Gibraltar Insight™ December 2021

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DECEMBER 2021

Gibraltar Insight Deputy Editor: Jean King

Gibraltar Insight - the Rock’s longest running magazine.

Accounts & Administration: Rosemary Salah-El-Din

Published by GBZ Media Ltd, The WorkLab, WestOne, Europort Road, Gibraltar, GX11 1AA.

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The names Gibraltar Insight, Bermuda Insight, Mum On The Rock, SYOG, Superyacht Owners’ Guide & GBZ Media are marks of GBZ Media (Overseas) Limited, used under exclusive licence. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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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.

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DE C E M B E R ISSUE 68

Contents

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18

Community Insight 8

GFRS GEARING BACK

9

SCHOOL VISITS TO HMS DRAGON

Business Insight 11

TAX RESIDENCY APP LAUNCH

Forces Insight 16

GDP POLICE DOGS

Police Insight 22 FEED A FAMILY

Sports Insight 38

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THE STORY OF 2021

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Features 18 23 24 29 33 44 46 48 50 52 55 62 64 75

CHRISTMAS WITH GBC: GERARD TEUMA BE TOY SAFETY AWARE WITH OFT GIBRALTAR RELISHING WINTER ANIMALS IN NEED FOUNDATION CHRISTMAS HOW IT USED TO BE SHOPPING HABITS FEED A FAMILY VALERGA BROTHERS EXPLORING CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS RIVER CRUISING WRITING DOWN OUR EMOTIONS FOR THE MERRIEST TIME OF THE YEAR MEDIATION LOVE COMES DOWN AT CHRISTMAS

Regular Features 13 20 26 34 40 42: 58 60 67 70 72 74 78

#HARDTOHACK HISTORY: THE CLOSURE OF THE BORDER GIANA SPITERI: 10 WAYS TO GET INTO THE FESTIVE SPIRIT TECHNOLOGY: SANTA’S LITTLE GADGETS GIBRALTAR RUGBY: RUGBY VALUES GFA: U19S FUTSAL DEBUT JUST MARRIED ON THE ROCK HEALTH: WINTER WELLNESS PACS: GETTING CRAFTY MOTORING INSIGHT: PORSCHE 718 CAYMAN GT4 ADOPT DON’T SHOP HOROSCOPES LIGHT & POWER CROSSWORD

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2021 Another difficult year has passed in Gibraltar, and with it new challenges and - often - new opportunities.

The COVID situation continued to play havoc with everyone's lives, friends and families, but in the end the true Gibraltarian spirit of sticking together in the face of adversity shone through.

To the GHA, we salute you. To the RGP & GDP, we thank you. To British Forces Gibraltar, we will forever be indebted to you for bringing all those vaccines to our Rock.

Our politicians and public servants, be they party leaders or involved in postal delivery, have all done one thing. They put Gibraltar and kith and kin first.

2022 will no doubt bring new challenges, and milestones. It marks the 30th year of this publication from humble beginnings.

Let's celebrate the Festive Season and look forward to fresh outlooks and challenges in the New Year.

ALL YOUR FRIENDS AT INSIGHT.

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COMMUNITY INSIGHT

GFRS GEARING BACK LIKE MOST ORGANISATIONS, THE GIBRALTAR FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE’S TRAINING SCHEDULE, HAS BEEN SLOWLY RETURNING TO SOME FORM OF NORMALITY, AFTER BEING SERIOUSLY DISRUPTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. As soon as restrictions allowed, personnel were engaged in both local and overseas training events, resulting in a busy schedule of late.

INCIDENT COMMAND COURSE - ICL3 Station Officers Jason Mesilio and Adrian McComb completed the Advanced Tactical Incident Command course (ICL 3) at the Fire Service College (FSC) in Moreton-InMarsh, Gloucestershire. The course provides delegates with the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding, to perform advanced tactical incident commander duties when managing larger and more serious incidents.

TACTICAL VENTILATION INSTRUCTOR COURSE Also at The Fire Service College, Sub/Officer Jared Olivero and Leading Fire Fighter Martin Posso, together with colleagues from the Airport Fire and Rescue Service, attended Tactical Ventilation Instructor’s Course,

THE MINISTER FOR SPORT, THE HON STEVEN LINARES MET WITH LOCAL FEMALE FOOTBALLER SHANIA ROBBA WHO IS TAKING PART IN THE ULTIMATE GOAL SEASON 2, CURRENTLY SHOWING ON BT SPORTS 1.

The Ultimate Goal, now in its second season, is a football academy programme in search for the next female football star, featuring 26 players recruited from around the globe. The academy is run by former and present superstars of football with the participants receiving masterclasses, guidance and mentorship assisting them in their football careers. The final stage of the competition is an 11- a-side football match against top class opposition in front of dozens of scouts from all around the world.

Each week the programme follows the life of one of the competitors, with Shania who is currently in the last 16 of the competition featuring in an episode filmed in Gibraltar.

This course encapsulated “modern” firefighting techniques, whereby fires and products of combustion are mechanically and/or naturally managed, in order to create less arduous environments for fire fighters and survivable conditions for trapped occupants.

HM NAVAL BASE EXERCISE - HMS DRAGON Closer to home, personnel took part in an exercise on board HMS Dragon. Simulating a fire on board the vessel, GFRS personnel, assisted by the vessel’s crew, conducted “search and rescue” and firefighting operations. This provided an excellent opportunity to test various aspects of our response, including JESIP interoperability principles.

A TIME TO REMEMBER A wreath was laid to commemorate the armistice and to honour The Fallen. Station Officer Jason Mesilio, proudly represented the GFRS at both events.

The Minister with responsibility for Fire and Rescue Services, the Hon Samantha Sacramento, also added "Training enables firefighters to learn new skills and techniques in order to make their jobs safer. Training days such as these keep firefighters active and engaged in this important field of work. It serves so many purposes that it is imperative for all firefighters to undertake as many courses and training events as possible to strengthen the capabilities of our Fire Service."

Minister Linares said, “I wish to publicly congratulate Shania for her great achievement and joining so many Gibraltarian sportsmen and women in placing Gibraltar on the world stage of sports. Her hard work, determination and the many hours of training since a very young age is reflected in her success. I wish her all the best in the programme and in all her sporting endeavours."

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COMMUNITY INSIGHT

School Visits To HMS Dragon HAVING JUST APPEARED ON THE BIG SCREEN IN THE LATEST JAMES BOND ADVENTURE, HMS DRAGON PROVIDED THE PERFECT VENUE FOR WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE AN ACTION-PACKED ADVENTURE FOR GIBRALTARIAN SCHOOLCHILDREN. They had opportunities to find out more about the wide range of roles and equipment on board and to get hands-on with some very special activities.

From sitting in the Captain’s chair to working on their firefighting skills using hoses, the children were fascinated by all that they saw. They even used binoculars to try and spot their school from on board!

GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

Vicky Stephens, St Christopher’s Early Years Foundation Stage Leader said, “It was brilliant to be able to provide an insight into the world in which some of their parents work.”

Sonia Lopez, headteacher from St Bernard's added, “I can’t thank the crew of HMS Dragon enough for the simply phenomenal tour given to our children today. The children had an amazing time which I am sure they will hold dear in their memories for many, many years to come.

The teachers who attended said it was the best educational visit they had ever been on.”

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BUSINESS INSIGHT The Cross Fro ntier Group cha nges its Office expresses concer bearers and n about the pro gress of the neg otiations.

In a

meeting held yes terday by the Cro took on the Pre ss Frontier Gro sidency, Julian up, María del Mar Risso the Vice role of Secreta Sanchez Presidency and ry. The organiz Manuel Triano the ations that mak shared their con e up the Cross cern about the neg Frontier Group otiations of the 12.11.2021 post Brexit Agr eement.

TAX RESIDENCY APP LAUNCH A new tax residency app called Ovrnite has been launched in Gibraltar to help residents comply with their fiscal obligations arising under the recently passed Tax Treaty with Spain.

Under the new rules, Gibraltar tax residents have to ensure that they comply with the requirements for establishing Gibraltar tax residency, i.e. being present in Gibraltar for 183 days per year.

A spokesperson for Ovrnite commented, “keeping an accurate track of where you spend your days and nights is an extremely important aspect of establishing or maintaining tax residency in Gibraltar and/or avoid tax residency in Spain – this is a common feature of tax residency rules in most

During the cou rse of the mee ting held by the organizations that trade make up the Cro office bearers was ss Frontier Group, union and business the annual rotation ratified in accord conduct. ance with the organization’s cod of e of The Presidency and Spanish spo kesperson lies Empresarios de with the Confede Cadiz, represented racion de Presidency and

by Maria del Mar Gib Sanchez. The Vice represented by Juli raltar spokesperson has been assigned to the an Risso, whilst GGCA, Comisiones Obr

by Manuel Triano, eras (CCOO), rep assumes the role resented of Secretary.

Additionally, the organizations that compose the Cro the application of ss Frontier Group the La Linea bus accepted iness organizatio as a full member n, AADELL, to join . the group On other matters , the trade union and Group were una nimous in express business organizations that com pose the ing their concern the negotiations regarding the pro in reaching a fina gre l agreement that that will govern the will set out the fram ss in post Brexit relation ework ship in respect of Gibraltar.

In this regard, the socioeconomic rep appealed to the resentatives from parties that they both sides of the facilitate an agreem frontier needs, aspirations ent that respond and concerns of s to the the citizens and businesses in the area.

It was agreed at the meeting that a letter would be the parties in drafted and address the negotiation process; the Eur ed Government, the opean Union, the to all Government of Spa British conveys the pos in and the Govern ition and concern ment of Gibralta s of the Cross Fro r, which them to reach a ntier Group and satisfactory Agreem which urges ent.

jurisdictions. The cross-border lifestyle led by many people that call Gibraltar home, means that we have to be careful to comply with these rules – particularly as “a day” constitutes any time spent in a country – not just a full day. Ovrnite assists Gibraltar tax residents by automatically keeping track of days and nights spent in Gibraltar, Spain and elsewhere”.

Ovrnite also contains a “Schengen Area Tracker” which assists British citizens to keep track of time spent within the Schengen Area. Under current rules, this is capped to 90 days in every 180 days inside the Schengen Area.

The app is available for download in the App Store for iOS devices, and on Google Play.

MEETING WITH FOREIGN SECRETARY The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo QC MP met with the Foreign Secretary Rt Hon Liz Truss MP during a recent trip to London. He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia CMG MP and the Attorney General Michael Llamas QC CMG.

then unable to attend after testing positive for COVID-19.

Mr Picardo and Dr Garcia arrived in London for a series of meetings and contacts dealing with the UK/EU negotiations.

The meeting with the Foreign Secretary was positive and it provided an opportunity to review a number of questions including the ongoing negotiations with the EU for a treaty on the future relationship of Gibraltar.

The Chief Minister had been due to meet the Foreign Secretary during the last Conservative Party conference, which he was

GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

The Chief Minister said of the visit, "It was great to have a chance to meet in person with Foreign Secretary Truss. We have worked very well together in her time as President of the Board of Trade and have spoken already since she took over from Dominic Raab at the FCDO. Today was a chance to meet face to face and progress our work together on the important issue of the positive, ongoing UK/ EU negotiation."

CROSS FRONTIER

GROUP MEETING In a meeting held by the Cross Frontier Group, María del Mar Sanchez took on the Presidency, Julian Risso the Vice Presidency and Manuel Triano the role of Secretary.

The Presidency and Spanish spokesperson lies with the Confederacion de Empresarios de Cadiz, represented by Maria del Mar Sanchez.

The Vice- Presidency and Gibraltar spokesperson has been assigned to the GGCA, represented by Julian Risso, whilst Comisiones Obreras (CCOO), represented by Manuel Triano, assumes the role of Secretary.

Additionally, the organisations that compose the Cross Frontier Group accepted the application of the La Linea business organisation, AADELL, to join the group as a full member.

The organisations that make up the Cross Frontier Group shared their concern about the negotiations of the post-Brexit Agreement.

The trade union and business organisations were unanimous in expressing their concern regarding the progress in respect of Gibraltar. They appealed to all the parties involved to lay a framework that meets the needs, aspirations and concerns of the citizens and businesses in the whole area.

As such, iIt was agreed that a letter would be drafted and addressed to all the parties in the negotiation process, namely the European Union, the British Government, the Government of Spain and the HM Government of Gibraltar.

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PARASOL_ADVERTS_26.11.2020_.pdf

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WEALTH MANAGEMENT | VENTURE CAPITAL | PHILANTHROPY ESTABLISHED 2004

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

INFO@PARASOLINTERNATIONAL.COM 12

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FEATURE

3 SIMPLE AND TIMELESS STEPS TO ENSURE YOU ARE

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THIS AND EVERY CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST US UPON US, AGAIN! THIS TIME LAST YEAR, WE OUTLINED 3 SIMPLE STEPS THAT YOU CAN TAKE TO MAKE YOU, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR BUSINESS, AND GIBRALTAR MORE SECURE AND #HARDTOHACK. THESE SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE STEPS ARE TIMELESS AND SO IMPORTANT TO YOUR PERSONAL CYBER RESILIENCE THAT THEY ARE WORTH REINFORCING AGAIN AT THIS TIME OF YEAR. CYBER CRIMINALS WILL ACTIVELY BE EXPLOITING SHOPPERS IN THE LEAD UP TO CHRISTMAS. People are planning to spend an estimated £32.25bn online on their Christmas purchases this year, according to research and insight company Statista.

enter your email address and the site will tell you whether it is associated with a breach and if so, what other data has been stolen.

Mike Wills, Co Founder at CSS Platinum, said shoppers rushing to secure the perfect present at the best price are at greater risk of malicious threats.

“If you have been breached, it is even more important that you change your password to break the chain. Next, you need to understand whether you have been entered into any spambots – as the name suggests, these are bots that send spam to you.

He added: “In the run-up to Christmas, many outlets will run promotional offers to encourage spending. This is a potentially lucrative time of year for cyber criminals as they know shoppers are less vigilant as they rush to snap up the best deals.

“Cyber criminals will no doubt be looking to take advantage of the vast number of transactions taking place and the financial information being shared as a result. There is also an increase in promotional email traffic, which makes it hard to differentiate the real bargains from scams – presenting a heightened risk of phishing attacks.

“With this in mind, it is critical consumers take steps to protect themselves and their families.”

“While some spam is laughable, others are highly credible. If you’re rushing, there’s a higher chance you will click a link in a spam email, which could execute malware or ransomware on your device.

“Unfortunately, the only way to rectify and avoid your exposure to spam – and, in turn, the chances of clicking on a malicious link – is by changing your email address. This is best done by transitioning email address information on websites over a period time. While this is an arduous task, it is vital for protecting yourself.”

CHECK YOUR ANTI-VIRUS PASSWORD MANAGEMENT: “Firstly, shoppers should change their passwords right away. While this is a faff, it is the single greatest defence you can make to protect yourself against a cyber-attack and will instantly make you much safer online.

“Currently, there are millions of emails and passwords for sale on the dark web, which have been breached by companies that have not protected people’s personal data sufficiently. Cyber criminals can buy this data for minimal amounts of money and could use it to gain access to your emails.

“They will look for social media accounts and online high street accounts and test your combination to gain access. From this, they can gather more personal data until they have enough to take our credit in your name or use your saved payment cards to make online purchases, for example.”

“Finally, make sure your anti-virus protection is installed, activated with a valid licence and updated. While free anti-virus software is available, it won’t protect you sufficiently. Competition to provide the best anti-virus changes year on year between the main vendors as they achieve technology breakthroughs in response to the evolution in cyber threats.

“The best thing to do is check reputable tech websites for reviews of the best current anti-virus software. We recommend buying a one-year licence, and then when it comes to renew, assess which company has moved to the forefront of anti-malware protection. There will always be new customer deals to be had.”

Be resilient and have a very Merry Christmas from all at CSS Platinum.

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 and/or email support@cssplatinum.com.

PERSONAL DATA BREACH IDENTIFICATION “It is a good idea to understand whether your data has been breached so you can put in place other necessary measures to protect yourself. To do this you can use a free service provided by Have I Been Pwned. All you need to do is

WORDS BY MIKE WILLS INSIGHT'S ONLINE REACH 2020-21 WAS OVER 520,000 - EMAIL HELLO@GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM FOR ADVERTISING OPTIONS

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ARMED FORCES INSIGHT

GIBRALTAR DEFENCE POLICE CURRENTLY HAS OVER TEN WORKING DOGS WHICH ARE BASED AT ITS HEADQUARTERS IN DEVIL’S TOWER CAMP. This includes three breeds of dogs – German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois, who all work as general-purpose dogs and a Springer Spaniel, known as sniffer dogs, who can find illegal drugs, quantities of cash, explosives, and digital media storage devices, such as hard drives and SIM cards.

Six years ago, the kennels had a major renovation where heated floors were installed for those cold winter months and air conditioning for those warm summer days. A one-way glass window also installed to allow the dogs to have some privacy. There is a hatch that leads to a larger outside area so the dogs can go out and stretch their paws.

As well as changes to the inside kennels, the outside compound now consists of a separate exercise area featuring grass and play equipment such as tunnels and an agility ramp to help stimulate the dogs and encourage play. At the back of the establishment there is a shower room, a medical room and of course, the room that holds their tasty food.

RFA FORT VICTORIA RFA FORT VICTORIA ARRIVED AT HMNB GIBRALTAR FOR A SCHEDULED LOGISTICS VISIT. Providing vital support to the wider fleet by acting as a stores ship and a fleet tanker, Fort Victoria is fitted with four central replenishment rigs enabling her to replenish two warships simultaneously with fuel and stores - with another refuelling rig at her rear.

Having a large flight-deck, hangar and maintenance facilities for helicopters, Fort Victoria also has embarked specialists with a variety of roles in the monitoring, surveillance and preparation for a response to any life threatening incident at sea.

A former GDP Officer, Melvyn Brier, created a memorial area where he handcrafted a plaque for those Police Dogs who dedicated their working lives to the force.

Chief of Police Rob Allen said, “Police dogs are a valuable asset to operational policing and a well-loved part of the Gibraltar Defence Police family, as well as the general public. Members of the public can rest assured that our four-legged constables are well-looked after in five star accommodation.”

By the age of 7, the dogs are usually ready to hang up their K-9 badges and enjoy spending the rest of their days relaxing. The dogs will either retire locally or they will be sent back to the UK to be rehomed. This December, PD Anja will be retiring and moving in with PC Sodi.

Happy retirement Anja!

GDP OFFICER ADRIAN SODI

A Gibraltar Defence Police Sergeant was surprised when he was called into the GDP Headquarters to receive a commendation.

Police Sergeant 44 Adrian Sodi is one of the GDP’s Police Search Advisors (PolSA), a role which he carries out in addition to his normal duties as one the Force’s operational duty sergeants.

There are currently only three trained PolSA officers within the GDP. This specialised role, coordinating and directing searches, involves PS Sodi leading a team of licensed search officers to conduct 16

searches in advance of events throughout Gibraltar, including visiting vessels and ceremonial events. In addition, he has worked with the Royal Gibraltar Police, assisting in the conduct of significant crime scene searches.

He has been commended by the Chief of Police, Rob Allen for "His overall dedication and professionalism in leading and coordinating search operations on behalf of the force over a protracted period of significantly increased operational activity including the inaugural visit of HMS Prince of Wales to Gibraltar”.

SEASONS GREETINGS FROM THE TEAM AT INSIGHT!

On receiving his commendation, Sergeant Sodi commented, “I’m grateful to receive this recognition but I have to say that each and every one of these searches is a team effort, so I see this as recognition for the team as well as myself.”

While presenting the commendation, Mr Allen said, “This is a well-deserved recognition for an officer who has repeatedly gone above and beyond to deliver for this force in many roles, but in this case specifically in leading and conducting searches to an extremely high standard.”

GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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FEATURE

Christmas witH

WORDS BY JO WARD 18

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FEATURE Gibraltar’s public broadcaster, The Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has been providing the Rock with a radio and television service since 1963 when Radio Gibraltar and Gibraltar Television merged.

GBC’s Chief Executive Gerard Teuma tells Insight about his passion for broadcasting, the move to new premises and outlines what Gibraltar can look forward to during the festive season.

“I started my career as a radio presenter back in 1984 before moving into journalism in 1996 where I stayed for nine years,” Gerard explains. Returning in 2007 to radio as Programme Director, he was then appointed CEO in 2012.

Gerard remembers telling his parents around the age of seven that he wanted to be on the radio. “That is what drove me into the industry,” he says. “Radio has always been my first love and I do miss presenting and being on the air, I miss the performance, but it has been a fantastic career so far.” As a young presenter Gerard says that he was always hugely ambitious and he made sure that he put everything in place to be able to climb the ladder to the top. “It has been a joy to lead GBC, initially in the transition from analogue to digital in 2013 and then over the last four years leading the design and project to migrate to these fabulous new premises.”

After forty-one years in South Barrack Road, GBC relocated to a state-of-the-art broadcast facility in Rosia Road, officially inaugurated by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo in October.

“That’s been a huge achievement, not just for me but for all the team around me, and now all our employees are enjoying the fruits of that by being able to work in this fantastic building,” Gerard comments.

“The move has provided the professional environment in which to operate and we now have a purpose built building with the facilities where people can carry out their trade in decent surroundings with decent equipment - and without the pressures of having to cope with damp, rodents or small cramped premises.”

GBC’s remit is to inform, educate and entertain, but broadcasting has changed significantly over the past decades, so what challenges has Gerard encountered? “As a public service broadcaster we are always restricted as to what we can do,” he states. “I sit on a Board for the Public Media Alliance of which I was Vice-President, and everybody around me who are CEOs and high ranking officials of the major public service broadcasters around the world, whether that is the BBC in the UK, ABC in Australia or CBC in Canada, share the same type of difficulties that public service broadcasters have everywhere which is funding, because we are constrained in the commercial activity that we do.”

This means making sure that GBC broadcasts programmes which may not be the most commercial in nature. “We have to pitch to the minorities as well and make sure that everybody is served and GBC, within certain constraints, does that too.”

Gerard explains that news and current affairs are broadcast in a totally impartial way, but there is also a focus on the history and geography of Gibraltar including social and community aspects.

“We have to be able to do the best we can with the financial resources at our disposal so we aren’t necessarily able to invest any large amounts of money on big ticket shows which tend to go to the larger broadcasters with a commercial budget.”

From a personal point of view, Gerard agrees that he would like to bring more entertainment style programmes to GBC, but this involves multi-million pound budgets. “Long gone are the days of having panel games without bells and whistles the audience wouldn't put up with that - and although I hear of people hankering for quiz shows and things that we used to have in the seventies, that kind of television doesn't work anymore and people would get bored - they want flashing lights, sound effects and very complex sets.”

GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

Another challenge over the years has been the introduction of satellite TV and cable operators who provide international programmes with hundreds of channels with which GBC cannot compete. “We do import programmes even though 70% of our schedule is local and we have a very good range of movies that we air because we have struck excellent deals with movie suppliers from both the UK and the US – as well as drama and comedy programmes, and we bring those titles to Gibraltar, making sure of course as much as we can that it is on GBC and not available elsewhere.”

Although Gibraltar doesn’t have an audience measurement company like BARB for television or RAJAR for radio that compiles ratings in the UK, GBC periodically does face to face surveys. “The feedback that we get is that news and current affairs are still the most popular elements of what we do on television - with magazine shows like The Hub, Viewpoint, and the history programmes rating highly.”

Christmas at GBC is always a fun filled affair, with one of the biggest events in the Christmas schedule being the GBC Open Day, this year taking place on Wednesday 15th December, with marathon shows on both radio and television.

“The GBC Open Day has been taking place for decades, but it had waned a bit and in 1987 raised only £1,570, so being the kind of person who always wants to build and make things better, I cheekily asked the boss at the time whether he would give me the privilege of trying to improve it,” Gerard states.

“In 1988 we raised £15,000 and it has grown since, year on year, and we now raise in the region of £150,000, last year being exceptional because we raised £380,000 over two Open Days, one at Christmas and one mid-year for Covid.”

Gerard says that Open Day has become exactly what he hoped for, with the community taking ownership and raising money themselves. “Now we have young kids saving their pocket money or a member of the public holding a small raffle, all the way up to companies organising events of their own such as marathons.” Open Day is also supported by the Gibraltar business community and Gerard says that this is the time of year when if his counterparts in local organisations receive a call from him they know exactly what he wants.

“Everybody comes up trumps by making donations of either cash or items that we can then sell or give out as prizes during special raffles.”

“The team really comes together on a day like that and on the night we buy loads of takeaways and we fuel people up to be able to deliver the show to the public and this year will be the first time here in this new building.”

“We make a big investment to provide the best schedule of the year during those last two weeks in the run up to Christmas,” Gerard says. As well as recorded community events such as ‘Christmas at The Convent’ featuring local choirs that will air on Christmas Day, viewers can look forward to ‘Celebration Menu’ which is a reality television show where teams compete against each other to come up with and cook the best festive menu. “We are also importing some fabulous movies including the European terrestrial television premiere of the Queen Biopic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ on Boxing Day and our big movie on 1st January 2022 is The Martian.”

Add to that live church services from the Vatican and a live New Year's concert from Vienna with the Vienna Philharmonic, and there is no doubt there will be plenty on GBC television and radio to entertain the audience during the festive season.

“Call me Mr. Christmas, I love Christmas and I like to make sure that trickles through GBC as well – and while I'm here at least that's what will happen!”

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FEATURE

the closure of the border between gibraltar and spain DESPITE THE NUMEROUS SIEGES GIBRALTAR HAS UNDERGONE, THERE WAS NO BORDER FENCE BETWEEN SPAIN AND GIBRALTAR UNTIL THE YEAR 1910. THE DEMARCATION LINES WERE THE BATTERIES AND WALLS THEMSELVES, BETWEEN THEM, THE NEUTRAL GROUND (NO MAN’S LAND.) Before this date there were just two lines of British and Spanish sentries in their boxes looking at each other from a distance inside the Neutral Ground.

Contraband from Gibraltar into Spain has always been rife with tobacco being the prime item. This used to be carried across the Neutral Ground strapped to the bodies of specially trained Contraband Dogs. In trying to stop these dogs, sentries from both sides would take shots at them and in so doing were sometimes in danger of shooting each other.

The Spanish Government was very anxious to stop this practice and suggested to the British Government that some sort of fence or barrier be constructed to put an end to it. A two metre high chicken wire fence was erected from shore to shore but soon enough mysterious holes started to appear, ending with a full iron fence being installed. Thus was the border fence born. People would walk to and from Spain without passports but had to go through customs only and this went on for years without harassment.

THINGS BEGIN TO CHANGE! I will begin with the visit to Gibraltar in 1954 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth which was seen as an insult by Spain’s Dictator Francisco Franco and from then on Gibraltar started to suffer a string of restrictions and harassment. Any Spanish worker in Gibraltar who retired or lost his job would not be replaced; there was also the threat of the confiscation of property in Spain belonging to Gibraltarians. My grandmother who had a lovely villa in Campamento had to sell it quick to the first offer she got.

In the years 1963 and 1964 Spain begins its campaign for the recovery of Gibraltar at the United Nations. This was headed by Spain’s Foreign Minister Fernando Maria Castiella with his famous Red Book which he presented to the UN with Spain’s evidence (according to Spain) that Gibraltar was Spanish. Our leaders Sir Joshua

WORDS BY PAUL FOSTER TITO VALLEJO 20

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Hassan and Peter Isola both went to the UN to put our case before them, why we wanted to remain British. On 10th September 1967, we had our famous Referendum which showed the whole world Gibraltar’s desire to remain British. 12,138 voted in favour against 44 votes.

They started to intensify the restrictions with the French nationals who were going back to France from Morocco via Gibraltar’s ferry. They were kept in the sun for hours in a queue before they were allowed to cross. The next move was to make every Gibraltarian who wanted to cross into Spain apply for a special pass; the British Gibraltar Passport was not recognised and only those who lived across the border applied. When the UN rejected Spain’s claim, the Spanish Government warned all Spanish workers in Gibraltar that they would close the border with Gibraltar and they would not be going back. To compensate for this massive job loss, Franco promised the Spanish workers that they had built a refinery in the bay which would give the men work and a large textile factory called “Confecciones Gibraltar” for the women. The truth was that the refinery could only employ 200 men whilst the textile factory lasted for a short period and came to an abrupt halt when the Director disappeared with all the funds for its creation (Very typical). The great majority had to immigrate to other European countries like UK, Germany, Holland, and France.

Plenty of work was still available on the Rock and many Spanish workers who were not given work permits for Gibraltar by their government bypassed this by coming to work via the Algeciras-Tangier-Gibraltar ferry. The only problem was they had to stay and live on the Rock. Many local families hired spare rooms for these poor unfortunate people. They used to send their earnings home with friends who could still go through the border daily. These workers used to be known as “Trabajadores de Pasaporte” in other words passport workers. The first batch who went back to visit their families had their passports confiscated by the Spanish police in Algeciras for having the Gibraltar immigration stamp on them. Word soon reached the Rock’s authorities and the stamp was no longer used.

In 1967 all the Spanish women working on Gibraltar were withdrawn for their own protection under the pretext that they were being insulted and molested by Gibraltarian men. Some of them appeared on Spanish television saying so. A propaganda campaign by Spain’s television, radio and press was constantly slagging Gibraltar with their famous slogan “Gibraltar Español”.

In December 1968 the UN instructs Britain to end the colonial status of Gibraltar by 1st October 1969. Britain responds by implementing the Gibraltar Constitution Order on the 30th May 1969, which infuriates Franco and the border is closed on 8th June 1969.

Many Gibraltarians who lived across the border had to leave their homes and come into Gibraltar. Most of them who could not be taken by their families were put into old empty barracks which were used as transit centres until proper accommodation could be found.

Despite the Spanish gates which had been closed, Gibraltar’s were kept open all the time as if nothing had happened. Suddenly overnight, Gibraltar lost its Spanish labour force.

Luckily contingency plans had been made for this foreseeable turn of events

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by making contact with the Government of Morocco who covered the shortage of labour by sending hundreds of Moroccans in their stead.

In the meantime all Gibraltarians mucked in to cover whilst the shortages were filled. The most essential services like the hospitals and old people’s homes were covered very effectively. Fresh fruit and vegetables as well as fish came from Morocco whilst meat and other essentials were imported from UK and other countries. Nothing came from Spain who was trying to strangle Gibraltar’s economy.

In 1968 the UN made a recommendation to the UK that it should try by all means to decolonise Gibraltar by the end of 1st October 1969. Franco interpreted this believing Gibraltar would be returned to Spain and if not he would take it by force. I found myself involved in this conflict which could have turned into a nasty incident short of war. I was doing military service at the time when we were sent to the border together with the Black Watch Highland Regiment, armed to the teeth. The Spanish military forces were re-grouping with tanks and artillery in the vicinity to make an armed assault.

The British Forces retaliated, three days later we had a task force arriving with aircraft carriers, helicopters and Royal Marine Commandos.

Gibraltar became a hive of activity involving military personnel. On seeing the British response the Spanish troops withdrew and dispersed to whence they had come. I was very happy and relieved at the outcome of this episode where no shot was fired more so because I was right in the front line! Then Franco died and we were all expecting a drastic change in Spain’s government and a possible opening of the border gates.

It was believed since they had now become a democratic government things would start to look better for us. No way, it was the same dog with a different collar. Years went past and nothing happened. Then as Spain was very anxious to join the EEC, the UK took advantage of telling them that unless they opened the border UK would veto their entry. Talks commenced for the opening of the border, but what happens? The start of the Falklands War! The talks were suspended pending the result of the war. The truth of the matter was that Spain was anxious to see what Britain’s reaction to the invasion of the Falklands would be? Would Britain fling its military might to aid the Islanders or not. I personally think that if they had not aided the Islanders as they did, today we would be telling a different story. Once that war was over talks commenced once again which led to the opening of the border. The Spanish Premier at the time Felipe Gonzalez, told congress that he had opened the border on humanitarian grounds. (Not that they wanted to join the EEC!)

Article supplied by History Society Gibraltar.

Email: historysocietygibraltar@hotmail.com

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POLICE INSIGHT

TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR THE FEED A FAMILY CAMPAIGN, UNDER THE ST GEORGE’S CHARITY, ON FRIDAY 19TH NOVEMBER THE RGP FACED ONE OF THEIR TOUGHEST CHALLENGES YET - A TRAINING WITH JOJO RUBY FRANCE. Devils Press, tyre flipping and hitting with hammers, weighted wall balls, and more.

Just to feel some discomfort which is a fraction of the discomfort that many families in Spain face not being able to get enough food. €250 feeds a family of 4 for a month.

To donate, go to gofundme.com/f/StGeorgeXmas2021

REFRESHER

TRAINING THE ROYAL GIBRALTAR POLICE’S SEARCH TEAM AND POLICE SUPPORT UNIT WERE RECENTLY PUT THROUGH THEIR PACES DURING THREE DAYS OF INTENSE REFRESHER TRAINING. Search Officers must pass a yearly written exam and a practical search - where they have to find hidden explosive devices - in order to remain licensed.

Together with the Gibraltar Defence Police Search Advisors, they studied methods of attack, how to recognise various types of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and other items used by terrorists.

Meanwhile, the Police Support Unit were busy doing public order training – ahead of Gibraltar’s upcoming international football matches.

PSU officers are trained to deal with a variety of public order situations over and above those faced by uniformed police officers.

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FEATURE

BE TOY SAFETY AWARE

THIS CHRISTMAS

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR:

BUTTON CELL BATTERIES

These are one of the most dangerous hazards for young children. Not only are they a choke hazard, they can do serious damage if swallowed.

Saliva combined with the electrical current causes a reaction that can lead to severe burns. A toy that conforms with appropriate safety standards will have button batteries enclosed in lockable compartments that cannot be opened by children. If you ever suspect that your child has swallowed a button battery, seek medical help immediately.

MAGNETS

Not only are loose magnets a choke hazard, if swallowed, they can stick together and cause serious life-threatening damage to childrens’ digestive systems. Make sure magnets cannot be detached from the toy and swallowed by your child. If you ever suspect that your child has swallowed a magnet, seek immediate medical help.

CHOKE HAZARDS

‘UKCA’ mark – The ‘UKCA’ mark has been introduced in the UK following Brexit. This mark will be displayed on products which are in conformity with applicable UK standards.Therefore consumers may now find products displaying either the UKCA mark, the EU's CE mark or both.

Age-appropriate marks - Toys that may be dangerous for children under three may contain this graphic. There should also be a brief indication of the specific danger.

AGE AND SIZE SUITABILITY

If you have older children keep their toys out of reach from the younger ones.Toys should be appropriate for your child’s age and size. While the 'Age Warning' mark shows what toys are suitable for children under three, all children develop differently so take your own child's ability into account. Outdoor toys such as bicycles that are too large or small for a child can also lead to unnecessary accidents.

HOW TO SPOT A FAKE ‘CE’ MARK

Check whether a toy can cause choking by pulling and tugging at it before giving it to your child. Usually, if the item easily fits inside a toilet paper roll it means that the toy is unsafe for a child that’s younger than three. Latex balloons also pose choking risks to younger children.

The ‘Chinese export’ mark is similar to the EU’s ‘CE’ mark but is not an official European mark. Unlike goods with a genuine ‘CE’ mark, other ‘Chinese export’ marked toys may not have to comply with the same safety standards as the UK or EU and do not guarantee that it conforms with standards designed to keep children safe during play.

WHO ARE YOU BUYING FROM?

In the diagram note:

UK and EU toys must comply with high safety standards. Toys that come from other countires, may not. Only buy from reputable traders, particularly when purchasing online.

Fake toys do not undergo rigorous testing before being placed on the market and may therefore catch fire, fall apart, contain dangerous chemical content or pose choking hazards.

Check the toy’s packaging and labels as these should contain the manufacturer’s or importer’s name and address.

SAFETY MARKINGS

There are several symbols that you might find on a toy or children’s fancy dress. The symbols indicate that the toy complies with safety standards.

• the ‘CE’ mark’s letters are placed further apart from each other than the Chinese mark; and • the middle line of the ‘E’ on the genuine ‘CE’ mark is shorter than the top and bottom lines. Some none genuine ‘CE’ marks have 3 equal lengths on the ‘E’.

‘CE’ marks - Products with this marking are tested for conformity with EU health, safety and environmental standards. Children’s costumes (including wigs, masks and other accessories) are classed as toys and should bear the ‘CE’ marking. Facepaints marketed for children should also carry the ‘CE’ marking. Watch out for fake CE markings however! See ‘How to spot a fake ‘CE’ mark’ below.

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FEATURE

Every season has their own joys and challenges. Winters can be long, cold, and dark. The inherent nature of winter can make it difficult for us humans to endure happily. Learn to make the most of this season with these tips to enjoy winter:

Drink Something Hot Find comfort in a mug of something warm.

This is the season to enjoy any and all the homegrown herbs dried over the summer and autumn. Keep it simple, or make it fancy. A nice balance of both is a great way to enjoy winter. Herbal tea most days, a fancy coffee drink now and then, hot chocolate for dessert on Sunday. Throw in a hot toddy now and then.

Snuggle Up Winter is usually cooler if not downright cold, depending on location in the world. These cooler temperatures require warmer clothes and blankets. Snuggle up under a favorite blanket. Read books, watch TV, play games surrounded by the simple comfort of a blanket. It seems too simple but there is something so cozy about a pile of blankets for everyone to choose from while practicing hobbies or doing nothing.

Read Some people read avidly no matter the season, some of us don’t pick up a book during gardening season. No matter which camp you fall into, winter is a great season to read.

Hit the library or bookstore and stock up. Pick up books about winter. Read for fun and read to learn something new. A good balance of both is great. A book specifically focused on winter is a terrific idea. Snuggle up under a blanket with a cup of something warm, and get lost in the pages of a book.

Get Outside To live seasonally, the seasons have to be experienced in the natural world. Getting outside in winter has special considerations but it can and should be done.

Get outside for a walk, ice skate - simply get outside of the house. Enjoy the sun, absorb some Vitamin D, and take notice of what’s happening in the natural world. Bundle up, put on several layers, wear a hat and gloves, if necessary but get outside as often as possible. This is simply the best way to make seasonal living routine. When we are outside we are able to get a better sense of the season in our individual locations.

Be Creative For many of our ancestors, winter was the time spent on hobbies and creative pursuits.

Clothing was made, spoons whittled, rugs woven. These creative pursuits helped pass time, allowed them to engage in pleasurable hobbies and in many cases helped them earn money. Items were made in the winter and taken to town in the spring for selling or traded with neighbours.

Eat Seasonal Foods Eat the foods of the winter season or those preserved from the previous seasons. This is the season to eat that homegrown and home canned applesauce, indulge in those foraged and frozen berries, and eat soups full of homegrown and dehydrated greens. Seasonal, whole foods are perfectly designed to help us get through each season.

Learn a new way to cook those winter squashes, try a new soup recipe, sample something new but eat well and enjoy. We have a tendency to seek comfort foods in the winter.

Eat the cinnamon rolls occasionally and feel good about it, just keep it balanced with healthy foods too. Healthy food can also be comforting, find those recipes and indulge.

Relishing

WINTER

Eat a meal by candlelight, turn off the electric lights for a bit and bask in the golden glow of a lit candle. Make your own if you want to incorporate a little useful crafting into your winter enjoyment or buy them but light some now and then and use it as an excuse for a gathering where no technology is permitted and conversation is prized.

The smell At some point towards the end of the year you realise you can actually smell the cold.

It’s a clean, vivid smell which travels down your airways making you feel suddenly alive.

There’s something a bit like peppermint or eucalyptus to it, but these are pale imitators of the real thing.

Rest Take that afternoon nap. Heed the call to go to bed early. Allow the body and brain to rest. It is part of our how our ancestors survived without electric lights and modern conveniences. They slept more in the winter.

It’s okay and right even to feel tired at an hour that might still be filled with energy in the summer.

Cold weather brings people together. We yearn for warmth, love, and connection. The holidays deliver big family meals, endless gratitude, and it just seems like time moves a little bit slower than usual. When the first winter breeze blows through the trees you can feel the magic in the air.

Practice a Random Act of Kindness This winter season can be very hard on members of our communities. It’s cold which presents significant hardships all by itself. While the sunlight is returning our days are still plenty dark and that is emotionally tough on many people. The people we come in contact with might be struggling in ways that we cannot comprehend.

Sharing moments of kindness helps them and us – this is a good thing to do in any season but can be especially welcome in the frigid temperatures. Be kind, give hats or blankets to charities to keep less fortunate people warm. Buy a cup of coffee for the person in line behind you, let the car merge, pay a compliment to a stranger.

So, to recap, this is what we love about winter.

• The smell. At some point you realise you can actually smell the cold • Unapologetically stodgy food • The light on a freezing cold morning • Winter woollies.

• Christmas markets • Carol services • TV box sets and long Victorian novels.

• Listening to the radio

Light Candles Winter does mean that the sun is returning.

Each day is getting a little longer now. However, the days are still mostly dark, especially for the more northern folks. Combat the darkness by throwing out light in the form of candles.

These are all things we can continue to practice in our modern times. Use the long nights to practice something creative. Use the finished items for the home, save them for gift items, sell or trade when possible, or donate to charity.

WORDS BY KATHLEEN NORTH 24

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FEATURE

10 WAYS TO

get into the festive spirit THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD. THOSE WHO PUT THEIR CHRISTMAS TREE UP IN NOVEMBER, AND THE REST OF US. I’VE NEVER BEEN SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN OVERLY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD, BUT THERE ARE DEFINITELY ASPECTS OF IT THAT I ENJOY. THE SOCIAL GATHERINGS, THE CHEESY CHRISTMAS MOVIES THAT I’VE SEEM TO HAVE GROWN MORE FOND OF OVER THE YEARS, THE FOOD AND OF COURSE, THE FESTIVE COFFEE FLAVOURS AT COSTA. IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO FULLY IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT, HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO GET DOING! BUY AN ADVENT CALENDAR. I remember when I was a child I used to get an advent calendar from my parents and one from my grandparents, so I proceeded to eat all 25 chocolates from the second one in one day. I’m now 27 and still like having an advent calendar to give myself a little daily treat on the leadup to Christmas. If chocolate isn’t your thing (do these people exist?), you can find all sorts of advent calendars nowadays! From candles, to make-up to gin.

HAVE A WEEKLY CHRISTMAS MOVIE NIGHT AT HOME. If you are really dedicated, there’s probably enough of them out there for you to watch one every night in the lead up to Christmas. Especially if you have the Hallmark channel. If that’s too much to commit to, pick a night of the week to watch a festive movie with your friends and family. We always watch the Harry Potter movies around Christmas, but some other good choices are Love Hard, Last Christmas, The Holiday and The Holidate.

PLAN A PARTY. December in Gibraltar (bar 2020) always has such great ambiance and everyone just seems happier. No wonder we always need all of January to recover. Use this time to get together with all your favourite people, drink some mulled wine and either have everyone bring a dish or order a takeaway to reduce the workload!

VISIT A CHRISTMAS MARKET. If you managed to pick up last month's issue of Insight, you might have read my article on my favourite Christmas Markets to visit around Europe. If you’d rather stay home, Gibraltar will hopefully be having their own stalls where you can get your hands on bratwurst sausages, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts!

WAKE UP WITH CHRISTMAS SONGS. Not as an alarm tone, or else that might have the opposite effect. I always listen to music when I get ready for work in the morning, and I know as soon as December hits I’ll be playing Justin Bieber’s Mistletoe or Michael Buble’s Christmas album.

MAKE SOME FESTIVE GOODIES. I have never baked cookies or peppermint bark myself, but this might be the year I do so. If you’re feeling more adventurous why not make some eggnog, build a gingerbread house or a chocolate yule log? I tried making Kylie Jenner’s marshmallow and sweet potato casserole last Christmas, and sadly I was the only one in my house who liked the combination.

OR LOAD UP ON FESTIVE TREATS. If you’re not one for baking, just head to your closest supermarket and stock up on mince pies, polvorones and a Quality Street box. Speaking of, did anyone else used to think mince pies contain meat in them? Probably why I was never a fan of them!

CHANGE YOUR READING MATERIAL FOR SOMETHING RELATED TO THE HOLIDAYS. I used to love coming home to Gibraltar from university at Christmas time and be able to read all these holiday themed books. Let It Snow from John Green was probably my favourite one.

The one I have saved to start reading this month is The Chaos of Standing Still by Jessica Brody. Which follows two strangers who get snowed in at Denver Airport on New Years Day.

GIFT YOURSELF SOMETHING. We often think of all the people in our lives who we want to buy presents for, but we should also take the time to reflect on everything we have achieved that year and not feel guilty for spending a little bit of money on ourselves too. I actually started a challenge on the 1st January where I’d put an extra penny a day in a Revolut savings vault, which has allowed me to buy an iPhone 13 for Christmas!

GET YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING DONE! It’s so easy, and sometimes cheaper to get your shopping done online nowadays. That being said, there is something uplifting about going into town to do your Christmas shopping and seeing everyone doing the same. Especially if you sit down to have a hot chocolate after. If you’d also like to do something special for the people close to you, write them all a Christmas card. Tell them all the reasons why you’re grateful to have them in your life.

After the underwhelming and hard Christmas we all had last year because of covid, I’m grateful that this year we will hopefully be able to celebrate with our loved ones and make the most of the holidays. As you get older you’ve probably also grown to realise that Christmas is less about presents and more about making memories with the people you love. However you choose to spend it, I hope it’s a special one!

WORDS BY GIANA SPITERI 26

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Giana Spiteri is a local writer, specialising in lifestyle, beauty & travel. instagram.com/ teawithgi

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TO ALL OUR VALUED CLIENTS AND FRIENDS WISHING YOU ALL A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS HEALTHY NEW YEAR FROM ALL AT

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FEATURE

The Animals in Need Foundation (AINF) is a Gibraltar registered charity that has been operating since 2016, and has focused on helping the most mistreated, vulnerable, and ‘invisible’ of dogs.

They have successfully rehomed over 2000 dogs during this time – the majority of which have lived in or have connections to Gibraltar. Most of these dogs have required substantial veterinary care and different degrees of rehabilitation. AINF is run by a small group of volunteers who give up their time day and night to work tirelessly for the charity.

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FEATURE

The charity has on average 60 dogs under it’s care at any given time and around 30 dogs are usually rehomed per month. The dogs are rehomed in Gibraltar, Spain, Holland, Germany, Finland and Sweden and every potential new home is carefully vetted and approved prior to the adoption. The charity has also rehomed cats, rabbits, and even hamsters!

During the COVID lock down the small team of AINF volunteers were inundated with requests for help from the most vulnerable demographics; front line workers, individuals with mental health challenges who were unable to look after their pets and those who were scared that they were going to die and needed help with their canine companions in the event of their death.

AINF, together with Save Gibraltar Street Cats have launched a campaign this year to remind people in Gibraltar that animals should not be given as presents. Both charities seek to remind the public about the long term commitment required when getting a pet, to try and reduce the post-Christmas abandonment of puppies and kittens.

With the cases of pet abandonment or rehoming increasing so much recently the charity has struggled to find sufficient funds to continue its work as the burden in meeting monthly financial commitments and rehoming these dogs is significant.

The charity is extremely grateful for the generous donations from the people of Gibraltar that allow their work to continue. Without the ongoing public support and generous donations many animals would have been left to suffer alone, however the charity is entirely reliant on public donations and the charity incurs continuous ongoing costs to save and rehome animals in need.

To raise funds to allow the continuation of their work the charity is undertaking two events during December. Their annual flag day is on 3rd December when volunteers will be in various locations throughout Gibraltar promoting the work of the charity and fund raising. In addition, they will be hosting a Christmas Quiz on the 8th December at the IPA Hall – this is a great fun night out where teams of up to 8 people compete to take home the quiz prizes and the much coveted winner trophy. The evening also includes a fantastic buffet dinner a prize raffle draw. Teams wishing to compete can check the AINF website or email for further details.

You can donate to AINF or find out more about the charity, including dogs available for fostering or adoption, forthcoming events, and volunteering opportunities via email, their website or their social media accounts:

It’s been 40 years since the iconic phrase ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas’ was coined in the UK by the Dog’s Trust, however people still buy pets as presents over the festive season and unfortunately many of these end up in shelters or on the streets.

info@ainf.gi • www.ainfgib.com

The charity has stressed that bringing home a pet needs to be a much considered decision as to whether they are right for our lifestyles and whether or not we can give them a home for life, which can be 15 to 20 years. It is a lifelong personal and financial commitment and should never be an impulse buy.

And remember, a dog is for life, not just for Christmas!

The campaign has partly been triggered by the unprecedented

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number of requests that AINF have received recently to rehome dogs from Gibraltar. In the last few months alone AINF has been asked to rehome or rehabilitate over 50 dogs in Gibraltar.

Facebook: Animals in Need Foundation Instagram: @ainfgibraltar

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MATTHEWS JEWELLERY & REPAIRS

Cash for gold, Jewellery repairs, Engraving, Watch straps and batteries 4/4 crutchett's Ramp - Gibraltar - Tel/Fax 20050478

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FEATURE

How it used to be

Christmas how it used to is how we all best like to remember our childhood Christmases. I have been invited to recall mine and duly wearing my rose tinted memory glasses I will set about stirring the nostalgia cake mix and we shall see what turns up. I have rewound back seventy years to 1951 and we are at number one Alameda House (Humphries) as the estate was named after the building contractors. That year had seen the tragedy of the ‘Bedenham’ explosion in April and Christmas couldn’t have come any sooner. Our old ‘block’ still neighbours the fire station and the sound of a happy gathering reaches my seven year old ears. The legendary seasonal ‘Comparsa’ (quite unmusical and random bunch of wandering carol singers) from the fire brigade off-duty watches were already in fine form and well ‘lubricated.’ They were ready to set out on their annual boozy sing song on Christmas Eve around the fires station perimeters.

Their loud ‘Zambombas’, a small barrel with a skin stretched on top and a cane stalk tied to its centre (‘Carriso’ or noise activator!) which when wetted and rubbed up and down the stalk would provoke a grunting noise which helps mark time, acting as a rough bass and bass drum combined. The ‘Panderetas’ (skin topped tambourines) were rattling away and the hearty singing (could it really be called that?) sent the celebratory echoes of ‘Noche Buena’ (Christmas Eve) around Humphries estate.

Empty corrugated glass bottles of ‘anis del mono’ would also provide a squeaking noise when a wine cork was rubbed along their sides.

A lone guitar or a mandolin really stood no chance of being heard above all that cacophony and the traditional Spanish carols (Villancicos) announced the imminent birth of Baby Jesus, who probably wouldn’t have chosen to be born to that din when he had choirs of angels at his disposal.

We lived on the ground floor of Alameda House and word had it that if they were tipped off, the firemen ‘Comparsa’ would sing at your door until invited in to feed and drink from the modest table laid out in readiness for the family supper. Just imagine the panic setting in for mum and dad thinking that our modest family spread would hardly last thirty seconds and all the beers and the sweet rough wine from Malaga (muscatel) would also be drank in half that time! Well I seem to remember that we survived the ‘raid’ from the good folk of the fire brigade, however I don’t remember how we reformatted the house later and re-stocked the table for supper that night. My thoughts were only on Father Christmas as I uncovered my ears after convincing myself that there had not been an earthquake in my home.

In the good old days you were primed about what to expect for Christmas. My uncle Tony who was also my godfather had hinted that I ‘might’ get a scooter, which prompted happy dreams and adjusted my tendency to bad behaviour lest Santa would turn up and just gift me a few ‘coal nuggets’ instead of the coveted scooter of my dreams. In the run up to Christmas my mum who was very good at crib making, would have put up a display of little figurines representing the nativity scene surrounded by brown and grey mountains made out of heavy paper with flour dusted on top to make their snow caps.

Everything in the crib (Nascimiento) would be ready except for the arrival of the infant Jesus who would magically make an appearance on Christmas morning as we unwrapped our presents of modest toys and confectionary. No plastics in those days.

Painted cardboard, wood and tin toys or lead soldiers (we never heard of a child with lead poisoning).

Never in my wildest childhood dreams could I have imagined that my uncle would build me a scooter in the Her Majesty’s dockyard where he worked at the iron works foundry. It was modelled on the old ‘Mobo’ or Triang brand of scooters that not everyone could afford at the time. Mine was built to last and it weighed a ton! Had I run into a wall I would have demolished the wall for sure. Not to digress, that night Father Christmas came to 1 Alameda House in the aftermath of the fire brigade ‘Comparsa’ visit and without a word helped my parents clear up before depositing a very large brown paper bag which looked suspiciously like a scooter. I was beside myself with expectation but my parents said that the bag was full of old pipes to be used for repairs to the plumbing.

Did I believe them? Of course I did - against my better judgement. The next morning I was allowed out to practice on my big brown scooter which had yellow trim lines, no brakes to tame its savage momentum and military - like heavy duty black wheels which might have come from wheelie bins, had they existed in those days. When I look back and compare with the present day I feel sorry for the times that surprises don’t happen too often at Christmas. Nowadays the young ones mostly get what they have expressly asked for (demanded?) and budget is hardly ever a problem.

At the same time I feel thankful and blessed that those early days in my life gave me a sense of community which is the greatest gift after family and good health. Our rough band of street carol singers - the ‘Comparsas’ of yesteryear, exuded real Christmas cheer without making polite excuses or renaming Christmas as simply a ‘holiday season’. Easy on the sherry and mince pies now and have a wonderful family Christmas full of blessings, just like the pandemic had never happened and we were still safely in the EU!

See you folks in 2022.

WORDS BY JOE ADAMBERY GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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TECHNOLOGY INSIGHT

SANTA'S LITTLE GADGETS

ROKU Of all the streaming bits of hardware, Roku has really upped the ante with the latest bits of kit on offer. Now smaller, and with higher resolution. Private listening with the smartphone app allows you to listen to your favourite shows with your own headphones.

GOOGLE NEST CAM The Google Nest Cam is a great looking piece of kit, with hints of the old Apple angle poise iMac thrown in. Coupled with the convenience of Google, it's a robust home security option.

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TECHNOLOGY INSIGHT BOSE FRAMES Those awfully clever people at Bose, have combined two staples of life in Gibraltar: music and sunglasses. These Bluetooth devices allow you to be Joe Cool without the need for earphones. Or wires.

GARMIN INSTINCT Smartwatches can mean more than an Apple Watch.

Garmin's Instinct watch is available in a variety of colours and is ideal for venturing to Upper Rock and beyond.

APPLE AIRTAG Never misplace or lose something ever again. Apple AirTag is here to the rescue for all sorts of trinkets, keys and whatever else takes your fancy. Use the Find My app to track your belongings. It even has safeguards against creepy behaviour built-in.

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SPORTS INSIGHT

THE SPORTS STORY OF 2021 A YEAR OF TEARS, FEARS AND RECOVERY

PLANET EARTH'S STRUGGLE TO SHED THE SHACKLES OF THE DEADLY COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS AT LAST SHOWING SIGNS OF SUCCESS AND, AS ALWAYS, SPORT LEADS THE WAY ON THE ROAD BACK TO NORMALITY. COME WITH ME AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF THIS DESPERATE YEAR.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

3rd: Death of Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers, forever synonymous with what is probably the world’s best known football anthem, Liverpool FC's You’ll Never Walk Alone, passed away aged 78 after a short illness, believed to be cardiac related.

5th: Scotland win rugby’s Calcutta Cup, stunning England 11-6 and ending 38 years of anguish since Bonnie Prince Charley’s troops last prevailed over the ‘auld enemy’ at Twickenham.

Darts crowned the year's first world champion when Wales's Gerwyn Price secured the PDC title for the first time, the pugnacious ex-rugby league star comfortably overcoming Scotland's Gary Anderson 7-3 at London's Ally Pally.

25th: Chelsea sack coach and club legend Frank Lampard.

21st: Novak Djokovic outclassed Russian Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to win his ninth Australian Tennis Open.

27th: Wales wallop England 40-24 in Cardiff to win rugby union's Triple Crown for the 22nd time in an exciting game marred by some controversial refereeing decisions.

7th: Tampa Bay Buccaneers upset defending champions Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 to lift the Super Bowl. A 30-second TV advert during the event cost an astonishing £4 million.

MARCH

20th: Japan’s Naomi Osaka won her second Australia Open beating American Jennifer Brady in straight sets in the women’s final in Melbourne.

7th: Snooker's world number one Judd Trump retained his Gibraltar Open crown,

1st: Liverpool icon and legendary TV sports presenter Ian St John passed away after a long illness, aged 82.

WORDS BY LIAM BEGLAN, SPORTS WRITER 38

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SPORTS INSIGHT whitewashing Jack Lisowski 4-0 in the final that, because of Covid lockdown, had been switched to Milton Keynes.

13th: One of boxing’s true greats ‘Marvellous' Marvin Hagler passes away, the fearsome shaven-headed legend is counted out at age 66.

16th: Rachael Blackmore, riding Honeysuckle, becomes the first female to win the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Charismatic Rachael went on to finish top rider at the festival.

19th: The Cheltenham Gold Cup returned to Ireland as Minella Indo, ridden by Jack Kennedy at odds of 9/1, won steeplechasing's Blue Riband event.

20th: Death claimed Leeds United legend Peter “Hotshot" Lorimer, aged 74.

24th: Gibraltar's international goalkeeper Dayle Edward Coeling, who at the time plied his trade with Irish club Glentoran, made Fifa's Team of the Round, following a truly herculean performance for his country in the 3-0 World Cup qualifier loss to Norway at the Victoria Stadium.

26th: Wales are confirmed as rugby union's Six Nations champions when closest opponents France were sensationally beaten 2327 in Paris by Scotland.

26th: Heartache for the Red Devils as Villareal snatch the Europa League Cup from Manchester United’s grasp after an unforgettable 11-10 penalty shootout in the final at Gdansk, Poland.

29th: Underdogs Chelsea win their second Champions League title, stunning Manchester City 1-0 in the final in Oporto, Portugal.

JUNE 5th Adayar wins the Epsom Derby at 16/1, giving jockey Adam Kirby his first success in the classic.

12th Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic was a surprise winner of the French Ladies Tennis Open, beating Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the final.

13th Peerless Serb Novak Djokovic roared back from two sets down to win the French Men’s Open, his 19th grand slam, overcoming Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas in an epic five-set final.

20th Spanish golfer Jon Rahm nets his first major title when winning the US Open at Torrey Pines.

JULY

11th: Chelsea added the European Super Cup to their Champions League title, beating Villareal at Windsor Park Belfast. The match had ended 1-1 after extra time and the Londoners held their nerve to pip the Spanish side 6-5 in a bottom-clenching penalty shootout.

25th: Fondly remembered as Lord Ted, former England cricket captain Ted Dexter passed away, aged 86.

SEPTEMBER 5th: Gibraltar celebrated as local rower Jack Prior helped Team GB win the European U23 Eight Rowing Championship in Kruszwica, Poland.

The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics concluded with Team GB amassing an outstanding haul of 124 medals, a total that saw the Brits finish second in the overall medal table, behind China but ahead of both the United States and Russia.

11th: Bromley schoolgirl Emma Raducanu astonished the tennis world by winning the US Open, the 18-year-old qualifier incredibly capturing the title in New York without conceding a single set in her fairytale 10-match run to glory.

10th Australian Ash Barty was crowned Wimbledon Ladies champion beating Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic in an entertaining three-set final.

12th: Russian Daniil Medvedev ended Novak Djokovic's brave bid to win all four slams in a calendar year when beating the great Serb in straight sets in the US Open final.

APRIL

11th: Novak Djokovic claimed his 20th Grand Slam when capturing the Wimbledon Men's title, outpointing promising Italian Matteo Berrettini in a four-set final.

19th: One of football's brightest stars was extinguished as England and Spurs legend Jimmy Greaves passed away, aged 81.

10th: Three weeks after becoming top rider at the Cheltenham Festival, Rachael Blackmore created further history by becoming the first female to win the Grand National, the Tipperary girl giving a masterful performance on board 11/1 shot Minella Times.

Heartbreak for England as Italy come from behind to win the pandemic-delayed Euro 2020 final at Wembley, the Three Lions succumbing on penalties after extra-time, their old bogey, spotkicks, once again proving their downfall.

11th: Hideki Matsuyama became the first Japanese golfer to win a Major title, sparking wild celebration in his native nation when the 29-year-old donned the famous green jacket of The Masters at Augusta.

18th: American Collin Morikawa captures the British Open golf championship at Royal St George’s with an impressive 15-under par total taking him two shots clear of the field.

25th: Manchester City created history when winning the Cariboo League Cup for the fourth time in a row, beating woeful Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in a disappointing Wembley final, at which Covid-19 restrictions had been lifted sufficiently to allow 8,000 spectators to attend..

Lewis Hamilton overcame a 10-second penalty, imposed for a shunt that put chief rival Max Verstappen out of the race and taken to hospital, to controversially win the British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone.

27th: Gibraltar was the venue as Londoner Dillian Whyte avenged last year's surprise defeat to Alexander Petovkin in the Rumble on the Rock rematch, impressively stopping the Russian in the 4th round.

23rd: The 2020 Summer Olympics finally got underway in Tokyo after being delayed for a year by the Covid-19 pandemic.

MAY 3rd: Mark Selby won his fourth World Snooker Championship, the 38-year-old Leicester man comfortably defeating Shaun Murphy 18-15 at Sheffield's Crucible.

11th: Manchester City are crowned Premier League champions with three games to spare when nearest pursuers Manchester United are beaten at home by Leicester, making it mathematically impossible for Pep Guardiola’s brilliant side to be caught.

15th Leicester City won the FA Cup for the first time, beating Chelsea 1-0 in the final at Wembley.

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AUGUST 7th: South Africa rather fortuitously sealed a 2-1 series win over the touring British and Irish Lions with a gritty 19-16 victory in the final Test in Capetown.

8th: The curtain came down on the Tokyo Olympics and, despite the restrictions imposed to combat Covid-19 resulting in mainly spectatorless events, there were many sparkling performances. Team GB equalled the total medal haul of 65 achieved in the London 2012 Games.

26th: Team USA trashed Europe 19-9 when regaining the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, serving ominous notice that Uncle Sam's youngsters look assured to arrest Europe's dominance of recent years.

OCTOBER 9th: Tyson Fury survived two 4th Round knockdowns to stop Deontay Wilder in the 11th in Las Vegas, completing a clean sweep for the Gypsy King in the fight trilogy between the two warriors. Surely there won't be a Fury-Wilder-4, they’re catching up Rocky!

10th: France come from behind to beat Spain 2-1 in a high-quality Euro Nations League final in the San Siro, Milan.

26th: Revered Rangers and Scotland ex-player and manager Walter Smith passes away, aged 73.

NOVEMBER 11th: Steven Gerrard announced as Aston Villa manager after a very successful spell resurrecting Glasgow Rangers' fortunes.

14th: Australia win cricket’s ICC T20 World Cup for the first time, chasing down a record target of 179 to beat neighbours New Zealand in the final in Dubai.

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39

FEATURE

WORDS BY ROGER SHRAPNEL 40

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FEATURE

HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE VALUES OF A SPORT? We all understand the concept of fair play in sports, but the international rugby community has always prided itself on something more than just that. Defining those values is difficult but worthwhile and a number of rugby organisations, from the national bodies and unions down to individual clubs, have taken the time and effort to do just that, especially over the last couple of decades as the concept of ‘rugby values’ have become more, well, valued. This has given us a rich variety of value sets across the rugby planet, each with their own cultural take on the matter but, by and large, they are generally similar.

Incidentally, one of the beauties of having a consistent set of values across the globe is that no matter where you end up, if you want to play or watch rugby you will be doing with likeminded people who will welcome you, even if you’re wearing the opposition colours!

So what are these rugby values and how do they fit in with rugby in Gibraltar?

Recently, Gibraltar Rugby Football Union underwent a restructuring programme and, as part of this, they set down their own set of rugby core values using the acronym R.I.D.E.; Respect, Inclusion, Discipline, Enjoyment. And on the surface of it, that sounds quite neat, but it is worth considering the impact of these values and their effect, not only in rugby but in the wider community that lives on the Rock and beyond.

shoulders with students. Senior managers will share a pint with shop workers. You see this with the youngsters as well as they develop social networks outside of the usual school and family environment as they learn to play alongside and rely upon each other in a game.

It goes without saying that a lot of this only works with a degree of discipline. Rugby is a physically and mentally demanding sport with many specialised skill sets.

The players have to be mindful of this and how they apply themselves, both in training and in the game. The reward here is that they will improve as players and develop as individuals. Rugby is often held up as a bastion of good sportsmanship and a lot of that can be attributed to the discipline and respect shown on the pitch, not least to the referee and the laws of the game. There is a wonderful story of a referee awarding penalty against a 120kg international player during a game where the player responded with a meek “Sorry, sir.”

VALUES

The enjoyment experienced by the participants, coaches and many volunteers that make up Gibraltar rugby could be regarded as the ‘pay-off’ of the other three elements that make up the GRFU’s rugby values system. Certainly, given the numbers and recent growth, not just in players but in qualified coaches as well, there is plenty of evidence that people are enjoying themselves. On a Saturday morning you will regularly see around two hundred children, from 2 years old to under 17s, training and playing on the rugby pitches at Europa Sports Complex.

The GRFU is rightly proud of these numbers and it is the inclusiveness that you see in rugby which helps drive this. Rugby is often said to be a game for all shapes and sizes so any new player that turns up is welcomed with open arms. The sport is very good at finding your special talent or strength and developing it so that you become an essential part of the team. It runs deeper than that though. Go to any rugby club and you will not only find that range of body types and skill sets, but a massive diversity of people. Most teams will contain young bucks and seasoned campaigners. Coppers rub

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Respect is very much entwined with the values outlined earlier; respect for the referee but also to the opposition.

Rugby has a great tradition of both teams applauding each other after the final whistle and sharing a drink with your opposite number in the clubhouse bar.

Respect isn’t limited to just the pitch; with rugby’s natural drive to socialise, it spills over into other areas of a participant’s life. With the recent increase of both community and environmental awareness across society, volunteers from all sections are regularly involved in charitable endeavours to improve the world around them, respecting their environment and the people in it. Rock Scorpions raised money during the 2020 Movember prostate cancer awareness campaign whilst other individuals have tapped into the natural generosity of the union membership to raise money for other worthwhile causes like the Sepsis Trust or the Royal Gibraltar Regiment Benevolent Fund. The Mini and Youth section have been particularly active in this area where the players and parents have worked on more than one occasion with the Nautilus Project on environmental improvement works, like local beach clean-ups, and fundraisers for Childline.

At a recent coach development course, where the GRFU brought in academy coaches from a Rugby Premiership club in England, the lead coach talked about developing players, especially young players, as people, not just rugby players. This is very much part of the culture within Gibraltar Rugby. Long may it remain that way.

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FEATURE

GIBRALTAR’S U19S MAKE THEIR INTERNATIONAL FUTSAL DEBUT

WORDS BY STEVEN GONZALEZ GFA 42

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FEATURE

Gibraltar’s Under 19s made they competitive international debut, at the beginning of November, as they hosted their UEFA U19 Futsal Euro Preliminary Round Qualifying Group at the Tercentenary Sports Hall.

The second match of the tournament saw Montenegro beat North Macedonia 2-0, justifying their tag as pre-tournament favourites, meaning they clinched Group B and progressed into the main qualifying round of the UEFA U19 Futsal Euro.

Group B in the Preliminary Round, drawn earlier on in the year, would throw up North Macedonia and Montenegro as Gibraltar’s U19 Futsal Euro opponents. Interestingly, two nations who have visited the Rock in the past in various other UEFA competitions, both in football and futsal.

That meant the final game of the group, North Macedonia v Gibraltar was a straight shootout for second place. Once again Gibraltar’s youngsters took the lead, however this time their opponents, North Macedonia, hit back immediately and began to stamp their authority in the game racing into a 4-1 lead.

With 5 minutes to go Gibraltar wrestled back the initiative pulling a goal back and immediately deploying their ‘flying’ goalkeeper. What followed was a 3-minute onslaught on the Macedonian goal, but chance after chance was squandered and wasted by the hosts. 4-2 the final score to the visitors.

Before a ball was kicked, Montenegro were arguably the pre-tournament favourites, and as had been decided by the draw, they would be up against Gibraltar first, in other words a baptism of fire for the Group hosts in international U19 Futsal.

However, under the expert guidance of Gibraltar’s Futsal Head Coach Jose Carlos Gil Prieto, Gibraltar got off to a flying start. Spurred on by the noisy and raucous home crowd, Gibraltar were 2-0 up after 11 minutes and indeed went into the half time break 2 up. In the second half Montenegro U19s had calmed down and began to show their class. As the game developed the visitors scored 6 unanswered goals to lead 6-2. A late rally by Gibraltar saw the U19s pull one goal back to meaning their first ever international was an extremely positive 6-3 defeat.

Despite the two losses, Gibraltar’s U19s have plenty of positives to take from their international bow.

Many for the players in the squad are still young in the U19 age category so they will get a second chance at this level in two years’ time and their performances have proved that they can look forward to a bright futsal future!

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FEATURE

More than one scientific study has backed up its effectiveness. The truth is when you are stressed out or having a rough day - if you can afford it, scouring your favourite shop for that perfect top can actually help boost your mood.

There are numerous reasons why shopping has become such an integral part of our lives. Here are just a few: It takes your mind off things Shopping takes time and concentration whether it is being done online or in your favorite store. You have to think about what you want or need and then find the most appropriate item to meet your requirements. You are focused on what you desire and not on the stressors in your life.

ItisaCon dence booster A beautiful dress or the perfect shade of nail polish can make you feel amazing. No one would argue that. There is nothing wrong with letting a new item give you a little boost now and again, but do be careful to not let the things you own be the only way you can feel good about yourself. Yes you look good in that outfit, but you are amazing either way!

You are in control You are the one calling the shots when you walk into a store. The clerks are there to help you out and you are the one making all of the decisions. Everyone likes to be in charge now and again. If you have been feeling like everything is out of your control lately, a day of shopping could help with the frustration.

Spending time with loved ones If you are like me, you probably like to invite your best friend, mum or sister along. We all know that time with your favourite people can make you feel good and remind you what is important.

SHOPPING Habits

Weallunderstand that terri cfeeling that accompanies leaving a store with a fabulous shade of lipstick or after ordering a phenome- nal pair of boots online.

It is called retail therapy for a reason.

It is Satisfying Some of the studies about shopping and happiness suggest that simply wanting an item without ever purchasing it can make you feel good. We all know from experience that finally purchasing that item is so satisfying.

It can contribute to your self image The way you present yourself to the outside world is important. You are creating an outwardly projected image of yourself with every item you purchase. Effectively creating the image you want to feels good.

Our Own Must have buys We all need food, shelter and clothing, but even outside of the basic needs that we all share you may find that there

are things which are necessary for a hobby you enjoy or a trip you are going on. Having those needs met allows you to reach goals and have unique experiences, which is in turn another kind of satisfaction.

It is Uplifting Everyone likes having new things every now and again. Whether you want to bring a new look to a room or your wardrobe, shopping to incorporate something new into your life is always refreshing.

It makes us feel good This is the most fundamental point, which is always worth mentioning. Studies have shown that shopping actually causes your brain to release more Serotonin, which is a chemical that makes you feel good.

Next time you are experiencing a bad day, maybe you a little shopping can boost your mood. Remember that simply looking for and wanting an item can be uplifting. If you don’t have the funds at the moment maybe a little online ‘window shopping’ would be a better solution for the moment. When you can afford it though, there is nothing wrong with treating yourself occasionally.

It is also interesting to consider what kind of shopper you are: Habitual When customers practice habitual buying, they typically put little thought or research into their purchases. Many customers who follow habitual buying behaviours often make a fast decision when selecting and buying products. Some may quickly pick a brand over another because it's more recognisable or familiar to them. Others choose certain products because the price tag is the lowest or they previously purchased that brand.

Impulsive Impulsive buyers typically little time or planning to select a product. Some people may buy a product without conducting research or learning more about its features. They often make these quick decisions due to factors like celebrity endorsements, slogans, logos or advertisement materials.

Careful Spender 'R \RX FDUH VLJQLƓFDQWO\ DERXW WKH quality of a product over the costs? Most spendthrift buyers react well to emotional marketing and may choose an established brand that provides great customer service and builds strong relationships with consumers. These consumers typically research the features DQG EHQHƓWV RI D SURGXFW DQG PDNH PRVW of their decisions based on how they feel DERXW RU SHUFHLYH D FRPSDQ\ b All of our shopping experiences vary depending on our buying rituals, kind of shopper we are and our budget. What is important is that we enjoy the process.

WORDS BY KATHLEEN NORTH

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ELITE JEWELLERS The gift of love... The gift of peace... The gift of happiness.

May all these be yours at Christmas.

Wishing all our friends and clients a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 78B MAIN STREET, GIBRALTAR info@elitewebshop.com • www.elitewebshop.com

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FEATURE

WORDS BY JO WARD 46

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FEATURE

FEED A FAMILY For the past seven years, Personal Trainer Jojo Ruby France has been raising money for local underprivileged children. “It became apparent that orphanages in La Linea, Manilva and Estepona were struggling and after a visit to one I realised that although they were well run and organised, they lacked the basics and there was no money to pay their bills,” Jojo explains. “I put together a Christmas appeal where I wanted to be able to give every child in one of these orphanages a Christmas card and it was so successful that not only did every child get a card with €20 in, they also got a Christmas sack.”

The following year, when Jojo realised that children were going to school without having breakfast and not eating until their evening meal, she got in touch with Gary and Judith Beaumont from the Duquesa Charitable Society of St George, and the Feed a Child campaign was launched. “For €20 a month a child would receive a package containing a ham and cheese roll, a piece of fresh fruit, a yoghurt, drink and biscuit.”

Due to the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Jojo could see that more and more people needed support, so this year the Feed a Family campaign was launched. “When Covid-19 hit it was apparent that by March we were in dire straits as a charity, not only had we run out of money but the amount of people who needed help was greater than ever, so I worked with local supermarkets to have a trolley available for people to add an item, such as food, washing powder, nappies or sanitary products, and we would put packages together and distribute them to around 120 vulnerable people who had no job and no access to social welfare,” Jojo says, adding that she personally raised €12,000 euros from April 2020 to January 2021.

Jojo’s goal for her Christmas campaign is to raise €12,000 by the 3rd January 2022.

There are a whole host of fundraising events making up the Feed the Family Campaign, the first having taken place on Friday, 19th November when six members of the Royal Gibraltar Police took part in an intensive personal training session. “This charity workout pushed them out of their comfort zone, but I hope it raised awareness about the project and reinforced the fact that this is not just for Spanish or English people, this is for anyone that has come across hard times,” Jojo states.”

One of the biggest money raisers for the past seven years has always been the annual Pub Quiz at the Hairy Lemon which Jojo says is always a great event, full of fun with Irish Bingo and some fantastic auction prizes on offer, including an overnight stay on the Sunborn Hotel. “I sold out eighty tickets in six hours and everyone comes along knowing that I am going to take their money off them,” she laughs.

The 12 days of Xmas Exercise Push launch on the 1st December is another way to help raise funds for Feed the Family. The start of December is always a tough time to try and get fit, but for those that want to start getting fit or for those who have had surgery or are in recovery, Jojo has created a simple, yet challenging programme.

“Knowing that people in poverty live their lives in discomfort every day, a group of eleven are running in the Malaga Half Marathon on the 12th December, including Kath who was a non-runner and who will now be running 21 kilometres,” Jojo says. “We are going to put ourselves through discomfort for a couple of hours to feel what it is like being vulnerable and out of our comfort zone.”

“This will ensure all our families are supported throughout December, January and February. Each family will have a Christmas meal, each child on the Social Services list in Manilva, Casares and at the Emaus Social Kitchen in Estepona will receive a Christmas gift bag and no child will go to school hungry.”

The Burpee Challenge will be the biggest in its history.

Teams will burpee around the Rugby field at Pueblo Nuevo in fancy dress, running three times round the track over a distance of 1.2 kilometres. “We go from a burpee to a jump,” Jojo says. “It is brutal on the hands and the body and a lot of people who do this are not fit, they come to me to get fit, but they are willing to give up three hours on the 16th December to raise money for Feed the Family.

Jojo is supported in her endeavours for the Christmas campaign by Gibraltar businesswoman Katherine Grant.

The final event will be a Boxing Day Dip in the sea on the 26th December!

“Previously the Christmas appeal has been something I have done by myself and it has been really tricky, but with Kath on-board it has eased everything and I feel that this year is going to be our most successful,” Jojo comments.

For more information, to make a donation, to donate a gift or even join in one of the challenges, get in touch with Jojo Ruby France in Spain: 00 34 687 030 047 or Katherine Grant in Gibraltar: 00 350 5784 4000

m/f/StGeorgeXmas2021

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Two years ago I found myself announcing an imminent album release from the Valerga Brothers when they were inducted to the Hall Of Fame Class of 2019. I had been privy to an advance copy so I was confident that the CD would have been well received.

Covid delayed that album and forced into isolation, the brothers made good use of the extra time available and started to add songs to it with a view to making it a double album. Recordings went on until finally they had over thirty songs in the bag. That’s nearly a triple album’s worth! This is where we are two years later as Henry Valerga meets with me offering a bunch of new CD information handouts and the beaming smile of a man who has just done his musical best.

out. Henry has thoroughly researched the songs and added written quotes as sleeve liners. The local artists collaborating are Chris Montegriffo on harmonica, guitarist Paul Patrick Cano, Trevor Guilliano of ‘After Hours’ (recording assistance), singers Corrine Cooper and Seila Pavon, tenor Nathan Payas and soprano Claire Hawkins, veteran Rocker Giles Ramirez and veteran Rock guitarist Harry Chichon. The Gibraltar National Youth Choir conducted by Christian Santos, with spoken words by Krisna Gulraj and Michael Cortes, were recorded with Brian Torres and Nicky Gonzalez assisting. That represents a wide cross section of local talent who have rallied round to embellish the project with their contributions.

and we are immensely proud of everyone with the results that we have achieved.”

Henry gave me a sample CD of twenty songs from which I have selected a few to mention as a trailer and ‘The Boxer’ immediately stands out as does ‘You’ve lost that loving feeling’ both great productions.

‘Grocer Jack’ features the GNY Choir on it and has all the tenderness of the original. Henry’s vocal in Donovan’s ‘Catch the wind’ gives you goose pimples and ‘Universal Soldier’ is a truly epic production.

Denis Valerga sings ‘Blackberry Way’ and he has orchestrated a ‘Penny Lane’ type of trumpet solo at the end which is a masterpiece. ‘Ruby Tuesday’ is given a sensitive treatment which evokes all the magic of the

THE VALERGA BROTHERS RELEASE THEIR ‘LIFETIME BEST’ ALBUM FOR CALPE HOUSE “The ‘Soundtrack of my teenS’ by The Valerga Bothers is our ‘opus magnum.’ A snapshot of our early years in pictures and biography, packaged with the soundtrack of the 60’s and 70’s music which shaped our teens. This bumper musical offering includes great covers of big hits from legendary artists and we have also brought in local artists to the party in the hope that Calpe House, a charity really close to my heart, will benefit greatly from the entire proceeds of this thirty two track album.”

“As we speak (early November) it’s not yet guaranteed that the release will be in time for Christmas but we are still hopeful. All the music is done and mastered and it’s just the packaging and printing which still have to be tweaked. The songs we have chosen are legendary classics, evergreens from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, The Kinks, Simon and Garfunkel, Procol Harum, The Righteous Brothers, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Donovan, The Everly Brothers and many more.”

The album which has been financed by Kamlesh Krishna Khubchand, consists of a beautiful front cover painting of brothers Henry and Denis by artist Leslie Gaduzo.

Stephen Perera has done the graphic design and produced the twelve page libretto which includes many photos from the era in montage using vintage cameras and lay-

“Our versions of their songs are backed by rich instrumentation and versatile vocal arrangements which we and the other contributing artists have poured their hearts into. I think that we have achieved a recording milestone in the way that our covers of these classics have turned out. It’s the biggest project that we have ever attempted

early Rolling Stones at their acoustic best and Don Maclean’s ‘Vincent’ is also a truly standout track which captures the beauty and fragility of the original. I can’t wait to hear the rest of the songs.

Having heard the sample CD I can vouch that you will be in for a feast of classics which will make you feel proud of the local talent on display in these collaborations.

They really do stand out as special musical treats and I can see many copies of this bumper album package from the Valerga Brothers, which includes a 19 track CD, a 32 track USB and a 12 page comprehensive libretto, selling really well in support of Calpe House. The ‘Soundtrack of my teenS’ will gladden many hearts with the nostalgia and the musical journey of two brothers who have captured our hearts and still endure with their music.

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EXPLORING TRADITIONS THERE ARE MANY FAMOUS AND ANCIENT TRADITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH CHRISTMAS. UNDOUBTEDLY, IT IS SOME OF THE KEY TRADITIONS THAT MAKE CHRISTMAS SO SPECIAL. It is the season to be merry and after an extremely challenging year of physical and emotional issues to deal with, everyone is ready for this festive season. As some families polish their silver tableware ready for the Christmas day feast, villages and cities hang up their festive decorations and open the doors to a season of Christmas shopping and anticipation for Christmas day.

Christmas has a long history but we have the Victorians to thank for many of our most loved festive traditions, including sending cards and decorating Christmas trees. In fact, before the 19th Century, Christmas was barely celebrated in Britain.

Why do we have Christmas trees?

In the UK the Christmas tree was first introduced in 1800 by the wife of King George III, Queen Charlotte, who brought the tradition from her native Germany, where it was common custom to have a Christmas tree in your home Yew. She requested a Yew tree be brought to Queen’s Lodge in Windsor, which she decorated herself.

Why is mistletoe hung at Christmas?

Before it became a romantic symbol, mistletoe was considered so sacred in ancient Britain that it could only be cut by druids with a golden sickle. The plant had connotations of peace, and people who met underneath it were forbidden from fighting, even if they were bitter enemies. Homes decorated with mistletoe offered shelter and protection to anyone who entered.

Even to this day it is very rare to see a sprig of mistletoe inside a church thanks to its Pagan leanings. To the druids of the old religions it was a potent symbol of fertility, and the Greeks and the Romans regularly parleyed peace beneath its boughs. From the Middle Ages our ancestors hung it above the threshold to ward off evil spirits, although the Victorians helped give the plant its modern, lip-smacking tradition. In the UK, the main mistletoe event of the year is the Tenbury Wells Mistletoe Festival in Worcestershire.

How did the Victorians celebrate Christmas?

Much of our understanding of a merrie old English Christmas has more to do with the writings of Charles Dickens or Washington Irving than our real medieval ancestors. For the early Victorians, Christmas was an antiquated curiosity, but one that the English bourgeoisie were beginning to remember. Dickens’s A Christmas Carol is more an idealised romance based on his own childhood memory rather than a chronicle of what was happening at the time. When the Victorians did rediscover Christmas they couldn’t stop themselves and soon we had Christmas cards, crackers and the sense that Christmas was a time for family. And, as Tiny Tim observed: “God bless us, every one.”

Why is turkey eaten on Christmas Day? In the Victorian era, birds raised in East Anglia were often herded along Drovers’ roads to London to be sold fresh in time for Christmas. Daniel Defoe recorded that 150,000 turkeys were driven from East Anglia to London each year, a journey that took three months to complete. To protect their feet, turkeys were fitted with leather or sacking boots, while geese had theirs tarred and sanded.

In London itself, many working-class citizens banded together to form ‘goose clubs’ as a way to make the Christmas meal more affordable.

Each individual paid a few pence a week towards the purchase, which was then shared out between them.

Mince Pies, like Christmas puddings, were originally filled with meat, such as lamb, rather than the dried fruits and spices mix as they are today. They were also first made in an oval shape to represent the manger that Jesus slept in as a baby, with the top representing his swaddling clothes. Sometimes they even had a 'pastry baby Jesus' on the top.

Why is holly associated with Christmas?

The barbed leaves and red berries of the holly plant have long been identified with eternal life and protection in Great Britain. At first the Christian church took a disapproving stance to holly, forbidding it from appearing in churches, but the spiky leaves still appeared in people’s houses, as the red of the berries was thought to ward off witches. In the face of such popularity, the custom was sanctified, the leaves taken to represent Christ’s crown of thorns, and the berries His blood. Of course, special care had to be taken with such a powerful and lucky plant and so the old decorations, which were traditionally taken down on Candlemas (2 February), were never thrown away, but burnt.

Where did Christmas Crackers originate from?

Christmas crackers are a traditional Christmas favourite in the UK. They were first made in about 1845-1850 by a London sweet maker called Tom Smith. He had seen the French 'bon bon' sweets (almonds wrapped in pretty paper) on a visit to Paris in 1840. He came back to London and tried selling sweets like that in England and also included a small motto or riddle in with the sweet. However, they didn't sell very well. In 1861 Tom Smith launched his new range of what he called 'Bangs of Expectation' Legend says that, one night, while he was sitting in front of his log fire, he became very interested by the sparks and cracks coming from the fire. Suddenly, he thought what a fun idea it would be, if his sweets and toys could be opened with a crack when their fancy wrappers were pulled in half.

Why do we celebrate Boxing Day? Celebrating the 26th December began sometime in the 1800s when Christmas gifts were received by the in a ‘Christmas box’. The following day, wealthier classes would fill the box with gifts to give to the poor – often servants and staff from their home who would traditionally be given Boxing Day off as a holiday. Alternatively, the box would be donated to a local church to help poorer people.

The feast of St Stephen is now known as Boxing Day thanks to the tradition of tradesmen calling on anyone who had employed them in the previous year to collect a monetary gift placed in special Christmas boxes.

Whether traditions are steeped in history or ones we create ourselves, there is something wonderfully comforting and nostalgic about our beloved customs and shared beliefs over Christmas.

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River cruising was already gaining in popularity since before the pandemic, and has recently become the in-vogue travel trend. Although it doesn’t offer the same experience as a deluxe ocean going cruise ship, over one-third of all river ships have been built within the past 10 years so guests can now choose from contemporary and luxurious vessels from which they can explore some of the world’s most historic towns and cities as they journey along waterways in style and comfort.

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Hopefully, cruising will come back and be safer than ever in the future. There is already strong demand and a surge in bookings for 2022 and

2023 from people who have had ocean cruise trips cancelled or delayed, but more and more people are now considering going on a river cruise.

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2019 saw a record high of nearly 30 million ocean cruise passengers worldwide but then the coronavirus pandemic hit and the global cruise industry suffered as emergency measures were employed to limit the spread of the virus and that year the figure dropped to 5.8 million passengers.

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Cruising is one of the most popular modes of travel and can be a cost effective way of visiting multiple destinations in one trip.

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Top River Cruise Destinations EUROPE The best time of year to take a river cruise in Europe is between March and December, although September is perhaps a good option with cooler weather and fewer crowds than during the summer high-season. Don’t forget Europe’s fabled festive Christmas Markets, with river cruises typically taking place from the end of November up until Christmas Day. The Danube and the Rhine are amongst the most popular river cruises. The 870-mile stretch of the Rhine is very diverse in its scenery and a Rhine river cruise typically runs from Amsterdam to Basel via Cologne, Koblenz, the Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim, Mannheim and Strasbourg. If cathedrals and castles are on your list of places to visit, a Rhine cruise will offer those in abundance as you stop off at historic cities and medieval towns.

The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe, flowing for a staggering 2,860km through ten countries, from the Black Forest of Germany to the Black Sea of Romania. Most Danube river cruises travel along one section of the river on a round-trip itinerary, often including the spectacular cities of Vienna, Budapest, Munich and Prague, and mooring at various points of interest en route.

Looking to southern Europe, the river Douro is one of the major rivers of the Iberian Peninsula flowing from its source in

north-central Spain through Portugal running about 560 miles to its outlet at Porto on the Atlantic Ocean. Wind your way past verdant hillsides and ripe vineyards and maybe you will get the change to go ashore for some wine or port tasting. Opt for one of the companies that takes you to historic Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the oldest university in Spain.

AFRICA Which river comes foremost to mind when thinking about Africa? The same one that obviously conjures up images of a famous Belgian detective investigating murders amongst a group of travellers as they cruise along the Nile. Most cruises travel between Luxor and Aswan and include stops with guided tours of temples and museums.

RUSSIA Russia has become more accessible than ever and you can explore the country by taking a journey along the Volga River from the Imperial capital and cultural city of St Petersburg to Moscow, the heart of which lies in Red Square which contains St. Basil's Cathedral. River cruises start in early May and finish by the end of October, with high season being June (known as White Nights because of the near-endless daylight), July and August.

ASIA The three most popular river cruise regions in Asia are the Yangtze in China, the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia, and the Irrawaddy in Myanmar. The Mekong River covers a distance of nearly 5,000 km from its source on the Tibetan Plateau in China to the Mekong Delta, flowing through six countries: China, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam. If you’ve always wanted to visit the ruined temples of Angkor Wat, taking a river cruise is an easy way to immerse yourself in the ancient history and culture of Cambodia.

River cruises offer an alternative to ocean cruising with one of the benefits being that the smaller vessels are allowed to navigate through small waterways and dock in the heart of cities and towns, very near or right at the destination of the day, with no sea days like on a big ocean cruise ship. A smaller ship lends itself to an overall quieter and more relaxed atmosphere and you will have more of a

INDIA Discover the colour and diversity of India’s fascinating historical heritage with a river cruise along the sacred Ganges, the thirty-fourth longest river in the world at 2, 620km, flowing down through the Himalayas to form the Gangetic Plain of North India eventually discharging into the Bay of Bengal through Bangladesh.

chance to get to know your fellow passengers. If you are lucky you will be travelling on a hand-crafted, luxury, vessel with bespoke details beyond your wildest dreams. Lastly, there will always be something interesting to see on either side of the river.

Maybe you will find that river cruising floats your boat!

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IF Y O U ARE C ONF USED, O VERW HELMED, OR DON' T KNO W W HERE T O S T AR T, I T M IGH T HELP T O WR I T E DO WN HO W Y O U ARE F EEL ING. Describing how you're feeling and thinking might also help you to find information that's more useful to your situation right now.

You can email your answers to yourself once you have finished. It might be helpful to reflect on what you have written down later, or use it to help you find information that is most useful to you right now.

This is completely anonymous, you don't need to share it with anyone, and everything you write down will be erased as soon as you close the window.

The pandemic allowed many of us to uptake new hobbies and pursue existing interests - but there seems to be one activity which the nation is taking increasing interest in.

Research from leading biographer StoryTerrace reveals that nearly 5 million Brits want to write their own book in 2021, and it seems the incentive for doing so is creating traction outside of the literary world, now widely appealing to the everyday consumer.

Rutger Bruining who is the CEO of Story Terrace, sheds light on why writing and journaling have become so popular.

NO S T ALG IA INCREASES O UR HAP P INESS Looking back at past memories and life moments has become commonplace over the course of the past year, offering us a form of escapism from the pandemic. And while reflecting on the past can be an intellectual activity, nostalgia is also an emotional one. Memory is about recalling the facts of a past event; nostalgia is about recalling how it felt to be there. A 2013 study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that engaging in nostalgia led people to feel more optimistic about the future. Nostalgia is also related to higher self-esteem, happiness, and feelings of closeness to loved ones - engaging in past memories evoke these feelings for us, boosting our overall mood.

T HE IMP AC T OF JO URNAL ING ON O UR MENT AL HEAL T H The act of writing in a journal to record your innermost thoughts yields a whole host of benefits when it comes to our mental health. It can better our mood, in-

crease our sense of wellbeing, and even lead to better working memory. In some cases, journaling is "prescribed" as a way to reduce PTSD symptoms or to help people suffering from depression and anxiety.

However, you don't have to be suffering to benefit from journaling - any time spent writing your thoughts helps your brain to get better at regulating your emotions. And a biography is like a journal on steroids!

SELF-REF LEC T ION IS KEY T O P ERSONAL GRO W T H If there's one overarching condition of modern life - and one we can all relate to - it's busyness. We move from email to email or meeting to meeting with little time to pause and think about our lives and their meaning — a situation that's only been made worse by the distractions of smartphones.

Yet Harvard researchers have found that making time for self-reflection is a crucial component of learning. Writing a biography is the ultimate exercise of self-reflection, as you aren't just thinking about a day's work, but your life as a whole.

Alison Hitchcock is the co-founder of From Me to You, a charity that encourages writing letters for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Here, Alison explains the power of writing down our feelings:

HO W CAN WR I T ING DO WN EMO T IONS HELP O UR MENT AL AND P HY SICAL HEAL T H? Writing, especially by hand, gives us the opportunity to slow down and reflect, and this is especially so with writing a letter as we try to put our thoughts and feelings in order, to convey them to someone else.

Research tells us that writing letters can increase levels of contentedness and lower instances of depression. A letter is an opportunity to share with another, to have a conversation, and that conversation is as much between the writer and the paper as it is between the writer and reader.

IS WR I T ING DO WN O UR F EEL INGS A P O SIT IVE WAY OF EXP RESSING O URSELVES F OR EVERY ONE? For some people drawing will be a positive way of expressing themselves, for others

singing, for others talking, but writing is so accessible for so many people. At the letter writing charity From Me to You we encourage people to connect with loved ones living with cancer via a letter, often giving them the opportunity to say in writing the things they struggle to say face to face.

IS I T HELP F UL T O WR I T E EVERY DAY OR SHO ULD WE JO URNAL AS AND W HEN WE F EEL T HE NEED T O? Writing should never feel pressurised so doing it when you feel like it will always have the best impact. The physicality of writing, holding the pen, connects with our neural pathways, heightens creativity and stimulates emotions buried away.

One question is should the writer ever share their thoughts with others or is it more impactful if we write solely for ourselves?

Writing is a wonderfully intimate way to connect with others without imposing or requiring of them an immediate response.

During the pandemic so many people have come to understand the meaning of being isolated but for many cancer patients isolation is a way of life.

Being disconnected from the world, especially during treatments, is difficult, but someone reaching out by writing a letter can create a much needed connection. And for the writer, sharing their own thoughts and musings allows them to take a slice of their world into that of another, and given the feel good factor of doing something good for someone else.

The beauty of hypnotherapy is that really, the power is in your hands. It’s about heading to your sessions with an open mind and a want to tune in to what your therapist is saying. Think of this as your time - just for you.

CHAR I T Y WEBSI T E: Anyone looking to donate or receive a letter can sign up at frommetoyouletters.co.uk.

Rutger Bruining is the CEO and Founder of national biographer StoryTerrace. www.storyterrace.com

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Gibraltar’s Premium Bridal Lounge 11 years and still going strong We are extremely excited to introduce our new look bridal lounge as well as the latest collections by world-renowned designer Justin Alexander one of the biggest names in bridal!

No matter the wedding gown you’re searching for I have over 11 years experience in the bridal industry helping brides have the confidence to say ‘yes’ to their dream dress.

As the owner it is a honour to announce that Diamond Occasion have confirmed exclusivity as authorised stockist of these stunning labels Justin Alexander, Sincerity, Adore and Lillian West, now approaching 80 dresses in the showroom 2022 is going to be the best yet!

It’s no secret that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes; whether you are a size 2 or 32, we have something for you. My priority as the owner and professional stylist is creating a one of a kind experience for you, the one of a kind bride. Ensuring the highest level of customer service, as well as attention to detail. Whether modern bride, boho chic, whimsical romance, fairy tale, classic, or vintage. From gown, veil, headpiece to alterations I will guide you towards your bridal vision.

If you are getting married in 2022 please do not leave it too late!

During pre-booked Bridal Styling appointments, we will close our doors to the public and the showroom in especially for you. Enjoy a complementary glass of cava on arrival with your guests and get comfortable in our bridal lounge while I guide you through our fabulous latest collections.

Orders placed throughout December will be expected for April 2022 delivery, we have interest free payment plans available to help spread the costs for your special day so you do not miss out on your favourite designer gown.

Committed to raising the bar in independent retail it does not stop there!

New collections for the rest of the party are expected to arrive from early 2022 so we have everyone covered, everything under one roof right on your doorstep! Bridesmaids, Mother of the Bride/ Groom, Special Occasion, Pageant, Communion Wear, Men’s Suit Hire and British tailored waistcoats all available in a made to order service especially for you. *Please join our facebook page or visit our website www.diaond-occasion.com for the latest announcements and sneaky peek at our new collections*

NOW is the time to order your dream dress, please message me to book a private styling appointment and begin your bridal journey.

(On occasions our designers may have dresses available in stock for immediate delivery but size and colour availability will be limited)

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Look forward to seeing you soon!

Dreaming of a curve-hugging mermaid dress? A fabulous Cinderella-style ball gown? How about a sexy fit and flare?

Sam x

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HEALTH & WELLBEING As we move between seasons when the days get shorter and the night becomes longer, you may notice that less daylight hours can affect our sleeping patterns and have an influence on our sleep quality. Anything that upsets our 24-hour cycle, such as the clocks moving forwards or backwards, jet lag, shift work, or even just a very late night, can have a detrimental effect on our sleep patterns, leading to problems like insomnia.

WINTER WELLNESS THE KEY TO WINTER WELLNESS LIES IN SUPPORTING YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM. PROTECT YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM AND IT WILL BE ABLE TO PROTECT YOU. The winter months are upon us and that means we are more prone to seasonal coughs, colds and sniffles, so the more we can do to build and support our immunity now, the better. There are several things that you can do to support your immune system. These include not smoking and trying to avoid passive smoke inhalation. Why? Because this helps to protect your nasal passages, mucus membranes, mouth, throat, and lungs as well as your skin.

It goes without saying that you should try and eat a healthy diet, but that is always difficult at a time of year when there are so many treats around! Try and incorporate more fruit, vegetables and whole grains in your daily meals and stay away from food that is high in saturated fats. Eat foods high in fibre and also remember to drink lots of water, both of which will help your gut.

One of the best ways to support your natural immunity is to nourish your body with the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to thrive (the ones your body can’t make by itself), and Holland & Barrett are offering 20% off a selection of immunity products to boost your winter wellness.

There are three vitamins that are best for boosting your immunity: Vitamin C is one of the biggest immune system boosters of all and a lack of vitamin C can even make you more prone to getting sick. Foods rich in vitamin C include oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, strawberries, bell peppers, spinach, kale and broccoli. Daily intake of vitamin C is essential for good health because your body doesn’t produce or store it. Take one to four tablets daily of Holland & Barrett Gentle Non-Acidic Vitamin C tablets to help to improve your overall health while working on making your immune system stronger.

Vitamin B6 is vital to supporting biochemical reactions in the immune system. Vi-

tamin B6-rich foods include chicken and cold-water fish such as salmon and tuna.

Vitamin B6 is also found in green vegetables and in chickpeas, which is the main ingredient in hummus. Did you know that Vitamin B refers to not one, but eight different vitamins? All B vitamins play a role in converting food into energy in the body.

Take two caplets daily, preferably with meals, of Holland & Barrett Complete B Vitamin B Complex.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps the body fight off infection. Foods rich in vitamin E include nuts, seeds and spinach. Holland & Barrett Vitamin E Softgel Capsules are premium quality and one of the only natural forms of vitamin E supplements that are available on the health market.

Alcohol consumption can often increase during the winter months, but try to keep to drinking in moderation and avoid binge drinking because it can suppress some parts of your immune system, leaving you open to illness and making recovery more difficult.

Exercise is key to supporting your immune system. Daily activity in the form of walking is one of the best ways to build up your immunity and immune response and will also go some way to helping you to maintain a healthy weight.

Sleep is directly linked to good health and making sure you get enough good quality sleep every night is important, about seven to eight hours is ideal. Consumption of Zinc can help you to have less sleepless nights. Zinc is a key micronutrient that our body needs for a number of roles, from supporting growth and development to helping neurological functions. It is also essential for our immune system, as it affects how our cells respond to infections, and can help keep inflammation under control. Zinc can also contribute to the maintenance of normal skin, hair and nails. Try Holland & Barrett Zinc Tablets, containing chelated zinc which is easily

absorbed in the body because it has been attached to an organic molecule.

Once you are feeling your best you will want to look your best, especially during the festive season. Holland & Barrett have a fantastic 3 for 2 Mix and Match offer on all their beauty products, including toiletries, shampoos, conditioners, face creams and lotions as well as aromatherapy and essential oils. Remember, it’s what you put on your body that is as important as what you put in it, whether that is skin and face care or hair products, so if you prefer to buy organic and natural skincare and haircare, you will be sure to find some treasures in Holland & Barrett from old favourites such as Dr Organics to newer brands such as Vitaskin and Faith in Nature. Don’t forget to grab a festive beauty gift for someone you love in the 3 for 2 Mix and Match offer and if you are stuck for Christmas presents for someone who is a clean beauty fan, Holland & Barrett have the solution with a range of products that are clean of synthetic ingredients.

Advisory Information: Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medications or are under medical supervision, please consult a doctor or healthcare professional and always read the label before use.

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For the

time of the year However, it is important to keep the spirit of the festive Christmas season and focus on spending quality time with families and friends andnurturing ourselves.

Some top tips for a safe and healthy season:

Disconnect to reconnect If you are off work, switch off from work!Even if you are used to working from home and accessing your work at any time, avoid the temptation of reaching for your laptop during your annual leave.

Reaching for our phones is almost compulsive; but doing absolutely nothing at all is actually good for our brains. Research shows that when we are 'unfocused' (i.e. daydreaming or doodling) our brain activity increases, allowing us to process thoughts and memories.

Avoid long periods of watching TV or engagement with social media. Short periods can provide entertainment and connect you to a wider community, but too much time is seen to interrupt sleep and affect mood.

Embrace the quiet moments and be present-stop looking for the next thing to do!

Hydrate Mulled wines, festive cocktails, any kind of alcohol, can cause chronic dehydration.

Drinking tea/ coffee to access will have the same effect.Try to get into the habit of drinking a glass of water when you wake up every morning before doing anything else.

A cup of warm water with a dash of lemon and honey is an option. It is good to drink a glass of water in between alcoholic drinks too.

The aim is drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day.

Give your digestive system a break; consume consciously!

Digestion starts in the brain. Seeing/ smelling food causes the release of enzymes that aid digestion. Chewing food properly allows you to savour the taste whilst reducing your stomach’s workload. Humans cannot effectively digest foods when in a state of stress, our bodies cannot absorb nutrients as efficiently; often, as a result, we consume empty calories that then cause us to crave moreenergy dense foods.

If you find you like to indulge in ‘junk’ foods, be mindful of your digestive system!Fried

and processed foods containing lots of sugar and ‘bad’ fats are the worst offenders for cell damage. Eat natural foods as far as possible (i.e. fresh fruits and veg, wholegrains…).

Try to plan your meals bearing this in mind and make sure to avoid late night snacking; also allowing for a 12-hour break from eating/drinking to facilitate digestion and cell repair.

Put your cutlery down between mouthfuls; this will encourage you to slow down.

FOR THE MERRIEST TIME OF YEAR, CHRISTMAS CAN SOMETIMES CREATE A PERFECT STORM OF STRESS. THE COMBINATION OF TOO MUCH SPENDING, OVER-INDULGING, THE PROXIMITY TO (OR ABSENCE OF) FAMILY MEMBERS, SEASONAL WEATHER CHANGES AND MANY OTHER FACTORS CAN BECOME OVERWHELMING. FURTHERMORE, THE YEAR OF MUCH UNCERTAINTY CAUSED

BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ANXIETIES ABOUT OUR HEALTH, FINANCES AND FUTURES MAY CAST A SHADOW OVER THE FESTIVE SEASON.

Move more Your lymphatic system is your body’s waste removal system; it requires movement to eliminate the toxins your body is constantly processing. Exercise is vital to shift these toxins.

Dancing, sprinting, power walking have manybenefits, as do many other forms of exercise. Other ways to move your lymphatic system include dry skin brushing, massage and relaxing in a bath.

Less doing and more being!

Take the time to spend 10 minutes a day to nurture yourself or just be on your own, simply enjoying being rather than doing.

Scheduling a few minutes for yourself dai-

ly will prompt the release of calming hormones like serotonin and help you cope with festive frictions.

Connecting with nature, perhaps on a walk, is another way to reduce depression/ anxiety and lower blood pressure.

Try Box Breathing to create a sense of Calm - breath in for 4, hold for 4, breath out for 4, hold for 4. Repeat 5 -10 times.

Practice daily gratitude Studies show that writing down things you are grateful for every day increases happiness levels, decreases stress and even boosts the immune system!

Leave a notepad by your bed and jot down three different things every day that you are grateful for - aim for 21 consistent days and see how you feel…

Don't overspend Overspending is common at Christmas, and it is often a result of external pressure from family, social media, friends and even children!Financial problems can have a huge impact on health, wellbeing and personal relationships.

Some practical tips for avoiding overspending at Christmas: • Set a budget.

• Make a list of people you want to buy gifts for with ideas for gifts (this will help prevent impulse purchases).

• Shop around for deals.

• Resist the urge to borrow money.

• Make some gifts instead of buying them all.

• Ask friends and family to buy you charitable gifts as far as possible • Talk to your children/family about the reality of money and the pandemic situation.

The most valuable thing anyone can ever give is their time.Doing something for a friend or stranger, volunteering, making a present, completing random acts of kindness or merely taking the time to genuinely thank someone will strengthen relationships and create positive experiences.

Public Health Gibraltar wishes everyone a safe, happy and healthy festive season

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FEATURE

T H I N K B E F OR E YOU L IG H T A Public Health Perspective on Fireworks

Fireworks are a beautiful way to mark celebratory events - National Day and New Year’s Eve are just two occasions we may enjoy a visual treat. However, it is important to be mindful of the potential health impacts of such displays, particularly if you are conducting your own.

tanium, strontium, and copper commonly found in fireworks are much more toxic than the pollutants we breathe every day.

Fireworks and bonfires can increase circulating particulate matter (also known as particle pollution) that affects air quality, visibility and health, during and after the events.

Some fireworks can be loud and can exceed 140 decibels (studies show that noise above 85 decibels can damage hearing).

Increase in the sound levels can lead to restlessness, temporary or permanent hearing loss, high blood pressure, mood disruptions and sleep disturbance.

Inhalation of particulate matter and smoke can lead to a worsening of several health conditions, including:

KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE FROM ANY FIREWORK ZONES (10 – 20 METRES RECOMMENDED)

ALWAYS HAVE AN ADULT SUPERVISE FIREWORK ACTIVITIES.

• respiratory illnesses, such as colds, allergies or coughs, asthma, COPD, pneumonia, laryngitis etc.

Loud noises and sudden flashes of bright light from fireworks easily frighten animals.

Pets are particularly vulnerable. Common reactions in dogs include freezing or paralysis, uncontrolled attempts to escape and hide, and tremors. Other more intense signs may also be present, such as salivation, tachycardia, intense vocalizations, urination or defecation, increased activity, hyper-alertness and gastrointestinal disorders.

• cardiovascular disease • eye related problems • headaches (Pregnant women, children, elderly people and those with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to health effects associated with exposure to firework related emissions).

Metals such as barium and aluminium used to give fireworks colour can damage human and animal cells; others like lead, ti-

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Burns are reportedly the most common firework injury with head/neck, hands, fingers, arms, and legs being common sites of injury. Injuries affecting the eyes, including the presence of foreign bodies are also common. The types of fireworks that cause the most injuries are firecrackers, sparklers and bottle rockets. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals- young children often suffer injuries from sparklers.

It is therefore crucial to ensure to keep a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.

Birds are also affected; the noise and pollution can lead to abandonment of nests or even whole colonies.

WORDS BY DAYA DEWFALLW

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FEATURE

MEDIATION

AN UNDERUSED METHOD FOR RESOLVING DISPUTES

Meditation, a form of alternative dispute resolution, is often overlooked and underused in Gibraltar as a method of resolving issues between parties, with many people instead remaining focused on seeking the court’s assistance to settle their disputes. This is perhaps with the slight exception of employment cases, where parties are required to attempt mediation as part of the grievance process.

Litigation has its benefits and may be, in some instances, the only suitable and sensible route forward. However, litigation is not panacea – it has its flaws and limitations. As many may know from first-hand experience, litigation can be costly, time-consuming and, given its adversarial nature, the process can often lead to deeper rifts developing between the parties and their respective positions becoming further entrenched, which is largely unconducive to maintaining future relationships – whether personal or commercial. Further, there is also the emotional stress and anxiety that often comes with preparing for trial and giving evidence.

For those that may not be familiar with mediation, it is a process whereby a neutral third party – the mediator - facilitates a negotiation between the respective parties (the mediatees). It is voluntary, confidential and informal. This means that the parties are at the driving wheel in mediation: they are choosing to attend the sessions and are choosing to try to work towards a collaborative solution, not a compromise where both sides end up feeling hard done by. Mediation therefore has the potential to empower mediatees, as it gives them agency over their dispute, including the power to decide between themselves (with the assistance of the mediator) how they resolve their issues and how to structure their relationship going forward.

In addition, rather than having a lawyer arguing their case, mediatees put forward their own views, wants, needs and wishes, as well as their frustrations, which can be cathartic in itself and, should the mediation be successful and an agreed outcome reached, the decision will have been made by the parties, not decided for them by a judge. As a very experienced mediator recently told me, Gibraltar is indeed a nation of communicators, and mediation thereby lends itself well to the Gibraltarian spirit of discussing and debating matters. It is a shame, therefore, that mediation is not more widely used on the Rock.

Unlike court, where most hearings are public, mediation is conducted in private: whatever is discussed between the mediator and mediatee in the individual sessions is kept confidential and whatever the parties discuss in joint sessions remains between those four walls (with certain exceptions largely based upon the welfare of the mediatees and others). For many the court process is daunting and beset with unfamiliar rules and countless deadlines. Mediation on

the other hand is informal, it follows a staged process but, as stated above, it is driven by those partaking. The more effort the parties put in, the better outcome they are likely to get.

Mediation is also future-focussed, with the mediator helping the parties to shift the spotlight away from the past and to understand their respective interests and needs (i.e., why they need a particular outcome and the underlying root of their motivations), rather than their positions.

Parties’ positions are often incompatible and exacerbated by bias. For example, each party may demand an apology whilst refusing to accept responsibility for their own actions or one party may insist on receiving a certain amount of compensation, which the other party cannot realistically afford to pay. By moving away from positions to focus on interests and needs, mediation can help the parties to reach a workable long-term solution for the future. As disputes often arise between individuals that have some sort of ongoing relationship, such as family members, employers and employees, landlords and tenants, and suppliers and consumers of goods and services, it makes sense to try to find a solution that works best for the parties and helps to maintain their relationships going forward.

It is often the case that mediation provides a quicker and more cost-effective method for resolving disputes than litigation (and other forms of alternative dispute resolution, such as arbitration, for that matter). This is particularly the case at present where the courts are facing a significant backlog of cases as a result of Covid-19. Court diaries aside, as a general rule, it is often better to deal with issues head on, nipping them in the bud before they worsen to minimise further misunderstandings arising and resentment brewing. The cost benefits of mediation should also not be overlooked: litigation can often cost tens of thousands of pounds and take months, if not years to conclude. Whereas mediation is largely a much cheaper and quicker process.

As with litigation, mediation is not a silver bullet. It has its limitations and is not suitable for all matters. For example, where there is a significant imbalance of power between the parties or where one or both mediatees are not willing to actively participate in the process. The mediator has no power to compel a party to engage nor to ensure that a solution is reached. Nevertheless, mediation is a form of dispute resolution that parties in conflict should more readily consider, not just for the potential cost and time-saving advantages, but for the wider opportunity mediation affords to help maintain relationships and to obtain a win-win solution for both parties.

WORDS BY JEMMA EMMERSON ASSOCIATE AT HASSANS 64

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PACS PACS HAS BEEN GETTING

Crafty F or th e la s t few w eek s !

The Parent and Child Society has been running a new session for 3 weeks in October and November called Craft Club!

The Parent and Child Society has been running a new session for 3 weeks in October and November called Craft Club!

Although there are several craft sessions for children on the Rock, PACS felt that these can be very expensive and therefore not available to all. So, in time for Halloween and autumn we have run some special craft sessions. These have been very popular with the children and parents alike, with all sessions fully booked within minutes of advertising.

drawings and autumn sensory jars with glitter, leaves and oil. And to finish the craft sessions for this month, the children made their own play dough and then created letters, animals and monsters from it. All sessions were a great way for children to learn key motor skills and let their imagination run wild!

Week one the children made Halloween themed Ghost and Spider Door decorations. Children got to stick paper and cotton wool and make scary faces with googly eyes! The second session saw children using autumn leaves to make hedgehog

Due to the success of these session PACS is looking at running some Christmas based sessions in December. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for details.

Totally Toddlers - Mondays 10.00-12.00pm We will be getting all festive and ready for the Christmas season! For our story we will be reading “Dear Santa.”

And for Craft the children will be printing snowflakes and making Christmas Trees! Ho! Ho! Ho! Come join us at Mid Harbours Family Centre Bumps & Babies - Wednesdays 9.30am - 12pm Our regular social catch up for parents to be and babies is held at The Living Room Café, Methodist Church.

The home from home atmosphere makes this a relaxed session, where parents can meet up with their young

babies to enjoy a cup of tea, make friends and chat about the highs and the lows of parenting.

Diddy Discoverers – Fridays 9.45 -11.45am This month at Diddy Discoverers, as well as having our climbing frames and slides, our sensory table will have some Christmas fun and we’ll be having a Tea Party!

Come join us for our action-packed session at The Methodist Church.

Sensory Story Time – Thursdays 1.00 – 2.00pm Come and join us for some interactive Story Time fun!

Different themes every week!

Cooking Club – Wednesday & Friday 12.30 – 2.15 pm Cooking Club will be making Pizzas and Rocky Road.

Kids will have the opportunity to make a mess and taste new foods! Come to this yummy and creative session at The Methodist Church Craft Club will also be running a Christmas Session. Check our Facebook page for details! *This session is PACS only session that must be prebooked via email pacscooking@outlook.com Contact Us for more information

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION PACSGIB@GMAIL.COM OR ON FACEBOOK PARENT AND CHILD SOCIETY

I t 's

t ime

At PACS Christmas is our favourite time of year. Here are a few of our favourite Christmas reads, crafts and recipes.

green paint and then add glitter and sequins to decorate. Its also great fun to find your own pinecone if you can make it to the woods for a winter walk with the family.

Every year we read “Dear Santa” by Rod Campbell to our toddlers at story time. It’s the follow-up to the classic Dear Zoo. Our toddlers love to lift the flaps to unwrap each present, until Santa finds the perfect present. The repeating phrases are ideal for a pre-reader. Another favourite is “How the Grinch stole Christmas” by Dr Suess. Its rhymed verses and unique illustrations make it a fun for parents to read aloud to their children.

Christmas cookies, whether they are store bought or homemade, toddlers love decorating Christmas cookies with icing and sprinkles. In fact, some of their creations have more sprinkles than biscuit.

Remember paper doilies? They make the perfect stencil for snowflakes. For one of PACS Christmas crafts we simply secure the doily to a paper plate with paper clips. Toddlers apply paint usually dark blue using a sponge. Then they simply peel off the doily to reveal the snowflake pattern. A perfect short winter craft for toddlers. Another fun craft is painting pinecones to make mini-Christmas trees. Toddlers paint a pinecone using

We hope you can join us at our playgroups this December to get into the Christmas spirit. Or try these stories, crafts and recipe ideas at home.

Whether you are celebrating your baby’s first Christmas or have excited toddlers and pre-schoolers who are beginning to understand the magic of Christmas, we wish you a wonderful Christmas.

In the eyes of children, we find the joy of Christmas; in their hearts we find the meaning.

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FEATURE THE BEST

GIFT

THE EXCITEMENT OF OPENING OUR CHRISTMAS GIFTS NEVER DIMINISHES.

Interestingly, what we feel constitutes a gift can vary enormously. A beautiful piece of jewellery? Wonderful. However, an emotional reunion can be experienced with equal pleasure and create a treasured memory.

Clean water might not seem an obvious gift but globally, the charity Wateraid confirms 1 in 10 people have no clean water at home. For the communities that Wateraid helps, it is not only a gift - but a life saver.

The lack of water has a particularly devastating impact on women and girls, who are largely responsible for collecting water. It keeps them from their education or earning a living.

WaterAid has worked with a community in south-east Nepal, helping bring clean water and toilets to their school.

Kabita, 14, who is part of the community said: ‘Before, the school premises were very dirty and the toilet was not clean. When menstruating, either girls did not come to school, or, if menstruation happened during school time, they used to go back home. But now the situation has completely changed. It is very good these days, as we don’t have to leave the school during menstruation. Students can attend without any stress and can concentrate on our studies.’

WaterAid also worked in Laxmi’s community in southern Nepal. Before, Laxmi, 12, often missed school to collect water. She said: ‘Early in the morning as soon as I woke up, I had to go to the stream to collect water and wash clothes. I would miss school one or two times a week. Now there is water all of us are happy. Without education you can’t do anything.’

This Christmas, you can help communities get the ultimate gift of clean water and toilets by supporting WaterAid’s Thirst for Knowledge appeal. Wateraid will provide vital facilities to communities around the world, helping prevent the spread of deadly diseases, improve education, and transform lives.

Amazing Christmas gifts can be about helping to sustain lives or giving life.

Nicola Wagstaff, 41, from North Wales, is single and co-parents her daughter Ayla, 4. Nicola is the founder of Inspire - Rewire Wellbeing Club.

Nicola explains ‘Ayla was due on the 4th December, 2017, I told everyone it was the 14th as I experienced anxiety and depression during pregnancy. I didn't want the relentless questions about her not arriving yet. Ayla eventually arrived on the 15th. I was huge. I am 5 foot 3 and she was 10lb.

Needless to say it wasn't an easy birth. 3 days later and a home-birth-water-birth plan scrapped, I ended up in a 3 day labour.

I experienced infections and a catheter for 10 days. At one point I came home from the hospital. It was strange being in that same room for days on end, hooked up to a million wires while trying to change a new born. High on drugs and all by myself in the wee hours of the morning. Eventually they let my partner stay over.

Thankfully, during the whole time I was not at all stressed. As a hypnotherapist, I put this down to the hypno-birthing. The misconception of hypno-birthing is that its about having a water birth at home. Whilst this is the dream for those of us who follow this, its actually more about going with the flow, no matter what happens.

However, this wasn't the end of it. I managed to get discharged but we almost forced it and it was a mistake. I became incredibly ill and was trying to breastfeed with daily tummy injections and the rest.

I had in fact contracted a bad infection. I was admitted again, but finally I received my best Christmas gift ever and was released with my gorgeous big little girl on Christmas eve at 8pm. Never have we all had such a thankful, wonderful Christmas.’

Mandy Mee is a Professional Matchmaker, she says

‘Christmas is one of the most anticipated and emotional holidays.

It’s important to be mindful that not everyone has good relationships with relatives. Some people may be estranged from family or loved ones, others may not even have shelter for warmth or food to eat. Let's not be swayed by the colourful pictures of Christmas the media tends to portray, understanding that the festivities do come with an emotional imbalance - both highs and lows. During this period, staying in touch with people can make a difference to someone on Christmas day.

Gifting is all part of celebrations, and although Christmas isn’t about materialism, gifting during Christmas has become tradition. Put some effort into planning what to give your loved ones for Christmas with awareness of the art of giving and the impact it has on your being. Gift giving activates a number of chemical hormones in your body such as oxytocin and dopamine, especially when received with immense gratitude.

My best Christmas Gift ever is quality time with the love of my life and something that’s so significant to our Love. It could be an album or video that tells a story of our relationship, or something unique that serves as a memory of an experience we shared together like a Souvenir.

As the Festive period tends to breeze through like the wind, remember to be present in the moment and savour every experience, food and drink’.

Christmas gifts are joyous to receive, no matter the price or size. The important aspect is the love and care it is wrapped up in.

Nicola Wagstaff website is www.inspire-rewire.com Mandy Mee, Professional Matchmaker & Coach at The MME Agency: www. themmeagency.com Wateraid Website: www.wateraid.org

WORDS BY KATHLEEN NORTH

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MOTORING INSIGHT

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MOTORING INSIGHT

Porsche

718 Cayman GT4 Porsche was founded in 1931 in Stuttgart by Ferdinand Porsche, and originally offered motor vehicle development, technology, consulting, but did not build any of its own cars.

One of the first contracts for the company was from the German Government to design a car for the people, for Volkswagen. This resulted in the design and birth of the original Beetle.

During WW2 VW turned its production to military vehicles, and Porsche produced many designs for heavy tanks, although not many of their designs were used.

At the end of WW2 in 1945, the VW factory went to the British and Major Ivan Hirst from Saddleworth, near Manchester was put in charge. Ferdinand lost his position of Chairman and was put in prison for nearly two years, but never tried. During his time in prison, Ferdi-

nands son, Ferry decided to design and build a car he wanted to drive, and the original Porsche sports car was launched, the 356 If you like cars, then there’s not a right lot not to like about a Porsche, but many traditionalists have shaken their heads in disbelief over some models the company has produced over recent years. A large SUV Porsche, ridiculous, an Electric Porsche, outrageous you can hear them say at owners club meetings. But the simple fact is, that whatever it looks like, whatever the drivetrain, they have sold in bucket-loads.

But I recently drove the second-generation 718 Cayman GT4, now this is what those Porsche owners will like. First of all, it looks like a Porsche sports car, typical lines and design, and from 500m away you know it’s a Porsche. It has the huge air-scoops on the rear body panels.

It is fitted with the new 9AE Evo engine that is a 4.0-litre flat six that produces 420ps, goes from 0-100kph in 4.4 seconds, and is coupled to a 6-speed short-shift manual

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gearbox, all very smooth, and more than enough power. It also has a top speed of 300kph, where permitted, which is hardly anywhere, especially here in Gibraltar, and doubtful you could get up to that speed on the runway, you might get up to 300kph, but not sure there’d be enough runway left to slow down. But the 718 does have a high-performance braking system to match its performance and acceleration.

The interior is most definitely a Porsche, slightly awkward to get into, and a bit more awkward to get out of, but there is a knack, and you’d soon get used to it. But if it was easy to get in and out of, the the traditionalists would say it’s not a proper Porsche. Once you are comfortably seated, the controls are easy to use, and very intuitive, but some of the suspension settings and dynamic controls would need a bit of thinking about, I just left everything as it was, and was perfectly happy.

The whole of the cabin oozes quality, yes it looks and feels very sporty, but during the time I drove it, it was very comfortable. It rode over the lumps and bumps on the roads in North Yorkshire with ease, and didn’t once feel too harsh, a good sign of clever engineering. I dare say if you pressed a few buttons, and levers near the gear-stick then the ride would form up, and might feel a bit more uncomfortable.

The 718 looks like a Porsche, drives like a Porsche, but more importantly, it sounds like a Porsche. On start-up, the engine and exhaust give out the most glorious ‘roar’ just fantastic.

The price of the test car in the UK is £75,348, which sounds a lot of money, but it is a lot of car. And it does have those Porsche badges on it.

Porsche do now offer a wide range of car sizes, engines, electric and prices, but think after driving the Cayman, I might just have joined the Traditionalists Brigade.

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ADOPT

DON'T

SHOP

Spanish Dogs

ROBERT

Spanish Stray Dogs UK

Robert arrived at Los Barrios pound in June 2021 and was about 3 years old. He was found abandoned and brought to the pound. He is such a sweet and gentle boy! He is very calm in the cage, and he loves it if one of the volunteers has the time to visit him. He loves cuddles and prefers to sit on your lap if possible. A real sweetheart!

MORAY

OZI

Moray is around 7 years old. He is a friendly and inquisitive boy who likes to play and meet new people. He is good with other dogs and with children. He enjoys fuss and attention and is looking for a permanent home where he can have love and security with a chance to exercise and explore.

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THOR

Thor is a lovely two year old boy who was rescued from a kill station. He is very loving and sweet and enjoys playing with people and other dogs, he is also good with children. He is currently in a foster home with other dogs and he is looking for a family that can give him lots of attention and play time. More info: www.ainf.gi

Spanish Dogs

Spanish Stray Dogs UK

Ozi arrived at Los Barrios pound in August 2021 and was about 1,5 years old. He was found abandoned in the streets. Ozi is a big handsome boy. He is so sweet and loving. He know how to sit and give his paw - he is a very clever young dog! He is playful and funny.

More info: www.spanishstraydogs.org.uk

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The best of British TV, The best of British TV, The British TV, nowbest withof Gibtelecom now with Gibtelecom now with Gibtelecom

Find out more at gibtele.com/sofi Find out more at gibtele.com/sofi Find out more at gibtele.com/sofi GIBRALTARINSIGHT.COM

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HOROSCOPES

YOUR FUTURE IN THE STARS

DECEMBER WITH KATE MCHARDY

ARIES (Mar 21 - Apr 20)

LEO (Jul 23 - Aug 23)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 - Dec 21)

This is an excellent time to think of a move to a new home or new job, Aries.

The choice will be yours and it will usher in positive energy for you and your loved ones.

Keep on keeping on Leo and don’t take no for an answer. Avoid distractions and expect miraculous solutions to appear. Believe in yourself and be strong and all will be well.

Your sense of your own inner light is strong this month, Sagittarius. You’ll find yourself actually feeling lighter in every way and responding to people with a clarity and compassion that you didn’t know you had!

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21)

VIRGO (Aug 24 - Sep 23)

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 - Jan 20)

You are in the midst of making an important decision, Taurus, but conditions are not right at the moment so look into other options and ask for assistance from your angels. They love to help.

This is a good time to give birth to new ideas, Virgo, and to create new situations in your life. Dig deep and you will certainly find the courage to break out of your comfort zone and make the changes you need to make.

Animals look set to play a role in your life at this time, Capricorn. Whether your own pets or someone else’s, or even animals long gone from this life. A bond will be strengthened bringing a sense of peace.

GEMINI (May 22 - Jun 22)

LIBRA (Sep 24 - Oct 23)

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 - Feb 19)

Clear your mind of negativity, Gemini, as it is blocking your progress. Focus on what you are looking to achieve. Think positively and allow yourself to deserve the best.

If you’ve been feeling down and dejected recently, Libra, then recharge yourself with faith and hope. Something positive is just around the corner.

You can’t see it yet but you will.

Are you a little worried about a child, Aquarius? Your angels are reminding you that your children are well cared for but it is always a good idea to tell them how loved they are and to send up a little prayer to keep them surrounded in angelic light.

CANCER (Jun 23 - Jul 22)

SCORPIO (Oct 24 - Nov 22)

PISCES (Feb 20 - Mar 20)

You are being called upon to show compassion, Cancer. You can really help to heal a situation by stepping back and seeing someone else’s point of view. It’s not about backing down so much as about coming from a different angle.

Pay attention to your intuition and your dreams, Scorpio. There are clear messages in them and you need to follow the steps to find the answer to your prayers. It is there but you must be still and listen.

You can relax now Pisces and allow yourself to feel safe. The worst is behind you and you can leave it there, where it belongs. Look forward knowing that you have come a long way and that you are a better and stronger person for it.

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FEATURE

This year, I feel, probably more then any previous years, it would behove us to think deeply about the real and true meaning of Christmas.

Last year, Christmas was effectively cancelled and the reality of a close, caring and sharing Christmas with our loved ones was denied to many. And at cruelly short notice.

Of course, we survived, jutted our chins out and displayed a good stiff upper lip, but we missed it all very much and many of us felt isolated and very alone. This year there is an underlying shiver of fear that the same thing may happen again.

How can we reconstruct our experience of Christmas so that those heartfelt and intimate feelings can be strengthened and experienced regardless? Is it possible, to let go of the outside influence of Christmas, as we know it, and allow those needs and feelings to permeate our everyday lives, without being dependent on an increasingly materialistic celebration to tap into that which is most dear to us and express to our loved ones just how important they are?

Our emotional attachments cloud our judgement and so often prevent us from seeking the truth or, even worse, rejecting it. This applies to many areas of life but in relation to Christmas we can clearly recognise that the rituals associated with it become deeply rooted. Our memories filled with laughter, joy, warmth and comfort, surrounded by our loved ones. And as we are bombarded with images and messages of the perfect family Christmas, so too does our experience become entrenched in that wholesome, happy presentation so much that even it if is not our direct experience the message is so powerfully reinforced that many can come to hope that if they just take part in the rituals then it will magically become reality. Too often reality sets in again before the tinsel has had time to fade.

As the mind is not able to readily distinguish the cause of the joy that we associate with Christmas, the ritual can incorrectly be associated with being the source of the happiness, rather than the loving environment which was created simply by being in the presence of family and friends.

As a Christian celebration, Christmas is celebrating the birth of Christ. A time for Christians to remember and celebrate their master, Jesus Christ. Many will agree that this

stay safe and sane. It is a common plight of Christianity that while ascribing to desiring the blessings of Heaven one finds oneself immersed in the ways of Babylon. And, I would suggest that there is perhaps no other time that this is more evident than during this fast-approaching season of Christmas and all that goes with it.

Love Comes Down at Christmas WE ARE FAST APPROACHING THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN WHEN WE ARE LISTENING FOR THE SOUND OF SLEIGHBELLS, THE RUSTLE AND CRINKLE OF CHRISTMAS PAPER AND THE JOY OF A FULL AND WELL LAID TABLE WITH OUR FAMILIES. concept and deeper reason for the ritual has become lost in the passage of time and technology. So, for those of us who feel that the true Spirit of Christmas has long become lost in the material whirlwind of our consumer society, this year could well be the ideal time to change a few things!

What can we do to engage in the closeness and joy while unsubscribing from the trinket-based frivolities and shallowness which has become part of it all?

We could possibly start by recognising that both Christians and non-Christians have been celebrating this pagan ritual for centuries. The ancient pagan practice of worshipping the Sun God. Now, it can be argued that this no longer has any bearing on Christmas as we know it today but think on it. Worshipping the Son of God is a simple psychological switch from worshipping the Sun God and so to continue the pagan ritual dressed in a Christian costume. We have simply reassociated. Taken that which was unchristian to its very core (some would say evil) and associated it with the name and birth of Jesus Christ.

Maybe, though, we can keep the true ethos of Christmas and all the bits we hold dear while recognising that love comes from within and that the Christmas tree and the gift giving is simply a way of expressing that love …… unconditional love. We don’t need lavish and unnecessary expressions of this love if we remember the real essence all year round. Regardless of the season, the tree is evergreen just as our love is everlasting (and Christ is everliving).

For many who are attempting to demonstrate their love for the Lord Jesus by walking in his path and respecting his laws (or ten commandments) Christmas is becoming more and more of a quandary. On the one hand they are motivated by love and the desire to walk in his footsteps thus finding happiness and peace and on the other hand the very act of doing this means casting aside all that is not ‘of him’. Much of which is falsely associated with happiness. Tricky!

I believe that, during these difficult and uncertain times, we can each find our inner light and heed the call to participate in a time of confidently moving forward in that light.

Thus, leading our beautiful world back to its true glory and us back to our true selves.

I think it would be fair to say that we all want the blessings of Heaven and The Light while enjoying the pleasures of Babylon and The Dark. This seems to be more and more evident with each passing day as we navigate our way through these dark times and try to

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).

Happy Christmas!

WORDS BY KATE MCHARDY

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