Gibraltar Insight™ April 2021 by GBZ Media

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APR I L ISSUE 60

Contents

Community Insight 8

ART GALLERY REFURB

Business Insight 11

RAAB VISIT

Football Insight 26

LYNX FC: HEAD COACH YIYI

Forces Insight 24

GDP NEW RECRUITS

Property Insight 30

PROPERTY ROUNDUP: LOUIS MONTEGRIFFO, BMI GROUP

TRUSTED NOVUS BANK: HOMEOWNERS’ BANK IN GIBRALTAR

FIRST TIME BUYERS GUIDE: ATTIAS & LEVY

IS YOUR HOME ADEQUATELY INSURED? IBEX INSURANCE

Features 13

SO YOU’VE BEEN HACKED

BATCAM

A TOUCH OF MAGIK PROMISED EVERY MONTH

Regular Features 56

TECHNOLOGY INSIGHT: LONDON AIR AMBULANCE GETS APPY

HISTORY: BATTERY FIFTEEN

SPORTS INSIGHT: GRAND NATIONAL

TAGORE GROUP COMPETITION

MOTORING INSIGHT: WHEN IS A SUZUKI NOT A SUZUKI?

60 ADOPT DON’T SHOP 61

A VET’S INSIGHT: ANAESTHESIA AND YOUR PETS

PACS

HEALTH: HOLLAND & BARRETT

JUST MARRIED ON THE ROCK

HOROSCOPES

LIGHT & POWER CROSSWORD

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Gibraltar Insight places great importance on the accuracy of the information contained within this publication, but cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. Views expressed by contributors and/or correspondents do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Neither Gibraltar Insight nor GBZ Media Limited is responsible for any claims made, or material(s) used, in advertisements. For permission to copy cuttings for internal or client use, contact NLA - nlamediaaccess.com or +441892 525273.

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COMMUNITY INSIGHT

ART GALLERY REFURB

The Mario Finlayson National Art Gallery has reopened its doors after a recent renovation with new artworks now on show. During lockdown, the team at Gibraltar Cultural Services, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, refurbished the rooms, redecorated, and curated a new exhibition. The first phase involved the completion of the Gustavo Bacarisas Room and the entrance area which features works by 8

Mario Finlayson. The Quote Room is now a free-flowing space so visitors can move seamlessly between the rooms of the City Hall on the ground floor and explore works by Gibraltar's best-known artists at their leisure. Works of Elio Cruz have been included in the Gallery and will also feature as part of this new offering. The latest display showcases paintings which were already part of the Government’s collec-

APRIL 2021

tion, alongside several newly acquired pieces which are debuting in this exhibit. Phase Two of the Gallery’s refurbishment will see the completion of the rooms featuring paintings and drawings by Leni Mifsud, Rudesindo Mannia and Jacobo Azagury, with similar renovations and changes taking place there too.

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COMMUNITY INSIGHT

58th

Great Gibraltar Beach Clean The 58th Great Gibraltar Beach Clean continued in its valiant tradition to best remove rubbish and debris from our shoreline. A total of 27Kg was recovered from Catalan Bay in an hour, mostly made up of plastics. Young #MedOceanHero Sofia Goldwin from SPLPS had even given the area a once over the previous evening! The Seawave generously treated the volunteers to a nice cup of coffee and a croissant in gratitude for their fantastic efforts and MetalRok collected, weighed and sorted the refuse ensuring it does not end up in landfill.

THE 4X4X48 CHALLENGE The 4x4x48 challenge consists of running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours, and Reece Donovan managed to motivate and power through the feat despite terrible weather conditions over his chosen weekend. The personal trainer managed to raise over €2000 which was then presented to Giovi Viñales of CRUK-GIB in The World Trade Center. Cancer Research is the UK's leading charity dedicated purely to cancer research in the worldwide battle against all forms of the terrible disease.

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SOVEREIGN CORPORATE SERVICES Establish and Support your Business Market Entry Insurance business packages SOVEREIGN PRIVATE CLIENT Wealth management Asset protection Insurance SOVEREIGN RETIREMENT PLANNING Global Personal and Occupational Pensions Founded in Gibraltar in 1987 Sovereign has since grown into one of the world’s largest independent corporate and trust service providers currently managing over 20,000 clients with assets under administration in excess of US$10 billion.

To contact us email: gib@SovereignGroup.com or call +350 200 76173 Bahamas Bahrain China – Beijing, Shanghai Cyprus Gibraltar Guernsey Hong Kong Isle of Man Malta Mauritius Portugal Saudi Arabia Singapore South Africa Switzerland United Arab Emirates – Abu Dhabi, Dubai United Kingdom – London, Wirral

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BUSINESS INSIGHT IN ASSOCIATION WITH SOVEREIGN GROUP

RAAB VISIT

The UK Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab MP visited Gibraltar with FCDO Minister Wendy Morton MP on the 29th March for the UK-Gibraltar Joint Ministerial Council. The day marked another phase in the lifting of COVID restrictions on the Rock, and the delegation spent some time along Main Street as well as discussing matters at hand in more business-like surroundings. The Foreign Secretary reiterated the UK’s longstanding commitment that it will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes. Nor will it enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content. Top of the agenda was the approach to negotiating the upcoming treaty between the EU and UK with specific respect to Gibraltar. The framework for this was agreed at the end of 2020, as announced by the Chief Minister and the UK at that time.

TWENTY-TWO UNIVERSITY OF GIBRALTAR STUDENTS HAVE TAKEN THEIR LEAP INTO THE WORKPLACE WITH PLACEMENTS ACROSS DIFFERENT SECTORS. This time away from pure study lasts from between six and ten weeks, and is an integral part of the Bachelor of Business degree course. Spanish student Jose-Miguel is in his second year of the programme and has chosen to specialise in finance, “I am doing my placement at a family-run finance firm. Last year I also had the opportunity to do my placement at PwC. This is a great experience because I am developing the skills and acquiring the knowledge required to embark on a career in the financial sector, which is my goal.”

Denise Matthews, Founder of One Media & Events and Chapter Director at Startup Grind Gibraltar is hosting a first-year student who has chosen marketing as their preferred major. Denise said, "Welcoming a student from the university to learn and experience different ways of working from remote work to digital marketing for a global brand is extremely rewarding. This placement is an opportunity to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs through our strong partnership with the University of Gibraltar that has been in place for almost four years. We are delighted to support them."

VOLOTEA ANNOUNCES GIB ROUTE

Marketing is also the major for first-year student Amelia Lewis-Berry who is spending her placement at a local marketing and creative agency, The Bulb. Its CEO, Dylan Trenado, said, “The Bulb is delighted to offer a work placement to a University of Gibraltar student. Amelia will be learning about online/offline marketing and how our company operates as a whole to assist clients with their marketing and creative requirements. We believe offering this opportunity to students will help them gain experience that they will carry with them to their careers.”

An airline setup by the original founders of successful budget carrier Vueling has announced a new route to Gibraltar. Volotea will be flying between Gibraltar and Bilbao starting from 2nd July using an Airbus A319. Volotea will be the only airline to connect Gibraltar with a Spanish city. Around 8000 seats will be available between July and September. Carlos Muñoz, Founder and CEO of Volotea heralded the announcement. "True to our vocation, we want to continue to connect small and mediumsized cities with great flexibility and to do so with maximum safety. We are very happy to be able to announce the opening of this new route that seeks to satisfy a demand that was not being met". Minister for Business, Tourism, Transport and the Port of Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar the Hon Vijay Daryanani MP added, “I welcome the announcement made today by Volotea on the start of flights from Bilbao, Spain to Gibraltar for the summer of 2021. I am delighted to see the addition of yet another carrier serving Gibraltar and a new route that opens up a completely new catchment area from another country." "I am sure that this announcement will be welcomed by our tourism industry in Gibraltar and our business community, as this service creates further opportunities to attract visitors to Gibraltar." The exact start date and operation of the route is subject to regulatory approval.

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FEATURE

YOu’VE BEen

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NEXT? PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE. IN PREVIOUS ARTICLES WE HAVE PROVIDED OUR 6 STEPS TO MAKE YOUR #HARDTOHACK. HOPEFULLY YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE TIPS WE HAVE MADE AND YOU AND/OR YOUR BUSINESS ARE INDEED “HARD TO HACK.” UNFORTUNATELY, “HARD TO HACK” DOES NOT MEAN “IMPOSSIBLE TO HACK.” REGRETFULLY THERE WILL PROBABLY COME A TIME WHEN YOU DO SUFFER A CYBER-ATTACK. HUMAN ERRORS OCCUR, TECHNICAL VULNERABILITIES ARE NOT ADDRESSED, OR CYBER-CRIMINALS SIMPLY DECIDED THAT THEY WILL ACHIEVE A HACK ON YOU AT ALL COSTS. ANY OF THESE SITUATIONS CAN LEAD TO A CYBER-ATTACK.

In the unfortunate event that you do suffer a cyber-attack you need to consider incident response and incident recovery. Incident response concerns minimising the scope and scale of an attack. Incident recovery is about getting back to normal as quickly as possible - how can I get my laptop working again, or how can I get my business network operational again? If you are a business, these plans should be formalised and rehearsed.

SO, WhAT sHOulD yOu DO? Pause, breath, think. Use the response and recovery plans you have pre-prepared to help guide you through the incident. Pre-prepared plans are critical to ensuring an effective response. They provide a handrail to follow when immersed in stress, chaos and uncertainty, and assist you in doing the right things in the right order to ensure you do not miss or forget to do something. If it is your personal device that has been hacked, chances are you have not prepared a written plan; however, if your home lost electricity, I suspect you have the number of a trusted electrician on speed-dial. Who would you call, if your device had been hacked and was riddled with malware?

ACt.

Cut the head off the snake. Do what you can, as quickly as you can to stop the attack. The quicker you act, the greater the likelihood that you can minimise the scope and scale of a cyber-attack. For example, if a cyber-criminal has been able to gain access to your password and has access to your emails or bank account, the simple act of changing your password could break the chain and remove the cyber-criminal’s access. If you are a business speak with your cyber security department / provider as quickly as possible so they can assist in responding to the incident and minimising its impact.

action or damages being levied against your business. You have an obligation, both morally and from a regulatory perspective to protect your staff, your customers and your suppliers. This means investing in cyber security in the first place, but also protecting individuals if a cyber-attack results in a loss of personal data. Where this is a high risk of danger or distress, a business must inform the individual as quickly as possible. Furthermore, if you are subject to either the UK or EU General Data Protection Regulation, you are required to report any personal data breach within 72-hours. You should also understand whether and how quickly you may need to inform you insurance company. Hopefully you have been sensible and prepared for the eventuality that you may lose access to all your data. If you are an individual, you should hold an off-device back-up of anything you hold dear and/or would not wish to lose: photos, important documents etc. If you are business, you need to make sure that you have back-ups of your data offline and/or off network so that a full system restore can be conducted and you are safe in the knowledge that a cyber-criminal has not locked you out of or erased your back-ups.

REsTorE

Once a cyber-attack has been discovered and fixed, it can be very difficult to understand fully what data could have been stolen, and whether “back-doors” may have been established to enable later access. As an individual, you should consider informing your bank and monitoring your bank accounts and credit ratings to check for any indicators of unusual activity. The same advice is equally applicable for a business, but you should also monitor the internet for any indications of adverse publicity or comments that may indicate corporate identity theft. This will enable the business to react swiftly, address any issues and control the narrative and in so doing minimise any further damage to strategic reputation.

MOniTOr

COmMunICatE

Who do you need to inform? If you are an individual, you may want to protect family and friends from being affected. You would feel awful if someone close to you experienced loss or hardship as a result of a cyber-attack transmitted by you. If you suspect an attack, a simple warning to be vigilant could be a good option. If you are business, you have a great many more obligations, which if you fail to act swiftly and decisively, could result in enforcement

Michael Wills is co-founder and chief data officer for CSS Platinum. For further information on the company and the services it provides to Gibraltar businesses and the international yachting industry, please visit https://cssplatinum.com or email support@cssplatinum.com.

WORDS BY MIKE WILLS GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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TECHNOLOGY INSIGHT

LONDON'S AIR AMBULANCE GETS APPY Medics at London’s Air Ambulance Charity only deal in life and death situations. Their helicopter and rapid response cars take an advanced trauma team to patients in the capital needing emergency medical treatment and who are unlikely to survive the journey to hospital. London’s Air Ambulance brings the hospital to the scene to deliver urgent medical care when every second counts.

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TECHNOLOGY INSIGHT

The life-saving charity looks after the 10 million people who live, work and travel within the M25, treating an average of five patients every day. The most common incidents include serious road traffic collisions, stabbings, shootings, falls from height, industrial accidents, assaults and incidents on the rail network. The service has attended most major incidents in London including 7/7 and the London Bridge terror attacks.

medics by ordering new equipment for them. Simon Chalfont, Technical Director at Intelogy, helped London’s Air Ambulance build the PowerApp and, like everything else the medical team does, speed ended up being a key part of the process. “Because of how easy PowerApps is to use, the development speed was phenomenal,” he explained. “The QR code idea was suggested during a Friday meeting, we had a proof of concept by the middle of the following week and the solution was designed the week after. That process would normally have taken months, or sometimes years. PowerApps fundamentally changes the way we think about digital transformation at organisations.”

Until recently, London’s Air Ambulance teams used paper and pens to create checklists of the equipment that had to be placed into each medical bag, and whiteboards to assign those bags to vehicles. The charity needed to find a digital solution that ensured checklists could be created and shared from mobile phones and tablets, giving all medics one view of their operation, wherever they were, at any time of day or night.

Being “low-code” solutions, they are easy to build and can solve specific problems that organisations are experiencing.

This lo-fi implementation of inventory to keep track of equipment wasn’t working for a team that prides itself on speed, agility and accuracy. London’s Air Ambulance needed a digital solution, so they called upon the expertise of Intelogy, a firm that specialises in helping companies and organisations embrace digital ways of working.

Mike Christian, Doctor and Research & Clinical Effectiveness Lead with London’s Air Ambulance elaborated further. “I’m not a techie guy,” he said. “So when we embarked upon the digital transformation project at London’s Air Ambulance, we made a decision to use Microsoft’s Power Platform because there’s no need for bespoke development and we would have a product that we could maintain ourselves in the future.

Intelogy came up with the idea of attaching QR codes to every medical bag. Once the code is scanned by a device, the user can log all the equipment in the bag before it’s ready to go out again.

Mike and his team want to develop the app further and capture more data that can help them save lives.

That information can also be easily shared with other charity staff or the helipad team, who can support the

“When it comes to the potential of what this technology can do for us, the sky’s the limit.”

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PARASOL_ADVERTS_26.11.2020_.pdf

26/11/2020

09:24

CMY

WEALTH MANAGEMENT | VENTURE CAPITAL | PHILANTHROPY ESTABLISHED 2004

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

INFO@PARASOLINTERNATIONAL.COM 18

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FEATURE

BATTERY A f ictional account. Taken from the Graphic Magazine of 1901

PART 1 Birvaneff laughed without any trace of a sneer. He was cock-sure, that was all, but none the less irritating. I pulled him up sharply. “You are only bluffing,” I said. “ You may know about our guns at home; all the world does, I suppose, since nowadays half of them come from Germany ; I daresay you have plans and specifications of our ships—we have of yours ; but there are still a few secrets that Britain keeps to herself just a few.”

business to know. But I understand that the upper tier armament is entirely in the hands of the superior officers of the artillery and engineers. I will flatter you by saying that they, as a rule, are not to be corrupted.” I nodded and grinned. “We are not flattered,” I answered, “but we take your compliment in the spirit in which it is offered. As a member of the incorruptible body I thank you.”

He only laughed again and lit a cigarette. He was quite pleasant about it, but still most annoyingly confident.

“But how will you check my information, then?” he asked. “It’s my own battery,” said I, simply

“Not one!” he declared, “not a single one! We know you inside and out. Harbours, ships, railways, batteries, rifles, and men—we have information of everything, down to the boots and clothing in store. I believe I could tell you within a hundred pairs how many “ bullswools,” as you call them, have been returned as imperfect within the last month to your army clothing department. I’ll inquire when I get back and write to you if you like. You can compare and see how near I come.”

and Tring laughed, for I certainly had scored. Birvaneff was not put out.

“Oh, hang your statistics! “ said I. “ You can get those from any clerk, who may or may not be a foreigner, and in the clothing depot often is. Numbers of saddles and horses and men and rifles are not hard to come at. London is a sieve of information. But here, in Gibraltar things are a trifle different. Could you give me the armament of Battery 15 in the second gallery, upper tier, for instance? He didn’t answer me at once. He looked at me with a sort of meditative inquiry. “I dare say I could—if you gave me time,” he said, slowly. “But, then, you couldn’t check the information yourself.” “Oh, but I could!” said I.

“That, of course, is conclusive,” he agreed. “But all the same, when I return home I’ll see if I can’t surprise you with my accuracy. I have not the information at my fingers’ ends, and can’t give it off-hand. We don’t in the least mind your knowing how much he know. It is because we can gauge your strength so exactly that we don’t pick a quarrel. But it must come in time, you see. We are growing steadily. We shall be ready one day. Then---“ “Then?” said Ferrers. “Well, let us hope it will mean promotion for us all,” answered Birvaneff, sweetly. He settled down to play sixpenny nap with three of the fellows after that, and as one of my sergeants was ill in hospital I strolled over to see after him. When I got back an hour later Birvaneff was gone and the chaps were discussing him. “See you propose him as honorary member of the mess?” said the Colonel. “Yes Sir.”

“You could?” “Yes, with infinite exactness.” He stared at me thoughtfully. “I thought the information was kept secret even in your own army. We know, of course; we make it our

“Where did you pick him up, Strange?“ I explained that he was in the Prince’s suite, and that he brought a letter from my brother in England. “You will see for yourself, sir,” said I, as I drew it from my pocket-book and handed it to him.

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FEATURE The letter said that the bearer, Hetman Birvaneff, of the 31st Regiment of Oural Cossacks, had been attaché at the Russian Embassy, was everybody’s friend, and a thorough sportsman. He spoke English like a native, liked a good dinner, and knew a horse and a cigar. He had given my brother famous introductions last winter in St. Petersburg, and the former therefore hoped that I would return this hospitality vicariously for him while. The Cossack captain, who was attached to Prince Basil’s staff during his Mediterranean tour, sojourned at Gibraltar. Anything that I could do to give Boris Birvaneff a good time would be thoroughly appreciated by the writer, who trusted I kept fit, was seeing good sport with the Calpe, and remained my affectionate brother. The Colonel handed it back with a nod of approval. “Why, certainly,” he said.

“Yes, you score there, He answered” I spoke too confidently. Still, I don’t see how you can avoid the thing happening as I say.” “ Well, we don’t go in with a rattle of keys and turn out the guard, that’s all,” said Ferrers, who should have known better. I saw the Colonel frown. Birvaneff stared at him with that look of musing inquiry which he often wore. Then he nodded. “Why, of course,” he said ”I should have thought of that. There are secret entrances known to certain of the officers alone?” We all laughed at his artless way of putting it. “I think a hand or two of nap will be better than all this professional shop,” said the Colonel, quietly. “Have you time for a game before you go, Strange? For I was officer of the night.

So for the next fortnight we saw a good deal of the Hetman of the 31st Regiment of Oural Cossacks, and the more we saw of him the less reason we had to dislike him. For a Russian, as the Colonel put it, he seemed a thoroughly good sort. He talked, he thought, apparently, and, lastly and especially, rode like an Englishman. He got two days’ leave from his Prince, and we took him over to the Tent Club camp at Tangier. The next day he took “first spear” out of Ferrers’s mouth, so to speak, with a horny old grey-back of a boar in a decisive fashion that made us fairly blink. “Good Lord!” was the only remark Ferrers made; but he looked from Birvaneff to the boar and from the boar to Birvaneff as if lie thought there was some extraordinary mistake somewhere. Ferrers is rather our top line man at pig-sticking, and got unmercifully chaffed for many days after.

We pondered that if the God of battles ever sent the 31st Regiment of Oural Cossacks full tilt against one of His Majesty’s batteries of R.H. A. there would be some fine swordsmanship, that is to say, if the troopers rode like their Hetman. We liked him even better after that, and, in some ways, I think he returned the liking. He wandered in and out of the anti room of the mess all day long. Most evenings found him there, unless the Prince had need of his society, or when he dined with the Governor, which he did once it twice. He was good enough to take a special interest in me, and always darting professional questions at me. Some of these were a bit awkward to answer. I can’t see how you keep a very tight supervision on your guards and sentries through all these miles of galleries, he remarked one evening. You come in at the gated with a rattle of keys. The guard turns out. Of course the sentries pass the word along that the Officer of the Day is on his rounds. He must be signaled from post to post long before he gets to them. Between whiles they must do much as they like.” I ginned. “Yet we do prevent it,” I said. “How?” “I thought you knew as much about these things as we do ?” said I.

I woke reluctantly and drowsily. I tried to mutter words, but my tongue refused its office. There was a terrible pulse of pain at its tip. It was skewered by a silver toothpick, I afterwards found, to my lips outside my teeth. I was dumb, and the dull pressure that was at my wrists and elbows told me that I was bound. A lead weight was pressing my ankles to earth. My eyes grew accustomed to the darkness and I realized my position. We were in the shadow of the cliff beside the private entrance to the galleries. Sitting across my legs, Birvaneff was leaning forward to peer into my face. I saw that he was examining me to discover if I had regained consciousness. His lips dropped to my ear and he whispered :“Are you awake? Move your right foot if you are.” For a moment I hesitated, but what was the good of deceiving him? I shuffled my right foot. I could tell by the gleam of his teeth that he grinned.

But what we liked particularly about Birvaneff was that with all this sort of thing he carried no side. He treated his own riding and our riding- we had all been members of the Tent Club for over a year, you must remember-as a simple matter of course. “Ride? “ he said, with a sort of wonder, when somebody hinted that his horsemanship was something above the average. “Why, of course I ride! I am a soldier, a cavalry man.”

Two hands whipped sharply past my cheeks, and something soft, stuffy, and smelling sickly sweet was pressed over my mouth and nostrils. I struggled, I fought, choked; the breath seemed to drown my lungs in a flood of molten lead. I kicked convulsively with my heels behind me, but nothing loosened by a hairsbreadth the grip of the strong arms that were locking my head and shoulders. I might have been clamped by iron hands. Then a sort of weakness, deadening paralysis, seized my muscles. My arms fell against my sides. My head drooped to my chest. There was a rushing murmur like the drone of a torrent in my ears. I slept.

“You see, I know the secret of the entrance,” he said. “My question in the mess was to find out if you did. But unfortunately I do not know the key-word to this lock. You must open it, my friend”.

When I left for my rounds an hour later Birvaneff came with me. We walked for a few hundred yards together before we reached the point at which we had to separate—he for the town and I for, well a point on Flagstaff Hill which many field officers (but non below that rank) knew well. It is rather lonely there on the plateau where the road divides going down past Ragged Staff towards Alameda, the other turning along towards Europa Point and the Monkey’s Cave. “You are confirming my hypothesis, my dear Strange,” said Birvaneff as we shook hands. Where is the guard that accompanies the officer of the day? You are going to surprise these dear gunners of yours, as I said.” “I don’t think I am ever much of a surprise to them,” said I. “I should like to come with you and prove it,” he mused. I laughed. “Good-night,” said I. “See you tomorrow?” He seemed lost in a fit of meditation. “Good-night,” he answered, looking up with a start. “Yes, tomorrow, if you’re not tired of my ceaseless company. Hallo” He was staring out seaward, pointing to something over my shoulder. “What can that be?” I wheeled round, gaping southward towards Africa. In the misty darkness I saw nothing but the twinkle of the stars and the riding lights of the shipping in the bay. They were dim and growing dimmer. A heavy fog was closing in from the Atlantic.

The blood flushed to my face with rage. I shook my head violently. The wicket lock is opened by a different word every night, known only to the Governor, the town major, and the officer of the day. The scoundrel! I open it! I’d see him most particularly and completely hanged first. His right hand moved towards my breast. Something gleamed silkily in the dull shadow and I felt a sharp prick of pain. “This stiletto is exactly over the centre of your heart, my good Strange,” he whispered, quietly. “Think, if you please, a little more discreetly. Life is good, very, very good. You stand well in your profession. The Calpe are showing capital sport. It would be dark and squalid and unnecessary to end it all here. Think of the warmth and the light and the jollity of the Tent Club campings for instance. And they tell me, too, that you are going to get married.” A vision of Nellie’s face seemed to rise from the darkness to tempt me. Oh, it was a dark and terrible trap in which I was taken. You who hear my tale in the light, and with not an hour’ of your Life at stake, can hardly understand the agony of that moment. To be flung out of life suddenly, treacherously; to die, not like a man, but like a cornered rat; to have no time to think, to drop as in a moment into the abyss of eternity, eternity. God forgive me. I shuffled my foot again. He nodded as he rose warily off my legs. Article supplied by History Society Gibraltar. Email: historysocietygibraltar@hotmail.com

He laughed good-naturedly. 20

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ARMED FORCES INSIGHT

GDP NEW RECRUITS Six new officers at the GDP recently completed 18 weeks of training, delivered by the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP). The intense course provided RGP and GDP recruits with a strong legal foundation, knowledge into specialist areas such as drugs and substance abuse, safeguarding children, mental health and personal safety techniques. After their training, the newest members of the GDP took part in a COVID-19 compliant Passing Out ceremony alongside their RGP colleagues. The GDP officers passing out were: • PC22 Kaine Pratts

• PC41 Duane Manktelow

• PC47 Colin Finlayson

• PC85 Julian Chipolina

• PC95 Jenna Kenny

• PC135 Jordan Dean

NAAFI NEW LOOK British Forces Gibraltar has seen the opening of two refurbished NAAFI facilities, one at Devil’s Tower Camp (DTC) and the other at HELM Point in 4 Corners. The development of Boyd's Bar and the NAAFI shop is a very welcome improvement to the facilities available to the residents of DTC. Soldiers, sailors and airmen will benefit from the enhanced offer, which is now more akin to a sleek and modern high street commercial bar/restaurant with an adjacent smart retail outlet. During the current COVID-19 pandemic it has been a tough time for those who have resided and isolated in DTC, with very limited opportunity to socialise or take leave out of area with their loved ones.

Lord Airey's Battery

The Household Cavalry D Squadron were able to give a little back to Gibraltar after completing their training on the Rock. The squadron provided a work party of Lance Corporals to assist with a Gibraltar Heritage Trust project lead by Mr Pete Jackson on refurbishing Lord Airey's Gun Battery. A party of six - LCpl Homewood, LCpl Thomson, LCpl Taylor, LCpl Lowther, LCpl Holden and LCpl Mathieson - marched up to the top of the Rock to set to work. Tasks included weeding, path clearance, internal wall preparation for redecoration and several other hands-on chores.

Police Constable Nick Ward and Police Dog Oskar became the latest members to join the Gibraltar Defence Police (GDP) Dog Unit, having completed an eight-week course to achieve the required standard. Nick and Oskar join the established dog unit which comprises several general purpose police dogs such as Oskar, as well as a number of specialist search dogs. Oskar is a two- year old Belgian Malinois, a breed chosen for stamina and agility and their ability to maintain focus.

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FOOTBALL INSIGHT

My father was a professional Footballer, and therefore the game naturally runs through our veins. My Career took place as a footballer in my hometown Algeciras, in The lower divisions. I later progressed to the professional Level in Estepona and Ceuta, and UD Los Barrios. My most prolonged stay at a club was to take place at the Balona, where I had Played Three Seasons. My coaching career later took over, and I've had the privilege of training my hometown, Algeciras C.F. where we had gained promotion with UD Los Barrios, CD San Roque, CD Guadiaro and UD Tesorillo and finally C.D. Villanueva de Córdoba In la Segunda B. Thanks to Football, I was lucky to have gained an unforgettable experience by managing "invidentes de la ONCE" in Algeciras and be crowned Champions with the C.P. Botafuego Algeciras within the Real Madrid project Foundation. In my Last Years, I've Evolved In Gibraltar with Lynx FC as my first club. This is my second term with the yellow warriors, having managed Lincoln Red Imps after my first spell with Lynx, where I had worked with the youth and Had the opportunity of directing the First Team, which later won the Championship. I later participated in a UEFA competition with Lincoln Red Imps and its challenges both on and off the pitch.

all training aspects improving by the year. It does not go without saying that the game has demanded our officials to improve and become a respected entity with the organisation. We have seen a significant investment placed in our grassroots. It is visible with local players playing for their country against the best and bringing home a respectful score and even group qualifications when others perceived us to be the whipping boys of Europe. This was no longer to be the case. Each season, we have seen an increase of Local players on the pitch enforced by the Gibraltar Football Association. The federation had implemented a rule to enforce clubs to have a minimum of five Gibraltarians on the pitch. There will always be mixed reviews about the regulation, but I find the law to be fair. Yes, the league takes place in Gibraltar, and it was not customary to previously see very little locals given a chance to play in other football clubs. I understand the board of directors within the GFA have to increase local players and have a healthy crop of talented players for the national team. The only thing I would have changed is the time of the rules being enforced. I see it too soon to try and increase the local numbers made available in so little time. We should have gradually made the changes. With the already growing challenges presented by UEFA, the National League level can do more damage than good to a local player that is yet to develop.

I first joined Lynx, thanks to a friend in common with Albert. His name was Jesse Britto, and we had played together in La Balona. He always spoke highly of Lynx Football Club, and I guess it was inevitable I would end up with the yellows. In January 2014, I had left San Roque FC and ventured into a new challenge with Albert Parody, the current owner and Managing Director of the club. He also takes a managerial role within the senior squad. The Gibraltar League had taken off at an astronomical rate after being accepted as a UEFA member the previous year, and the yellows were having an excellent season. Lynx was a club to be respected within the top tier, and they are no different from what we see in today's Football. The yellows are a humble club, with a dressing room that responded as a family. This is our unique formula and the reason for having been at a touching distance of qualifying for

An area I believe should have received further attention from the Gibraltar Football Association was the Under 23's. Having taken this route, we would have allowed continuous growth with our youth players and taken them through the ranks. Since my time in Gibraltar, I have shown a constant concern for our youth development as a whole and not as an individual club because, as cliche as it may sound, they are our future - Bradley Avellano, Sheilom, James Parkison, Juju, Jaydan Parody, Michael Ruiz and Francis Huart are working extremely hard and I have confidence they will be the future of Gibraltar.

Albert has been the person who has been there for me since day one, and he has always given me the confidence to not only speak of football but in the personal too. Albert is the face of Lynx, and he is what makes the mighty yellow what it is today. Even though he is a father figure to his players, he always demands the best in us. Since the first day I had joined Lynx, we had a great synergy and underSince the day I was born, my parents stood each other.

already introduced me to the world of Football. the UEFA competition. One of our most memorable campaigns came in the 2015 Rock Cup Final against Lincoln. There was a point in the game where we had led by a goal, but Lincoln proved to be a stronger side, considering their financial power from recent Champions League qualification, which became a handicap for us. The National League has continuously evolved. The teams' level has gone up with each season, bringing in better Players and coaches year on year. Almost All the local Clubs in Gibraltar have a semi-professional structure with

Even though he dedicates many hours to the club, he is very fortunate to have a good group of volunteers giving their all for the club like Deirdre Copello, Elaine Rodriguez, Jack Noble, Jeky Buhagiar, Jimmy Cavilla, Jonathan Costa, Juan Acris, Karl Zarb, Kathy Noble, Lenny Wornall, Scott Houghton, Sergio Rivelli and Stevie Roche. I have also seen Albert grow within his managerial role, and he has adapted to the times, and it is no surprise he has become the longest-serving local manager in Gibraltar. Many may say that he is his own boss, but the stats do not lie. I strongly feel this season is there for the taking, and we could finish in the top 4 if we maintain our game plan and never give up attitude. It is by no means easy for us to compete against those that are financially wealthy from their participation in the UEFA competition, so we must grab the 4th opening with both hands. I believe we have good results to show our determination, but we will never RTHER FOR FU TION, be complacent or take the opportunity for A M INFOR granted. CT CONTA E S A E PL N O B U THE CL .COM @MAIL LYNXFC 9695. 6 0 0 2 OR

WORDS BY DIEGO PÉREZ "YIYI", HEAD COACH LYNX F.C. 26

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SPORTS INSIGHT

GRAND

THE GRAND NATIONAL, THE GREATEST HORSE RACE IN THE WORLD BAR NONE, TAKES PLACE ON SATURDAY APRIL 10TH, THE LAST DAY OF THE AINTREE FESTIVAL AND, JUST LIKE CHELTENHAM THE PRECEDING MONTH, THE MUCH LOVED EVENT WILL FOR THE FIRST TIME BE STAGED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AS COVID-19 CONTINUES TO EXERT ITS CRUEL, MALEVOLENT AND DEADLY GRIP ON PEOPLE'S LIVES, LOVES AND PURSUITS.

NATIONAL SET TO LIFT SPIRITS AND COVID GLOOM

Certainly, the iconic three-day festival will be much the poorer deprived of the heaving throng of enthusiastic Scousers who annually come out in force to celebrate the Merseyside version of Royal Ascot but, at least, the “People's Race" goes ahead, unlike last year when the plug was pulled as distress signals from the men in white coats to the men in suits resulted in the entire meeting being abandoned. While gambling restrictions have been lifted in Gibraltar and it has been possible to have a bet in the Sports Arena in Casemates and Ocean Village for several weeks now, under Boris Johnson's “roadmap to freedom” high street betting shops in the UK will remain closed until April 12th, two days after the festival ends, unfortunate timing for the bookies, a decision that is estimated will cost the industry north of £175m in cash betting as once-a-year punters and hordes of eager housewives will be unable to place their annual pound each-way on the famous race. Another blow to the National is that the tiny turbo known as Tiger Roll, denied by last year's abandonment of the opportunity to make history by becoming a three-in-a-row winner, having being first to the jam stick in 2018 and repeating the feat the following year – an awesome achievement that proved beyond even the legendary Red Rum – has been taken out of the race by owner Michael O'Leary, who reportedly was miffed that the handicapper had allotted his stable star 7lbs more weight to carry than when last successful in 2019. I have two questions for Mr O'Leary, Ryanair's abrasive boss - yes, Tiger Roll is getting on a bit, he’s 11 years, which in equine terms means pension pastures are on the horizon, he’s tiny, about the size of a pony, and weight can anchor even the strongest of steeds, but Michael, surely you must have a twinge of regret at your hasty decision to withdraw our little hero from the National after Tiger rolled back the years at last month's Cheltenham festival, pulverising a field of topclass chasers to win unchallenged, thrilling the racing world in scenes reminiscent of derring-do deeds from past immortals like Rummy and even “Himself", the almighty Arkle, by some distance the greatest chaser ever to set hoof on the racecourse. It’s not too late to re-enter the little warrior in the race Michael and, for once, enjoy a rare chance to bask in the warm glow of public acclaim and affection rather than continue to suffer the slings and arrows that daily assail you. And my second question, any chance that when lockdown is lifted and normality resumes, would Ryanair be interested in taking over the Luton slots vacated by the collapse of Monarch? Just like Tiger Roll Mr O'Leary, it would be a sure-fire winner!

to get back in the winner's enclosure, and once again I’ll be lumbering the poor beast with my tenner when he lines up in the Liverpool Hurdle on the Saturday (4.40 CET), as I’m convinced Paisley wasn’t 100 per cent last time and compensation awaits popular owner Andrew Gemmell, who has been blind since birth. And so, on to the daunting conundrum that the Grand National poses, the most demanding test of man and beast – a maximum field of 40 runners competing over a distance of 4 miles and 514 yards with thirty fearsome fences to be negotiated, the best known being Valentine’s, The Chair, Canal Turn and Becher's Brook, so called because Captain Martin Becher, riding in the first Grand National, was unseated and nearly drowned in the brook. At the time of writing, entries for both races have not been finalised which puts picking the winner as elusive as finding that old needle in a field of haystacks. However, undaunted and forever the optimist despite repeated reversals, I’ve got a horse that I feel certain is sure to give us a good run for our money – CLOTH CAP, trained in the Cotswolds by National Hunt elder statesman Jonjo O'Neill and owned by Trevor Hemmings, surely the luckiest of men, as the apple of his eye attempts to win him the great race for the fourth time. The 8-year-old gelding has been very impressive in its last two races, winning at Kelso and Newbury and, carrying a feather weight of 10st 5lbs and my tenner, already I can hear the commentator screaming his name as he jumps the last in front and sails past the elbow on that famous Aintree run-in to claim victory and the thick end of a million quid. It’s on the Big Screen at the Arena in Ocean Village – don’t miss it!

The three-day Aintree Festival, one of my favourite meetings, is not all about the Grand National, it provides an opportunity for recent Cheltenham winners to strut their stuff, to showcase their talent in search of further glory, and for the Prestbury Park vanquished, a chance of redemption - like PAISLEY PARK, who could only finish third for us in the Stayers Hurdle,

GRAND NATIONAL SATURDAY 10TH APRIL, 6.15PM CET, TV COVERAGE – ITV.

WORDS BY LIAM BEGLAN, SPORTS WRITER GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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Inspiration

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MORTGAGES & INVESTMENT

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DEVELOPMENTS, HOME & APPARTMENT

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OPPORTUNITES, TRENDS & INVESTMENTS

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Property Insight

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Property Roundup If life were predictable it would cease to be life,

In light of the last 12 months, I think that we could have all done with a little less flavour, for what a year it has been. One might have thought that Brexit was quite enough to have had to contend with, but low and behold and just to make things that little bit more flavoursome, we were gifted with Covid-19 too. Recent times have delivered what is without question one of the greatest socio-political hurdles in a generation. Having said the above, and not for the first time in Gibraltar’s history, we find ourselves fortunate in so many respects; but of course, in so far as the property market goes, we have been truly fortuitous. The fact is that 2020 brought with it some good news in the shape of the “New Year’s Agreement” with Spain and the UK, delivering a degree of certainty for Gibraltar’s political and economic status, something which, since 2016 we have lacked. Over the past decade we have provided regular appraisals on our thoughts and forecasts on the property market. Since 2017 we have highlighted our concerns with the high volume of speculative developments steered by a “studio” segment delivering hundreds of these units to the market. We have also expressed our bullishness in the market on “owner occupier” properties within the mid to high end tiers of the market and the demand for these properties. This demand has in part, been steered by an expectation of a positive outcome with regard to Brexit, as well as real growth in the market driven by applicants seeking larger homes, in their quest to base themselves in a safe, English speaking, regulated, low tax environment. We seem to be cementing this attractive proposition toward the “ultimate residency” further.

As to the impact of forming part of the Schengen group may have on the property sector in Gibraltar, clearly the prospect of free movement with Spain under a safe political arena not seen in over three hundred years is an attractive and positive proposition, not least with a continued and underpinned financial services relationship with the UK; the future seems bright and we welcome the agreement. We will as always review and comment on the impact of this agreement, it clearly promises to deliver a bright future for Gibraltar with a degree of political security and economic stability not seen before. What the future now holds is yet unknown, but a great deal of what we may expect can be forecasted based on our market performance so far and over the years we have produced various market updates, sharing our views and thoughts on the market. The following update was composed during the last few weeks of 2020, and has been updated further over recent months. There is little one can say to try and sum up the happenings of the past year, let alone that of the past 4 years. Just when we thought that there could be nothing worse than the antics of Brexit, we are given the joys of Covid-19. Thankfully, we seem to be reaching the light on both fronts and I am not sure that the globe, in general, is quite ready for any more surprises, I think we have had our fair share of these. For several years since 2016 and since the emergence of Brexit we have kept a watchful eye on the property market (as we do) and analysed, as best we can, the impact of Brexit talks and negotiations on our property values and the confidence in general terms for our economy. Given the calamities we have witnessed globally, at a political level (and for the record I miss The Donald), and economic level (and

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we ain’t seen the beginning of this in Europe in light of Covid), not to mention the mess we find ourselves in from a socio-economic perspective, you would not be blamed for just battening down the hatches, possibly buying a fishing boat and calling it a day... but as a client of ours put it recently: “where the world is in crisis, Gibraltar excels”… A bullish comment, but so accurate when it comes to the experience, we have had over the past 4 years and ironically enough over the past 10 months since March 2020. There is no question (and regardless of my banter), that we are and have been so incredibly fortunate, but to a larger degree so well placed and structured to have (in the main) done so well – and I am of course primarily referring to the property sector. Against all the odds, we have seen price increases and sales volumes take a sharp rise throughout 2020 and as mentioned on so many occasions in previous updates, it has been the owner occupier markets, largely two-, three- and four-bedroom properties in mid to high end developments showing some truly spectacular gains with some increases in excess of 10%. The higher end and fourth tier in the market generally with price ranges upwards of £1,500,000 has also re-emerged with strong activity in this sector and sales in areas such as The Sanctuary (circa £6m), Buena Vista Park (average of £2.2m), Admirals Place and other. Interestingly we have also been party to the sale of a two-bedroom apartment at Ragged Staff Wharf at £815,000 and four bedrooms in Quay 29 / 31 at upwards of £1m and delivering rates per sqm reaching £7,000 and beyond. Without insight into circumstances surrounding us and an understanding of the dynamics of Gibraltar, the numbers are non-sensical and you may choose to take the view that this estate agent is quite frankly taking you for a ride….:)

Our views over the years maintain a trend: growth in owner occupier driven markets steered by a continuously growing gaming and finance centre, with stability and security adding further value. Whereas we have been pleasantly surprised with the growth in a large part of the property sector, we also continue to remain cautious and to a large degree negative on the studio market sector. We took a view to stay out of this segment several years ago due to the high volume of proposed developments exclusively aimed at this product. We struggled with the prices being pitched and the marriage to an identifiable end user. It appears that to date it is the only sector that in general terms has not enjoyed the growth in capital appreciation attained by much of the market. We hope that with this recent write up we can give a small and educated snapshot of the market where we see the upsides, as well as the downsides. The market and the economy remain difficult to forecast, but if the year gone by (2020) and the time since the Brexit referendum is anything to go by, we have done swimmingly and held our own immensely well. 2021 will no doubt bring its challenges, but we hope that our ability to overcome this truly exceptional year will stand us in good stead to continue with our ever-growing economy and with it our property sector too. As I write this, we have just closed a sale that has reached the £7,000/sqm mark, we have achieved this level on more than several occasions now, we have indeed reached a new level that we believe is here to stay. As a great man once said – “it always seems impossible until it’s done”.

Our view of the why’s and the how’s is best described along the lines of something we wrote some time ago:

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Trusted Novus Bank – We want to be the homeowners’ bank in Gibraltar

BUYING YOUR HOME? In TN Bank we offer a competitive, personalised product, which can be tailored to suit our taking a mortgage with us! We have a range of mortgage products to suit our clients’ individual needs. We look into our clients’ circumstances and together with our clients we identify the best our website, but we guarantee you that we have competitive prices. or a new home. If you already have a mortgage but are not convinced you have the best package, we invite you to come and speak to us, to see if we can give you a better offer. Perhaps lockdown made you realise that you want more space? Another reason to contact us to see if we can help you. BUYING THE OTHER HALF OF YOUR 50/50 HOME? Are you missing out on not owning 100% of your property? If for example you live in Beach View Terraces, Mons Calpe Mews or other co-ownership properties and are considering purchasing the remaining amount of your home, then give us a call to discuss your options. But don’t delay, act now, as it will cost you more every year that goes by! HOME IMPROVEMENTS Has lockdown left you realising that it’s time for a new kitchen or bathroom? Why not give us a call to discuss the possibilities of increasing your mortgage, or releasing some equity from 33

A CENTRAL POINT OF TRUSTED NOVUS BANK (TN BANK) STRATEGY SINCE WE BECAME TN BANK NEARLY ONE YEAR AGO, IS TO BECOME THE HOMEOWNERS’ BANK IN GIBRALTAR.

your property so that you can make your desired changes to improve your home? Please note that this is subject to affordability. BUY-TO-LET MORTGAGES FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES Gibraltar has experienced prolonged growth and stability in the residential property market. Rental demand in Gibraltar has increased making it an attractive place for investors, both local and international, to purchase property for rental. This type of mortgage is only available on residential properties where the main purpose of the property is to rent it out and generate rental income. Our mortgage planners will be happy to chat with you about possible opportunities.

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Here in TN Bank we take all mortgage and lending requests seriously and if you wish, we can arrange a meeting with one of our Mortgage Planners within a few days. If you prefer talking to us over the phone or make enquiries by email, we can accommodate that too. No matter what, we will make it clear to you, as our client, what the mortgage journey entails and how much the mortgage will cost you. A NEW BANK AND A NEW TEAM The bank has offered mortgages for many years, but it was not until August 2019 that the mortgage team was established. Since then the team has had a clear focus on becoming the homeowners’ bank in Gibraltar. After becoming TN Bank in April 2020, we have had a focus on improving our mortgage services, and we have really seen things picking up during the last two or three months. Not only has our marketing become focused on mortgages but we continue to increase our product offerings. WHO ARE WE? There are four colleagues in our mortgage team at Trusted Novus Bank, who are keen to help you with your mortgage: Gerard Fabre, Vanessa who between them have over 100 years of banking experience. Give us a call, come into the bank or complete the contact form on our website Personalised mortgages at Trusted Novus Bank: https://trustednovusbank.gi/products/mortgages We look forward to showing you what mortgage packages we can offer you.

DANISH ALTERIORS LTD 21 BELL LANE, P.O. BOX 561, SUITE 6, PMB, 187, GIBRALTAR TEL:+350 54 34 2000 HOMEOWNERS’ BANK IN GIBRALTAR ANNE@DANISH-ALTERIORS.COM • WWW.DANISH-ALTERIORS.COM

Looking to sell your home or need a new tenant? Whether you’re moving home or looking to sell, our bespoke service will look after all your needs.

Telephone: +350 200 48532 or visit: www.npestates.com Find us at: 31 -33 City Mill Lane, P.O. Box 1418

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Thinking of Letting, Renting, Selling or Buying? Think G M International Homes Ltd. We are Gibraltar's forward thinking estate agent, having formed long lasting relationships with our developers, friends and clients for over sixteen years.

Meet the team: JEANINE GOLDWIN MANAGING DIRECTOR Founder and Managing Director, aspect of the business together with liaises with most of our high net worth individuals who are looking to relocate to Gibraltar. She is always the hardest worker in the room and highly considered as the ‘super woman’. Her favourite phrase is “no problem”, always making every challenge possible! and is always switched on where work is concerned; she her children and travelling whenever possible, always ready for the next adventure. VANESSA PALMERO HAYWOOD - MANAGING DIRECTOR Vanessa joined GM International Vanessa mainly assists Pia Alvarez with the very challenging daily management issues but she is very hands on and deals with any sales or rental enquiries. Vanessa loves the advertising side of the business and is always aware of the importance of advertising. She also takes a personal interest in giving back to the community by means of sponsorship and is passionate about charity work.

WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE G M INTERNATIONAL HOMES (PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES): Property Management is all we do. It’s what we specialise in and focus on, therefore making your property and development our number one priority. We are very much a hands-on management company designed to deliver exceptional results. We appreciate our clients’ time is important and as your Property Managers we will do our utmost to as-

NATION Primarily we specialise in the handling of sales and rentals of properties in Gibraltar and Spain and offer a full management letting service to assist our purchasers wishing to rent out their properties. We always strive to deliver. Our sales and after-sales team offer a professional, friendly honest and reliable service based on a culture of high standards and customer satisfaction. Teamwork is the key word.

Vanessa is a people person, friendly and approachable, however she loves and needs her time alone, especially with her furry best-friends. She travels whenever she can, particularly to her second home in Morocco, and due to her regular visits has made several professional network connections there. PIA ALVAREZ PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATOR Pia is our Property Management Administrator. She plays an essential part in the company and ensures all properties are ready for the next tenant, monitoring and inspecting them and taking accountability for the condition of all our properties. She promotes our management services and creates bonds with property owners and tenants. Pia loves lazy days on the beach, sporting challenges and she’s a true animal lover, a dedicated wife and mother and a loyal friend to many. LUCY MARTINEZ - OFFICE MANAGER AND COMPLIANCE OFFICER Mother of two Lucy will always welcome you with her best smile despite her busy schedule. She is extremely high standards, challenges herself daily, and keeps us all on our toes updating our hourly schedules. She likes reading and gathering information which has led to her nickname “Google”, because there is not much that she doesn’t know. She also loves riding her horses and spending time in the countryside, appreciates the simple things in life and has a contagious laugh.

Professional Managing Agents

Instructed by residents, developers and freeholders, G M International is a knowledgeable and experienced professional management company,

range of schemes including modern mixed use apartment schemes, sustainable developments and almost everything in-between. G M International are the complete property management experts, successfully delivering specialist and award winning services to developments throughout Gibraltar and Spain. Whatever the type of property, our managing agents here at G M International will ensure that it is managed to the highest possible standards at an economic cost, providing you with complete peace of mind. We hope that you will enjoy your visit to our web site and that of your dreams and consider trusting us with your business. www.gmihomes.com

INTERNATIONAL HOMES G M INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT is headed by Director Vanessa Palmero Haywood and run by Property Management Administrator Pia Alvarez, backed by the administrative and accounting staff together with the ble for the Management of an extensive portfolio of both Residential and Commercial properties in Gibraltar and Spain. We also provide rental management services to individuals and corporate clients in various situations due to travelling arrangements or personal conditions.

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First Time Buyers Guide from Attias & Levy. Buying a home can be a challenging time, especially for those looking

Thereafter it is:

contracts to the purchase of a property, this guide will arm you with the relevant knowledge to make the home buying process easier.

value exceeds £200,000 but does not exceed £350,000 and 3% on exceeds £350,000.

Contracts Firstly, you will have to sign a purchase agreement. This governs the relationship between you and the seller between exchange and completion. Secondly, you need to sign your Title Deeds. These consist of a Deed of Underlease and Trust Deed. The Deed of Underlease deals with the terms of your use and occupation of the property after completion. The Underlease grants the purchaser absolute title to the property by virtue of a 150 year lease. A Trust Deed deals with the terms and conditions whereby you as benment as legal owners (in your respective shares).

Mortgage Facility There are plenty of lending institutions which can offer you a mortgage facility in Gibraltar, the most popular being NatWest International Bank and Gibraltar International Bank. The lending institutions are willing to offer you a mortgage facility of 90-95% of the purchase price of the property. The Initial Interest rate offered varies from 2% to 4.49% depending on the value of the mortgage facility obtained followed by a Follow On Interest Rate of 5%. Once you have obtained an offer, the lending institution will contact us with instructions and we will provide them with the required documents.

Stamp Duty Stamp Duty is the tax that the government charges when you purchase a property over £200,000. You pay different rates depending on the value of your property and the amount of your mortgage (if any).

0.13% where the amount borrowed does not exceed £200,000 and 0.20% for amounts in excess of £200,000. Payment is due after completion.

Title Deeds The Title Deeds include the Deed of Underlease and the Deed of Mortgage. They both require registration. This includes a Land Registry registration fee which must be paid by you. The Title Deeds will be sent to purchase the property. They will keep them until your mortgage is paid. Attias & Levy are able to assist and guide you through the process

Legal Fees: Our Legal Fee is £250. £125 to be paid on Exchange of Contracts and £125 on Completion.

Contact: Dustin Tel: Email: Visti:

(Conveyancing Partner) +350 200 72150 dj@attlev.gi / info@attlev.gi www.attiaslevy.com

There is no stamp duty to be paid when the property value does not

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Is your home or apartment adequately insured?

At some point in our lives, most of us will need to arrange Home Insurance. It may be of a holiday home in the sun, or as a tenant, looking to protect your personal belongings and potential damages to your Landlord’s property. Having home insurance is not required by law but is highly recommended as it can help you replace your home and treasured possessions that may have been affected by a wide range of perils and may also protect you against claims from third parties, erable damage to the neighbouring properties so you should ensure you have home insurance to cover this loss. Most standard Home policies are very similar, protecting against standard risks such as Fire, Theft, Water damage, Public Liability, etc. Something worth reviewing is the levels of cover, extra cover as standard and optional add-ons that really give you assurance that your property is fully protected. For example, your apartment may have some communal cover with a management agency, but quite often these have high excesses and don’t cover items such as glazed balconies or any improvements you’ve made since it was built, so it’s worth checking to make sure you have adequate cover in place. Ensure that both buildings and the contents sums insured are correct to avoid being underinsured and hence losing out in the event of a claim or over insured and hence insurance, make sure you use the rebuild value and not the market value. This is a very common mistake to make and can make the premium a lot higher that it needs to be, if calculated wrong. Also, if you rent your property on a short-term or long-term basis, you should extend the liability cover in case of injury to your tenants whilst on your property. As a Tenant, you’ll need Tenant’s Liability cover, in case you cause accidental damage to your Landlord’s property or your pet causes injury to someone outside the boundary of your property. (Please note that dangerous dogs are usually excluded).

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Home Insurance is not only about protecting ourselves against major losses, but also about everyday life and the small accidents that challenge us from time to time. Hence make sure you have Accidental Damage cover so that if you trip over the cable of your new LED TV and smash the screen, or drop a saucepan and crack your ceramic hob, or perhaps a bottle of aftershave onto the bathroom sink, all is covered. Some insurers offer ‘All-Risks’ cover as an optional add-on on permanent home policies. This relates to worldwide cover away from the home, for loss and theft, for those small items of jewellery or valuables (wedding ring, everyday earrings, designer handbag etc), or your engagement ring. Also some give the option to cover your pedal cycles or golf clubs. ‘What about my contents, what amount should I insure for?’ It would surprise you how easily your contents value mounts up. Remember, in the event of a total loss, you would need to replace everything down to knives, forks and spoons, bed and bath linen, etc. The best way to get an idea is to imagine turning your home upside down and seeing what falls out. That is basically what you need to insure your contents for.

To ensure you are well protected call Ibex Insurance. You can visit our

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a haven of calm Colour

Greenery and Plants

Colour is an important tool that can create a simple and effective transformation to the energy in your home and the best thing about colour is that it is a quick and easy way to change the energy of a space.

Plants are a great way to ensure that your home is a haven of calm and there are several that are perfect to de-stress your home and provide you with a sanctuary of peace and tranquillity, just beware of creating a jungle that could overwhelm and avoid cacti, which Feng Shui experts say can have negative energy.

Bedrooms Calm is used to refer to a quiet, still, or peaceful atmosphere in a place and creating a haven of calm in our homes can have a power ful impact on how we feel, how productive we are, or how well we sleep. The ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui can help you to achieve harmony and create a relaxing ambience and tranquil environment, but bear in mind that the f irst step to creating a good flow of energy is to declutter your home because no amount of Feng Shui will create calm in a cluttered area. Decorating with Feng Shui means knowing how to choose the right colours and decorative elements and use them in the specif ic areas of your home to bring nourishing energy to your space and to the dif ferent areas of your life. However, remember that too much energy can make a room chaotic, whereas too little of it can make it bland and uninteresting. It’s all about maintaining a balance. Ancient Feng Shui masters not only def ined the eight major life areas that are important for your happiness and well-being; they also mapped the connection between these life areas and the energy of our homes. The energy map of the home is called the bagua, usually def ined by the compass direction of the front door, and each of the eight areas are def ined by f ive specif ic elements; wood, f ire, earth, metal and water.

We spend a lot of time in our bedrooms, and not only is it a place for rest and rejuvenation but it’s also somewhere that we can share beautiful moments with our loved ones. Think about painting the walls in warm skin tones such as cream, peach, tan, terracotta, coral or cocoa. Soft natural colours like light blues, greens and lavenders will lend the bedroom a quiet, tranquil vibe and invite healing energy.

Orchids are beautiful to look at and certain species of orchids have been known to have very distinct pleasant relaxing fragrances, so this is definitely a plant to keep in the bedroom.

Living Rooms

Lavender is another plant that helps to lower anxiety and stress, improves sleep and, it is claimed, calms agitated babies.

The living room is where we gather together to entertain and interact with friends and family. For a comfortable and soothing feel, use a palette of grey, light blue, pale yellow and blush. Blues and greens represent new beginnings and healing.

Water Features Adding water features into your home is a good way to maintain a calm, serene atmosphere. The sound of flowing, trickling water is soothing and can help to release stress or tension and produces abundant negative ions, bringing more energy and vitality. Water, especially flowing water, is also related to wealth, abundance, and cash flow. Feng Shui principles specify the different areas where fountains should and should not be placed in the home. For instance, fountains should not be used in the marital bedroom because water can douse the fire that fuels marital passion.

The scented flowers of the Jasmine plant are said to alleviate stress and stimulate romance. In fact, in studies the plant has been shown to improve sleep quality, balance hormones and help with hot flushes and mood swings

Have you heard of a new design trend called a ‘breathing room’? This is a stress free space that you can go to where you can eliminate clutter from your mind. It can be as small as a corner or part of a larger room, but it is somewhere that is a safe sanctuary where you can unplug and turn off devices to calm your mind. Ultimately it doesn’t matter how you choose to calm your home or whether you use the principles of Feng Shui or not, once you walk into a beautiful, thoughtfully-planned space, you just relax.

Fountains can be placed inside or outside the front door but the direction the water flows is important in facilitating energy flow. When placed outside your front door, make sure the water in the fountain flows towards the door, not away from it, so that you bring the energy into your home, not push it away. When placing a fountain inside your front door, place it so the water is flowing in towards your house interior and not out towards the door, or you may push the energy back out of the front door. Strangely, although we think of blue as the colour associated with water, it is actually allied with the colour black. Try adding black cushions, art, furniture, vases, or other accessories to add more water to your home.

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DESIGN TRENDS to Refresh and Reinvigorate your Home Spring is a time of optimism, of rebirth and renewal and after long months of having to stay at home and look at the walls that enclose us, some of us may feel that we need to make a change to our bland and under whelming interiors, remove drab and sombre tones and add some fresh, vibrant and exciting colour to our interiors. Unsurprisingly, there is a move away from minimalism to creating comforting and nurturing surroundings, embracing a more elegant, maximalist style; think layers, textures and mixing old with new but using sustainable materials, upcycling and recycling as much as possible.

Omnis magnatem. Ut exped es ad quiae voluptat For 2021 Pantone has chosen not one but two colours of the year, pairing the neutral Ultimate Grey together with a sunny yellow called Illuminating which they say is: “A marriage of colour conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting.” Grey has been the trendy neutral for several years now and to bring it up-to-date try using the yellow to give a pop of dynamic colour with cushions, throws and accessories. In contrast, Dulux announced Brave Ground as their colour of the year featuring warm earthy tones that they say “creates a feeling of stability, growth and potential; and provides a firm foundation for change and creativity in your home.” Warm neutrals take us back to nature and they work brilliantly with bursts of colour and can be a comforting, calm and timeless trend. Working from home has had a huge impact and has meant that we have had to repurpose existing rooms and come up with creative solutions to accommodate different zones where we can eat, sleep, work and play. Home offices, often just the dining room table or a desk set up in an available corner, need to be flexible spaces with multi-purpose furniture and clever storage solutions that can offer a sense of calm. Use curtains or shelving systems to act as room dividers and create zoned working areas.

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The rise of virtual meetings has led many of us to rethink our setting and background, and if you don’t want to follow the trend often seen in television interviews of someone sitting in front of a bookshelf, then you can craft a more aesthetically pleasing one just by installing some good lighting, interesting artwork or some strategically placed greenery. If a bookshelf is your only option, show off your books in style by arranging them by colour to create a visually pleasing backdrop. Another big trend has come from our desire to travel to distant lands, a wanderlust which we haven’t been able to fulfil because of lockdown restrictions. This will be echoed in interior design influences taken from exotic locations such as Moroccan inspired settings or tropical themed designs. Bringing the outside in is something else that features across the board of interior design. Green is everywhere at the moment and it could be said that this colour is the new grey. Synonymous with nature, different tones of green can evoke lush forests, verdant countryside or tranquil meadows. Use paler tones in a bedroom to soothe your mind, body and soul or the darker, jewel tones of emerald green paired with another colour that might surprise you – pink – now seen as another interiors neutral. Wallpaper is back with a bang. Not just for feature walls, but wrapped around the entire circumference of a room. If you want to make a statement consider using panoramic, scenic or painterly murals which have come a long way since the 1970s and Hilda Ogden's beloved landscape "muriel" (her name for the mural on her living room wall). To complement the décor, graphic prints and rich

coloured fabrics featuring exuberant floral prints in vivid colour combinations can be used for curtains and upholstery. For a sophisticated touch add highlights with cotton linens, raw silks, or wools and heavy weaves in neutral tones. Textured walls continue to be a big theme that has carried over from 2020, upgraded from the Anaglypta or woodchip wallpaper and thick swirly Artex that we remember from previous eras that were used to cover up uneven walls, now wallpaper can be found in different textured effects including printed cork, beaded papers or 3D designs that cry out to be touched. Geometric wallpaper was another trend that started last year and it’s one that is here to stay. The bold, clean lines of repeating patterns combined with a touch of metallic is an easy way to add an air of sophistication to any room.

go overboard. Layer some new staple modern pieces such as a reclaimed wooden dining table with old chairs, hang mirrors with ornate frames and use bold colours. One of the small benefits of lockdown has been the appreciation that we have gained for our home environment, realising that it is a place of safety that can nurture and make us more productive, and there is no doubt that comfort, wellness and sustainability will be a priority for the foreseeable future. Although interior design trends keep going in and out of style, maybe we all need to indulge a little bit more in Hygge, the Danish concept of taking pleasure in everyday things and creating a cosy atmosphere in the home. So dim the lights, get out the scented candles, cuddle up under blankets and soft cushions (made from natural materials, of course) and enjoy.

The bedroom has become a sanctuary where we can take ourselves away from the anxieties of life outside our homes, somewhere we can find mental and physical relaxation, so it makes sense that we want it to be cosy and comforting as well as beautiful and stylish. Big upholstered headboards with taller, curved silhouettes have become the go-to choice to make a real statement and create a focal point. If you want a boutique hotel refined chic experience, combining luxurious materials in subtle shades will give you the opulence you crave. For an atmosphere of intimacy, so often found in boutique hotel bedrooms, paint or paper the walls in dark colours and brighten the room with mirrors and chandeliers. Consider hanging an extravagant floral mural behind the bed and then keep the accessories quite simple, with plain bedding in a colour that matches the backdrop and add accents in contrasting shades. A growing trend in interior design has been the use of ecological materials such as reclaimed wood and stone mixed with textural details in wicker and rattan. Add these to your home with furniture made from cane, or baskets and planters made of rattan and soften with velvet and linen materials. Talking of velvet, this luxurious material is back in fashion and no longer considered old-fashioned and boring and is set to become one of the most sought-after trends in 2021. Mixing not matching is the way to go with your furniture, but try and bind the scheme together through material, colour, style or pattern to make it a cohesive space. If the idea of mixing furniture seems a little too much, bear in mind that you don’t have to mismatch every piece of furniture in order to create an interesting interior. There is no doubt that our homes need more warmth, comfort, and cosiness now more than ever before. Rather than the straight lines that dominated furniture over the last decade we will be embracing curves and rounded silhouettes. Add drama to your living room with a seductive curved sofa with rounded arms and soft edges, oversized ergonomic chairs and tables with shapely legs. Don’t panic when you hear that Granny Chic, aka “grandmillennial,” is hotly tipped as a rising design trend for this year. This style is meant to evoke comfort, nostalgia and tradition and combines vintage style with contemporary elements. To ensure it’s not twee, balance is crucial, so add some quirky and slightly kitschy patterns with floral wallpaper, delicate china or whimsical items that evoke memories of granny’s home, but don’t

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Moving House We all like to make the house we live in our home or perhaps you’re trying to sell and you want to make it stand out from the rest. To achieve this you might decide to re-decorate, have new floors and maybe even a new kitchen and these big standout improvements will certainly help. However, there’s something a lot more subtle you can do which may not be so in your face but it will make a noticeable difference. Take a look at your switches and sockets, have you got that one socket that doesn’t quite work right or a light switch the you need to use in a certain way for it to work or may be the light on the cooker switch doesn’t work. Replacing these accessories with new ones can be fairly inexpensive, especially if you opt for white ones. If there’s a little more in your budget you could go for a decorative metal finish and there is a huge range available that will match in with the look and feel of your home. Also consider introducing some sockets with integrated USB charging points or adding a dimmer to some lighting - just make sure your lights are dimmable.

Suddenly everything works properly and you’ve wiped out all those marks left behind from years of fingers poking at switches. You might even decide to introduce some “smart” sockets or control modules behind light switches. Now when it comes to smart home equipment don’t assume it’s only for large villas and houses or that everything throughout your house has to be a smart thing.

Here are a couple of examples where ClickSmart+ came in useful: A customer’s child often needed the loo during the night and he would turn lights on, and leave them on, disturbing the rest of the household. A movement sensor in the hallway and a couple of lighting controllers means as soon as the little boy leaves his room the lights in the hall and bathroom would come on automatically at 5% brightness, stay on for 15 minutes then turn off. A smart socket fitted to a customer’s mother’s house where the kettle was plugged in will send the customer a notification if the socket is not used between certain times of the day. That message prompts her to call and make sure her mother’s OK or if she just didn’t fancy her afternoon tea ! Another customer had smart sockets in the children’s rooms - one at a dressing table which will automatically switch off after being on for 10 minutes meaning the daughter’s hair straighteners are never left on. The socket in the boys room will switch off at a certain time of night meaning no late night gaming.

So smart home isn’t all about lazy home it can be used to solve problems, increase safety, decrease consumption and much more. You can add Click Smart+ to almost any home without any mess or disturbing your finishes.

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The joy and excitement an individual experiences when buying their first home is something that we never forget. The heady combination of nerves and elation stays with us always.

For many, buying your first property is a hugely significant moment. It is a momentous stride into a particular stage of our lives - a crossover from fully fledged adult into a property owner, a keeper of our own castle and that aspect of our adult life brings a whole new level of responsibility and aspiration. Your first home is realistically chosen by what we can afford. We need to meet the mortgage without hopefully, sacrificing every other pleasure - big or small - in our lives. If every single penny is earns to pay the mortgage, our longed for home can soon feel like a millstone around our necks. We can end up viewing it as a burden rather than a home we have longed for. Although finances primarily dictate what kind of property we can purchase, it is clearly not the only deciding factor. A solo buyer may opt for a smaller, more manageable flat or apartment. Naturally if you have children, a bigger home is preferable and outside space will be very desirable. Equally, the green fingered amongst might place having a garden as a priority, possibly even above the size of the property. Location for first time buyers is incredibly important, not simply for practical and logistical reasons but because you will look back at your first home with nostalgia and warmth that you may not attach to subsequent properties. Is living near family essential to you? Is creating a home close to your work or transport links a priority? Perhaps schools or elderly parents need to be factored in? Often, the decision on location will be a combination of several factors but clearly, with all major decisions, certain priorities will take precedence. Once preferred location has been decided, the search can start in earnest. Looking online has changed the way we approach house hunting. We can now view the property, have a virtual walk through the rooms and take a look at the road, neighbouring properties and overall view. This can afford us the opportunity to get an initial feel for rooms, layout of property and where in the road it is situated. What it can’t provide is the extremely important vibe you expe-

rience from actually standing in the property. The logistics and location are undeniable important but how we physically and emotionally react to a house is pivotal to whether we can envisage ourselves actually living there. No matter how tick-box perfect somewhere is, if you can’t imagine creating a life there, it clearly is not the home for you. Visiting at least a couple of times can prove very beneficial. Perhaps at different times of the day, a weekday and at the weekend. This will create a more realistic picture of the neighbourhood, level of noise and the general feel of the area. Your opinion about a house and how it can work for you as an individual, couple, or family is unquestionably important but your surrounding living area also has a role to play. It is part of a bigger landscape as to why you want to live there. How we create our interiors, our living spaces differs depending on what we consider important and which elements work for how we live. The colour palette we chose is incredibly important. It is widely acknowledged that certain colours inspire different moods and feelings. Blue is associated with serenity and calm, yellow symbolises energy and joy. Personal favourites can influence what we feel comfortable surrounding ourselves with. There could be a nostalgic nod to our childhood or a colour that evokes comfort, inspiration - perhaps a touch of retro glamour. Of course how we furnish our homes is incredibly important. For first time buyers, there is an extra level of relevance to how and what we choose. We are not bringing items from a previous home - we are reflecting ourselves and our own personal choices for the very first time. The array of interior options is dazzling, from online retailers to more traditional store choices, furniture, mirrors, lighting, all these contribute to creating an ambiance. Every home has its own rhythm, a unique reflection on the person or family that lives there. Gordon Fraser is a Wellness Entrepreneur & Life Coach and believes ‘the sense of pride that comes with ownership, especially your first and the feelings of independence and achievement. This is the space where you’ll create so many of your life experiences; friends and family, neighbours, lovers, plumbers and delivery drivers may cross your threshold but most importantly – there will be no landlords and the rules you abide by will be the ones you set for yourself !

You can help reduce the anxiety of buying your first property by being clear on what you want, observing your budget, your “must haves” and what you will compromise on, too. Being organised is so important. How many have had that “gut feeling” – one step over the threshold (and without even caring what the bathroom looks like), exclaimed – “this is the one!” because you fell in love with the fireplace? We’ve been there. I’ve let my emotions and fantasies overrun my pragmatism and have been seduced by a bay window and a lilac wall - as I all to eagerly ignored the six-flights-ofstairs, the green and yellow bedroom and the lack of central heating! Be careful, Décor is such a tease. In a way we’re buying other people’s lifestyles, we see their tastes and their values, their art and technology. If you’re potential home doesn't meet your “must haves” it’s irrelevant what the colour of the walls are or the brand of fridge. The walls can always be painted another colour, but the electric substation is unlikely to move. Stay focussed – why do you think it’s been on the market so long? Before you start looking seriously, ideally have your deposit in the bank and your mortgage pre-arranged so you’re ready to go. Being seen as a proceedable buyer is attractive to the seller and will support your journey and help reduce the stress’. Gordon Fraser, Wellbeing Entrepreneur & Life Coach: Website: gordonfraser.cos

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APRIL 2021

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FEATURE

A touch of Magik promised every month

WORDS BY JOE ADAMBERY 56

APRIL 2021

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FEATURE ‘MAGIK’ was born out of the efforts of two experienced musicians: guitarist/producer Manolo Arias (Ñu, Niagara, Atlas, Arias – Barón Rojo, Iguana Tango, etc.) and British Gibraltarian vocalist Giles Keith Ramirez (H.O.T., Ghost, Reach). After a friendship of nearly 30 years, the opportunity to work together had not yet presented itself until now. From this collaboration came the idea to publish on a monthly basis, a string of cover tracks under the title of “Covers in Isolation”. Ideally this project aims to offer their particular vision of Rock classics from the 60’s and 70’s. They give the classics their own personal touch, hence adapting these hits to their own musical criteria. The idea flourished during lockdown, when Giles had been performing and sharing some classic covers through social media. For that same reason, the global pandemic, Guitarist /producer Manolo Arias found himself having to postpone his main work on “No estoy para nadie” and he came up with the idea that it was then the right moment to unite forces with Giles Ramirez and record twelve classics which they will be offering as single releases on a monthly basis. These singles are a pre-cursor to an album of original songs which will follow. Manolo Arias analyses his choice of the third track for ‘Covers in Isolation,’ Peter Frampton’s iconic ‘Show Me the Way’: “There are certain songs which in one way or another become a part of one’s own history. ‘Show Me the Way’ is one of them. You could say that in my case it was love at first hearing. I also discovered (in Frampton) one of the best guitarists I had heard in my life.” For this their third single, ‘MAGIK’ have the collaboration of prestigious vocalist Danny Vaughn who has been a part of such bands such as Waysted, Tyketto, Vaughn, Ultimate Eagles and Danny

Vaughn’s Myths, Legends & Lies. Danny and Giles first met during a concert at the London O2 Arena when their respective bands, Tyketto and Ghost recorded the ‘Gods of AOR’ in 1994 for MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball. Years later they met again in Gibraltar, where their great friendship saw them teaming up on a project they called ‘Harmony Street’, which took them on a small tour of Spain as a duet, performing classic covers on acoustic. When Giles and Arias decide to embark on MAGIK, the opportunity of having Danny Vaughn collaborate with them came up on ‘Show Me the Way.’ MAGIK now offer us their own vision of this emblematic song, 45 years after the worldwide hit achieved by Peter Frampton with ‘Show Me the Way’ in 1976 as the main single from his live album ‘Frampton Comes Alive.’ Their treatment gives the song a new urgency and brings with it an edgy and infectious performance which makes compelling listening. I had just come off my headphones and I caught up with Giles to glean some more information on his exciting project.

I have to say that I was impressed with what I had just heard. “We now have three singles released and on the latest one ‘Show me the Way’ we decided to guest vocalist Danny Vaughn from American band ‘Tyketto’, as we both share a great friendship and I have worked with him in the past. Danny was really keen to collaborate for ‘Magik’. We thought it would be a great idea to also guest a few other well known vocalists for this project and so far I have had a great response. They will be singing in future singles this year”.

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What is the Magik project exactly... “This is a twelve song, one single per month project covering classic 60’s and 70’s songs and once this is achieved, we shall be releasing an original album under the ‘Magik’ banner too. Recordings for the album are well underway with great names too. The bassist we have featured in one of our originals is Billy Sheehan (David Lee Roth, Mr Big, Sons of Apollo, Winery Dogs, Talas) so that is exciting.”

I complemented Giles on the dazzling guitar work on their latest single that he is Spanish Rock royalty... “Indeed Manolo Arias is an exceptional guitarist with miles of experience under his belt playing for the top Rock bands in Spain and producing such bands as Baron Rojo, Niagara, Atlas and ÑU. He arranged and recorded all the tracks in Madrid and sent them to me digitally so I could record the vocals at home in my studio. I then recorded the vocal arrangements, including harmonies, adlib and melodies which I slightly changed to give them that extra Rock edge.”

I wanted to know whether Magik as a band would be coming over to play here... “Oh yes for sure! We’re now putting the band together as we speak and there’s lots of interest from musicians. As soon as possible we will bring ‘Magic’ to perform here.”

Even under current rebeen busy hence their generic album title “Since November last year we have now released three tracks which are, the ‘Doobie Brothers’ classic ‘Listen to the music’, America’s ‘Sister Golden Hair’ and the latest one ‘ Show me the Way’ the Peter Frampton classic. We have other great classics coming up. All our covers can be found on YouTube under MAGIK and all three singles are on sale on digital formats such as Itunes and Spotify etc.

So to recap on the Magik project... “We still have nine more singles to be released (one per month) and we are already talking and planning collaborations with major Rock vocalists and a few top musicians too. The response has been overwhelming and mind blowing for us. We can’t mention names just in case some are unable to commit at the last minute.” The ‘MagiK’ original songs album will be released once the twelve classic cover tracks are completed and as Giles mentioned earlier, as soon as they can play live, they hope to be coming to play here “without a doubt.” If their latest single is only a glimpse into what this band can do then we are really in for a treat when we get to see them live.

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MOTORING INSIGHT

N A IS SUZUK I N

A OT

WH E

SUZUK I ?

WORDS BY MARTIN WARD 58

APRIL 2021

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MOTORING INSIGHT LOOKING AT THESE TWO CARS THAT I HAD RECENTLY ON TEST, YOU CAN BE EXCUSED FOR THINKING THEY HAVE NOTHING AT ALL IN COMMON, BUT YOU’D BE WRONG. Although these two cars look completely different, if you were to remove the bodies, you would be looking at almost identical components. There is a good reason for this, as, they are almost identical in every way. The Suzuki is in fact, a Toyota, a Toyota with Suzuki badges, and there are many reasons for this.

Toyota produce probably the finest petrol hybrid system, and so they should, they’ve been doing it long enough, so have perfected the art. Suzuki don’t have a full hybrid system. They were obliged to reduce their emissions, so by using the “off-the-shelf” system from Toyota, they've managed to comply with environmental legislation in no time at all. Suzuki is the best selling manufacturer in many countries where Toyota hardly sells any, so get a Suzuki badged Toyota, and hey-presto, Toyota is able to sell their cars in volumes they could only have dreamed of. A marriage made in heaven, and win-win by both companies. So underneath the bright bodywork lurks the selfcharging hybrid system. It has an economical petrol engine, some batteries, a charging system, and some very clever computers and electronics. On the dashboard there is a big screen to tell you what everything is doing, but beware, don’t concentrate on it too much,

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and take your eyes off the road. The engine powers the car under normal driving, but as soon as you take your foot off the accelerator or go downhill, the engine cuts out, and the momentum charges the battery. Put your foot back on the accelerator and the engine fires up again. But if you set off from traffic lights, or a roundabout, then you set off on electric power only, saving

fuel and reducing emissions. You can also press the “EV” button, and it will travel on battery power for a distance of a few miles, but not above 20mph (32kph). So if you want to creep in home late at night, nice and quietly, press the magic button, and no-one will be the wiser. The Toyota hybrid system is so clever, and it makes changing from petrol to battery power effortless; you really cannot tell which mode of power is being used unless you double-check by looking at the screen in front of you. Both cars were a pleasure to drive, so easy, and very economical, and as clean as you can get without having to plug it into an electric socket. This system, in my view, is the future... as opposed to *full* electric vehicles. Others will undoubtedly disagree.

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ADOPT

DON'T

SHOP

ZEUS Zeus arrived at Los Barrios pound in December and is about 8-9 years old. He was found abandoned in the streets. It really isn't fair that a dog of his age has to settle for a small cold cage at a pound. He loves a good cuddle and he will happily sit to get a treat… or two.

Spanish Dogs

XENA

Spanish Stray Dogs UK

Xena is around three years old. She was rescued from a killing shelter and is currently submissive and scared after a prolonged period in a shelter, however she is improving daily and just needs a little love and support to restore her trust in humans. Xena likes the company of other dogs and is good with children. More info: www.ainf.gi

LIMON SATEN

Limon arrived at Los Barrios pound in January and is about 1,5 years old.

Saten is around one year old. She is a gentle Galgo who gets on well with other dogs and also cats. She travels well in the car and walks nicely on the lead. This loveable, gentle dog would do well in a family home

He knows how to sit for a treat and give his paw. He loves to go out on walks and he walks well on the lead most of the time. He loves people and a good cuddle.

Spanish Dogs

More info: www.spanishstraydogs.org.uk

APRIL 2021

Spanish Stray Dogs UK

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A VET'S INSIGHT

ANAESTHESIA AND YOUR PETS JUSTIFIABLY CLIENTS ARE ALWAYS WORRIED ABOUT PUTTING THEIR ANIMAL UNDER ANAETHESIA, THIS ARTICLE IS GEARED TO HOPEFULLY REASSURE CLIENTS AND TO SHOW HOW VETERINARY MEDICINE HAS GROWN IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS TO REDUCE ANAETHETIC RISK TO YOUR PET. Animals live for a comparatively short time , they have to compress the equivalent of our 70/80 years into around 15 years. The majority of us will undergo a surgical procedure at some point of our lives, the equivalent is the same for our pets.

• An electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors your dog’s heart rate and heartbeat pattern. It can detect abnormal heartbeats called arrhythmias. If an arrhythmia is detected, your veterinarian can make suitable changes in anesthesia.

PRE-ANAETHETIC CHECKS?

• Core body temperature may be monitored, especially if your dog is undergoing a prolonged surgical procedure. Changes in body temperature can cause dangerous complications.

All our animals are thoroughly checked prior to anaethesia. Vaccine history, lifestyle, and any medications all influence how your pet may respond to anesthesia. We recommend a pre-surgical examination and diagnostic tests that help identify any underlying conditions that should be addressed before your dog undergoes anesthesia. Recommended diagnostic tests usually include: • Chemistry tests to evaluate kidney, liver, and pancreatic function, as well as sugar levels • A complete blood count (CBC) to rule out blood-related conditions

• A blood pressure monitor measures your dog’s blood pressure. When used in conjunction with other monitoring equipment, it provides detailed information on your pet’s cardiovascular condition. • Pulse oximetry will be used to monitor the amount of oxygen in your dog's blood and her pulse rate. Any decreased oxygenation of the blood for a prolonged period can cause irreversible organ damage. • Carbon dioxide (C02) is monitored together with oxygen, as it helps determine if your pet is receiving the right amount of oxygen during anesthesia.

• Electrolyte tests to ensure your dog isn’t dehydrated or suffering from an electrolyte imbalance Additional tests may be added on an individual basis.

MONITORING GERY

In addition to blood tests, we may recommend the following: • The placement of an intravenous (IV) catheter as part of the anesthetic preparation. The catheter can be used to provide anesthetics and intravenous fluids to keep your pet hydrated; additionally, if needed, it would serve as a pathway to directly administer life-saving medications, should a crisis arise. • ntravenous fluids to help maintain hydration and blood pressure. IV fluids also help your pet with her recovery process by aiding the liver and kidneys in clearing the body of anesthetic agents more quickly. HOW YOUR DOG IS MONITORED DURING ANESTHESIA? Several safeguards are put into place to help reduce your dog’s risk during anesthesia. They include: • The surgical assistant/veterinary nurse: A nurse or assistant is present during the anesthetic event to monitor your dog’s vital signs and to help adjust anesthetic levels, under the direction of the veterinarian. • A heart rate monitor counts your pet’s heartbeats per minute. Anesthesia and other factors, such as surgery itself, can affect heart rate. By monitoring your dog’s heart rate, your veterinarian can make anesthetic adjustments quickly.

AFTER

SUR-

Immediate care post surgery is just as crucial. After all surgeries our team closely supervises your pets, any postoperative complications, rare as they are, are picked up promptly. Recent improvements in anesthetic agents allow for a quick recovery, and your pet should almost be back to normal when you pick it up after the anesthetic event. It will be quiet for some time after the surgery but this is mainly dependent on what procedure it has undergone, for example a castrated dog will recover a lot faster than one that has gone through a laparotomy. IN SUMMARY All the above is possible due to serious investment by the clinic where we are constantly upgrading the quality and care provided to our clients. Your pet’s safety during surgical procedures is paramount; a nurse is always assisting, monitoring the animal so that the veterinary surgeon can concentrate on the surgery. Our new anaesthetic machine will measure the concentration of exhaled anaethetic gases and will also ventilate your pet to give your treasured friend that extra level of protection. Anaethesia should not be taken lightly, there is always a small risk but this is mitigated by the quality of care.

For more information please phone Gibraltar Vetinary Clinic on 200 77334

WORDS BY MARK PIZARRO GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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One such step mum is Katrina Parsons, 31, who lives with her husband Glynne, 48, in London with Katrina’s stepsons who are 16 and 19 and their daughter Maeve, 3. ‘My step sons were 8 and 11 when I met my husband. I met Glynne at work in a London casino. I ran the events and he was the General Manager. I was 22 and he was 39, Because of the age difference, neither of us thought it was forever so it didn’t bother us at all. After a year being together, I broke things up and moved back to Australia as I felt too far away from my friends and family. I was in Australia for a year before I realised that I actually really loved him. I was ready to accept the age difference as well as the fact he was divorced with 2 sons. It was was 2 years in total from when we met to when I made the move back to London. Since we married, we have had a beautiful baby girl. I am currently expecting our second child together in June this year. My step sons and I have always got on really well. I met them when they were older so I never had to fill the conventional role of mother. We have more of a friendship based relationship than a maternal one. I think the fact I am a bit younger as well helps and I am very easy going. Glynne and I would take the boys to theme parks, exciting restaurants in London and for holidays where we would hire boats and jet skis. Rather than having a relationship where I take them to school and tell them off for not tidying their rooms - we have fun! I really try to show them things through my eyes and experience of the world. At first they didn’t really know what to do with Maeve when she was born. They are young boys so they really dote over her. When she turned one, their relationship started blossoming and all 3 are really close now. They visit once a week and really are interested in spending time with her. I don’t think of myself as a step mum as have their biological mother who they live with. I support them wherever I can. I don’t do a lot of the jobs a normal step mum would do as they don’t live with me full time, but I have my strengths and they know they can rely on me when they need to.

The role of being a step mother is sometimes associated with the sensitivities of developing a loving and supportive relationship with your partners children. These relationships can present challenges but equally can provide a wonderful, nurturing connection. During summer last year I booked Sushi Samba for one of the boys’ birthday. They are getting to the age that they are starting to take interest in places and experiences. Maeve is of the age she can eat at the table with everyone. It was so nice to see all 3 of them out together and how they instinctively are protective of her and also have fun with her. Even when we walked in to the restaurant they were walking hand in hand while my husband and I took a step back and watched their relationship from afar. If she was getting bored at the table they would take her for a walk around or read her books. Because of lockdown we hadn’t really done much out of the house, but it was just such a lovely day as a family – one we will always remember. I started my business, Me & Maeve Grace, after I found a gap in the market for stylish matching clothes for mums and daughters. I found there wasn’t anyone in the UK that was really designing for new mums – whether it be breastfeeding or bump friendly features or just a flattering fit that was conscious of them having a new baby. I really felt I could create something that would look and feel great, as well as having an ethical & sustainable supply chain.

Maeve does all the fittings for the girls size and models for the shoots as well as social media for the content around parenthood we produce. I hope that one day the company will have grown to be successful and she would take an interest in it and one day take over’. Louisa Whitney is an Accredited Family Mediator. She states that ‘when a couple have separated the relationship between them can be difficult and this can hamper the relationship between a child and one of their parents. Dad having a new partner can be a help in this regard and especially so where the commitment makes that partner a step mum. A good relationship (or even a civil, polite and respectful one) between a mum and a step mum can reassure mum that children will be safe and happy when visiting dad in a way she may not have previously been reassured. This in turn can help children to feel safer and less worried when seeing dad. A step mum can be a treasured and safe person to talk to who is not their biological parent. Age appropriate honest and open conversations with children can be helpful for a step mum provided she doesn’t stray from what biological parents are comfortable with. Children respond to openness and authenticity in adults around them and so it’s important to approach it from this standpoint. Fun can also be significant in any relationship and having a step mum with whom children can do fun things that they enjoy doing, can help to cement that relationship. A step mum isn’t there to replace mum, or as a substitute for dad, but a supportive step mum with a listening ear can provide an important stability for children of separated parents’. Website: www.meandmaevegrace.com Instagram: @me.and.maevegrace.com Email: hello@meandmaevegrace.com Louisa Whitney website; www.lkwfamilymediation.co.uk

WORDS BY KATHLEEN NORTH APRIL 2021

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PACS

1 child + 1 child =

One panicking parent! So, you have decided to have baby number two but now you’re starting to panic about how your going to cope with two children. This month the Parent and Child Society Gibraltar (PACS) is here to offer some guidance on how to make the transition easier. If you thought having your first child was challenging and changed your life wait until you have your second one. Adding a second child to your family is just as hard but less daunting! There is no longer one child to take care of, feed, wash and entertain and the chores and household organisation has also doubled. Although we will not lie, adding a new child into your family can be hard it is important to remember that you coped from being child free to a parent and you will find your parenting groove again. Maybe when you were a parent of one child you could still preserve a lot of your pre baby lifestyle however with two children to look after it is hard to feel that you exist as an individual rather than a parent. With one child you can take down time for yourself however with two you may feel that you are constantly bouncing between two activities as one child sleeps another one wakes up. The best advice PACS can offer is to take a deep breath, trust that you have got this, and it shall pass. And when you find 5 minutes of peace take it the dishes or cleaning can wait. Adding a second child to the family does not only have an impact on you as a parent it has a massive impact on your first born who suddenly must share your attention. It is important to try and involve your first born in your pregnancy so that they can prepare their selves for the arrival of their new sibling. Explain to them that the new baby will not mean that you love them any less but there will be times that they will have to share your time. Once baby has arrived it is important to find a way to share your time between your children. This might mean while feeding your new-born you have your older child snuggling into you while you look at a book together. Experts also think spending special time with your firstborn away from the infant and outside of the home if possible can help, for example let granny or granddad look after the newborn while you take your first born for a special trip to the park.

This will help them to still feel that they have your attention. If you can involve them in the baby this will also help get them used to their sibling. Get them to help change the baby’s nappy or give the baby a bath. And while they are helping don’t forget to thank them and praise them for that help, e.g. “Thanks for helping get that nappy you were super quick and helpful” this will help your older child feel more comfortable with helping and included. Another good hack is to look at getting your older child a few new toys that they can do 100% on their own, e.g. puzzles, sticker books etc. These can help keep the bigger one entertained while you need to focus on baby. The main thing to remember is that the first few weeks and months will be stressful, and you may feel that you have not got it all together, but remember that you are still learning and forming a bond, not only with your new baby but a bond as a new big and better family unit. So, drop the mum guilt and remember you are doing a great job. Also do not forget PACS is here in Gibraltar to offer you support at our play sessions, so once you are ready bring along you little ones to a session and introduce them to the fun and games we have each week! We have volunteers on hand to hold a baby, lend an ear, order a tea or just play with your toddler. In Gibraltar, the Parent and Child Society have been offering playgroups to the community for the last 10 years. The Society offers several different sessions suitable for all children under the age of 5. So, although it could be scary to come along to a new place, we encourage you to take the plunge and come see what we do at our sessions. For all the dates and times of our current sessions please follow us on our Facebook page Parent and Child Society Gibraltar.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

WORDS BY THE PARENT AND CHILD SOCIETY GIBRALTAR (PACS) GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

WHAT YOU PUT ON YOUR BODY IS AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT YOU PUT IN IT It makes sense that what we eat or put into our bodies can have a major impact on our health and wellness. However, have you ever wondered how our health is impacted by what we put ON our bodies? The simple reason is that what we put on our bodies is often absorbed into our bodies, and in certain beauty products that includes potentially harmful synthetic compounds called parabens. Today, we’re more aware than ever about how important it is to look after our skin and make sure the products we use are free from harmful chemicals. There are definitely some benefits to switching to natural beauty products, especially for those of us who have sensitive skin. Beauty products that contain chemicals or artificial fragrances can irritate the skin so switching to products without these ingredients could cause less irritation. What does natural beauty mean to you? For some, natural beauty may mean going back to basics and focussing on nourishing their hair, skin and nails with a healthy diet and carefully selected supplements and beauty products. For others, natural beauty may still look like a full-face of makeup and styled hair, but with a focus on products that use naturally derived ingredients as their inspiration. Common natural beauty ingredients include Argan oil, Beeswax, Cocoa butter, Collagen, Vitamin E, Flaxseed oil, Glycerine, Hyaluronic acid, Jojoba oil, Manuka Honey and Retinol, amongst others. There is another term used in natural beauty products that is classed as ‘clean’. Clean beauty and natural beauty share many of the same values, but clean beauty has its own niche focus points. Clean products are usually made from ingredients with a natural origin, not a synthetic one and they are kinder to the environment, e.g. zero waste, waterless, vegan and sustainably packaged. Holland & Barrett specialise in clean and conscious natural beauty products, many of which smell divine and don’t contain strong, offensive odours often used to mask the smell of products containing chemicals. Show your skin some love by adding Hyaluronic acid, a potent hydrator moisturiser, into your beauty routine. Holland & Barrett Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid Serum has been formulated with high quality, natural ingredients to help give your face an amazing healthy-aging boost. The vitamin C and hyaluronic acid in this concentrated serum are thought to have numerous potential benefits for the face, including: brightening up the skin and making it appear happier and healthier; moisturising the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and/or wrinkles, and refreshing and restoring the skin so your face has a natural glow.

If you are looking for a moisturiser to create firmer, smoother and more youthful skin, Dr Organic Collagen Anti-Aging Moisturiser with Dragon's Blood contains a natural tree resin that has been sustainably sourced from the Amazonian forests of Peru. This advanced moisturiser has been clinically proven to increase hydration and to plump and soften the skin while minimising redness and helps protect against environmental damage. Prior to your moisturising routine, use the Dr Organic Charcoal Face Scrub rich in organic, bioactive extracts. This anti-pollution detoxifying face scrub is great for exfoliating and deep pore purifying. If you have dry skin, use Weleda Skin Food from Holland & Barrett made with organic sunflower seed oil and extracts of wild pansy, chamomile, calendula and rosemary. This nourishing moisturising cream is packed with plant extracts and essential oils and is ideal for very dry skin, areas of tight or cracked skin, or any areas in need of a little extra care. It can be used as a protective cream in harsh weather, and is a great choice if you spend time outdoors. If you or members of your family suffer with skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, then you need to make sure that they are using products that are specifically designed to be kind to their skin. The Miaderma range of skin-friendly formulations are available at Holland & Barrett and include shampoos, skin care and even shower gel that may help to soothe the symptoms of eczema or psoriasis and soften dry skin. Balmonds is another leading name in natural skincare that only ever uses 100% natural ingredients in its products. Balmonds Skin Salvation, made with beeswax, chamomile, hempseed and olive oil will help to soothe sensitive skin and is suitable for adults, children or babies. Balmonds Chamomile Baby Oil works brilliantly to lock in moisture during or after bathing your baby. Use as a soothing baby massage oil or during cleaning and changing your baby, but it’s not just for baby! Its luscious organic ingredients make it a great facial cleanser, a relaxing massage oil, an all-natural body oil and even works as a rich and effective shaving oil. There are many reasons people opt for natural beauty, including having sensitive skin, being eco-conscious, being vegan, and preferring organic ingredients. Holland & Barrett Gibraltar has a large selection of clean and natural products to help maintain and improve your skin, hair and nails as well as your overall health and wellness.

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

COVID-19, NUTRITION AND IMMUNITY The past year has seen an overall increase in focus on nutrition and healthy living with regards to immunity against Covid-19. It is important to note that no food or supplement, can protect you from getting the coronavirus (COVID-19). However, a healthy immune system will help defend the body against infections; having a healthy diet influences this important function. The British Nutrition Foundation outlines immune-supporting nutrients in a wide range of foods.

NUTRIENT

ROLE IN IMMUNE SYSTEM

FOOD SOURCES

Vitamin A

Helps support T-cells (a type of white blood cell that helps identify pathogens).

Liver and cheese are dietary sources of retinol (“pre-formed” vitamin A). Dark green leafy vegetables and orange-coloured fruits and vegetables, e.g. carrots, sweet potato, butternut squash, cantaloupe melon and papaya, are dietary sources of carotenoids, which can be converted to vitamin A by the body.

Vitamin B6

Helps produce new immune cells, metabolise antibodies and helps immune cells to communicate.

Poultry, fish, fortified breakfast cereals, egg yolk, yeast extract, soya beans, sesame seeds and some fruit and vegetables, such as banana, avocado and green pepper.

Vitamin B12

Helps to produce new immune cells.

Meat, fish, shellfish, milk, cheese, eggs, fortified yeast extract and fortified breakfast cereals.

Vitamin C

Helps immune cells attack pathogens, helps clear away old immune cells from the site of infection and helps to maintain the skin, our external barrier to infection.

Citrus fruits, blackcurrants, strawberries, papaya, kiwi, green vegetables, peppers and tomatoes.

Copper

Helps to protect and fuel immune cells.

Bread, breakfast cereals, rice, quinoa, meat, fish and shellfish, pulses, avocado, dried fruit, nuts and seeds.

Vitamin D

Role not clear but low status is associated with reduced immune response.

Oily fish, eggs, fortified breakfast cereals, fortified spreads and fortified dairy products. We are all advised to consider taking a supplement of 10 micrograms a day from October to March, and all year round if we aren't often outdoors

Folate

Helps produce new immune cells.

Green vegetables, pulses, oranges, berries, nuts and seeds, cheeses, bread and fortified breakfast cereals.

Iron

Helps maintain the health of immune cells.

Offal, red meat, beans, pulses, nuts and seeds, fish (such as canned sardines, cockles and mussels), quinoa, wholemeal bread and dried fruits.

Selenium

Helps produce new immune cells and can help to strengthen response to infection.

Nuts and seeds (for example Brazil nuts, cashews and sunflower seeds), eggs, offal poultry, fish and shellfish.

Zinc

Helps produce new immune cells, helps develops ‘natural killer cells’ that help to fight off viruses and supports communication between immune cells.

Meat, poultry, cheese, some shellfish (including crab, cockles and mussels), nuts and seeds (in particular pumpkin seeds and pine nuts), wholegrain breakfast cereals and wholegrain and seeded breads.

The wide range of nutrients implicated in immunity suggests that a healthy, balanced and varied diet is importanthttps://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthyliving/covid19/immunity.html

SUPPLEMENTS

This means you should eat:

With regard to vitamin and mineral supplements, The BNF highlights that there is no evidence that these can prevent or treat viral infections. Whilst there is some indication that vitamin C may reduce the duration and severity of the common cold, it is not clear whether vitamin C would have any effect on coronavirus symptoms.

• Plenty of bread, rice potatoes, pasta and other starchy foods

If you are worried that your diet does not provide you with all you need, you could consider a multivitamin and mineral supplement. The best advice is to eat healthy diet that provide a range of foods from each of the main food groups in the right amounts so your body gets all the nutrients it needs while maintaining a healthy weight.

• Plenty of fruit and vegetables • Some milk, cheese and yoghurt • Some meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein, and • ust a small amount of foods and drinks high in fats, salt and sugar For more information on healthy eating visit: https://healthygibraltar.org/healthy-eating/

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

SPRING – WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE? LONGER DAYS, THE FLOWERS ARE STARTING TO BLOOM AND THERE IS THE HOPE FOR REBIRTH AND RENEWAL. It’s time to transform our lives and our mindset, especially after the past year which for many of us was filled with anxiety and uncertainty. We all need a little bit more happiness and one way that we can achieve this is by adopting some of the many free mood boosting habits, one of which is positive thinking. Start the day by smiling at yourself in the mirror. Yoko Ono was a huge proponent of smiling. “It is the simplest thing to make yourself healthy and make others feel good,” she said. Even though you may not feel like smiling, just forcing yourself to smile can actually make you happy and improve your mood. The more you do it, the more it will develop into a habit that links smiling and happiness together and when our brain thinks we are happy, it releases the happy hormone dopamine.

PUT A

Nature is an amazing tool that can help us to become more mindful. Going outside for just half an hour daily can help us to feel happier. During the winter months, even in sunny Mediterranean regions, our reserves of vitamin D can become severely depleted. Vitamin D, also called the sunshine vitamin, is essential for brain health and mood as it boosts serotonin levels. So soak up those rays, but always remember to stay safe and use sunscreen to protect your skin.

has been a lot of coverage of intermittent fasting recently and although this detox technique may not be for everyone, especially people who have a history of disordered eating, diabetics or pregnant women, done correctly it can help you to lose weight and feel good about your appearance. The diet means adhering to a 12-hour fasting window every day, and the easiest way to do this is to include the period whilst you sleep into the fasting time. For example, you could have your last meal of the day before 7 p.m. and then wait until 7 a.m. to eat breakfast. However, you should eat wholesome, well-balanced meals during the day to avoid nutrient deprivation. Setting a positive intention for the day, whether that is first thing in the morning before you get out of bed, or whether it is during your daily walk, can help you achieve your happiness goals, however big or small they may be. Start by making a list of what you really want as opposed to what you think you want and focus on that. Keep your intentions brief and repeat them throughout your day but concentrate on motivational based intentions. For instance: “I intend to write 10,000 words of my book today” rather than “I want to become an author”.

IN YOUR STEP

Whilst you are out and about, try to use all your senses to experience the world around you. Take deep breaths and think about the smell (hopefully not unpleasant), listen and identify the sounds that you can hear, investigate your surroundings, what new things can you touch and what changes can you see? Focus your mind on the things you are most grateful for and make a mental note of how you feel. Walking doesn’t require an expensive gym membership and is an enjoyable way to get fit. Start with a casual stroll and gently ramp up the pace until you are walking faster, extending the duration of your walk by five minutes every week or so. The positive effects of exercise will flood your brain with happy neurotransmitters and endorphins. Look after your body, outside and in, and you will reap the benefits not only physically but mentally as well. Spring is the perfect season to implement a cleansing routine that will help restore your body to its full capacity. Maybe you can commit to drinking more water and trying to start to eat more healthily. There

Remind yourself that you are fabulous. It doesn’t matter what others think of you, because what you think about yourself is all that is important. Believe that happiness is a choice and look for the positivity in everything. There is always something good that can be found. Are you a glass half full or glass half empty person? In other words, are you an optimist who focuses on the good (glass half full) or are you a pessimist who only ever sees the negative side of things (glass half empty)? Those people who maintain a positive attitude are happier, healthier, and even wealthier and this is because the positive thinking that usually comes with optimism is a key part of effective stress management, often associated with health benefits. Another tool to manage stress is laughing and as the old adage goes “laughter is the best medicine”. In a similar way to smiling at yourself in the mirror, when you can laugh at life you feel less stressed, so make giggling and laughing a priority and, like all medicine, try to take it on a daily basis. Remember that no-one is perfect, we all have flaws, and that loving and accepting yourself is so important to your mental wellbeing. There will always be challenges and lessons to learn along the way, but eventually things will become easier. Strive to accept your limitations, give yourself some TLC and put that spring into your step.

WORDS BY JO WARD GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

World Immunization Week is celebrated during the last week of April each year. It aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. World Immunization Week is celebrated during the last week of April each year. It aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. Immunization saves millions of lives every year and is recognized as one of the world’s most successful health interventions. This year the World Health Organization (WHO) have chosen the theme ‘Vaccines bring us closer’, to highlight the role vaccines play in bringing people together. WHO draws attention to the fact that for over 200 years, vaccines have protected us all against diseases that threaten lives and prohibit our development. With vaccines, we can progress without the burden of diseases - smallpox and polio are examples of infectious diseases that cost humanity hundreds of millions of lives, brought to the point of eradication following global effort. We are still fighting for Universal Health Coverage worldwide; something that provides ALL people quality health services, medicines and vaccinations, without financial burden. In Gibraltar we are fortunate to have free vaccination programmes, but the uptake for those eligible is nowhere near 100%.

services, medicines and vaccinations, without financial burden. In Gibraltar we are fortunate to have free vaccination programmes, but the uptake for those eligible is nowhere near 100%. Vaccines teach our immune systems to create antibodies to allow protection from diseases. For certain illnesses, it is much safer for our immune systems to gain defence through vaccination than by catching the diseases and treating them. Getting vaccinated not only protects you, but can also benefit the whole community through "herd immunity". When enough people are vaccinated, it becomes harder for the disease to spread to those people who cannot have vaccines. This is particularly important for people who are ill or have a weakened immune system. WHO stresses that whilst vaccines do not provide a “silver bullet” they do help us progress on a path to a world where we can be together again. Vaccines themselves continue to advance, bringing us closer to a world free from conditions such as tuberculosis and cervical cancer, and ending suffering from childhood diseases like tetanus and measles. Read more: @PublicHealthGib / www. HealthyGibraltar.org

We are still fighting for Universal Health Coverage worldwide; something that provides ALL people quality health

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Movement, exercise or keeping fit is intrinsically linked to our physical, psychological and mental health wellbeing. Whether it is yoga, running or visiting the gym, the importance of finding our own preferred activity cannot be underestimated. For an increasing number of women, the ballet classes aimed at females aged in their 50’s plus, called Silver Swans is a popular choice. The Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker Bowles is a fan of these dance classes. She has discussed attending the classes with friends and how much she enjoys them. Barbara McDermott and Alison Garstin from Belfast both attend Silver Swans classes.

Silver

Jessica Angel, is an international artist working with photography, dance and moving image. Jessica thinks ‘Dance works at so many levels. There is a myth in Europe, that if you didn’t start ballet at 4, and finish your training by 18 - then it’s not possible. Apart from the sheer pleasure and joy that dance gives, ballet also taps into the neuro-plasticity of the mind and body. Ballet is a very specific discipline, and the exercises are really designed to build up strength and flexibility in muscles that we are not accustomed to using in our day to day life - and the sequencing of exercises build up co-ordination. Combine the strength, flexibility and co-ordination and they allow us to create much better alignment that can really impact our posture and balance as we mature. Add to this the fact that learning a new skill creates new neural pathways in the brain, in this case really connecting the brain with the physical body - allowing us to expand our cognitive capacity. So ballet is a dance form that can really support us as we mature, and a dance form that we can master to our own level - building confidence and presence’.

SWANS

‘It was purely through serendipity that I came to ballet’ explains Barbara. ‘After retiring from a demanding job, I took up a 'Wellness' class, having been told it was based on contemporary dance. Initially surprised to hear strains of a Tchaikovsky piece and then being asked to take a place at the barre, it was soon apparent that I had joined a ballet class! A few months later I enrolled in the Clare Novaes Ballet School in Moira, taking the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus.

That was five years ago and I quickly became enthralled with the discipline of the movements, delightful music and the magic of expressing myself in this way. I find huge benefits of ballet training in promoting increased physical energy, strength and endurance. Now at the age of 72, I am as busy as ever and enjoying the camaraderie of new ballet friends. It was purely through chance that I came to Ballet. After retiring from a demanding job, I took up a ‘Wellness ‘class having been told it was based on Contemporary dance. Initially surprised to hear strains of a Tchaikovsky piece of music and then being asked to take a place at the barre, it was soon apparent that I had joined a ballet class! That was four years ago and I quickly became enthralled with the discipline of the movements, delightful music and the magic of expressing myself in this way. I am as busy as ever and enjoying the camaraderie with new ballet friends’. For Alison Garstin, her main motivation was to find a pleasurable way of exercising which she would be familiar whilst incorporating her life-long love for ballet. ‘By chance I met one of my old friends from ballet school days’, says Alison. ‘She encouraged me to join my teacher’s Laura’s Silver Swans which at first filled me with intrepidation. However, I need not have worried as Laura has perfectly pitched our weekly classes, now on zoom, to our abilities. I look forward to class and seeing old friends [we chat after class too].There is no doubt that my sense of balance and coordination have improved and as a result my confidence. I feel more mentally challenged by ballet compared to other forms of exercise which I have tried in the past and just love exercise to music. As for emotional benefits - well all I can say is that even though we take our classes fairly seriously, we have a lot of fun. Now I am returning as a ‘Silver Swan’ at the age of 62! I certainly don’t look like one, but have renewed old friendships and rekindled my love for ballet. It seems like it is never too late!’

RAD President Dame Darcey Bussell DBE says They Royal Academy of Dance is committed to promoting a love of dance in everyone, of any any age and of any ability, wherever you are across the globe. As the world-renowned home for dance, what a perfect way at this time to bring our expertise and passion to you wherever you are. Dance is such a creative, artistic activity that helps us all express our emotions while boosting positivity, wellbeing and keeping us fit’. Rhea Sheedy, ballet dancer and Ballet Fusion founder, believes ‘Any type of physical movement is vital for women as we age but ballet can be particularly beneficial. With movements that focus on strengthening and building the muscles (and muscles many other exercises can't target!), stretching and elongating muscles, as well as rapidly improving posture - adult ballet targets areas of the body that can weaken as we age. The great thing about adult ballet is the exercises aren't strenuous meaning they’re low-impact and can be done by almost anyone even those who are wheelchair-bound. It’s widely accepted that ballet participation can contribute to positive outcomes across various health and wellbeing areas and has been known to be especially effective for those with Parkinson’s disease. If you are a newcomer, it is important to get started under the guidance of a professional to prevent injury. If ballet, perhaps, isn’t your thing, don’t worry because even getting up and having a dance can help release tension in the body and boost those ‘happy’ endorphins we all love.’ Royal Academy of Dance website: www.royalacademyofdance.org/silverswans Rhea Sheedy website: www.balletfusion.co.uk Jessica Angel website: www.jessicaangel.com

WORDS BY KATHLEEN NORTH 72

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Just Married on the Rock

Mobile: 58897000 Email: nicholas64@gibtelecom.net

Jessica & William Married 18 February 2021 Photographer Nicky Sanchez

Gisela & Gianni Married 13 March 2021 Photographer Nicky Sanchez

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HOROSCOPES

YOUR FUTURE IN THE STARS

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WITH KATE MCHARDY

ARIES (Mar 21 - Apr 20)

LEO (Jul 23 - Aug 23)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 - Dec 21)

Think of Unicorns this month Aries, of the Full Moon and of freedom! Someone close is ready to spread their wings and you must expand your heart to send then forth with love and trust. Your divine energy connection covers any and all distances.

The times they are a changin’ Leo and you gotta be prepared! People look to you for leadership and so, at this time, you must watch your thoughts carefully. Make sure that they are only positive and wholesome and that your intentions are clear and for the good of all

You must set very clear boundaries this month, Sagittarius. And then you must enforce them. People and situations have been taking advantage of your warm heart and of your positive energy and this needs to be addressed. Tactfully and gently but very clearly.

VIRGO (Aug 24 - Sep 23)

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21) You are being reminded to stay balanced this month, Taurus. Speak your truth confidently and do not be swayed by the fears and opinions of others. Keep your heart pure and light and understand that doing so can help people see their situation from a balanced perspective.

You are being reminded to not overthink and to look at your troubles in a lighthearted way. This is not to minimize the challenges but to keep a clear perspective and to remain centered. In turn this will enable to rise above the past and to create a positive and love filled future.

LIBRA (Sep 24 - Oct 23) GEMINI (May 22 - Jun 22) You can be joyful and trusting that events will unfold to your liking this month, Gemini. Sometimes you put a shell-like protection around yourself and shut others out and you are being guided to drop that for now and listen to their ideas and suggestions.

You have been feeling overwhelmed by the energies around us all Libra. You are the expert in seeing both sides of a situation but, at the moment, you are struggling to do so. So simply breathe gently yet deeply into your souls and connect with your inner light. That’s all you have to do and your vibration will rise.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 - Nov 22)

CANCER (Jun 23 - Jul 22) Cancer…. This is the time to step into your magnificence! Stop hiding your light under a bushel and pluck up the confidence to be seen and heard! You have a voice you have a story to sing and you have information to share. And the world wants to hear it. Beautiful!

You can and should dare to be different this month, Scorpio. Embrace your uniqueness and be prepared to be the harbinger of change in your family and intimate social circle. Be clear on what is for your own highest good that when it truly is then so it is for the whole Universe.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 - Jan 20) I know you are really not in the mood to hear this Capricorn, but teamwork is the only way this month. To avoid endless frustration and disappointing results you must go with the maxim that, Together Everyone Achieves More! Trust me – it will work.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 - Feb 19) Be true to yourself, Aquarius, and the Universe will reward you. When you act with the noblest of intentions you may still be misunderstood as there will always be those who want to extinguish the light in others. Don’t worry .. keep holding your vision and shine your light.

PISCES (Feb 20 - Mar 20) This is a good time to take a look at how you have your physical and spiritual life balanced, Pisces. Do you have your feet firmly planted on the ground while being fully aware of your life purpose and spiritual energy? They support each other so be sure to nurture both.

For Private Readings Tel: (0034) 666 966 502 Email: katemch@gmail.com Facebook Group: Horoscopes Gibraltar 74

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Email: katemch@gmail.com Facebook Group: Horoscopes Gibraltar

FEATURE

Do you believe in

Angels DO YOU LISTEN TO THE BIRDS? IT IS SPRINGTIME AND THE BIRDS ARE CHIRRUPING MERRILY ALL DAY LONG AT THE MOMENT. MOSTLY, OF COURSE, IN THE EARLY MORNING WHEN THEY WELCOME THE NEW DAY AND IF YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE EARLY AWAKE BEINGS THEN REMEMBER TO LISTEN OUT FOR THEM. THEY SHARE SUCH JOY WITH US AND THE DIFFERENT TONES AND SOUNDS, MADE BY THE DIFFERENT SPECIES, ARE TUNING IN WITH THE VIBRATIONAL ENERGIES THEY FEEL ALL AROUND AND CONVEYING POWERFUL MESSAGES WHICH WE WILL UNDERSTAND IF WE WILL BUT STILL OURSELVES AND LISTEN WITH OUR HEARTS. This last year of transition has given us the opportunity to go deep within and listen to ourselves on a whole new level. I enjoy playing with words and finding meanings within meanings and one example of this is my chosen view of what we could glean from the word ‘lockdown’. What we could do with this period and how we could grow during it if we were to look at it from a different perspective. So, I turned it into its opposite and found that it was really a period to ‘open up’. This sat much more comfortably with my approach to things and I found it an extremely useful tool to help clients and friends navigate the way forward and find joy and inspiration during a period in which they could otherwise have felt disempowered and afraid. Many people who, previously, were too busy in the 3D world of busyness and perceived scarcity found themselves discovering great depths of richness within. Depths of wisdom, of emotional awareness and a recognised need to express love and appreciate the gift of life. The time to actually listen and hear each other and the (sometimes reluctant) acceptance of their spiritual essence. Of course, many people already walking their spiritual path were able to step forward and embrace the opportunity to express themselves more confidently knowing that they had something crucial to share with those around them struggling with fear and the loss of their everyday securities. Most of us grew up with the understanding that we all have a ‘guardian angel’. Different religions teach this concept and it certainly offers a comforting sense of security. Naturally, as children grow and begin to question life and beliefs, many reject the idea of having such a being watching over them. Youth’s energy, so often powered by ego, tends to think it knows best and that any such belief is for children or the weak minded.

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Most of us eventually come back, in some form, to an acceptance of ourselves as spiritual energies and choose to study, research and learn to pay attention to the many signs and messages that come to us which cannot be explained away by any scientific method. Back to the birds (I can hear them outside my window as I type). I believe that we are all creations of the Divine Source. Just as are the flowers and the trees, the birds and the bees. I find it interesting how we love and exclaim over the perfection of nature and yet we decry ourselves on a daily basis. Think of when you see the first spring flowers appearing. Don’t you feel something resonate within you? Sometimes we feel emotion literally welling up at the beauty of this little thing shooting up yet again, embracing the sun and the new life it is emerging into. We note the perfection of the petals and the miracle we are witnessing and we would never, ever, notice a misshapen petal or a slight imperfection in the colour. Never. And yet we do it with ourselves on a daily basis. Many, many times over. Then there is Self talk. Do you speak nicely to yourself? Do you exclaim about the wonder of you in the same way as you exclaim about the wonder of the primrose or the crocus? Think on this: “You will never speak to anyone as much as you speak to yourself in your head. So be kind to yourself”. By ‘opening up’ instead of ‘locking down’ we have been given the opportunity to leave old habits behind and grab the opportunity to create new and healthy ones. Thus, you can usher in new and better practices which can improve your life and take you forward in a new direction.

Discover the deep connection you share with wisdom, good judgement and knowledge. Sharpen your inner vision and your observation. And remember that you also possess insight and intuition and that you can learn to see beyond the masks that people wear. You can crack through the façade and determine which people have the most noble intentions from those who have not yet recognised their inner light. This is a period of change and transition that we are living through and, I believe, there are angels all around us helping us to pick our way through and to remain connected to the one body of consciousness. We are all pinheads of light on that one body of consciousness and we must learn to recognise our perfection, our light and the perfection and light in others. Even when they don’t recognise it in themselves. We are all familiar with references to angels. Referring to certain people as angels or glibly saying. “Oh, my guardian angel must have been looking out for me then!” So, next time you find this feeling slipping out of your mouth, stop, close your mouth and hold the feeling. Take a gentle breath in and out through your nose and softly ask your guardian angel for a sign. It will come.

Kate Mchardy MA(Hons) PGCE MSPH Spiritual coach, teacher and healer. katemch@gmail.com / Tel: +44 7712889534. Facebook: The University of Light Group / Readings at The University of Light (@tarotangelspiritreadings).

WORDS BY KATE MCHARDY

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Chocolate, Avocado & Peanut Avocados make a great base for this recipe as they don’t alter the taste of the chocolate and provide that fluffy whipped cream texture that make mousse so desirable. Finish it off with a little salty savouriness for a rich and indulgent dessert.

INGREDIENTS 1.5 Bananas

200g maple syrup / treacle

2 Avocados

100ml almond milk

120g peanut butter

Salt flakes

100g dark chocolate

50ml coconut cream

1 Tbsp cocoa powder

METHOD 1. Start with ripe avocados, cut them open in half, remove the stone and scoop out the insides into a bowl, you can throw away the skin. 2. Melt your chocolate until smooth and creamy and let it cool down a bit. Pass all the ingredients into a blender except for the salt flakes and coconut cream and blend together until creamy. Taste test the blend and adjust the sweetness if need be by adding more maple syrup until you are happy with it. 3. Transfer the mouse liquid into various pots and cover tightly with wax cloth or cling film to prevent a skin forming on top and allow to sit in the fridge for a few hours to fully set. 4. When ready to serve, mix together 50ml coconut cream with two tablespoons of peanut butter until combined, drizzle over your pots and sprinkle a crush of sea salt on top.

For more delicious Mama Lotties recipes visit:

www.mamalotties.com

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8 9

CROSSWORD

11 13

WIN!!! WIN!!! WIN!!!

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Eagerly desirous of achieving or obtaining success, power, wealth, a specific goal etc. (9)

1. Hard working insects. (4)

A FABULOUS HIMALAYAN SALT LAMP

2. _ _ _ _ s. Something given or paid over and above what is due (4)

5. Large game fish.(4)

Fill in the details below and send it, with the completed crossword, to Insight Magazine, First Floor, 77 Main Street, Gibraltar (Tel: 200 40913). Entries to be received before 24th of the month. A winner will be drawn from all correct entries and will receive a Himalayan Salt Lamp from The Light & Power Shop.

7. Not definite, ambiguous. (7)

3. Excessive, especially extremely so. (9)

9. B_ _s, a person who employs or superintends workers. (2)

4. The violation or profanation of anything sacred. (9)

11. Fluid from the eyes. (5)

6. Attached, appended. (7)

12. A vital, basic, decisive or pivotal point. (4)

8. A titled nobleman or peer. (4)

Name:....................................................................................

13. A coin of the U.S and Canada, the 10th part of a dollar, equal to 10 cents. (4)

10. To glance at or over, or read hastily. (4)

Address:................................................................................

14. To make a wager. (3)

11. A long hollow and typically cylindrical object. (4)

Tel: ............................................

15. A requirement, necessary duty or obligation. (4)

Last month’s lucky winner was: CLARA LORIGUILLO

16. At one time in the past; formerly. (4)

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The GLB SUV. £1,000 Cash Back Offer. In the GLB, you choose the shape your comfort takes. The second seat row with optional sliding adjustment lets you use the interior space in the way that best suits your lifestyle. And, with optional third-row seating (suitable for people up to 1.68m tall), the GLB provides room for up to seven occupants.

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T H E

H A R G R AV E

THE ART OF TOWN CENTRE LIVING

It’s not all just about a sea view. Our cityscape is full of character and beauty.

Gibraltar’s town centre is vibrant and charming and it’s only getting better. Over the years developments like The Arches, Prince Edwards Gate and Tarik Views, to name a few are restoring the beauty of our Old Town. The Hargrave aims to continue with the restoration of decaying yet stunning buildings into their natural glory with that contemporary touch.

BMI GROUP ESTATE AGENTS C o n t a c t : + 3 5WORDS 0 2 0 0BY5RICHARD 1 0 1 0 o rCARTWRIGHT email info@bmigroup.gi 80

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