, high pitch or low pitch. Can tinnitus be treated effectively? Tinnitus cannot be cured or stopped completely. Some time ago medical professionals believed that it was an ear issue and if the peripheral organ of hearing – the cochlea

– was destroyed then the tinnitus would stop. However, this only made it worse. Today thanks to animal models and neuroscience we are beginning to understand tinnitus better. Different techniques can be used to help take control of tinnitus. These are cognitive behavioural therapy, sound therapy, tinnitus desensitisation therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation and medication that helps to control stress, sleep disorders, depression and anxiety. What treatment is available locally? All treatment options are available locally. The first important step to take is to speak to

your GP or ENT specialist to rule out any obvious reasons for tinnitus. In some cases an MRI scan might be needed. Secondly, through our collaboration with the Tinnitus Clinic – which is a specialised clinic in London – we can do tinnitus desensitisation therapy. TMS is also available and is shown to have helped a lot to decrease anxiety and depression and therefore tinnitus therapy works better. CBT is also available locally. For further information on any of these treatments visit www.loudnclear.mt or call on 9942 7448. We can direct you to the various professionals who offer these treatment therapies.

ADDED MOBILITY

hanks to its 18 years of valuable experience in the provision of an extensive range of accessibility products, Apex Lifts Limited is recognised as a market leader in this sector. Apex Lifts offers a wide range of products and services designed to help people move easily about their home.

Products include stair climbers, chair lifts, platform lifts, step lifts, pool lifts and passenger lifts. Apex Lifts also supplies good and industrial lifts. All installations done by Apex Lifts Limited are C.E. certified. Platform lifts or inclined platform lifts are ideal solutions for wheelchair

bound users as they allow mobility and freedom of access to buildings of all types, thus ensuring more independent personal mobility. These lifts can be installed next to both straight stairs as well as curved stairs. They can also be installed indoors and outdoors.

These platform lifts are battery operated and therefore, present no issues regarding power failure. These lifts are compact and platform lifts are foldable with retractable arms. Maximum capacity for platform lifts is up to 300 kilos. For more information contact Apex Lifts Limited on 2145 5051.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

OPINION

WORDS that HEAL A healing word can bring comfort and will add a positive element to our surroundings, says Christine Galea from the Cana Movement.

Even the harshest of truths may be dispensed with a spoonful of jam

ing, the second, discouraging. It’s a well-known fact in the study of psychology, that negative or derogatory descriptive terms can remain stuck in one’s brain for life, serving as a poisonous seed that will gradually grow into a belief that one will never be good enough, or smart enough, to achieve a goal. And once the seed is sown, there is no simple way to uproot it. On the other hand, one can use words of encouragement and love which serve to offer reassurance, especially to someone who may be feeling anxious or unworthy: words that heal. These words carry even more weight if they are backed-up by sincere and honest feelings of emotion and empathy. There are some who might argue that honesty is always the best policy, but being honest doesn’t equate with being brutal. In the course of my own life, I’m not proud to admit that I have said several things in the name of truth which I regret. Of course, it doesn’t make sense to lie, but even the harshest of truths may be dispensed with a spoonful of jam. Another thing I have learnt is never to speak out when I’m angry or upset at someone, or when my mind is burdened with the flotsam and jetsam that remains after an argument, because that’s the opportune moment for insults to be spewed out at their worst. It’s

“I

t’s only words, and words are all I have to take your heart away”. That’s what the Bee Gees sang in 1977. But in actual fact, words have more potential than just taking one’s heart away – and that is because they have the power both to heal as well as to hurt. As humans, we are endowed with a variety of verbal and non-verbal forms of communication but I think that none are as effective as the power of speech. And in our constant interaction with others, we rely heavily on our vocabulary to express a whole plethora of feelings, desires and emotions. But do we ever take a moment to reflect on the words we use? Do we use them wisely and reflect before we actually say them? Speaking for myself, I don’t always do. But I should, because over the passage of time, I have grown to realise that many people, particularly children, absorb most of what we say – even if it appears to us that they’re not listening – and the power of our verbal skills – or rather, the lack of them – becomes evident when certain statements we make affect others negatively. My grandma used to say: “If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say it at all”. Easier said than done, but I believe she’s right. Think of the difference between the statements: “you’re able” and “you’re unable”. The first is encourag-

Words of encouragement and love offer reassurance, especially to someone who may be feeling anxious or unworthy. E

more dignified to remain silent when the other person expects you to be enraged – and less harmful in the long run. When we are wounded, one of the most natural reactions is to inflict the same wounds upon another person. Whether we are aware of it or not, we want the other to experience the pain that we ourselves are feeling. However, with a great deal of courage, we can become wounded healers instead. The concept of the ‘wounded healer’ was created by the psychologist Carl Jung, who came T C HR I S

up with the theory that an analyst, consciously aware of his own personal wounds, is in turn compelled to treat patients. The idea was developed by Fr Henri Nouwen, the Dutch spiritual guide, whose own personal weakness and inner wounds became his greatest strength throughout his own ministry. In his 1994 classic book, The Wounded Healer, he refers to the importance of a “careful and sensitive articulation”, challenging both the wounder and the wounded to rise above their own sufferings and

hurts in order to find healing together. A healing word can bring comfort and will add a positive element to our surroundings. Indeed, such words need to play a more important role in our society, in which we’ve become experts at accusing and slandering on another, as well as exposing everyone’s misdeeds in the social media, often-times without first confirming the facts. Once we actually begin to listen to ourselves speak, I imagine that we shall be surprised what a difference we can make to the world around us.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

CARS

A different gear What attracted John Drury to classic cars is their unique difference, Joe Busuttil from the Old Motors Club says.

few years ago, the most prestigious prize at the Malta Motorsport Federation annual awards ceremony went to John Drury. It was given as an appreciation and acknowledgment of his contribution to classic cars. Nominated by all the clubs affiliated to the MMF, the award encapsulated Drury’s many years of involvement with old motors, as well as his sterling work as a mechanic and engineer, constantly and consistently giving advice to aficionados to enhance the performance of their vehicle. But who is Drury? Much fruit falls very near the tree, and takes after the same species. A few fruit falls far from the overlying shadow, and successfully develops into something different. There was no tradition of old cars or mechanical inclination in Drury’s family, yet from an early age he was fascinated by things mechanical and classic cars. “The fact that old vehicles look so different from modern ones caught my imagination from the childhood years, and I was always curious to look under the bonnet in order to find out how they worked,” he explains. Fuelled by this yearning, he embarked on mechanical stud-

ies at the Marsa Technical School. After completing his studies, he joined the mechanical section of the British Forces, where he honed his skills for eight years, until their departure in 1979. He then embarked on opening his own mechanical garage, where he was still very active until recently. Despite his love of classic cars, financial and family considerations and commitments dictated that he delay acquiring an old vehicle. He compensated for this by joining in with close friends who had old motors, going with them on runs and sometimes also driving their car. However, in 1992, he went for his first purchase – an AC Cobra which he imported from the UK in kit form. The assembly project took him two years to complete, and he says that with his technical background, he

I had to delve deeply into my skills to restore nearly all the parts to their original form

PHOTOS: TONY VASSALLO, OLD MOTORS CLUB

encountered no problems to put together the blue coloured vehicle. This marque has an interesting history, with a Malta connection along the line. Way back in 1961, American auto designer Carroll Shelby asked British specialists AC Cars to build him a modified car to accept a V8 engine, and the company agreed. Shelby first went to Chevrolet for such an engine, but they refused, as they did not want competition for their same class Corvette. Shelby then knocked on Ford’s door, who obliged. The Cobra was born in 1962, with AC Cars completing, painting and trimming the vehicles, less engine and gears, for Shelby, who then finished off the car in his Los Angeles complex. Although the Cobra was a racing success, it was a financial failure, and in 1967, Shelby and Ford stopped importing parts from the UK. AC Cars folded up in 1984 and sold its name and tools to Autokraft, a UK Cobra parts and replica cars manufacturer. A legal battle between the British and American operations ensued, with the eventual verdict giving the former the right to continue producing the car in kits, while the latter could go on producing continuation cars.

E OS

B U S UT T I L

In 2006 AC Cars closed its UK factory and moved to Malta. Its stay here was short-lived, and only three carbon fibre vehicles were manufactured before the local operation closed down. The company then moved on to Germany, where it continued to produce Cobra kits. In 1998, while Drury was talking to one of his old motors friends, he got to know about a 1957 MGA for sale in the US. “Aware of its significant history, this iconic model interested me in no small way, but similar to anyone who is buying an expensive vehicle online, I was very apprehensive,” he admits. “However, my friend was also going to buy an Austin Healey from the same source, and so eventually I went for it.” When the car arrived, Drury found it in good condition, but he had already steeled himself to the fact that whatever state the vehicle would be in, it had to undergo a nut and bolt restoration process. “The work took me than one year to complete. It was a very stimulating challenge, owing to the fact that I had to delve deeply into my skills to restore nearly all the parts to their original form. Consequently, hardly any new parts had to be bought, with the exception of some engine components, as well as new tyres.” The colour was changed from blue to Olde English white, while the black upholstery and carpets were changed to red. Drury says that the MGA was a sports car produced by MG from 1955 to 1962. Hailed as the first of a new line, it sported a body-on-frame design and used the 1500cc, straight-4 B series engine from the MG Magnette saloon, driving the rear wheels through a four speed gearbox.

Eventually, it was replaced by the MGB. Buoyed by this restoration, he then embarked on a more ambitious project: building a Lotus Super 7 assembled from parts that he managed to find all over the island. This also involved a lengthy, demanding project, but the satisfaction derived at the end of another successful task knew no bounds. Powered by a Ford 1600cc engine, he finished it in red. Drury describes the Lotus 7 as a small and simple lightweight two seater sports car produced by Lotus Cars between 1957 and 1972. The final classic car to make it to his garage was a 1972 green Mini, which he bought in 2000.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

“It is a strong and sturdy little car, with which I have been twice on the regular Old Motors Club trips to Sicily.” A familiar face in club events, Drury frequents runs and shows with his wife Monica, who is not only hooked on old vehicles, but also on For-

mula 1 racing. One of their two daughters, Lesley, has caught the parents’ enthusiasm, but Melanie remains neutral. A firm believer in the maxim that where there is unity, one finds strength, Drury also belongs to the American Car Club. His only lament is that this group has a preponderance of males. While he finds the OMC more gender friendly, he worries that the vast majority of members of this group are far from spring chickens, and that somehow, it has failed to attract younger members. Finally, he dwells on the fact that out of his four vehicles, he prefers the Cobra. “It is the only one that is still relatively brand new. Although I assembled it, all the parts came out of the factory production line, and its performance demonstrates it. The same cannot be said of the other three, and sometimes something somewhere in them tells me that they feel a little bit tired at times,” he concludes.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

RUMANZ

L-Antikrist Mattew Silta mir-rumanz ġdid ta’ Tony C. Cutajar.

l-Protestantiżmu f ’Malta xejn ma għen biex il-Maltin jibqgħu jgħożżu dak li dejjem emmnu fih matul iż-żminijiet. Il-baħrin, suldati u merkanti li kienu jiġu Malta mit-Tramuntana tal-Ewropa ġabu magħhom it-tagħlim u l-prattika tarreliġjonijiet Kalvinisti, Luterani u Protestanti in ġenerali. Mhux hekk biss, huma xerrdu dan it-tagħlim u qassmu fuljetti fost il-poplu biex iħeġġuhom jaqilbu r-reliġjon tagħhom, minbarra li jwaqqgħu għaċ-ċajt dak kollu li kien Kattoliku. Kienu jweġġgħu s-sentimenti tal-poplu tagħna meta jgħidu kontra l-Papa u l-qassisin u s-sagramenti. Id-dnub kien li kien hemm Maltin li, għal xi raġuni jew oħra, malajr biddlu r-reliġjon tagħhom u daħlu f ’dawn issetet, bħalma kultant qed jiġri llum ukoll. Dan juri li m’hemmx impenn sħiħ u lanqas edukazzjoni Nisranija tajba f ’dawn in-nies. Meta fis-sena 1709 kien daħal fil-port vapur Ingliż b’xi 40 ruħ fuqu, il-kappillan tal-Isla, Dun Plaċido Calleja, irraporta li dawn daħlu l-knisja b’nuqqas kbir ta’ rispett u anke baqgħu jpejpu l-pipa. Żaru l-prostituti, kielu l-laħam fir-Randan u l-Erbgħa tatTniebri krew żewġ karozzini u marru l-Buskett man-nisa. Dawn l-iskandli ċertament li ma kinux aċċettati mill-Knisja għax kienu qed iservu ta’ eżempju ħażin u ta’ nuqqas ta’ paċi u serenità fil-pajjiż, kif irraporta Ruma l-Isqof Pallavicino. Ma kienx ta’ xejn li l-inkiżituri kienu jgħassu dejjem fuq il-barranin li jidħlu fi gżiritna għal xi kummerċ. Fis-26 ta’ Marzu 1709, l-Inkiżitur Giacomo Caracciolo kiteb Ruma biex ifisser dwar l-imġiba ħażina ta’ xi baħħara Ingliżi li kienu daħlu Malta għall-kummerċ. Ir-rapporti kontra tagħhom bdew jaslu mingħand il-kappillani u mingħand xi lajċi. Dawk l-Ingliżi bdew jgħaddu ż-żmien bil-Maltin meta kienu jarawhom jieħdu sehem b’qima f ’purċissjonijiet ewkaristiċi jew meta kienu jaraw xi tqarbin solenni lillmorda. Huma kienu jibqgħu bil-kappell f ’rashom u l-imġiba tagħhom kienet waħda ta’ disprezz. Minbarra l-Protestanti kien hemm ukoll Griegi Ortodossi u Lhud li mhux dejjem irrispettaw ir-reliġjon tagħna. Ħafna minn dawn kienu bejjiegħa u armati bil-ħwienet speċjalment fil-belt Valletta u fit-tlitt ibliet. Huma kienu akkaniti ħafna fir-reliġjon tagħhom u kellhom kull dritt. Dment li ma kinux joffendu s-sentimenti Kattoliċi jew jippruvaw jaqilbu l-Maltin għar-reliġjon tagħhom, l-inkwiżizzjoni kienet tippermettihom u anke lill-Protestanti li jibqgħu fil-pajjiż. Infatti kien hemm minnhom li tgħammdu u saru Kattoliċi.

L-akbar ġlieda għall-inkiżituri kienet dik mal-iskjavi Torok f’Malta.

L-iskjavi kienu saru parti mix-xena soċjali għax kienu saru bżonjużi finanzjarjament Issa l-Knisja iktar bdiet tibża’ millIslam għax din kienet saret sfida kbira għall-Maltin. Il-kwantità kbira ta’ skjavi kienu saru parti mix-xena soċjali għax kienu saru bżonjużi finanzjarjament kemm għall-Ordni ta’ San Ġwann, kif ukoll għall-Maltin u għallbarranin li kienu jgħixu fil-pajjiż. Dawn il-Misilmin bdew jaqilgħu l-inkwiet għall-inkiżitur, kemm għall-ereżiji li kienu jxandru u jxerrdu fost il-Maltin kif ukoll għas-sħarijiet li saru ta’ theddida serja għall-prattika u t-tagħlim veru tal-Knisja. Xi wħud kienu jitgħammdu u jsiru Nsara għal raġunijiet differenti, iżda spiss kienu jidhru quddiem l-inkiżitur dawk li jerġa’ jibdielhom jew li jippersistu fit-twemmin

antik tagħhom waqt li jagħmluha ta’ Nsara fl-istess ħin. Il-Misilmin ma kienu jbiddlu xejn mid-drawwiet tagħhom, lanqas f ’ħajja ta’ jasar. Huma jemmnu ħafna fis-sħarijiet u għenu biex jifirxu dan it-twemmin tagħhom fost il-Maltin. Il-kummerċ mal-pajjiżi Musulmani kompla għarraq is-sitwazzjoni. Il-kuntatti kontinwi taw idejat strambi lillMaltin ta’ fidi żgħira. L-interdipendenza fl-ekonomija essenzjali bejn Malta u l-Afrika ta’ Fuq kienet inevitabbli. Kien hemm kummerċjanti Maltin li marru l-Barbarija u anke għexu hemm, jekk mhux ukoll qalbu r-reliġjon tagħhom. Fis-sena 1680, l-Inkiżitur Cantelmu talab lill-Gran Mastru biex ma jkunux pronti jagħtu l-passaport lill-Maltin biex imorru filpajjiżi Mawmettani. Barra minn dan, kien hemm għadd ta’ skjavi Maltin li sabu ruħhom maqbuda u meħudin f ’dawn il-pajjiżi. Fis-sena 1722 kien hemm iktar minn mitt talba mill-iskjavi Maltin biex jintbagħtulhom il-flus ħalli jirnexxilhom jiġu mifdija. Kien hemm dawk li qalbu r-reliġjon tagħhom u saru Musulmani jew għax kienu sfurzati jew biex jogħġbu lil sidhom u jkollhom inqas xogħol ta’ tbatija. Ġieli qalbu r-reliġjon biex ma jiġux imsawta jew ippersegwitati u anke biex jirnexxielhom jiżżewġu mara Musulmana.

Dawn kienu jibdlu isimhom f ’wieħed Musulman, jilbsu l-ħwejjeġ tagħhom u jirfsu fuq il-ħwejjeġ Ewropej biex jingħoġbu. Kienu jinqatagħlhom xagħarhom u anke jiġu ċirkonċiżi minn barbier allavolja ma kinux għadhom tfal. Dawn kienu mġiegħla jirkbu ż-żiemel u jduru mal-belt biex kulħadd ikun jaf li kienu kkonvertew. Imma l-akbar ġlieda għall-inkiżituri kienet dik mal-iskjavi Torok f ’Malta. It-taħlit tal-Maltin ma’ dawk li ma jaqblux magħhom fit-twemmin kien ħaġa ta’ kuljum. Skont wieħed konsultur tal-inkiżizzjoni f ’nofs is-seklu sbatax, “Il-proċessi tal-inkiżizzjoni kontra s-sħarijiet li xterrdu speċjalment mill-Misilmin, minn nisa qħab u mis-sħaħar, bilkemm qatt jistgħu jintemmu.” L-iskjavi kienu jiġġerrew ma’ kullimkien u jitkellmu ma’ kulħadd. Għalhekk, Malta kompliet tiżdied b’amuletti u talismani, kitbiet imsaħħrin, taħlitiet, xorb u għamejjel superstizzjużi. Minbarra l-iskjavi kien hemm imbagħad dawk li jgħaddu minn gżiritna għan-negozju. Din is-sena huwa l-40 anniversarju minn meta l-awtur Tony C. Cutajar ippublika l-ewwel rumanz tiegħu, Id-Dubbien l-Abjad (Klabb Kotba Maltin).

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

ELDERLY

Malta’s charms are important well-being indicators.

Growing old in Malta How is it for you, Louis Gatt asks.

n some respects, growing old at all is an achievement. As my old granny used to say: “As long as you’ve got your health, growing older is not a problem, it’s something to celebrate.” Well I don’t know about celebrating. After all, most of us would prefer, I’m sure, to remain around 30 to 35 years old for keeps. But it happens, if we’re lucky, so we just have to make the best of it. Apparently people begin to be referred to as “old” once they pass the age of 55. Well, speaking as someone who has passed that marker some time back I suppose I could be spoken of as a “trainee geriatric”. As indeed are most of my friends and acquaintances. The other evening a small group of us had a sort of impromptu discussion on the subject of getting older. What’s it like? Is it any better here in Malta than say, Poland or the UK? So I decided to lumber some of my friends with a – not terribly scientific – questionnaire on the subject. I sent the following mini-survey to 51 people, 39 of which replied. They came from many and varied walks of life, from MPs to farm workers, via civil servants, teachers, people in the arts plus waiters and business people. And I think their replies make interesting reading.

Of the folk surveyed some questioned why I’d want to know, still others refused to fill it in on the grounds that they weren’t yet old, whatever their birth certificate said. But from those that did take time out to cooperate, here are the findings. For every question, the options were to answer excellent, good, not bad, reasonable, not very good and poor. Question one: How do you rate Malta and Gozo as somewhere to grow old in? The overwhelming consensus was that Malta is indeed an “excellent” place to grow old in. In fact only one person rated it merely “reasonable” and nobody placed it any lower. Among my friends that responded were a few ex-pats and all these were positively euphoric about the charms of Malta and Gozo as somewhere to retire to, citing the generally good weather and slower pace of life as major advantages. Question two: Do you feel confident that Malta’s

healthcare system is geared to cope with an ageing population? Again most replies were positive, but maybe not quite so overwhelmingly so as they were for question one. By far the majority of responders opted for either “yes” or “I hope so”. A few did reply “yes definitely”, but nobody was pessimistic enough to go for: “maybe” or below. From the results of this, I repeat, not terribly scientific questionnaire, it seems that most people place good healthcare at the very top of their priorities and it would seem that Malta scores high marks here. Question three: How active are you in retirement? This question produced the most variable set of replies. Only two people implied that they were “extremely” active. And since one of these is a close friend and not particularly nimble these days, I doubted his claim, but he insisted that for his age – he is 64 – he is

The overwhelming consensus was that Malta is indeed an “excellent” place to grow old in

extremely active. Some replies even claimed they were “total couch potatoes”. But by far the majority of those who answered put themselves firmly in the “fairly” or “occasionally” active sphere. Question four: How often do you do any physical exercise? The answers to this question gave the widest spread of replies. Just five people stated that they exercised “daily”. Even fewer, two said they did so on a “weekly” basis. The vast majority claimed to exercise “just occasionally”. One responder just one said she absolutely never ever took any exercise. However, I should state here that she has attained the venerable age of 90 plus. And, for someone claiming to be so completely idle, she looks pretty good on it. A close – and extremely lethargic – friend of mine had the cheek to claim he exercised daily. Although if you count the amount of exercise his thumb gets when operating the TV remote control, then yes I suppose you could agree. Question five: How do you find the attitude of young people towards the elderly here? This was an interesting one. Again we received a fair old spread of answers, from which

it was impossible to draw any firm conclusions. Nearly all of the answers from people with children (albeit grown-up, even middle-aged children) hit the “indifferent” response. Only one saw youngsters as “very friendly and supportive” while most responded either “quite friendly and positive” or “unthreatening”. Nobody saw young people as openly “hostile”. Question six: How much has your attitude towards the elderly changed since you reached the age of over 55? Practically everybody replied “quite a bit” to this question, with a few responding “a little”. Nobody went for either “hardly at all” or “it changed, but negatively”. In addition to the questions I also asked everyone to “please add any amendments” as they saw fit. Not everyone did, but of those that did add something, three said that the government should give all pensioners free travel on public transport. Two people requested more government subsidies for retirement homes and just one responder, my old friend actually and not surprisingly, added rather flippantly: “Free beer for everyone over 55.” Growing old is not exactly painless but, as one very old lady once remarked: “It sure beats the alternative.”

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

NEWS

Bla ilma, bla ħajja Id-direttur ta’ Missio, Mons Salvinu Micallef.

il-bidu ta’ dan ixxahar kont qed nattendi għall-Assemblea Ġenerali ta’ Missio li ssir kull sena f ’Ruma. Konna madwar 130 delegat minn pajjiżi mill-ħames kontinenti. Apparti l-programm talAssemblea fuq il-ħidma mwettqa, fuq il-fondi miġbura u ddistribuzzjoni tagħhom, fuq il-proġetti mitluba u l-udjenza mal-Papa, l-Assemblea tagħtik l-opportunità li tiltaqa u tisma u titkellem fuq ir-realtajiet li għaddejjin minnhom 130 pajjiż. Is-sitwazzjoni fis-Sirja u flIran, l-inkwiet fil-Palestina, il-foqra u l-gvernijiet dittatorjali fl-Afrika, il-persekuzzjoni tal-knisja fl-Indja, l-influss tassetet fl-Amerika ċentrali u t’isfel, in-nuqqas ta’ vokazzjonijiet fil-pajjiżi tal-punent. Xi wħud jitkellmu fuq snin ta’ ġid għax pajjiżhom hu pajjiż agrikolu u

jkollhom staġun tajjeb ta’ xita, oħrajn jitkellmu fuq il-ħsara u r-rovina li kellhom minħabba ħafna xita u oħrajn jitkellmu fuq faqar u anke ġuħ minħabba staġuni ta’ nixfa fil-pajjiż. Hekk meta kont iż-Żambia fis-sajf tas-sena l-oħra sibna abbundanza ta’ prodotti tarraba għax kellhom staġun tajjeb ta’ xita. Fi snin oħra din iż-żona li jisimha Chipata u li hi għal kollox żona agrikola, in-nies kienu qed imutu bilgħatx u l-ġuħ minħabba

Iġibu l-ilma minn tlett kilometri l-bogħod

staġuni bla xita. Sfortunatament dawn ftit jirċievu attenzjoni u għajnuna mill-istat. Waqt l-Assembleja ta’ Ruma avviċinawni d-diretturi ta’ Missio tal-Etjopja u tal-Malawi. Iddirettur tal-Etjopja li għandu esperjenza diretta tal-konsegwenzi ta’ nixfa f ’żoni fil-pajjiż fejn l-għelieqi ma jagħtu xejn lil min jiddependi kompletament minnhom biex jgħix, fejn l-annimali jibdew imutu u fejn il-mard u anke l-mewt jibdew jaħkmu lin-nies. Dan id-direttur kellimni fuq il-bżonn ta’ bjar u boreholes fil-pajjiż.

Id-direttur tal-Malawi ġie b’talba speċifika. Kien għadu kemm irċieva e-mail min għand l-Arċisqof ta’ Lilongwe, il-kapitali tal-Malawi fejn esprima l-bżonn urġenti li trid titħaffer borehole ġdida filcompund ta’ komunità ta’ sorijiet, fejn il-kunvent, liskola u t-tfal li huma residenti fl-istess skola, spiċċaw bla ilma għax ma baqax ġej ilma filborehole li għandhom. Is-sorijiet qed ikollhom imorru kuljum iġibu l-ilma minn għadira xi tlett kilometri lbogħod minnhom. L-Arċisqof

li sentejn ilu kelli laqgħa miegħu fuq il-bini ta’ knejjes fid-djoċesi tiegħu, bagħtu għandi biex Missio Malta tgħinu b’xi fondi għal din il-borehole. Hu kellu stima ta’ madwar erbat elef ewro. Fejn m’hemmx ilma ma jistax ikun hemm ħajja. Aħna tagħtina rasna jekk nagħmlu anke ftit siegħat mingħajr ilma fil-vit. Fis-sajf ħafna iktar. Immaġina tgħix is-sena kollha fis-sħana u mingħajr ilma. Għalhekk it-talba lil Missio għat-tħaffir ta’ boreholes ma tieqaf qatt.

Summer solstice at Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Temples

ummer is just a few days away and on June 21 and 22, Heritage Malta celebrates the phenomenon which occurs at the most ancient megalithic temples on Earth. To mark the Summer solstice, Heritage Malta organises guided tours at Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Temples at sunrise, when the sun can be seen rising in particular alignment with these sites. Although it is not known for certain whether these orientations were intentional, they are so systematic that this is very probable. In prehistoric agricultural societies, observation of the motion of the stars, the moon and sun could have been related to the changing seasons and times of planting and harvesting crops. The Summer solstice sunrise can be witnessed from both Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Temples.

Ħaġar Qim Temples, built between 3600-3200BC, consist of a central building and the remains of at least two more structures. One of the prehistoric chambers holds an elliptical hole which is hewn out

in alignment with the Summer solstice sunrise. Mnajdra Temples, which lie 500 metres away from Ħaġar Qim Temples at the bottom of the hill, consist of three buildings facing a common

oval forecourt. The first and oldest structure was built between 36003200BC, followed by the South Temple constructed between 31502500BC, and the Central Temple constructed between the other two. The South Temple is aligned in a manner that marks the position of sunrise on the first day of each season. To ensure that all visitors get to observe the rising sun, only a limited number of tickets are available for this event. Participants will group early in the morning next to the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Visitor Centre entrance and the tour includes the Summer Solstice, guided tour of both temples, and access to the visitor centre with 4D show. For more information visit www.heritagemalta.org or the agency’s official Facebook page.

SENIOR TIMES â&#x20AC;&#x2019; JUNE 2018

SENIOR TIMES ‒ JUNE 2018

DENTAL CARE

Varying costs of dental treatment T he cost of treatment is a determining factor to most patients. Very few patients do not look at the figure at the bottom of the page. What are the factors contributing towards this? Number of appointments: Fillings, extractions, cleanings and some crowns and bridges may all be carried out in one appointment. The majority of fixed or removable prostheses may require a couple of appointments. Other lengthy dental work spanning months or years include orthodontic and/or implant treatment. Materials used: Simple materials used for routine dentistry are not too expensive whilst other treatment modalities like orthodontic and restorative dentistry have a range of materials to choose from. Braces come in metal or ceramic brackets. Even the arch wires; metal colour or tooth colour crossing the braces play a part in the total figure. Braces stuck on the inside of your teeth are even more expensive as are transparent aligners used to straighten teeth. Crowns and bridges may

DR JEAN PAUL DEMAJO IS A DENTAL AND IMPLANT SURGEON.

be produced from conventional metal fused to ceramic or all-ceramic metal-free ones. This changes the price considerably. The same goes for these fixed types of restorations placed on implants. The metals used may be of high quality and better finish than others. The implant brand as well as the components used can be originals or look alike drastically affecting the overall cost. Dentures may also be manufactured from different materials; acrylic resin, acrylic resin with a metal-framework and elastic acrylic resin. Level of expertise: Specialist work done by specialists always comes with an added premium, both in know-how and costs. This does not mean that the same work done by a non-specialist is inferior in quality. It is simply a fact that a higher level of education brings a slightly higher price tag. Guarantee: Some practitioners offer a fixed guarantee on the dentistry administered to their patients. This may vary between practitioners. Some of the brands used like the type of implant may also carry a different guarantee; lifetime or none at all. Laboratory work: Most of the prostheses,

whether fixed or removable involve the need of a laboratory. Here technicians, at times even more than one work to construct the teeth. Both fixed or removable prostheses constructed in the laboratory employ methods using high tech equipment carrying hefty costs both in materials and maintenance. These technicians and pieces of equipment also play a part in the total cost. Clinical equipment: some clinical equipment is simply better at what it does than other equipment hence the difference in price. Having touched on the above, and stressed on why expenses could be high, there are other factors, which are yet more important than the price tag. This is the aftersales service. Putting it this way sounds very impersonal but it basically refers to how well us dentists treat our patients once they’ve paid their bill and settled all. Not every treatment is a complete success story and often after some time has gone by, patients are not fully satisfied with the wave of treatment they had recieved. Do we keep trying to make them happy without charging or do we discourage them by saying nothing else can be done hoping they would learn to live with it? Addressing the needs of an unhappy patient is more important than receiving thanks from a hundred satisfied patients. Our professional ethics is a big deal, which we cannot put a price tag on. Ask your dentist!