The Gibraltar Magazine- October 2010

dining guide • business & finance • sport & leisure • property • history • community

g

ibraltar magazine the

October 2010 Vol. 15 No. 12 FREE

A Star Among Us Managing Risk in Today’s Environment

Gibraltar’s High Flier There’s a New Deputy in Town

Daisy Dioxin’s Derby Mania

Isaac Newton’s Gibraltar Connection

WHEN IT COMES TO BUYING A PROPERTY IN GIBRALTAR, OUR CLIENTS ENJOY THE BENEFIT OF EXPERT ADVICE COUPLED WITH LOCAL KNOWLEDGE With the mortgage service from Barclays Wealth, you benefit from: • Competitive interest rates • A great choice of mortgages including: Fixed Rate, Tracker and Mix & Match mortgages • Experienced mortgage advisers with a detailed understanding of the Gibraltar property market • The peace of mind that comes with the resources and 300 year heritage of the Barclays group

To find out more, please call 00 350 200 52338 or visit us in branch For a better deal on your mortgage, we’re with you.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. * Lines are open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Calls may be recorded so that we can monitor the quality of our service and for security purposes. Borrow up to 85% of the value of your property.

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Barclays Wealth is the wealth management division of Barclays and operates through Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiaries. Barclays Bank PLC. Registered in England. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered number: 1026167. Registered office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP. Authorised by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission to conduct banking and investment business in Gibraltar. Item Ref: PP1143

G i b r a l ta r A s s e t M a n a g e m e n t S T O C K B R O K E R S

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what’s inside?

business & ďŹ nance 8 9 12 14 16 18 20 22 28

features Do We Really Now Live in One World?

There’s a New Deputy in Town Levi’s Extraordinary Life Making Headlines ₏ Minister for All Seasons Touring Through Time

property & interiors 38 39 40 42

38-43

Property Directory A Thought for the Old Town â‚Ź Where now for the Local Market?

Feng Shui Your OfďŹ ce

34 48 52 69 73 74

history & heritage 30 46 66 76

Worse Thing Happen at Sea John White’s Gibraltar Collection ₏ Euryalus: Flagship to Prison Hulk Isaac Newton’s Gibraltar Connection

health & medical

58 60 62 64

58-65

Holiday with a Difference Lifestyle & Breast Cancer Health & Fitness Guide Creativity for Change

food & drink

80-89

80 Events ďŹ le 82 Autumn Eats & Treats 85-88 Restaurant & Bar Guide 89 Time for Wine

regulars

information

68 90

70-71 94

Puzzle Page Around Town

arts & lifestyle

City Centre Map Gibraltar Information

dining guide • business & finance • sport & leisure • property • history • community

24 26 32 36 50 54

Business & Finance Guide Is Kidnap & Ransom Covered?

Managing Risk in Today’s Environment Jill Sealey: a star among us WTC Planned for Gibraltar Finding a Job FAQs Mark Carreras: Gib’s high ier ₏ Human Resources & Your Rights Business Attracted by Low Tax Rate

If it’s Not fun, it’s Not NADFAS What’s On October Exploring Pathways Through Poetry National Day, Family Day Gibraltar Summer Ball Daisy Dioxin’s Derby Mania ₏

gibraltar the

magazine October 2010 Vol. 15 No. 12 FREE

A Star Among Us Managing Risk in Today’s Environment

Gibraltar’s High Flier There’s a New Deputy in Town

Daisy Dioxin’s Derby Mania

Isaac Newton’s Gibraltar Connection

Caleta Hotel photographed by Kevin Fitzmaurice Brown

Vol. 15 No. 12 October 2010

The Gibraltar Magazine is published monthly by

Guide Line Promotions Limited

PO Box 561, PMB 6377, 113 Main St, Gibraltar Tel/Fax (+350) 200 77748 E-mail: gibmag@gibraltar.gi Publisher/editor: OfďŹ ce manager: Studio:

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Detailed appendices on relevant Gibraltar Government legislation.

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• OCTOBER OCTOBER 2010 2010 GIBRALTAR

business & finance

by Ian Le Breton

Insurance – even Kidnap & Ransom cover can be arranged in Gibraltar The month of December means getting ready for the festive season — unless you’re a retailer when the process seems to begin any time after the end of June. And, for most people, it’s also a time when personal budgets are at their most stretched with a dramatic leap in one-off costs all in the name of goodwill to all men.

For me, since I moved here six years ago, December is also the time of year when I have to pay a series of bills for something I don’t want and hope never to have to use but which nevertheless I must have. What is it? In a word, insurance. In the same month I have to pay for the car, the apartment (contents at least), review my health cover and of course the annual travel insurance policy.

Thinking about these areas recently, I decided to take a closer link at the insurance world and, in particular, an area of insurable risk that may not be immediately obvious. These days almost any risk can be insured — if you search hard enough or if you employ a good broking firm to do the job for you. But perhaps we should first consider the main elements of insurance. What is it and who are the parties involved?

In economic speak, insurance is essentially a type of hedge against an uncertain loss at some time in the future. The management of the risk is handed over to an insurance company in exchange for a fee — the premium — and an insurance contract is created. You and I become policyholders; the premium we pay is, if you care to consider it this way, our loss. We know what this “loss” amounts to, and in advance.

In exchange we mitigate any catastrophic loss that could occur in the future. We can go about our business, be it driving our cars or jetting off on some trip, safe in the knowledge that in the event of trouble, the financial cost will be covered. Of course there is the thorny question of an “excess” – the contribution we must make in the event of a claim although it should be possible to reduce this with proper negotiation.

So it set me thinking about other types of risk.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

Here in Gibraltar we are fortunate to be able to access the international insurance market if the local market cannot provide the required cover.

Maritime risks, for instance, are a key component within the local market and Gibraltar enjoys an enviable reputation in this sector. And not just those superyachts we see at Queensway Quay and Ocean Village, but also the numerous merchant vessels we see out in the bay and passing through the Strait of Gibraltar.

The potential business possibilities are infinite but it was when talking to Steve Armstrong, managing director of Ocean Village-based Quest Sovereign Insurance Services that my eyes were well and truly opened. Steve is a larger than life Aussie and I am used to his style — but when he asked if my clients had considered Kidnap & Ransom insurance, I did a double take. “Kidnap and Ransom risk?” I asked. “What, like here in Gibraltar?” He gave me a look you might give a recalcitrant three-year-old and started to explain.

Despite the increasing presence of international naval forces piracy incidents are significantly increasing worldwide and it is anticipated that this trend will continue

Mercifully, he told me, Gibraltar does not have a high profile when it comes to Kidnap & Ransom exposures. But what you need to consider are the risks along the African coast that begins just a few miles away. And if you intend travelling through the Suez Canal then eventually you will come to the area off the Horn of Africa that has seen an enormous increase in such problems in recent years.

Piracy has been a problem on the high seas for thousands of years. In times past, it usually referred to the boarding or taking of a ship and stealing what was easily available. Now it invariably means the taking control of a vessel, its cargo and crew and only releasing it for a negotiated payment — a ransom. The safe return of the crew is the key element in any such negotiations and both pirates and ship owners are fully aware of this. And it is not just commercial vessels that are targeted. Private yachts are equally at risk.

This criminal trade was able to establish and flourish in Somali waters because of the lack of organised governmental authority in Somalia that allows pirates to use the country as a safe haven for their activities. The crime is now beginning to be copied elsewhere in the world — particularly where there is extreme poverty, local corruption and a lack of government control. Marine piracy is rapidly becoming a sophisticated international business.

Despite the increasing presence of international naval forces, particularly in the Gulf of Aden region, piracy incidents are significantly increasing worldwide and it is anticipated that this trend will continue. I was staggered to learn that there were over 400 cases worldwide in 2009

business & finance (up from 300 the year before). A quarter of these were in Asia. Globally, 150 vessels were boarded and a third of them hijacked. Over 1,000 crew were taken hostage. And the problem is not confined to the Gulf of Aden region. A British couple were seized near the Seychelles in October 2009 and other areas of concern include Nigeria, the South China Sea, Bangladesh, as well as Central and South America.

Most affected by increasing marine piracy risks are ship owners, charterers and cargo owners, not to mention individual crew members.

So what can be done to mitigate the financial risk? In the past, traditional marine insurance policies provided some measure of protection.

Owners relied on what is termed General Average contribution from their insurers in the event of a hijack and ransom demand.

This is no longer true today because of the higher frequency of such events, together with increasing levels of ransom demands. Under these circumstances, specific piracy risk protection, known as Marine Kidnap & Ransom Insurance (or Marine K&R, for short) has been developed and should be considered by a prudent ship owner. Furthermore, there are likely to be substantial additional costs involved in a vessel hijacking — crisis response consultancy

fees, legal and ransom delivery fees, and a host of other associated costs that would never be considered payable under General Average.

The availability of experienced crisis response personnel in the event of a vessel hijack can be vital. These are a limited group of specialised personnel experienced in negotiation with the pirates to safely secure the release of the vessel, its cargo and crew. Such expertise is expensive and it can be difficult to secure the services of the best operators. Specialised Marine K&R insurers have established contacts with such personnel and the insurance policy would cover the financial cost of such services.

It was quite an eye opener talking to Steve and learning more about a subject I had not

It was quite an eye opener learning more about a subject I had not considered other than when watching the news. And it came as a surprise that such exposures could be insured — and by providers based here in Gibraltar

considered other than when watching the news.

And it came as a surprise that such exposures could be insured — and by providers based here in Gibraltar. He also advised of the increasing demand for non-marine Kidnap & Ransom cover where K&R coverage can be provided to HNW individuals, their families and businesses.

This is becoming an important consideration for such parties as the world-wide economic system deteriorates and there is an increasing divide between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’.

My various insurance policies might seem expensive to me but they are only a tiny part of the overall insurance world — a global playing field that is extremely well serviced from right here in Gibraltar. n

Ian Le Breton

is Managing Director of Sovereign Trust (Gibraltar) Limited — providers of intelligent offshore planning since 1987.

Tel: +350 200 76173 Email: ilebreton@ SovereignGroup.com

David Newman and Paul Sykes

Moves at Aon Insurance...

Aon Insurance Managers (Gibraltar) Limited, part of Aon Corporation — the leading global provider of risk management services — held an event at Celebrity, Ocean Village, in September to congratulate David Newman on his promotion to the position of Executive Chairman in Gibraltar and to say farewell to Managing Director Paul Sykes who will remain within the Aon Group but has now left Gibraltar for pastures new. We wish both men the best of luck in their new roles. n

10

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

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expert opinion

Managing Risk in Today’s Environment Lee Francis, Director Business Management at Barclays Wealth Gibraltar writes on how to reduce risk whilst maximising return for investors in the current environment.

Managing risk more effectively is one of our industry’s top priorities for the second half of 2010 and into 2011. After 18 months in which financial services companies and crucially some of their clients have suffered substantial losses, experienced risk management weaknesses and in some cases seen an increase in fraud, their faith in their staff and advisors is understandably shaken.

What’s risk management and why is it important in banking?

All financial service providers incur financial risk every day in their day-to-day business indeed taking or transferring a certain amount of risk is a crucial part of the sector.

Financial Risk management is a fundamental part of our business activity and an essential component of the planning process. Each

12

company has a slightly different approach or culture to risk. In Barclays the preferred approach has always been to optimise risk/return decisions by taking them as closely as possible to the business, while establishing strong and independent review and challenge structures.

Previously, many Financial Services firms had been able to make reasonable returns and good margins without the need to invest in world class operating systems and

risk processes. In today’s very new world however, there is an urgent need for improvement. Clients are placing tougher demands on their banks when it comes to understanding operational risks to which their wealth is being exposed. Regulators in the financial industry are also responding to pressure from investors, governments and the wider public by being more vigilant. The new Basel rules requiring Banks to hold larger capital reserves of at

Clients are placing tougher demands on their banks when it comes to understanding operational risks to which their wealth is being exposed. Regulators are also responding to pressure from investors, governments and the wider public

least 7% of risk weighted assets, announced on 16th September, seem likely to be the shape of things to come.

The credit crunch The economic downturn of 200708 has had a significant impact on the financial industry. Hedge funds, one of the high profit, investment options saw the loss of a quarter of their assets and forced some out of business (Hedge Fund Research, 2008). A loss of confidence in the industry among private clients has seen increased client interest in large institutions, which are more risk conscious and more likely to insist on greater openness. Private clients are looking for options which are much more transparent and where risk is better managed.

Yet despite the problems of the last few years, several international banks in Europe, including Barclays

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

expert opinion Group, have managed their risk and returned quickly to profit, without the need for direct government financial support.

There are diverse reasons for these firms success. But one thing remains true in financial services, although investors may want investment portfolios which are more risk averse or boring as some commentators put it, they also want them to be profitable.

Present improvement in conditions We have started to see that as economic conditions stabilise and even improve, clients are very hopeful that pretty soon the environment will be back to normal as a very minimum. The optimistic amongst us might even say we are hopeful of seeing an increased level of demand from clients; so now is the time for us to invest in our risk management policies and procedures so we are ready to cope with the growth once it returns.

Barclays has always taken risk very seriously. Established, profitable companies operating in well regulated jurisdictions like Gibraltar stand to benefit from the new expectations of clients, so there

are real opportunities from the new economic climate. Even so, everyone in the industry needs to acknowledge there is no room for complacency. We have all heard of cases of fraud and stories of so called Ponzi scheme investment and the damaging effect this can have for all concerned, so accuracy and explicability is now top of the agenda for anyone operating in our industry.

It’s my role to ensure the team here can respond to the ever increasing demands from their clients around safety, security and exposure for their wealth, and ensuring we have proper, fit-for-purpose systems in place to provide this assurance is essential. Modern risk

Now is the time for us to invest in our risk management policies and procedures so we are ready to cope with the growth once it returns

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

management is extremely high tech, with every decision maker and every business unit having risk management procedures and staff in place.

As we continue to see increased demands and requests from our regulators now more than ever before, investing time to ensure total compliance with our regulators demonstrates our ability to be able to address any major issues should they arise.

Send your feed back on this article to Lee.Francis@barclayswealth.com

Lee Francis Director Business Management Barclays Wealth Gibraltar

13

A Star Among Us:

★

Jill Sealey She has a heart of gold, tenacious drive and an intelligent edge. It is no wonder Gibraltar’s own, Jill Sealey, was awarded the Pure Distinction award by Durham Business School (DBS) for the top student of 2010 in programmes across the UK, Gibraltar and Jordan.

Set in a career as an Occupational Therapist with the Gibraltar Health Authority, Jill was amongst many others from the GHA and other Gibraltar organisations to enrol on the programme to gain more insight on the managerial aspects of their respective professions. The programme provides students with the essential foundation of management and encourages development relating to each person’s unique background.

On successful completion of the programme, students receive a Master of Arts in Enterprise Management.

“The programme gives you the building blocks then it’s up to you to see how they fit together in your own organisation. It forces you to think more strategically, explore internally as well as externally and figure out what you can do to improve your organisation,” Jill explains.

After finding out she had

14

won the award, Jill said she was “shocked.” “I had no idea I was doing so well,” she shyly chuckled, “there were other people who I’m sure did just as well.” Jill, as humble as can be, confessed, “It took a lot of time and dedication, but I worked as hard as I could and got the results I wanted.”

The award ceremony took place in the UK at none other than the picturesque Durham Cathedral where Jill was presented with her award. Dr. Bill Snaith, Director of the Management Development Centre at DBS personally congratulated her. Along with his personal acknowledgement, he awarded her with a limited edition print of

“

Durham Cathedral.

While some of the modules applied directly to her occupation, others provided a new learning experience for Jill. She explained that the most challenging parts of the programme were unfamiliar modules, such as finance, that were irrelevant to her line of work.

Though challenging, she admits she enjoyed learning about different managerial sectors, allowing her to see management as a whole.

Students from all over the world enrol in the programmes creating a diverse learning atmosphere. Since Gibraltar is a small community, it is beneficial to learn how corpora-

It took a lot of time and dedication, but I worked as hard as I could and got the results I wanted

”

tions manage their business on a larger scale so that professionals can incorporate the techniques into their own business, and Jill is pleased that her organisation, the GHA, has a commitment to developing management potential in its staff. Over the past 12 years, DBS has progressed the knowledge and skills of over 400 people from diverse organisations locally making a difference to the professionalism of Gibraltar management.

“It opens your eyes to what could be in Gibraltar and hopefully someday will,” Jill said. “Learning about all aspects of management allows you to assess applicability to something that isn’t in Gibraltar, but has the potential to be.”

The DBS programmes have been a huge success for the Gibraltar business community. DBS is ranked in the top 1% worldwide and is proud of its close relationship with Gibraltar. Many of the Gibraltar students have excelled

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

career file

by Kristin Mortensen at these high level academic programmes, placing us with the highest ratio of distinctions amongst the regional groups.

Jill achieved a distinctive grade for every assignment in the Masters Degree, making her the top student of 2010. She claimed her secret to success came from venturing into the unknown with a willing and open-mind to learn new things and put forth an abundance of time and effort. Not only does she portray a strong work ethic in the classroom, but her above-andbeyond persona reflects in her profession as well.

Jill originally wanted to be a nurse, but after further exploration felt her true calling was to work with long-term patients who suffered from serious diseases such as multiple sclerosis, strokes and heart attacks. Not surprisingly, Jill’s ambitious attitude prompted her to take a lead role in the care of patients. It was then she decided to become an Occupational Therapist.

She graduated from the London School of Occupational Therapy in 1987 and spent the following 11 years in the UK, working at an extensive variety of health care positions including mental health, physical therapy and with people

erates and ways to improve it. I ask myself, ‘what do we provide?

What should we provide?’”

Jill’s driven outlook and goodnatured heart are ideal characteristics for an Occupational Therapist at the GHA. She spends most of her time one-on-one with patients, teaching them how to regain their independence and do normal activities that most people don’t think twice about. Although her job can be demanding at times, she says the most rewarding part is seeing the patients progress over time and knowing she made a difference in someone’s life. ■

Dr. Bill Snaith, Director of the Management Development Centre at Durham Business School presenting Jill with a limited edition print of Durham Cathedral

who have learning disabilities. In 1998, Jill moved to Gibraltar with her husband and settled in as an Occupational Therapist in the Gibraltar Health Authority.

“Now that I have completed the

“

programme, it has made me look at things a whole new way. I can use the programme as a benchmark of where I was and where I want to be. I’ve learned to stand back and take a look at how our service op-

I can use the programme as a benchmark of where I was and where I want to be

”

Durham Business School in Gibraltar Durham Business School was invited to Gibraltar by the Government in 1998 and rapidly expanded with the support of the Government of Gibraltar and the European Social Fund.

DBS offers programmes such as the Business Management Programme, Senior Management Programme and Professional Development Programme. For more information on DBS, visit its website www.dur.ac.uk l

Career Finders is Gibraltar’s principal recruitment agency, focusing on filling the needs of clients and finding a career that suits each job seeker.

Current vacancies: Qualified Accountant Audit Senior Technical Analyst Marketing Analyst Marketing Assistant Senior Developer Secretary

Graduate Stock Broker Project Manager BI Project Manager Operations Manager MI/Reporting Analyst Investment Manager Junior Accountant Finance Graduate Assistant Accountant

Financial Advisor Technical Insurance Underwriter Senior Portfolio Manager Part Qualified Accountant SAP Super User and Accountant Swedish Customer Service Agents Austrian Sportsbook Site Manager Senior Relationship Manager Telemarketing Consultant

We have plenty more vacancies in a wide range of sectors.

Send us your CV and we will make sure you apply for a role that suits your need.

Career Finders Ltd, Unit D 66 Main Street, Gibraltar T: 200 66676 M: 5402 62 67. E: sanjay@careerfinders.gi. W: www.careerfinders.gi

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

15

projects

World Trade Centre planned for Gibraltar A World Trade Centre (WTC) is being planned for Gibraltar to help bring global recognition for the jurisdiction and ensure sufficient top quality office space is available to meet growing demand.

The WTC will have a concierge reception for visiting senior inter-governmental and business leaders at the new international airport terminal now being built, state of the art video-conferencing and telephone communications and worldwide reciprocal facilities with 300 similar Centres across the globe.

The Gibraltar Government is concerned that the lack of readily available quality office space could put a brake on the territory’s further development.

Chief Minister Peter Caruana told business leaders last month “We need to have more offices,

16

especially if, as expected, the new Corporate Tax legislation provides an impetus for growth with new business and organic growth in insurance, funds and other areas.

We have got to have available on spec, quality office space; otherwise they will come, like the jurisdiction,

but then won’t be able to locate here, because of lack of physical infrastructure.”

The World Trade Centre Gibraltar has come about because Ocean Village entrepreneur Gregory Butcher is to build an 11,000m² tower at Marina Bay, effectively trebling the

office space already sold or leased at his Ocean Village development.

Members of the World Trade Centre Association have invited Butcher to attend the annual general assembly in Beijing next month when a vote of support is expected for the Gibraltar project to form part of a network covering more than 100 countries.

“It has been proven that the presence of a World Trade Centre raises the business profile of the location in which it sits and the global alliance made possible opens up local businesses to a world of interconnections opportunity,” Butcher explains.

International businesses like merchant bank Morgan Stanley, American Express and ABN Amro are represented in many of the existing WTCs and are anticipated to be interested in the prospect of the Gibraltar project given the tax benefits locally.

In common with other World Trade Centres, Gibraltar’s version in the extended Ocean Village will offer flexible spaces, a wide range of services, including secretarial, virtual offices, executive meeting rooms, year round exhibition and display space, as well as business lounge and Club services ideal for networking.

Many existing Gibraltar enterprises operating from multiple locations are expected to be attracted by the availability of over 3,000m² space on a single floor, to bring greater efficiency through economy of scale, improved communication and staff motivation.

“World Trade Centres are inherently endorsed both by governments and the private sector, attracting investment grade businesses, such as the global leaders in international trade and commerce, to make a powerful impact on the this territory’s economy and status,” Butcher enthuses.

“Already many of the existing Ocean Village partners involved in, stock trading, asset management and gaming, as well as businesses looking to set up in Gibraltar have expressed interest in expanding into the new project”, Butcher reveals. And he notes: “The existence of a World Trade Centre in Gibraltar would strengthen our territory’s already impressive success in financial and other markets.” n

Members of the World Trade Centre Association have invited Butcher to attend the annual general assembly in Beijing next month when a vote of support is expected for the Gibraltar project to form part of a network covering more than 100 countries GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

events

EFPG Opening Tom Fraser, Chief Executive of European Financial Planning Group with the Chief Minister Peter Caruana and EFPG Estate Agency staff at the opening of EFPG Estate Agents on Irish Town at the end of September.

Local Barrister Amber Turner joins Litigaid Law Firm Local Barrister and acting Solicitor Amber Turner BSc (Hons) LLM has recently joined Litigaid Law at 2/2 Engineer Lane. Amber, who has been practising law for over 10 years with attendances at the Supreme Court, Court of Protection, Magistrates Court and Industrial Tribunal of Gibraltar will be setting up a new Family Law department (including Wills and Probate), as well as taking on cases in the fields of employment law, personal injury and clinical negligence. n

Fire Brigade Charles Zammitt of the Environmental Agency presented

members of the City Fire Brigade with certificates in Risk Assessment Principles and Practice from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health on 20th September

Taekwondo Good luck to the Gibraltar “Patterns” National Team, representing

the Gibraltar Taekwondo Association, which will be participating at the Scottish Open Patterns Championships, being held in Scotland, on Saturday 2nd October 2010.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

17

employment For the second employment column, we asked Oliver Medina, Executive Recruitment Manager at Select Recruitment (Gibraltar), to compile a list of frequently asked questions and their answers to help job seekers.

Q: Are there any jobs?

A: This is the question we’re asked most frequently and the simple answer is yes. The opportunities are there for those candidates who are willing to put themselves forward and persevere. Gibraltar’s economy has fared better than most during the recent economic downturn, but the job market is by nature a competitive place and enthusiasm and determination will always make a candidate stand out from other job seekers.

Q: Do I have to speak Spanish and English to get a job in Gibraltar?

A: English is the official language of Gibraltar, so this is a must and is usually sufficient for most jobs. However some positions do require you to be bilingual, as some employers will have Spanish clientele given the close proximity to Spain. A good example would be a receptionist position where you are the first point of contact.

Q: Why are there so many foreign language jobs in Gibraltar?

A: As Gibraltar is a hub for the Online Gaming industry where companies operate Europe-wide, it is necessary for them to communicate with their specific markets. It may seem as though there are lots of foreign language jobs, but these are quite often entry level positions. Rest assured, there are also a wide variety of English speaking jobs in Gaming, IT, Accounting & Financial Sectors where fluency in English is of course essential but no additional languages are required.

Finding a job...

Frequently Asked Questions There are a lot of job seekers out there at the moment and competition is high. However, if you’re job hunting in Gibraltar, you’re searching in one of the few markets to be relatively unaffected by the global credit crunch, one where international employers are still actively recruiting for suitably qualified candidates.

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Q: Should I send my CV direct to employers in Gibraltar en masse?

A: If you have seen an advert for a specific job, you are qualified and have the right experience, then companies will actively review your application if you apply direct. However, if you are sending your CV out en masse, it is highly unlikely that a company will be looking for your specific skill-set at that particular time and it will most likely be ignored.

It is more advisable to target positions which closely match your skill-set as this approach allows you to customise your CV to highlight Text by Oliver Medina, Executive Manager (Financial Services and Banking), Select Recruitment (Gibraltar) — a specialist eGaming, IT, accounting & financial services recruitment consultancy providing permanent, temporary and interim recruitment solutions. Questions for next month’s article or info about Select Recruitment (Gibraltar) Tel: 216 21111 or email: info@srgrecruit.com. www.srgrecruit.com.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

charity relevant skills and experience in relation to the job specification thereby increasing the likelihood that you will be seriously considered for the role. If you are registered with an agency, it is their job to actively seek suitable positions which match your skills with the employer’s needs and communicate with them at the right time.

Q: I live in Spain but work in Gibraltar, therefore I do not pay tax in Spain. Am I covered by the Spanish health service if anything happens to me?

A: If you are an EU Citizen then you have the right to formally register as a resident of Spain at your nearest “Policía Nacional” station. This is a simple process that only takes an hour or so. When working in Gibraltar you pay Social Insurance of £102.87 per month. Due to a local arrangement between Gibraltar and the provinces of both Cadiz and Malaga this contribution entitles you to healthcare, schooling and unemployment benefits in Spain in the same way as any other Spanish resident.

Q: Is there an equivalent to the Job Centre in Gibraltar?

A: Yes and no. The ETB in Gibraltar is only available to Gibraltar residents. If you live in Spain and work in Gibraltar and are then made redundant, you are not entitled to any Government assistance in seeking employment. But don’t despair! Seek help from local employment agencies, be realistic, determined and persevere and you too can find the job of your dreams. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

Rotary’s Shelterboxes for Pakistan The Rotary Club of Gibraltar recently held an emergency collection day for Shelterbox Charity outside Morrison’s supermarket, Europort. The Club would like thank everyone who gave their valuable time and/or equipment and/or money for their generosity.

The Rotarians have, through the overwhelming generosity of the Gibraltar public, managed to raise over £1,500 to send approximately

four Shelterboxes (in addition to the two recently sent by the club) to help Pakistan recover from the recent tragic floods that have devastated the country and its people.

These Shelterbox kits, originally a UK Rotarian’s brain child, provide essential basic shelter and survival equipment for two or three families and were first successfully used for the Haitian disaster in 2009. n

19

Mark Carreras:

Photo by Benjamin Wallin

Gibraltar’s High Flier

by Jolene Gomez

A typical landing at Gibraltar Airport

Brought up in Gibraltar, Mark Carreras travelled to Hertfordshire University in the mid ’80s to study Mechanical Engineering, then on returning to Gibraltar he found a good steady job and started a family, his lifetime ambition, however, was always to become an airline pilot. In 1999 he took the huge step, relocating his family to the UK to follow his dream, and he is now flying the skies around the world as First Officer with local company, Gibjets.

Mark attended Oxford Air Training School, where he completed an 18-month course, and although a late starter in this profession obtained his Commercial Pilot’s Licence in 2001 at the age of 37. Today Mark stresses that you have to take your chance in life when it presents itself.

The 11th September tragedy in 2001 caused the aviation industry to ‘crash’ overnight and subsequently made job hunting very difficult for newly qualified and therefore inexperienced pilots like Mark. This changed the course of his life and he had to take a job as a Flight Despatcher for Easyjet at London Luton Airport where he remained for four years.

These were happy but also very difficult years Mark recalls, “I was finally working in an airport environment but not in the job I had always dreamed of.”

Mark returned to the Rock in 2005 with a view to setting up an aviation business locally.

After getting very close with a low cost airline project in 2007 (only to be let down by the investor) Mark decided to try something smaller and tackle the booming corporate jet industry.

One year and another business plan later, Mark finally found an investor who shared his interest in aviation, and so Gibjets Aviation was

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born. “We have recently taken over the newly formed Spanish company Atlas Executive Air, and operate from both Gibraltar and Malaga, with a world wide Operating Licence,” Mark explains.

Mark flies the French built Falcon 100, eight seater aircraft, with a four hour flight range, and a whopping 600 miles per hour (Mach 0.85) cruising speed. “We can fly higher and faster than a normal passenger jet,” Mark says with a grin. His first flights on a fast jet created quite an impression on him, as going into high clouds at such high speeds seemed like intentionally crashing into a steel wall!

“

We soon realised we had an important person on board, but were very surprised when were thanked on behalf of the Prince of Saudi Arabia for such a pleasant flight!

”

The best part about being a pilot he says is the flying and the travel opportunities, although sometimes he only gets to spend time in different airports as opposed to cities!

Popular destinations include London, Marrakech and Zurich, as well as Algiers, Rabat, Olbia and many others. “I spend an average of 10 to 15 days a month away from Gibraltar, flying to the various destinations at our clients’ requests. Working with Gibjets gives me the opportunity to not be tied down to the same daily schedule like pilots on scheduled passenger airlines. No two days are the same, and today I could be in Gibraltar, tomorrow in Geneva or Moscow. It is exciting to not know what each day will bring,” he says with a genuine passion for his career.

“My favourite place to fly into is Switzerland on a clear winter’s day, as flying over the snow covered Alps is truly breathtaking, and not something everyone has the privilege to see from above.”

The biggest moment of his career, to date, has been flying Miss World, Kaiane Aldorino, back to Gibraltar for her homecoming celebrations.

“As a Gibraltarian, it filled me with great pride to be a part of this big occasion in Gibraltar’s history and be responsible for bringing the

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

Photo by Benjamin Wallin

career file newly crowned Miss World back home. I was under a lot of pressure to not be late touching down at Gibraltar Airport, and was instructed to land at 1600 hours sharp Mark recalls. Our jet was held up for 20 minutes at London Gatwick with an ATC slot before being allowed to take off, but luckily we have a very fast aircraft and favourable winds which helped get her here on time for her grand reception.”

Miss World is not Mark’s only celebrity passenger — Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith, Zinedine Zidane, members of royal families, football agents, politicians, executives and many high net worth individuals have experienced the pleasure of having Mark as their pilot. The private jet service has a very specific market of around 2% of all flight users, to whom money is no matter. With a private jet service, customers avoid long airport queues and security checks, fly in a safer environment and tailor make their travel arrangements to their specific needs.

“Once I was flying from Malaga to Rabat with two passengers on board, and when we landed at the airport, we were directed to the VIP apron. Whilst taxiing to this area we noticed around 10 black limousines waiting for us. We soon realised we had an important person on board, but were very surprised when were thanked on behalf of the Prince of Saudi Arabia for such a pleasant flight!” he explains.

But aside from taking high net worth individuals, sports personalities and celebrities, the Gibjets’ Falcon can also be converted into a fully-fledged air ambulance, to transport emergency cases from hospital to hospital. “To be able to help save lives by flying patients or human organs speedily to their destination is an extremely gratifying and satisfying part of my profession. I have a very high admiration for the surgeons and medical staff who carry out these transplants,” Mark beams proudly.

Despite his glamourous job, Mark has always kept a low profile locally and his first time in Gibraltar Airport brought a few surprised glances his way! “Not many people knew I was a pilot, so they were very surprised to see me in my uniform. I like to fly into Gibraltar as often as possible, as it is firstly my home town and secondly it is one of the most

Gibjets’ pilot Mark Carreras

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

Gibjets Falcon 100 after landing on our Rock

“

The controls

No two days are the same, and today I could be in Gibraltar, tomorrow in Geneva or Moscow. It is exciting to not know what each day will bring

”

challenging airports to land an aircraft. With a 1.6 km runway and its particular characteristics the adrenaline rush is intense. When we drop off clients in Gibraltar and position back to Malaga with on westerly take off we always tip our wings when we fly past the Waterfront Marina to say hello to the owners of the aircraft, Paul and Liz, who we know are always on the lookout for us.”

When flying near Gibraltar, Mark always looks out for the Rock in the horizon. “Just south of Madrid, you can see our majestic rock on a clear day. I get very proud when I see its silhouette in the distance, as it is my home, and will always be close to my heart.”

When he’s not travelling the world, Mark says his daughter’s tennis career is his first love, and flying his second. With Amanda Carreras, ranked in the top 300 of the tennis world, it is no wonder this proud dad guides her in her decisions, and is beaming when mentioning her outstanding achievements. Mark has great praise for his family for always being there for him and always supporting his decisions. He is also very grateful to his girlfriend Gail for putting up with his busy and hectic lifestyle.

Aside from having to divert around adverse weather patterns, and very strong south-westerly winds on approaches into Gibraltar, which have given him a few edgy moments, Mark’s profession is his passion and it’s a job he calls the “best in the world”, and “loves every minute of it”.

“If you wish to follow your dream of becoming an airline pilot you need determination, self confidence and a will to succeed. You need to be very confident in yourself and your decisions, thrive on responsibility, and work well under pressure. Teamwork, trust and communication between the two man flight crew are very important, as is always being one step ahead of the aircraft.”

So what next for Mark we asked? ‘’Becoming a Captain,” he says with a broad smile. I love responsibility and I know I will one day make a good Captain. At this rate it will be another 18-24 months before I can finally achieve it. The sky is your limit,” Mark concludes.n

21

human resources

If you are invited to a company team building day and don’t want to go, rather than trying to get out of it perhaps you should explore the reasons you don’t want to attend

Human Resources & Your Rights your questions answered Each month Anna Moffatt of Corporate Resources Ltd takes questions from Gibraltar’s employees and employers on HR related issues and gives the benefit of her experience. This is your chance to raise any questions about any employment related issue and receive some free advice.

My company has organised a team building day and said we all have to go, I do not want to attend and would rather stay at my desk can they force me to go?

Anything the company decides to do within working hours usually would involve all staff members, unless for some medical reason you

22

could not attend. In your contract it will say you are employed as a ‘secretary’ for example but you are expected to do any other ad hoc duties the company feel necessary at any given time within reason. Also it normally mentions the place of work and says that the company reserve the right to place you in another building or area

if necessary as long as they give you notice and it is within reason. So with this in mind it is very difficult to say no to a team building event out of the office during work time.

Maybe you should address why you do not want to go and speak to your manager about the bad feeling.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

human resources My boss has always made fun of me and told me bad jokes and now I am getting worried and offended but feel it has gone on too long for me to say anything without offending him and losing my job. What should I do?

This has to stop and it stops when you want it to. Do not worry about offending him and upsetting him, he is crossing boundaries by harassing you and making you feel upset and uncomfortable. Next time it happens speak to him and say you feel uncomfortable with it and would rather he didn’t tell you anymore jokes or make fun of you. I am sure he will take it in the right way and if for some reason he does not and starts to make life very difficult for you, go to HR and report it or speak to another line manager and explain the situation. You are within your rights not to take this.

I have seen a job advertised internally within my company which I am interested in, but I am worried if I apply my boss will find out and sack me. Can this happen?

Companies are required by law to advertise positions internally to give people within the firm a chance to progress. As such any line manager should never stand in the way of progression as, if you were not promoted within the company, you may leave to gain promotion elsewhere, which they would not want. Speak to your line manager, explain why you are interested in the new position and you never know he may promote you to stay in his department.

He cannot sack you for applying for a role within the company, he can only support you. ■

If you or anyone you know has any HR related issues which you would like advice on then please feel free to write to either the magazine on gibmag@ gibraltar.gi or directly to Anna on anna@gibresources.com. Not all questions/queries received will be printed, however we will endeavour to respond to all emails received. All advice given is done so in good faith and is provided as a guideline. We strongly recommend you seek sound legal advice.

Friday 8th October:

Think Pink

Anna Moffatt has been involved in recruitment & HR for more than 20 years, the last 7 years in a senior HR capacity in Gibraltar. Qualified with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Anna, was heavily involved in the setup of the HR Forum, a body established in Gibraltar to promote awareness of professional HR procedures and legislation and to allow the sharing of knowledge/information. Most recently Anna has been appointed Associate Director of Corporate Resources Ltd, one of Gibraltar’s longest established recruitment agencies.

Encourage your employees, colleagues and family to wear pink on Friday 8th October to help raise breast cancer awareness, and therefore increase early detection, treatment and cure of the disease.

The Gibraltar branch of Cancer Research UK has organised its annual Think Pink day to start off Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Branch would like employers to support this day by not just allowing but encouraging all employees to wear pink on the day. www.cancerresearchgib.com

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23

opinion

Do We Really Now Live in “One World”

?

a personal view by Paul de Beresford Hon FITT

By “one world”, British Airways (and its associated airlines) mean that it is now so easy to fly from any location to the remotest places on through tickets with ever easier connections and transfers, than in previous times. But others are more philosophical in what they mean. They are referring to a sense of us all belonging on the same planet and, therefore are, or should be, interdependent upon each other for our survival. Or others just like the idea of a sense of being responsible for looking after the peoples of the world, expecting nothing in return.

Three things trigger the words and actions of politicians on the subject: The growing threat of global warming (and other damage to the environment) necessitates dialogue with countries perceived to be risking the health of the planet for everyone. That focus was significantly upon Brazil for the removal of

24

trees for agriculture, and is now on China for its rapid expansion in the number and coverage of coal-produced electricity power stations and America for its inability to see that as the largest economy (because of its highly developed state, large size and large population), arguing that it needs to take a lead, rather than expect others

to change their ways.

Secondly, there is the fear of impending food shortages, largely cereals and meat, because of the increasing consumption in China, India and Russia. Even the prospect of declining quantities of water to supply larger populations gathered more in the northern hemisphere — consuming

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

opinion more and more, as people shower more, wash clothes more often, water gardens and own more cars — pre-occupies governments now, with an uncertain climate and lack of investment in new infra-structure.

Thirdly, for a long time, the knowledge that a world dependent on oil must prepare itself for ever increasing prices, as it enters a final period of short supply, has not led to us being ready with a feasible replacement that can sustain the demands built up in the last 50 years or so.

Few have really taken on board the twin effects of ever longer life expectancy throughout the world (though obviously still less in some places), combined with an unsustainable growth in the total world population through improved survival at birth — even if the birth rates in the western world have dramatically fallen amongst its original populations.

The entire make-up of the world’s people will look different within two generations. Now those idealists, who think all will be looked after as long as we all pull together as one planet, are not being realistic. Why should a people who have had little for centuries, be content to do the necessary to keep those who have had much more, in the style and comfort that they have been (or become) accustomed?

And yet, selfish as it sounds, the more we encourage and support the industrialisation and urbanisation of under-developed countries, perhaps gaining cheap imported goods in the short term, the more we are whetting their appetites for the same lifestyles as our own, only exacerbating the pressure on ever-declining supplies of the world’s raw materials.

We all have our consciences pricked when we see terrible floods in places like Pakistan and the suffering of those who had so little to start with.

But is it right that we remain silent about the quite large very rich middle class there who are not taxed much and, therefore, provide no funds for their own government to assist the rescue and recovery of those damaged by those floods?

Instead, there is a dependence on the generosity of huge numbers of ordinary working people in the West, which lets those who are actually richer than the donors, off the hook.

Having kindly immigration policies allows some countries’ governments to deliberately, and systematically, drive out opponents or undesirable peoples. It does nothing to force such countries to become inclusive and democratic. And we are to blame in part if it suits us

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

to have a ready supply of a cheaper workforce prepared to do manual or unpleasant work so we can have all the well-paid office jobs. But will their children be so prepared to work as hard for as little?

Iceland, as an example, has a different approach. There, lower-skilled or more manual work does not pay peanuts and is not necessarily performed by uneducated persons. So bus drivers and catering staff are not part of some sort of underclass. With everyone on relatively good wages, the country seems more comfortable with itself without the tensions that exist elsewhere in Europe. Of course, I may be ignoring its small size, which itself makes a community more caring and respectful of each other.

We now travel the world further, more often and to remoter places for holidays. This is said to broaden our outlook. For some, it gives them comfort to see how well off they themselves live at home, so they can return to work with less frustration with the daily grind, routine and boredom. Those that go off the beaten track and feel empathy with the disadvantaged do come back frustrated that more is not done to help those peoples.

As has been said by so many over a long period of time, the best way to exercise compassion for others is to help them to help themselves in basic practical ways.

Sending money often does not get to the real underlying causes of the problems, as it may just, at best, prop up an unsatisfactory state

The entire make-up of the world’s people will look different within two generations. Now those idealists, who think all will be looked after as long as we all pull together as one planet, are not being realistic

of affairs. Food aid can almost encourage the abandonment of productive agriculture, as in Zimbabwe. Training peoples to be doctors or lawyers, may not lead to improved health and democratic practices at home, if those trained individuals stay in the host countries to work after training.

Perhaps, a preparedness to provide “aid” on the ground, both in health, food production and education, is a better (and ultimately kinder) way to help.

So I wonder if a huge increase in voluntary service overseas (even becoming the norm), is a better way of tackling some of the huge imbalances in the world, although, of course, it would hasten the development of the whole world and, therefore, the consumption of the remaining reserves of raw materials.

Economists have argued that it is only with increasing wealth that people have fewer children to the point of hardly replacing themselves. And we may have to accept that we must consume less of the resources of other countries and also become much more self-sufficient.

What is certain is that doing nothing will lead to the ruin of the planet as we help many to become rich in poorer countries, while the poor remain poor and rely on the good nature of the West to keep them alive. ■

Paul de Beresford Hon FIIT, is a UK-qualified Tax Practitioner specialising in relocation, residence & domicile. Email: flagship@gibtelecom.net or telephone 200 400 93

25

people

by Elena Scialtiel

Winds of change bring a young dynamic Man Friday to Gibraltar’s Chief Rabbi Ron Hassid. Of mixed Ashkenazi and Sephardic heritage, the new deputy Rabbi, Rafael Bitan, hails from Manchester, an orthodox community that enjoys strong links with the local one.

There’s a new deputy in town!

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In his genes he carries the rich mixture of Melillan and Hungarian traditions, from his father and mother’s sides respectively, but he feels a true ‘Yanito-in-law’ after his 13-year marriage to Rachel, first daughter of prominent lawyer, and President of the Jewish Community Board, James Levy QC. He didn’t get his high-profile job by nepotism however: his candidature was warmly supported by the Chief Rabbi himself, after he realised he was spreading himself too thin in attending to the fastgrowing community needs.

And so, after his lengthy and positive collaboration with Rabbi Bitan in communal issues, Rabbi Hassid approached the Board and asked them to make the new position official.

He was appointed almost unanimously in a vote which no family member of his participated in, and this three-century-old Sephardic community was soon to bank on his expertise in schooling matters and rabbinical law.

Rabbi Bitan is in fact a Dayan (rabbinical judge), and describes his studies and career as pretty much ‘work in progress’, for the Torah learning process is ongoing and cannot be completed in a lifetime, let alone few years of Yeshiva!

Having lived in Israel for a while, he settled in Gibraltar five years ago — and he loves the Gibraltarian lifestyle — to improve the education of its community, from toddlers to whatever age group is willing to attend his lectures.

He holds lunchtime seminars

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

profile for entrepreneurs, focusing on business and general ethics: surely plenty to talk about here, starting from the weekly Torah portion and brainstorming on case studies and personal experiences!

“This is a very successful venture, and not just because the sponsored sandwiches and refreshments are yummy!” he jokes, to highlight how important it is, even for busy businessmen, to pause for reflection, enjoying an insight on the forces that make the world go round and realising that spirituality and industry are opposites that do attract.

Most importantly, Rabbi Bitan will also be serving as the schools’ new headmaster as part of his new role. He feels very strongly about the importance of creating pedagogic infrastructure within his community.

Regarding the hot topic of private high schools for Jewish boys and girls, he claims it’s not a question of segregation, but of congregation: logistically all pupils are ‘handy’ in one place for the educators to reach out to them with a syllabus tailored to accommodate more time to indepth religious studies.

This is widely compensated by the children’s participation

in recreational or extracurricular activities like artistic, sport and chess national and international competitions, “where I am proud to say they’re doing well”.

On the other hand, sometimes Jews don’t participate in events just because these clash with their holidays: for instance, National Day this year coincided with one of the holiest days in their calendar, and as much as Rabbi Bitan supports national pride — “Jews have a lot to be proud about being Gibraltarians” — the very nature of this festival put some limitations on revelling, while they were ‘on duty’ in synagogue!

Setting aside his portion of redand-white cake for next time, Rabbi Bitan loves Gibraltar for its worldrenowned acceptance of different cultures and the way he cannot

walk along its lanes without being greeted by at least one Christian, one Muslim, one Hindu acquaintance on his way.

Diversity and respect for diversity are the pillars of a functional society: Rabbi Bitan feels that the Jews in Gibraltar are quite heterogeneous, by orthodoxy levels and life goals. As much as he wants to treasure this individuality, he wants to bring everybody together, without asking anyone to forsake the gift of free will and conform to a preset abstract model of perfection.

He knows that his Haredi looks may be intimidating for the secular regular Joe, but he’s really there for everyone, to promote religion as the handbook to a more fulfilling life.

“Religion sets boundaries, barriers for our own safety,” he explains.

“Religion sets boundaries, barriers for our own safety,” he explains. Religion he says ­— any religion, not only Judaism — teaches the basic rules for fair social interaction, besides bestowing on us the therapeutic power of prayer

Religion he says ­— any religion, not only Judaism — teaches the basic rules for fair social interaction, besides bestowing on us the therapeutic power of prayer.

It also helps in our soul-searching for what we really are — which is not what we do for living, but the reason why every unique and special human being was put on this Earth to somehow make it a better place, not by pursuing bigotry per se, but rising to any challenge.

Materialism is not to be refused when it serves the purpose to support the soul’s afflatus: financial stability affords us more time and peace of mind to concentrate on our food for thought, and technology is a fantastic tool to deal with practicalities.

Nevertheless we cannot let machines take over our social life, isolating us from others and defacing our relationships, says a man who tidily pens his notes on a pad, day in day out, without giving in to the computer beckoning from his desk.

With files and files of speeches and lectures in his library, hopefully Rabbi Bitan will soon organise them for publication, to reveal to the world his secret recipe for practising what is preached. n

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27

business update Companies status, interest on income arising from insurance premiums will continue to be excluded from tax calculations for all insurers.

Effectively, that provides a potential further reduction in the 10% Corporation Tax charge, reported Quinn, who established Quest six years ago with accountant wife Liz and other management staff shareholders.

Amongst those businesses attracted are a multinational insurance group and an investment bank which Quinn revealed are preparing to set up operations shortly in Gibraltar with Quest’s assistance.

The firm claims to be the jurisdiction’s largest insurance manager of third party direct writing insurers — what he calls “proper insurance companies” — with a 25% market share.

Chief Minister Caruana saluted Quest’s success, saying the firm “has come the whole journey with us on exploiting and expanding Gibraltar’s opportunities as an insurance location, and benefiting from the jurisdiction’s general economic success.

“We have spent 14 years repositioning Steve Quinn with Chief Gibraltar’s finance centre away from brass plateMinister Peter Caruana ism and tax haven-ism into the main stream of financial services, of which insurance is a great example of how Gibraltar can benefit from EU status of passporting rights,” he said.

The Chief Minister pointedly added: “We hope to get some tax from people who are benefiting from our striking out the clause on taxing insurance premiums, because we have now a model that not only provides the government with a continued stable fiscal base, but a tax model that will give continued stimulus to you and your clients.”

Blue chip opportunities — Major multinational businesses are In 2004 Quest began with one client — five of the 10 insurance companies it now handles actively considering the establishment of insurance and other were at the opening. finance sector operations on the Rock, bringing fresh revenue Revealing a projected 20% growth in business, a benchmark the company has set for itself in and jobs to the jurisdiction. each year since inception, made possible by the new Grand Ocean Plaza offices, he explained: They are being attracted by Gibraltar’s new A change to Gibraltar’s draft 2010 Tax Act “Overseas insurers can become established more 10% headline rate of Corporation Tax — down now means even after the ending of Tax Exempt quickly and generally at less cost in Gibraltar, from 22% — and other personal tax incentives.

That places Gibraltar “firmly at the forefront of potential business leader’s thoughts on jurisdiction of choice — it’s fantastic news,” Steve Quinn, Quest Group chairman, assured Chief Minister Peter Caruana and more than 80 guests at the opening of new offices in Ocean Village in mid-September.

Insurers and business attracted by low tax rate

“

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”

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28

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

business update compared to the usual UK experience.”

But Quest is concerned that the expected 201213 European-wide Solvency II legislation does not create a common, ‘one size fits all’ approach to insurance company solvency measurements.

This could blunt Gibraltar’s competitive edge “by regulating all insurers across the Continent in the same way”.

Quinn pledged to “work with the Financial Services Commission “work with the Financial Services Commission (FSC) to ensure that our clients are not disadvantaged by any issues arising from the measure. But as Caruana pointed out: “There are regulatory threats and challenges ahead, but I am certain these will become a great opportunity to take Gibraltar and its finance centre in particular, onto the next level of growth, but never forgetting we are interested in quality and not quantity.” n

“

There are regulatory threats and challenges ahead, but... these will become a great opportunity to take Gibraltar and its finance centre... onto the next level of growth

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

FLIP Students’ Fundraising Success Following the completion of several Future Leaders in Philanthropy (FLIP) project fundraising events, over £32,000 was presented by Bonita Trust to local charities. FLIP student Zoe Cortes raised the most to date with over £11,500 going to her charity, the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre. All the events were organised by local students, aged 17 or 18, as part of their FLIP project assignments.

Moe Cohen, CEO of Bonita Trust, commented, “The impact of this project is incredible. Not only does it affect charities and the community at large, but importantly provides an invaluable learning experience for the participants. To date, with just 10 students, over £87,400 has been raised for many local charities.” Trino Cruz of Credit Suisse (Gibraltar) Limited, who undertake this joint venture with Bonita Trust, noted, “FLIP continues to go from strength to strength. We are really excited with the strong support our students are getting from sponsors and the community.” n

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history file

Spanish cruiser Reina Regente

Reina Regente:

Worse Things Happen at Sea Someone said to me the other day: “There’s nothing worse than having your TV break down right in the middle of your favourite programme.” I had been listening to the news. It was dominated by stories of catastrophic flooding in Pakistan, an earthquake in China, a suicide bombing in Baghdad. I reflected silently that without breaking sweat I could probably list at least 100 things, perhaps 1,000, that were infinitely worse than having my TV break down at any time of its choosing. But I let it go. It’s the kind of thing people say. And the standard response, of course, is to assure the complainant, notwithstanding the enormity of his misfortune, worse things happen at sea.

And that, at least, is true. Sailing is a peril- sured family photograph, while others vanish ous profession. It is perilous now, just as it was faster than a sudden summer shower. Almost perilous when the Phœnicians were establishing a century after it went to the bottom, everyone themselves as the world’s first great traveling salesmen 3,000 years ago. Gibraltar is no stranger to maritime disaster. If the seas around the Rock were drained and Davy Jones’s Locker laid bare for us all to see, a mighty armada of ghostly hulks would be revealed — each with its own tragic story to tell.

That being so, it seems invidious to choose one tragedy out of so many to illustrate the perennial perils of life at sea, but it is one of the profound mysteries of the human psyche that some events stay lodged in our communal memory like ineradicable blemishes on a trea-

It is curious that on 2nd April a report appeared in the press to the effect that the Spanish maritime authorities still believed the missing ship was afloat (though presumably it had become invisible)

30

remembers the sinking of the Titanic. How many of us even know the name of its sister ship, the Britannic, which sank just four years later in 1916?

On 11th March 1895 the Spanish cruiser, Reina Regente, left Tangiers for Cadiz. Hardly a long voyage, and a journey it had made many times before. The crew of around 400 men would have been relaxed, and possibly a little bored.

It would soon be over. They would collect their pay and with their pockets filled with money and their spirits high, they would head for the bars and bordellos of Cadiz to spend it as only sailors knew how.

The voyage should have taken no more than a day and, when the ship hadn’t arrived in Cadiz

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

history file

by Dave Wood by the 13th, the alarm was raised. For a couple of days more nothing was heard and little was done. It is human nature in such circumstances to simultaneously fear the worst and hope for the best. Psychologists probably have a professional term for this peculiar form of multi-tasking, but if so I am unaware of it.

Then, on 15th March, a French steamer arriving in Gibraltar brought disturbing news. Its captain reported the sighting of “a big vessel ashore in Aceitunos Bay”. Unfortunately, at the time of sighting the weather was atrocious and the French ship was unable to move in close enough to offer assistance, but the assumption was that the stranded vessel was the Reina Regente. However, a Moorish steame, dispatched on the same day specifically to search for the missing Spanish cruiser, had returned to port without finding any trace of her. Perhaps, like the present writer, its crew had no idea where Aceitunos Bay was.

At this point things become hopelessly confused. In response to the report by the French steamer’s captain of a large vessel, presumably the Reina Regente, hard aground in Aceitunos Bay, a flotilla of British warships immediately left Gibraltar to find the ship and rescue her crew. Within hours one of them reported finding her still afloat but disabled off the African coast. If so, they did nothing to help, since five days later, on 20th March, a Spanish cruiser, the Alfonso XIII, a sister ship of the missing Reina Regente, claimed to have found her still close to Aceitunos Bay with the top of her masts the only part of her still above the surface.

The fact both of these reports were later to be dismissed as erroneous speaks volumes about the skill and reliability of the lookouts, and possibly the potency of the grog they were drinking.

Presumably, “Cross-Eyed Joe” aboard the British warship had a drunken vision of the Flying Dutchman in full sail with its skeleton crew dancing the hornpipe, but goodness knows what “Pepe el Miope” on the Spanish cruiser saw sticking out of the water resembling rigging.

The Reina Regente had disappeared. Tangier to Cadiz is not a vast distance, and it cannot have been a difficult task for a fleet of rescue ships from three countries to monitor every nautical mile of the vanished vessel’s proposed route in a relatively short space of time. When not a trace of her had been found after more than a week of intensive searching it must have been clear to everyone that, unless there had been a mutiny, or the captain and crew had taken leave of their senses and sailed off to new lives in Venezuela, the ship had foundered somewhere en route and had joined the armada of the dead on the sea floor.

It was curious, therefore, that on 2nd April, more than three weeks after it had sailed into oblivion, a report appeared in the press to the effect that the Spanish maritime authorities still believed the missing ship was afloat (though presumably it had somehow become invisible) and the “wreck discovered by the Spanish cruiser Alfonso XIII” — the mysterious “rigging” seen sticking out of the water by Pepe el Miope — was of an unnamed and previously unreported merchant vessel. This report seems, on the face of it, to be disturbingly callous. It appears to imply some other ship, a trading vessel with who knows how many men on board, had gone down with the loss of its crew, but it and the drowned sailors were of no consequence

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

and need not detain us. A Spanish cruiser, the report continued, was still out there looking for the Reina Regente, and no other sinking vessels need apply.

It is difficult to know why there was such confusion. A ship had left Tangier for Cadiz and gone missing. Search and rescue teams from Morocco, Spain and Gibraltar had sprung into reasonably prompt action to scour the sea for any sign of her, but three weeks and a flurry of erroneous reports later no-one seemed to have the slightest idea where she was, or whether she was still afloat.

All the more surprising since tangible clues to her actual fate had been washed ashore in Tarifa as early as 15th March in the shape of several flags and a compass box. It may be imagined in the circumstances, efforts to find the ship would have been concentrated in that area, but maybe, as it so often does in these parts, politics raised its ugly head and stuck out its furred and flapping tongue. It was fine for a flotilla of British warships from Gibraltar and a fleet of Spanish vessels to be out there searching for a vanished ship which might be in serious distress, so long as they stayed a decent distance apart. But if they all started heading for the same point at the same time and ended up getting in each others’ way, who knows what kind of diplomatic incident might result? Better, perhaps, to hand the telescopes to Cross-Eyed Joe and Pepe el Miope and stare dramatically in opposite directions. It is a terrible, and let us hope unjustified thought, that 400 men may have died while Britain and Spain frantically tried to avoid a little diplomatic unpleasantness.

Whatever the case, it was not until 25th April, an astonishing six weeks after the Reina Regente

Search and rescue teams from Morocco, Spain and Gibraltar had sprung into reasonably prompt action, but three weeks and a flurry of erroneous reports later no-one seemed to have the slightest idea where she was

was last seen, that its supposed discovery was reported in the Gibraltar Chronicle. The wreck, according to the report, had been found by a Spanish frigate, Lala de Luzon. It lay midway between Tarifa and Trafalgar in waters 109 fathoms deep. In some ways the report compounds the mystery rather than solves it. 109 fathoms is more than 650 feet. In 1895, ships were not fitted with sonar equipment, or any other sophisticated devices capable of scanning the seabed. If a vessel had gone down without a trace (except, possibly, for the flags and compass box washed up on the beach at Tarifa) how on Earth could it be located and positively identified 650 feet below the surface?

No matter. The ship was lost, and its 400 man crew with it. A few bodies were washed ashore later, but the great majority presumably floated out to sea and were never seen again. Theories abounded, but that’s what theories do. The most popular was that the ship had foundered because it was top heavy with armaments. Chief proponent of this idea was one Diaz Morea, a Spanish naval officer who cited what he claimed was a report filed by one of the ill-fated ship’s commanding officers to the effect “the cruiser was not suited for heavy weather owing to her being overburdened by her armament”. Once again the mystery is compounded.

Since the alleged report is written in the past tense it was clearly written after the event, and given the Reina Regente and its entire crew had been lost, who was the “commanding officer” who composed it? The fact Morea conveniently fails to name his supposed source suggests he never existed, and Morea invented him and his doom-laden retrospective prophecy to bolster his own armchair theory. In any case, Man had, alas, mastered the art of building and arming warships centuries before. There was no suggestion the Reina Regente had been built and/or armed by idiots, yet only an idiot would arm a ship so heavily that at the first hint of bad weather it would capsize.

So Morea and his ilk notwithstanding, the true fate of the Reina Regente remains an enigma 115 years after it sailed from Tangier into oblivion.

Somewhere — perhaps 109 fathoms down between Tarifa and Trafalgar — it lies. Only 400 people are competent to tell us what really happened, and they will forever remain silent. The rest of us can only wonder, and speculate, and reflect that the sea seldom gives up its secrets without a fight. n

31

culture club

Levi’s

by Sonia Golt

Extraordinary Life Photo by Jolene Gomez

There is no magic in speaking a series of languages as it entails many hours of learning, pronouncing, imitating and absorbing but there can be a magic about the way languages are expressed and Levi Attias has had a magical stroke of luck in life since he spoke Swahili... (he talks about Swahili in the past tense as, once fluent, he has not spoken it for 20 years).

Words are important to Levi Attias. “I started Attias and Levy and since then I have ‘practised law’,” he says with emphasis. “I always say that I practise law as opposed to saying I am a lawyer because the latter slots me into a pigeon hole... I don’t like labels.

Law is my profession, not my vocation. It is how I make a living; everything else is how I make a life.”

As if to illustrate this philosophy, Levi’s first degree was, in fact, in International Relations and African Studies (thus the Swahili) at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1979.

“After my degree I got a fabulous job as assistant to the Information Attache at the Israeli Embassy in London. I worked very closely with the then ambassador, Shlomo Argov, who was shot in

32

London in 1982. This prompted the first Lebanon war launched by Israel.”

It wasn’t until 1980/81 that Levi started studying law at the City University and in 1981 he sat his law exams. A year later he was called to the bar and joined JA Hassan & Partners in Gibraltar.

“For years I have worked in law, every day. Through law you try to administer justice but sometimes you get immensely frustated as to whether justice really exists,” he explains. “I stand to the right

“

of legal practice and I feel that dispensing justice is often a joke when the sentence does not reflect the offence. I have zero time for hypocritical goodie-goodies. The Hebrew Bible says ‘justice, justice shall you pursue’ and I believe in this fully.

“I am not one for sob stories from offenders. I have done enough mitigation applications in my life to know it is often a joke.

For me, those who murdered Jamie Bulger, regardless of their age, should receive the full weight

I saw the great Richiardi at the Theatre Royal in Gibraltar when I was a toddler and I fell in love with magic

”

of the law.”

With such strong and sometimes controversial opinions, we wondered why he never became involved in politics?

“I am a political animal, but have no political ambitions,” he emphasises. “I was very involved with the Voice of Gibraltar Group during the visit of Tireless [nuclear powered submarine] and during the joint sovereignty treacherous programme by the British government. It was then that, together with two other members of the VOGG, I met Jack Straw in Barcelona, during a meeting he had with Pique, the Spanish Foreign Minister. Very interesting times.”

He loves to keep abreast of politics and world news and he has been honoured with an unexpected award.

“In1996, Benjamin Netanyahu,

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

people file Israel’s premier, conferred on me the Guardian of Jerusalem award for my work in keeping Jerusalem part of Israel and Israel’s capital.”

A very creative person, Levi was missing something during his first few years working as a lawyer so he left and started to make more use of his creativity. “In 1984 I went to study acting in london for 6 months,” he confirms.

He did return to his career and his Gibraltar chambers but, between his many cases, he has always found a niche for his creativity, so much so that when people mention his name many simple say “the magician?”

Magician Levi Attias entertains an audience with his seemingly impossible or supernatural feats.

“I saw the great Richiardi at the Theatre Royal in Gibraltar when I was a toddler and I fell in love with magic,” he explains. “In those days there were no videos, DVDs or websites so my magic was self-taught.”

Later he became a member of many magic associations — “the UK’s magic circle is one I can never forget as it was where I performed for my entrance exam, the best thrill ever!” ­— as well as the Society of American Magicians, International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Psychic Entertainers Association.

But there’s a lot more to Levi than Law and Magic, he travels, he sings, he has a radio programme…

“I travel to UK to speak on selfesteem (and sing), much as I do on Radio Gib’s Pause for Reflection.

I am probably the only mentalist to consistently perform at a spiritualist church in Blackburn in the UK,” he says.

Levi is gregarious, charming, captivating, interesting and delightful. So what else does he like to do?

“I am a qualified graphologist,” he beams. Graphology is the study and analysis of handwriting. It seems Levi has magicked up a 48 hour day because he then goes on to talk about poetry and TV. “Because I love languages, I suppose I differentiate prose, which I write in English, and poetry which I write mainly in Spanish,” he explains. “I love double meanings, I love the play on words of Fawlty

“

Towers or Yes Minister. Also I love the play on similes in Black Adder.

Next to my Book of Psalms, I suppose Roget’s Thesaurus is the book I ‘fondle’ most often!” he chuckles.

“I have recorded 16 of my poetries in a CD called Susurros del Alma and have been interviewed by many Spanish radio stations including the Catholic church radio station in Calle Sierpes in Seville.”

He is currently putting together a book of some of his poems and as he has written over 400, there are many to choose from. Levi has also written a series of songs together with another talented Gibraltarian, Denis Valerga.

Is there anything he hasn’t yet achieved?

“I always wanted to be a bullfighter... I suppose it’s another lesson in life; ‘beware what you ask for you might just get it;’ since I always wanted a ‘muleta’ [red cape] I have managed to get myself two as I have been on crutches [muletas] on and off for three years!” His sense of humour shines throughout the interview.

A man with so many interests is bound to have many philosophies on life. “Wow... An ocean plus,” he says when asked. “Be true to your nature, do not sell yourself short. Do not compromise on your elementary essence to satisfy society. Inactivity and silence are not options, be proactive, laugh, laugh and laugh again — especially at yourself!,” he continues with enthusiasm. “Be good to others. I do not divide my world on racial, religious, national lines, but on people who are good and people who are not good... And sleep at peace with your conscience and with God.” At this point another interest emerges, complimentary/alternative healing such as hands on healing, acupuncture, and herbs.

“I have a fair bit of experience in hands on healing,” he says. “All these things help to keep you healthy.”

So what next for Levi?

“I am currently recording Hebrew Mantras which will form part of a CD of my voice and crystal bowls played by a friend in the UK. I have to travel to the UK to record this very soon.”

Well, how could we expect an average answer, from such an extraordinary man? n

Next to my Book of Psalms, I suppose Roget’s Thesaurus is the book I ‘fondle’ most often! he chuckles

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

33

culture club Autumn Festival 2010

Zarzuela The Teatro Lirico Andaluz will be returning to Gibraltar in November to perform as part of the Autumn Festival in an event organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Santos Productions.

Having proved very popular in the past, the Teatro Lirico Andaluz will stage one of the most well-liked Zarzuelas, La Revoltosa.

Boasting a stellar cast and a 24 piece orchestra, artists include soprano Maria De Felix, considered one of the best voices in the Spanish lyrical field and baritone Antonio Torres, who has also performed successfully in previous festivals.

Performances will be held at the John Mackintosh Hall Theatre on 11th and 12th November 2010 at 8pm. Tickets priced at £5 are on sale at the Nature Shop in Casemates Square from Monday 25th October 2010 on weekdays between 12 noon and 4pm. Sale of tickets is limited to 10 per person. n Lady Hamilton – Scandal, Celebrity and Art by Dr. Kate Williams will kick off the Gibraltar DFAS series of lectures on Wednesday 20th October at 7.30pm at the Eliott Hotel.

Join Gibraltar DFAS or pay at the door

If it’s Not Fun it’s Not NADFAS! Monthly lectures on a broad range of topics connected with the decorative and fine arts, including Old Masters, Ceramics, Sculpture, Textiles, Jewellery and Architecture — that’s what Gibraltar DFAS promises to its members.

Lady Hamilton – Scandal, Celebrity and Art by Dr. Kate Williams will take place on Wednesday 20th October at 7.30pm at the Eliott Hotel. The Gibraltar DFAS is a Member Society of the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS) in the UK, and its aim is to encourage awareness, enjoyment and knowledge of the Arts and the preservation of local heritage. There are 330 societies in the UK and about 10,000 members worldwide, including Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Locally, lectures are given by experts in their field flown over from the UK and links are maintained with the three other groups on the Costa del Sol, enabling participation in historical

and cultural trips and projects.

Gibraltar’s association held as inaugural lecture in May 2010 and following that positive start, became an official NADFAS Associate Society and a Registered Charity. Because of its non-profit status, membership fees (£50 per annum) cover the costs of bringing high calibre lecturers to the Rock plus a copy of the excellent quarterly Nadfas Review from London. Visitors are also welcome and pay £7.50 at the door. The full annual programme will appear in the press and on GBC Radio.

Having attended the intriguing May lecture on Oscar Wilde, many know what to expect — if it’s not fun, it’s not Nadfas! n

There are 330 societies in the UK and about 10,000 members worldwide, including Europe, Australia and New Zealand 34

Life’s a Beach Major works have started to lay new, essential underground infrastructure, and to refurbish, beautify and landscape the whole of Eastern Beach Road. The project is scheduled to take nine months and the beach will operate normally next summer.

The beautification and landscaping project includes: a new 150 space car park, a permanent life guard boat house, street furniture, planted areas, a dedicated children’s ball playing area, a beachside young children’s playground and an outdoor fitness area. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

35

Christine Clifton Psaila:

making headlines Petite and stylish, with big bright blue eyes as intense as the Gibraltarian sky on a Poniente day, local broadcasting legend Christine Clifton Psaila has got the ‘fire in the belly’ for investigative journalism.

I must admit I felt pretty nervous at the idea of interviewing the interviewer, the reporter who has been there, done that and got the scoop for the past 30 years.

But Chris is a seasoned professional and knows how to be cool in the hotspot as much as how to put her interlocutor at ease, even when roles are reversed.

She acknowledges there are more questions than answers, and she expects her interviewees to weigh their words, particularly when live on air. Hence she likes to have a little break-the-

36

She feels she is very privileged to have such a ‘glamorous’ but challenging job, but the quest for unbiased information is an arduous one

ice chat off air with them before getting down to business and, thanks to some ‘psychological interaction’ and improvisation, she works wonders, drawing out the best of them in the little time allocated to her segment.

However, when she feels someone is being ‘economical’ with the truth, she persists politely but firmly until she get the information she feels her listeners should have access to, because anyone in the public eye, especially politicians, must be accountable to the electorate, and the media have the duty to inform as

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

career file

by Elena Scialtiel in-depth as possible, without influencing the public opinion.

In that respect she feels she is very privileged to have such a ‘glamorous’ but challenging job, but the quest for unbiased information is an arduous one, as keeping well apart one’s personal views or feelings and the responsibility of aseptically reporting about other people’s ideas isn’t easy.

More so in Gibraltar, where we live and breathe politics, for a reporter who loves the thrill of political controversy, and jumping in the arena not as a referee, but as a chronicler, to figure out what makes democracy tick.

“During one past election I was accused by some listeners to be too blatantly pro-GSLP, and by others to be too pro-GSD, so I must have done something right!” she jokes about her professionalism in fairly voicing both sides of the story.

The bigger picture is one of Christine’s top priorities: she doesn’t stop at local current affairs, but she keeps up-to-speed with world news, and surely has met and interviewed an impressive bunch of A-listers who happened to be on the Rock ­— but seldom had her picture taken with them!

From royalties like Prince Andrew and the Duke of Kent, to showbiz celebrities of the calibre of Sir John Mills, Rod Stewart, Frankie Howerd of Carry On fame, and 007 Timothy Dalton, Chris is honoured they took time off to grant her an interview that wasn’t instrumental to further their already rocketing career.

She doesn’t shun the prickly question. Faced

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

with Edwina Currie, Chris just had to ask about her alleged affair with John Major: “Because you see, if I didn’t, my listeners would have wondered why I didn’t!”

Maybe Christine isn’t exactly a war-zone reporter, but she has a track record of dangerous assignments under her belt, adrenaline rush guaranteed: from co-piloting a plane, to experiencing G-force in a Hercules fly-by, she doesn’t rule out a safari in the future.

Mingling with African wildlife will be a walkover after her nerve-jangling experience during the notorious fishermen’s dispute: Chris and a cameraman were returning from reportage in Madrid, in a Gibraltar-registered car, when they found themselves caught in the protest on the Spanish side. They parked the car, and filmed their walk through the crowds, which parted like the Red Sea, until they safely reached Gibraltar’s side of the border, where

Christine isn’t exactly a warzone reporter, but she has a track record of dangerous assignments, adrenaline rush guaranteed: from co-piloting a plane, to experiencing G-force in a Hercules fly-by

GBC reporters were stationed, ready to harvest her scoop.

For the moment, her son and daughter being her top priority, Chris is leaving adventure on one side and she’s delighted to be ‘paid to talk’ about anyone and anything that makes the news. Every day she talks to politicians, magicians, fundraisers, artists, astronauts...

She prefers radio to television because its atmosphere is more relaxed and immediate, and it reaches the wider audience accompanying them at work or on the road.

Chris is also a presenter, mostly known for her Breakfast Show, but often she sits in for other presenters on the mid-morning and afternoon shows. There, her tone can get more casual while she interacts with callers and indulges in another of her passions, music.

From her times at Wellington Front, Chris has seen Focus evolving from her afternoon magazine Miscellany, and surely it has shaped the face of journalism in Gibraltar, chasing breaking news and running around like an ant to gather a wide spectrum of information piece by piece.

For someone who dreamed of becoming either a lawyer or a ballerina, broadcasting was a family tradition, her father and her sister being in the business. She joined in well prepared, though, after extensive training for the BBC in London, where, in the late ’70s, she traced Churchill’s secretary and ‘grilled’ her, in order to produce a historical documentary on the Cabinet War Room, which had just opened to the public. n

37

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property file

Newly refurbished: the Benady & Cohen offices on Engineer’s Lane are a great example of how old building can be restored to former glory

A Thought for the Old Town Stray off the beaten track on either side of Main Street, open your eyes, and you’ll stumble upon countless crumbling, once beautiful buildings, all begging for sympathetic renovation.

Many passers by admire their architectural features and marvel at the great possibilities for renovation, while few actually take the plunge to go ahead and develop them.

However, King’s Bastion Leisure Centre is a fantastic example of a large restoration project, aimed at providing vital leisure facilities for the Rock. The building boasts historical interest, detailed upon entry through the stone tunnel entrance, while maintaining vital architectural features to allow us to appreciate Gibraltar’s heritage for many years to come. On a more modest level, Ibex Insurance is beautifully restoring an old premises on Irish Town for its offices, while the renovation of Montagu Pavillion by STM Fidecs has also attracted great interest, while keeping the Pavillion building beautifully intact. These companies are fiercely aware of the desirability of keeping the town centre thriving, with the all local services conveniently located within walking

distance. Well restored properties also inject an essential up-market feel to Gibraltar, plus a heart and soul that modern constructions arguably cannot rival.

Well done to Benady and Cohen for its sympathetically restored offices in Engineer’s Lane (pictured above). Its new grey and black exterior and state-of-the-art office refurbishments do the building proud.

Instead of making your next residential property investment in Spain, why not think about Gibraltar’s heritage before it’s too late? If you take a look, you’ll find endless opportunities to maintain and restore the Rock’s architectural heritage.

Surely today’s population, as well as our younger generation, will be glad you did it… ■

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

39

property market

The right property at the right price — supply and demand drives the local property market

?

Where now for the local market

by Mike Nicholls

In the last month I have advised one client who cannot sell her rather nice property for love nor money — and consoled another client who lost his purchase because he was gazumped one day before exchange.

What does this say about our local property will complain about the lack of viewings and the to provide any independent analysis of the lomarket? Estate agents have compelling argu- fact that their properties remain unsold. There cal property market so we cannot say for sure ments that it remains strong. Yet many sellers are no centrally managed statistics in Gibraltar what is factually correct or where this market

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

property market is heading. price bands ie up to £700,000 with a handful at I for one still advocate buying Gibraltar the higher levels. property as a sound investment, but which ones and why?

Over or under supply?

Already we can conclude that there is underThe supply side supply in the £0k - £400k price bracket as invesIf we dig a bit deeper into the information tors (who represent 40% of buyers and nearly that is freely available — the estate agents’ own all at this price level) and the domestic market websites — we can identify some interesting fight for the best deals. And rightly enough, this statistics. is where my client I referred to earlier, suffered Although there is much variation from one his gazumping. agent to the next, as each agent has a certain bias And the little evidence we have suggests to a certain sector of the market, by analysing that there is over-supply in the £400k - £700k the databases of the larger agents in town, one bracket which represents c 40% of the supply can calculate a pattern of what property is for yet is not favoured by the majority of investors sale in Gibraltar. (up to 40% of buyers) so will only be attracting Some 40% - 45% of properties on the market a handful of buyers from the domestic market are priced between £400,000 and £700,000. and the incoming higher net worth market. It There is generally a greater supply in this price is within this price bracket that my client whom bracket than the sector up to £400,000 — perhaps I mentioned earlier has her property.

35%- 40% in this bracket. Above £700k, there is a reducing supply of property up to about Gibraltar property £4.5m, let’s say 15% from £700k - £1m and 5% in the £400-700k above £1m. bracket is now The supply side includes the fact that King’s well catered for Wharf and the Sails are now all but completed and buyers have a which means many apartments in those dechoice velopments are on the market, and within this £400,000 and £700,000 bracket.

The demand side This is harder to analyse and the information is not available. However, using information from Chesterton and some anecdotal evidence from various conversations I have with other property professionals, I would suggest that investors still count for up to 40% of the property buyers, with incoming cat 2s and high net worth individuals 10%, and the remaining half of buyers from the domestic market.

Investors invest for a return on their money.

Therefore they invest in property as a buy-to-let, or as a buy-to-refurb and sell. The vast majority of investors are in the former category ie buy-tolet. Therefore it follows that 40% of buyers will buy a property that they can easily tenant. So what property is easily tenanted? Well, there are more tenants at £800pcm than there are at £1,200 pcm than there are at £1,800 pcm than there are at £2,200 pcm etc. So price is the key factor. And the majority of actual and would-be tenants are not originally from Gibraltar but are here for employment reasons. As such, they prefer the Europort and marina areas of Gibraltar where they can walk to work and walk to amenities.

Therefore, it follows that an investor is most likely to purchase a sub-£400k property in the Europort and marina areas as that ensures he can find a tenant relatively easily.

As some 50% of the buyers are within the domestic market ie moving within Gibraltar, it is probably safe to assume that these buyers are broadly evenly distributed across the first two

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

Higher net worth market Properties above £1m tend to be the penthouses in the newer developments and the larger old colonial houses in the south district.

The incoming high net worth buyers are seeking quality properties in quality locations and many have high budgets to achieve such quality. A buyer could be saving millions in tax by moving to Gibraltar and as such the issue is not so much about price as quality. What surprises many of these buyers is the lack of choice of property.

Unless they wish to live at the top of a tower block in a penthouse or to take on an old style house in the south district, there really is little around for them. This probably explains why the Island development in Queensway Quay has performed so well. Whether these properties are worth £4m on a square metre basis compared with other developments becomes irrelevant.

The scarcity of such properties which appeal to the high net worth sector simply drives up the price.

So what?

For Gibraltar, we probably need a breather on any more developments at the £400k - £700k level. The banking crisis has actually done this for us by not funding any more new builds. And I believe it will take another year to absorb the slack in this price bracket, ie the Ocean Village residue plus the newly completed King’s Wharf and Sails into the market. Buyers have choice.

Sellers must reduce prices or not sell.

Below £400k and it is a different story. With a healthy lettings market, values are under-pinned and properties in the right locations are selling.

Sellers needn’t accept low bids, and buyers have to move quickly to secure the best deals.

At the upper end of the market, if Gibraltar wishes to continue attracting high net worth individuals then we need more quality developments. Otherwise, an Island property will cost £5m — who knows — it may do soon. n

A buyer could be saving millions in tax by moving to Gibraltar and as such the issue is not so much about price as quality. What surprises many of these buyers is the lack of choice of property

41

office feng shui

by Kristin Mortensen

Work meets ancient Chinese science with these feng shui ideas that will give your office the ultimate makeover

Let’s face it, in the corporate world your place of work becomes your second home. You spend early mornings and late nights surrounded by the same four walls. It is therefore important to foster harmonious living in your work environment and manage office spaces to encourage prosperity. So spruce it up a little with feng shui for the office and make your time at work more enjoyable.

First and foremost, your office must be kept tidy and organised so you can focus all your energy on work and eliminate distractions.

Clutter, according to feng shui, stimulates negative chi (energy). Remove all uncompleted projects and future projects from your desk so you can focus on the task at hand. By clearing your workspace, it allows you to free up your mental, emotional burden and think with a clear and open mind.

Positioning of items is a very important element of feng shui, and allows you to keep in

42

By clearing your workspace, it allows you to free up your mental, emotional burden and think with a clear and open mind

balance with the natural world. Place your desk in the “commanding position” to gain maximum control. Sitting in direct line of the door gives you negative energy so keep your desk in the corner opposite the door with a lovely view out the window and a wall behind you for stability.

Never sit with your back to the door.

The shape of your desk is also important because it can affect your mood and level of productivity. Curves are flowing which heightens your own creativity flow. Kidney-shaped desks follow the curve of the human body,

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

property file which provides a subconscious feeling of inner alignment.

Allow a steady breeze to flow through the office so there is never stagnant air. Money flows in and out of your life like the wind and therefore, stagnant air equals stagnant finances.

Plants help reduce stagnant air, reduce toxins and the green colour spurs creativity. They enable you to have positive chi flow in corners which otherwise are neglected spaces lacking energy. Keep cacti and prickly plants on your desk, as they produce fierce chi.

Arrange your desk so that your computer is in the North or West area to enhance creativity.

Place a small fountain or aquarium with blue or black fish in the East, North or Southeast which will trigger your business and career success.

Place a safe in either the West or Northwest, which represent the metal element and symbolise prosperity and financial security within your business.

Natural light is the best lighting to have in the office, but that may not always be attainable during the cloudy winter in Gibraltar. Stay away from fluorescent lights, which cast a strong glare and strain your eyes and cause exhaustion. Do not have mirrors in your office because they can reflect negative energy from disgruntled clients to others in the room.

Balance your workplace with a combination of light and dark colours, soft and hard surfaces and smooth and rough textures. Blues, purples and reds signify wealth and prosperity. Break up blank walls with positive paintings, photographs or artwork.

Stand in the doorway of your office and locate the wealth area in the upper left-hand corner of the room. Place a picture of the ocean, a waterfall or any other water scene on the wall. Water represents a positive energy flow.

Other symbols of wealth include red eggs, a red envelope, Chinese coins, a pearl (or anything spherical), red fish and a lotus flower. You can also add any inspirational pictures or quotes to motivate you.

After you have transformed your office into a feng shui office, you can harness the natural forces of nature to promote prosperity, success, health, and harmony in any environment. ■

The Bagua Grid

Keep cacti and prickly plants on your desk as they produce fierce chi

Plants help reduce stagnant air, reduce toxins and the green colour spurs creativity

Align the entrance along this side of grid to see which areas of your office correspond to the area of the Bagua

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43

culture club back on stage together, best friends in real life and excellent acting partners on stage. Two very popular actors locally, it is always a pleasure to enjoy their enthusiastic performances. Great actors, in what ever role they slip into.

Lisa Grant, in the role of Julia Dickerby, is the first new face brought on board by GADA. Lisa, who was born in England and is now working in Gibraltar, has been involved in amateur dramatics in the UK but this is her first foray onto stage in Gibraltar. She seems a very lively character who will surely put on a great performance in her debut play. She was quiet at ease until “I found out I had to undress on stage!”

Elizabeth Danino in the role of Olivia, on the other hand, is no new face to Gibraltar’s stage.

How wonderful to see her back in the spotlight.

Elizabeth, always very much behind the scenes, has not been on stage since 1981 and now the audience will finally be able to enjoy once again her hidden acting talent.

The cast of Yuliya Georgi as Vanessa is the next new face Kindly Keep it in the GADA cast. Relatively new to Gibraltar, Covered this young Ukranian woman, has participated in various plays outside of Gibraltar, but here it will be her first play. She will charm the audience with her sweet persona and her talent.

Simon Rawlinson, in the role of Hooper, is the newbie to the GADA team. Simon has been involved in amateur dramatics in the UK and having arrived in Gibraltar just six months ago, With Summer and beach fun over, culture and entertainment begins. this is a good way to get into the local Gibraltar Amateur Dramatics Association (GADA) is getting ready to put says, social scene. He means to carry on in the acton a show for us again, and rehearsals are in full swing. Tuesday 9th ing world locally, quote “If they will give me to Thursday 11th November are the dates to pencil in your dairy and the another role.”

Dominque Martinez as Police Sergeant play is Kindly Keep it Covered a farce by David Freeman, same author Campell is another familiar face. She is most entertaining on stage, and her versatility gives as GADA’s previous hit play Bedfull of Foreigners. her the means to slip into a great many roles.

Even in this smaller role she will add much The play is set on Roland and Julia’s health in the aisles. farm, bought with the insurance money from the The cast is made up of old and very new faces. laughter to the auditorium.

Farce is a difficult thing to get right and even death of Julia´s first husband, Sidney, who then The two Trevor’s (Trevor Norton as Roland resurrects himself to plague the couple.

Dikerby, and Trevor Guilliano as Sidney) are harder for amateur groups. Producer Howard Danino, together with his team, always put Life isn’t easy for Roland, and when Vanin great deal of hard work, which invariably essa (the wife of Roland’s ex-boss from Kindly culminates in a polished performance which Mutual Insurance) checks in for a spa visit, brings non-stop laughter and top quality enmatters get even worse. How will he cope with tertainment.

Sidney, Vanessa, his formidable mother-in-law Performances will take place at the Ince´s Olivia, and portly guests manically searching Hall, remember tickets sell out quickly for these for carbohydrates of the sweet kind? This fast, shows, so get yours early. n furious and frantic farce will have you rolling

GADA Keeping it Covered...

This fast, furious and frantic farce will have you rolling in the aisles

Gibraltar Autumn Festival 2010

International Art Exhibition Get your brushes, chisels or pencils at the ready because the Ministry of Culture is inviting entries for the 37th Gibraltar International Art Competition.

The competition is open to anyone 16 and over on 2nd November 2010. Two artworks (painting and/or sculpture) may be submitted by each artist. Works must be original and not previously entered competitively.

1st Prize - The Gustavo Bacarisa Prize £4,000; 2nd Prize - The Jacobo Azagury £2,000; 3rd Prize - The Leni Mifsud Prize £1,500; Young Artist - The Rudecindo Mannia Prize £1,000 (16-24 yrs). All winning

44

artworks become the property of the Ministry of Culture.

Entry forms/conditions are available from: The Fine Arts Gallery, Casemates; The Arts Centre, Prince Edward’s Road; John Mackintosh Hall, 308 Main St; Ministry of Culture, 310 Main St; email: minculture@ gibtelecom.net Entries will be exhibited at Casemates Exhibition Galleries 2nd-12th November 2010.

Entries must be handed in at the Galleries from Monday 18th October 2010, 1-6pm.

Closing date for entries is Friday 22nd October 2010. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

events

Cottontopped Tamarin

Wildlife Park Open Day In support of World Animal Day on 4th October, the Alameda Wildlife Park, Gibraltar Botanic Gardens, will be holding an open day on Saturday 2nd October from 12-4pm.

Entertainment includes bouncy castle, raffles, lucky dip and face painting. Special events include the Asian Otter enclosure grand opening, Keeper talks and much more... Refreshments available and the entrance is free.

Go along and support the project which houses exotic animals confiscated by Customs, unwanted exotic pets, native species, and animals on loan from international zoos. If you cannot go along on 2nd October the Park is open 7 days a week from 10am - 5pm and the entrance fee is just £2 for adults and £1.50 for children and OAPs, or a Family Pass for the year is just £15.00 so you can go as often as you like. www.alamedawildlifepark.org

Asian Short-clawed Otter

Manufacturers & Suppliers of HIGH PRESSURE HOSES AND ACCESSORIES Visit us at 43 Harbours Deck, New Harbours, Gibraltar Call us on 200 50337 email: shop@jjhire.com or see our website: www.jjhire.com

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

45

nature file

john white’s

Collection

Gibraltar

by Kristin Mortensen

Nemoptera bipennis

Photo courtesy www.petreraldia.com. Photo by Néstor Rico Campos

In

the year 1756, a man by the name of John White set foot

in Gibraltar. He was an esteemed man with a curious eye who relocated to this unfamiliar territory to accept office as chaplain to the garrison. He soon found himself absorbed in the foreign natural wonders of Gibraltar, which ultimately led him to create the Gibraltar Collection — a compilation of flora and fauna he discovered on the Rock.

John White — chaplain to the garrison of Gibraltar

46

During his first few years in Gibraltar, John spent his time converting a large storehouse into a suitable home for himself and his wife.

Initially, there was little communication between John and his family who lived in Selborne, a rural village near Hampshire, England. However, two years after John moved to Gibraltar, his brother, pioneering English naturalist and ornithologist Gilbert White, wrote to him to report the death of their father. From that point on, occasional correspondence took place between John and Gilbert consolidating John’s interest in natural history.

During this period, people knew little about species of plants and animals and they were therefore a prevalent topic of study in England.

Gilbert encouraged John to describe the flora and fauna he saw and send the descriptions back to him in Selborne. Following his brother’s suggestion, John began writing letters to Gilbert about birds he observed, similar to swallows, which

stayed in Gibraltar each winter from October to March, shifting their living quarters from one side of the Rock to the other, depending on the direction of the wind. Intrigued by John’s descriptions of the birds, Gilbert began to tutor John in the literature of natural history and mentored him toward the endeavours necessary to prepare a natural history of Gibraltar.

John spent the winter of 1772 back in Selborne with his brother, reviewing all the material he had collected in the previous three years, and it became his intention to prepare a Fauna Calpensis.

Gilbert arranged to have textbooks sent to John to assist him with the descriptions and classifications of his findings. He also suggested many well-known scholars who offered knowledge about different classes of specimen, including the recognised naturalist and author Giovanni Antonio Scopoli. Gilbert had discovered that Scopoli’s approach resonated with his own which led him to produce The Natural History

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

nature file and Antiquities of Selborne (first published in 1789 and continuously in print since then).

Gilbert was particularly interested in types of birds and Scopoli’s volume solely dedicated to birds, Annus I historico-naturalis, identified an unknown species that puzzled the White brothers. The unidentified bird was the crag martin, which Gilbert initially thought was a sand martin. Although this may seem like a trivial discovery, it was at a time when bird migration was considered dubious and people questioned whether birds had the capacity to fly with the change of seasons.

After the mysterious bird had been identified, John wrote a letter to the famous Scopoli describing his observations and intent to assemble a catalogue of flora and fauna of Gibraltar. John also offered to send Scopoli specimens of the items listed in the catalogue. He included the evidence he collected about bird migration — a theory both of them believed to be true. The letter concludes with questions to Scopoli about his own classifications. Although there is no record of Scopoli’s reply, it is quite possible he did respond.

A few months after his letter to Scopoli, John heard that a vacancy was available in England and resigned his post as chaplain in Gibraltar.

He left for Cadiz on horseback then sailed to England — a voyage lasting 37 days. While settling the arrangements for taking office as vicar of Blackburn, he spent the winter in Selborne with his brother. They viewed the Gibraltar specimens and discussed strategies for proceeding.

Once in Blackburn, the correspondence between John and Gilbert continued with over 20 letters containing advice and comments concerning John’s progress. After four years of composing and editing his collection, John completed his text in the summer of 1777, titled Fauna Calpensis. John expected his brother Benjamin, one of the most important suppliers of natural history books in the country, to accept his text. But Benjamin was a shrewd businessman and proposed to continue only if the costs could be shared with a partner in the trade.

Unfortunately, they never found another person and John grew increasingly depressed and died in Blackburn in 1780.

Fauna Calpensis included several anecdotes as well as descriptive writing about his surroundings in Gibraltar. John had the ability to observe natural phenomena and recount his observations in a vivid and fascinating way. An excerpt from Fauna Calpensis demonstrates his writing capabilities: “These phenomena awakened and alarmed my curiosity as events entirely new and unheard of among the body of ornithologists, and induced me to be particularly exact and attentive in my observations on every part of their conduct. Early in the autumn vast multitudes of these Martins congregate in all parts of the town of Castillar, which is situated on the summit of a precipice most singularly lofty and romantic, about 20 miles north of Gibraltar.”

The entire manuscript was known to be in existence in 1850 but since then cannot be traced.

Although John’s text was never published, several of his specimens were exhibited in London, thus creating the Gibraltar Collections. Gilbert shared the specimens with curious observers who were particularly intrigued by the fish and the lacewing (Nemoptera bipennis). Gilbert’s steady commitment to the study of nature was greatly enriched by the commitment and devotion he gave to the Gibraltar Collections. ■

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

John White sent specimens of Goldfinch back to his brother in Selborne Crag Martin

Illustrations from John White’s book

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events

What’s Happening CalendarOctober 2010 Saturday 2nd October Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society, Birdlife World Birdwatch, meet at The Cottage, Gibraltar Botanic Gardens at 3pm.

For further information contact Albert Yome on Tel: 200 78333 Email: ebw@gonhs.org Jazz, Tango, Blues, Salsa and Rock Concert in aid of the Gibraltar Community Association.

Central Hall 8.30pm till late. Bar, snacks and raffle on the night. Tickets: £5 available from Blossoms, ICC Main Street; Vijay, Main Street; the Nature Shop, Casemates. For further information contact Liz Thompson email: info@ Friday-ad.gi Friday 8th October Think Pink day. Wear pink to raise breast cancer awareness.

Have Mag will Travel Our magazines have been on their travels again! This picture of Heather Adamson was taken at the summit of the Aiguille du Midi at 3842 m with Mont-Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain (4810 m) in the background. ■

Saturday 16th October Gibraltar Botanic Garden Tour meet George Don Gates (at the south end of Grand Parade) 10.30am. There is no fee but donations are welcome. For further information Tel: 200 72639 Email: alameda@wildlife.gib.gi

Wednesday 20th October Gibraltar DFAS lecture Lady Hamilton — Scan Scandal, Celebrity & Art by Dr Kate Williams 7.30pm Eliott Hotel. Non-members £7.50 on the door.

Friday 22nd October Closing date for entries to the Gibraltar Autumn Festival International Art Exhibition.

Sunday 24th October Battle of Trafalgar Remembrance Service at Trafalgar Cemetery 12 noon. For further information Tel: 200 55083 Tuesday 26th October The Philharmonic Society, Riga New String Quartet Concert at the Convent Ballroom 8pm.

Tickets £20 from Sacarello Coffee Shop, Irish Town, or the Silver Shop, 222 Main Street. £10.00 for senior citizens and students available from John Mackintosh Hall. For info Tel: 200 72184.

Sunday 31st October Hallowe’en.

Cruise Ship Schedule

OCTOBER 2010

DOA

Vessel

ETA ETD Pass

Capacity From

To

Sat 02

Pacific Dream

1300 1900 Spanish

1350

Lisbon

Malaga

Sun 03

Ocean Countess 1300 2200 British

840

Casablanca

Malaga

Tue 05

Oceana

0900 1700 British

1950

Southampton Cartagena

Thu 07

MSC Orchestra 1430 1900 Italian

2550

Lisbon

Alicante

Sun 10

Marco Polo

0730 1230 British

850

Cadiz

Tangier

Mon 11

Black Watch

0700 1600 British

798

Palma

Southampton

Azura

1230 1800 British

3076

Korcula

Southampton

0800 2300 British

798

Almeria

Cadiz

Thu 14

Ocean Countess 1300 2200 British

840

Casablanca

Malaga

Fri 15

MSC Orchestra 1430 1900 Italian

2550

Lisbon

Alicante

Sat 16

Balmoral

Wed 13 Boudicca

0800 1700 British

1050

Dover

Mahon

Mon 18 Saga Ruby

0800 1400 British

665

Mahon

Lisbon

Tue 19

Black Watch

0830 1630 British

798

Southampton Mahon

Ventura

1230 1800 British

3100

Valencia

Southampton

Oceana

0800 1700 British

1950

Casablanca

Southampton

Thomson Dream 0800 1400 British

1494

Fri 22 Sat 23

MSC Orchestra 1430 1900 Italian

2550

Thu 28

Saga Pearl II

0700 1400 British

500

Palma

Lisbon

Sat 30

Balmoral

0800 1600 British

1050

Dover

Cagliari

Sun 31

MSC Orchestra 1430 1900 Italian

2550

Total Number of Vessels calling this month = 21 Approximate Number of Passengers calling in this month = 31,405

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

charity

3000 Miles in a Reliant Robin!

Six beefy members of 216 Squadron from RAF Brize Norton travelled to the Rock last month — squeezed into two tiny Reliant Robin cars along with all their camping equipment and kit bags! Even more surprising, after a good night’s sleep they climbed back into their 3-wheeled cars and drove all the way back to UK, by which time they will have covered over 3,300 very uncomfortable miles.

Their Reliant Robins were decorated to look “just a tiny bit like Tristar aircraft” as 216 Squadron’s main role is to carry troops to and from Afghanistan in a fleet of Tristars.

“We were looking for an eye-catching vehicle to do this trip and my wife suggested the Reliant Robin,” said the organiser, Senior Aircraftman Daniel Wellstead. “We wanted to raise £5,000 in sponsorship and we’ve already passed £8,000 so we’re now aiming for a new target of £10,000.”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

One third of this sponsorship money will be donated to ‘Beer for the Boys,’ a fund that pays for each soldier to have a can of beer on the long flight home from Afghanistan at the end of his tour of duty. “These soldiers are not allowed any alcohol during their tour so it’s a way of saying ‘Thank You’ to the troops,” added Daniel.

The remaining two-thirds of the sponsorship money will go to support the paediatric ward at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital where the

young son of one of their Squadron colleagues was treated before his sad death.

“The journey through France and Spain took three long days and it was pretty uncomfortable,” said Daniel. “We were all very stiff when we reached Gibraltar. The cars did quite well but they were prone to over-heating, especially when we had lots of hill climbs in the Pyrenees.

But we were given a good welcome when we reached RAF Gibraltar.’’ n

49

education

Clive Beltran:

minister for all seasons A teacher of French and Spanish who enjoys French and Spanish literature in his spare time; a book lover who tells us about the books he reads and his ability to read them in three languages… he is none other than Minister for Education and Training, Clive Beltran. photo by Jolene Gomez

“Very recently I finished La Sombra del Viento

by Carlos Ruiz Zafon and I am now well into Simone de Beauvoir’s La Force de l’Age,” he says, adding that “Simone de Beauvoir was Jean-Paul Sartre’s companion and partner for most of their lives and whilst I had studied Sartre’s work I, somehow, never found time to dedicate to that of his partner; she was, of course, a well known writer and philosopher in her own right.”

The world of literature and the theatre has always interested the Minister and as a young man he took part in a number of plays with Group 56 and later Group 70.

“My wife Sylvia and I always go to the theatre whenever we are in London and nowadays we rarely miss a Zarzuela whenever the Teatro Lirico comes to Gibraltar. We also enjoy ballroom dancing and although we are still members of the DSA Dance Club, we do not attend regularly due to the exigencies of my work,” he explains.

“But then again I do find time to listen to music although I cannot sit down and enjoy it quite as much as I would like. I like the work of singersongwriters such as Joan Manuel Serrat, Claude Francois, George Brassens or Gilbert Becaud.

I also enjoy ballads generally as well as light classical music. If in the right mood, Gregorian Chant goes down a treat!” he adds.

As Clive mentions, time is of the essence and it is not always possible for a busy Minister to have time for his hobbies… But in the past sports took up a large chunk of his life. As a school boy he was very keen on athletics and gymnastics, played football for Prince of Wales’s

50

and Europa’s Youth sides and enjoyed a couple of seasons as a 16 and 17 year old with the local Manchester United Club. He also represented the Gibraltar Regiment and Combined Services during his National Service days.

“On one occasion I was selected for the GFA but never actually played as I left for the UK on the very same weekend the GFA were playing,” he says with a little regret, although many years later he spent nine years on the GFA Council, Gibraltar’s football governing body.

“Nowadays I dedicate my time to my work as Minister for Education and Training and any free time to being around my two children and three grandchildren. We are a very close-knit family and so, apart from reading, occasionally listening to music or going out to enjoy the sea or the countryside, both of which we love, Sylvia and I (particularly Sylvia during the day) spend time being grandparents.”

Dedicated to education for over 33 years, his artistic and charismatic personality meant he was a very likeable teacher and he has fond memories of his students

Clive Beltran, has been dedicated to education for over 33 years since he qualified as a teacher in 1975, and spent most of those years teaching at Bayside School. His artistic and charismatic personality meant he was a very likeable teacher and he has fond memories of his students.

He is clearly a well qualified man for his Ministry, but how did an educator become involved in politics?

“I have always been interested in politics and current affairs. However, as a teacher in the days prior to the GSD’s liberalisation of Civil Service rules in the 1990s, I was only able to contribute in the very distant fringes of politics,” he explains.

“The GSLP’s eight years in office between 1988 and 1996 and the ravages it caused to Gibraltar generally and its good name in particular made me think seriously about taking a more active stance, and so I joined the GSD’s executive committee and then stood for election in 2003.”

Clive’s misterial duties have been varied since then. He has held responsibility for Heritage, Culture, Youth and Sport between 2003 and 2005, Housing up to 2007 and Education and Training from 2007 to date. During this time, he was also asked to take on the role of Mayor, a post he accepted and held for four particularly interesting years which included the Tercentenary celebrations with a visit by the Princess Royal, the Trafalgar Bicentenary, the Twinning with the Northern Irish city of Ballymena and the island of Madeira, the Conference of European Rabbis and the World Congress of the Cursillo Movement, both held in Gibraltar.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

education

by Sonia Golt Now as the Minister for Education and Training he is proud to see local students performing extremely well at GCSE and ‘A’ level exams with more students than ever before going on to university.

“The number of teachers has increased to 333.

This increase is significant, particularly if you consider that teachers are the single most important resource in a school,” he says. “Teachers, I am happy and proud to say, do a magnificent job, not only in the teaching of academic subjects but also, very importantly, in the transmission of moral values and in guiding children through the difficult process of socialisation during their formative years.

“The Gibraltar College has become a centre of excellence for Information Technology and Business Studies tuition with special introductory courses in IT for the elderly given free of charge. Vocational Training and Apprenticeships stamped out by the GSLP in Government have now been restored in a vastly improved format.”

Clive says the list of improvements during his almost seven years in politics is too long to mention but he feels Gibraltar has undergone a total transformation for the better.

“The system of education today is very different to that which I experienced as a child.

A series of key changes over the years have improved it beyond recognition. At the start of the 1970s, the unfair, elitist and socially divisive tripartite system was dropped, making way for the fairer and more cohesive Comprehensive system that has offered equality of opportunity to all our children over almost 40 years now.

mez

“The UK’s National Curriculum has been adopted after adapting it to our needs and examinations have changed. Keeping up with the evolving examinations system as well as with curricular changes and updates in the UK has ensured that our students receive a very good education that allows access to a university education and excellent employment opportunities.

“It is being over-simplistic to say that examinations today are easier because they are different. It also has to be said that teachers today are far better trained as practitioners in the classroom as well as in preparing their pupils for examinations. Also, parents generally are themselves better educated and consequently better prepared and able to help children with their school work at home. It is the combination of all these factors that results in students doing better at exams in schools today. There is no doubt that the comprehensive system has proved to be a huge success in Gibraltar,” he

“

Teaching has proved to be a very attractive profession to young people over the last decade or so resulting in a surplus of qualified teachers in Gibraltar today

”

concludes.

“Teaching has proved to be a very attractive profession to young people over the last decade or so resulting in a surplus of qualified teachers in Gibraltar today. The schools through their careers advice and the Education Advisers in the Department of Education and Training have for the last two years now sent out a very clear message to students and parents regarding the decreased employment prospects that exist in teaching. People, of course, are free in our system to take the higher education course of their choice — but I have to say that they do so in the full knowledge of all the employment facts, including the few opportunities that exist in teaching. Our schools enjoy a very good pupil-teacher ratio and it would be irresponsible to employ more teachers than are necessary at tax payers’ expense just because we have a good supply of them.”

Looking forward, Clive says that continuously improving our schools, the vocational training on offer and the education product generally is an on-going commitment of the GSD. “This we are doing and a cursory glance at the annual estimates year on year as well as the overall examination results and our greatly improved special educational needs provision will show that the Government has certainly remained and continues to be committed to this.”

Clive left us on a positive note saying that increasing the number of school buildings available to the Education Service in the old colonial hospital site and in the general area of the midtown development is an important goal which will be achieved in the near future. n

Each workshop gives the participants an opportunity to develop their personal skills such as planning, research, setting goals, time management, working in a team as well as self awareness, confidence building and to have fun.

Participants have the opportunity to influence the content of the programme and the type of issues they would like to explore.

It is a chance for them to consider and make up their minds what they think of particular issues affecting them personally as well as their fellow teenagers. Learn to Live gives them the opportunity to learn from their peers in a non-formal educational setting. It’s also a chance to meet new people, learn from each other, the workers and the guest speakers in the workshops as well having a positive and productive experience.

Getting Social Skills for Life Learn to Live, launched at the end of September at the Youth Centre, Montagu Bastion, is a programme about social skills where teenagers can learn in a group environment and express their views in a safe manner.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

The programme is running every Tuesday and Thursday from 6pm at the Youth Centre until December 2010 and is open to any young person between the ages of 13-19, in or out of education, employment or training.

To enrol email rebecca. figueras.gys@gibtelecom.net or youthcentre@gibtelecom.net or call 200 40293.

51

Andrew Kimberley:

Exploring Pathways through Poetry

by Kristin Mortensen

In a cozy cottage near Birmingham, a young boy lay tucked in bed as a warm glow from under the blanket revealed a faint silhouette. Silence filled the air with the exception of an occasional page turning in Robert Louis Stevenson’s poetry book. Andrew Kimberley was lost in the words when the sound of his mum’s voice broke the silence and interrupted his wandering thoughts. He peeked out from under the blanket where his mum stood with an angry look on her face and her hands on her hips. Quickly, he shut the book and turned off the light, anticipating the morning when he could pick up where he left off.

This wasn’t the first time he’d been caught reading after bedtime, and it certainly wasn’t the last.

A

ndrew spent many of his early

childhood days sitting around an

old rocking chair with his four

siblings while his mum and aunty read poems by famous poets such as Walter de la Mare and Robert Louis Stevenson. He was so fascinated by the play on words found within these poems that he shared the poetry with his classmates and even taught some of them how to read. But it wasn’t until his late

52

teens he began to write poetry of his own.

At the age of 17, Andrew’s life took a turn for the worse when his father passed away.

Eight years later, a familiar despair struck Andrew when he lost his mum to cancer. Faced with such tragic incidents, Andrew began to write poetry as an outlet to cope with his loss.

Through his words, he was able to express his feelings and emotions and press on through troubled times.

Since then, Andrew, who is now Manager of the Waterfront Restaurant at Queensway Quay, has written poetry off and on and recently found himself writing more than ever. What started as a hobby turned out to be something more when Andrew’s family and friends encouraged him to share his poetry with others.

The positive feedback and support eventually led Andrew to publish a booklet with a collection of his poems.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

book release “Writing poetry has always been an enjoyable pastime for me. I always thought my poems were decent, but I never thought I’d share them with a bunch of strangers on the television and I certainly never thought I’d be publishing a booklet,” Andrew says with a smile of accomplishment.

The booklet, titled Pathways, contains a wide variety of poems expressing contentment, melancholy and every emotion in between. It will be for sale at this year’s Christmas market on 7th December and subsequently available to purchase at various outlets around Gibraltar with all proceeds going to the GBC and Childline Gibraltar.

Andrew appeared on Poetic Justice on GBC last spring, which gave him the boost of confidence he needed to continue writing. The 15 minute interview focused mainly on his poetic background and concluded with one of his poems. Andrew admits that his appearance on GBC was a bit scary because he didn’t know what to expect, but his nerves calmed the minute the interview began.

“I used to be a very quiet and shy person, but poetry has made me come out of my shell and open up to others,” Andrew says. “It enables me to express what I am going through at any given moment and capture the precise essence of what’s going through my head.”

Andrew is deeply inspired by his family and friends and often uses their experiences to inspire his writing. While most of his poems share a general theme of love, each one is unique in painting its own picture. He

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

“

Poetry has made me come out of my shell and open up to others

”

uses a lot of abstract poetry, leaving it open for interpretation and allowing the readers to relate in their own personal way. One person might read one of Andrew’s poems and get something completely different out of it than the last person depending on how the poem pertains to their life.

While some of us can’t even “bust-a-rhyme”, the talented Andrew claims the easiest part of writing poetry is knowing which words to use.

“The words come easy to me,” Andrew admits.

“I put them on paper and don’t think twice about them or go back and amend them.”

After taking a break from writing poetry, a distinct friendship motivated Andrew to write a poem representing his relationship with his life-long friend Debbie. This poem, titled Afar, describes two people living separate lives in faraway places as if they are living their lives on parallel lines. Yet when their paths do cross, they pick up right where they left off, as if time never passed. Afar is the first poem featured in the booklet, perhaps signifying Andrew’s progression back into the poetic realm.

In an attempt to sail the Mediterranean from England, Andrew “accidentally” ended up in Gibraltar after what was supposed to be a quick pit stop on his journey. Andrew soon found comfort in Gibraltar and decided to make it his permanent home. He has worked as a manager at the Waterfront for the past 15 years and finds delight in interacting with customers on a daily basis. When he’s not busy working, he gives back to the community by volunteering for local charities around Gibraltar. ■

53

Touring Through Time with Louis Pereira an interview

by Mike Brufal

Louis Pereira

Louis Pereira, 84, is a man who has worked in tourism for virtually all his life and is probably the only Gibraltarian who, in 1947 worked in what purported to be a departure lounge at North Front at the very beginning of civilian air travel and yet will be at the opening next year of the new international airport, which takes Gibraltar’s air travel into the 21st century.

Louis is also the Rock’s foremost genealogist, a successful campaigner for just causes, a legendary sportsman, a highly competent administrator, a hugely successful fund raiser and a man who has always gone out of his way to help others. It is Louis who was responsible for the Government installing lifts in government blocks of flats.

He also played a key role in the twinning of Gibraltar and Funchal, and in giving statues of Our Lady of Europa to Fulham, Ballymena,

54

Funchal and Jamaica.

The evergreen Louis was born in Gibraltar and has clear memories of pre Second World War life here. His father owned the Wembley Bar. He lived down south in Elkington House, Rogers Road. In those days Gibraltar was divided into three districts – those who lived south of Jumpers Bastion; those who lived in the town and those on the east side which meant Catalan Bay. Each district had its own school, one at Catalan Bay,

the Sacred Heart School in the centre of town and the Rosia School half way up Naval Hospital Hill, successfully run by the Christian Brothers. This school was also attended by the children of the military and dockyard employees. It was said the Gibraltarian alumni of this school spoke the best English because of their friendship with the many British children in the school.

During his childhood Monsignor Grech recruited Louis as al-

tar boy at St. Joseph’s Church. In those days after a funeral Mass, regardless of the weather, the coffin was carried on the shoulders of parishioners from the church to the North Front cemetery lead by a priest with two altar boys, one carrying the Holy Cross the other Holy Water. There was no hearse on the Rock.

Louis was present at the opening of the City Fire Brigade station in Governor’s Meadow, then the only building in a lush field which

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

profile pastured the Governor’s cow who would be joined by cows and goats owned by the Cerisola family driven down Scud Hill from their sheds above the Mount.

He has fond memories of the tattoos held on the race tracks on the neutral ground (now the airstrip) and the military parades in which Spanish cavalry would play a role. His father would take him to race meetings which were made more exciting as some of the horses, owned by Freddie Bonich, were stabled next door to Elkington House.

This childhood idyll was shattered when, on 3rd September 1939, war was declared. There followed evacuation to Casablanca, the horrendous return to the Rock, the disembarkation following the civil protests and then the voyage to Madeira on the Neuralia. On arrival in Funchal Louis’ family was sent to the Hotel Savoy where they remained for two years until his mother tired of hotel life and they rented a private house. The Gibraltarians integrated easily with the people of Madeira and there were at least 12 weddings between Gibraltar girls and local boys.

Many Gibraltarian boys entered the local sports scene and these included Charlie Huart, Lolo Olivero, Eddie Campello, Henry Ryan and Jimmy Carboni. Education was at the British School which catered for children of the many expatriate British families working in Madeira.

Louis met Gibraltarian Kitty, his future wife, in Madeira at the age of 17 and shortly afterwards he volunteered to join the Gibraltar Defence Force (GDF) together with Desmond Baker, Joseph Warne and Harry Chichon. They returned to Gibraltar, at the expense of the British Government, via Lisbon where they spent 10 days in a hotel. Upon arrival at Gibraltar they were taken for the customary swift medical after which they were

Louis Pereira and Joseph Cortes accompanying Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret at the North Front terminal in Gibraltar

told the GDF had stood down to make way for the compulsory six months national service and so they must wait until call up papers arrived. However his efforts were not forgotten and he was awarded the 1939-45 war medal.

He joined the Auxiliary Fire Service and then the staff of BOAC which had a large and vital station on the Rock to deal with many flights to Cairo and the Middle East. In January 1945 he became a member of the 4th GDF Intake

and during his six months service BOAC moved out of Gibraltar, its mission having been completed.

Shortly afterwards British European Airways started to operate from North Front. After demobilisation Louis took a job in the Field Post Office which was managed

by Frank Sant (perhaps the best ever local wicket keeper), where he stayed until May 1947.

This was when Louis was asked to join the resurgent Gibraltar Airways in view of his previous ex-

At this time there was no Malaga airport and so Gibraltar was the airport with direct entry to the fledgling Costa del Sol

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

perience with BOAC. At the time BEA ran a weekly service which stopped to refuel at Madrid and then Bordeaux. Louis spent most of his working life down at the airport and began organising Gibraltar Educational Department tours to Oeiras. This was followed by arranging small aircraft to fly on charter for Royal Air Maroc to the small airports within Morocco to collect Haj pilgrims and take them to Casablanca where they caught large planes to Mecca.

Once a year Gibraltar Airways’ Viscount would fly to England for its maintenance visit and Louis saw an opportunity for Gibraltarians to go on a low cost pilgrimage to Lourdes. Bishop Rapallo

55

profile

Louis, in his dashing Bland uniform, talking to the then director of tourism Pepe Vaughan

liked the idea and thus started the annual Lourdes visits. On its way to England the plane diverted to Tarbes airport where the pilgrims disembarked to be collected on the Viscount’s return to Gibraltar.

Gibraltar Airways had become GB Airways its rapid expansion had begun. In 1954 Louis was appointed Station Manager. There was no Malaga airport and so Gibraltar was the airport with direct entry to the fledgling Costa del Sol. Louis implemented a coupon scheme which enabled tourists to fly to Gibraltar airport and exchange a coupon for a coach ticket which would take them to their hotels. In those days there were only a handful of hotels such as Pez de Espada and Las Chapas.

He married childhood sweetheart Kitty in 1955, and they went on to have three children and four grandchildren. He takes his role as head of the family seriously as his father died aged 100 and his mother at 102 after 72 years of marriage.

There were always family reunions and this is a tradition he has kept up now there are some 50 direct descendants of his parents.

1969 saw a radical change in local tourism with the closure of the frontier. Louis found himself responsible for advertising, marketing, sales, promotion and public relations for the Bland Group. He spent considerable time flying to destinations GB Airways wanted to obtain licences to fly to, including London, Marrakesh, Valencia, Jerez and Madeira. His mission was to persuade the local authori-

56

ties to back the application for the licence which inevitably they did.

He was also instrumental in the launch of Windsor Tours which was to take besieged Gibraltarians on holiday to the UK. In 1986 this excellent work was rewarded by an invitation to join the Board of the Bland Group. He and Sergio Hermida were the only non Gaggero family members on the board. In 1991, at the age of 65, he retired from GB Airways but was asked to stay on for another year as a director.

Louis enjoyed a host of other activities from doing his duty by being elected foreman of the jury on four occasions at the Supreme Court to founding many associations on the Rock, some of which still exist. He was President of the Association of Gibraltar Travel Agents, a member of the Institute of Travel and Tourism, a lecturer in travel and tourism at the College of Further Education and a founder member, with Pepe Brew, of the Skal Club, Gibraltar. He was an effective secretary of the Senior Citizens’ Association and formed the Glacis Tenants’ Association, leading the fight to persuade Government to install lifts in government blocks of flats. This was a

“

long battle which started with the GSLP government but it was not until the arrival of the GSD government that lifts were installed in all blocks.

On the sporting side he was President of the Collegians Hockey Club and a very active member of the Sandpits Lawn Tennis Club.

His interest in genealogy began when Father Aher drew him a family tree from the Catholic Church records. In 1992 he approached Monsignor Charles Caruana for permission to start serious research in the archives — from every commission to draw a family tree he received a donation was made to Church funds. To date he has researched more than 1000 family trees.

A few years ago he thought there would be support to raise money to donate statues of Our Lady of Europa to the four cities to which Gibraltarian evacuees were sent.

He consulted Father Charles Azzopardi who gave the concept his full support. The major fund raising was done by an annual concert at which all the schools contributed a choir and it took place over a couple of days. The final concert took place last year. By the end of this year Fulham, Ballymena,

I am confident Gibraltar’s new airport will be a huge success as there are many destinations waiting for regular flights to the Rock

”

Funchal and Kingston, Jamaica will have received replicas of the statue of Our Lady of Europa.

One by product was the twinning of Funchal with Gibraltar and Louis is most grateful to Clive Beltran, then Mayor, for all his input in making this idea a reality.

Louis is now winding down his activities so he can spend more time with his extended family.

However he will continue with his annual tour to Madeira and some tours to Northern Spain which he organises in conjunction with Alpha Travel. He remains a member of the Independent Review Panel dealing with any complaints relating to the Gibraltar Health Authority.

In 2008 Rotary Gibraltar awarded him the title of Elder of the Year for his services to the community.

During the same year, at a glittering reception in the Savoy Hotel, Funchal, the Secretary of the Madeira Tourism and Transport Ministry presented him with a illuminated scroll which said: ‘We certify that Mr Louis Pereira has been visiting Madeira since the ’70s becoming Ambassador par excellence of the Madeira image worldwide, promoting this image and persuading tourists to visit the Islands’. The General Manager of the Savoy Hotel presented Louis with a silver room key as a token of appreciation for all the guests he had introduced to the hotel.

As the man who started his career in travel by working in the blister hanger (a corrugated steel nissen hut located where now stands the Rotunda building) Louis can speak with experience about Gibraltar’s air terminals. The first terminal was built under the direction of the AACR Government and was so small it was unworkable.

Over the decades the structure has been extended time after time and so has never been fit for purpose.

He does not consider the new terminal to be too big as it will be a legacy for three or four future generations. He thinks the most effective way to increase its use in the short term is to start a programme to compete with Malaga to attract fly cruises to Gibraltar.

He concluded by saying: “I am confident Gibraltar’s new airport will be a huge success as there are many destinations waiting for regular flights to the Rock, including the Midlands, the West Country, Scotland and Ireland all of whom are flying to Malaga. Another possible entry into the market is a Portuguese Airline with its head office in the Azores who have started a route between Faro and Madeira.” ■

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

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57 57

In Sickness In Health

A Holiday with a Difference Thinking back now as winter approaches, I suppose you could call it a summer holiday with a difference; ten days at St Bernard’s Hospital in the middle of August! Pneumonia was the offending party and I fell for it hook, line and sinker. The experience was enlightening and not what we are sometimes led to believe. Patient care was focused and the bed was comfy.

I’ve done the cataract thing twice and popped into A&E once after a fall which made my wrist hurt rather a lot but there was no harm done. Thankfully, at 65, this was my first stay in any hospital so it really was a brand new experience.

My limbs were hurting and I had a bit of a high temperature. I thought a touch of flu or a cold was coming on. Temperatures rose over the next two or three days and a doctor at the Primary Care Centre, after diagnosis over the phone, told my wife “there’s no point in my coming to see him, he needs to go to hospital.” She proceeded to call an ambulance for me and ten minutes later it was waiting downstairs ready to transport me to A&E. I kept my pyjama bottoms and

58

tee shirt on and off we went thinking that I’d be back after a couple of jabs and a prescribed assortment of pills for me to ingest. I was wrong, of course, and was told I’d be kept in for a couple of days so they could keep an eye on the situation.

I ended up staying in for 10 and a half days!

I expected hospital smells, patients that were poorly, moaning and groaning, and a daily intake of the notorious hospital food. I was put into Victoria ward, a woman’s

domain (I’m told it’s not uncommon these days to have a mixed ward). It turned out to be okay. I was initially put into a three bed ward with two other gents.

The room was spacious, airy and bright, TV sets at every bed and we had a large window facing the harbour and bay. Down below, views of Atlantic Suites swimming pool and well tended gardens. It certainly was a great room with a view.

Two or three days later I was

All meals were accompanied by a thick chicken or vegetable soup and dessert. The food was always piping hot and during my 10 days stay, not one of the 20 meals was repeated

moved to an isolation suite with a spacious room all to myself. I was told I had a low white blood cell count and was therefore vulnerable to infection.

I’ve got to say there were no ‘hospital smells,’ I didn’t hear much in the way of moaning and groaning and the food was very good! Roast chicken and beef, chicken massala, spaghetti bolognaise, fish and chips and shepherd’s pie. Also, a number of Llanito (Gibraltarian) dishes like rolitos, potaje, rosto and so on.

All meals were accompanied by a thick chicken or vegetable soup and dessert. The food was always piping hot and during my 10 days stay, not one of the 20 meals was repeated.

Breakfast was cereals and toast,

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

health file

by Richard Cartwright tea or coffee. Tea and coffee was on tap all day and sandwiches and biscuits were brought round late in the evening (dinner/tea was early at about 5pm). I really enjoyed 99% of what was on offer and there really was no need for the habitual Lucozade and grapes, although I love grapes!

Doctors and nurses were on the ball and I was seen to a number of times during the day, every day.

They’d come in for what they call, ‘observations’ which included checking blood pressure and pulse, oxygen in the blood, they’d give me jabs for thinning of the blood, and I’d have a contraption stuffed in my ear to check my temperature, I was also subjected to intravenous antibiotics three times a day and others taken orally. I was visited by two doctors every day.

Dedication by all and sundry was clearly evident. Even the cleaners were in and out going over what they’d already covered earlier, hygiene being a priority in an institution of this sort. I was treated just fine and always with a smile.

Visiting hours were between 5.45pm and about 8pm and you were allowed visitors at lunchtime to help with your meal if required.

There are signs indicating ‘only two visitors per patient,’ but Gib being what it is, discretion is in the hands of the ward manager and a little bit of a blind eye is more or less reluctantly turned.

Do I have any complaints or was there a down side? Well, not so much a complaint more of an observation really.

For instance, if you are a very jovial, loud, larger than life character who is used to spending his free

time just like that, that’s fine. But if that person is a restaurant waiter in the Ritz Hotel surely a certain degree of self discipline would come in to play while at work — still always being yourself, pleasant and jolly. He or she couldn’t be shouting or raising his or her voice and laughing out loud to colleagues across the restaurant.

Similarly, working in a hospital, the same degree, or more, of self discipline and professionalism should apply. I found one or two members of staff were a bit over the top considering their place of work and it was something I couldn’t understand with sick people around.

In the recent past I remember someone telling me, ”with your sense of fun how can you keep a straight face when reading the news on TV?” I rest my case. That describes me alright, but this is my place of work.

Well, that was my only ‘negative.’ The rest is as good as it can get or better. I think we’re very lucky to have what we have at St Bernard’s and yes, if you work there I imagine you would have your little gripes about this and that but is that not the case in any place of work?

For my part I would go as far as saying I actually enjoyed my stay there. Nevertheless, when you’re getting on, I think an experience of that sort makes you think seriously about paying a little more attention to the business of looking after yourself. With the onset of winter perhaps one should take even more care.

As for my encounter with what’s been described as some strain of atypical pneumonia, I seem to have emerged unscathed! n

Even the cleaners were in and out going over what they’d already covered earlier, hygiene being a priority in an institution of this sort.

I was treated just fine and always with a smile

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

59

health risks

Lifestyle & Breast Cancer

by Dr Maria Bernathova, Specialist Breast Radiologist and Mr David Deardon FRCS, Consultant Surgeon

Every day we are bombarded with information about breast cancer. Awareness of the disease is rife, as we read about it in magazines, hear real stories from the television and unfortunately all too often have our own true life stories of family members, friends, relatives or even ourselves being affected. While these experiences and stories tend to focus on the terrible news of when the diagnosis is made or the experience of going through the surgery and chemotherapy, and invariably, the psychological trauma of losing a part of one’s femininity, the truth is that recent figures from the UK suggest that long term survival from the disease is improving.

Whilst we cannot fail to be aware of the disease there is little written about what we can do to reduce our risk of developing breast cancer in the first place and furthermore, what we can do to increase our chances of a complete recovery should we have the misfortune of actually developing the disease.

While family history and inheritance are undoubtedly important factors for developing breast cancer, in fact less than 10% of women actually inherit the disease genetically. In these relatively few cases there is often a history of close family members having the disease and it is known that having two first-degree relatives with the disease does increases the risk of an individual about five-fold. Regardless of this, less strong family histories do not significantly increase an individual’s risk and if tested, the majority of affected women would not have any of the currently recognised mutant genes responsible for breast cancer. As not all these cases can be linked to a genetic inheritance, it follows that other factors are probably involved, and these include lifestyle, family size, social habits and diet.

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Clearly lifestyles, family size and eating habits are greatly influenced by peer pressure and family experience, and this may in some part explain how many diseases including cancer, can run in families even without detectable genetic inheritance. Obviously as we learn more about the genes which are associated with the disease, perhaps in time more cases may be able to be attributed to genetics.

There is clearly a link between the length of time a woman has unopposed exposure to

As not all these cases can be linked to a genetic inheritance, it follows that other factors are probably involved, and these include lifestyle, family size, social habits and diet

female hormones such as oestrogens and thus family size choices do have an effect. For example, a woman who does not have children has more menstrual cycles during her lifetime than a woman who goes through one or more pregnancies. In the former case, a woman’s breasts will be exposed to more oestrogen during her lifetime than a woman who has children.

With each pregnancy, a woman benefits from nine months or more of reduced ovarian activity and over a lifetime this can amount to two or three years less oestrogen exposure (depending on family size). Furthermore, as breast feeding suppresses ovulation, this also has a protective effect by directly reducing the exposure of the breasts to high circulating oestrogens. Conversely, the use of the oral contraceptive pill or hormonal replacement therapy, both involve exposing the breast to relatively high levels oestrogen and over time this increases the risk of developing breast cancer.

It follows that women who have families and who breast feed have a reduced incidence of breast cancer as do those who do not have prolonged use of the oral contraceptive pill or

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

health risks hormone replacement therapy.

Unfortunately as women live longer, we are seeing more breast cancer. This is not a specific phenomenon confined to breast cancer and this trait is seen in all malignant disease. One theory is that longevity increases the time in which genes can mutate into cancer producing ones.

At the beginning of this century the average life expectancy was in the region 55 to 65 years, however current predictions suggest that our children’s generation could survive on average well into the 9th decade. Some scientists regard malignancy in part as an aging phenomenon and thus an extra 30 years of life in itself, is a major factor in the increasing overall incidence malignancy and breast cancer.

What about our lifestyles? Today’s hectic high pressure lifestyles, can also take its toll on our bodies. Work, family and marital pressure leave women with little or no time for themselves.

Modern woman often face daily work related stress which has to be juggled with childcare and family life. Convenience and processed food is time saving and easy and these often have a high fat, salt and preservative content, much of which has been shown to have carcinogenic potential. In particular cholesterol is a precursor for most sex hormones including oestrogen. Furthermore, instead of allowing ourselves 30 minutes of mental relaxation per day, more often than not, alcohol or cigarettes are used as convenient de-stressors. Television and computers have taken the place of sport and physical exercise.

Researchers have found that women with mental stress double their risk for breast cancer

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

however they could not quantify the amount of stress needed to significantly increase breast cancer risk. Tobacco smoking is well known as the leading preventable risk factors for many cancers and in particular breast, bowel and lung disease. There is however good news for those who have kicked the habit and scientists have found no evidence of a significantly increased risk among long time reformed smokers.

There is also evidence that lack of physical activity can increase the risk for breast cancer.

More interesting is the finding that a reformed physical activity regime after a woman has been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer may be associated with a more positive long term outcome from the disease. This may have something to do with altering fat deposits in the body and reducing cholesterol levels.

Some breast cancers are associated with increased levels of oestrogen receptors on the cancer cell wall. Regular use of alcohol increases

Lack of physical activity can increase the risk for breast cancer. More interesting is the finding that a reformed physical activity regime after being treated for breast cancer may be associated with a more positive long term outcome

blood oestrogen levels as has been outlined above this increases the risk of breast cancer.

Women who drink alcohol regularly face a 21% increased risk of breast cancer (compared to tee-totalers), and those who drink more than 14 units per week increase their risk by up to 37%.

Obviously none of this negates the need for women to be aware of their breasts and regular self examination should be undertaken by all women over the age of 35. Breast screening is also an important positive lifestyle choice and should be considered by all women. The age at which this should start is controversial and Europe does not have a consensus opinion.

Britain probably has a less rigorous screening programme than many other countries in EU, however the fact remains that early disease detection significantly increases the chance of disease cure.

In summary, therefore, while there are many risk factors associated with developing breast cancer, some of these we cannot influence. We have no say over our gender, or genetic heritage and aging is inevitable, however by eating a healthy diet, reducing or stopping smoking, taking regular exercise, having a family and breast feeding babies, women can actually do a lot to reduce their risk of developing the disease. Lastly, of course, is the fact prevention is better than cure. All women over the age of 35 should seriously consider the option of breast screening as this is probably the single most important action a woman can take to influence her chance of surviving the disease should she develop it. n

61

health & medical directory

health& fitness Bell Pharmacy

McTimoney Chiropractor

Your Family Chemists

Gentle holistic treatment for all back or muscular problems and sports injuries Gillian Schirmer MA, DC, MMCA Clinic (Claudia’s), 1st Floor, 58 Main Street Tel: 200 41733 or after hours: 200

Here to help you by answering all your pharmaceutical questions Consult us at 27 Bell Lane Tel: 200 77289 Fax: 200 42989

CHEMISTS

Bell Pharmacy 27 Bell Lane Tel: 200 77289 Fax: 200 42989

PASSANO OPTICIANS LTD

Louis’ Pharmacy Unit F12, International Commercial Centre, Casemates.

Tel: 200 44797

British Registered Optometrists

Chiropodists

38 Main St Tel: 200 76544 Fax: 200 76541 Email: passano@sapphirenet.gi

John W Miles BSc (Podiatry), MChS College Clinic, Regal House Tel: 200 77777

ChiropraCtors STEINER CHIROPRACTIC CLINICS

Chiropractic Health Clinic

Dr Carsten Rudolf Steiner BSc DC

Dr Steven J. Crump B.Sc, DC, MCC Open: Mon - Fri 9.30am - 6.30pm

Member of the British Chiropractic Association

Back to better health with Chiropractic for headaches, dizziness, neck and lower back pain, sciatica, osteoathritis and sports injuries.

College Clinic, Regal Hse. Tel: 200 77777

Dr Steven J. Crump BSc, DC, MCC ICC F5C 1st Flr, Casemates.

Tel: 200 44226 Gillian Schirmer MA, DC, MMCA McTimoney Chiropractor, Clinic (Claudia’s), 1st Flr, 58 Main St Tel: 200 41733 After hours: 200 40026

Treatment of Back Pain, Neck Pain, Headaches, Limb Pain & Sports Injuries Tel: 200 44226

ICC Suite F5C 1st Floor, Casemates, Gibraltar Member of British Chiropractic Association

Dr Carsten Rudolf Steiner BSc, DC Steiner Chiropractic Clinics, College Clinic, Regal Hse Tel: 200 77777

The Health Store

5 City Mill Lane, Gibraltar. Tel: 20073765

Health Stores The Health Store 5 City Mill Lane. Tel: 200 73765

Suppliers of Glucosamine, Ginkgo Biloba and all vitamins.

Opticians / Optometrists

Body Building Products (Creatine etc)

Gache & Co Limited 266 Main Street. Tel: 200 75757

Open: 9am - 1pm & 3pm - 6pm

L. M. Passano Optometrist 38 Main Street. Tel: 200 76544

For all your Pharmaceutical needs

OSTEOPATHS

Louis’ Pharmacy

Joma Ormrod (BOst.) (female) Atlantic Suites Health Club & Spa Europort Tel: 200 48147

Open: 9 - 7 Monday - Friday, Saturday 10 -1.30pm, Closed Sundays Unit F12, International Commercial Centre, Casemates. Tel: 200 44797

PERSONAL TRAINERS

Simon Coldwell Complete Fitness Unit G3, Eliott Hotel Tel: 200 51113

JOHN W. MILES BSc (Podiatry), M.Ch.S

Isabella Jimenez BSc (hons) 3/8 Turnbull’s Lane Tel: 54002226 email: jimenez.isabella@gmail.com

STATE REGISTERED CHIROPODIST Treatment of all Foot Problems

Physicians

Dr Norbert V Borge FRCP (London) 7-9 Cornwall’s Lane Tel/Fax: 200 75790

• Ingrown Toe-nails including Surgical Removal • Biomechanical Analysis for Insoles / Orthotics including Children

Specialist Medical Centre Unit F7 ICC Casemates Square Tel: 200 49999 Fax: 200 49999 Email: info@smg.gi www.smg.gi

• Wart (Verruca) Clinic • Diabetics

Tel: 200 77777

College Clinic, Regal House, Queensway TEL: 54029587 FOR HOME VISITS

Need somebody to talk to?

7 days a week 6-10pm

Psychologist

DUTY CHEMISTS

October 2010 5th - 11th Bell Pharmacy 12th - 18th Calpe 93 19 - 25 Louis Pharmacy 26 - 1st Mill Pharmacy open 7-9pm Mon-Fri & 11am-1pm & 6-8pm weekends/public holiday

64 62 what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

Clinical Psychologist Tel: +34 661 007 261 Email: vivianabot3007@yahoo.es

SPECIALISTS

Specialist Medical Centre Unit F7 ICC Casemates Square Tel: 200 49999 Fax: 200 49999 Email: info@smg.gi www.smg.gi

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

health

Keep Still or Use a Paper Towel...

Rubbing your hands together under a hand dryer leaves them coated with more bacteria than just after you washed them.

“When you rub your hands, you bring a lot of bacteria to the surface from the pores of your skin,” says Anna Snelling of the University of Bradford who, while carrying out research funded by handdryer manufacturer Dyson, asked 14 volunteers to dry their hands for 15 seconds using three different types of air dryer, sometimes rubbing their hands together and sometimes not.

When volunteers kept their hands still, the dryers reduced skin bacteria numbers by around 37% compared to just after washing. But the count rose by 18% when volunteers rubbed their hands together under one of the machines.

Paper towels proved the most efficient, halving the bacterial count even though volunteers rubbed their hands, because the towels actually scrape the bacteria off. ■

Back to the Future...

The staff at The Chiropractic Health Clinic in the ICC pictured with Kim Short (left), the new Chiropractic Assistant at the clinic. Also pictured: Dr. Steven Crump, Marian O Flaherty and Catherine Crump.

58 Main Street, 1st Floor.

Tel: 200 74040 Regular Clinics Claudia Schiel Health/Beauty Therapist Auriculo Medicine for Stop Smoking Dermatological Peels Non Surgical Lifting Specialising in all kinds of skin problems Holistic Therapies for various conditions - Reflexology - Medicinal Pedicures - Hair Extensions Gillian Schirmer MA DC UK McTimoney Chiropractor Gentle and Effective Chiropractic Treatment for all Muscular and Joint Pains, especially Sports Injuries, Pregnancy. Headaches, and Migraines. Suitable for all ages.

Alison Prior Health/Beauty Therapist - Facials - Waxing - Massages - Slimming Treatments NEW! Skin Tag & Thread Vein Removal Hollywood & Brazilian Waxing Lymphatic Drainage Sports Injuries - Cervical Problems Collagen Implants Botox Injections - Sclerotherapy (Thread Vein Treatment) New Clinics FAKE BAKE NEW in Gibraltar - revolutionary fake tanning system Exclusive Agents Laser Clinic Permanent Hair Removal, Pigmentation and anti-aging Health / Weight Loss Unique personalised nutrition programme Ultra Sound NEW fat removing technique

BOOK NOW FOR: Various evening courses in Beauty Therapy Registered & Licensed by Health & Environmental Department

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

63

media profile Nyree started acting at a very early age, and she used her creativity to express her emotions, through dancing, singing and other creative hobbies. With her own experiences in mind, during her first contacts with disability and behavioural problems, she realised that “through the creative processes, children could channel their communication better, and using movement and role play helped me to understand them more.”

In her late teens, she decided this was her career path, and investigated a course which combined her two interests, drama and therapy. At 21, she travelled to Derby University, to pursue

“

Through creativity we access the healthy aspects of the patient’s psyche, building confidence and diminishing a paranoid frame of mind Nyree uses creativity to enhance the therapeutic process

Dramatherapy:

Creativity for Change...

by Jolene Gomez

After countless years of voluntary work, and many summers working at the Dr. Giraldi home, Nyree Turnock decided she wanted a career which would combine her two passions, drama and therapy. Now, with only a year to go before she becomes a qualified Dramatherapist, we asked her to tell us a little bit more about her speciality, and the exciting projects she wants to bring to Gibraltar in the future.

64

”

a degree in Creative Expressive Therapies, which touched upon different art forms, and she specialised in Drama in her final year.

In 2008, Nyree organised a few workshops in St Bernadette’s Occupational Therapy Centre, but felt she didn’t have the necessary experience and skills. “I felt I still had a lot to learn, and due to the sensitive issues expressed within the group, and not giving them the correct tools to develop, I could do them more harm than good,” she explains.

She then decided to apply for a part time MA in Dramatherapy, in Exeter, ranked number one in this field. She has self-funded her training by also working full time at a care agency in the UK. She is currently in her final year of the MA, and is presenting a dissertation on the effects of singing on people with sever autism.

Once completed Nyree will be a qualified Dramatherapist, and registered under the Health Professions Council (HPC).

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

therapy The MA organises work placements for their students, something Nyree took full advantage of. “I was in a mental health ward, and it was amazing to see how patients who were shaking with anxiety during the first session, were smiling and making eye contact in the second one. The symptoms of mental health were not evident anymore after 90 minutes of therapy, as through creativity we access the healthy aspects of the patient’s psyche, building confidence and diminishing a paranoid frame of mind.”

All that is required is a qualified therapist, a safe space which enables privacy for the session, with the necessary materials, and people who are willing to engage in the experience. The session can be emotional for both the people involved and the therapist, as using the power of metaphors distances the participants from their problems, which means healing can occur without making anything overt.

Living in Plymouth is a big sacrifice for Gibraltarian Nyree, but the experience, she says, is worth it. “I can’t wait to return to Gibraltar, and share everything I

have learned. I think there is very little awareness of arts therapy in Gibraltar at the moment. It is not about being a good actor or performer, but about having the creative tools and techniques — making the aims and objectives of the session therapeutic,” she says.

Upon returning to Gibraltar, Nyree feels there is still room for improvement with regards to people’s attitudes towards certain disabled people, as their potential is underestimated. With a few sessions of creative therapies, they can begin to embrace their full potential... “It is not the end of the road for them, but just the beginning,” Nyree smiles.

Although she specialises in people with non-verbal autism and ADHD in young adults, she is interested in working with all types of conditions, from learn-

“

ing disabilities or children with behavioural problems, to dementia, and mental health or offenders. She describes herself as a “people person” with a very flexible and positive approach to her work, and is open to different ideas and people.

As a holistic therapist, Nyree believes every condition is the result of something else. “Mental health does not just happen overnight. There is a process and chain of events. People are stuck within roles, and not allowed to fulfil any others. Through creative therapy, however, we treat these traumas from the core, which can obtain positive long term results, and therefore improving the person’s quality of life.”

Nyree has already been training for six years, but this is a

It is not about being a good actor or performer, but about having the creative tools and techniques — making the aims and objectives of the session therapeutic

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

”

career you can never be too prepared for. “Many people believe that a dancer, singer or actor can take this therapy route instantly, but this is not the case, and can prove to be dangerous and destructive for the participants.

Dramatherapy requires studying psychoanalysis, psychology, neuro science, philosophy and drama theory.”

What is most important is the safe practise of the dramatherapist, who provides boundaries, such as space and time, for the participants to express themselves, and always looks out for their best interests, and ways to improve their development.

Tact and choice of words is also extremely important, depending on the group or individual involved.

Above all, the therapist needs to lead the session, but also interact with those present, and make sure they interact with the others in the group if it’s a group session.

“Being creative is what separates us from animals, and when you give someone the opportunity to open up, to learn through their senses, and express themselves, who knows what can happen,” Nyree smiles. n

65

history file

Euryalus was decommissioned in 1825 and converted into a prison hulk for boys at Chatham. In 1847 she was moved to Gibraltar, and was sold for breaking up in 1860. Euryalus was decommissioned in 1825 and converted into a prison hulk for boys at Chatham. In 1847 she was moved to Gibraltar, and was sold for breaking up in 1860.

Crumbling ships were converted into makeshift prisons — the Euryalus at Gibraltar housed prisoners destined for deportation to Australia

Euryalus:

Trafalgar Flagship to Prison Hulk Admiral Horatio Nelson might have survived the Battle of Trafalgar had he heeded the advice of Captain Henry Blackwood of HMS Euryalus.

Blackwood was a close personal friend of Nelson and he suggested the beloved Admiral leave the 100-gun HMS Victory and make Euryalus his flag ship for the coming battle (Oct. 21, 1805).

He reasoned that Nelson would be better able to command his squadron from the newer, faster and more maneuverable 36-gun frigate.

“I proposed hoisting the flag in the Euryalus,” Blackwood wrote to his wife, “whence he could better see what was going on, as well as what to order in case of necessity but he would not hear of it, and gave as his reason the force of example; and probably he was right.”

After losing that argument Blackwood, who was 35-years-old and had been in the Navy since he was 11, pleaded with the 47-year-old Nelson to at least keep Victory out of the vanguard.

“My next object, therefore, was to endeavour to induce his Lordship to allow the Temeraire, Neptune and Leviathan to lead into action before the Victory. Blackwood pointed out how “…advantageous it would be to the Fleet for his Lordship to keep as long as possible out of the Battle.”

After much discussion Nelson appeared to consent. Flashing a knowing smile he sent

66

Blackwood in a boat to tell Captain Harvey of Temeraire, which was abreast of Victory at the time, to ‘go ahead’.

On his return Blackwood saw to his dismay that the Victory had speeded up.

“I found him doing all he could to increase rather than diminish sail, so that the Temeraire could not pass the Victory.”

Blackwood asked Nelson’s oldest friend Captain Hardy to do something but Hardy (of ‘kiss me Hardy’ fame) refused. “…he conceived his Lordship’s ardour to get into battle would on

Captain Blackwood pointed out how …advantageous it would be to the Fleet for his Lordship to keep as long as possible out of the Battle

“

”

no account suffer such a measure”.

So Victory led the attack and Nelson achieved a famous ‘victory’ at the cost of his life, dying after being shot through the spine by a sniper.

Euryalus, considered too small to challenge the enemy, was held back from the battle until late in the afternoon when she was called on to turn the damaged Royal Sovereign so that the larger ship could engage the French ship Formidable. There were no casualties aboard Euryalus that day.

On Nelson’s death Admiral Collingwood took command and in doing so he transferred his flag from the Royal Sovereign to Euryalus.

For the next ten days Euryalus served as flagship for the Fleet. She took on survivors from some of the French ships and sailed to Cadiz where Blackwood negotiated an exchange of prisoners and the repatriation of French and Spanish wounded. On Oct. 31 Collingwood moved his flag to Queen and Euryalus sailed for England with the most important prisoner of On Sunday 24th October the Battle of

Trafalgar Remembrance Service will take place at the Trafalgar Cemetery, Southport Gate, Gibraltar at 12 noon. For further information Tel: 200 55083

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

history file

by Reg Reynolds all — Admiral Pierre de Villeneuve, Commander of the French/Spanish fleet.

Euryalus was a busy ship for the next decade escorting convoys, landing troops and raiding and blockading ports during both the Peninsula War with France and the War of 1812-14 with the United States. She then served an uneventful few years in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean before suffering the indignity of being converted into a prison, based at Chatham, for boys, some as young as nine.

In 1847 the once proud flagship was taken to Gibraltar where she was put to work as a prison hulk proper. In 1859 Euryalus was renamed Africa and was sold to a Mr. Recanno who had her broken up the following year. ■

OFFICIAL NOTICE GOVERNMENT OF GIBRALTAR Offer for sale of Residential Properties OFFER FOR SALE BY THE GOVERNMENT OF GIBRALTAR ON BEHALF OF GIBRALTAR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES LIMITED (A GOVERNMENT OWNED COMPANY) OF THE FOLLOWING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES: ROSIA COTTAGES 38 ROSIA ROAD, GIBRALTAR Captain Henry Blackwood (above)’s advice could have saved Admiral Nelson

Gibraltar Prisoner Grassed His Way To Freedom The Euryalus hulk could hold up to 300 prisoners and one of the earliest residents was a thief from Norfolk named Cornelius Bradnum.

Gibraltar was considered a secondary stage of the penal system.

Prisoners were incarcerated there for one to three years and forced to do public works before being transported to Australia.

Cornelius had been sentenced to ‘transportation for life’ for burglary in 1847 and shipped to Gibraltar where he spent three years at hard labour. One day while working at Windmill Hill he overheard four prisoners plotting to kill two officers. He told the ‘gangsman’ and was taken to the Governor’s office where he repeated his story. He curried additional favour by testifying at the subsequent trial.

For grassing Cornelius had his sentence reduced to 15 years and was transported to Western Australia where he served out his remaining time and was given a ‘free pardon’.

Somehow he managed to make his way to Callao, Peru only to be press-ganged onto an American merchant ship named Swallow.

Cornelius complained to the captain that all his possessions were on shore and anyway he was no sailor. But the captain

replied angrily that he had paid $65 for his ‘head’ and then locked him in the hold until the ship was at sea.

During the voyage Cornelius suffered a broken leg and when the Swallow reached Hamburg he was taken to hospital. From there he managed get a message to the British Consul who arranged for a steamer to take him to England.

Unluckily Cornelius was spotted by an official who knew his history and was promptly arrested and charged with ‘being at large without lawful excuse before the expiration of term of transportation’.

During the trial Cornelius claimed that his pardon papers were in his trunk in Peru. He explained that he had written a letter to the authorities in Australia but had yet to receive a reply.

The jury believed his story and as there was no evidence to the contrary he was acquitted.

The trial took place in October 1865 and Cornelius enjoyed his freedom for a good few years because his name and age (71) appear in the England and Wales Census for 1891. ■

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

BASIS OF OFFER 1. The properties are being offered for sale, on an “as is, as seen” basis.

2. These properties are intended for owner-occupiers. The Government will therefore not accept bids from property developers, investors or speculators.

3. The properties will be sold by 150 year lease.

4. Each property includes an allocated parking space.

CONDITIONS OF SALE Conditions of Sale documents and Application Forms are available from Gibraltar Residential Properties Limited, 40 Town Range.

VIEWINGS Viewings can be arranged by appointment through Gibraltar Residential Properties Limited, telephone: 200 72572, fax: 200 72551 or email grpsales@gibtelecom.net Completed applications clearly marked “Sale of Rosia Cottages” should be submitted in a sealed envelope and placed in the “Sale of Properties” Tender Box situated at No. 6 Convent Place, Gibraltar.

TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN NOT LATER THAN NOON ON FRIDAY 15th OCTOBER 2010.

APPLICATIONS DELIVERED AFTER THE SPECIFIED TIME AND DATE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Important Notice: This notice creates no legal rights or obligations and cannot be relied on for any such purpose. The legal rights and obligations of the parties will be as set out in any agreements entered into.

TENDER DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT www.gibraltar.gov.gi

67

puzzle page

by Alan Gravett

SUDOKU Win a lunch for two at

The Cannon Bar

2

1

3

4

5

7 6

8

7

9

10 11

12

13

15

14

16 18

17

21

20

19

21

Send completed suduko to: The Cannon Bar, 27 Cannon Lane, Gibraltar.

One entry per person.

Closing date: 20th October 2010 Last month’s winner: M. Rose, S. Barrack Rd.

Send completed crossword to: The Clipper, Irish Town, Gibraltar.

FIRST PRIZE: Lunch for 2 at The Clipper

One entry per person.

Closing date: 20th October 2010 Winner notified in next issue of The Gibraltar Magazine.

Last month’s winner: Karen Torres, Harbour Views

Across 1) Art Garfunkel song, theme song of the film Watership Down (6,4) 7) Slow moving (8) 8) On which a train runs (4) 9) Erode or dress (4) 10) Period of youth (7) 12) Unnatural forecast of what will be (11) 14) What 17) did (7) 16) Grid (4) 19) Country, capital Lima (4) 20) With deadly intent (8) 21) The letter “R” in Morse code (3,4,3)

Down 1) Underneath (5) 2) Own who gives no thanks; where the coal goes! (7) 3) Natural head adornment (4) 4) Modern name for Abyssinia (8) 5) Planet not included by 17) in his Suite (5) 6) Refuse to acknowledge (6) 11) Offered sympathy (8) 12) Decent (6) 13) Country, capital Reykjavik (7) 15) Planet not included by 17) in his Suite (5) 17) He wrote The Planets Suite (5) 18) First name of Redding, the blues singer (4)

Jotting Pad ...

LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS: Across: Ferris wheel, Live, Humorous, Igneous, Hindi, Rover, Frogeye, Invasion, Edam, Sue Townsend Down: Free, Without, Swamp, Ferrying, Fairgrounds, Laundrymaid, Elevated, Ironing, Pivot, Eden

68

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

events

National Day 2010 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

Family Fun on National Day 69

That Nail Place

GACHE & CO LTD EST. 1830

Nail Extensions DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA DIGITAL CAMERA - MOBILE PHONES - GPS - PDA ACCESSORIES

No. 4 Watergardens - Block 1, PO Box 882 Tel/Fax: +350 200 78600

E6

Gel - Acrylic - Fibreglass

I4

Airbrushing Nail Art Body Jewellery

Unit F22A 1st Floor, ICC. Tel: 200 73211

T5

• Giftware • Jewellery • Sports Trophies • Awards & Engravers

L4

266 Main St, Gibraltar Tel: 200 75757

Q4

P2

BUDDIES pasta casa

Come and enjoy real Italian meals in Gibraltar’s leading pasta house

R4

15 Cannon Lane Tel: 200 40627 for reservations

Gibraltar Taxi Association

D8

GUIDED ROCK TOURS 19 Waterport Wharf Main Office Tel: 20070052 Fax: 20076986 Radio service: 20070027

X6

K4

open12 noon till late Unit 2 B The Tower Marina BayTel: 46668

A3

Sacha’s

THE TASTY BITE 59A Irish Town Tel: 200 78220 Fax: 200 74321

DUTY FREE WINES, SPIRITS & TOBACCO open 7 days 79 Main Street

Quality Kitchen Ware Gibraltar’s Best Stocked Cook Shop K5

The Takeway with a difference.

Homecooking . our speciality .

Open Monday

M5 to Saturday

46 Irish Town Tel: 200 75188 Fax: 200 72653

the silver shop

for beautiful silver jewellery & gifts

C6 J4

2 locations in gibraltar 222 main street • horse barrack lane

G3

N3

R5

M4

M4

Accountants Durante Carboni Jardim..............X3 ESV Hassan & Co........................ I4 Business/Financial Services AI Couriers (DHL)......................K3 Barclays...................................... M4 GibraltarAssetManagement....... M5 Hassans............................................

Jyske Bank.................................. L4 Norwich & Peterborough............Q5 Phoenix Solutions........................ J4 Sovereign Trust...........................N4 STM Fidecs.................................H7 Business Services Call Centre..................................V4 Global Business Centre................S3 Waste Management......................a6 Business Supplies Beacon Press...............................N6 Glasshouse..................................N5 Image Graphics...........................N3

Stitch Design................................P3 Motoring & Car Sales A. M. Capurro & Sons Ltd ........ N6 Computers & Cableing BSG...............................................I4 Image Graphics........................... N3 Newton Systems.........................M5 PC Clinic..................................... U3 Food & Drink Amin’s The Office....................... K5 Birdie Cafe Restaurant................ D7 Buddies Pasta Casa..................... Q4 Cafe Rojo.................................... K5 Café Solo..................................... G3 Casa Pepe.....................................Z6 Final Whistle............................... N3 Get Joost...............................H4, S4 Get Stuffed.................................. A3 House of Sacarello.......................L5 Just-a-Nibble.................................I4 Just Desserts..................................I4

Lord Nelson................................. H2 El Patio......................................... H2 Picadilly Gardens.......................... b4 Pickwicks Bar...............................R3 Roy’s Cod Plaice.......................... H4 Royal Calpe.................................. Q5 Saccone & Speed...........................J4 Smiths Fish and Chips................. V4 Solo Express................................ H4 Star Bar........................................ K5 The Three Roses.......................... Q2 Trafalgar Sports Bar.......................a3 Verdi Verdi................................... N3 Waterfront.................................... Y7 Funeral Services Codali Funeral Services............... U3 Hair & Beauty Salons Classic Cuts..................................M3 Joya’s Gents Hairdressers............ N2 Renaissance Beauty.......................J4 Roots.............................................T4

J4• Sandwiches • Soups • Baguettes/ Ciabatta • Desserts/ • Take-away • Deliveries Homemade Italian Ice-cream • Eat in (outside!)

• Business Lunches Mon - Fri 10-6, Sat 10 - 4, Closed Sundays • Parties/ 24 Main St Tel: 20043840 Fax: 42390 Kids Parties

Irish Town Antiques

L5

Irish Town Tel: 200 70411

Q5

Jewellery Sales/Repair Beau Jangles.................................M4 Jewellery Repairs..........................L4 Matthew’s Jewellery......................I3

Steiner Chiropractor.....................K7

Leisure Complete Fitness.......................... R3 Dolphin Safari.............................. A3

Property Sales / Estate Agents BFA..............................................D3 Bray Property...............................B3 Property World.............................. I4 Solomon Levy . ...........................U3

Legal Services Charles Gomez............................. U4 Isolas.............................................E4 Triay & Triay............................... K5 Medical / Health Bell Pharmacy.............................. N3 Claudia’s Clinic............................ K4 Dr. Crump, Steven, Chiropractor I4 Health Food Store........................ O4 Louis Pharmacy........................... H4 McTimoney chiropractor..............L4 John Miles - Chiropodist.............. K7 Specialist Medical Clinic...............I4 Sport-On - Sports Therapy........... K3

Pet Services / Supplies Gibraltar Veterinary Clinic..........H4

General Services Anything Goes............................. P2 Art Gallery...................................R4 Balban (electrician)......................H2 Balloqui . ..................................... P4 LP Borge......................................X3 Denville Designs.........................M3 Fashion House Interiors............... P2 Greenarc.......................................X5 Larbi upholstery...........................R3 Queensway Quay Laundrette.......X7 Seekers.........................................L3 Space Interiors.............................. I3

03

Shopping — General Arcade Keys.................................J5 Don House Arcade.......................J5 Gallery Mosaic...........................M5 Home Centre................................J4 Pure Lighting...............................I6 Terry’s........................................M5 Sakata.........................................M4 Shopping — Fashion/Clothing Esprit.......................................... D4 Aftershock.................................. D4 Recruitment Corporate Resources....................J4 ERS..............................................I4 RecruitGibraltar......................... O6 Quad Consultancy...................... U3 Transport / Marine Services Autoelectrical............................. C7 Gib Cargo................................... B8 Shell Bunkering......................... H6 Tarik Oil..................................... C8

SMITH’S

U4 FISH & CHIPS HADDOCK W4 PLAICE • COD FRESH FRIED IN CRISPY BATTER

295 MAIN ST Tel: 200 74254

226 Main Street · Gibraltar · Telephone 200 48480

K5

Q5

184 Main Street Tel: 200 72133 open: from 8am (10am on Sun)

Z6

pets&accessories Protect Your Dog Against Fatal Summer Diseases Heartworm, Leishmaniosis, Tickborne Diseases Phone Gibraltar Veterinary Clinic for details 200 77334 Emergency: 8977

www.medgolf.gi medgolf@gibraltar.gi Tel: 200 79575 Fax: 200 44307

hobbies&pastimes

HORTICULTURAL CONTRACTORS Tel: 200 43134 Fax: 200 50648 Convent Gardens, Convent Garden Ramp

photography

leisure & tuition

lessons&tuition

leisure&sport

GACHE & CO LTD EST. 1830

• Giftware • Jewellery • Sports Trophies • Awards & Engravers 266 Main St, Gibraltar Tel: 200 75757

travel&hotels

Queen’s Hotel Gibraltar Excellent Prices • Centrally Located • Easy Access • Parking • Bar • Restaurant

Tel: (+350) 20074000 Fax: 20040030

newsagents/books Gibraltar Connections

by Reg Reynolds

60 riveting true stories of people and events connected to the world’s most famous Rock.

The Flowers of Gibraltar

by Leslie Linares, Arthur Harper and John Cortes

Book on sale at Gibraltar Book Shops

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • APRIL 2009

events

Gibraltar Summer Ball The Gibraltar Summer Ball (theme White) held last month was a huge success with heaps of money being raised for charities (final figure still being totted up as we go to press) — Hope, Gibraltar Disability Society & Childline. (more pics pages 90-91). n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

73

Daisy Dioxin’s Derby Mania Text by Jolene Gomez Photos by Danny Bourne Nicky after a bout

In the ’60s and ’70s, roller derby was similar to some wrestling leagues of today. Everything was staged, and results were fixed. Eventually, a new generation of roller derby emerged — run by the skaters and with no pre-rehearsed blocks, moves or results. Since the release of Drew Barrymore’s roller derby film in April 2010, Whip-it, the reinvention of this sport is taking the world by storm.

We thought we would ask our very own Rollergirl, Nicky “Daisy Dioxin” Walden (nee Crawford), about her love of this full contact sport.

Nicky moved to Gibraltar when she was nine months old, and eventually left Gibraltar to go to university in Sheffield, and then to London to do her Masters degree. In 2006, a friend of Nicky’s told her about the London Rollergirls which had just been formed and she became involved. She was doing a lot of yacht racing at the time but, gradually, roller derby became her priority and she has been skating with the London Rollergirls for two years.

But what on earth is roller derby you might ask yourselves? Well, it is an all female, full contact sport, racing on quad roller skates.

There are two teams of five which skate around an oval track — eight blockers who skate together in a pack, and two jammers who race around the track passing through the pack of blockers, and picking up points for each member of the opposite team they pass. The block-

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ers in the pack assist their jammer through and prevent the opposition jammer from getting through.

There can be up to 20 skaters in each team, but only five on the track at any time. “One tradition within roller derby is the use of alter-

“

Roller Derby is a sisterhood of sorts. We all have stressful lives trying to balance work, home and derby, but we offer each other an immense amount of support and advice on anything

”

native ‘skate names’, which is fun for us and our fans. I chose my name, Daisy Dioxin, as I wanted to mix up something sweet and toxic, and I was looking for something linked to my profession as an environmental consultant — dioxins are toxic micropollutants,” Nicky explains.

At present, there are over 30 roller derby leagues in the UK alone, with new ones starting up each month. The London Rollergirls boasts 60 skaters split over four intra-league teams.

There is also a recreational league with over 50 skaters (and a waiting list of 120), which is non competitive.

Although roller derby is predominantly a women’s sport, men are allowed to join as referees, announcers and statisticians. “There are many referees across the country who train together as men’s teams, and hope the men’s GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

events

Crowds gather to see the Suffra Jets play

sport will grow as fast as the women’s game.”

Full-contact roller derby can only be played by adults, although a junior derby is also popular in the US, and is non-contact, similar to tag rugby.

Nicky’s team, Suffra Jets, has a space age feminists theme, and their motto is “streed” — an invented work combining strength and speed.

They train four times a week, for a total of five to eight hours, practising drills to improve agility, endurance and blocking skills. Preparation for a game includes drinking lots of water, eating lots of carbohydrates, and applying makeup (or ‘war paint’ as they like to call it). Most of the members also go to the gym or run, as fitness is extremely important to improve your game and prevent injuries.

For the upcoming season, the intra-league games, also known as bouts, will be held at London’s Earls Court on a monthly basis, on 9th October, 13th November and 11th December. There are also plans for the London Rollergirls’ all-stars London Brawling to play some US teams. “Next season, we’re taking it to a new level, and will be regularly playing in front of crowds of 600 to 800 people,” Nicky explains.

The London Rollergirls aspire to compete in the US Eastern Regionals, and maintain their position in the top 20 leagues, within the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).

The highlight of her roller derby career was when her parents flew from Gibraltar to attend her first bout in London, and also when she travelled to the US as line-up manager to the All-stars London Brawling on a tour of the East Coast of the US. In her opinion, the fun in the game outweighs the risk of injuries, although these are not uncommon. She’s managed to escape with no more than a few bruises, a torn rotator cuff, and a sprained patella tendon in her knee!

But it’s not all about the battle scars within roller derby. They manage to raise around £500 for charity at each bout with raffles, and the ladies competing seem to be able to maintain a great balance between healthy competition, and enormous fun. “I know it sounds corny but Roller Derby is a sisterhood of sorts.

We all have stressful lives trying to balance work, home and derby, but we offer each other an immense amount of support and advice on anything — from fashion, to guys and work.”

Nicky would be thrilled if this sport took off

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

in Gibraltar, and would love to organise workshops on roller derby or help set up a league here. The London Rollergirls have helped other leagues throughout the UK and Europe set up and grow, and many top skaters help through training boot camps and workshops. “London Rollergirls started with only four skaters and through promotion, some great press and word of mouth, we’ve grown,” Nicky smiles.

So, if you think you got what it takes to become a roller girl, and want to make this sport popular in Gibraltar, please check out www. londonrollergirls.com or contact Nicky directly on daisydioxin@londonrollergirls.com ■

Nicky and her team, Suffra Jets

She’s managed to escape with no more than a few bruises, a torn rotator cuff, and a sprained patella tendon !

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Rock celebrity It was only a few weeks after his return from a four-year stint on the Rock that John Conduitt met and fell in love with Newton’s favourite niece Catherine Barton. Catherine was the daughter of Isaac’s half-sister Hannah Smith (married to Robert Barton) and was his live-in housekeeper.

Catherine had been living with her uncle since 1696 when he was appointed Ward of the Royal Mint. Beautiful, charming and clever she was a belle of high society and the toast of the Kit Kat Club, the social centre for the Whig Party. It was alleged that she had an affair with Charles Montague, the Earl of Halifax. This was never proven and some people believed they were actually secretly married. It is known that when he died in 1715 the Earl left Catherine all his jewels, a park, a lodge, a manor house and thousands of pounds in cash.

John Conduitt, described as a ‘very pretty gentleman’ appeared on the scene in May 1717.

He was instantly attracted to Catherine and after a whirlwind romance they married on August 26th at St Martin’s in the Field, London. Catherine was 38 but she declared herself to be 32 while John gave his correct age of 30.

John was from a good family and well

By the time John met Isaac and Catherine he was well to do. He grew even richer by joining the Whig Party and becoming a loyal supporter of Whig leader and future Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole

Godfrey Kneller’s 1689 portrait of Isaac Newton aged 46

Isaac Newton’s Gibraltar Connection

by Reg Reynolds

Sir Isaac Newton’s enduring reputation as a man of genius owes much to a former Gibraltar paymaster.

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educated. He attended Westminster School and Cambridge University, although he quit the latter at age 19 to embark on a tour of Europe.

After travelling through Holland, Germany and Portugal he returned to London in 1711. By the next year he was a Captain in the Dragoons and back in Portugal. Then in 1713 he was appointed Paymaster General to the British Forces at Gibraltar.

At the time such posts were regarded as ‘opportunities for self-enrichment’ and it would appear John made the most of it. Auditing was erratic at best and it was routine for administrators to divert funds, particularly interest, to their own private purses. Of all the offices which handled public money paymaster offered the widest scope for fiddling. By the time John met Isaac and Catherine he was well to do. He grew even richer by joining the Whig Party and becoming a loyal supporter of Whig leader and future Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole.

John was elected as representative for Whitchurch, Hampshire in 1721 and for the next 15 years was a prominent figure in Parliament.

He also took an interest in Newton’s work at the Mint.

In his declining years Isaac moved in with Catherine and John and it would appear the three got along famously. Catherine and Isaac’s affection was mutual and John had an admiration for Isaac that bordered on idolatry. In her

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

Rock celebrity book Newton: The Making of a Genius, Patricia Fara writes: “John Conduitt, one of Newton’s most ardent hagiographers (to whom we owe the survival of many personal details) enthused that his ‘virtues proved him a Saint and his discoveries might well pass for miracles’.”

Sir Isaac Newton (he had been knighted in 1705), died in 1727. John took over as Master of the Mint and as executor handled the affairs of the estate. The liquid assets of 32,000 pounds were divided equally between the nephews and nieces, eight in all. Isaac had instructed that his manor at Woolsthorpe should pass to his ‘closest relative’. This turned out to be a ne’erdo-well second cousin named John Newton who proceeded to blow his inheritance through gambling and drink. He suffered a freakish Extract from John Conduitt’s notes about Newton end when a pipe he was smoking broke off and lodged in his throat causing him to choke to death.

After Isaac’s death John and Catherine became even more dedicated to enhancing his celebrity. Much like modern spin doctors they grabbed every opportunity, both through print and word of mouth, to extol his virtues and boast of his colossal intelligence.

John commissioned William Hogarth to do a painting that is a homage to Newton’s life and also arranged for the publication of a book Isaac was working on before his death The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms, Amended. He also supervised the construction of the splendid marble monument to Newton at Westminster Abbey.

John died in May 1737 and was buried at

After Isaac’s death John and Catherine became even more dedicated to enhancing his celebrity. Much like modern spin doctors they grabbed every opportunity, both through print and word of mouth, to extol his virtues and boast of his colossal intelligence

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

Westminster Abbey to the right of Newton.

When Catherine died two years later she was interred with her husband.

Catherine and John had one child, a daughter also named Catherine (nicknamed Kitty), and after her parents’ deaths she continued the family quest to promote Newton’s intellectual legacy to the world. In 1740 she married Viscount Lymington, the eldest son of the first Earl of Portsmouth.

In his book Newton: The Last Sorcerer Michael White writes: “It was through this route that Newton’s papers eventually became known as the Portsmouth Collection, much of which was purchased in 1936 by Maynard Keynes for Cambridge University. Through these connections, within three generations of Isaac Newton’s own relatively humble birth into the Woolsthorpe yeomanry, the family had beaten a steeply ascending path to nobility.”

And so it is with considerable credit to John Conduitt, former head of the commissary at Gibraltar that the name Isaac Newton is respected world wide to this day. n Author’s note: Newton gave an account of his discovery of gravity, through the apple falling onto his head, to several acquaintances which include Voltaire (French philosopher and essayist), John Conduitt, Catherine Barton, William Stewkeley (friend and antiquarian), Christopher Dawson (a student at Cambridge) amongst others. The first written account appears in notes on Newton’s life collected by John Conduitt in 1726 the year of Newton’s death.

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community update

One Year On... with The Showdance Company A year ago three dancers decided to take on a new challenge by setting up a new dance school, The Showdance Company. Looking back this year has been a roller coaster says Adrian Lopez co-founder of company.

Right from the first registration day the attendance was more than they expected, but they kept their feet firmly on the ground. Indeed over the year they have had many successes.

The first was in November 2009 when two dancers from the company participated in the World Dance Show Championship with

a piece called Nemo and Dory choreographed by Gerald Rodriguez and Sabrina Durell. The dancers, Joelle Davis and Jenella Sodi, came second in the world, runners up to a Russian duet.

The company also participated in the Gibraltar Stage Dance Festival and among other prizes one of their dancers, Joelle Davis, won the best

female dancer of the festival, an award she has won two years in a row with the tuition of Sabrina and Gerald.

This year the company has danced at the Gib Fit Day, they performed the opening number at the Gibraltar International Song Festival, and participated in the summer nights. They took part

in the Aftershock’s Wedding Fair in Ocean Village, provided the entertainment for the recent Natwest fashion show, and took part in the Santos production Disney show.

“We’ve had a very busy first year,” Gerald confirms. “To be honest the school grew much faster than we expected, but we managed.” Indeed, 14 dancers from

capable enough to be able to help.

We are all very grateful that these three gentlemen were at the right place at the right time.” n

Air Cadets Fly High Two air cadets of No 2 (Overseas) Gibraltar Squadron have successfully gained their glider pilot wings. At the age of 16, each of them can now fly solo in a glider – despite being much too young to drive a car!

Commendations for Rescue Trio During the annual inspection of No 2 Overseas (Gibraltar) Squadron, Air Training Corps, Wing Commander David Miller presented commendations to PC Chris Peach, Henry Gerada and Stephen Perez for their rescue of three visiting Air Cadets off Eastern Beach in August.

PC Peach is an ex-cadet in Gibraltar’s Air Training Corps. He described how was on duty at Eastern Beach all day and in the evening, after the lifeguards had gone off duty, he noticed the sea was becoming particularly rough.

“I then heard shouting and I saw that a girl was out of her depth and the current was pushing her farther out,” said Chris. “Then it was clear the waves were breaking over her head. I used my radio to call for an ambulance as I took off my belt and I ran into the sea. Stephen and Henry ran in with me and it was

78

Cadet Sergeant Kasmeen Khaira and Cadet Corporal Doyle Gaskin went to UK to complete their Gliding Scholarships at Watton airfield in Norfolk where they learned to fly the Viking, a military version of the Grob 103 high performance glider. n

Stephen who headed for the girl.

“I grabbed the arm of one of the boys and pulled him on to his back and dragged him to the beach. I tell you, I was pretty exhausted when I got him out.”

By the time the three cadets reached the shore, a GHA ambulance was waiting to rush them to St Bernard’s hospital where they were treated and later discharged.

At the formal parade, Wing Commander Miller stressed that the three rescuers were, “public spirited enough to wish to help and

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

community update

Gerald Rodriguez and Sabrina Durell performing

the company have been selected to form part of this year’s National Dance Team.

The company still has a few shows to come for 2010 and they have been approached by producers from the other side of the border.

“We have some very exciting plans for the year ahead,” explains Gerald at the start of the new term in September. “The company is planning a major show next year and we want to start soon.”

Gerald, who was behind the success of the highly acclaimed Aida a few years ago, explains that they want to do something big and want to do it with plenty of time.

But, for the moment, their main challenge will be preparing a team to compete in the European Dance Championships to be held in Gibraltar in 2011.

Gerald and Sabrina are World Championship finalist themselves and are looking forward to this new challenge. “The team of teachers we have in the school are very

They will be preparing a team to compete in the European Dance Championships in Gibraltar in 2011

experienced and we have some great ideas,” explains Sabrina.

Jade Federico, one of the teachers in the Showdance Company, has successfully choreographed two finalist duets two years in a row for the world championship.

The school is located at the GGCA, 7 Hargrave’s Ramp, Gibraltar where Gerald and Sabrina teach Lyrical / Jazz, Adrian Lopez teaches Contemporary, Jade Federico concentrates on Hip Hop / Contemporary and Tamara Ferrary handles the Ballet along with Jarlene Jurado who also teaches Modern. n If you missed the registration day in mid-September please call 54024905 / 57113000 for more information or to get involved.

Joelle Davis

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

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food & drink

Wedding Bells at Cafe Solo Congratulations to Sean and Melanie Randall who celebrated their wedding reception at Café Solo in September. The table, right in Casemates Square, was beautifully decorated with bougainvillea and bouquets for the occasion and all the guests enjoyed a lovely meal. Well done to the Café Solo team for creating such a special atmosphere. n

Award winning breakfasts from 7.30am Great meals & snacks all day Evening Steak House menu Med Golf Clubhouse Tottenham Hotspur HQ Parliament Lane Tel: 200 75924

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • October 2010

events

Raising Money and Having Some Fun

e M Lou ah ng a e C raja as a Pe pe

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National Day celebrations at The Lounge, Queensway Quay, were not just great fun, they also raised almost £600 for Childline in the process. Singing legend, the Hump, was flown in from Newcastle for the event and has promised to return for the New Year’s Eve party he enjoyed entertaining the dancing crowds so much. Gordon got everyone going with a Play Your Cards Right, Heidi compiled a special Red and White fun quiz, and Scotty manned the barbecue.

Well done to Sonia and Michelle of the Lounge for creating a great atmosphere.

Queensway Quay Marina

Info and reservations by email: waterfrontrestaurant@gmail.com Or telephone us on 200 45666

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

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recipes

By Chef Scott Casey

Autumn

&treats

eats

The crisp autumn breeze is bringing in delectable recipes that keep your stomach slim, yet satisfied. Start with the Super Sexy Scallops as an appetiser then delve in to the Finger Lickin’ Chicken and finish with the Silky Smooth Créme Brulée.

Silky Smooth White Chocolate and Raspberry Crème Brulée with Coconut Macaroons Serves 8

8 egg yolks 3 cups double cream 150g caster sugar 1 vanilla bean (split lengthways and seeds scraped out) 140g white chocolate chopped 1 punnet fresh raspberries (frozen are fine but defrost first and sit in a sieve for 5 mins to allow the extra juice to run off) Coconut Macaroons 4 egg whites Pinch of salt Half cup caster sugar Half cup lightly toasted desicated coconut

of the ramekins and transfer to a pre heated 180 degree oven, bake for approximately30 minutes (this time may vary depending on your oven) or until you gently tap the side of the brulée and it wobbles just a wee bit in the centre.

Remove the tray carefully, let sit for 10 mins and then place onto a wire rack to cool.

Refrigerate for 4 hours to set.

For the macaroons: In a mixing bowl combine the egg whites and salt with a beater with a whisk attachment. When this starts to stiffen (about 2 mins) gradually add the caster sugar in 3 stages. Continue to whisk until very stiff then fold in your coconut.

Spoon onto a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper into about 1 teaspoon heaped flat rounds.

Bake for around 15 mins checking regularly.

Macaroons complete.

To serve sprinkle some caster sugar over top Method: of the set custards, caramelise the sugar with For the brulée: a blow torch until a darkish golden caramel.

In a mixing bowl combine the caster sugar and Place a couple of macaroons on the side and egg yolks, whisking for 3 mins or until a pale enjoy. ■ golden colour. Next add the cream and vanilla bean and vanilla bean seeds to a heavy based pan and bring to the boil, simmer for 2 mins.

Add the chopped white chocolate to the egg yolk Super Sexy Scallops wrapped in and sugar mix. Remove the vanilla bean from Parma Ham with Curried Cauliflower the simmered cream and pour the cream and vanilla mix over the egg yolk mixture, continu- Purée and Chilli Lime Butter Serves 4 ing to whisk as you do so.

Skim off any foam that will appear and pour 16 nice size Queen Scallops without the roe attached into a measuring jug.

Prepare an oven tray big enough to accommo- 8 slices Parma Ham cut in half lengthways date the ramekins by placing a thin tea towel in 1 medium head of cauliflower the bottom (this will stop them moving en route 1 litre full fat milk to the oven and coming out of the oven) Place 5 heaped tbs good quality curry powder 3 or 4 raspberries into each ramekin, pour the 100g salted butter - room temperature custard mix over top, fill the tray with boiling 2 medium red chillies hot water until in reaches half way up the sides 1 lime zested and juiced

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Method: Preheat your oven to as hot as it can go.

Trim he cauliflower into 1 cm florets, add to a heavy based saucepan and cover with the milk, half the curry powder and a good pinch of salt.

Bring to the boil and simmer for 20 mins or until cooked. Strain but keep the milk mixture. Blend in a food processer adding a little of the milk if need be. Season with salt, pepper and the rest of the curry powder. You want a nice smooth wet end product and can add more curry powder if you want to.

Next wrap the scallops with Parma ham and skewer with a tooth pick to hold the ham in place while you cook the scallops.

Combine the softened butter with the lime mixture and finely chopped chilli, once again you can add more chilli and lime to your liking To assemble season the scallops and quickly fry in a hot pan with olive oil cooking on both sides for 5 seconds. Remove and place on a baking tray and then transport them to the oven and roast for no longer than 2 mins (otherwise you will end up with scallop bullets).

Spoon a nice dollop of the heated cauliflower purée onto a plate and smooth into a line.

Remove the scallops and place them onto the purée. Top each scallop with half a teaspoon of the butter.

Fantastic easy restaurant standard food, cooked at home. ■

Finger Lickin Chicken Dianne with oven roasted Garlic Mash and stir fried Tender Stem Broccoli Serves 4

4 Chicken breasts (skin on and wing bone attached but scraped clean of excess skin) 1 pack of tender stem broccoli

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

recipes For the Dianne sauce: 3 shallots finely chopped 2 cloves of garlic finely chopped 125ml chicken stock 2 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsWorstershire sauce 60ml Brandy 125ml double cream 2 tbs of finely chopped parsley Half tsp lemon juice

Note: Always try and get chicken breasts with the bone in as when you cook them this way you are assured a nice juicy end product

For the mash: 10 cloves garlic (outer skin left on) 100ml olive oil 7 potatoes peeled and diced into 3cm chunks Half cup double cream Quarter cup finely grated parmesan 2 tbs salted butter Sea salt and white pepper Method: First season the chicken breast with salt and pepper both sides. Place the breast into a preheated small pan with olive oil and quickly fry for 1 min each side. Remove from the pan and place on a baking tray and cook in a 180 degree preheated oven for 10mins or until cooked and the skin is nice and crispy golden.

Roast the garlic in the olive oil for about 20 mins or until golden. Set aside.

Place the potatoes in a heavy based saucepan, cover with cold salted water, bring to the boil and simmer for about 40 mins or until cooked.

Meanwhile add the cream and butter to a separate saucepan bring to the boil and simmer until the butter is combined with the cream. Strain the

water from the potatoes and mash either with a ricer or a whisk.

Once the garlic has cooled you should be able to squeeze the actual garlic clove out easy without it retaining its skin. Mash these well with a fork and add to the potatoes.Add the cream and butter mix, parmesan and a nice pinch of white pepper. Mix well until smooth and season to your taste more pepper or salt. Set aside.

For the Dianne sauce: Combine the shallots and garlic and fry for 1 min in a small saucepan. Add the brandy, cook for 30 seconds then add the chicken stock. Simmer for 1min then stir in the Worstershire sauce,

mustard and cream. Simmer for 5 mins on a low heat then add the parsley, lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Next boil the trimmed tender stem broccoli in lightly salted water for 1min. Drain and toss in heated olive oil, a small knob of butter and seasoning.

To assemble place a nice spoon of the heated mash into the centre of a plate. Top with the broccoli. Add the cooked chicken breast to the Dianne sauce, return to the boil and then remove the breast and place on top of the mash and broccoli. Spoon over the Dianne sauce and you’re rocking. ■

Modern

Relaxed

Dining

Happy birthday Michael from the 55 cup-cake fairy!

Open: 10am - late Closed Sundays + Saturday lunch

The Swing Kings at 55 for Pre-National Day

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

Open for morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner

Irish Town Tel: 200 51738 to reserve

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food file

The Moral Dilemma

by Brian Reyes www.mymediterraneandiet.net

A while back I made a conscious decision to stop eating tuna. I took this decision because I am genuinely appalled by what we’re doing to the world’s fish stocks. I stopped buying and eating Bluefin tuna. I started pontificating about the need for consumers to stand up and force someone to start counting, to ram home the message to inactive politicians who seemed incapable of taking the steps that were so obviously necessary. Nothing short of a total ban on the commercial fishing of certain species would keep me happy.

Then, to test me, along came my dad the sport fisherman with 130 kilos of the freshest handcaught tuna I’d ever seen. Oh dear…

So, what to do with several kilos of freshlycaught tuna? I gave this long hard thought but, from the outset, there was really only one option: eat it raw.

Together, with a little help from Su and Kate (Chino too), we prepared the mother of all sushi feasts. We set aside any niggling doubts about eating Bluefin and carefully filed the guilt on the freshly-dusted shelf of self denial.

Ned did the rice and the rolls, I sliced the fish into firm, ruby-red morsels of tantalising tuna flesh. On the side, we added a little salmon for variety, finishing the wonderful roll with rice and crispy fried salmon skin. We prepared fiery wasabi and pickled ginger, poured thick, creamy soya sauce into dipping bowls.

Then we sat on the terrace, the sun setting over the mountains of Morocco on the horizon on the far side of the Strait of Gibraltar, and we ate. And ate. We devoured the lot. The fish was sweet yet salty, dense yet creamy, lean but fatty too. Words fail me. Nothing I could write would do justice to this formidable fish which only hours before had been swimming in the Strait.

Did it taste better because Bluefin is on the verge of extinction? Probably. The thought that this fish was a rare, rare treat, that every bite should, really, be illegal, that this was not something to be repeated, all of that no doubt

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worked its way to the taste buds. How far had this beautiful, magnificent beast roamed on its travels? What seas and oceans could we taste with each nibble? How could anything possibly taste this good? And, of course, ever the pragmatists, what on earth would it cost to eat this much tuna in a restaurant?

There’s still loads of tuna left, frozen in mealsized packs in my dad’s freezer. I’ll be eating more of that in the coming weeks. But when it’s done, it’s back to the tuna ban for me. I’m sticking to my guns. We should all stop eating tuna. I’ll be a beacon for that cause. I’ll pontificate again and complain again. I’ll do my best to explain at every opportunity why we should eat fish sustainably. But please, I beg of you, don’t hold me to account if my dad turns up with another one of these beauties. n

How far had this beautiful, magnificent beast roamed on its travels? What seas and oceans could we taste with each nibble? How could anything possibly taste this good?

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

Traditional Pub Serving Traditional Pub Fare, Bass Beers, Wines & Spirits

VISIT US AND STEP BACK IN HISTORY

Casemates Square Tel: 200 72987

Full menu served inside or on our terrace including British Fish & Chips, Jackets, Salads, Burritos, Homemade Pizzas, our special Fresh Local Mussels and much more.

Visit us and buy yourself a souvenir, T-shirts, beer glasses, lighters etc Live music every evening, join our Jam Sessions on Wednesday or Sunday.

GLMS Music Venue of the Year.

Official Home to Gibraltar Rugby Club Free WiFi

restaurant bar guide &

• Pizza • Pasta • Salads • Fresh Juices • Cappuccino • Ice Creams

NOW OFFERING DAILY SPECIALS

10 Casemates www.lordnelson.gi Tel: 200 50009

turn to pages 86-89 for full restaurant and bar listings

Grand Casemates Sq Tel: 20044449

Get Stuffed!

Marina Bay Tel: 200 42006

57 Irish Town, Gibraltar Tel: 200 70652

184 Main Street Tel: 200 72133 open: from 8am (10am on Sun)

Take-Away, Sandwiches & Hot Food Different Special EveryDay salads, quiches, pastas, pies, muffins, all home made Open 8am-6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat

Indian Cuisine to Eat In or Take Away Unit 1.0.02 Grnd Flr, Block 1 Eurotowers Tel: 200 73711

Wembley Bar

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200 77748

10 South Barrack Ramp.

Tel: 200 78004

email: gibmag@gibraltar.gi

• Hot & cold bar snacks • Function room

Award winning breakfasts from 7.30am Great meals & snacks all day Evening Steak House menu Med Golf Clubhouse Tottenham Hotspur HQ Parliament Lane Tel: 200 75924

BUDDIES pasta casa

Come and enjoy real Italian meals in Gibraltar’s leading pasta house 15 Cannon Lane Tel: 200 40627 for reservations

now also in Casemates

Just A Nibble Licensed Cafeteria Let the ‘A’ Team serve you up a snack or a meal.

Daily Specials • Varied Menu

Open from 9am First Floor ICC, Main Street THE PLACE TO MEET

Wines, Spirits, Tobacco, Beers & Soft Drinks Distributors Est. 1839

35 Devil’s Tower Road, Gibraltar. Telephone: (350) 200 74600 Telefax: (350) 200 77031 e-mail: mail@sacspeed.gi A Member of The Saccone & Speed (Gibraltar) Group of Companies GIBRALTAR 2010 2010 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• JUNE OCTOBER

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restaurants 14 on the Quay Unit 14, Queensway Quay. Tel: 200 43731 Open for lunch, afternoon tea, cocktails and dinner, 14 on the Quay offers a relaxed atmosphere inside and al fresco dining for every occasion.

The international menu changes on a monthly basis to offer a wide variety of choice each time you visit and you can wind up your evening with a refreshing cocktail as you watch one of the marina’s spectacular sunsets.

Open: 12 midday - late every day, Sundays 12 midday - 4pm Brunos The Boardwalk, Marina Bay. Tel: 216 25555 A modern marina-side restaurant which offers a selection of classical, contemporary and local dishes. Choose from a variety of starters such as baked goat’s cheese or smoked mackerel pâté before your main dish with choices of meat, fish or vegetarian options. Alternatively you can go for the favourites which include home-made burgers or pizzas through to steamed mussels or chicken Caesar salad to name a few. Bruno’s other offering is their tapas selection where you can choose any three dishes served with homemade crostini for just £6.50. If you have any special dietary requirements, just ask the staff and they’ll be happy to accommodate you wherever possible.

Open: 10am until late (kitchen until 11pm) l Café Solo Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 200 44449 Modern Italian eatery set in the lively Casemates square. Everything from chicory and crispy pancetta salad with walnuts, pears and blue cheese dressing, or king prawn, mozzarella and mango salad to pastas(eg: linguine with serrano ham, king prawns and rocket; smoked salmon and crayfish ravioli with saffron and spinach cream) to salads (eg: Vesuvio spicy beef, cherry tomatoes, roasted peppers and red onions; and Romana chorizo, black pudding, egg and pancetta) and pizzas (eg: Quatto Stagioni topped with mozzarella, ham, chicken, pepperoni and mushroom) and specialities such as salmon fishcakes, beef medallions and duck. Good daily specials menu on blackboard. No smoking inside. Free WiFi. l Cafe Rojo 54 Irish Town. Tel: 200 51738 Sleek modern comfort in this relaxing little restaurant. Red comfy arm chairs in separate area for a relaxing drink or coffee. Brunch menu (10am-12pm) includes ciabatta, granary, foccacia sandwiches with fillings such as pear and blue cheese, smoked bacon and brie, cheese and honey roast ham, delicious desserts (chocolate mousse in a must). Lunch 12 - 3pm and dinner 7-10pm includes Roast Pumpkin, Mushroom, & Spinach Curry; Marinated Tuna Steak & Sesame Crust; Roasted Lamb Shoulder; pasta dishes such as Langoustine, Lime & Coconut; Pear, Walnut &

to Saturday 19.30 to 22.30 and lunchtimes for group bookings.

The Mexican Grill and Bar Unit 2B The Tower, Marina Bay Tel: 200 46668 The Mexican Grill and Bar serves all the favourite Mexican dishes from Nachos, Quesadillas and Chimichangas (rolled flour tortilla with spicy chicken, chilli beef or vegetables, deep fried, served with Mexican rice and salad and guacamole, salsa or sour cream), to Burritos (like Chimichangas but oven baked), El Gringos Chilli con Carne, or Cheese Holy Mole Enchiladas. Don’t forget Big Eat Homemade Burgers (5 to choose from) and from the grill barbecue combos, steaks and chicken. Salads and sides to order. Decorated is warm Mexican colours with comfortable seating in the no-smoking, air-conditioned interior or outside on the patio, great for a fun night out. Available for private bookings and children’s parties.

Blue Cheese; and Creamy Mixed Seafood; and Open: lunch and dinner 12 noon to late salads such as Warm Goats’ Cheese, Fresh Spinach & Chargrilled Aubergine; and Roast Duck, Maharaja Indian Restaurants Tuckey’s Lane. Tel: 200 75233 Chorizo & Pancetta Salad.

Open: from 10am. Closed all day Sundays, and Queensway Quay Marina. Tel: 200 50733 With two restaurants, one in the town centre and Saturday lunch. another on the quayside of Queensway Quay, the Maharaja restaurants have been a well known Casa Pepe name in Gibraltar for nearly 40 years. Whilst 18 Queensway Quay Marina. each restaurant offers a slightly different menu, Tel/Fax: 200 46967 you’ll find traditional Indian cooking in these Email: casa.pepe.gib@gmail.com Situated right on the water front at Queensway recently refurbished restaurants with plenty of Quay, Casa Pepe has a comprehensive a la carte choice to cater to your taste. The Maharaja offers menu which includes dishes such as melon & vegetarian, seafood and meat dishes throughout Serrano ham, stuffed piquillo peppers and filled its range of starters and main dishes, and don’t be mushrooms to start, followed by a choice of sal- scared to ask them to spice up the dishes just to ads, rice and noodles and fish, poultry and meat your liking. The extensive wine list covers reds, dishes which include King Prawns Macarena roses, whites as well as cava and champagne for (cooked with fresh ginger, tomatoes, mangos and that special night out. And if you’re planning a bananas served with basmati rice, fried bread night in, you can use their take-away service. and bananas), Medallions of monkfish cooked Open: Maharaja Tuckey’s Lane: Monday 10amwith white wine and lobster sauce, duck breast 4pm, Tues - Sun 10am-4pm & 7pm-midnight Armanac-style (with Cognac, mushrooms and Maharaja Queensway Quay: Tues - Sun 12-4pm pine nuts), Medallions of pork loin cooked with & 7pm-Midnight Serrano ham and dry Jerez sherry, and fillet steak Malagueña cooked in creamy garlic mushrooms Savannah Lounge and sweet sherry sauce topped with prawns. 27 Heart Island, Ocean Village Tel: 200 66666 www.savannah.gi Wide range of tapas/raciones also available.

Aimed at Gibraltar’s dining and night-life scene, Open: Monday to Saturday 11am till late.

Savannah has been created with fun and style in mind. Offering contemporary European cuisine Nunos Italian Restaurant and Terrace a wide selection of drinks, cool decor and good Caleta Hotel, Catalan Bay music. The venue hosts regular events with For a reservations Tel: 200 76501 invited DJs and shows from abroad.

E-mail reservations@caletahotel.gi Overlooking the Mediterranean from Catalan Open: Sunday-Thurs midday-midnight, Friday Bay, Nunos’ Spanish chef with Three Star Michel- and Saturday midday-5am. lin experience offers a variety of Italian cuisine.

The restaurant has now moved from its location Solo Bar & Grill on the lower floors and can now be found at the Eurotowers Tel: 200 62828 reception level of the hotel. A quick peak at the Solo Bar and Grill is a stylish and modern eatery menu reveals the chef’s celebrated Salmorejo - perfect for business functions or lunches - and is on the menu, as are his baby squid burgers part of the Cafe Solo stable. Serving everything (Insalata di Calamari). From the main dishes you from , Goats’ Cheese Salad, Mediterranean can choose from a variety of fresh fish and meat Pâté and Cajun Langoustines to Beer Battered dishes. Or you could go for the house speciality John Dory, or Harissa Chicken, and Chargrilled of fresh, home-made pasta where you can choose Sirloin Steak. This is a delightful venue with a from a wide range of options. Open: Monday cosy mezzanine level and terrace seating — well

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

worth a visit, or two!

Open: 12-8pm. Available for private functions and corporate events.

The Waterfront Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 45666 The Waterfront is a very popular restaurant located right on the quayside at Queensway Quay Marina. There are different areas for eating and drinking, including the restaurant and bar, a large covered terrace with chandeliers and an open quayside terrace. There is an extensive menu to cater for all tastes including meat, fish and vegetarian dishes, along with salads and oriental food. The specials menu is changed daily and includes starters of lobster and prawn cocktail, fresh soup which is made daily and served with crusty bread, or Alaskan crab salad.

The specials menu also tempts you with dishes such as Coca Cola marinated lamb shank served with oven roasted garlic and rosemary mashed potatoes, and the ever popular in-house aged steaks that can be served with a variety of sauces, or fresh Dorada, sea bass and salmon. For those who enjoy the sweeter things in life there is proper homemade banoffee or apple pie, cheese cakes and strudels.

Open: 7 days a week from 9am to late.

The Water Margin 5 Ocean Village Promenade, Tel: 200 73668 Gibraltar’s premier Chinese restaurant serving freshly cooked traditional Chinese dishes in the beautiful Ocean Village marina. Check out the outstanding aromatic crispy duck, the special duck slow cooked with honey and chilli or the freshly caught seabass delicately steamed with ginger and spring onion, popular with families looking for a relaxing night dining. No microwave oven or flavour enhancer (MSG) used in this establishment. Home delivery service.

Open: 7 days a week, evening from 6pm, lunch from 12:30pm

informaleating Amin's The Office 30 Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 40932 Sit down, informal and friendly restaurant.

Amin is well known in Gibraltar for his Moroccan, Spanish and international cuisine.

Open early for breakfast at 7am right through the day. Try the Moroccan soups, couscous, lamb tagines and kebabs.

Open: 7.00am to midnight.

Business lunches, parties and kids parties also catered for (for party and office platters phone or fax order by 5.30pm day before - minium orders for delivery £12).

Open: Mon - Fri 8.30-7, Sat 9 - 4, Closed Sun. Picadilly Gardens Rosia Road. Tel: 200 75758 Relaxed bar restaurant with cosy garden terrace just across the road from the cable car. English breakfast, churros, tapas, hamburgers, fresh fish, prawns, squid, clams and a variety of meat dishes. Eat in or take away. Menu of the day only £6. Open: early to late.

all homemade sandwiches, salads, quiches, pasta, pies, muffins, plus hot and cold drinks and smoothies and a different special every day.

Outside catering for corporate parties.

Open: 8am - 6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat. Just A Nibble 1st Flr ICC Tel: 200 78052 Full licensed cafe serving English breakfast, vast range of toasties, rolls, and snacks. Meals include, Bob’s famous chicken curry/chilli con carne, and a great new range of pies (from Bob’s chicken and leek to steak and kidney plus a whole range of tasty alternatives) plus all the old favourites; jacket spuds, burgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, and daily specials. Ideal meeting place.

Open: Monday - Saturday from 9am.

Just Desserts 1st Floor ICC. Tel: 200 48014 Bright and airy, recently redecorated cafe on the first floor of the ICC. All home-made food including daily specials, vegetarian options and desserts. Eat in or take-away. Try their daily roast with everything on or their all-day breakfast. Non-smoking restaurant with terrace smoking area. Friendly, cheerful and fully licensed with sensible prices.

Open: 8am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Mumbai Curry House Unit 1.0.02 Ground Floor, Block 1 Eurotowers Tel: 200 73711 Home delivery: 50022/33 Good Indian cuisine for eating in or taking away, from snacks such as samosas, bhajias, and pakoras to lamb, chicken and fish dishes with sauces such as korma, tikka masala, bhuna, do piaza... in fact all you would expect from an Indian cuisine take-away. Large vegetarian selection. Halal food is available, as is outside catering for parties and meetings. Sunday specials include all Mumbai favourites such as Dosa and Choley Bhature.

Open: 7 days a week 11am to 3pm, 6pm -late.

Buddies Pasta Casa 15 Cannon Lane. Tel: 200 40627 Italian specials in pleasant ambience. Large selection of starters from garlic bread to calamari. Main courses include spinach caneloni, spaghetti alla carbonara, fusilli al salmone, and peppered steak to name a few.

Tasty desserts and variety of wines.

Open: Monday - Thursday 11am - 5pm, Friday Munchies Cafe 24 Main Street. Tel: 200 43840 Fax: 200 42390 11am-3pm and 7pm-11pm, Sat 11am-4.30pm A great sandwich bar/cafe offering an unusual range of sandwiches on white or granary Get Stuffed bread, plus salads, baguettes, soups, desserts, Marina Bay. Tel: 200 42006 Take-away, sandwich bar and hot food. Serving homemade ice-cream and hot/cold drinks.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

l Sacarello Coffee Co. 57 Irish Town. Tel: 200 70625 Converted coffee warehouse, ideal for coffee, homemade cakes/afternoon tea, plus menu including excellent salad bar, specials of the day and dishes such as lasagne, steak and mushroom Guinness pie, hot chicken salad, toasties, club sandwich and baked potatoes. Art exhibitions. Available for parties and functions in the evenings.

Open: 9am-7.30pm Mon-Fri. 9am-3pm Sat Smith’s Fish & Chips 295 Main Street. Tel: 200 74254 Traditional British fish and chip shop with tables/seating available or take-away wrapped in newspaper. Menu: Cod, haddock or plaice in batter, Cornish pasties, mushy peas etc. Also curries, omlettes, burgers. Open: 8am-6pm Monday-Friday. Breakfast from 8.

Located: Main Street opposite the Convent.

Solo Express Grnd Flr, International Commercial Centre & Eurotowers Solo Express, located right next to Pizza Hut in Casemates and in Eurotowers, serves a good variety of salads and baguettes (white, brown & ciabatta) filled with a wide deli selection of things such as roast chicken; smoked salmon & mascapone; ham, cheese and coleslaw; or hummous, avocado and roasted red pepper.

The salads are fresh and tasty and include Greek, Waldorf, cous cous, tuna pasta, etc and are great value. Jacket potatoes, quiches, tea, coffee etc plus cakes (such as flapjacks and muffins) are also available throughout the day.

Eat-in available. Soups in winter. Free Wifi.

The Tasty Bite 59a Irish Town.

Tel: 200 78220 Fax: 200 74321 Tasty Bite has one of the biggest take-away menus around with home cooked meats, filled baguettes, burgers, chicken, kebabs and everything else you can think of!

Open: Monday - Saturday.

Three Roses 60 Governor’s Street. Tel: 200 51614 Charming, recently refurbished bar with a cosy, homely atmosphere situated just above Main Street (near Eliott Hotel). Offering lunch, tapas, special montaditos and several South African dishes such as Boere Rolls, the bar has three screens for live football matches. The Three Roses has a function room for booking at no cost and charity organisations are particularly welcome.

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Monday nights Salsa dancing.

Open: midday - 11pm Monday to Saturday. Sunday’s closed unless Chelsea are playing.

rolls, Kildare chicken and much much more. And just like in Ireland there’s no smoking inside, so a great atmosphere for all.

Verdi Verdi 44 Cornwall's Lane. Tel: 200 60733 Verdi Verdi offers morning and afternoon coffee as well as all home-made vegetarian and vegan dishes, fish, fresh baked bread and desserts. A wide selection of sandwiches to eat in or take away.

Open: Mon & Fri: 9am - 3pm, Tues - Thurs: 9am -3pm & 7-10pm, Sun: 6-10pm. Sat Closed

Pickwicks Governor’s Parade. Tel: 200 76488 Run by well-known friendly face, Mandy, this small pub with a large terrace is situated in Governor’s Parade away from the traffic and safe for all the family. Good food available including the best freshly made sandwiches and jacket potatoes, salads and burgers. Open: Mon - Fri from 9.30am Location: turn off Main St at Marks & Spencer, go up steps to Governor’s Parade (opposite the Eliott Hotel).

bars&pubs All’s Well Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 200 72987 Traditional pub in fashionable Casemates area.

Named for the 18th century practice of locking the Gates to the city at night when the guard announced ‘All’s Well’ before handing the keys to the watch. All’s Well serves Bass beers, wine and spirits plus pub fare. English breakfast served all day, hot meals such as pork in mushroom sauce, sausage & mash, cod and chips and steak & ale pie are complemented by a range of salads and filled jacket potatoes. Large terrace. Karaoke every Monday and Wednesday until late. Free tapas on a Friday 7pm.

to Irish fillet steak roll, burritos, and the popular fresh local mussels. Draught lager, bitter, cider and Murphys plus free WiFi. Terrace seating right on Main Street to watch the world go by. Open: from 8am (10am Sundays) until late.

Lord Nelson Bar Brasserie 10 Casemates Tel: 200 50009 www.lordnelson.gi E-mail: reservations@lordnelson.gi Attractive bar/brasserie in historic Casemates building. Done out to represent Nelson’s ship with cloud and sky ceiling crossed with beams and sails. Spacious terrace Starter s& snacks include fresh local mussels, blue cheese and rocket bruschetta, Lordy’s potato skins, spicy chicken wings and calamares. Main courses cover a range from chilli con carne and chicken and mushroom pie, to crispy aromatic duck burrito and British fish and chips. Try one of the salads or Nelson’s platters. Jacket potatoes, burgers and children’s menu. Credit cards accepted. Live music Venue of the Year, with live music on stage every night.

Free Wifi. Open: from 10am till very late.

Cannon Bar 27 Cannon Lane. Tel: 200 77288 Jane is still there and still packed out with tourists and regulars! Word has it that she nearly managed to escape, but wasn’t allowed to. The famous fish and chips, the odd French speciality, there’s always something happening in the Cannon!

Located between Marks & Spencer and the Cathedral just off Main Street. Quiz night on Tuesdays, get there early as it is definitely the place to be on a normally quiet Gibraltar Tuesday.

The Lounge Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 61118 The Final Whistle Stylish bar right on the quayside with very reason4, Cornwall’s Parade ably priced drinks and light bites. Free WiFi, quizFriendly sports bar with six screens. If it’s live, it’s zes on Sundays (7.30pm) and a relaxed friendly on, and often more than one game on at a time atmosphere. Great place to chill out. Open: 7 for full sports coverage. Fun atmosphere with days a week 1pm-late. special offers during premier matches. All sports fans welcome.

O’Reilly’s Open 10am until late, 7 days a week.

Leisure Island, Ocean Village. Tel: 200 67888 Traditional Irish bar with full HD sports coverage The Gibraltar Arms and Irish breakfast from 7am (Sunday from 9am).

184 Main St. Tel: 200 72133 Guinness on draught. Food includes salads, jackwww.gibraltararms.gi ets, beef and Guinness ale pie, Molly’s mussels, Good food served all day at this typical pub right drunken swine, Boxty dishes (potato pancake on Main Street. Everything from all day breakfast wrapped around delicioius fillings), sandwiches,

Savannah Lounge 27 Heart Island, Ocean Village Tel: 200 66666 Aimed at Gibraltar’s dining and night-life scene, Savannah has been created with fun and style in mind. Offering contemporary European cuisine a wide selection of drinks, cool decor and good music. The venue hosts regular events with invited DJs and shows from abroad. Open: SundayThurs midday-midnight, Friday and Saturday midday-5am.

The Star Bar Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 75924 Reputedly the oldest bar in Gib, this small cosy bar opens early for breakfast (English or toast & cereal). Lunch/evening menu includes fillet steak, fish and chips and salads. Home of Med Golf and Tottenham Hotspur FC supporters club. Outside seating. Open: from 7am every day. Located: first right off Main St (walking from N to S).

The Three Owls Irish Town. Tel: 200 77446 The Three Owls is a traditional bar serving best of English beers. Three separate bars/floors: ground floor — big screen TV, pool table, poker machines, bar — open from 10.30am daily. First floor ‘Hoots’ bar — two match pool tables, poker machines, darts board, bar — open from 5pm daily. Second Floor the ‘Nest’ — American pool table, poker machine, card table, bar — open from 7pm daily and also at weekends for the Rugby Union matches. If you are looking for a sociable game of pool or darts this is the place to be.

Wembley Bar 10 South Barrack Ramp. Tel: 200 78004 Popular bar for hot and cold bar snacks, function room, in south district. Fridays 10am for breakfast.

Air conditioned. The home of the Real Madrid Supporter’s Club.

Open: 11am - midnight Sunday - Thursday, 10am - 1am Friday, 11am - 1am Saturdays.

Pickwicks on Governor’s Parade

Tel: 200 76488 (opposite the Eliott Hotel)

The Best Sandwiches made especially for you as well as Jackets•Salads•Burgers and a whole lot more

open Monday to Friday from 9.30am

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wine column the inconvenience of others? And why should others inconvenience you?

This little diatribe on the common courtesy of getting the time right does have some relevance to wine. Every year, from early September onwards (in the Northern hemisphere), the wine-maker faces one of the most difficult decisions: when to start the harvest? Too early and the grapes will still be too acidic, resulting in a thin, sharp wine with no body. Too late and the overripe grapes will be fat, perhaps too sweet and even starting to rot. And it is not just a matter of inspecting on 14th September and deciding whether it should be today, tomorrow or the next day. The weather over the whole summer needs to be taken into account. Lots of rain in June, with warm sun throughout July and August will tend towards an early harvest. A drenched August means it should be later.

Other considerations must be taken into account as well. The work force — usually students and other casuals — will have been taken on and their pay and food will be a substantial charge if the grapes are not ready. The immediate weather forecast may not be good; wet grapes going into the baskets can lead to early rot and contamination.

Unfortunately, the ripening of the grapes does not occur to suit the convenience of the winery.

It sometimes may seem a miracle that — in a bad year — any wine is produced at all. But that is why there are bad years and good years.

However carefully he chooses the time of picking, the wine-maker cannot improve the quality of the picked grape. He has often thought to himself, however, that if only he had started a day earlier... But some form of compromise needs to be made.

Impatience can be equally costly, this time at the consumer’s end. Some years ago, I was driving along a Spanish autovia in Winter. It started snowing. My speed came down to about 40kph. I was overtaken by numerous large cars still batting along at about 120. Presumably, being Spanish, they had never seen snow bePunctuality is the politeness of kings, said Louis XIV. From the various fore. Be that as it may, the following 50 kms of fly-on-the-wall documentaries about the present Royal Family we learn autovia revealed approximately one car every kilometre which had crashed off. It is amazing that every minute of their day is carefully planned. They are never late that the English language, with its enormous unless for some very good reason such as a national disaster. Sadly, vocabulary, has still not come up with its own the same cannot be said for bankers, lawyers, doctors, hairdressers, word for Schadenfreude.

Having bought a bottle of the produce of the civil servants — indeed almost everyone with whom appointments can lovingly tended, picked, pressed and matured be made. They are always late. It may only be five minutes; it can be grapes, you open it immediately and drink it. considerably longer. There is always an excuse. ‘The previous client took Be careful that you are not a Spanish driver.

If it is — say — a 2005 or 2007 Rioja then you longer than expected’ is the usual one. Somehow I don’t see the Queen should keep it for at least a year or two and your apologising for being late to the Mayor of Leeds because the Mayor of patience will be doubly rewarded. For the same Bradford was rather too talkative and she couldn’t get away. price you should be able to get a 2004. This was not such a good year (explaining the lack of price The combined waste of time of all these late inconveniencing only yourself — although some differential) but it is certainly ready for drinking appointments must be at least equal to, if not may regard putting off the ironing for ever as a now; indeed it should be labelled ‘Drink soon’. greater than, the time lost through traffic jams, relief. But why should your convenience be at So each time you are out buying (at least at the transport strikes and the like. It may only be slightly more expensive end) get two bottles: five people attending a meeting which starts 15 one for now and one to put away. And don’t minutes late — but that, repeated everywhere, be tempted to open up too early, any more than probably has the same effect as Gibraltar airport you go faster when it snows harder. shutting down for the day.

Timing is of the essence. There is more to On the other hand, one cannot be completely wine-making than choosing the time of the driven by the necessity to be always on time. harvest and more to wine drinking than the We must have a little time to stand and stare, year, just as there is more to common courtesy in this world full of care. It is the courtesy than turning up to a meeting on time and more to others which matters. If you keep yourself to driving than taking account of the condiwaiting before going shopping, doing the tions. But both remain central to the whole ironing or some other vital task then you are concept. n

time for wine

Too early and the grapes will still be too acidic, resulting in a thin, sharp wine with no body. Too late and the overripe grapes will be fat, perhaps too sweet and even starting to rot

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

89

A ro u n d To w n .. .

a light-he arte d look at Gibralta r soc

iety

October has now arrived and the nights are drawing in. Autumn seemed to arrive as the last of National Day’s red and white was packed away. The kids (and big kids) are looking forward to Halowe’en parties on 31st and the cultural scene in Gibraltar has come alive once more. There are sports, plays, and concerts, lectures, shows and dancing to participate in and there is no excuse for being bored on this small rock.

We start this month with the exciting news that The Gibraltar Magazine now has a new home at 17 Turnbull’s Lane (behind Khubchands). So if you ever have trouble getting hold of your favourite read, drop in to see us, right in the centre of town.

Think Pink October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Friday 8th October is Think Pink Day so make sure you wear something pink to show your support, raise awareness and maybe save a life. . o O PINK Black Tie Boo Boo Which couple was it who went to a recent event wearing a sparkly dress

This page and opposite: Gibraltar Summer Ball

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GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2007 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

Best friends DHL enjoying the 55 hospitality

and black tie, only to find out it was a much more casual affair? They spent the whole evening pretending they were going on somewhere else afterwards... Hey, better to be overdress than underdressed!

Congratulations Happy birthday to Karishma of PWC who is a quarter of a century old on 3rd October. Congratulations also to Kristin and Tony on the pitter patter of tiny paws. New arrival Ace, who came from the GSPCA, is certainly ruling the roost even though he can fit into one hand. Also big congratulations to Sean and Melanie who were married in September... all good wishes to them for the future. And happy first anniversary to Val and Dave of the Three Owls.

Quiz Time Don’t forget now that Autumn is here there are two pub quizzes to get involved in... Tuesday nights at the Cannon Bar in Cannon Lane and Sundays at The Lounge in Queensway Quay. Time to get those brain cells active again.

Well that’s it for this month, start washing your woollies and see you on Main Street.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2007 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

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clubs&activities Arts & Crafts The Arts Centre, Prince Edward’s Rd. Art classes for children (5-6pm Mon, 5-6.30pm Tues, 5-7pm Thurs), adults (Mon - Tues 6.30pm-8pm, Wed 6.30pm-8.30pm, life painting Wed 7pm9pm). Tel: 200 79788.

The Fine Arts Association Gallery 1st Floor above Gibraltar Crystal, Casemates. Open 11am-2pm, 4-6pm Mon - Fri, Sat 11am - 2pm.

Arts & Crafts Gallery (next door) opens Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5pm (summer) -6pm (winter), Sat 9.30am - 3pm.

The Poetry Society meets on 20th of each month. Tel: Audrey Batty on 200 44355 .

Board Games Chess Club meets in Studio 1, John Mackintosh Hall 8-10.30pm Tues.

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

Tel: 200 73660 or 200 75995.

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

Dance Adult Dance Classes Wednesday evenings at the Youth Disco Room, Kings Bastion Leisure Centre from 7-8.30pm. Cha-Cha, Salsa and Merengue. Lessons £5 and all proceeds to GibMissionAfrica Charity. Contact Dilip on 200 78714 or dance@trainingtm.net Salsa Gibraltar Salsa classes held Tuesdays at Laguna Social Club, Laguna Estate. Beginners 7-8.30pm, £5 per lesson. Intermediates 8.30-10pm, £6 per lesson (all profits going to the charity Help Us To Help Them). Contact: Mike 54472000 Email: info@salsagibraltar.com website: www.salsagibraltar.com Modern & Latin American Sequence Dancing Mondays Catholic Community Centre 8.30pm (beginners 7.30). Over 15s welcome.

Old & Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at the Catholic Community Centre at 8pm, beginners at 7.30pm, Wednesday.

The DSA Old & Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at Central Hall Fridays 8pm, beginners 7.30pm. Tel: 200 78282 or e-mail manvio@ gibraltar.gi Everybody welcome.

Senior Citizens Teatime Dances at The Youth Centre, Line Wall Rd on Mondays 2 - 5.30pm.

All senior citizens welcome for coffee, tea and biscuits. Entrance free.

Classical Ballet classes for children 4+, Spanish dance and hip-hop at Liza School of Dance, 3rd floor, Methodist Church, 297/299 Main St. Classes Weds & Fri from 6pm at Chiltern Court (4Cs). Tel: 58111000.

Modern, Contemporary, Hip Hop & Flexibility classes held weekly at Urban Dance Studio for Performing Arts, No. 2 Jumpers Bastion. Contact Yalta (54012212) or Jolene (54015125).

History & Heritage The Gibraltar Heritage Trust Main Guard, 13 John Mackintosh Sq. Tel: 200 42844.

The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association Dedicated to preservation of Rock’s transport/motoring heritage. Assists members in restoration / maintenance of classic vehicles.

Members/vehicles meet 1st Sunday of month, Morrison’s car park from 10am. New members welcome. Tel: 200 44643.

Music The Gibraltar National Choir and Gibraltar Junior National Choir rehearse on Monday & Thursday 7.30 - 9pm. New singers of all ages welcome. Tel: Lili 200 40035, 54006727 St Andrew’s Music Academy Musical Monsters Club, musical workshops. Group musical activities for kids 3-7 years. Singing, rhythmic games etc. Tel: 200 42690 email: samagib@ hotmail.com Outdoor Activities The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an exciting self-development Programme available to all young people worldwide equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world. To date over 5 million young people from over 100 countries have been motivated to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities. Contact Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Montagu Bastion, Line Wall Road, Gibraltar Tel: 200 59818 Reg. Charity No: 61

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Don’t be bored... do something fun!

Quizzes Cannon Bar quizzes are held on Tuesdays starting with a warm up, then two other quizzes, including a theme quiz. Starts at 8.30pm, all welcome and prizes are given. Free entrance but a donation to charity is requested. Tapas served after the quiz.

The Lounge friendly quizzes take place on Sundays from 8pm right on the quayside at Queensway Quay.

Social Clubs Scots on the Rock: Any Scots visiting the Rock can contact Charles Polson (Tel: 200 78142) for assistance or information.

Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (Gibraltar Province) meets RAOB Club, Jumpers Bastion on these days: Provincial Grand Lodge, 1st Monday/month, 8pm. Executive Meeting, last Mon/month 7pm. Knights Chapter, 2nd Mon/month 7.30pm. Examining Council, 3rd Mon/month 7pm. William Tilley 2371, Thurs 8pm. Buena Vista 9975, Weds (fortnightly) 7pm. Por Favor 9444, Weds (fortnightly) 7pm.

Farewell 10001, Tues 8.30pm. Goldacre 10475 (social) last Fri/month 8pm.

Special Interest Clubs & Societies Gibraltar Horticultural Society meets 1st Thurs of month 6pm, John Mac Hall. Spring Flower Show, slide shows, flower arrangement demos, outings to garden centres, annual Alameda Gardens tour. All welcome.

Gibraltar Philosophical Society devoted to intellectually stimulating debate. Frequent lectures and seminars on a range of topics. Contact 54008426 (after 6pm) or email gibphilosophy@ live.co.uk for further information.

The Gibraltar Photographic Society meets on Mon at 8pm, Wellington Front. Basic courses, competitions etc.

Harley Davidson Owners’ Club www.hdcgib. com UN Association of Gibraltar PO Box 599, 22a Main Street. Tel: 200 52108.

Creative Writers Group meet every Tuesday at the Eliott Hotel bar at 8pm. The workshop is run

by Carla, Tel: 54006696 and is aimed at learning to write fiction and non-fiction, for pleasure or publication. Each session is £5.00.

Sports Supporters Clubs The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Club meet at the Star Bar, Parliament Lane, when Spurs games are televised - call prior to matches to check the game is televised. Great food for a lunch if the KO is early or an early supper if the game is later. For info call Mario on 56280000.

Gibraltar Arsenal Supporters Club meet on match days at the Casino Calpe (Ground Floor).

Gooners of all ages welcome. Tel: Bill 54010681 or Dion 56619000. Website: www.clubwebsite. co.uk/ArsenalGibraltarSC/.

Gibraltar Hammers meet on match days at the Victoria Stadium Bar, Bayside Road. All league games are shown live. All West Ham supporters and their families are welcome. For details visit www.gibraltarhammers.com or e-mail gibraltarhammers@hotmail.com Sports & Fitness Artistic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Artistic Gymnastics Association club for beginners, juniors and squad at Bayside School in evenings. Tel: 200 Angela 200 70611 or Sally 200 74661.

Athletics: Gibraltar Amateur Athletics Association holds competitions throughout year for juniors, adults and veterans. Two main clubs (Calpeans 200 71807, Lourdians 200 75180) training sessions at Victoria Stadium.

Badminton: Recreational badminton weekdays at Victoria Stadium (Tel: 200 78409 for allocations). Gibraltar Badminton Association (affiliated to IBA & EBA) has leagues and training for adults and secondary school. Tel: Ivan 200 44045 or Linda 200 74753.

Basketball: Gibraltar Amateur Basketball Association (affiliated FIBA) leagues/ training for minis, passarelle, cadets, seniors and adults at a variety of levels. Tel: John 200 77253, Randy 200 40727 or Kirsty (minis) 200 49441.

Billiards & Snooker: Gibraltar Billiards and Snooker Association (member IBSA) round leagues and competitions at various venues.

New members welcome. Tel: Eddie 200 72142 or Peter 200 77307.

Boxing: Gibraltar Amateur Boxing Association (member IABA) gym on Rosia Rd. Over 13s welcome to join. Tuition with ex-pro boxer Ernest

Victory (200 75513 w, 200 42788 h).

Canoeing: Gibraltar Canoeing Association. Tel: Nigel 200 52917 or Eugene 58014000.

Cricket: Gibraltar Cricket Association (member ICC) runs leagues/competitions at Europa Point/ Victoria Stadium. Junior/senior training. Tel: Tom 200 79461 or Adrian 200 44281.

Cycling: Gibraltar Cycling Association various cycling tours. Tel: Uriel 200 79359.

Darts: Gibraltar Darts Association (member WDF) mens/ladies/youth leagues/competitions.

Tel: Darren 54027171 “Secretary”, Dyson “Youth Rep” 54024149, Justin “President” 54022622 Email: info@gibraltardarts.com Football: Gibraltar Football Association leagues/competitions for all ages October-May. Futsal in summer, Victoria Stadium. Tel: 200 42941 www.gfa.gi. Senior Tel: Albert 200 41515, Junior Tel: Richard 58654000, Women’s Tel: Brian 200 52299. Recreational football for over 35s Tel: Richard 200 70320.

Golf: Med Golf tournaments held monthly. Tel: 200 79575 for tournament venues/dates. Gibraltar Golf Union has competitions through year, EGU handicaps. Tel: Bernie 200 78844.

Hockey: Gibraltar Hockey Association (members FIH & EHF) high standard competitions/training for adults and juniors. Tel: Eric 200 74156 or Peter 200 72730.

Judo: Gibraltar Judo Association UKMAF recognised instructors for all ages and levels at Budokai Martial Arts Centre, Wellington Front.

Tel: Charlie 200 73116 or Peter 200 73225.

Ju-jitsu: Gibraltar Ju-jitsu Academy training and grading for juniors/seniors held during evening at 4 North Jumpers Bastion (Rosia Rd). Tel: Tony 200 79855 or club 200 47259.

Karate-do Shotokai: Gibraltar Karate-do Shotokai Association sessions for junior/seniors, gradings and demos at Karate Clubhouse, 41H Town Range Tel: Andrew 200 48908.

Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Racing Association Tel: Wayne 200 75211.

Netball: Gibraltar Netball Association (affiliated FENA & IFNA) competitions through year, senior / junior leagues. Tel: Moira 200 41795 or Suzette 200 41874.

Petanque: Gibraltar Petanque Association plays at Giralda Gardens, Smith Dorrien Ave. New members welcome. Tel: 200 70929.

Pilates - at the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre Mondays 1pm-2pm and Wednesdays from 1pm - 2pm and 5.30-6.30pm. For further enquiries call Chantal 60518882 or email: chan_elle82@ yahoo.co.uk.

Pool: Gibraltar Pool Association (member EUKPF) home and away league played on Thurs through season. Tel: Linda 200 74753.

Rhythmic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Rhythmic Gymnastics Association runs sessions for 4 years of age and upwards, weekday evenings. For more information contact Sally Tel: 200 74661.

Rugby: Gibraltar Rugby Football Union training sessions for Colts (14+), seniors and veterans.

Play in Andalusia 1st Division Oct - April. Tel: James 200 72185 Sailing: Gibraltar Yachting Association junior/ senior competitive programme (April - Oct) Tel: RGYC 200 48847.

Sea Angling: Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers (members FIPS-M & CIPS) Superb calendar of events with four clubs participating. Tel: Mario 200 72622 or Charlie 200 74337.

Shooting: Gibraltar Shooting Federation (over 14s). Rifle, Europa Point range (Joe 200 74973); clay pigeon, East Side (Harry 200 74354); Pistol, near Royal Naval Hospital (Fidel 200 71990).

Skating: Gibraltar Skating and Xtreme Sports Association. State of art ramps for Xtreme/aggressive roller blading /skate boarding. Leisure skating facilities provided within excellent rink (when not used for roller hockey training). Tel: Eric 200 70710 (after 5).

Snorkelling & Spear Fishing: Over 14s for snorkelling, over 16s for spear fishing. Tel: Joseph 200 75020.

Squash: Gibraltar Squash Association, Squash Centre, South Pavilion Road (members WSF

what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

& ESF). Adult/junior tournaments/coaching. Tel: 200 44922 or 200 73260.

Sub-Aqua: Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Association taster dives for over 14s, tuition from local clubs.

Voluntary sports clubs: Tel: Phil 200 44606, Noah’s Dive Club Tel: Leslie 200 79601, 888s Dive Club Tel: Martin 200 70944. Commercial sports diving schools also available.

Swimming: Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association (member FINA & LEN) opens its pool for leisure swimming Mon - Fri 7-8.45am, 12- 4pm, 8- 9pm. Junior lessons, squad for committed swimmers, water polo (Rebecca 200 72869).

Table Tennis: Gibraltar Table Tennis Association (members ITTA) training / playing sessions, Victoria Stadium, Tues 6-10pm and Thurs 8-11pm with coaching and league competition. Lizanne 200 45071/54020477 or Eugene 58014000.

Taekwondo: Gibraltar Taekwondo Association classes/gradings Tel: 200 Mari 44142.

Tai Chi: Children’s fun Tai Chi at the Yoga Centre, 33 Town Range, Saturdays 11-12am. Beginners Tuesdays & Thursdays at Kings Bastion Leisure Centre. 6.30-8pm. Adults £5, Children £2, all proceeds to GibMissionAfrica Charity. Contact Dilip on 200 78714 or rocktaichi@traningtm.net Tennis: Gibraltar Tennis Association, Sandpits Tennis Club, excellent junior development programme. Courses for adults, leagues / competitions. Tel: Frank 200 77035.

Ten-Pin Bowling: Gibraltar Ten Pin Bowling (members FIQ & WTBA) leagues, training for juniors and squad. Contact Charly on 56014000 or Paul on 54029749.

Triathlon: Gibraltar Triathlon Union (members ITU) Chris 200 75857 or Harvey 200 55847.

Volleyball: Gibraltar Volleyball Association (members W & EVF) training, leagues, competitions for juniors/seniors. Tony 200 40478 or Elizabeth 58306000.

Yoga: Integral Yoga Centre runs a full programme of classes from Mon-Fri at 33 Town Range. Tel: 200 41389. All welcome.

Theatrical Groups Gibraltar Amateur Drama Association Ince’s Hall Theatre Complex, 310 Main Street E-mail: gibdrama@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 200 42237 www. geocities.com/gibdrama Trafalgar Theatre Group meet 2nd Wed of month, Garrison Library 8pm. All welcome.

Theatrix: Contact Trevor and Iris on Tel: 54006176 or email theatrixgib@yahoo.co.uk Clubs, Associations, should submit details to The Gibraltar Magazine gibmag@gibraltar.gi

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

support

events

Support Groups/ Associations Alcoholics Anonymous meet 7pm Tues and Thurs at Nazareth Hse Tel: 200 73774.

A Step Forward support group for single, separated, divorced or widowed people. Meet 8pm Mondays at St Andrew’s Church.

Childline Gibraltar confidential phone line for children in need. Freephone 8008 - 7 days a week 6pm - 10pm.

Citizens’ Advice Bureau Open Mon-Fri 9.30-4pm. Tel: 200 40006 Email: info@ cab.gi or visit 10 Governor’s Lane. No appointment necessary, no charge.

Gibraltar CAB outreach clinics at St Bernard’s Hospital every Tuesday. Advisors available at 1st floor reception, Zone 4, 9am-3pm. Info and advice is free, confidential and impartial.

COPE Support group for people with Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Formed to ease day-to-day challenges of individuals, families and care partner. Meetings at Catholic Community Centre Book Shop at 7.30pm first Thursday of each month.

Contact Sue Reyes Tel: 200 51469 Email: copeadsupport@hotmail.com Dignity At Work Now. Confidential support and advice for those who are being bullied at work. Tel: 57799000 Mon - Thur 8pm-9pm Families Anonymous Support group for relatives and friends who are concerned about the use of drugs or related behavioural problems. Meetings are held alternate Thursdays at 9pm at Nazareth House. For more details Tel: 200 70047 or 200 73465.

Gibraltar Cardiac Rehabilitation and Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 8.30pm at the John Mac Hall, except for July and August.

Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group 3/8 Serfaty’s Passage Tel: 200 78509 Mobile: 54007924 website: www.gdsg.co.uk Gibraltar Marriage Care. Free relationship counselling, including pre-marriage education (under auspices of Catholic Church, but open to all). Tel: 200 71717.

Gibraltar Society for the Visually Impaired. Tel: 200 50111 (24hr answering service).

Hope. miscarriage support Tel: 200 41817.

Narcotics Anonymous Tel: 200 70720 Overeaters Anonymous support group of those with compulsive overeating problem. Tel: helpline for details of meetings 200 42581.

Parental Support Group, helping parents and grandparents with restrictive access to their children and granchildren.

Tel: Richard 200 46536, Jason 200 76618, Dominic 54019602.

Psychological Support Group, PO Box 161, Nazareth House. Weekly Meetings Tuesdays at 7pm, Fridays 8pm. Tel: 200 51623.

SSAFA Forces Help Gibraltar, is a national charity, to assist serving and exService personnel and their families. Tel: (5)5481. E-mail olivero@sapphirenet.gi With Dignity Gibraltar support group for separated, divorced, widowed or unattached people. Meetings Weds 9pm, Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Rd. Outings/activities. Tel: Flor 54007181 or Marie 200 79957.

Women in Need. Voluntary organisation for all victims of domestic violence.

Refuge available. Tel: 200 42581 (24 hours).

The Three Owls Summer League Eight teams fought it out during August for the coveted Three Owls Summer League Trophy. After the round robin stages the four top teams played off for the Trophy and the bottom four play off for the Plate.

The finals were held in September and the Trophy was won very by Nicky Correa, Andrew Olivero and Francis Becerra (Sean Rumbado and Charlie Bear were also part of the team). They beat Harriet Seed, David Wadsworth and David Hill 5:0. Craig Houghton, was unable to be at the final.

The Plate final was a much closer with a 5:4 victory for Anthony Caruana, Scott Button and Val Jarvis; Raja Aswani who played in earlier rounds was away. The opposing team was, Dave Jarvis, Gareth Bunday and Dominic Savage (Neil Wilson was unable to be there due to his son’s illness).

Pool players remember to do your Team Registrations now, at The Owls, forms and new member cards are available from Hoots (the middle bar). n

Autographed Shirt For Carl Figueras Last February one of our Junior Gunners, Carl Figueras, had a liver transplant operation at the Reina Sofia Hospital, Cordoba, and has since been experiencing a difficult period of rehabilition.

After hearing of Carl’s plight, the captain of Arsenal FC, Cesc Fabregas, kindly signed a shirt for Carl as a reward for his bravery. The shirt was presented on Wednesday by the Arsenal Supporters Club in Gibraltar at the Club’s new matchday venue, The Time Out Café at Eurotowers.

Following the presentation our fans were once again treated to a stunning display of quality football by the Gunners in which Cesc himself scored two of Arsenal’s six goals in the Champions League match against Braga.

Our very best wishes go to Carl for a full and speedy recovery. www.GibGooners.com

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010

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information

A

dmission 9.30am to 7pm by tickets (includes entrance to sites - St. Michael’s Cave, Monkey’s Den, Great Siege Tunnels, Military Heritage Centre, ‘A City Under Siege’ Exhibition and Moorish Castle). Facilities closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Adults £10, children 5-12 years: £5, children age 4 and under free, vehicles £2. Private vehicles may be restricted at certain times, tours available by taxi/mini bus. The Natural History & Heritage Park is also reached by cable car (leaves Grand Parade 9.30am-5.15pm Mon-Sun. Last cable down: 5.45pm). 50p per person to walk with no entrance tickets.

T

he flora and fauna on the Upper Rock are considered to be of great conservational value. It’s a perfect place for birdwatchers, as migratory species use Gibraltar as the shortest crossing between Europe and Africa, but botanists will also be interested to see over 600 species of flowering plants, including some unique to Gibraltar. Watch out for colourful lizards, non-venemous Horseshoe Whipsnakes, butterflies and pipistrelle bats. Info on flora and fauna is found at the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society’s information centre at Jews Gate.

St. Michael’s Cave: The cave comprises an upper hall with five connecting passages and drops of 40-150ft to a smaller hall.

A further succession of chambers, some at 250ft below the entrance, is reached through narrow holes. The Cathedral Cave is open to visitors and is used as an auditorium for concerts and theatre. The cave was prepared as a hospital in WWII, but never used. A further series of chambers ending in a mini lake is called Lower St. Michael’s Cave and can be visited with a guide.

The Monkeys’ Den: There are around 160 monkeys in the Park and around 30 can be seen at the Monkey’s Den. Often called apes, they are tail-less Barbary Macaques and Europe’s only free living monkeys. £500 fine for feeding the monkeys - don’t do it!

The Great Siege Tunnels: Tunnelling in the Rock began during the Great Siege (1779-1783) when France and Spain made an attempt to recapture the Rock while Britain was busy with the American War of Independence. Governor General Elliot offered a reward to any man who could tell him how to mount a gun on the north face of the Rock. It was a Sgt. Major Ince who suggested tunnelling and there are now over 30 miles of tunnels inside the Rock with various exhibitions inside the tunnels.

of the earliest British building on the Rock.

Original graffiti, drawn by duty soldiers to stop themselves falling asleep, is still visible, the earliest dating back to 1726.

The Moorish Castle: actually just part of a Moorish town and castle which was built up during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, spearheaded from Gibraltar in 711AD by Tarik-ibn-Zeyad (“Gibraltar” is a corruption of the Arabic words “Jebel Tarik” - Tarik’s mountain). The part we see today, The Tower of Homage, dates back to 1333AD, when Abu’l Hassan recaptured the Rock from Spain.

Natural History & Heritage Park Walks: Med Steps is a stunning walk with the steep climb at the end rewarded with spectacular views of the Rock and Spain.

Another recommended walk is St Michael’s Cave through to Charles V Wall but walkers should be relatively fit for both. It is also pleasant walking along the upper rock roads. Brochures available free from all Tourist Board offices.

Botanical Gardens: Opened in 1816, the Alameda Botanical Gardens fell into disrepair but are currently being restored to their former glory. Visitors can enjoy a stroll beneath pines, dragon trees and palms, and see many of Gibraltar’s native plants as well as exotic species. The shop sells environmentally friendly gifts, plants and seeds.

Tel: 200 72639/200 74022. Parking.

Nelson’s Anchorage: Rosia Road 9.30am - 5.15pm Monday to Saturday (last entry at 5pm). Closed on Sunday. Admission: £1.00 (free of charge with Nature Reserve ticket.

Tickets for the nature reserve can also be bought at this attraction).

Parson’s Lodge: Rosia Road. A narrow limestone outcrop with a labyrinth of underground tunnels surmounted by an impressive battery, which has witnessed the development of coast artillery over 300 years. Once housed three 18 ton 10-inch rifled muzzle loaders positioned behind a

unique sandwich of armour plate and teak, known as ‘Gibraltar Shields’. TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

per Rock, Europa Point and other sites of interest. It is the best way to see the Rock’s major features in a short time.

Flat Bastion Magazine Flat Bastion Road, Geological Research Station and Lithology of Gibraltar. To visit contact: F. Gomez Tel. 200 44460, P. Hodkinson Tel. 200 43910.

Tourist Board.....................Tel: 200 74950 Gibraltar Tourist Board, Duke of Kent House, Cathedral Square, Gibraltar.

UK Tel: 0207 836 0777 giblondon@aol.com

Shrine of Our Lady of Europe (Museum within premises) Europa Road. 10am-7pm Monday to Friday, 11am-7pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays. Closed 1pm - 2pm.

John Mackintosh Hall.......Tel: 200 75669 Includes cafeteria, theatre, exhibition rooms and library. 308 Main Street 9.30am - 11pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends.

Trafalgar Cemetery: Trafalgar Road, open 9am - 7pm daily (admission free).

Bicycle Racks Bicycle parking is provided at the following locations: Europort Road, Casemates Tunnel, Land Port Ditch, Fish Market Road, Commonwealth Car Park, Reclamation Road (by English Steps) + Line Wall Road.

Business Information

Gibraltar Financial Services Commission ......Tel: 200 40283/4 website: www.fsc.gi Chamber of Commerce.......Tel: 200 78376 Federation Small Business.Tel: 200 47722 Company Registry...............Tel: 200 78193

Useful Numbers

Airport (general info.)..........Tel: 200 73026 Hospital, St Bernards..........Tel: 200 79700 Weather information.................Tel: 5-3416 Frontier Queue Update.......Tel: 200 42777

General Information

Gibraltar Museum.............Tel: 200 74289 18/20 Bomb House Lane Open 10am - 6pm (Sat. 10am - 2pm). Closed on Sunday. Admission: Adults £2/Children under 12 years £1. Exhibitions also at Casemates gallery.

Registry Office...................Tel: 200 72289 It is possible to get married on the Rock within 48 hours of arrival. A fact taken advantage of by stars such as Sean Connery and John Lennon.

Rock Tours by Taxi............Tel: 200 70052 As well as offering normal fares, Gibraltar taxis provide Rock Tours taking in the Up-

Emergency Services Emergency calls only: Fire/Ambulance.......................Tel: 190 Police...............................Tel: 199/112 Emergency Number...............Tel: 112

The Military Heritage Centre: Housed in one of the Rock’s many historic batteries, the Military Heritage Centre displays information on the development of Gibraltar’s military defences through the ages.

A City Under Siege Exhibition: Exhibits depicting the lives of the civilian population during the many sieges, are housed in one

History Alive

Every Saturday morning the Rock’s past is brought alive by a troop of soldiers in 18th century period uniform. The soldiers march from Bomb House Lane at 12 noon to Casemates. At Casemates they carry out a “Ceremony of the Keys” and then march back up Main Street to the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned.

94 gibraltarmagazine 94

Gibraltar Bus Company Routes

Public Holidays 2010

New Year’s Day Friday 1 January Commonwealth Day * Monday 8 March Good Friday Friday 2 April Easter Monday Monday 5 April May Day Monday 3 May Spring Bank Holiday Monday 31 May Queen’s Birthday * Monday 14 June Late Summer Holiday Monday 30 August Gibraltar National Day * Friday 10 September Christmas Day Monday 27 December (in lieu of Saturday 25 December) Boxing Day Tuesday 28 December (in lieu of Sunday 26 December) *Gibraltar Only Spain Fixed: New Year’s Day 1 January, Epiphany 6 January, St Joseph’s Day 19 March, Labour Day 1 May, St John 24 June, St James 25 July, Assumption Day 15 August, National Day 12 October, All Saints 1 November, Immaculate Conception 8 December, Christmas 25 December Moveable: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Corpus Christi Non-urgent calls: Ambulance Station..........Tel: 200 75728 Police...............................Tel: 200 72500 Gibraltar Services Police: Emergency Nos: ....Tel: (5) 5026 / (5) 3598

The Gibraltar Magazine is published and produced by Guide Line Promotions Ltd, 1st Floor 113 Main Street, Gibraltar.

Tel/Fax: (+350) 77748

Natural History & Heritage Park

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2010 July 2004

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