ROQUETA
03
JUNE 2023
WELCOME JUNE 2023 - ROQUETA MAGAZINE WELCOME BACK TO ALL OUR ROQUETA READERS! When we first announced that Roqueta was coming back after an absence of nearly 2 years, we were overwhelmed by the positive response and pure excitement from more than 99% of the people we met. Our first posting on Facebook was met by over 50 messages of support in less than 5 minutes! Thank you to all the loyal readers for hanging in there. “Are you going to publish it on paper?” was the first question on everyone’s lips followed by further delight as we told them ‘YES’. Every issue will be available as a printed magazine, or as a digital copy online if you prefer. The sense of anticipation around the island weighed heavily on our minds in the first few weeks. There was a lot to live up to and I spent many a night wide awake at 4am with ideas for articles swirling around my brain and many a panic as to whether we could meet our self-inflicted deadline of 1 June. However, the loyal team of contributors soon came back to help us put together this issue and Angie has been here for support and advice. Our success going forward will depend on everyone out there continuing to send us stories or suggestions. We have missed many weddings, births, openings and closures over the past year. In this issue we are delighted to see a few new babies appearing with their young families. We also have a lovely tribute to Sheelagh Ratliff, who many of you will have known as the owner of Biniarroca hotel.
Liz Parr
John Davies
IN THIS ISSUE ISLAND NEWS
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There have been some great success stories while we have been out of print. This month we talk to Matthew Meacham, the owner of Sa Punta restaurant in Es Castell who has also turned his talents to reviving the fortunes of local brands iNNat and Glop Gins and Biniarbolla herbal liqueur.
SNIPPETS FROM ACROSS THE ISLAND, SANT JOAN, THE BIG INTERVIEW, ISLA DEL REY, VISAS, CORONATION PARTY, CASAS EN MENORCA AND PROPERTY NEWS
Sustainability and saving water are essential for the island going forward. This month I visited Binitord, a vineyard near Ciutadella working with GOB as part of their Land Stewardship programme. OK, I was perhaps drawn there too by Deborah’s stories of their award winning Vermut! I also discovered the hidden gem of Es Viver, the garden centre run by GOB to promote the use of indigenous plants in all our gardens. Their experts will give you advice on redesigning your garden to make it more environmentally friendly. Over 50% of the water consumed on the island is used for gardens. The Ayuntamiento in Sant Lluis is now offering money, if you replace your lawn with native plants, artificial grass, gravel or anything that will reduce the consumption of water.
EATING OUT, ROQUETA WINES, VINYES BINITORD, DENADA, ROQUETA RECIPES, MASTER & COMMANDER AND PAN Y VINO CELEBRATE 15 YEARS
The price of paper has skyrocketed since Roqueta was last produced in printed form in 2020. Therefore, we are so grateful to all the advertisers that you will see in these pages who supported and put their faith in us to make this first issue possible. It is a testament to the history of the magazine that it has been remembered with such affection. Next month we will be looking back to when it all started for Roqueta in 1973. Yes, this year the magazine is 50 years old! John and I have lived on Menorca for over 20 years. We were interviewed by Anabel for Grapevine when we first arrived in Ciutadella in 2002 to start our business Holiday Hires… and yes, we are still together! Having worked as an Editor in publishing for much of my career in the UK, we always had one eye on the magazine. For 15 years we ran the RYA sailing school and yacht charter business in Mahon. In January this year I was looking forward to my first summer without commitments. John had other ideas, pointing out that if Roqueta was to come back it was now or never. One month into our new lifestyle there are new pressures, but these have been far outweighed by the enjoyment of meeting new people and discovering new places. We have taken a break from boats this month, but next month boats will be featuring as we look at what has been happening in the Port of Mahon – it’s a very long and complicated story and you will need to make yourself a cup of tea. We will also be looking forward at all things electric including home solar panel installation, electric cars and electric scooters. If you have a good story to tell, please get in touch. If you would like to help us, please spread the word that Roqueta is back in the shops. If you are visiting on holiday you can subscribe to our digital copy when you return home. We will keep you up to date with all that happens on this lovely little rock and help you to look forward to your next visit.
FOOD AND DRINK
MADE IN MENORCA
ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T
35
AZULMENORCA AND PAPER PEOPLE
GRAPEVINE
36
MENORCA BABY TRAVEL HIRE
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
38
SUSTAINABLE GARDENING, MENORCA PRESERVATION AND SNORKELLING IN THE DARK
LOCAL NEWS
44
FROM CHURCH NEWS TO CHARITIES AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
WHAT’S ON
56
A GUIDE TO EVENTS AROUND THE ISLAND
WELLBEING
62
NUTRITION AND FITNESS
READERS’ CORNER PIG TALES AND FUN IN THE SUN
Cover Photo Credit: Caroline Pinnell
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