The Gibraltar Magazine August 2009

interviews • arts • dining • finance • leisure • property • history • business • health

g

ibraltar magazine the

Youth of Today

Money in the Bank

How Green Should we Be?

August 2009

Vol.14 No. 10 FREE

Moving Truth Back Street Boy Salsa Party

It’s a Man Thing...

who’s eating the gulls?

“ . . . u n “ . . . a

Home

D E S T I N O

de

w o r l d - c l a ss

of

c a te g o r í a

m u n di a l ”

desti n a tio n

t h e V O L V O Wo r l d

Match

Play

r eso r t ”

Championship

29 Oct - 1 Nov 2009

fincacortesin.com

Crta. de Casares s/n • 29690 Casares - Málaga

GPS: N 36º - 23´- 49”

W 5º - 13´- 30”

reservas +34 952 937 800 reservations

AD-09-CORTES-GIB-MGZ-H.indd 1

10/7/09 12:06:09

tradition & innovation with roots in Gibraltar over 40 years Gibraltar Asset Management combines traditional values with latest practice to produce the best portfolio solutions

online trading

income generating portfolios - equities - options - fixed interest - portfolio analysis - contracts for differences

Member of the London Stock Exchange

July 09

82

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • JUNE 2007

Family & Friends

%

Now availab le on

DISCOUNT on calls to 2 Gibtelecom landline & 2 Gibtelecom mobile numbers

Keeping in touch with your loved ones now costs less with Gibtelecom’s new Family and Friends service, where customers may save up to 20% on all calls made to four Gibtelecom numbers of their choice - two mobile and two landlines. This promotion is available free of charge to all residential fixed line, post-paid and reload mobile customers (excluding mobile calls made whilst roaming). Selected numbers may be changed free of charge once every six months, with any additional changes charged at £5. To subscribe to the service, please visit Gibtelecom’s Customer Service Centre at 801 Europort.

Make sure your Family and Friends know about this money-saving offer too!

Further info on: 20052200 www.gibtele.com

interviews • arts • dining • finance • leisure • property • history • business • health

g

ibraltar magazine the

Youth of Today

Money in the Bank

How Green Should we Be?

August 2009

Vol.14 No. 10 FREE

Moving Truth Back Street Boy Salsa Party

It’s a Man Thing...

who’s eating the gulls?

Eagle Owl - nesting on the Rock since 2005 after over 100 years absence (p.32) Volume 14 Number 10 • August 2009

The Gibraltar Magazine is published monthly by Guide Line Promotions Limited, PO Box 561, PMB 6377 113 Main Street, Gibraltar Tel or fax (+350) 200 77748 E-mail: gibmag@gibraltar.gi www.TheGibraltarMagazine.com Managing Editor: Andrea Morton Design Studio: Jonathan Bull Copyright © 2009 by Guide Line Promotions Limited. All rights reserved.

No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written consent of The Gibraltar Magazine.

Subscriptions £35.00 per year.

Magazine & website archived by the British Library

features 26 Manners Maketh the Man 30 How Green Should We Be? 32 The Flycatchers Say Yes! € 34 The Snake You Want to be Bitten By 50 Making an Exhibition 68 Photography with a Personal Touch leisure & activities 22 Gib’s 1st Ocean Festival 46 They’re Coming € 48 Salsa Party 52 Shopping & Beauty 55 Join the Cadets!

62 The Youth of Today 64 Back to School 66 What’s Happening in August 71 On Yer Bike 72 Getting Philosophical 74 Leisure & Tuition 90 Clubs & Activities Guide health 56 It’s a Man Thing € 58 Health & Medical Directory 59 Fat Busters food & drink 77-87 78 Summer Delights 82 Wine Column 83-86 Restaurant & Bar Guide 87 The Art of Mixology €

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

ah

at home IN GIBRALTAR

36 The Moving Truth € 38 Buying Blinds 40 Wall Space: A Different Perspective 92-93 Property Directory business & finance

8 Business & Finance Guide 9 Money in the Bank 14 GRA’s Winning Team € 16 Where there’s a Will...

18 Protect Your Clients & Your PI Insurance!

20 Corporate Events 24 Business: Back Street Boy 53 Getting Shirty at the Glass House history & heritage 42 Byron’s Visit: A Damp Squib 44 Most Trusted Man in America:

54 75

censored in Gib € Martyr Converted in Gib Gibraltar,No Big Deal said Napoleon

regulars 70 Puzzle Page 92 Around Town information 60-61 City Centre Map 94 Gibraltar Information

E.S.V. Hassan & Co

financial services

We offer full insurance with annual green cards on UK registered motor cars Suite 1A, 143 Main Street, PO Box 502, Tel: 200 76434 Fax: 200 76741 Financial Services Commission licence no. FSC 00026B

THE GIBRALTAR FINANCIAL SERVICES HANDBOOK Information on the Rock’s off-shore advantages in Taxation, Law, Banking, Company & Trust Formation, Insurance, Business, Property and Financial Services.

Comprehensive A-Z Index for the visiting professional or businessman and the discerning investor.

Detailed appendices on relevant Gibraltar Government legislation.

On sale at bookshops and newsagents in Gibraltar at £15.

Worldwide airmail order service at £25 sterling or equivalent from GFSH, PO Box 555, Gibraltar.

Tel: +350 200 76173 E-mail: gib@SovereignGroup.com

Chartered Certified Accountants

P.O. Box 230 Suite 4, 9th Floor International Commercial Centre Casemates, Gibraltar Tel: 200 71610 Fax: 200 70113

Dealers for 1st Floor, Unit F4, Europa Business Centre Tel: 200 42723 Fax: 200 40612

www.glasshouse-europe.com

WATERCOOLERS

business services

Machines, Mineral Water, Cups & Filter Systems

Computer / network giving you a headache?

Call us for a swift, reliable cure.

17 Convent Place Tel: 200 4-999-1 Fax: 200 4-999-2 www.pc-clinic-gib.com Email: info@pc-clinic-gib.com • Support Contracts • Network Installation & Troubleshooting • Web Design • PC Repairs, Upgrades & Construction • PC Maintenance

COURIERS LTD

INTERNATIONAL

MASBRO

M

MASBRO INSURANCE BROKERS

Specialists in Document Imaging and Filing Systems, Microfilm Bureau Services, Information Management and Consultancy, CD-ROM Titles, Computer Hardware & Software

General Agents for

✆ mobile: 58365000 business openings

business supplies

WORLDWIDE DISPATCHES 11 Engineer Lane, PO Box 532, Gibraltar Tel: 200 73775 / 200 48622 Fax: 200 74389 / 200 48623

accountants Leading suppliers of general and computer stationery and office products in Gibraltar OPENING HOURS

Durante Carboni Jardim Accountants & Auditors

Suite 1 & 2, Newton House, 5 King’s Yard Lane, Gibraltar Tel: 200 79033/200 70762 Fax: 200 76374

G.A. OLIVERA & CO. Accountants & Auditors

Associated with RSM Robson Rhodes, Chartered Accountants

Suite 1B, 116 Main Street, Gibraltar PO Box 856, Gibraltar Tel: 200 77122 Fax: 200 40274 E-mail: olivera@gibtelecom.net

MONDAY to THURSDAY

9.30am to 6.00pm FRIDAY 9.30am to 5.00pm

5 CLOISTER RAMP, GIBRALTAR Tel: 200 74352 Fax: 200 40304 e-mail: sales@beaconpress.gi

legal services English, Gibraltar & Spanish Wills • Estate Planning Services • Applications for Grants of Probate & Letters of Administration • Adminstration of Estates • Executor Services • Inheritance Tax Planning Chris Keightley-Pugh, Storm Services Limited PO Box 1494 Suite 3F Eurolife Building, 1 Corral Road, Gibraltar Email: stormservices@yahoo.co.uk Tel + 34 956687065 Fax: + 34 956687425

Budhrani & Co. Barristers & Solicitors

Suite 1, 62 Main Street Gibraltar Tel: 200 73521 Fax: 200 79895 General Legal Practice

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

business & finance profile business & finance

money in the

by Ian le Breton

I wanted to follow on from my thoughts last month on the likely chances of a modest recovery in world markets. I thought I would take a look at some of the problems faced by the British banking sector in the last 12 months and consider where the industry might be going from here. I have concentrated on the UK but, of course, the banking crisis has hit many countries around the world, so I include a word about some of them too.

Before joining The Sovereign Group in 2004, I worked in banking for over 20 years — so I write with some experience. However, as always in this column, these are just my personal thoughts and in no way should these monthly ramblings of mine be used as a substitute for professional advice. All around the world, banks have encountered difficulties over the last year. I hope that this article might help readers make some sense of the banking crisis we have lived through, and how it will impact all of us for years to come.

The global financial crisis had its roots in the uncontrolled real estate sector in the United States but the contagion effect soon spread to other countries. In Britain, the problems facing Northern Rock in early 2008 — which led to the nationalisation of that institution — was simply the beginning. Perhaps the most critical time came when the giant US investment bank Lehman Brothers was allowed to fail.

There was a sudden realisation that other, smaller banks could also be vulnerable. Not only that, but Lehman’s connected dealings with banks all over the world meant that many other financial institutions had to face sudden write-downs on investment portfolios amounting to billions of pounds.

As a direct result, a wave of pessimism

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

swept through the sector and naked fear of failure by other large banks took hold. Banks decided to reduce the amount of lending to each other and, even when they did lend, the interbank interest rates meant that easy credit started to dry up very quickly. Thus did a banking crisis lead to credit crunch — a steep recessionary spiral was the inevitable result.

So what was happening in Britain? As in the United States, the property market slowdown and realisation that the loan books on several bank balance sheets were impaired had a di-

With a general election due in Britain by next summer at the latest, political considerations will play a part in how the UK’s ownership of large parts of the banking sector is controlled and managed

rect result on the banks. The whole situation accelerated in the autumn when every day seemed to bring just more bad news. It was telling that broadcasters such as Sky News started screening live share prices for a few of the banks as a permanent feature of their 24-hour news output.

In the space of just a few weeks the once mighty Royal Bank of Scotland (at one time the fifth largest bank in the world in terms of market capitalisation) came close to the brink of collapse. HBOS (itself a massive group created by the merger in 2001 of Halifax and Bank of Scotland) had to be rescued by way of a hurriedly put together takeover by Lloyds TSB. Several other banks had to seek refinancing or other assistance. Barclays looked to Middle Eastern investors and, of the main British players at the time, only HSBC looked relatively untroubled — mainly as a result of its strength in the Far East.

Finally, on 13th October last year, a £37bn government bailout was announced in the UK. A newly-created government agency known as UK Financial Investments (or UKFI) was created and today it remains the custodian of the public stake in the rescued banks. As a direct result shareholders in these institutions saw a massive paper loss in their investments

business & finance — at a time when the rest of the world seemed to be imploding. History will show that those few months in late 2008 saw the greatest financial crisis any of us had ever lived through.

The damage caused was incalculable to investors, to bank workers who lost their jobs and to customers whose businesses failed due to the lack of credit — to name just a few.

Scapegoats were inevitably sought, reputations were destroyed overnight and the blame game began in earnest. In my view, a lot of the newspaper column inches generated were covering sideshows to the main problem. For a few days in October, there was a very serious risk that the crisis could develop into a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions.

The problems were not, of course, limited to the UK. Elsewhere in Europe, banking suffered staggering reverses. The most spectacular was perhaps the situation that developed very rapidly in Iceland. As a result of a massive lending spree agreed by Icelandic banks to international companies (most notably to British firms) in the previous few years, when the crisis came it resulted in dreadful repercussions. It is no exaggeration to say that the whole country was almost bankrupted by the banking failures it experienced.

So was the British government right to intervene in the way it did? Should it have allowed any of the banks to fail? Without getting into politics, my own view is that the government simply had to act. Some commentators at the time used the phrase “if it’s too big to fail, it’s too big”. Full scale nationalisation was a pos-

sibility at one point but the path taken where the government took massive stakes in several banks leaving something for shareholders was innovative and in many ways daring. The main question is where do we go from here?

At the time of writing, the newly created Lloyds Banking Group is looking to repay a substantial amount to the government — although it will still be largely publically owned. RBS will no doubt be keen to do the same whenever possible. The sale of Northern Rock to outside investors is being considered.

With a general election due in Britain by next summer at the latest, political considerations will play a part in how the UK’s ownership of large parts of the banking sector is controlled and managed.

Recently the governor of the Bank of England spoke of a “narrower bank” prospect. It

There are reasons to be optimistic about the future.

The banking system has had to take a large dose of very unpleasant medicine.

The patient was very ill at the time — let’s hope it makes a full recovery

remains to be seen if those institutions now partly owned by the government are forced to limit their activities — and their profits. A quandary indeed for those policy makers keen to return them to robust good health so that the publically-owned stakes can be returned to the private sector.

What are the implications of all this for Joe Public? Certainly the stabilising of the banks ­ — albeit at a massive cost financially and in personal terms to many thousands of bank workers — is a positive thing. But credit remains tight and considerably more expensive, despite interest rates being held for the moment at historically low levels. As I wrote last month, I do think there are reasons to be more optimistic about the future, barring any new shocks to the system. The banking system has had to take a large dose of very unpleasant medicine. The patient was very ill at the time — let’s hope it makes a full recovery. But one thing is for sure — banking will never be the same again. n

Ian Le Breton is Managing Director of Sovereign Trust (Gibraltar) Limited.

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

gibraltar airport flight schedule

Day Flight No. Airline Arr. From Dep. Flight No. To Mon Andalus

08.25 EA2101 Madrid

ZB574 Monarch 10.55 Manchester 11.40 ZB575 Manchester

EZY8901 easyJet 11.00 Gatwick 11.40 EZY8902 Gatwick

ZB068 Monarch 11.55 Luton

EA2102 Andalus 12.00 Madrid 12.35 EA2103 Barcelona

Monarch

12.40 ZB069 Luton

EA2104 Andalus 17.00 Barcelona

BA2494 British Air. 17.25 Gatwick 18.10 BA2495 Gatwick

Andalus

18.20 EA2105 Madrid

EZY8905 easyJet 18.10 Gatwick 18.50 EZY8906 Gatwick

EA2106 Andalus 21.50 Madrid Tue Andalus

08.25 EA2201 Madrid

EZY8901 easyJet 11.00 Gatwick 11.40 EZY8902 Gatwick

EA2202 Andalus 12.00 Madrid

BA2494 British Air. 17.25 Gatwick 18.10 BA2495 Gatwick

Andalus

18.20 EA2205 Madrid

EZY8905 easyJet 18.10 Gatwick 18.50 EZY8906 Gatwick

EA2206 Andalus 21.50 Madrid Wed Andalus

08.25 EA2301 Madrid

ZB574 Monarch 10.55 Manchester 11.40 ZB575 Manchester

EZY8901 easyJet 11.00 Gatwick 11.40 EZY8902 Gatwick

EA2302 Andalus 12.00 Madrid

BA2494 British Air. 17.25 Gatwick 18.10 BA2495 Gatwick

Andalus

18.20 EA2305 Madrid

EZY8905 easyJet 18.10 Gatwick 18.50 EZY8906 Gatwick

ZB062 Monarch 18.55 Luton 19.40 ZB063 Luton

EA2306 Andalus 21.50 Madrid Thu Andalus

08.25 EA2401 Madrid

EZY8901 easyJet 11.00 Gatwick 11.40 EZY8902 Gatwick

EA2402 Andalus 12.00 Madrid

BA2494 British Air. 17.25 Gatwick 18.10 BA2495 Gatwick

Andalus

18.20 EA2405 Madrid

EZY8905 easyJet 18.10 Gatwick 18.50 EZY8906 Gatwick

ZB062 Monarch 18.55 Luton 19.40 ZB063 Luton

EA2406 Andalus 21.50 Madrid Fri Andalus

08.25 EA2501 Madrid

ZB068 Monarch 10.40 Luton 11.30 ZB069 Luton

ZB574 Monarch 10.45 Manchester 11.40 ZB575 Manchester

EZY8901 easyJet 11.00 Gatwick 11.40 EZY8902 Gatwick

EA2502 Andalus 12.00 Madrid 12.35 EA2503 Barcelona

EA2504 Andalus 17.00 Barcelona

BA2494 British Air. 17.25 Gatwick 18.10 BA2495 Gatwick

Andalus

18.20 EA2505 Madrid

EZY8905 easyJet 18.10 Gatwick 18.50 EZY8906 Gatwick

EA2506 Andalus 21.50 Madrid Sat EZY8901 easyJet 11.00 Gatwick 11.35 EZY8902 Gatwick

ZB068 Monarch 11.35 Luton 12.35 ZB069 Luton

BA2494 British Air. 17.25 Gatwick 18.10 BA2495 Gatwick Sun Andalus

12.35 EA2703 Barcelona

EA2704 Andalus 17.00 Barcelona

BA2494 British Air. 17.25 Gatwick 18.10 BA2495 Gatwick

Andalus

18.20 EA2705 Madrid

ZB062 Monarch 18.10 Luton 18.55 ZB063 Luton

EZY8905 easyJet 18.15 Gatwick 18.55 EZY8906 Gatwick

EA2706 Andalus 21.50 Madrid Brian T Richards, Air Travel Consultant - info@briantrichards.com www.briantrichards.com

10

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

business & finance

New Appointment RBS International and NatWest announce senior restructure As part of its restructuring exercise, RBS International and NatWest has appointed Marvin Cartwright to a newly expanded role.

Marvin, who is currently Head of Commercial Banking and Financial Intermediaries at the Bank, will now have extended responsibilities as the country head for RBS International and NatWest in Gibraltar. He also becomes a director of RBS (Gibraltar) Limited. Following the restructure, he becomes the first Gibraltarian to head up RBS International since the Bank set up a local operation in 1989.

In this role Marvin, who has led the Bank’s local corporate banking division for six years, will oversee the incorporation of the Bank’s business banking operation into the corporate banking business.

Marvin joined RBS Group 13 years ago and he has headed up the corporate division of both RBS International and NatWest since 2003. He is also director of the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce.

Adrian Gill, Chief Executive, RBS International commented: “Marvin’s appointment and the accompanying restructure are extremely important in helping to unify and strengthen the banking services we provide to our local customers in Gibraltar, and signals the Bank’s ongoing commitment to the jurisdiction.

Marvin’s knowledge and insights into the local marketplace, alongside his corporate banking experience, greatly enhance our capabilities in the location.” n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

Country head for RBS International and NatWest in Gibraltar and director of RBS (Gibraltar) Limited, Marvin Cartwright

11

business

MH Bland and Andalus team up MH Bland have officially become the local representatives for the airline, Andalus.

Henry Catania, MH Bland Travel Services Manager made the anouncement at a press conference in mid-July held at their premises in Cloister House.

Henry Catania, MH Bland Travel Services Manager, Carlos Pereira of Andalus and MH Bland Product Development Manager Lyana Armstrong-Emery

“We are delighted to anounce that we will be representing the airline locally, and as their representatives we will be able to provide both travel agencies and clients with a dedicated reservations telephone line and immediate assistance.” He commented.

Andalus currently operate daily flights to and from Madrid and Barcelona, with prices starting from £59 on the Madrid route and from £79 to Barcelona.

Carlos Pereira, a spokesman for Andalus said: “The company hopes to attract more tourists for Gibraltar and Andalusia and market new destinations for all the community. Andalus also plans to build on the potential of new infrastructure from Gibraltar airport and facilitate the movement of more passenger.”

The airline does not only operate in Gibraltar, but has bases in Barcelona and Malaga too, with a range of flights to destinations of interest to the local community available from Malaga airport, including Morocco. n For more information on Andalus flights you can now contact MH Bland Travel Services staff directly on 200 77012, email bts@mhbland.com or pay them a visit at 8/9 Market Lane.

AI International Couriers Ltd 11 Engineers Lane PO Box 532 Gibraltar Tel: (+350) 200 73775 Airport office: (+350) 200 41076 Fax: (+350) 200 74389 email: gibsn@dhl.com

12

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

update

New President for Rotary

Great savings with Ibex this summer!

This summer Ibex has secured a selection of discounts designed to give their policy holders a more enjoyable summer including up to €4 off per person at Bahia Park Algeciras; 25% off at the Sealife Centre Benalmádena; 30% at Crocodile Park Algeciras, discounted prices for Rusticae and Paradores hotels plus much more for you and your family to enjoy this summer. They have also agreed special rates for labour and parts at Norauto Los Barrios and discounts at Red Parking Malaga Airport. Ideal if you are going on holidays.

The Rotary Club of Gibraltar Celebrated their Gala Dinner on 4th July at the Rock Hotel, where Raju Alwani, took over the reins as President from Bea Adams.

The Rotary club has a very vibrant and active membership of business and professional leaders in the community who undertake projects at both local and global levels.

With 1.2 million members world wide they are a major force in addressing some of today’s challenges — including illiteracy, disease, hunger, poverty, lack of clean water and environmental concerns.

The Gibraltar Club will soon be travelling to the Western Sahara where they are involved in building schools. In Gibraltar they are organising a fun day in August with some of the proceeds going to ‘Help for Heroes’ amongst other charities.

“I don’t believe we are just ordinary people,” said Raju at the dinner. “Today’s membership

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

Past Rotary President Bea Adams with new President Raju Alwani

includes business and professional leaders who make critical decisions and influence policy.

However, this is not what makes these people special, what make them stand out is the fact that they give a large amount of their valuable time in order to help those less fortunate than themselves.” n

Speaking of the new Ibex Plus scheme Marketing Executive Rachael Collier said “We understand that this year we are all trying to tighten our purse strings, so in addition to offering competitive rates we would like to make life easier for our valued customers by offering discounts and savings on a range of products and services. We will continue to add new offers over the coming months and will keep our customers up to date with all the latest offers.”

Ibex Plus discounts are available to all Ibex policy holders, so renew your next insurance policy with Ibex and you too can benefit from the savings! Visit Ibex Insurance, Suite 1C Horse Barrack Lane or call 200 44628. n

13

regulation

“What we have in Gibraltar is unique in the world in terms of its quality and transparency, and we aim to keep it that way”

Paul Fox, Phill Brear, Bradley Tosso and Nicky Macias with the award

award is well deserved.”

Speaking after the event, Paul Canessa, Chief Executive of the GRA said: “We have a small team in the Gambling Division and I know they work incredibly hard keeping pace with proposals and developments in the industry, as well as ensuring consumer interests across the world are properly recognised and protected. We are fortunate to be in a position where we have top class operators and a regulator to match.”

Phill Brear, Head of Gambling Regulation at the GRA, who attended the conference and received the award, said: “I am delighted for the GRA and for Gibraltar to get this award for the first time. What we have in Gibraltar is unique in the world in terms of its quality and transparency, and we aim to keep it that way by working with Government and the industry to keep our high standards.”

Freddie Ballaster, President of the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association said: “In the last two years the GRA have worked very closely with the industry and they have demonstrated a willingness to listen to us and in turn we have been keen to hear and adopt their advice. I am sure all the industry in Gibraltar would want to congratulate the team on this award.”

The role of the Gambling Regulator is to monitor the operations and arrangements of the gambling industry in Gibraltar, including online operators, the casino, betting shops and gaming machines, to ensure they comply with relevant laws and regulations. The bulk of their work involves the online companies, due to the millions of customers they have and the technology involved, but attention is also given to the other areas of gambling on a regular basis. n

GRA’s Winning Team Gambling Regulator Wins International Award

At the recent World Online Gambling Law Report (WOGLR) annual conference in the UK, the Gambling Division of the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority was awarded the prestigious ‘Regulator of the Year’ award by the magazine’s management.

WOGLR is a UK based legal and political commentary magazine for those with a professional interest in the development of online gambling across Europe and the rest of the world. Its editorial panel of distinguished lawyers reaches from Australia to Canada as well as the primary European states. In nominating the GRA the

14

managing editor Lindsey Greig said: “The responsibilities of regulators are rarely recognised, yet Gibraltar hosts some of the largest and most dynamic on-line operators in the world, and their regulator is clearly making a significant contribution to their continued success and the success of the jurisdiction. This

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

isolas-summer-gibmag

17/6/09

11:33

Page 1

www.gibraltarlawyers.com

Ready for take off ?

Photo: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Is your business ready to make the most of the economic turnaround? For ideas and advice on how best to prepare for the next period of growth, please contact Selwyn Figueras at selwyn.figueras@isolas.gi Portland House Glacis Road PO Box 204 Gibraltar Tel +350 200 78363 www.gibraltarlawyers.com

finance

Chris Keightley-Pugh of Storm Services Ltd

Where’s there’s a will...

“Parents of young children usually don’t realise how vital it is to make a will which includes the naming of a guardian for the children,” says Chris Keightley-Pugh of Storm Services Ltd

Chris, qualified as a solicitor, provides working.

A solicitor in England, Chris was also enspecific legal advisory services through his company, with wills forming one of the more rolled in Gibraltar in 1995 and worked with sought-after parts of his range. These can vary between a will for a relatively straightforward person with all of their assets in one country, to those who have, say, a home in Gibraltar and in Spain, up to the high-net-worth individuals who can have extensive assets in several jurisdictions.

Chris, just turned 40, was born in Ashford, Kent, but grew up in Durham except for five years in Saudi Arabia from when he was four years old. On returning to Britain, he still spent most summers in the Middle East and other parts of the world — wherever his father was

“

Will drafting can be a complex affair, but, generally, if someone has property here and in Spain I would recommend one will for each

16

”

a well known local firm for seven years. This was followed by a year of travel before he returned to the Rock to set up Storm Services Ltd, from where he provides consultations as a non-practising solicitor, although he was the in-house lawyer for a local statutory agency for almost three years on a consultancy basis.

As indicated at the beginning, Chris is concerned that parents of young children are often intestate, having probably thought they themselves were too young to worry about such things as wills, and that their children would probably inherit everything anyway.

Well, that’s not always true; but what concerns Chris the most is that if both parents died

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

finance

by Brian McCann

together, in a road accident for instance, the children’s future could well take a form that neither the parents nor the children would have wished for. But a will allows parents to nominate who should take over as guardian, and, of course, Chris always ensures that the potential guardians are in full agreement with being chosen.

The laws and practices on wills vary from country to country. In Spain, all wills are public documents which are kept at the central will registry. To claim under a will you go to any will practitioner who will locate the document after entering the known details.

In Gibraltar, though — as in Britain — the converse applies: a will is a private document; it stays with the person who has made his or her bequests (or anyone they have asked to take care of the document) until the testator’s death requires it to be produced.

One of the pitfalls that Chris has come across is that where people have two wills — one for Spain and the other for Gibraltar, for instance — there are often potential contradictions between the interpretations of the two. “Will drafting can be a complex affair,” says Chris; “but, generally, if someone has property here and in Spain I would recommend one will for each. Wills made in Gibraltar which include Spanish property are hard to use in Spain; and there are differences in the laws of each country: trusts are recognised in Gibraltar, for instance, but not in Spain.”

Laws covering Gibraltar wills are similar

to those in the United Kingdom, but again there are still some differences, mostly due to changes in the UK rules not having yet been transposed into Gibraltar law.

“A will drawn up in Gibraltar could be used in Britain, and vice versa, but it’s not always straightforward,” he emphasised.

Most of Storm Services’ clients come as a result of being referred by banks, lawyers, company managers and other professionals.

“I tend to see a lot of high-net-worth individuals as they usually have plenty to protect; but there are a lot of people who have no will here

“

Wills made in Gibraltar which include Spanish property are hard to use in Spain; and there are differences in the laws of each country: trusts are recognised in Gibraltar, for instance, but not in Spain

”

nor in any other place,” he explained. “This is often serious: intestacy provisions can cause complexities, extra expenses — and the assets can end up going elsewhere rather than where the deceased would have wanted.”

Chris, married with two young children to whom he is devoted, is also a lover of the outdoor life and a keen swimmer and windsurfer when he can find the time. He is also a director of company managers ECS International Ltd, and mostly visits his clients at home unless they prefer to meet him at his office or the office of the professional who recommended him and Storm Services Ltd. Another important part of his varied services — although here I have concentrated on wills — is the provision of training seminars for clients on a broad spectrum of subjects, such as anti-money laundering measures and other compliance practices that are required by the Financial Services Commission. n

Getting in Touch Chris Keightley-Pugh of Storm Services Ltd can be contacted at any reasonable time on 0034 956 687065 or by email stormservices@yahoo. co.uk. The fax number is 0034 956 687425.

Recommend a friend to Ibex Gibraltar and we’ll give you both up to in shopping vouchers!

£20

If you are an existing Ibex policy holder and you appreciate our great value cover, start telling your friends and we will give you up to £20 each in shopping vouchers for Bhs & Mothercare or Oasis each time your friend takes out a policy with us. There is no limit to how many friends you can recommend so start spreading the word today!

Visit us at Suite 1c, Centre Plaza,Horse Barrack Lane.

Call: +350 200 66428 Email: gibraltar@ibexinsure.com EuroMotor • EuroHome • EuroTravel • EuroPet • EuroMarine • EuroMedical

Terms & Conditions apply. Offer only available to existing customers introducing new customers. The new customer must not have held an Ibex policy on cover in the 12 months preceding the introduction. Available for a limited time only. Contact us for full terms and conditions.

Ibex Insurance Services Ltd, The Tower, Marina Bay, Gibraltar. Regulated by the Financial Services Commission – FSC 006 43B

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

17

trusts The gain made (£100m-£10m) £90m was distributed to a UK resident non dom.

The tax liability arising from this gain would be (£90m@18%) £16.2m Example 2 Election to rebase at April 2008 made Trust A purchased an asset in July 1990 for £10m.

The asset was sold in July 2011 for £100m.

The asset had a market value of £110m in April 2008. £90m was distributed to a UK resident non dom beneficiary.

The tax liability arising form this transaction would be nil. A capital loss was made (£100m£110) -£10m.

The need to elect to rebase In Example 1, the trustees did not elect to rebase the trust’s assets at the April 2008 values.

This resulted in a tax liability of £16.2m on the beneficiary.

As can be seen in Example 2 electing to rebase resulted in no tax being due on the capital distribution being made.

The examples clearly show the potential importance of electing to rebase at April 2008 market values.

As trustees I am sure that you would not wish to be responsible for incurring a tax liability on the beneficiaries of your trusts.

The election ensures that pre April 2008 gains are not chargeable to a beneficiary who is UK resident and non- UK domiciled.

Trustees:

Protect your clients & your PI Insurance!

Channel Island Trustees have had a busy 18 months since Mr Darling’s UK pre-Budget report issued in October 2007.

I am aware that many firms immediately started the process of reviewing their trusts in order to identify any areas where tax planning implemented previously would not work under the new legislation.

Hopefully this article is no more than a reminder to you, as most of the professionals reading this will be well on the way to completing the process which has to be finished by 31st January 2010.

We are all aware that the UK April 2008 budget introduced many changes to the taxation of UK resident non domiciled individuals (“non doms”). One of the main changes was that Capital Gains Tax would be charged at 18% on capital distributions made to UK non doms. Prior to April 2008 there was no tax charge on capital distributions made from offshore trusts.

18

When to make an election An election must be made no later than 31st January following the first tax year in which : A UK resident receives a capital payment or the trustees transfer all or part of the settled property to another settlement.

Therefore if you have made any capital payments to a UK resident beneficiary between April 2008 and April 2009, you must make the election by January 2010.

The election covers all assets held by the trust and its underlying companies.

There is a standard HMRC form, which must be completed.

WARNING

The election must be made the January after the tax year end in which a capital payment or benefit is made or given.

You only have one chance — you will lose the right to elect for rebasing in the future if this is not done in time.

Information required to make the election The details to be given when making the election are as follows • Name of the Settlement • Date the Settlement was created.

• Name and address of each trustee • Details of any capital payment or benefit made in the year to a UK beneficiary. IncludExample 1 ing the date of the first payment.

No Election to Rebase • Details of the transfer of property to another Trust A purchased an asset in July 1990 for settlement. £10m.

The asset was sold in July 2011 for £100m.

Please note that you do not have to physically In order to ensure the legislation is not retrospective, trustees have been given a one off chance to rebase all the trusts assets at April 2008 market values.

The effect of rebasing assets at April 2008 values can be seen in the following examples.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

trusts

by Angela Smart carry out April 2008 valuations in order to make the election.

The April 2008 valuation can be carried out when the asset is sold. But the closer the valuation is to April 2008, the less scope for argument.

This is the basic information required by HMRC there is no guarantee that they will not want more.

Distributions There are two types of distributions: Distributions from income which is generated by the trust and subject to income tax on the beneficiaries.

Distributions from capital which post April 2008 is subject to capital gains tax.

A complex matching process is used to decide whether the distribution is from income or capital and also whether the capital distribution is from post or pre April 2008 gains.

Please note that the distribution will always be regarded as coming from income first, where the trust has income.

Capital Payments Capital payments (distributions) are payments from capital gains made by the trust. For simplicity we can assume that the trust does not have any income and all distributions will arise from capital.

A capital payment (distribution) can come in many forms, it does not necessarily have to be a cash payment, therefore it is necessary for the trustees to be fully aware of what can constitute a capital payment in order that they can make

the election in the correct year and not forfeit the right to the election.

To identify what a capital payment is, it is necessary to be fully aware of all the activities of the trust and its underlying companies.

For example if a company under a trust pays the electricity bills for a UK resident this would constitute a capital payment if the trust did not have income. The value of the company has decreased due to this payment therefore the value of the trust has decreased and a UK resident has benefited.

Capital payments come in various forms and the UK courts for example have ruled that the forgone interest on an interest free to a UK resident constitutes a capital payment.

The importance of identifying capital payments for the purposes of the rebasing election is vital. If you do not identify a capital payment in the year and therefore chose not to elect then you have forfeited the right to elect to rebase in the future.

If you do not identify a capital payment in the year and therefore chose not to elect then you have forfeited the right to elect to rebase in the future

Micro Business Systems Ltd

PO Box 661, Unit 102, New Harbours Walk, New Harbours, Gibraltar Tel: (+350) 200 42723 Fax: (+350) 200 40612 Email: sales@mbs.gi www.mbs.gi

The effect of not electing can be clearly seen from the previous examples.

Options Elect to rebase all trusts at April 2008 values The problem with this is you are furnishing HMRC with details of trusts, which may not be relevant or providing information which HMRC are not in possession of. This may lead to tax investigations into the trust affairs.

You still have to identify the initial capital payment in the year.

However you are ensuring that the capital gains tax liability for the beneficiary will be minimised, thus protecting yourselves from potential liability actions.

Identify Trusts with UK beneficiaries Identify any capital payments made from these trusts. Make elections for these trusts only.

This can be a time consuming and expensive process.

For capital payments made in the tax year 2008/09 you only have until January 2010 to do this.

However, the tax cost to the beneficiary of not electing to rebase can be substantial therefore it is vital that as trustees you act now and don’t leave it until it’s too late.

As trustees you are responsible and will be liable! n If you require any assistance with making an election or identifying whether an election needs to be made. Please contact Angela Smart on 58008575.

Providing excellence in Recruitment in Gibraltar for 10 years

Providers of Records Management Services, Systems & Solutions since 1989 Digital Document Scanning Any document size up to A0, network and standalone access/retrival Document Microfilming Any document size up to A0, network and standalone access/retrival. Long term retention over 100 years File Colour Coding & Barcode Tracking Software Eliminates misplaced files for ever!

High Density Filing Systems Huge range of filing supplies and consumables Archival Storage Services Long term and secure. Includes retrieval and collection of records.

Main Dealers for

Professional Recruitment • HR Consultancy • Bespoke Training Gibraltar’s Leading Data and Records Management Specialists

Corporate Resources Limited

Part of the HR GO plc Group

Tel: +350 200 52474 Suite 34 Victoria House, 26 Main Street, Gibraltar info@gibresources.com • www.gibresources.com GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

19

events

Gym Marathon for Charity In what is fast becoming an annual event, Isolas and Fiduciary held a gym marathon at the Caleta Hotel’s fitness centre to raise funds for charity.

64 members of staff joined in and, in teams of a minimum of eight staff members, worked out from 9.30 in the morning till 17.30. A number of the staff (those a bit more accustomed to working out than the others!) showed off their stamina by participating in more than one session during the day. The Caleta Hotel also donated a number of massages for those working the hardest and longest.

The event was a great success, generating over £4,000 which will go to the PJ Isola Foundation. The Foundation supports local charities and recently donated £1,000 to St

Martin’s School to help fund their annual day out. In addition to St Martin’s School, the foundation is looking to work with the Happy Faces charity as well as Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar.

The success of this and other events will no doubt lead to ever bigger ones which the team of Isolas/Fiduciary hope will be supported by the very generous local community.

Thanks go out to the Caleta Hotel for their hospitality, the staff for all their help and, finally, all those who donated so generously.

Your help is truly appreciated. n

FOR ALL YOUR INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS IN GIBRALTAR AND SPAIN

We can provide a detailed comparison tailor made for you between a Capital & Interest Repayment and an Endowment Mortgage

CONTENTS & BUILDING INSURANCE Do you want to ensure you are properly covered?

In the eventuality of fire, escape of water, theft, liabilities etc.

FEEL AT HOME WITH

Eurolinx (Gibraltar) Limited

21&22 Victoria House, 26 Main Street, Gibraltar

Tel: +350 200 40240 Fax: +350 200 40241

Email: eurolinx@sapphirenet.gi www.eurolinx.gi

Licensed by the Financial Services Commission to transact financial & insurance business - Licence No FSC 00023B

20

December 2008

PROPERTY PURCHASE Are you buying property?

Are you still unsure as to which mortgage is most suitable for you?

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

events

ry du c ia r i F : t n e Eve Su m m f o t h H eig Eve nt C l ie nt : Ve n u e u i te S C a lp e s n o M

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

21

events

Ocean Village marina is the venue for Gibraltar’s 1st Ocean Festival this month

Gibraltar’s 1st Ocean Festival 19th-23rd August sees the staging of Gibraltar’s inaugural Ocean Festival. Drawing inspiration from the world-renowned Cowes Week, but in the guaranteed sunshine of the Rock’s new Ocean Village marina, Gibraltar Ocean Festival will be packed with music, partying, poker and even a Day Rally to Morocco. Yacht owners will not want to miss out.

Brian Stevendale, Sales & Marketing Director for Ocean Village, explains, “Ocean Village lends itself perfectly to the Gibraltar Ocean Festival as the marina is modern, stylish, compact, thronging with bars and restaurants and also home to the Rock’s only casino. Furthermore it couldn’t be more strategically located. Morocco’s Marina Smir, the destination for our Day Rally, is just 25 miles south of Gibraltar yet offers an authentic North African experience. This Ocean Festival will bring a fantastic atmosphere to the waterfront venue and show that Gibraltar is the ‘in’ place to be this summer — and for many more summers to come.”

In conjunction with SG Hambros Private Banking, the Gibraltar Ocean Festival kicks off on Wednesday 19th August with a champagne reception held by the sponsors. Classical music with a pianist and orchestra will provide a sophisticated ambience for the evening. Thursday is the Day Rally to Morocco with SG Hambros providing the traditional Moroccan lunch in Smir. Later on, back on the Rock, a charity fashion show will sashay down the catwalk on Ocean Village’s Leisure Island. Friday offers a seminar on Gibraltar’s unique appeal and a funky summer charity party with live music until late. Saturday brings a Yacht Poker Run (Gibraltar style) and a rock party featuring local bands will round off the festival with panache.

Davina Palermo from SG Hambros in Gi-

22

To book a Gibraltar Ocean Festival package contact braltar is keen to support the event, “With our strong connections with the marine sector and the organisers on info@gibraltarboatshow.com or call an increasing commitment to charitable causes, the Ocean Village marina office on 00 350 200 73300. we are very happy to be supporting the Gibraltar Availability is limited.

Ocean Festival and welcome new and old visitors to the Rock.”

Packages are available from just £430 (516 euros) for a yacht up to 12 metres to include berthing for the duration of the Gibraltar Ocean Festival, two tickets for each of the classical concert, charity fashion show, summer party and rock party. This fee also covers lunch in Morocco and entrance for the Yacht Poker Run.

“

This Ocean Festival will bring a fantastic atmosphere to the waterfront venue and show that Gibraltar is the ‘in’ place to be this summer — and for many more summers to come

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

charity

Challenge4Ben: Charity Fun Day 29th August

Gibraltar’s Ocean Village is the place to be during the summer bank holiday at the end of August. A massive charity fun day is being planned for Saturday 29th August when intrepid Jersey-based yachtsman Nick Poole will be welcomed into Ocean Village.

Nick plans to have sailed single-handedly the 1800 miles from Jersey to Gibraltar in an 1972 18 foot Drascombe Lugger. He set out at the end of June and by the end of July, things had been progressing well and the north Spanish coast reached. So the Bay of Biscay has been conquered but there is still a long way to go.

The trip is Nick’s own personal Challenge-

Jersey-based yachtsman Nick Poole

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

4Ben which is a movement set up in memory of his son Ben Poole, a Royal Marine who died tragically while on military exercise in July 2008.

All proceeds raised by Nick will be donated to Jersey charities and Help for Heroes. Ben was a Royal Marine and one of the reasons Nick has chosen to sail to Gibraltar is the strong historical link between the Marines and Gibraltar. Readers will remember that a monument commemorating these links was recently unveiled on Leisure Island at Ocean Village so it is fitting that this will also mark the end of Nick’s voyage.

Here in Gibraltar, the Rotary Club is organising an all day event to mark Nick’s arrival at Ocean Village. It is hoped that Gibraltar residents and visitors alike will come out to support a man who has not allowed personal tragedy to overwhelm him but is seeking to ensure his son’s memory lives on in a practical way by helping those in need.

There will be entertainment on offer for all the family and of course everyone is welcome

Ben Poole, Royal Marine

There will be entertainment on offer for all the family and of course everyone is welcome.

The club hopes to raise a significant amount of money on the day for local good causes. n Full details will be available in the local press closer to 29th August. In the meantime more information can be obtained from Pam Drew on 54010606 or e-mail pam@pamdrew.co.uk or Bea Adams on 200 48532 or e-mail queenbea34@msn.com. Readers can follow Nick Poole’s progress at website www. challenge4ben.ning.com

23

business

by Richard Cartwright

Every time I walk through the back streets and see all the little shops, I wonder how they manage to pay the rent — let alone pay themselves a wage. Summer’s here so the scenario gets even worse: people rushing from A to B, with only one thing in mind “I need to get to the beach!”

Still, these shops remain open, ready for whatever business may come their way, from £1 to £100... So what’s the trick, and how do they survive?

Back Street Ronnie Israel Boy 24

“You bet. It can get tough round the back here. But you have to keep going and trying your best.” Words of wisdom from someone who’s been working off Main Street for many years — Ronnie Israel is 64 years old and has done nothing else really. Working in and owning shops, has been his trade.

“Oh yes, it goes back to when I was 12. I used to help out in a store called Lewis Shops at the airport. We were the only shop there and sold everything from perfume to bread rolls, believe it or not. Loads of servicemen would be coming through, many in transit and we’d sell like mad.

Spanish curios, cigarettes and anything you can think of. We ran a canteen too.”

Times have changed and Ronnie says you have to bring stuff people want and most importantly at the right price.

“Experience has taught me that in a small place like Gib you can sell a decent summer shirt for £6.95 and not £65 like other places.

Word soon gets around and, as has happened to me on more than one occasion, I’ve sold the lot in a few days.”

Of course, here we have someone who knows exactly what to bring, who to buy for and, through years of experience, knows in what quantities those items will sell.

“But that can be a bit tricky sometimes. Most distributors will sell you, say, 40 shirts which will come in a variety of sizes but not in the proportions you would like. You won’t necessarily get more of the popular sizes, which is what you prefer in your delivery, so you have to be very careful how and what you buy. Also, an advantage for me is that I cut out the middle man and go straight to the manufactures myself.” Ronnie is a cool dude!

His experience continued to grow when he left school. He found a job in Remingtons in Main Street (a kind of, yesteryear’s Red House).

“We’d sell Phillishave and Hoover products, record players and all sorts, like there was no tomorrow, much of it to Morocco and Spain. Yes, and in those days I was quite good at window dressing too and a Bata Shoes manager offered me a job in their store up the road from us on Main Street and off I went.”

Ronnie also worked in other well known established shops of a few decades ago like

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

business Attias the Tailor.

During the time we were chatting, sitting outside Marcus, Ronnie’s shop in Horse Barrack Lane, tens of people went by. All were known to him: some enquiring whether such-and-such had arrived yet, others searching for a specific item and many jokingly passing some funny comment as they went by. I asked him if there was anyone he didn’t know?

“Don’t forget the many years I’ve been in this business, many of them in this area,” he replied.

“Further down from here, still in Horse Barrack Lane, I worked in Natasha, a ladies and gents clothes shop. In later years I opened up a shop in the Cornwall’s Centre, round the back and that business, like all the other shops that opened there had to close down. There was an idea to open up Horse Barrack Court which leads onto the Cornwall’s Centre making access straight in from Main Street easy, but it never happened.

High rents and little business meant I called it a day and moved in here, which is much more manageable.”

Ronnie Israel is a fun guy who is extremely pleasant to his customers and tries to accommodate them as much as he can. He also sells what people with modest incomes are looking for. So where do others go wrong?

“Well I’m not into other people’s businesses, but if they don’t sell much, maybe they ought to bring in other types of goods and see if they catch on. You have to be welcoming in your attitude also, have a pleasant way about you and try and help them get what they’re looking for, as far as you can. I had an elderly gentleman who was looking for a pair of arm bands! You

don’t see those very much anymore. I said I’d get him a pair, so on my next trip to one of my distributors in Spain I did. I don’t even think I made any profit on them but he was happy, and I was happy I was able to help one of my regular clients.

“Having said that, when I get someone coming into the shop saying, ‘Oh I’ve been looking for that all over Gib and I’d given up and you have one here,’ I won’t sell him or her that item, because I think ‘You’ve been all over Gib and gave up. Well, you didn’t come here so keep on searching’!” I have a sneaky suspicion Ronnie will light-heartedly reprimand that customer and sell them what they’ve been looking for.

He continues jokingly, “You also get the odd individual who comes in and demands a discount holding an M&S bag where I’m sure he hasn’t asked for a discount. Really, I consider this little shop to be like El Corte Ingles where you can get almost anything. It’s a bit like a

“

I consider this little shop to be like El Corte Ingles where you can get almost anything.

It’s a bit like a department store!

AUGUST 2009

Date Vessel ETA ETD Mon 03 Thomson Destiny 0900 1800

Pacific Dream 1300 1900 Tue 04 Indep.of the Seas 0900 1600 Wed 05 Balmoral 0730 1300

Oceana 0800 1330

Norwegian Jade 1200 1700

Coral 1630 2030 Mon 10 Pacific Dream 1300 1900 Wed 12 Grand Princess 0800 1700

Coral 1630 2030 Thu 13 Ventura 0800 1330

Bleu de France 0800 1300 Fri 14 Celebrity Equinox 1400 2000 Mon 17 Pacific Dream 1300 1900 Tue 18 Indep. of the Seas 0900 1600

Grand Princess 0900 1700 Wed 19 Oceana 0800 1330

Norwegian Jade 1200 1700

Coral 1630 2030 Mon 24 Pacific Dream 1300 1900 Wed 26 Coral 0700 1200 Thu 27 Aurora 0800 1800

Ventura 0800 1330

Bleu de France 0800 1300

Queen Victoria 1330 1830 Fri 28 Norwegian Jade 0800 1700

Funchal 1400 1830 Sat 29 Kristina Regina 0800 2000

Dawn Princess 1300 2200 Mon 31 Pacific Dream 1300 1900 No. of Vessels calling this month = 30

”

department store!” Not a bad description. From where I sit I can see clothes, earrings, talcum powder, torches and so much more.

On a more serious note he says back street shops should be able to sell items a little cheaper not least because of the smaller rents they pay.

“In Main Street rents can be high. Here, rents are much more modest and I have to say I don’t envy those with shops in Main Street. There are circumstances that can affect your business round the back though, like the relocating of St Bernard’s Hospital for instance. People would walk past many of the back street and Upper Town shops which potentially improved sales.

The changing of school hours also affects trade.

Yes there are what I call ‘downer days’ when you think business is bad and is not going to recover, but then, all of a sudden, it picks up again. That’s life!”

Ronnie has something for the powers that be also.

“Side street restaurants and bars are allowed to have sandwich boards on Main Street advertising their premises but we can’t. That’s unfair. There should be more notices informing tourists about shopping opportunities round the back streets.”

But good humour, a friendly attitude and a little business of course, help Ronnie Israel and Marcus through good times and bad. After spending so many years in this trade, he can take anything the (sometimes weird) business trends can throw at him.

So if you’re having a ‘downer’ pop round and chat to Ronnie, he’ll put a smile on your face and perhaps sell you a torch! n

Pass Capacity From To British 1595 Portimao Malaga Spanish 1350 Lisbon Casablanca International 3600 S’thampton Cannes British 1050 Ibiza Lisbon British 1950 Barcelona S’thampton American 2400 Civitavecchia Lisbon International 756 Tangier Ibiza Spanish 1350 Lisbon Casablanca American 2600 Ajaccio S’thampton International 756 Tangier Ibiza British 3100 Zakinthos S’thampton French 600 Malaga Ajaccio American 2850 Lisbon Cartagena Spanish 1350 Lisbon Casablanca International 3600 S’thampton Cagliari American 2600 British 1950 Cartagena S’thampton American 2400 Civitavecchia Lisbon International 756 Tangier Ibiza Spanish 1350 Lisbon Casablanca International 756 Tangier Ibiza British 1975 Corfu S’thampton British 3100 Cartagena S’thampton French 600 Malaga Ajaccio International 2000 Palma S’thampton American 2400 Cadiz Malaga International 439 Lisbon Porto Finnish 245 Cadiz Barcelona American 1950 S’thampton Barcelona Spanish 1350 Lisbon Casablanca Approx. No. of Passengers this month = 52,778

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

25

profile

by Mike Brufal

Anthony Julius Patrick Lombard LLB (Hons) — Deputy Mayor of Gibraltar from 1st August 2009

Tony Lombard:

Manners Maketh the Man On 1st August, Anthony Julius Patrick Lombard LLB (Hons), becomes the Deputy Mayor and in 12 months will be the third non-politician to be Mayor of Gibraltar. Tony, as he is universally known, is determined he will represent all sections and strata of Gibraltarian society.

Professionally Tony is a barrister single practitioner who holds firm views on many contentious subjects which, for many years, he has written about in the columns of the Gibraltar Chronicle. Never one for watering down his views he has been the catalyst for some lengthy exchanges of correspondence but, however fervent the views of those who do not agree with him, there has never been any personal

26

hostility towards his opponents and he enjoys nothing more than, on one of his many walks down Main Street, having a laugh and a coffee with those who disagree with him. He is by nature extrovert and gregarious.

Tony is also is a prolific writer of articles about Gibraltar’s history and a regular contributor to the Gibraltar Heritage Journal. His peers rank him as one of the Rock’s leading historians specialis-

ing in families and buildings. Tony is one of the founders of a group of Gibraltarian genealogists whose aim is to bring to the attention of Gibraltarians the wealth of their family histories to be found when they trace their families over the centuries.

As he says: “We are more than ‘guns, sieges, bastions and military.’ We are a ‘people’ made up of ‘families and genes’ and very honourable

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

profile ones to boot, with fascinating stories to tell of success against considerable odds”.

He also engages in a huge amount of pro bono work which demonstrates his wish to help others and advance the improvement of Gibraltar and its inhabitants.

Tony was born in Gibraltar on 30th October 1956. His parents, Anthony and Yvonne nee Abudarham, met while at school and did their homework together, his mother 13, his father 15. It was a great love story, which lasted close to 50 years, with his father cutting short his further education in London because he could not bear to be away from his fiancée. They married on 10th December 1955 at St Joseph’s Church with the Vicar General, Monsignor Carmelo Grech, officiating and Maddie Peliza, daughter of Bob and Irma Peliza, as chief bridesmaid. In 1958 Tony’s mother became seriously ill necessitating frequent and long visits to hospitals in Gibraltar and London which continued over the next 40 years, until her premature death in 1996, aged 61.

From the age of two, while his mother attended a London hospital, Tony was sent to the Convent of the Veronica Sisters in Chiswick.

Upon his return to Gibraltar he went briefly to Governor’s Meadow School and then onto the Christian Brothers School at Line Wall where his class included Anthony Davis, Peter Canessa and Louis Pitto. However, due to his October birth month he had to wait a year before the all important 11+ could be taken and so he had to repeat the final year where he was joined

by John Cortez and Andrew Sene, who were academically and intellectually way ahead of the rest of the class.

The 11+ was duly passed and after a couple of terms at the Gibraltar Grammar School, his father (an old boy of the Grammar School and fervent admirer of the Christian Brothers) advised by the legendary Brother Hawkin, decided to send him to Prior Park, the Christian Brothers boarding school in Bath, in 1969. There were many Gibraltarians at the school.

At that time most of the teachers were Christian Brothers of the same high standard as those on the Rock. The only Brother who was English was Brother Miller who instilled in young Lombard ‘manners maketh the man’ which is why he is now known as the politest man in Gibraltar.

The beauty of Prior Park — a magnificent Georgian House built by a local businessman with the grounds laid out by Capability Brown complete with a palladian bridge over a lake at

CHARLES GOMEZ& COMPANY

The Apostolic Pro-Nuncio, Archbishop Luigi Barbarito, Monsignor Coronato Grima and Tony Lombard during a visit to St Joseph’s Church

the end of a valley — developed Tony’s innate appreciation of architecture and a love of proportion, order and beauty. He was not a sportsman and so concentrated on other things ending up as deputy head boy and senior sacristan. The Combined Cadet Corps did not appeal and he left with the same Royal Naval rank as when he joined (seaman) possibly a Prior Park record.

Mickey Davis was his best friend at school and the reason Tony read Law at Reading University. He had not given much thought to which university he should apply as one was very much like the other in his mind. Eventually his tutor said the UCCA form had to be filled in that day. In desperation he asked Mickey which

Brother Miller instilled in young Lombard ‘manners maketh the man’ which is why he is now known as the politest man in Gibraltar

university he was applying to and followed suit.

Ironically Mickey did badly in his exams and didn’t go up to Reading leaving Tony as the only Gibraltarian on campus.

Tony decided to return to the Rock and chill out for a year. His A level results gave him 14 points which meant the automatic award of a Gibraltar Government scholarship which included one air fare a year. He was also awarded an Avon county scholarship but this was not taken up as the Gibraltar one was financially marginally better and only one could be accepted. On reflection he accepts that the three years at Reading were not especially enjoyable.

He also accepts that he should have followed his father’s advice and applied to Oxford or a more traditional university. However, he made lasting friendships.

Tony always intended to join the Gibraltar Bar as he had no inclination to join the family business. Whilst a member of the Reading law faculty he joined Middle Temple eating the required number of dinners and making good use of its library. He obtained his professional qualification at the Inns of Court School of Law. His bar finals completed he was presented to the Gibraltar Bar by Sir Joshua Hassan, his neighbour at Shorthorn Farm. In order to gain experience and to learn the intricacies of the Gibraltar Bar, where barristers also work as solicitors, he joined Stagnetto and Co, where he remained for six years.

In November 1986 he decided to strike out

Gibraltar’s Mayor Anthony J P Lombard will be Deputy Mayor for 2009/10 and Mayor for 2010/11.

Olga Zammit takes over as Mayor from Solomon (Momy) Levy on 1st August 2009, and thanks Mr Levy for his work and commitment in the discharge of the functions of that Office.

2008/09 was the first year under the new scheme introduced by the Government where Mayors are drawn from the community, and serve for one year. A Government spokesman said “Mr Levy has ensured that this new system has got off to a very good start, that augurs well for the mayorship in the future.” n

B a r r i st e r s & A ct i n g S o l i c i t o r s C o m m i ss i o n e r s f o r o at h s c o n ta c t u s : P o b o x 6 5 9 , 5 S e c r e t a r y ’s L a n e , G i b r a l t a r Te l : + 3 5 0 2 0 0 7 4 9 9 8 F a x : + 3 5 0 2 0 0 7 3 0 7 4 email: charles@gomezco.gi w e b s i t e : w w w. g o m e z c o . g i

C l e a r S imple Legal Advice GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

27

profile

Tony Lombard with his parents and sister after he was called to the Gibraltar Bar

on his own as a single practitioner; all that was necessary was to find an office, put up a plate and wait for clients to call. His parents gave him the use of a vacant Georgian town house in Governor’s Parade which they owned and he remains there to this day.

At the time the frontier was all but open and there was a growing demand for the formation of companies. Almost immediately afterwards his mother was, once again, taken seriously ill which lasted for the last decade of her life. This meant Tony had to arrange his work so he could regularly visit her. This also meant dropping all litigation work and concentrating on private client work, company management and notarial work. He now also undertakes a good deal of judicial work, chairing a number of Tribunals and Commissions, which he enjoys. His advice is that the time for the single practitioner is over as clients prefer the behemoth chambers filled with specialists in every aspect of the law.

Tony’s present semi-crusade is to persuade Gibraltarians to take interest in the genealogy of their families. He feels the lack of interest proves a disservice to our journey as a People and may be the result of the many centuries of colonial rule, with its misplaced opinion, which by and large viewed Gibraltarians as ‘camp followers’.

Needless to say, many of those who came to settle on the Rock from 1704 were of distinguished stock, of patrician mercantile origins, with funds at their disposal and enterprise in their spirit. They were entrepreneurs and many prospered, despite the lack of natural resources and in an adverse political environment.

However, because prosperity in Gibraltar was based upon commercial success and did not run with the land, as occurred with the estates in England, security was not assured from one generation to the next, given the fluctuation of economic conditions. As a result, families moved up and down the social scale in relatively short periods of time — so in one generation, one particular family found prosperity and in the

28

next, it would be another, and so it continues to this day.

Tony’s own research shows his family to be armigerous by descent with their Arms recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the Sovereign’s Armorial Deputy for the Kingdom of Scotland, as being of ‘chevalresque’ origin namely 1350 which is the accepted date for the dawn of Heraldry. He is also recognised as the Representer of the Feudal Seigneurial House of de Lombard de Sainte Cecile, Seigneurs de Sainte Cecile. In his view Gibraltarians must be encouraged to research their heritage and one of the first places for many to begin would be the Catholic Church’s records, and archives or the internet.

Tony’s view is that those who have benefited from a Gibraltar Government scholarship should give something back to the community in return, and so Tony undertakes a fair amount of ‘pro bono ‘ work. For example he has been a member of the St. Joseph’s Church Parish Council since 1983: the honorary treasurer and subsequently honorary secretary of the St. John’s Council for Gibraltar 1983- 1993: trustee of the

“The excess of talent on the Rock has meant a bonus for the wider world, given those Gibraltarians who left to seek fame and fortune elsewhere who have become international names”

Gibraltar Hospital League of Friends Charity since 1984: member of the Gibraltar Red Cross since 1985 and Chairman since 2003: member of the Flag Days Committee 1985: member of the Traffic Commission since 1986 and chairman since 2000: and chairman of the Housing Tribunal 2008.

As if that wasn’t enough he is honorary visiting professor in Jurisprudence to the Modern University of Lisbon since 1986 and also the honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland since 1994.

The latter is no honorific sinecure and each month many Poles visit Gibraltar to mourn where General Sikorski died and to celebrate his life. Tony has gone out of his way to improve the sites and information available. He was instrumental in persuading the Polish Embassy in London, despite Spanish Government opposition, to send a high-powered Delegation to attend the re-dedication of General Sikorski’s monument on Devil’s Tower Road.

During his time as Chairman of the Gibraltar Red Cross, the society, thanks to the generosity of Gibraltarians, has raised some £1 million in aid for international disasters, which is the highest of any nation in the world per capita.

Last year the Gibraltar Red Cross raised over £53,000 and spent over £40,000 in the provision of services to the Gibraltar community.

A couple of months ago Tony was left speechless when asked by the Chief Minister to be the Deputy Mayor and then Mayor. He was allowed time for consideration, however, rather like Catholic priests (who however humble, upon being selected for high office have to accept that such a request is a spiritual command which brooks no refusal) he accepted.

He is delighted that the 12 months as Deputy Mayor provides an essential introduction to the job of Mayor and is honoured to be following Momy Levy and Olga Zammit.

Tony said: “I wholeheartedly agree with the Chief Minister when he says Gibraltar and its inhabitants punch way above their natural weight. I am proud that this is so and during my mayoralty will adopt such a sentiment as the rationale for my daily actions.

“This civic position is a huge privilege and requires the Mayor to ceremoniously represent Gibraltar in the most positive manner.

“I am hugely confident about Gibraltar’s future, primarily because of the fine calibre of Gibraltar’s youth. Those at school and in further education have liberal views which are totally different from the senior generations of Gibraltarians. However they demonstrate much goodness, humanity and dedication which I think is far greater than that shown by previous generations and it all proves so inspiring and inclusive.

“Fortunately the growth in the financial sector, the gaming industry and other sophisticated sectors means there are plenty of highly paid jobs requiring the specialist skills they learned. The excess of talent on the Rock has meant a bonus for the wider world, given those Gibraltarians who left to seek fame and fortune elsewhere who have become international names in their particular spheres.

“Long may Gibraltar continue to buzz with ideas, excitement and an entrepreneurial spirit.

I am hugely encouraged by the prospects of Gibraltar’s future and will do all within my power to promote the Rock and its inhabitants.” n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

Are you going on holiday?

Do you know who to call should your child go missing or if you need someone to talk to should you be in need or distress?

Holidays are a time to relax and spend time with family, friends and loved ones. New experiences and different activities are planned and many people plan these holidays in a foreign country. However, Childline Gibraltar would like all parents and children to have a source of support should their holiday turn out less than perfect.

The European Commission have reserved the 116 number for social services help-lines, so if you are holidaying anywhere in Europe you only have to remember one number should you be in a situation of need or distress.

116000 is the number to report missing children.

116111 is the number for children to ring should they need help in an emergency or support about family problems. If someone in Gibraltar rings this number they will get through to Childline Gibraltar.

116123 is the number for adults

to ring for moral support in crisis.

These numbers will put you through to the relevant free helpline in that European country.

This scheme was put in place as different countries use different numbers for the same service. Using Childline as an example, Childline Gibraltar’s number is 8008, Childline UK’s number is 08001111 and Childline in Ireland is 1800 66 66 66.

Having one number which European travellers can easily remember on holiday, will help everyone to get support should they need it.

Childline Gibraltar would encourage all parents to make a note of these numbers, and to give the 116111 number to their children, should they need to ring them in an problematic situation when on holiday. “We hope that you do not need to use it, but we would prefer that you stay safe on holiday and therefore encourage you to make a note of them in a handy place when on holiday.� n

The First True Business Journal for Maritime Executives Strategies & solutions through case studies, interviews and articles that address the most critical issues in the maritime industry today.

Only The Maritime Executive provides such depth of insight into the decision making process of leaders throughout the maritime world. The Maritime Executive is the only vehicle so sharply focused to deliver essential information from maritime decision makers to other maritime decision makers - an indispensable s: weapon in your arsenal for further business success. roduct tive P

Maritime Security

Domain Awareness Defined

Safety Enhancements Passive, But Critical

Marine Coatings Spray on the ROI

Environmental Protection Air, Water (& Fish Too)

Making the Connection Broadband & VSAT

New

IVE UT EC EX ME ITI AR E M TH

A global business journal

llution

Oil Po Innova n Tube y-June 2009 ent: Ending Ster Ma ploym e Em rships aritim rtne & Pa es: M le ti op ie Pe on SocFocus ificati ClassProducts / New

A Critical Time

January/February 2009

Domestic Energy:

Maritime Software:

Inland Waterways

North to Alaska?

Generation Next

Dredging Up The Real Story

October 2008

DESIGNING A WORLD OF POWER

SIM

ding ipbuil allenges / on Sh h Focus air: New Cses p n e & R ve Respo Creati

ON XIA OLE George E. Wittich

A I LI

CEO

NG

iaolei X n o Sim

IN / S IC SHI PBU

Jr.

CIF ILD ING GR OU

Chairman, President & CEO, Crowley Maritime Corporation

John A. Witte Jr.

O PA

Group

P

Also in This Issue:

Offshore LNG - Italian Style Washington: New Energy Policy?

Tom Crowley,

Tim Beaver

Mauricio Garrido

(OUSTON \ !SIA \ WWW EPDLTD COM

Phone +1 954 884 9034 www.maritime-executive.com VOL

c opacifi EO Sin roup an & C ilding G Chairm Shipbu

UM

3, E 1

EDI

TIO

AY , M N 9

/JU

NE

200

9

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

29

issues

How Green Should We Be?

by Sonia Golt

Gibraltar’s Environmental Safety Group, an NGO (nongovernmental organisation) formed in 2000, is a registered charity and works to promote environmental issues within our community. We spoke to Janet Howitt, the chairperson of ESG, and she enlightened us on a variety of things...

30

it is up to us to ensure bins are kept secure in town.

There is a lot to do and we cannot just expect others to do it for us. The ESG, with Jane Howitt at the helm, is steering us towards a greener future... but how did her passion for all things ‘green’ develop?

“I grew up very fond of animals and nature in general,” she begins. “I was intrigued by the African mountain range we see from Gibraltar promising adventure, amazing wildlife and different cultures. While I often dreamed of going there, I never imagined I would spend ten years of my life in East Africa, as I did several years later. This experience, coupled with

“

Our drive has always been to enforce environmental laws and to lobby for best practice, both important for the protection of health and the living environment

“

Concerns of air and water quality, pollution, preservation of our green areas, excess traffic, the need for renewable energy, litter/recycling and dealing with climate change have been the focus of many ESG campaigns. The group is totally apolitical and its membership runs into several hundreds, many of whom regularly support or participate in local and global environmental campaigns.

While the ESG is a local, grassroots organisation, it also works in partnership with other NGOs and is a member of various cross border and international environmental organisations.

There are so many interesting aspects within environmental issues that we may not recognise some as being under the same umbrella.

The way food is manufactured is one of them, as is the chemicals sprayed on crops, as well as products that are made into soap, cleaning products and beauty products.

We are all consumers and it is entirely up to us, as individuals, to ensure our choices make a big positive impact. The need for convenience when we spend most of our adult life rushing from work to home, means we also have to be practical. Few people are going to give up using a washing machine or driving a car. We can change other things though, by making use of low energy light bulbs, solar panels, eating regional foods and recycling for example.

Food waste is something which can be tackled too. It is no use just complaining, for instance, about the rubbish strewn over the upper Rock by the monkeys and the seagulls,

additional travel to other parts of the world to national parks and wilderness areas, cemented my passion for nature and for supporting environmental causes in general.

“Upon my return to Gibraltar after a 20-year absence, I joined like-minded people to set up a grassroots environmental organisation in Gibraltar. First to campaign against repairs to nuclear submarine HMS Tireless, and then to focus on other serious issues, such as the heavily polluting CEPSA Oil Refinery in Spain, and various other local sources of pollution and their impact on health. Our drive has always been to enforce environmental laws and to lobby for best practice, both important for the protection of health and the living environment. We have always been apolitical, while highlighting the need for the environment to form part of the political agenda across the board. The ESG has worked hard to promote environmental issues and raise awareness locally; to inform, and carry out ‘solution based’ campaigns.”

How can we be greener, especially locally?

“We need to green ourselves up as a community. This requires strong government policy and leadership to pave the way for a greener lifestyle for all. Business, industry and the individual all play a vital role in applying and supporting Government policy.

“Here are some examples of what we should be doing: • Extended recycling and waste handling

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

Is there a realistic approach to a stronger line on the environment?

“Luckily for many of us living in Europe today we have an increasingly strong line coming down from the European Commission on managing our environment. The Commission is responding to the international call for collective action on climate change. I think the answer is that if we do not take a “realistic” view of the consequences of non-action, or too little action, then we shall all pay a heavy price for this later on. There is without doubt sufficient authoritative scientific and physical evidence to justify the need for such changes. When one considers that climate change is caused primarily by the same activity, which causes pollution and is harmful to health (burning of fossils fuels), there are two very solid reasons why we should be realistic and practical in applying positive environmental changes in our community.

“If you are asking whether Gibraltar is ready to make the necessary changes towards a stronger line on the environment, I must say that things are changing slowly but we really do need leadership from the top, and to see a willingness to invest resources and funding to improve Gibraltar’s environmental performance. This is no longer concerns for the greenies, Prime Minister Brown and President Obama frequently address their nations on these critical issues and we need our political leaders to do the same here.”

How can we conserve the world’s resources from this Rock of ours?

“I think moderately wealthy countries, (and Gibraltar with a high GDP is included here), need to examine how their lifestyles and economies impact on the world’s disappearing resources. Greater responsibility must be assumed and from a local perspective, it is important that the community is aware of local nature laws and planning issues and supports local environmental campaigns. By protecting and conserving our own natural resources we

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

“

Greater responsibility must be assumed and from a local perspective, it is important that the community is aware of local nature laws and planning issues and supports local environmental campaigns

“

facilities; • Promotion and use of renewable energy; • Active steps to reduce local pollution; • An integrated transport plan to actually remove up to 80% of the traffic from our roads by installing state of the art clean running systems such as trams, for example — this would lead to cleaner air, quieter streets and a better quality of life for all. It would also enhance Gibraltar as a quality tourist destination.

• A halt to further development while we take stock of existing infrastructure and improvements carried out; • Sustained Government backed awareness and information campaigns to educate and inform the community about the importance of living as greenly as possible in an urban setting.

“I am not sure if people are aware that the Gibraltar Government actually signed up to an Environmental Charter three years ago. An Action Plan on the Charter principles is now being drawn up and the ESG urges Goverment to ensure this lives up to its name by setting timetables and timelines to action the many important measures which need to be applied throughout our community.”

issues

are also contributing positively to global biodiversity and to nature protection.”

Being green has become fashionable, so will people become bored?

“Being green is no longer a fashion statement. With ever-stricter legislation coming from Europe, this means, like it or not, Gibraltar will be forced to become greener. We are being forced to meet energy needs by a certain percentage come 2010; we are being forced to stop chucking our sewage into the sea; we are also being forced to recycle various types of waste; we are also being forced to have greener buildings… It would be great to meet the legal process halfway and bring into play our own measures to green up our lifestyle, meaningfully and deliberately as have other European countries. Many of these measures would need to be tailored to address Gibraltar’s unique physical and political situation.”

How can a global financial crisis affect the environment?

“There are differing points of view regarding

the impact the current financial crisis can have on meeting the most serious environmental challenge facing humanity today: that of global warming leading to climate change. However, there is also a widespread consensus among world leaders of the opportunity to revitalise a global flagging economy by investing and developing in green business and services.

“Respected scientists and experts monitoring climate change believe that to continue to ignore the need for immediate action to ‘meaningfully reduce’ CO2 emissions will result in an economic and social upheaval such as the world has never seen (see Lord Stern Report). It is a bit of a doom and gloom story but we have to believe we can influence this apocalyptic prediction and we have to take whatever action we are advised is necessary to achieve this.”

The ESG is now involved in various projects and a number of their long-term campaigns are now bearing fruit so the efforts invested over time have been worthwhile.

“For instance, our campaign for a rigorous and independent epidemiological study to be done on Bay communities has at last seen the Gibraltar Government appoint a Danish team of experts to carry out such a study locally. We applaud the Gibraltar Government for taking this first important step. While only at a local level so far, we hope that such studies will also be done in the Spanish towns.

“Another positive result from our four years of campaigns under the Clean Up The World banner has been the introduction of recycling bins. We are hoping to see all ‘clean up’ sites, which include green and seafront areas, to be included in revised cleaning contracts.

“Another result is the recent statement by CEPSA Oil Refinery that it will be investing some 140 million euros on safety/security/CO2 emission reduction, and also, on environmental improvements (this part some 34 million).

We link this development to the sustained pressure from ourselves and other NGOs. We have lobbied CEPSA directly as well as its majority shareholder, Total. We have embarked on various cross border campaigns, and have been to Brussels and to Strasbourg to raise this issue at the door of the Environment Commissioner himself. MEP Neil Parish has been supportive over the last three years and we are now hopeful to enlist additional support from Gibraltar’s newly elected MEPs. We shall continue to monitor the refinery and associated industry.”

The ESG continues to enjoy widespread community support and is conscious of the help it has received as well as the generous donations.

2009 has seen an increasing number of new projects taking off of a more educational nature, and in September there’s the Clean Up The World weekend, which is usually enthusiastically supported by the local community.

“A good sign is the number of teams already signed up and the schools who have expressed an interest. The ESG has been working closely with the Duke of Edinburgh participants as well as St John’s Cadets on a newly created Environmental Service as well as with the ‘We Care/CUTW’ project with local schools.” n If anyone wants to register as an individual or a team for CUTW email: howitts@gibtelecom.net, or visit www.cleanuptheworld.org for information on this wonderful campaign.

31

issues

the flycatchers say YES Birds give the beaks up to Mediterranean woodland project at the Gardens Spotted Flycatcher enjoying life in the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens photo: Charles Perez

A project to create a Mediterranean woodland at the northern entrance to the Gibraltar Botanic Garden has been given the seal of approval — by the birds!

The area north of the ‘succulent’ beds, which stretches along the eastern edge of Grand Parade, has been gradually modified by selective planting over the past 18 years.

Native woodland species have been planted and, as these have grown, exotic trees and shrubs have been selectively removed, always leaving the wooded character of the area intact.

So far, native Mediterranean plants established include Narrow-leaved Ash, Mirbech’s Oak, Cork Oak, Round-leaved Oak and Strawberry Tree. False Acacias, Trees of Heaven, Lantana and Myoporum have been progressively removed. The area is given minimum management and the ground cover is allowed to develop as naturally as possible.

There are still a good number of years to go before all the exotics are replaced, but a recent development has encouraged the team involved in the project. This year the area has

been chosen by a pair of Spotted Flycatchers, which successfully nested there — for the first time in Gibraltar — fledging at least two young. These woodland edge birds seem to have accepted the changes as a positive move towards their natural habitat.

In recent years Robins have also been present through the summer in the same area, and recently Bonelli’s Warblers, another woodland species, have been noted there too.

In another part of the gardens the nightly presence of Tawny Owls suggests they may also be nesting within the Gardens.

The increase in the number of bird species nestring in the Alameda is very welcome and seems to be a sign that management techniques employed are benfiting the natural wildlife communities of the area. n Visit the Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society website (www.gonhs.org) for updates.

These woodland edge birds seem to have accepted the changes as a positive move towards their natural habitat 32

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

The Spotted Flycatchers’ Story The Spotted Flycatchers’ nest is well concealed in a branch overhanging one of the walks, where visitors to the gardens were totally unaware that they were walking under it. The adult birds would come to feed the young, perching close by on protruding branches where they flew to intercept flying insects before returning to the nest to feed the young birds.

During a weekend in mid-July the now fledged nestlings flew from the nest and could be seen close to the original nest site calling to the adults. The adult birds had their work cut-out as they tirelessly hunted for insects, returning to the nestlings and sometimes being chased by them to be fed.

It is expected the birds will remain in the area for a few weeks more before becoming independent and able to catch insects for themselves.

This species returns to its African winter quarters soon after breeding and they move through Gibraltar in late August and September.

Hopefully next spring we will be on the look out to see if this pair of Spotted Flycatchers returns to nest in the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens. n Information and Spotted Flycatcher photographs supplied by Charles Perez

things that go ‘hoot’ in the night...

If the early bird catches the worm, what does the night owl catch?

Well it seems that one species of owl on the Rock makes a meal of our Yellow-legged Gulls!

It’s the mighty Eagle Owl which, with a wing span up to two metres, can turn our gulls into a tasty dinner, but we have several other species of these amazing night-time hunters on the Rock, either passing through or nesting here.

Tawny Owls have been recorded regularly in Gibraltar for about 10 years, usually in mature gardens in the south district but also in some areas of the Upper Rock with taller trees. Initially they seemed to occur only in winter. However, it is only in the past 2-3 years that they have definitely been present trhoughout spring and summer, suggesting nesting. These are woodland birds.

Little Owls have probably nested on the Rock since the ice age! They nest in holes in cliffs and walls and hunt in open ground, so they are mainly found around the North Face/east side and the Europa/Windmill Hill area. They are losing nest sites to feral pigeons and to cliff stabilisation works.

The Eagle Owl became extinct in Gibraltar in the late 1800s and recolonised the Rock in 2005, with

nesting confirmed most years since then. They nest in large crevices in cliffs and in Gibraltar feed mostly on yellow-legged gulls.

Barn Owls are seen in most years and have probably nested on and off around the north front and the south district, and in warehouses in the port area. Up to the mid-1900s they regularly nested on the Moorish Castle.

Scops Owls, also woodland birds, are summer visitors as they winter in Africa. They occur in spring and autumn on migration and probably nested in gardens occasionally in the past.

The Short-eared Owl and the Long-eared Owl are also occasionally seen on migration.

If you are a bit of night owl yourself, you might just spot one of these creatures in the moonlight, or hear their territorial hoots or screeches, hisses, and screams. But even if we never catch a glimpse, how wonderful it is to know they are out there.

• Information supplied by John Cortes

A Tawny Owl — this species may also be nesting in the gardens

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2008

33

Globetrotter, Brazilian artist Ilio Burruni’s muse and herself painter, gym teacher, flamenco dancer, fitness instructor lightyears ahead of the Jane Fonda fad, but first and foremost wife of Jack Armstrong with whom she’s celebrating their diamond anniversary later this year, Ana Lydia is one larger-than-life bubbly lady whose amazing life cannot be contained within the limits of this article.

�

Ana Lydia Armstrong:

the snake you want to be bitten by 34 34

That’s why I am encouraging you to read her autobiographic novel The Snake and the Tiger published in early autumn in the UK and the US, indulging in its some 250 pages, 30 photographs and eight collages of memoirs about how Gibraltar was — or wasn’t — and how most of the rest of the world compared to it, baring it all about an era when bikinis belonged in 007 movies and professional women were as unusual as midriffs au grand air.

The title comes from a casual encounter with a Chinese old man who warned Jack and Ana their fortunes were utterly incompatible: according to Ying and Yang, she was wood and he was water, and by the Chinese horoscope she was Snake and he was Tiger, mortal enemies in mythology and animal kingdom.

The married couple succeeded brilliantly in braving their fortunes for the best, although their silver wedding anniversary in the Philippines was an eye-opener and a turning point in Ana’s life, which inspired her to reconsider her position at Jack’s side.

She realised they were not stuck together like one item and she could still be a devoted wife while pursuing her career instead of simply walking in his shadow, in a country where spicy ‘hostesses’ came with the canapés at corporate dos, strictly off-limits to employees’ wives — curious oriental entertainment custom about which Ana doesn’t spare juicy details.

The book springs from her desire to leave her grandchildren a record of their ancestry: from Ana’s maternal grandparents, a Spaniard from Velez-Malaga who met his Gibraltarian (of Austrian descent) bride-to-be when she visited the Moroccan mansion where he worked, to her paternal grandparents, a Gibraltarian of Italian blood and a Spaniard.

She tells of the ‘pampered princess’ lifestyle she enjoyed in her merchant upper middle-class conservative household blessed with commodities like running water when most Gibraltarians still had to fetch it in pails at public fountains.

GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• AUGUST AUGUST 2008 2008

by Elena Scialtiel

�

She speaks up on how Gibraltarians were considered second rate citizens and disparagingly dubbed ‘natives’ in a colonialist mind-frame where any Briton looked down on them, and they could pay it forward only to their Spanish servants and labourers.

Yet classism was a life lesson which helped in her nomadic life tagging along with Jack who was posted to work in every corner of the globe, from Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and Kenya at the times of the Maumau uprising, to Brazil, Puerto Rico, Peru, Philippines and Hong Kong.

Having been a ‘native’ herself, she learned to empathise with natives and not cavort with the colonials, especially the toffee-nosed spouses of her husband’s colleagues who posed as rich trophy wives living above their means while she worked for her own bacon.

When newlyweds Ana and Jack flew to Africa, she pretty much held the stereotype of locals in grass-skirts, but to her utter surprise her first black acquaintance was an elegant man in a suit riding a bike.

Later she witnessed racism sailing back from a quick visit home when her friendship with an elderly South-African couple ended abruptly when they ordered her to take a bath after she danced with an African young man at the onboard gala ball!

In Kenya, Jack and Ana were frowned upon by the British community for having befriended their Indian dentist — white people wouldn’t go to an Indian dentist no matter how professional his reputation was, let alone invite him home for dinner!

Adapting from small-town Spanish-speak-

GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• AUGUST AUGUST 2009 2009

ing spoilt girl to British consort treading unchartered territories and worrying about ends meeting was compensated by an exciting life packed with funny adventures and interesting encounters with the crème de la crème of local intellectuals.

Her teaching and dancing exploits were soon broadcast on Brazilian TV, and in Hong Kong she hosted her TV show Keep Fit with Ana Lydia. In Puerto Rico she introduced President Kennedy’s Programme of Physical Education to schoolgirls and in the Philippines, where she arrived just before president Marcos declared his martial law, she held classes in her own method Sexometrics, targeted at pre- and post-natal exercises. She also set up the fitness centre in a prestigious Manila hotel. So popular was she that she could afford to refuse being Indonesian President Sukarno’s ‘private dancer’ when she was introduced to him.

The most touching memory of this gripping page-turner is the romance Ana shares with her soul mate Jack, unscathed by the many admirers her dancing exploits prompted, undimmed and actually rekindled throughout the decades

book release

What a bootie-shaking career for a girl forbidden by her father to dance in public when they returned home from their Madeira evacuation!

And what a way to celebrate her 50th birthday with a televised dance show to prove how fabulously one can beat the middle-age crisis!

Returning to Gibraltar in the ’90s was a bit of a culture shock, for Ana found some diehard social conventions hypocritical. She was fascinated by apparently incongruous habits like the lack of family values and homecare for the elderly, the machismo many men still exercised with their wives — with these accepting it as commonplace, despite being economically independent — and teenagers having unprotected sex out of wedlock, while their parents were too busy keeping up with consumerism to teach them the facts of life.

So chalk and cheese from Ana’s naïve rite of passage to adolescence when she panicked at her menarche reckoning it was a sign of imminent death!

The most touching memory of this gripping page-turner is the romance Ana shares with her soul mate Jack, unscathed by the many admirers her dancing exploits prompted, undimmed and actually rekindled throughout the decades.

Keep your hanky handy when you read about Jack awakening from his coma after his umpteenth heart attack, on the eve of their 50th anniversary’s vows renewal and saluting Ana as ‘his girlfriend whom I’ll wed tomorrow’.

But for this — and more spunky gossip — you’ll have to wait for the forthcoming publication of the sequel aptly titled Silver, Gold and Diamond. n

35 35

ah

at home

IN GIBRALTAR

You might want to think twice before leaving behind the joys of Gibraltar

The Moving Truth The true-life guide to emigration to the UK As a tax practitioner who gives advice to many UK residents who consider moving here, I also advise on UK tax so am able to advise on issues relating to relocating to the UK. What follows is my guide to survival there:

1.

When you apply for a job or place in an educational institution, expect the recipient to think you come from near Barcelona or Malta or a distant oceanic island.

2.

Expect to be thought to be Spanish even if you talk in English.

3.

Expect to have a long walk at Gatwick from the furthest apron to Immigration where, particularly if you meet a newly-appointed officer and hold a BOT passport, you may sometimes, incorrectly, be handed an entry card to complete as if from outside Europe, even though all BOTs passport holders now have a right of entry. Or expect to have your UK Identity Card queried.

4.

Expect it to take ages to get out of the airport as you have the longest wait in Britain for your luggage, followed by a trek to the South Terminal to get the train to London (the equivalent of Gibraltar Airport being past Estepona).

5. At the railway booking hall, do not expect to be told the cheapest way to buy a ticket or through ticket to anywhere (some fares to places north of Victoria are actually cheaper than the fare to Victoria, if you know what to ask for).

6. Do no expect a seat or clean seat or comfortable seat for the outrageous fare you have paid.

7.

36

If transferring to Heathrow by coach, expect the hour’s journey to be as expensive as some tickets from Gibraltar to London.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

ving? o m ay aw

Tower Bridge, London

8.

Expect to be overtaken by those who came after you when you try to board the tube train in London.

9.

When you start work, expect people to talk slowly to you in case you do not understand English and assume you may be less intelligent and knowledgeable.

10. All attempts to get the right tax code applied

to your salary will fail as most contact with the Revenue there is fruitless either because letters are ignored or calls not taken, or because the person at the other end has no clue what they are doing.

11. Look forward to paying VAT on all services

unlike here where import duty (lower anyway) only applies to goods.

12. Expect your council tax bill to exceed your rates bill here many times over.

13. Expect to not have your deposit returned in full when you rent, on an invalid pretext.

14. Expect to be worn out before you start work

you may sometimes, incorrectly, be handed an entry card to complete as if from outside Europe, even though all BOTs passport holders now have a right of entry clothes more often and have them pick up smells from everywhere.

17.

When you eventually earn your pension, it will be taxed by the UK even if you return here upon retirement, even though you will not be using any public services in the UK.

18. Tax will be paid up to 50% on your income

and also the interest the bank pays you on unspent income (again), and when you sell any investment assets at a profit, there is 18% capital gains tax, and when you die, 40% of most of what you may leave. That’s tax upon tax upon tax from the original same source of income.

because of the journey to work, and to be too tired to do anything when you get home (late!).

19. Take a cheque book with you to pay for pre-

15. Expect to queue at Sainsbury’s for your

using a car even though you cannot use or rely upon public transport and every public service has been centralized in far flung different towns and not in one central place. You will pay higher tax upon purchase of the car

lunchtime sandwich for longer than it takes to eat it, and not have time to eat it.

16. You will need to change and clean your GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

scriptions.

20. Look forward to be punished for owning and

(and if you are leasing, tax also). You will pay very high road and fuel taxes, congestion charges just to go out in London, enormous parking charges and higher insurance premiums (which are also themselves taxed).

21. You better pay for private medical care as the health service can only cope with emergencies and interesting cases.

22. Remember your postcode. It forms the major

part of your real identity (even though shared with neighbours), as most computer-assisted call centre operators will prove by treating you according to your address.

23. You will pay a huge TV licence fee to fund

the BBC, even though you are paying £50+ every month to watch SKY Sports and do not watch the BBC much.

24. If you are highly gifted you may feel you

have no alternative but to practise your craft outside Gibraltar, but others should think twice (no more) before going. n Paul de Beresford is a UKqualified tax practitioner advising on residence, domicile, inheritance and relocation and may be contacted by email to beresford@gibtelecom.net or on 200 400 93 (or from UK on 00 44 20 8144 1249) or (by appointment) at his Main Street office.

37 37

ah

at home IN GIBRALTAR

buying blinds

dowing n i w pp sho

?

text & photos by Jane Hart, Denville Designs

Blinds are a very good alternative window treatment to curtains.

We are finding in the new apartments with very big windows blinds also work out cheaper than curtains.

Although nothing in my mind can beat the beauty of perfectly made curtains in a sumptuous fabric, there are occasions when blinds are a far better choice than curtains. Let’s look at the options.

Vertical blinds These now come in a wonderful variety of colours and designs, they can open to the right or left or centrally as a pair of curtains, they can even come in a ‘block out’ fabric that gives complete blackout. They can be custom made to fit any window and fit from the wall or ceiling.

On big windows they are certainly a cheaper option than curtains and are perfect for those of us who prefer to have a really modern minimalist effect on the windows with no meters of fabrics and linings. They can open and close as normal curtains but have the advantage of when they are closed tilting the vanes so you allow half of the light in.

38 38

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

?

at home IN GIBRALTAR Venetian Horizontal Blinds These can come in metal or wood. The wood is attractive and comes in many colours with jute webbing which in old colonial buildings look most appealing. There is a large choice of colours and designs in the metal vanes and these are most useful in kitchens and bathrooms.

They hang from the ceiling or wall and stack up to a very small space when open, and when down, the vanes can be tilted to allow some light to come through. They are easy to clean, not like curtain or fabric blinds which have to be dismantled to clean.

Roller Blinds Roller blinds are made from specially stiffened fabric which simply rolls onto a tube when operated. It is a very popular and economical window treatment. You can match the fabric with your vertical blinds and they are ideal for small windows. You can also add a variety of very pretty trimmings to make them more individual Roman Blinds are soft fabric blinds which gather into pleats when raised, they can be made from voile giving a soft look, or from any

fabric, lined or sun block lined to give complete black out. They can be put under a pelmet and adding boarders or trimmings can look very individual and creative, perfect for small or narrow windows The purpose of window shades is to beautify and enhance the overall look of your rooms and home while creating privacy and sun shade.

Since there are a wide range of custom window shades in beautiful colours, designs and shapes available on the market, it may not be difficult to enhance the look of your rooms with these treatments. On top of this, the installation of custom window blinds is not that difficult and complex, so you can probably do it yourself neatly without anyone’s help. n

ah

They stack into a very small space when open, and when down, vanes can be tilted to control the amount of light allowed into the room

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

turn to pages 92-93 for property directory

39 39

ah

at home IN GIBRALTAR

a different

perspective

the art of Terry Humphries

Although based in the UK, Terry Humphries has found inspiration for his artwork from his frequent visits to Gibraltar.

Terry studied at Swindon School of Art, gaining his BA (Hons.) in Design/Illustration in 1999. He has since worked as a freelance illustrator and college lecturer until 2006, when he decided to concentrate on painting full-time.

Terry works mainly in acrylic and oils, using sgraffito, impasto, gestural and other techniques to express light, form, colour, texture and movement. He enjoys producing representational and abstract paintings.

Terry is often inspired by specific locations, a certain light or purity of colour. He has been painting in Gibraltar for several years, and enjoys the quality of light, variety of architecture, vibrancy of colours

Gibraltar Harbour

City of Malaga

40

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

at home IN GIBRALTAR

ah

Main Street

and dynamic splendour of the Rock and surrounding area. He exhibits his work at the Fine Arts Gallery in Casemates Square, as well as in ex-

hibitions in the UK. To view more of his work or to contact him, see his website www.terencehumphries. co.uk. n The Moorish Castle

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

turn to pages 92-93 for property directory

41

history Lord Byron

Lord Byron’s Gibraltar Visit:

a damp squib 200 years ago this very month, the 6th Baron Byron, a man saddled at birth with a cumbersome trio of forenames (George Gordon Noel), but better known simply as “Lord” Byron, and arguably the greatest romantic poet of his age, spent a fortnight in Gibraltar.

He seems to have made only two brief references to the visit in his writings, and they weren’t complimentary.

42

by Dave Wood If the words he wrote accurately matched those he had been voicing in the streets and bars of the town, we can be sure that many a proud Gibraltar resident would have been standing in line to buy tickets to punch him on the nose, while the more forthright, not to say brutal among them, might have simultaneously stamped upon his famously clubbed foot, wearing barrack boots borrowed especially for the occasion. All right-thinking readers will find the concept of such gratuitous cruelty deeply disturbing, but we are speaking of earthier times when the whim was sadly all too often conjoined twin to the deed.

We need not dwell on the details of Byron’s early life. Lady Caroline Lamb famously said that he was “mad, bad and dangerous to know” which meant, of course, that she was sexually infatuated with the man and, indeed, had she not been she would now not be remembered at all. By 1809 he was 21 years old, dissolute, debauched, and hiding behind lamp-posts with a bag over his head to avoid his creditors. This qualified him admirably for his hereditary seat in the House of Lords, on which he first rested his aristocratic backside in January of that year.

It was the perfect moment to undertake the Grand Tour; the langorous ramble through Europe that was de rigueur for the wealthy young of the 19th Century. His companion on the trip was to be his close friend John Cam Hobhouse, the 1st Baron Broughton, who he had met when they were both studying at Trinity College, Cambridge. Hobhouse, 18 months Byron’s senior, was a writer and politician (originator, it was said, of the term “His Majesty’s Opposition”), and he clearly knew an awful lot about the disreputable habits of his friend since it was he, on Byron’s death in 1824, who persuaded the owner of the poet’s memoirs, publisher John Murray, to burn the lot rather than put them before the public. No doubt today, Rupert Murdoch would piously do the same. I know that the publishers of the Gibraltar Magazine would strenuously resist the temptation to profit from the gratuitous publication of unsavoury tittle-tattle. (Sigh.)

Hobhouse and Byron sailed from Falmouth in July 1809, and spent the next few weeks trekking southward through Spain and Portugal.

Despite seasickness, diarrhoea, and an infinity of mosquito bites, Byron was in high spirits, possibly at the thought of leaving his creditors safely behind. “Comfort must not be expected by folks that go a pleasuring”, he said in a letter written to his friend the Reverend Francis Hodgson from Lisbon on July 16th. Happily for posterity, John Hobhouse was unable to buy back all of Byron’s letters and burn them, and many survive, but few reveal the ethereal beauty of a major poet’s mastery of the evocative word. If lines such as “I loves oranges and talk bad Latin to the monks”, or “I rides on an ass or a mule, and swears Portuguese” have been reported accurately and were not penned in the style of an illiterate buffoon for comic effect, we must wonder if Byron did indeed write the works attributed to him, or were bought for ten shillings from a servant.

Byron and Hobhouse reached Gibraltar on 6th August 1809, and this is the point where readers might justifiably sit a little straighter in their seats in anticipation of the sudden arrival of the good stuff. George Gordon Noel Byron

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

history — Lord Byron — notorious rake, celebrity poet, money in his pockets, 21 years old and far from home. Hold on to your hats, and lock up your daughters! Mad, bad, dangerous to know, and heading like a hurricane for Main Street!

Few of us have personally witnessed the detonation of a damp squib, but the phrase remains useful, if occasionally inadequate.

In this case the squib was not damp; it was positively sodden.

Perhaps.

The problem, of course, is that we don’t really know. Certainly Byron’s comments on his visit, as revealed in his letters, were brief, dull and, as noted above, uncomplimentary. But if John Murray had been shrewd, and resisted Hobhouse’s insistence that he destroy the man’s memoirs, we might have had an entirely different and racier version. Hopefully, the day may yet dawn when the archive’s immolation by the publisher is revealed as a cunning trick in which several large envelopes stuffed with newspaper were sacrificed as a sop to Hobhouse’s well-intentioned Prodnosery, while the real memoirs were stashed behind the loose panel over the Georgian fireplace in the morning room, where they remain awaiting rediscovery.

On his arrival, Byron instantly reached for his pen and wrote to Francis Hodgson. Things Byron’s close friend and travelling companion to were still going well, and the expected disGibraltar, John Cam Hobhouse comforts of “those who go a pleasuring” were failing to dampen his spirits.

I have just arrived at this place after a journey through Portugal, and part of Spain, of nearly 500 miles. We left Lisbon and traveled on horseback to Seville and Cadiz and thence on the Hyperion frigate to Gibraltar. The horses are excellent — we rode 70 miles a day — Cadiz, sweet Cadiz! — it is the first spot in the creation. The beauty of its streets and mansions is only excelled by the loveliness of its inhabitants.

Given Lord Byron’s reputation, we must assume that when referring to the “loveliness” of the habitants of Cadiz, he was alluding to that of its female representatives. We should not forget that Francis Hodgson, the recipient of this and other letters, was a man of the cloth, and a certain uncharacteristic coyness may be expected.

Where Hobhouse and Byron dined on the night of their arrival in Gibraltar, which bar or bars they honoured with their patronage, which, if any of the local girls one or both propositioned before or after becoming drunk we cannot say, but certainly something seems to have happened somewhere in Gibraltar’s maze of streets to sour Byron’s previously sunny mood, for the very next day he was like the place, but let us remember that just writing again; this time to his lawyer, John three weeks before he had been dismissing Hanson: diarrhoea, mosquito bites and all manner of discomfort as part of the fun. If that was still Gibraltar, August 7th 1809 his view, it follows that the rougher things ….Gibraltar the dirtiest and most detest- were in Gibraltar, the more he should have able spot in existence, Lisbon nearly as bad. revelled in it. …the English abroad very different from their But no. In another letter to his mother, writcountrymen. ten in Gibraltar on 11th August, he waxes lyrically at length about Cadiz, but devotes How to explain the sudden change of mood? only three words to the Rock. He calls it “this A massive hangover? Possibly. Rejection by cursed place”. the local ladies? Unlikely. Drawing the bad The engraver Edward Francis Finden, in prawn? Perhaps. his Illustrations of The Life and Works of Lord It may be that the man genuinely didn’t Byron referred to this period of the poet’s life

If lines such as “I loves oranges and talk bad Latin to the monks”, or “I rides on an ass or a mule, and swears Portuguese” have been reported accurately and were not penned in the style of an illiterate buffoon for comic effect, we must wonder if Byron did indeed write the works attributed to him, or were bought for ten shillings from a servant

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

in a memorably masterful example of British understatement. “Though he resided a fortnight at Gibraltar,” Finden wrote, “except the beautiful description of his moonlight passage through the Strait, it does not appear that he found inspiration there for his muse”. He had a ready explanation for this. After speaking of sieges and battles and other glorious episodes in Gibraltar ’s history he decided that the non-visitation of Byron’s muse was due not to indifference, still less to distaste, but to something approaching awe. “Fortunately for Lord Byron’s reputation, the omission is not singular. His poetical powers were often dormant amidst scenes associated with events that needed not his aid to immortality — scenes a thousand times more inspiring, in the estimation of common minds, than those over which his muse has shed a luster that has brightened into notice places that would, if unmentioned by him, have remained unknown”.

In other words, when Byron called Gibraltar “this cursed place” and “the dirtiest and most detestable spot in existence”, what he was really trying to convey was his inability to adequately express the depth of patriotic emotion that the weight of its heroic history wrought upon his soul. I paraphrase.

Their two weeks up, Byron and Hobhouse boarded the packet Townshend and headed for Malta. There, things grew far livelier and more, well, Byronesque. To use a convenient euphemism, he “fell in love with” a married woman, as he was wont to do, and very nearly fought a duel over her. Exactly the kind of thing that, had he given a thought to posterity and the struggles of future writers striving to make his stay on the Rock at least passably interesting, he would have been doing in Gibraltar. Instead, he delivered another unspoken and unwritten slur to the place by implying by omission that no married ladies on the Rock were comely enough to “fall in love with”, seduce, or fight duels over. If that doesn’t deserve a swift slap across the face with a patent leather glove, what does?

After Malta, the two travellers moved on to Turkey and Greece, which Byron fell in love with as though it was a comely married woman.

He returned to England in July 1811, and was soon as notorious for his sexual affairs as he was famous for his poems. In January 1815, striving hopelessly for some veneer of respectability, he married Annabella Millbanke, and although she gave him a daughter (Augusta Ada, born December 10th), the marriage was a disaster. Byron was still wild and reckless, usually drunk, up to his eyebrows in debt, and constantly evading his creditors by hiding in his publisher’s home with the curtains drawn.

Only a month after the birth of their daughter, Annabella left him, taking the baby with her. Rumours had swept society of the poet’s alleged affair with his half-sister, Augusta Leigh. Byron fled abroad, and never set foot in England again.

Sadly for us, he never set foot in Gibraltar again either. He spent his final years in Greece, where he became ill in February 1824; an illness exacerbated when he got caught in the rain and contracted a chill. He fell into a coma and died in the early evening of 19th April. He was 36 years old. n

43

gibraltar connection

by Reg Reynolds

Walter Cronkite’s brilliant career was nearly over before it started due to censorious communications officers on the Rock of Gibraltar.

Mr Cronkite (never Walter) 1916-2009 (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Most trusted Man in America

Censored in Gibraltar

The legendary television newsman was a war correspondent attached to the US Navy when a matter of a few hours determined whether he would be feted for an international scoop or sent to the back of the World War II media queue.

Cronkite, 92, died last month on Friday, 17th July, of cerebral vascular disease. He had been retired for more than 20 years but in his prime, as anchorman for the CBS Evening News (1962-81) he was voted “the most trusted man in America”. He is particularly remembered for his coverage of the Vietnam War, the Apollo moon landings and the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

Born in St. Joseph, Missouri on 4th November, 1916, the son of a dentist, Cronkite turned to journalism when he was at university in Texas.

He worked for several newspapers before joining the United Press news service in 1935. He remained Stateside during the first years of World War II but after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour on 7th December, 1941 his UP bosses sent him to the US Navy headquarters in New York in order to get credentials to accompany the North Atlantic convoys.

His first assignment was to the old battleship Arkansas which was to escort a convoy of ocean liners carrying the nucleus of the American Air Force who would “carry the war to Hitler’s Germany”.

On the return voyage Cronkite got his first scoop of the war when the liner Manhattan (with the wartime name of Wakefield) caught fire.

In his autobiography A Reporter’s Life, Cronkite wrote: “With incredible courage and seamanship the skipper of the cruiser Brooklyn put his vessel’s bow against the furiously burning Wakefield to take off all of the civilians and some of the crew.

Most of the crew stayed aboard and successfully fought the fire to a standstill.”

The Wakefield was saved and restored and finished out the war as a casualty evacuation ship in the Mediterranean.

Cronkite was surprised when his story of

Irish Town Antiques Antiques & Collectables Irish Town Gibraltar Tel: 200 70411

44

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

gibraltar connection perhaps? I am an artillery man. Two world wars now. And gentlemen, let me congratulate you.

Never have I seen such shooting. You cut every road leading to the arsenal and not one shell inside to do any damage. You have left it intact for yourselves. My congratulations. Splendid shooting, splendid.”

The Texas’ big guns had fired at the arsenal for the better part of two days without once hitting the target.

With the invasion reaching a successful conclusion the Texas sailed back to New York.

Cronkite wasn’t happy about returning because he was eager to be “where the action was” in order make his name as a war correspondent.

His one consolation was that he hoped to be the first reporter back from the invasion.

“My God, Cronkite, you’re safe,” shouted his editor when the ace reporter strode into the newsroom. He then added angrily, “Where the hell have you been?”

That’s when Cronkite learned that not one

“

As I stood there trembling with wonder, playing cards began raining from the heavens. One dropped on the back of my hand that was gripping the rail. It was the ace of spades

“

the Wakefield fire got past the censors and made the banner headline in newspapers across the country.

A few months later Cronkite found himself aboard the ancient (pre World War I) battleship Texas headed for the Med as part of Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, which took place between 8th and 16th November in 1942.

The mission of the Texas was to capture the small town of Port Lyautey and destroy the French arsenal there which was said to be the largest in North Africa.

The big guns of the Texas, aided by spotter planes, took aim at the arsenal and began shelling. Cronkite found the experience quite unnerving.

“The firing of those big naval rifles is awesome and, to the uninitiated frightening. The great belch of yellow flame threatens to engulf the ship herself, and the blast of heat sears the freshman war correspondent on the bridge. The gun blows its own great smoke ring and the shell can actually be seen disappearing toward the horizon through the middle of the doughnut.

“As I stood there trembling with wonder, playing cards began raining from the heavens.

One dropped on the back of my hand that was gripping the rail. It was the ace of spades.”

Once Port Lyautey had been secured Cronkite went ashore with a gunnery officer to assess the damage. As they arrived at the entrance to the arsenal they were approached by an old French soldier.

“Ah gentlemen,” he said in quite good English.

“I see you are from the Navy. From the battleship,

of the thirteen stories he had written had been received. With no stories and no other communication for six weeks the editor had concluded that Cronkite was either wounded, dead or completely useless..

In his book Cronkite wrote: “Not one of my dispatches had gotten through from the Texas.

The ship had radioed them to the British Navy’s communications centre on Gibraltar as instructed, but the British there had failed to relay any of them to our office in London. I later learned that this happened to several of the correspondents in North Africa, as the British military favored the dispatches from their own newspapers and press services.”

With the help of an airplane and some luck (another reporter who beat him back unwisely took a few days off before filing) Cronkite was the first newsman to write a story on Operation Torch and that saved him from serious embarrassment and possible sacking. He returned to the Europe for the duration and became one of the top American reporters of the War. He was one of eight journalists selected by the US Army Air Forces to fly bombing raids over Germany in a B-17 Flying Fortress. He also landed in a glider with the 101st Airborne in Operation Market-Garden and took part in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he covered the Nuremberg trials.

As for the Texas, the old girl took part in the D-Day landings and followed that with service in the Pacific. Launched in 1912 she was decommissioned in 1948. Today she is a war museum and is anchored in the Houston Channel at San Jacinto State Park, Texas. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

45

On the 8th August Gibraltar will once again reverberate to the sound of a thousand Harley-Davidsons snaking their way round the Rock, for on this day the 4th Annual International Harley and Custom Bike show takes place in Casemates Square.

Organisers of the ever popular bike rally are expecting numbers well above last year’s 1000 bikes and are making preparations to

they’re coming!

text and photos by David Parody

host bikers and their riders in what is one of the region’s most important bike events.

From humble beginnings of a couple of hundred bikes to the number that we now see turn up at this event is a testament to the local HDC-Gibraltar club whose meticulous planning starts the day after the last rally finishes.

Bikers from near and far make a date with the local club from as far afield as Poland and the UK to La Linea and Ceuta.

On the day bikers will commence their journey from Cadiz, Malaga and Marbella early in the morning to join up at the frontier at 12 noon where they will be met by local club members and the Royal Gibraltar Police who provide the logistics for the entire event.

46 46

Photos © DM Parody (http://dotcom.gi/photos)

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

events Casemates Square and Market Square will play host to the bikes while the bikers take a well earned rest as well as taking the opportunity for refreshments and food.

The highlight for many of the visitors is the spectacular Rock Tour provided by HDCGibraltar to Gibraltar’s main sites. Crowds at Eastern Beach and Rosia Bay stand open mouthed watching the spectacle of the well maintained, highly polished and custompainted motorbikes and their sometimes eccentric owners! This year’s Rock Tour will end up in Ocean Village for some live music and then followed up with an after party courtesy of the Gibraltar Motorcycle Club.

There is no entry fee, all you need is a Harley or a custom bike and turn up on the day of the show either at 11.30am at Casemates Square or 12 noon at the frontier.

More information at www.hdcgib.com

The highlight for many visitors to the event is the spectacular Rock Tour provided by Harley-Davidson Club - Gibraltar to Gibraltar’s main sites

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• AUGUST AUGUST 2009 2009 GIBRALTAR

About the Marque How many brand names would people pay to have tattooed on their bodies? The answer is not many... but one such iconic brand is Harley-Davidson.

The Harley-Davidson story is one no-one could have made up.

In 1903 four young men experimented with internal combustion in a tiny wooden shed in Milwaukee, USA. Not only did the shed not burn down, but the motorcycle they built went on to serve for over 100,000 miles, under five owners. And that was just the beginning.

By 1916 the US military were using Harley Davidson motorcycles equipped with machine guns against Pancho Villa along the US/Mexico border. The army went on to use the Harley in combat during WW I and WW II. During the 1960s, motorcycle sales were so low that Harley-Davidson became the third-largest manufacturer of golf carts!

On February 1, 1994, the company filed a sound trademark application for the distinctive sound of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine.

105 years since the company was founded, it produced a total of 303,479 Harley-Davidson motorcycles in 2008.

47 47

a s l a S

fashion arts

It’s amazing how many different activities are available in Gibraltar during these hot summer months, and one of those which caught our eye was the Salsa Club, which meets every Tuesday evening in the Laguna Social Club.

Salsa dancing immediately conjures up images of swish foot movements, flinging your partner round the room, ball gowns and a sexy South American swings performed to perfection. Mike Da Silva soon put the record straight for me though.

“I’ve been dancing for the last fifteen years and at one point to a professional level while I was a student, but my whole experience of dancing has been to have fun. The classes I went to in the UK before moving here ten years ago were very much a social event rather than strict classes, and that is what we are trying to achieve here in Gibraltar,” he commented.

The club currently has a core of around 18 regular members, but anyone is free to drop in to give it a go or just to come along on an ad-hoc basis. This is definitely an informal occasion, although the classes are as professional as you could expect under the watchful eye of Jose Luis Benitez who is well known across the border for organising dance shows to a professional level.

The local club, set up just over six

“

Dancing, like any hobby is something you should enjoy, so we’re happy for any member to be involved to whatever level they wish

“

48

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

arts events months ago and chaired by Anne Marie Struggles, is working towards a demonstration at Summer Nights in Casemates on 11th August, organised by Events Unlimited, to help raise funds for the local charity “Help Us To Help Them”.

This will include Salsa, Bachita and Hip Hop styles, although members are under no pressure at all to perform on stage.

“If, like me, you’re a bit of a show-off, it’s a great experience to dance for a public,” Mike told us, “although not everyone feels confident or even wants to dance in public and that’s something we respect in the club. Dancing, like any hobby is something you should enjoy so we’re happy for any member to be involved to whatever level they wish.”

Salsa is massive in the UK according to Mike, and his enthusiasm stems from the great experience he had over the years in England, although he’s quick to admit that most men are a little reserved with the idea of learning to dance.

“It is a bit of a social stigma, although personally I don’t see why it should be. The club is a great way to socialise and meet people.

At the moment, the ratio is about four to one so there are many more

women than men. Most new clubs start out this way though, and it usually takes a couple of years for the numbers to balance out.”

Mike told us that salsa is actually quite easy to pick up. The club teaches Cuban Salsa which has a lot of expression without the more showy and exhibitionist styles you’ll find in LA Salsa for example.

You can go along with your partner, or on your own and you’ll be soon paired up with someone at your standard to dance with, and even if you are with your partner, you’ll find that styles such as “La Rueda” will have you switching during the music and back again.

The whole dance style is set around three steps in every four beats which can then be improvised on, so even beginners can pick it up without too much problem in their first evening, and don’t worry: this is salsa with two feet on the ground, so you won’t have the opportunity to drop your partner. n The Salsa Club meets every Tuesday evening at the Laguna Social Club from 8.30pm where you can learn Bachata and other dance styles. The cost is £5 with proceeds to “Help Us To Help Them”. For more information call Mike on 54472000 email info@ salsagibraltar.com.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

salsa: a brief history Historians are a little at odds about whether Salsa originated in Cuba or Puerto Rico, although the music and dance forms quite definitely originated from Cuban Son, a style of music which became popular in the 1930s.

The style combines Spanish songs and guitar with african rhythm and percussion of Bantu and Arara origin. It then moved on to New York where other styles of music were mixed in too, resulting in the creation of salsa music.

The mambo of the 1950s was also influential in shaping salsa, and after the trade embargos following Castro’s revolution in Cuba, the international style was shaped by the Puerto Rican community in New York — hence the debate on the real origins of the dance and music.

Salsa is similar to mambo in many ways, a six step routine over eight beats, and the dances share many of the same moves, although in Salsa the turns are

more emphasised, giving a very different feel. Whereas the mambo is very much a forward and backward movement, salsa moves are usually from side to side.

But salsa is not easily defined.

Because its development has moved through and contains so many different types of music and dance, it is more a distillation of other dances of Latin and AfroCaribbean origin.

Within salsa, different styles have developed from the various geographic regions where the dance is popular. New York salsa is strict and technical, with dancing being a much more serious and professional occasion. Cuban salsa is the most popular in Europe being a less formal dance style and easier to pick up and enjoy.

Other styles include Salsa Filipina — a group dance, Cumbia. Cali, and Los Angeles. The latter was pioneered by some of the most famous and successful people in dance with its sensuous, theatrical and aerobic content.

49

profile

Gail Francis-Tiron:

Making an Exhibition

2009’s Miss Gibraltar has been crowned and Kaiane Aldorino has a year ahead only a few Gibraltarians have experienced. There could be a survey carried out as to where all the previous contestants have ended up — it might settle the argument against such contests around the world. There again it may not. Our profile is of one such young girl who hasn’t looked back and in fact sees a lot of benefits in giving women a freedom of expression and a place on the world’s stage. This month the Gibraltar Magazine talks to Gail Francis-Tiron.

Born in Gibraltar, her father a retired company director and her mother a private typing tutor, Gail’s family mix is from English, Scottish, Irish and Italian stock. All her early life was spent in Gibraltar with the odd holiday abroad.

“I never saw La Linea until the frontier opened. When I was young we went twice to Fuengirola for a holiday after the frontier closed, via Tangiers, but the journey was so arduous I never went to Spain again until 1982, when the frontier opened for pedestrians.”

Gail went to St Joseph’s infant and middle school and completed her education at the girl’s comprehensive studying for three ‘A’ levels.

“I dreamed of travel and basically getting out into the world but deep down I wanted to be a vet when I was younger,” she said. “I was very loud and naughty at school which is funny now as I really liked school, it was fun.

“Crunch time came at the year for options.

When I looked at what I would need to be a veterinary surgeon I decided to rethink my plans.

There was no way I could take all the sciences and maths. I was very good at art and languages so I decided I would try to get to university.”

Her art spoke for itself fairly early on.

“I got asked to do a portrait of Sir Joshua Hassan at the age of 16. I’ve no idea where it is now but the rest of my education took a back seat.

After that I was offered a job with a T-shirt printing company so I left school and only completed my art ‘A’ level; a year early. Then I got a temporary graphic design job with GBC for around 18 months. After this I got a job in the dockyard for six months followed by four years working for the government sorting electricity, water and finally income tax bills. Can you imagine it? The work was so boring but we had a great time in the office as all the staff were fantastic.”

A tall girl, Gail kept fit by swimming (she represented Gibraltar in Morocco and trained with the Ealing swimming team when she was in the UK) and playing volleyball.

“The frontier had opened so I was venturing into Spain. I had a boyfriend in Estepona who I was very keen on but he unexpectedly dumped me! It was then fate took a twist and the Miss Gibraltar contest came up. I decided to enter just to lift my mood and to get over him, of course it was a bit of fun and there were far prettier girls than I with a real chance of winning.

“The night of the competition we were all supposed to pack suitcases as we were leaving the very next day for the Miss World competition. I didn’t even pack for two reasons. One, I didn’t have any clothes for such a competition and two, I wasn’t going to win in my mind anyway. I

50

remember Michelle Holland was in the competition, she was the hot favourite and we expected her to win. However, Dominique Martinez came second, Michelle came third and the rest of us all looked at each other. When they read my name out everyone cheered, I was so thrilled! It was an amazing thing but I’m always remembered for the closing credits of the show when the cameras were on me and I could be heard screaming at my parents, ‘pack my suitcases’!”

What happened next Gail?

“Well, you can imagine. I was sent to the UK — the Miss World competition was in the Albert Hall, it was a huge event. Here was I representing my country of which I was so proud; it was like a dream being catapulted into stardom overnight.

I even got selected with five other girls to go to Egypt where we were looked after royally and even spent time with Omar Sharif and I’ll tell you he was the perfect gentleman. This visit was at the time of the Libyan crisis and as we didn’t have a Gibraltar flag with us I had to wave the Union Jack on one of our parades in the heart of Cairo! Dangerous.”

So do you think it’s a worthy competition?

“I do. If a young lady wants to use her talents and looks why shouldn’t she? In the end the competition, if you use it the right way, is beneficial to you. It’s a business and like in business sometimes it isn’t all perfect. Miss World has to make money for its backers and in doing this perhaps the right girl doesn’t always win, politics and economics are everywhere.”

After the furore died down Gail started liv-

Gail with Miss Spain in 1986

ing her dream of travel and meeting people.

Part of her prize was winning a car, the money from which she used to buy a car in the UK as she moved there in the hope of continuing her career as a model.

Through Miss World she had made some good modelling contacts and was picked up by a fairly well known agency called Loftus Burton in north London. She had regular work but she also worked at Europe’s biggest nightclub, the Hammersmith Palais. This was the place to be in London and Gail checked coats, punched tickets, handled memberships, looked after VIPs and, when the place was empty, danced on the bar Coyote Ugly style! The advantage was she was free to do modelling and shoots during the day.

She also picked up temporary work as a VDU Operator — that’s the ’80s way of saying she worked on a computer, a relatively new thing in those days in the office.

“It was another flexible job so I could take a few days off and model when I had to. Modelling is a notoriously difficult business but I was lucky enough to get some work. I did catalogues, book covers, fashion shows and a photo shoot for Cartier. It was still a struggle although I was popular internationally, particularly with Indian clients, as I apparently had that look they liked.

“However, my manager didn’t always like the look. He told me I was fat in the face and I needed to lose weight. I was a size 10! Being on a permanent diet was also beginning to make things difficult and I began to realise I’d done what I set out to do and this lifestyle wasn’t healthy. There was too much ‘dog eat dog’ and stepping on people to get ahead, but it wasn’t really my way of doing things.

“One night we had a party, and ate and drank all the stuff models deprive themselves of to keep ‘in shape’. The next day I went to my agent and quit and although I cried my eyes out I knew that was the end of my career and I was looking forward to a new life.”

Deciding not to look back she applied for work at the airlines to further that travel bug. Using her three languages (English, Spanish and French) she got a job with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines at Heathrow and worked with them for four years, making full use of the cheap staff travel.

“This is where Miss World and Miss Universe come in useful,” she said. “On my CV it is clearly there and the interviewers always want to talk about it. After you get through the door you still have to get the job but it helps get that interview.

Heathrow Terminal 4 was a great place to work.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

Two of Gail Francis-Tiron’s paintings (Stormy Lighthouse, top, and The Dell, below) — this multi-talented ex-beauty queen hopes to hold an exhibition next year

I was ground staff, meeting people, and some of my work colleagues are some of the best friends I’ve ever had and still keep in contact to this day. I think I found my Nirvana there in some ways.”

As is often the case when things are on the up, human nature decides pick a card to change things around. On one holiday in Gibraltar she started a relationship and, after a few months, became pregnant, decided to make a go of it and returned home. The relationship wasn’t strong enough but at the age of 29 she was a single parent and couldn’t get a job.

“I think life throws a lot of things at you but I’ve always been practical and I believe if I work hard things will happen. I don’t dwell on the past, or other people. I’m not overly religious in any great sense but I have belief and two of the quotes I always remember, attributed to Jesus, are ‘Why look at the splinter in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own’ and another, ‘Do unto those as you would like done to yourself’. So I try to live that way, worry about what I’m doing and not what others have done. I also consider myself an optimist and I believe you can always get what you want in life, you just have to be prepared to work hard for it.

“Eventually, a job that suited me down to the ground came up with the Gibraltar Tourist Board as an Information Officer. It was the bottom rung of the ladder but it was an ideal job for me, back to meeting people, telling people about Gibraltar and eventually I’ve worked my

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

way up to Information Manager for the Tourist Board and, once again, I’m lucky to have a great team alongside me.”

Gail has met many people during these jobs but who were her favourites?

“I was lucky enough to become friends with Helena Christiansen as she was in the Miss Universe competition with me. Also on that bill were the Miami Sound Machine so I spent the farewell ball night with Gloria Estefan mainly because she was also bilingual in English and Spanish.

As for the Tourist Board I have met countless politicians, journalists, television personalities, celebrities such as Suzanne Vega and Wayne Sleep, from all over the world, and given them the grand tour of Gibraltar.”

That sounds like a pretty full CV. But what

“

I think life throws a lot of things at you but I’ve always been practical and I believe if I work hard things will happen.

I don’t dwell on the past, or other people

”

does she do in her spare time?

“Nowadays, enjoy family life. I got married a few years ago to Gabriel. We met on 9/11 when watching the awful events unfold on television in a local bar. We seemed to get on really well very quickly and after only a few months we were married. Crazy, I know, but my instincts are rarely wrong and I think he was a good gamble; we’ve been married eight years now so I think it paid off. I remember at 12 telling everyone animals were loyal, always happy to see you and genuine, so I was going to marry a horse not a man! Luckily I grew up. With home life, Gabriel and my son Casey who is now 16, I feel satisfied with what I have achieved so far, although I’m always open to new things.” There was a glint not a splinter in her eye at that one.

“I love my job, the people I meet and work with. Life could always be improved but my experiences have left me happy so far. I’ve always felt I have a little creativity in me — some time after the Miss World competition I wrote a book about my experiences, all the proceeds went to charity but it achieved another ambition.

“One other thing I still do is paint. I love to paint. I mentioned the commission for Sir Joshua earlier but over the years I’ve done several paintings for people in Gibraltar and UK. I’m hoping to hold an exhibition next year and have completed 23 paintings so far, I want to get a least 30 together for the exhibition. Looking back so far I suppose you could say I’m always making an exhibition of myself!” n

51

leisurewear To advertise in this section of The Gibraltar Magazine Tel: (+350) 200 77748 Email: gibmag@gibraltar.gi 54 City Mill Lane Tel/Fax: 200 45966 Email: sandra4stichdesign@yahoo.com

hair & beauty Mon - Fri 10am - 7pm Saturday 10am - 2pm

We do Silk Screen Printing, Embroidery, Transfers on:

LADIES SALON & BARBER’S SHOP

Polo-Shirts, T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, School Logo, Baseball Caps, Work Wear, Foot Wear, Sweets, Stickers, Chefs, Waiters + Domestic Uniforms, Umbrellas, Pens, Lighters, Key-rings, Stickers, Protective clothing, Uniforms and loads more promotional items too many to mention.

ocean oceanvillage village

Tel: 200 79997 Mobile: 54022083 email: stitchandprint@gibtelecom.net

ESPRIT

New Esprit Store

New New Esprit Esprit Store Store

Shopping &Beauty

Tel: 200 73786

shopping & gifts

pertnership pertnershipstore store 2 2ocean oceanvillage village ocean oceanvillage village promenade promenade gibraltar gibraltar open: open: MON MON - FRIDAY - FRIDAY 12.30 12.30 - 9- PM 9 PM SAT SAT12.30 12.30 - 8- PM 8 PM SUN SUN3 PM 3 PM TOTO 8 PM 8 PM TEL TEL 20048348 20048348 - please - please call call to to confirm confirm opening opening hours hours

Enjoy the experience of having your hair styled in a relaxed and friendly environment, with massaging backwash chair and a welcoming team of top stylists

shopping & gifts 7777

GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE • AUGUST • AUGUST 2008 2008

Jewellery Jewellery

Matthew’s Jewellery Repairs For all your Jewellery requirements at guaranteed low prices

LONDON HAIR DESIGNS 4 Horse Barrack Lane Tel: 200 70706 open 5 days 10am-5pm - late night Thurs & Fri

Gift Vouchers Available

Renaissance

Also Jewellery repairs, engraving, diamond setting, Jewellery appraisals

Health & Beauty Salon

Don House Arcade Tel: 20077311

4/4 Crutchetts Ramp Tel/Fax: 200 50478 Open: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

• Aromatherapy • Sugar Waxing • Manicures • Pedicures • Facials • Eyelash/Eyebrow Tinting • Bodywraps for instant inch loss • Reflexology • Luxury Organic 2 hour face and body treatment Open: Monday - Friday 9.30am - 9pm

solid, silver dolphin charm £14

the silver shop casemates arcade, gibraltar

84 Irish Town Tel: 200 71238

Gibraltar’s Longest Established Toy Shop

alhambrA Bargain Stores La MINI MARKET 1-5 Governor’s Street Tel: 20077915

WE SELL FIREWORKS

52 52

The Flowers of Gibraltar

Wines · Spirits · Tobacconist Groceries · Indian Spices OPEN 7 DAYS · LATE HOURS 10 Bell Lane · Tel: 200 77337

Anuska Flowers by

your interflora agent

Treasured memories require something truly special

by Leslie Linares, Arthur Harper and John Cortes

Book on sale at Gibraltar Book Shops

226 Main St, Gibraltar Tel: 200 77076 Fax: 200 74116

GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAziNE••JANUARY AUGUST 2009

shopping list

by Brian McCann

T-shirts for this year’s National Day (September 10th) are already being designed and printed

Getting Shirty at Glass House “In the run-up to National Day we are always extremely busy printing t-shirts,” says Ian of Glass House Trading. “It’s mostly young people who want red shirts with something humorous printed on them,” added Sue, who has run Glass House with her husband Ian since it opened 22 years ago, “and it gets very hectic in the mornings around that time of year.”

In 22 years the range of products and services provided by Glass House has expanded greatly, but the thread running through almost all of them is printing and engraving. Not printing as in newspapers and flyers, but as in just about everything else, the t-shirts being a prime example.

Ian told me that t-shirts for sports teams and, to a much greater extent, stag parties keep them busy year all-year round, whereas the annual events, including Miss Gibraltar, create peaks of activity. Photographs are also printed onto tshirts, although the shirt itself needs to be white to show the picture at its maximum clarity.

The individually produced shirts are usually ready in 24 hours, although very big orders can take slightly longer. “They are also excellent value — economically priced but all coming from Fruit of the Loom in Britain, a name that is in itself a guarantee of quality,” he said. Local businesses also come to Glass House for their work shirts, which can have the company name and logo printed onto them at short notice, but it seems that stag parties are the top of the t-shirt business for Ian and Sue — and their assistants Steve and another Sue, who has been at Glass House for around ten years. Steve wasn’t there when I called in at the large Irish Town shop as he was away representing Gibraltar in a European hip-hop competition.

Companies are also attracted by the economical high visibility jackets, which, again, are available with the company name and logo and at

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

surprisingly low prices. “We normally keep a stock of about 2,500 shirts in various colours and sizes,” said Sue. “This is what helps us provide such a fast service.”

One of the earliest products to come from the Glass House (and, I suspect, had something to do with the choice of name) is engraved glassware. This goes back to the roots of the shop, when Ian had an open-air desk at the bottom of Main Street where he engraved people’s familyname coats of arms onto glassware — a service that is still provided in the shop.

Nowadays there is a lot more though: Glass House is the only place in Gibraltar where you can get engraved lead crystal glass, such as drinking glasses and beer mugs, decanters,

vases, paperweights and trophies; and, as with the t-shirts, it’s usually a next-day service.

“A lot of the glassware trophies are ordered by golfers,” said Ian; “but we do a brisk allyear trade in regular trophies such as shields, cups and statuettes.” He said that most of the sports that are popular in Gibraltar are catered for, again with a large stock to ensure a speedy delivery.

Then there are the stamps; not philatelic but just about every other type you can think of. This is one of the services that goes back 22 years, and in the case of company seals, Glass House is still the only supplier on the Rock. There is every other type of automatic mechanical stamp though — date stamps, ‘paid’ stamps, all of that sort of thing, and, again, of excellent quality. “There is still a demand for the old type of hand stamp with ink pad, so we are still making and supplying those as well, with the company’s name and other details or whatever the customer wants.” Still referred to as rubber stamps, Ian explained that nowadays they are cut by a computer-driven press from a polymer, which gives a more precise impression.

That leads us neatly to yet another mainstay of the business — inks. Inks as in inks for computer printers, that is, in black or full colour. Ian went to Manchester many years ago to learn how to do full-colour refills, which involve a specialist operation that must be done correctly. The old cartridge is recharged in the same way as that used by the original manufacturers. A vacuum is used to remove all the air from the cartridge whilst at the same time the ink is injected at a specific rate to replace the lost air. Ian explained that this precise process is essential to eliminating the most common cause of failures — air bubbles trapped inside the felt, which causes patchy printing. Most cartridges only take half an hour to refill but Ian warns that they should be brought in as soon as they become empty as they must not be allowed to dry out.

He summed up the business by saying: “We are constantly busy but still very quick, accurate and friendly; that’s what’s kept us so popular.” n Glass House Trading in Irish Town is next door to the Clipper bar/restaurant, and you can get a good idea of what’s available from the comprehensive and interesting window display. The opening hours this month and up to National Day are 9.30 to 4.00; and after that they revert to winter hours, 9.30 to 5.50; straight through in both cases. The telephone number for quotes or other enquiries is 200 73741, fax 200 78686 or you can email glasshouse@gibtelecom.net.

“We normally keep a stock of about 2,500 shirts in various colours and sizes,” said Sue. “This is what helps us provide such a fast service” 53

history file

by Reg Reynolds

Matamoros’ behaviour was reported to the chaplain but before he could be charged with heresy his mother purchased his discharge

Protestant Martyr A Gibraltar Convert With a surname that translates as ‘killer of Moors’ his ancestors must have been a ferocious lot but Manuel Matamoros was a peace-loving man who converted to Protestantism in Gibraltar.

Born on 8th October, 1835, in the little town of Lepe on the Andalusian border with Portugal, Matamoros moved to Malaga with his family when he was in his early teens. At 15 he travelled to Toledo and joined the army but he soon discovered the military life wasn’t for him. He returned home to Malaga and then made the trip to Gibraltar which would change his life.

Ever since Gibraltar had fallen under British control (1704) it had become a refuge for follow-

54

ers of various religions escaping persecution under the Spanish Inquisition. Among these was the Spanish protestant Francisco de Paula Ruet.

Ruet, born in Barcelona in 1829, had survived as a wandering troubadour before abandoning the Roman Catholic Church in 1841. As a convert he was forced to flee Spain for Italy but after a Coup led by General Leopoldo O’Donnell *(see below) Spain adopted a new constitution

and Ruet was able to return. The liberal atmosphere did not last long, however, and in 1856 a Spiritual Court ordered that Ruet should be burned at the stake. This punishment was no longer permitted under the reforms instituted

by O’Donnell and instead he was banished from Spain for life.

So Ruet took himself to Gibraltar where he organised a small Protestant community and established it as a centre for the dissemination of Protestantism in Spain.

It was in Gibraltar that Matamoros listened to the preachings of Ruet and also decided to dedicate himself to teaching the Protestant faith. Soon after his conversion Matamoros was called up to complete his Spanish military service and he used this as an opportunity to try to convert his comrades. Matamoros’ behaviour was reported to the chaplain but before he could be charged with heresy his mother purchased his discharge.

Matamoros then joined the Protestant Society of Paris and travelled through Spain seeking converts. Eventually he was arrested and found to be in possession of incriminating letters.

Tried at Barcelona he was found guilty and sentenced to nine years labor in the galleys. He spent two years in custody and during this time managed, through his Protestant connections, to get support from the Prussian government and his sentence was reduced to nine years of banishment.

On his release Matamoros travelled to England where he was received as a martyr. After a brief stay he went to Lausanne, Switzerland to take part in theological lectures. He died there in 1866. On his death the little man from Lepe, converted at Gibraltar, was hailed as a founder of Spanish Protestantism and a champion and martyr of religious freedom in Spain.

Ruet also fled to England and then Germany but when in the late 1860s the Spanish gained greater religious freedom he returned to Spain and established a Protestant church at Madrid.

He died there in 1878. n

*Author’s note: Leopoldo O’Donnell (1809-67) was a Spanish general and statesman. In 1854 he led a military revolt and overthrew the government of Maria Christina. As premier (1856, 1858–63, 1865–66) and leader of the Liberal Union Party he brought a more moderate policy to government. But his harsh repression of an uprising in 1866 led to his dismissal.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

careers

Gibraltar’s Own: Army Cadet Unit The Government of Gibraltar and the Royal Gibraltar Regiment have announced the formation of the Gibraltar Army Cadets, an organisation that will open up a whole range of exciting opportunities for young people on the Rock.

“The Government has decided to fund this important new venture — one that has already been attracting interest,” said the Chief Minister, The Hon Peter Caruana QC. “This uniformed

youth organisation, run by the Regiment, will bring greater choice for our youngsters and it will offer a variety of activities such as military skills, citizenship, adventurous training, shoot-

ing and sport.”

The Cadets organisation will teach self-reliance, teamwork, self-discipline and leadership — all skills that are readily transferable to school, college or the work place.

The new unit, to be based in Buffadero Training Centre, will be run by adult officers and NCOs who will be specially recruited and trained in youth leadership skills. I t will mirror the Army Cadet Force in the UK and will use similar regulations and training programmes.

“We aim to start this scheme later this year,” explained Lt Col John Perez MBE, CO RG. “Membership is voluntary and open to both boys and girls between 12 and 18 years. There is no commitment to military service and cadets can leave at any time.

“The Cadet unit will complement Gibraltar’s excellent youth facilities and we hope to work alongside the existing youth organisations and the secondary schools.”

In addition to a host of different activities, the Cadet training programme offers youngsters the chance to gain vocational qualifications equivalent to 4 GCSEs and A levels, simply by enjoying their cadet training.

Young people who would like to join the new Cadet unit can register their interest by phoning 200 53064.

“This is a great opportunity for our young people who will be allowed to wear the uniform and badge of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment,” added Lt Col Perez. “We have identified some excellent leaders but we would be happy to hear from other adults who might like to become involved. The Gibraltar Army Cadet unit is an investment in our future.” n

Contact us: ICom House 1/5 Irish Town Gibraltar Tel: 200 73158 or 200 76216 Fax: 200 48697 email: steven@icom.gi stef@icom.gi

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

55

men’sreleases health book

In the last decade breast cancer has leapt into the public’s conciousness.

But what about its male counterpart, prostate cancer, the commonest cancer in men?

It’s a man thing

by Elena Scialtiel

As pointed out at Gibraltar’s first ever breast cancer conference, the commonest type of cancer in women has finally shed its taboo thanks to extensive media coverage. Every day magazines and newspapers, as well as specialised medical publications, feature articles about it.

Gibraltar’s men have been so supportive in helping their women raise awareness, from standing by their diagnosed partners during their ordeal to wearing bras at the popular Lunar Walks, so it’s about time women returned the favour and campaigned for their husbands, fathers and sons to be aware of their own gender’s cancer risks.

Prostate cancer became a hot topic, thanks to the ‘Suck It Up Challenge’ when athlete Matthew Bennett swam across the Strait of Gibraltar last May Day, then cycled the 1,400

56

miles between Tarifa and Calais and ran 180 miles in England to fundraise for the relevant charity (www.prostate-cancer.org.uk).

In the wake of this emotional stunt, I spoke to Mr Andrew Sene, consultant general surgeon

A high PSA concentration in the bloodstream isn’t necessarily a cancer indicator, as it is triggered by other circumstances, like prostatitis, trauma and even riding a motorcycle!

and urologist at St. Bernard’s Hospital, to learn about parallels and divergences between breast and prostate cancers, and to discover prevention strategies.

The first big difference is that prostate cancer is common but not as aggressive as breast cancer — in a nutshell, Mr Sene explained most men suffering from it die with it, not of it.

However benign and latent in most cases, prostate cancer can be very aggressive in younger men and it’s hard to forecast how fast each case may progress, or whether it is likely to metastasise to other organs, causing excruciating pains in the lower limbs that may be misdiagnosed before the real cause is traced to the prostate.

Radical prostatectomy — a complicated operation with copious blood loss, long con-

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

men’s health valescence and unpleasant after-effects such as incontinence — is always the last resort. Usually, hormone treatment alone, or hormonal manipulation paired with radiotherapy, is effective to curb the cancer’s growth and prevent it spreading to bones, liver or colon, lasting up to ten years, during which time the patient is regularly monitored.

Prostate cancer feeds on testosterone, thus testosterone inhibitors are used to keep it dormant. This prospect may be the single biggest reason for men sweeping the problem under the carpet, since it is associated with fears of loss of virility, fertility and self-identity, analogously to what happens to women in the run-up and after mastectomy, or when they’re prescribed oestrogen inhibitors.

In a deeply rooted Mediterranean culture, with significance given to highly visible secondary sexual characteristics, like muscle mass, facial and body hair, voice depth and libido, young men may fear losing these charateristics and the fear fuels their natural reticence to seek medical attention until symptoms become too unbearable.

Of course when the choice is between a sex life and life at all, one shouldn’t hesitate to pick the lesser of two evils, considering prostate cancer is most commonly diagnosed in men over 60, supposedly having outgrown the dating and mating frenzy.

So, while Mr Sene advises you not to wallow in worry or embarrassment, but seek your GP’s advice as soon as you notice unusual and prolonged lower urinary tract discomfort (frequent trips to the loo but reduced urinary flow), or

heaviness in the lower abdomen, he also wants to reassure everyone that these are more often than not symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, which has nothing to do with cancer.

While the UK recently promoted routine screenings in men over 40 — interpreted as some sort of ‘gender equality’ response to breast cancer screenings — Mr Sene warns that the procedure often increases unwarranted anxiety, as a high PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) concentration in the bloodstream isn’t necessarily a cancer indicator, as it is triggered by other circumstances, like prostatitis, trauma and even riding a motorcycle!

However, he encourages anyone concerned by symptoms or family anamnesis to attend his GP surgery, and one simple blood test will be enough to dispel doubts, always keeping in mind that elevated PSA is not synonymous with impending doom. Don’t panic even if the GP refers you to an urologist or to the endoscopy

Prostate cancer feeds on testosterone, thus testosterone inhibitors are used to keep it dormant. This may be the reason for men sweeping the problem under the carpet, through fear of loss of virility

unit for digital rectal examination to ascertain the real ‘culprit’ which is most likely to be one of the conditions described above.

And even if you are the unfortunate one out five to ten men annually who are diagnosed with prostate cancer in Gibraltar (a percentage consistent with the UK and other western countries) be optimistic. Early detection equals survival for prostate as much as breast cancer, and the chances of, if not curing it, at least keeping it at bay, are indeed rosier than the pink ribbon emblem of breast cancer research. n

Prostate Cancer Symptoms If the cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. Some men, however, will experience symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer, including: • A need to urinate frequently, especially at night; • Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine; • Weak or interrupted flow of urine; • Painful or burning urination; • Difficulty in having an erection; • Painful ejaculation; • Blood in urine or semen; or • Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.

These symptoms can also indicate the presence of other diseases or disorders. Visit your GP if you experience any of these symptoms.

58 Main Street, 1st Floor. Tel: 200 74040 Regular Clinics Claudia Schiel Health/Beauty Therapist Auriculo Medicine for Stop Smoking Dermatological Peels Non Surgical Lifting Specialising in all kinds of skin problems Holistic Therapies for various conditions - Reflexology - Medicinal Pedicures - Hair Extensions Gillian Schirmer MA DC UK McTimoney Chiropractor Gentle and Effective Chiropractic Treatment for all Muscular and Joint Pains, especially Sports Injuries, Pregnancy. Headaches, and Migraines. Suitable for all ages.

Alison Prior Health/Beauty Therapist - Facials - Waxing - Massages - Slimming Treatments NEW! Skin Tag & Thread Vein Removal Hollywood & Brazilian Waxing

Lymphatic Drainage Sports Injuries - Cervical Problems Collagen Implants Botox Injections - Sclerotherapy (Thread Vein Treatment) New Clinics FAKE BAKE NEW in Gibraltar - revolutionary fake tanning system Exclusive Agents Laser Clinic Permanent Hair Removal, Pigmentation and anti-aging Health / Weight Loss Unique personalised nutrition programme Ultra Sound NEW fat removing technique

BOOK NOW FOR: Various evening courses in Beauty Therapy

Registered & Licensed by Health & Environmental Department

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

57

health & medical directory

health& fitness Bell Pharmacy

CHEMISTS Bell Pharmacy 27 Bell Lane Tel: 200 77289 Fax: 200 42989 Louis’ Pharmacy Unit F12, International Commercial Centre, Casemates.

Tel: 200 44797

McTimoney Chiropractor

Your Family Chemists

Consult us at 27 Bell Lane Tel: 200 77289 Fax: 200 42989

STEINER CHIROPRACTIC CLINICS

Chiropractic Health Clinic

Dr Carsten Rudolf Steiner BSc DC

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

Member of the British Chiropractic Association

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

College Clinic, Regal Hse. Tel: 200 77777

Chiropodists

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

Here to help you by answering all your pharmaceutical questions

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

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

Tel: 200 44226

PASSANO OPTICIANS LTD British Registered Optometrists

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

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

The Health Store

5 City Mill Lane, Gibraltar. Tel: 20073765 Suppliers of Glucosamine, Ginkgo Biloba and all vitamins.

Body Building Products (Creatine etc) Open: 9am - 1pm & 3pm - 6pm

For all your Pharmaceutical needs

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

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

STATE REGISTERED CHIROPODIST Treatment of all Foot Problems • Ingrown Toe-nails including Surgical Removal • Biomechanical Analysis for Insoles / Orthotics including Children • Wart (Verruca) Clinic • Diabetics

Tel: 200 77777

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

Need somebody to talk to?

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

completefitness Sports Massage Therapy & Personal Training Unit G3, Eliott Hotel Gibraltar Tel: 200 51113

GUARANTEED

You pre-pay at today’s prices, we provide your chosen service whenever it is eventually required and whatever it eventually costs Brochures on Pre-Paid Funeral Planning Available from:

11 Convent Place Tel: 200 75747

Codali Funeral Services

Primary Care Centre 2nd Flr International Commercial Centre

Weekend and Public Holiday Opening Hours (use Irish Town entrance)

Saturday: 9am - 11am, 5pm - 6pm

Gillian Schirmer MA, DC, MMCA McTimoney Chiropractor, Clinic (Claudia’s), 1st Flr, 58 Main St Tel: 200 41733 After hours: 200 40026 Dr Carsten Rudolf Steiner BSc, DC Steiner Chiropractic Clinics, College Clinic, Regal Hse Tel: 200 77777

DentAL SURGEONS Daniel N. Borge BDS MSc MFDS RCS(Eng) Borge Dental/Medical Centre 7-9 Cornwall’s Lane Tel: 200 75790 Keith J Vinnicombe BDS (Wales) LDS RCS (Eng) MFGDP (UK)

Unit F5B ICC, 2a Main Street Tel/Fax: 200 40747 Emergency: 200 78756

ORTHODONTISTS Dr Hasse Lundgaard DDS Borge Dental & Medical Centre 7-9 Cornwall’s Lane Tel/Fax: 200 75790

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

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

Opticians / Optometrists Gache & Co Limited 266 Main Street. Tel: 200 75757 L. M. Passano Optometrist 38 Main Street. Tel: 200 76544

PERSONAL TRAINERS Simon Coldwell Complete Fitness Unit G3, Eliott Hotel Tel: 200 51113 Isabella Jimenez BSc (hons) 3/8 Turnbull’s Lane Tel: 54002226 email: jimenez.isabella@gmail.com

SPECIALISTS

Sunday & Public Holidays : 10am - 11am, 5pm - 6pm GP Clinics: 8am - 5.20pm

7 days a week 6-10pm

64 whataapage pageturner! turner!www.thegibraltarmagazine.com www.thegibraltarmagazine.com 58 what

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

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

health &hobbies fitness

l

The Fat Busters The very latest clinically-proven advanced system using dynamic resonant ultrasound for effective body contouring and fat reduction has been introduced to Claudia’s Clinic in Gibraltar.

Claudia explained that this painless ultrasonic treatment removes fat cells and reshapes the curves of your body. It is a completely non-invasive and nonsurgical approach to style your figure and trim your waist, hips thighs, and flanks. All this, she adds, combined with skin tightening in areas where the skin has lost elasticity.

“The system uses gentle focused ultrasound waves to remove fat cells permanently,” she emphasises.

“Once removed, these cells will NOT regenerate.”

She goes on to say that “Ultrasonic cavitation works by causing lots of air bubbles around lipocyte (fat cell) membranes. The bubbles cause high pressure, and when the high pressure has reached lipocytes’ breaking point, the lipocyte’s membrane will break up. The broken lipocytes will then be absorbed and metabolised out of the human body by the lymphatic system.”

For more information on this state-of-the-art treatment contact Claudia’s Clinic, 1st Floor, 58 Main Street. To book a consultation call 200 74040. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com 59

That Nail Place L4

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

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

E6

Gel - Acrylic - Fibreglass

I4

Airbrushing Nail Art Body Jewellery

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

H4

now also in Casemates

S4

R4

R4

X6

N4

Gibraltar Taxi Association

D8

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

K4

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

A3

Sacha’s

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

E7 C6

Artists’ Corner

Oil & Watercolours, hand-painted silks, decoupage, jewellery, prints & framing

Kiosk No. 2 5 Waterport Wharf Tel: 200 47587www.gibraltararts.com

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

Quality Kitchen Ware Gibraltar’s Best Stocked Cook Shop K5

The Takeway with a difference.

Homecooking . our speciality .

Open Monday

M5 to Saturday

46 Irish Town Tel: 200 75188 Fax: 200 72653

the silver shop

for beautiful silver jewellery & gifts 3 locations in gibraltar casemates arcade • 275 main st horse barrack lane

G3

N3

T4

M4

Youth of today

the

by Sonia Golt

A very pleasant man who seems to get on with everybody, Jimmy Felices has dedicated most of his life to working with our youth. This month, Jimmy tells us about youth work and his involvement with it.

“I have been involved in youth work with the Youth Service since I was 20. I was not a regular youth club user. I came into youth work because of my interest and great affinity with music and more specifically rock bands.

I was pretty good at getting things done and became involved in working with local bands, organising dances (as they were known then), as well as concerts at a variety of venues. With a group of friends, we organised events in many local venues. I did particularly well in the early and mid ’70s, organising rock concerts together with Elio Victor, Robert Balban and the late Lolo Olivero, the then Gibraltar Youth Association president.”

His success organising these concerts made him realise he wanted to focus his energies towards other club work and projects and that’s where his career began.

62

Jimmy was first employed as a ‘trainee’ year certificate course in Community & Youth Youth Worker for one year by the Youth & Work at Bulmershe College, Reading, England, Careers Service. He then completed a two in 1978. Now he works within the framework of the Youth Service — a government department within the remit of the Minister of Family, Youth & Community Affairs, and assigned to different clubs and projects. As Senior Youth Worker, Jimmy’s role is crucial to our youth, but what does his role entail?

“My job as head of service is about supporting my staff and ensuring they have the best possible resources to deliver their work.

I advise the Minister about the needs of young people and keep him abreast of new developments and initiatives, both locally and abroad, that have an impact on young people’s lives.

I work with many agencies including government departments, and many groups of young people as well as those working with

“

One thing we can all be relieved about is that young people are not stupid! They can be passive, very vociferous and often... very respectful

”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

youth work them. Unfortunately, I do very little ‘face to face’ work but still enjoy the contact and time spent with young people in whatever scenario and setting.”

What does the Youth Service offer?

“The Youth Service offers different things for different people. At present, we run four youth clubs, three of which are neighbourhood based.

These are Laguna Youth Club at the north end of Gibraltar (Laguna and Glacis Estates), Plater Youth Club in the Upper Town area, Dolphins Youth Club in the south, next to Rosia Dale and Vineyards, and the Youth Centre, bang in the middle of town where we are more focused on project work.

“Neighbourhood clubs tend to have users who are younger — as young as 11 years — and they continue to be users until they are 17 or 18. The Youth Centre has an average age of around 15 although there are those slightly younger and older. Projects range from fashion to football playing, to information and discussion about alcohol and substance abuse as well as the environment and developing countries.

We also visit local places of interest or those in nearby Spain and Morocco.”

So are the youth of Gibraltar well catered for in entertainment and club activities?

“What youth clubs offer are premises that are comfortable and welcoming to users, plus staff who will value their contributions and respect them. Youth work is not about the successful completion of projects, it is about the learning and the journey to maturity. Youth workers are trained, monitored and helped to deliver this message.

“Young people come to youth clubs and other projects because they find this sense of identity and friendship at these venues and functions. We all know the difficulties experienced by young people on their journey to adulthood. The conflict of emotion, expectation etc are tackled by the youth workers to help them master and learn from these experiences to formulate trust to be better equipped in the future.”

How many generations of youngster have you seen through your work?

“I have been involved in youth work for Jimmy Felices more than 30 years. I don’t know in practical terms how many generations that includes but I can say I now know grandparents, parents sised hence parents, carers, siblings and close and grandchildren who have been through friends are all important. This also highlights the importance of safety and ensuring those the youth service in my time.”

How do local youth clubs help the community?

“Young people in Gibraltar are no different to anywhere else in the world, today, yesterday or in years to come. Young people contribute regularly to local community initiatives, be these for charitable, environmental or selfhelp causes. I find the groups that spend most time educating, sharing and respecting young people for their contributions are the ones that manage to get their involvement. One thing we can all be relieved about is that young people are not stupid! They can be passive, very vociferous and often, even though some would argue otherwise, very respectful.”

Who do you believe educates our youth — schools, family, friends or the company they keep?

“We all do in different ways and in varying depth at different times. The importance of those closest to them cannot be over empha-

“

The importance of understanding young people, protecting them, giving them space and room to grow whilst guaranteeing the quality and impartiality of information are all crucial factors if ‘education’ is really to work

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

”

working with young people are worthy of their trust and support. In that equation schools, youth clubs and many other groups, sports, interest groups, Scouts, Guides, the Award all play a fundamental role in young people’s education.

“The importance of understanding young people, protecting them, giving them space and room to grow whilst guaranteeing the quality and impartiality of information are all crucial factors if ‘education’ is really to work.”

Jimmy says we must all understand we have a responsibility to do this. Education is not just school based or solely dependant on entity or individual. We are all responsible and we all have a part to play in this for the benefit of our future generations.

With a variety of youth clubs open in the evenings every day of the week our youth are able to meet friends and enjoy their social time together. It is also a relief for parents to know there is a safe environment for their school age children to enjoy themselves. n

63

back to school We know, everyone’s still enjoying the summer and term time seems miles away.

But schools and universities start back in September and you’ve only this month to organise yourself, or your family, so you’re not caught up in the last minute rush.

M

ain Street shops such as Marks & Spen- Beacon Press, are busy preparing their shelves put off getting ahead of the game. cer and BHS already have clothing in to make sure they’ve enough for everyone. The Clothing and uniforms are possibly the largest stock, and other local businesses, like shopping list seems endless and it’s so easy to expense when your children start back after the

64

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

photo: Marks & Spencer

The very 1st day

It’s not just expenses which you need to organise. As soon as September kicks in, time is suddenly going to feel like a precious commodity summer break. T-shirts and jumpers with logos, new trousers and shoes as all kids magically seem to grow during what suddenly seems like an extrememly short summer.

Locally, uniforms are readily available from many outlets, and you can always buy goodquality and cheap sets of T-shirts from BHS or Marks & Spencer and drop them round to Sandra from Stitch Design on City Mill Lane, where she has the full range of badges ready to stitch directly onto your garments. Alternatively she holds her own stock too to save you some of the leg-work, as do Stitch & Print and Cotton & Leisure, Block 5 Watergardens.

Sports clothing, bags, ruck-sacks and not to mention the range of material needed for every-day use at school are all items which you’ll need to be checking off your list, but it’s not just expenses which you need to organise. As soon as September kicks in, time is suddenly going to feel like a precious commodity.

Suddenly families are bogged down in a sea of schedules between school times, work and extra-curricular activites so it’s important to think ahead to keep on top of both your, and your children’s, commitments.

You can start preparing your children for school from the middle of August, helping them to slowly change their routine from the regular late nights and late mornings to bring them back in line with earlier nights so they are fresh for their first day at school. And for many children this will be their very first day (see box).

For young people heading back, August is a month which they should be using to prepare themselves as well as enjoying the sun (there’s time for both). Take a couple of hours to look over last year’s work to bring yourself up to speed. If there are any subjects you’ve had difficulty with, give them some special attention so you’re not left behind when the new term starts, and start slowly getting up earlier in the morning to adjust your body clock for your new routine. n Autumn Term starts on Wednesday 2nd September for pupils in Gibraltar schools and college (except the Hebrew school), and ends on Tuesday 22nd December 2009. Summer hours operate until 11th September.

Summer hours for First schools are 9am to 12pm and for Middle and Secondary schools summer hours are 9am to 12.45pm.

Few parents who have been through the experience will ever forget it. For little ones it can be a nerve-wracking experience and more than often one filled with tears, but there are ways to help your child prepare for what will be the biggest day in their lives to date.

Read books about school to them and talk to other children already at school, children learn quicker from others their own age and for them to hear other kids talking positively about the subject can make all the difference to their attitude. Establish an unhurried routine in the morning before starting the day. Rushing and panicking because everyone is running late will be cause for more nerves and will almost certainly end in tears. Take them with you when buying their satchel, pencils and other items they’ll need as that will give them a sense of ownership of the situation, but make sure you keep the shopping trip fun so it remains a good experience.

The big day has arrived, so when you leave them at the school, make your “good-bye” quick. Kids will pick up fast on any hesitation, so no matter how much you’d like to hang on to them and hug them, say what you want before you leave the house and make the final separation clean. Finally, make time the same evening to sit down and to talk with them about their big day. n

Gibraltar’s leading suppliers of computer stationery, office products & furniture Next day delivery of stock items, free furniture delivery & assembly, catalogue order service

CALL IN FOR ALL YOUR BACK TO SCHOOL NEEDS

BIC Pens, Pencils, Erasers, Markers & Highlighters PILOT, STAEDTLER, PAPERMATE Pens & Pencil, PRITT Correction Pens, HELIX Cases & Maths Sets, PLUS OFFICE & CASIO Scientific Calculators

AND MUCH MUCH MORE 3/5 Cloister Ramp, PO Box 527, Gibraltar

Tel: 200 74352 Fax: 200 40304 e-mail: sales@beaconpress.gi web: www.thebeaconpress.com GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

65

onthesquare

1

2

Stairs to Ground Floor

1st FLOOR 3

Gibraltar Museum (special exhibition rooms)

4

5

6

7

8

9 10

Traditional Pub Serving Traditional Pub Fare, Bass Beers, Wines & Spirits

NOW OFFERING DAILY SPECIALS Grand Casemates Sq Tel: 20044449

12 13

Casemates Gates

5th Jan Tradional 3 Kings Cavalcade Parade Casemates along Main Street-starting from Casemates Square Time: 7.00 pm

23 24 25

Square 29

Tourist Office 15th Jan

The Gibraltar Philharmonic Society Berlin Philharmonic Solist Series

(See pages 83-87 for restaurant & bar information)

Q: From where does the name come?

The word Casemates, meaning a bomb proof compartment, usually of masonry, to house a magazine or troop quarters, comes from the Italian ‘Casamatta’ from the Latin ‘Casa’ (house) and ‘Matto’ (mad) originating from the Latin ‘Mattus’ (drunk)!

30

1-3. Arts & Crafts Galleries 11. Cafe Solo 12. All’s Well 14. The Tunnel 19. The Silver Shop 26. El Cottage 27. Lord Nelson Bar Brasserie 28. El Patio Restaurant 29. Rock Turf Accountants 30. Square Cafe 32. Solo Express 33. Get Joost! smoothies

33 Visit us and step back in history

Line Wall Road

32 International Commercial Centre

P

TAXIS

(shops, offices, health centre)

Main Street

➨

Full menu served inside or on our terrace including British Fish & Chips, Jackets, Salads, Burritos, Homemade Pizzas, our special Fresh Local Mussels and much more.

Visit us and buy yourself a souvenir, T-shirts, beer glasses, lighters etc Live music every evening, join our Jam Sessions on Wednesday or Sunday.

GLMS Music Venue of the Year.

Official Home to Gibraltar Rugby Club Free WiFi

27 28

PS

Fruit & Veg, Fish & Meat

14

SHO

Public Market

17 18 19

20 21 22

Casemates Tunnel

11

• Pizza • Pasta • Salads • Fresh Juices • Cappuccino • Ice Creams

15 16

Casemates Arcade

Ground FLOOR

Main Entrance / Stairs

Casemates Square Tel: 200 72987

10 Casemates www.lordnelson.gi Tel: 200 50009

Open: Monday - Friday 9am - 5.30pm Saturday 10am - 3pm Sunday 10am - 1pm

now also in Casemates

66 66

Tel/Fax: 200 74982 Email: tourism@gibraltar.gi Website: www.gibraltar.gov.uk

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH2009 2009

what’s happening on the Rock during August

Summer Nights Every Tuesday and Thursday (until 13th August) at Casemates Square.

8.30–10pm activities and stage entertainment for children. 10– 11.30pm musical entertainment for adults. For further information contact the Ministry of Culture Tel: 200 48063 Email: minculture@ gibtelecom.net Saturday 1st August Band Concert — the Calpe Gibraltar Band at Casemates Square 11am - 1pm Friday 7th August Mount Productions Miss Motor Gibraltar 2009 at O’Reilly’s, Ocean Village at 8.30pm. Open to the public. For further information contact Mark at mount@gibraltar.gi Saturday 8th August 4th International Rally Harley Davidson Club. Harley and custom bikes on display at Casemates Square 12.30pm. Bikes visit Ocean Village 6pm. Visit www.hdcgib.com Wednesday 19th to 23rd August Gibraltar Ocean Festival — a selection of events including Classical Concert, Fashion Show and Summer Ball at Leisure Island, Ocean Village. For further information contact 200 40048 or visit www.events.gi Saturday 22nd to 30th August Gibraltar Fair at Commonwealth Parade. For further information contact Ministry of Culture Tel: 200 48063

Saturday 29th August Challenge 4 Ben Charity Fun Day. Music, entertainment, clowns etc at Leisure Island, Ocean Village. For further information Tel: 200 40048 Website: www.events.gi NOTE: The Gibraltar Angling Federation have decided to move their annual junior angling tournament to Saturday 5th September. This is so they can stage the competition as part of the National Day Trophy celebrations.

Stay & Play Programme for children with disabilities and special needs A programme of activities is organised for children with disabilities and special needs as part of the Summer Sports & Leisure Programme.

The six week programme is based at the Bayside Sports Centre Boathouse and play area.

Mondays will be activities around Gibraltar (dolphin safari, cable car ride, beach visits etc). Tuesday mornings the children visiting Alameda Gardens, animals in the zoo and the fish in the open air theatre. Wednesday they will visit the Arts and Crafts Centre in Casemates and producing a piece of art. Thursday it’s the Sports Train activities at the Bayside Sports Centre. Fridays will be sea,sun and swimming at the GASA pool/lido.

For further info on the Stay and Play Programme, Sports Train, or Tots Corner Tel: 200 76522 e-mail gibsportsdev@gibelecom.net

Full HD sports coverage Irish Breakfast from 7am (Sunday 9am) Soups

All soups are served with a

Freshly cut Sandwiches,

crusty roll.

Rolls & Tortilla Wraps Leek & Potato Soup ......................£4.50 Pub Club Classic ..........................£4.75 Chef’s Soup of the Day ................£4.50 Irish Fillet Steak Roll ....................£5.50 Fish Chowder (Traditional Irish creamy fish Chicken Caesar Wrap ..................£6.20 soup) ................................................£4.50 Chicken Roll or Sandwich ............£4.75 Appetizers Tuna & Salad Roll or Sandwich (V)..£4.50 Irish Crispy Skins ..........................£4.90 Pizza Extra toppings - 50p Prawns Pil Pil ................................£5.25 Traditional Margherita ..................£7.00 Prawn Cocktail ..............................£5.25 Hawaiian ........................................£7.95 Nelson’s Nachos ............................£5.20 Three Cheese ................................£8.00 Molly’s Mussels..............................£6.20 Deluxe ............................................£8.00 O’Reilly’s Bruschetta ....................£4.25 Vegetarian ......................................£7.50 Spicy Chicken Wings ....................£4.95

Salads O’Reilly’s Salad ..............................£5.50 Classic Tuna, Prawn or Feta Cheese Salad ..............................................£7.00 Chicken Caesar Salad ..................£7.25 Cajun Chicken................................£7.25

Jackets A freshly baked jacket potato served with a salad garnish.

Baked Beans & Irish Cheddar Cheese............................................£5.50 Chilli Con Carne & Irish Cheddar Cheese............................................£5.50 Tuna Mayonnaise ..........................£5.50 Prawn Mary Rose ..........................£6.25 Chicken, Bacon Bits & Mayo........£6.25 Bolognaise Sauce & Irish Cheddar Cheese............................................£5.50

Main Meals Beef & Guinness Ale Pie ..............£7.00 Chicken & Potato Pie ....................£6.95 Cottage Pie ....................................£7.50 Fish & Chips ..................................£7.00 Atlantic Salmon..............................£8.75 Molly’s Mussels..............................£7.50 Traditional Irish Breakfast ............£6.50 Kildare Chicken (Chef's Special) ..£8.50 Drunken Swine ..............................£9.00 Gaelic Sirloin 10 oz Steak ..........£12.50 Farmhouse Vegetable Bake..........£6.75 Prime Irish Fillet Steak ................£16.50 Crab Cake Dinner ..........................£8.50 Chilli Con Carne ............................£6.75 Spaghetti Bolognaise ....................£6.75 Bangers and champ ......................£6.75 Rock Burger ..................................£8.50 O’Reilly’s Burger ............................£7.50 Vegetarian Burger..........................£7.50

Boxty Dishes A homemade potato pancake cooked on the griddle and wrapped around a variety of delicious fillings. Boxty comes from the Gaelic word “bactasi” which refers to the traditional cooking of potatoes over an open fire, which still takes place in Ireland.

Ploughman’s Boxty........................£6.75 Chicken & Coriander Boxty ..........£8.00

Homemade Desserts

Rustic Rhubarb Tart ......................£4.25 Apple Pie ........................................£4.25 Baileys Cheesecake ......................£4.25 Chocolate Brownies ......................£4.25

Ice Cream Sundaes Monkey in the Middle....................£4.75 Knicker Knocker Nelson ..............£4.75 Fudge Factor..................................£4.75 Sugar Daddy ..................................£4.75

Choose a Scoop Choose from coffee, banana, vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, mint-choc-chip or Smartie ice cream.

1 scoop ..........................................£1.00 2 scoops ........................................£1.80 3 scoops ........................................£2.40 Milkshakes ....................................£3.00 (also available to take-away) Just choose your flavour, coffee, banana, vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, mint-chocchip, or Smartie ice cream.

Diabetic Ice Cream........................£2.10 Vanilla & Chocolate - 100% sugar free.

, Special Coffee s

Traditional Irish Coffee ................£3.75 Bushmills Coffee............................£3.75 Maria’s Coffee ................................£3.75 Nutty Irish Coffee ..........................£3.75 Keoke Coffee ................................£3.75 Calypso Coffee ..............................£3.75

Side Orders Homemade Chips ..........................£2.00 Homemade Chips with Cheese....£2.25 Garlic Bread ..................................£1.90 Garlic Bread with Cheese ............£2.15 Olives ..............................................£2.00 Champ (homemade mash made with potatoes, spring onion & chives) ......£3.00 Homemade & especially for under 12's

Kids Menu Chilli and Rice ................................£4.00 Fish and Chips ..............................£4.00 Sausage and Chips........................£4.00 Chicken Nuggets and Chips ........£4.00

Find out about all our entertainment, click onto

Gibraltar Fair photo by Andrew Fortuna

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

67

profile

photography with a personal touch

Lone Tree

Andrew Fortuna has been dabbling in photography for nearly 20 years, a hobby which stems from his passion for ornithology.

68

ern technology. One of the things which is still lacking though is the spectrum range, making it hard to bring out details in shadow without burning out the lighter parts of a shot — and vice-versa.”

Andrew uses photoshop exten-

“

sively both to overcome some of the digital barriers and to add his own personal touch to his work.

“I always try to put a little bit of myself in my work. Something which makes that shot different and which makes it recognisable as

I always try to put a little bit of myself in my work. Something which makes that shot different and which makes it recognisable as mine

“

When Andrew bought his first camera at the age of 18, digital was unheard of and his work mainly revolved around slides. But over the past few years, as with the vast majority of photographers, he’s moved over to the digital era and feels it has some great benefits for photography as a whole.

“These days, there’s very little you can’t achieve with digital photography, especially with the speed it has developed recently,” Andrew commented. “Whilst at the start there were size limitations and issues with noise reduction, much of that has been overcome with mod-

mine. Either by finding an alternative composition for a shot or with other techniques to give the piece individuality,” he told us.

One technique Andrew uses extensively is a process of layering different exposures of the same shot to bring out the full detail in the image. Taking the shot on three different settings to define the detail in the highlights, mid-tones and shadow, he then blends them together in photoshop creating crisp and striking compositions.

As a police officer, Andrew finds his shift work fits in perfectly with his hobbies. He explained: “I like to

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

art file

Photographer Andrew Fortuna

Audouins

Rocky Coast

plan what I’m going to be shooting and it’s great to get out into the countryside on a week-day when there’s little traffic and few people around for my landscape shots. At weekends there are picnickers or more people on the beach to clutter your shot, so unless you’re wanting to work with people in the image, the quieter times of the day when most people are working are perfect for me.”

So what plans does Andrew have for the future?

“Photography is just a hobby for me. I’m not interested in the commercial side at all. I really appreciate being involved in something which doesn’t have a monetary value attached, and photography goes hand in hand with my passion for ornithology. At present, I’m

planning and working on learning new techniques and in particular shooting birds with flash, which is quite a complex skill. You need to know the subject, where to find it and set up the camera and lighting extremely carefully, there’s a lot of waiting involved too, and to help get the right shot I’m using lasers to trigger the camera when a bird breaks the beam, so it’s going to be interesting both from the experimental and learning point of view.”

As with most local photographers, Andrew is heavily involved in the local photographic society, where members learn from each other and compete on extremely friendly terms, and Andrew recently came in third in the local Photographer of the Year Competition. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

Insence Forest

69

puzzle page

by Alan Gravett

SUDOKU No prize for these two — you’ll be doing them for the glory!

medium

2

1

4

3

10

6

5

8

7

8

9

11

12

13

14 15

16

17

19

22

20

23

24

18

21

25 26

27

29

hard

70

28

30

Across 1) Relating to business or trade (10) 6) King of the jungle (4) 10) Mistake (5) 11) An embalmer, ancient Egyptian style (9) 12) Male horse (8) 13) Colour of army uniform, especially in

the desert (5) 15) Jacky Kennedy’s maiden name (7) 17) Tic-tac-toe is known to us as noughts

and ----- (7) 19) Muddle (7) 21) Payments back (7) 22) More recently (5) 24) Magazine on an aeroplane is described

as such (2,6) 27) Italian film director (9) 28) Vinegar rice in Japanese cuisine (5) 29) Snake-like fish (4) 30) Someone skilled in preparing rock etc.

for building (10)

Down 1) US singer and actress (4) FIRST PRIZE: Send completed crossword to: 2) Author of Tom Sawyer (4,5) Lu nc h for 2 at The Clipper, 3) ---- Flynn, Australian born film star (5) The Clipper Irish Town, Gibraltar.

4) Lefties (7) One entry per person.

5) Year book giving statistics re. tides,

the moon etc. (7) Closing date: 21st august 2009 7) Balearic holiday resort island (5) 8) Exceptional admiration for oneself (10) Winner notified in next issue 9) Reproves (5,3) of The Gibraltar Magazine.

14) Make peace (10) 16) Multiplying a number by itself (8) Last months winner: John Nuza, Oak Tree Lodge 18) Blend (9) 20) Delete, (from a draft article) (4,3) LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS: Across: Blacksmith, Pedestal, Tell, Drag, William, French Leave, 21) Unpleasant and violent person (7) 23) Result of adding up (5) Stratum, Ages, Pomp, Emphasis, Westerlies Down: Bleed, Average, Kite, Multiply, Total, Please, Schumbert, 25) Including everything (2,3) Afghani, Apple, Swiss, Spur 26) Huckleberry ----, a hero of 2) (4)

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

city living

on yer bike day of the cyclist dawns:

With the Government’s placement of bike racks and plans for cycle lanes and routes around Gibraltar we will be seeing more and more cyclists on the road — and that’s a good thing, as Craig Thomas discovers.

Think about it. Each bicycle/ rider means one less car on the road, less pollution, less traffic congestion, better health and fitness, saving petrol and more parking spaces while travelling on one of the most efficient machines ever devised by man.

MOTORISTS With more bicycles on the roads all vehicles should take additional care and precautions. Here are some quick tips to ensure our roads remain safe for all users: Give riders as wide a berth as possible. If necessary, slow down as you approach the cyclist, particularly with younger riders. As you scan ahead as a safe Motorist you may have to slow down or even stop at the next roundabout, traffic light or with traffic congestion so why rush past a bicyclist just to stop a few hundred feet down the road?

Why not give them a little space?

Remember, a vehicle travelling at 20

mph may seem slow to the driver, but could be deadly to a rider if there is an accident. Also that little hill you motor up and that breeze you may not feel in your vehicle really impact the cyclist, so give them a break and some space.

On our narrow roads please exercise caution when opening your vehicle’s door if it opens onto the road. Scan your surroundings, particularly your rear view and side view mirrors, before opening your door.

Intersections, crossings and roundabouts are particularly dangerous for cyclists, as they are for pedestrians. Cyclists may not be seen by a motorist as they negotiate these critical traffic areas, particularly if the motorist is driving too fast. Take additional care when ap-

proaching and in these areas.

Scooters and motorcycles should take additional care, especially when overtaking other vehicles.

You expect some leeway from the larger vehicles so why not extend the same courtesy to the bicycles as they do, in turn, for the pedestrians?

CYCLISTS Cyclists also have a responsibility to exercise care and precautions.

They must not ride against the traffic or on the pavement. Follow all traffic rules, as a vehicle must, while sharing the roadway. Be especially cautious with pedestrians as they may not hear your approach. Ride as if you are invisible and ensure the motorists see you. Be particularly careful working your way through

Each cyclist means one less car on the road, less pollution, less traffic congestion, better health and fitness, saving petrol and easier parking

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

traffic congestion as motorists don’t always see you and scooter/motorcycles are doing the same. It is very important that you signal your intentions and is a must while riding. At night, wear bright clothing and ensure you have the necessary lights so motorists can see you.

Helmets are also recommended and may save your life in the event of an accident.

GET OUT AND RIDE Why not join the growing number of cyclists on our roads. It really is a quick and efficient method of travel around Gibraltar. You can get fit, save money on petrol/parking, help the environment and do your part to reduce traffic congestion.

Cycle safety will improve with more bicycles and riders on the road with less vehicles and more safety awareness. This is truly a case of moreis-better. What are you waiting for, get “on your bike”. See you out on the roads. n

71

societies

Giordano Durante and Jaime Netto, founders of the Gibraltar Philosophical Society

getting

In philosophy, it is not the attainment of the goal that matters, it is the things that are met with by the way.

- Havelock Ellis

philosophical When I first contacted Giordano Durante to find out more about the recently formed Gibraltar Philosophical Society, I had a vision in my head of old, grey men humming and ahh-ing over deep and mysterious ideas.

So I was pleasantly surprised by Giordano’s bright, cheery manner and enthusiasm for the subject.

“It all started in December last year when Minister Jaime Netto contacted me when he found out I had studied Philosophy to postgrad level,” Giordano explained.

“Jaime had recently finished a Philosophy degree at the Open University and was keen

72

to meet someone with similar interests. We decided to set up a local forum to debate a wide spectrum of issues (not strictly philosophical) and started securing sponsorship for our inaugural event which took place at the end of April. We invited Dr Derek Matravers from the Open University to lecture on art and ethics at the Garrison Library. The event was a total success — over 140 guests attended though

the allure of free wine and tapas cannot be discounted as a big motivating factor!

“Since then, we have put together a series of seminars for members and the wider public. In May I gave a seminar entitled “Does science discredit religion?” and at the end of June, David Sanchez talked about strategic shifts since the Sep 11th terror attacks, which was based around the theories of war.”

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

societies

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

Giardano enjoying hospitality with visiting speaker, Derek Matravers

“

The support we have been given has exceeded our expectations — we have members of all ages and from very diverse sections of society too

“

The society will be taking a short break for the summer, but not for lack of speakers. In fact, they have enough material lined up to take them through to next February already and are planning to bring another international speaker to Gibraltar before Christmas.

So what sort of people are getting involved?

“The support we’ve been given has exceeded our initial expectations and it’s not just the age range which is interesting — we have members from young people in their twenties right through to others in their seventies, and a wide range in between too. But they are also from very diverse sections of society too, from students to lawyers, teachers, and generally right across the board.”

The idea of the Philosophical Society, Giordano told me, was to take a look at different aspects of life from a distance. The example that a lawyer will look at the case before him and make judgements based on the facts at hand and the laws involved contrasts with the philosophical view-point.

“Philosophy will be asking very different questions,” Giordano explained.

“Who makes the laws? Should there be laws anyway? What are the consequences of the laws in place? And a thousand others too.

Philosophy stands back and looks at situations in an abstract manner. For example, we can look at contemporary painting and think about if it is relevant or a scam, does it matter who the artist is or what the critics say about a work or even why do we like some art and dislike others?”

Looking back on the conversation, I think

my next question was possibly quite daring, and could well have back-fired. Imagine asking a philosopher: “what’s the point?”

Giordano was eager to answer. “To explore ideas in this way exercises your brain. It makes you think about the subject at hand and to research it too. Anything which is enhancing your knowledge and making you think about things has to be good for your personal development.

“On another level, philosophers are involved in many different areas of society and sit on medical boards discussing controversial subjects such as abortion, which have no clear answer and even the House of Lords has consulting philosophers.

“Having said that, if electricity disappeared from the world today, it would make a massive impact on society. Probably not so with philosophy, life would go on and I’m sure we’d notice little difference to our every-day lives. But our goals as a society are quite humble. We want to explore different subjects to learn more. We believe there is a niche in Gibraltar for intellectual lectures which look at a broader picture of society and life, not just here, but further afield too and the society has now started to fill that gap.”

The society is planning events on a monthly basis and is looking at starting an informal reading group on a weekly basis for those who want to be a little more involved. Giordano can be contact through the society’s Facebook group: The Gibraltar Philosophical Society, by email on gibphilosophy@live.co.uk or on his mobile 54008426. n

73

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

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

newsagents

hobbies&pastimes

Sun Daily Mail Star Express Mirror Available Daily on the Rock Every Morning from

L. SACARELLO 96 Main St Tel: 200 78723 Fax: 200 78723 HORTICULTURAL CONTRACTORS Tel: 200 43134 Fax: 200 50648 Convent Gardens, Convent Garden Ramp

photography

Booksellers, Newsagents & Stationers

leisure & tuition travel&hotels

Gibraltar Connections

by Reg Reynolds

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

lessons&tuition

leisure&sport

Frost Language Centre

GACHE & CO LTD

(Co. Registered in Gibraltar)

EST. 1830

Spanish lessons. Private Tuition.

• Giftware • Jewellery • Sports Trophies • Awards & Engravers

If you would like to learn Spanish or improve your knowledge of the language, please contact Margaret for more info

on 956 173384 or e.mail rmf2@telefonica.net

266 Main St, Gibraltar Tel: 200 75757

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

Tel: (+350) 20074000 Fax: 20040030

The Flowers of Gibraltar

by Leslie Linares, Arthur Harper and John Cortes

Book on sale at Gibraltar Book Shops

74

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • APRIL 2009

history

by Reg Reynolds

Gibraltar occurred in January of 1816, six months after Napoleon’s defeat at the Battle of Waterloo and five years before his death.

Cockburn, born in London in 1772, was a Rear Admiral by the time the two men met.

He had made his name as an able commander during the War of 1812-14 against America.

His squadrons cruised relentlessly up and down the Atlantic coast seizing American shipping, disrupting commerce, and raiding ports. The most important of his actions was leading the capture and burning of Washington on 24 August 1814.

With the war over Cockburn was recalled to Europe and given the task of conveying Napoleon in HMS Northumberland to St Helena. He stayed on for several months acting as Governor of the island.

It was during a convivial dinner with Napoleon that Cockburn offered the observation, “You were suspected in England for some time, of entertaining a design to attack Gibraltar.”

Napoleon’s reply was surprising considering the role the Rock played in providing victuals and arms to the Royal Navy during the many conflicts with Napoleonic France.

“We knew better than that,” Napoleon replied. “It was for our interest to leave Gibraltar in your possession. It is of no advantage to you. It neither protects nor intercepts any thing. It is only an object of national pride, which costs England very dear, and gives great umbrage to Spain. It would have been very injudicious in us to destroy such arrangements.”

That retort by the fallen Emperor was in direct contrast to his response when Cockburn informed him that the British Government was doubling the guard at St. Helena by sending the 66th regiment to reinforce the 53rd regiment.

“Do you not consider yourself strong enough already?” replied Napoleon. “An Jacques Louis David’s additional seventy-four (74-gun man-o-war) “Napoleon Crossing the Alps” (1801) would be of more use than a regiment. Ships of war are the security of an island. Fortifications produce but delay. The landing of a superior force is a complete success, if the distance does not admit the arrival of succors”.

Napoleon lived on at St. Helena for another five years and one has to wonder if during that period he didn’t reconsider his thoughts regarding the importance of Gibraltar to his ultimate failure.

If Napoleon’s army had captured Gibraltar would Nelson have Napoleon died 5th of May, 1821 aged just fifty. He had suffered poor health throughout triumphed at Trafalgar? Would Britain have won the war? his time on St. Helena and some believe he was systematically poisoned by his wardIn his own words, Emperor Napoleon, the from Elba, and a full regiment was assigned ers. Cockburn, who would go on to become man, considered by many to be one of the to guard him.

Admiral of the fleet, died in August 1853 great military geniuses of all time, dismissed The discussion with Cockburn about aged 81. n the taking of the Rock as not important to victory and yet in almost the same breath he admonished the great British Admiral Sir George Cockburn for his strategy for preventing an escape attempt.

Although Napoleon was a prisoner on his exile home of St Helena he had the freedom of the island and enjoyed frequent visits from both friend and foe. The British, however, did not wish to see a repeat of his earlier escape

Gibraltar, No Big Deal said Napoleon

“

It was for our interest to leave Gibraltar in your possession. It is of no advantage to you. It neither protects nor intercepts any thing

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

”

75

food & drink

events St John’s Ambulance & the Beavers

Miss Gibraltar and her two princesses

Harry Potter Fund Raiser

The Lounge opens

The Half Blooded Prince comes to Gibraltar

actors and kids dress the part

Congratulations to Chris and Michelle (pictured above) on the opening of the Lounge bar at Queensway Quay marina. The perfect place for a coffee, drink, or cocktail, the Lounge is very reasonably priced with a beautiful terrace right on the quayside.

Open from 8.30am until late, the sign on the door invites you to come in to “relax and unwind” and the atmosphere inside is ideal for both. n

Kings Bastion Leisure Centre saw the premiere of the latest Harry Potter film on 15th July with a red carpet charity event in aid of St John’s Ambulance.

Guests attended either in fancy dress or formal dress for the occasion and guests mingled with local actors playing Harry Potter characters on the Youth Terrace where dancing was performed by the group Urban Dance.

Tickets for the local premiere were sold out before the date was released, and special guests included ministers and Miss Gibraltar and her two princesses. n

Hagrid, Dumbledore & Bellatrix Lestrange

Children looking forward to the show together with Urban Dance

Lots of money was raised for Cancer Research when David of Cafe Solo had his luxurious locks cut off for charity outside the restaurant in Casemates Square last month. David had not cut his hair since his brother was diagnosed with cancer and it had reached quite a length as you can see! Now his brother is out of the danger zone he felt it was time to raise some cash for a very worthy cause. Well done David.

76

Lord Voldemort

Lincoln Red Imps under 14s achieve 3rd ranking in international football tournament in Catalunya, Spain

Lincoln Red Imps Under 14s came third in the recent Copa Catalunya

2009 Torredar/ Blanes (Barcelona) when the boys played their hearts out. The team went through to the semi-finals on 10th July when they lost to UK team (group leaders) 1 nil and beat Italian team 3 - 2 putting them in third place. Well done lads!

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

77

food & drink

The Lounge opens Congratulations to Chris and Michelle (pictured above) on the opening of the Lounge bar at Queensway Quay marina. The perfect place for a coffee, drink, or cocktail, the Lounge is very reasonably priced with a beautiful terrace right on the quayside.

Open from 8.30am until late, the sign on the door invites you to come in to “relax and unwind” and the atmosphere inside is ideal for both. n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

77

recipes Summer fruit ice cream Ingredients: 1 kg prepared frsh berries such as blackberries, raspberries or strawberries 2 tablespoons lemon juice 350 g (2 cups) icing sugar 600 ml fresh cream Put the fruit, lemon juice and icing sugar into a food processor and blend until smooth. With a wooden spoon, press the mixture through a nylon sieve into a large bowl, then discard the seeds. Alternatively, if you have no food processor, start by pushing the fruit through a nylon sieve set over a large bowl. Then mix the fruit puree with the lemon juice and icing sugar, stirring well.

Whip the cream until it forms very soft peaks, then fold it gently into the fruit mixture. To freeze the mixture without an ice-cream machine, pour it into a metal or plastic container, cover and freeze for about 1.5 hours until the edges of the ice cream are frozen and the center is soft. Remove from the freezer and beat until the whole mixture is slushy then return to the freezer. Repeat this process at least twice more.

For maximum flavor, eat within two weeks.

Variation: For a smoother custard base, mix a few drops of vanilla essence into 500 ml milk and heat gently. Whisk 5 egg yolks with 60 g sugar and stir this into the hot milk. Heat gently, stirring, until it thickens, then leave it to cool. Fold the custard instead of the cream into the fruit puree then freeze.

S

ummer delights

The majority of us enjoy something light and fresh to eat during the hot summer months, and better still if it’s simple and quick to put together. We’ve put together a few mouthwatering ideas to make the best use of the wide variety of fruits available at this time of year too.

78

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

recipes Summer Berry Pudding Ingredients: 750g fruits, summer fruits of your choice 50 g sugar 500 ml vanilla ice cream bread Stew the fruit with four to six tablespoons of water and sugar, until soft but retaining shape.

Cut four slices of bread to fit the bottom of individual pudding basins. Cut another four slightly bigger slices to fit the top of the moulds.

Cut the rest of the bread into fingers around 2inch wide to fit around the sides.

When the fruit is cooked, pour it gently into the moulds. Reserve eight tablespoons of fruit juice. When the mould is full, put the larger round bread slice on top, and cover with cling film.

Put the puddings on a tray and place a heavy chopping board on top so that the puddings are compacted. Leave in fridge overnight.

To serve, run a knife around the edge of the moulds. Invert the pudding on a serving dish and decorate with fresh berries and reserved juice. Serve with ice cream.

don’t forget to reserve some of the juices to use as a sauce when garnishing your desserts

Cherry

Mousse Ingredients: 6 large eggs, separated 115g sugar 90ml water 1.5l heavy whipping cream 750g cherries pureed Place the whites in the refrigerator and the yolks in a large stainless steel bowl and set aside.

In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Mix until dissolved and place on high heat.

Boil for 2 to 3 minutes. When clear and the sugar is completely dissolved, remove from the heat and quickly whisk into the egg yolks.

With a hand mixer, beat this mixture on high speed for for 5 to 8 minutes or until stiff and shiny and set aside.

Whip the cream until stiff peaks form and set aside. Whip the egg whites to form stiff peaks and set aside. Add the pureed cherries to the egg yolk mixture and blend well.

Fold in the whipped cream and then the egg whites. Pour into individual serving dishes or a large bowl and quickly refrigerate for at least 2 hours, longer if possible.

Serve with whipped cream or nuts as a garnish. n

Modern

Relaxed

Dining

Award winning breakfasts from 7.30am Great meals & snacks all day Evening Steak House menu Med Golf Clubhouse Tottenham Hotspur HQ Parliament Lane Tel: 200 75924 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

Open: 10am - late Closed Sundays + Saturday lunch

Check out our guest’s comments on Trip Advisor!

Irish Town Tel: 200 51738 to reserve

79

food & drink

Greig Murray’s Last Supper at Cafe Rojo before leaving Gib

Gibraltar Grill: Flying the Flag You can always tell when the Gibraltar Grill is open because the Gibraltar flag is flying outside. Nothing unusual about that, you may say, until you discover that the Gibraltar Grill is in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, USA. The story goes that Fish Creek was settled in the 1850s. The first settlers arrived by boat and the peninsula reminded the settlers of the Rock of Gibraltar as they approached by water.

When the first county government was established they created townships and called one Gibraltar. Fish Creek is in the Township of Gibraltar and the area school is called Gibraltar School.

Class Reunion Vicky says farewell to St. Christopher’s school and heads off to Germany

Tom Young, owner of Gibraltar Grill explains “When I built the restaurant

and named it the Gibraltar Grill, I thought a neat tie-in would be using the flag of Gibraltar because it is so distinctive. It creates a lot of interest and I love telling people how it was commissioned by the Queen of Spain in the 1500s. I hope no minds me using your country’s flag. It is flown with great respect and admiration. I certainly hope to visit someday.”

If your travels ever take you to Northeast Wisconsin stop in for a visit.

Tom has a wide selection of beers plus casual family dining featuring entrées of ribeye steak, grilled salmon, pan-fried walleye, pasta, and speciality sandwiches. And a dog friendly patio!

Visit www.gibraltargrill.com for info

coffee break

“

If I was in a family that had the familial form of Alzheimer’s — where half of individuals have it by age 60 — I would definitely be taking in 500 milligrams of caffeine a day and I would be doing it in coffee

” Pickwicks

Gary Arendash at the University of South Florida, on his study suggesting coffee might reverse Alzheimer’s memory problems

on Governor’s Parade

Tel: 200 76488 (opposite the Eliott Hotel)

The Best Sandwiches made especially for you as well as Jackets•Salads•Burgers and a whole lot more

open Monday to Friday from 9.30am

80

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

food & drink

local music scene at el cottage Just between the two pedestrian tunnels as you walk out of Casemates, you’ll find the cosy little El Cottage which specialises in local tapas, and now, the local music scene too.

El Cottage is offering live music from local bands every Friday and Saturday evenings from 9.30pm through to 12.30am.

Over the coming weeks, you’ll find a wide variety of bands and music styles played at the restaurant to accompany your tapas, but that doesn’t mean you can’t just stop in for a drink and listen.

Saturday evenings will be family evenings, where all are welcome to come down to enjoy the evening, and don’t forget they’ll be open Tuesday and Thursday evenings too for Summer Nights.

So call in for a fun-packed evening, or you can even book a private function in their spacious room above the premises. Why not give them a call on 200 41611 to find out more. n

enjoy relax

Contemporary Mediterranean Dining

14

on the QUAY

Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 43731

Enjoy exemplary food with exceptional value in the relaxed atmosphere of Queensway Quay Marina

enjoy relax delicious Grand Casemates Square

FREE WiFi

Tel:

200 44449

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

lunch afternoon tea dinner cocktails

81

wine column

No man is an island

(Except the Isle of Man, of course. But that doesn’t count for the purposes of the sentiment) We are defined not only by how we see ourselves but also by how others see us; then our divination of how others see us affects our view of ourselves and so on.

The same applies to wine.

It is given to few (and I am not one of their number) to be able to tell one wine from another at a blind tasting. After a large part of life devoted to clarets of all sorts, I am still easily fooled — especially if some joker has deliberately decanted a reasonable bottle into a frightfully smart one. One look at the label (Chateau Lafite 2000) and my expectations are raised. The glass is poured and the colour and meniscus look correct. A sniff and… well, it may not have quite the depth I was expecting but that’s just me. A sip, a roll round the tongue, a swallow, a short wait for the aftertaste and… well, it’s Chateau Lafite so it must be superb. I give effusive thanks to the joker for allowing me to have some of this marvellous wine. The joker then reveals all, points out that I have just complimented a Chateau Ordinaire 2005 and makes the obvious point that my palate is not so very refined and I clearly don’t know what I am talking about.

Quite so. I have been fooled by the label, and a bit of back-

82

ground knowledge of the label, into thinking I was getting something that I was not; and persuading myself that it must be wonderful because my perception was that it ought to be wonderful. The joker has had a wonderful time making me look a fool. I am not terribly

Do you really want to pay £30 for a bottle with a posh label and name? Is it really worth five time the price of an acceptable glug?

Sometimes, yes

impressed by the joker’s joke and think rather the less of him for perpetrating it. All our perceptions of each other have changed — only the wine has remained the same: Chateau Ordinaire.

The point of this rather philosophically convoluted introduction is twofold. First, and most important, is that appearance can easily belie reality. Secondly, don’t always believe the label.

In making the latter point I am not warning against counterfeits (or even my friend the joker). It is the over-exaggerated claims made on some labels that the wine inside has been made from grapes harvested at dawn by long-legged virgins and then blended by Old Father Time (whose knowledge of wine was passed down to him by the Lord himself) in the most perfect natural conditions. Rot. At the cheaper end of the market (which is where the most exaggerated claims are made) wine production is an industrial process similar to turning out tins of dog food. That does not mean that the wine will taste like dog food. An honest label (‘Good

Ordinary Claret’) says all you need to know, and can be relied upon, however industrial the process of making it may have been. But a label promising virgins at dawn (at the same price) is misleading, if not dishonest, and should be distrusted. More money has been spent by the producer on the producing of the label than on producing the wine. As a result, the wine will have suffered and probably be insufferable.

I have a piece of paper from a recognised and respected academic institution which announces to the world that I can speak Spanish. I can’t — not properly. Anyone, from whatever walk of life, who speaks competent Spanish would recognise my inability from the moment I open my mouth. I have another piece of paper which announces that I am a qualified professional.

No-one, except a few other qualified professionals, seems to realise that the mere fact of qualification does not make me a good professional.

And yet people assume that whatever I say on the subject is gospel. So far, I have got away with it: purely because of the piece of paper and good bluffing. But I am sure my Nemesis cannot be far away.

In the wine world, this matters. First, the mere fact that a wine comes from — say — Bordeaux does not make it good. Leaving aside the scandal of some 20 years ago when Bordeaux producers were mixing in a lot of Algerian wine and passing it off as their own, the methods of production, the care taken in the blend and the laziness that can creep in by virtue of having a guaranteed market can all militate against the quality of the contents of the bottle. Likewise, a previously unconsidered area with no pedigree can, with care and hard work, produce a wine of great quality. Chile and Argentina, in particular, spring to mind.

Qualified professionals in the wine world are relatively few and either especially clever or especially good at bluffing. Whichever it is, be a little wary of what they say.

Do you really want to pay £30 for a bottle with a posh label and name? Is it really worth five times the price of an acceptable glug? Sometimes, yes. Nothing can beat my memory of a Chateau Batailley 1966 which I managed to lay my hands on a few years ago. But the label and the name do not mean that your money is well spent (although they may be a good guide).

The only real guide is to trust your own taste (while preferably avoiding the ghastly assertion: ‘I may not know much about wine but I know what I like’). Your perception of the wine is what is important. Happily, unlike when dealing with other people, the wine has no perception of you and your personality will not be affected (unless you have too much of it). n

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

Tel: 20077446

Traditional English Pub with the best of English beers

restaurant bar guide & turn to pages 84-86 for full restaurant and bar listings

Ground Floor Bar open from 10.30 daily Pool Table • TV • Machines First Floor ’Hoots’ open from 1pm 2 Pool Tables • Darts • Machines 2nd Floor ‘The Nest’ open from 5pm American Pool • Card Table

Get Stuffed!

Marina Bay Tel: 200 42006 Take-Away, Sandwiches & Hot Food Different Special EveryDay salads, quiches, pastas, pies, muffins, all home made Open 8am-6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat

Indian Cuisine to Eat In or Take Away Unit 1.0.02 Grnd Flr, Block 1 Eurotowers Tel: 200 73711

Wembley Bar 10 South Barrack Ramp.

Tel: 200 78004 • Hot & cold bar snacks • Function room

BUDDIES pasta casa

Come and enjoy real Italian meals in Gibraltar’s leading pasta house 15 Cannon Lane Tel: 200 40627 for reservations

HOME DELIVERY

Liverpool Bar

Open

7

days a week

open 7 days a week 10-late

UK BEERS FUll English Breakfast + much more

Glacis Estate

Avenida España No 4 (400m from the Frontier) Tel: 00 34 956767770

Tel: 200 71992

Wines, Spirits, Tobacco, Beers & Soft Drinks Distributors Est. 1839

35 Devil’s Tower Road, Gibraltar. Telephone: (350) 200 74600 Telefax: (350) 200 77031 e-mail: mail@sacspeed.gi A Member of The Saccone & Speed (Gibraltar) Group of Companies GIBRALTAR 20092009 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• JULY AUGUST

83 83

Saturday midday-5am.

restaurants l The Boatyard Queensway Quay. Tel: 200 50540 Stylish relaxed dining right on the quayside at Queensway Quay. Enjoy a cocktail or a pre-dinner drink in the lounge out onthe quayside. The menu includes dishes such as Cumin Crusted Rack of New Zealand Lamb; Grilled Prime 300g Argentinean Rump Steak; Crispy Skinned Confit French Duck Leg; Fresh Local Seafood Spaghetti; and Wild Mushroom, Gorgonzola & Baby Spinach Risotto.

Open: lunch and dinner, closed Sundays. l Café Solo Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 200 44449 Modern Italian eatery set in the lively Casemates square. Everything from chicory and crispy pancetta salad with walnuts, pears and blue cheese dressing, or king prawn, mozzarella and mango salad to pastas(eg: linguine with serrano ham, king prawns and rocket; smoked salmon and crayfish ravioli with saffron and spinach cream) to salads (eg: Vesuvio spicy beef, cherry tomatoes, roasted peppers and red onions; and Romana chorizo, black pudding, egg and pancetta) and pizzas (eg: Quatto Stagioni topped with mozzarella, ham, chicken, pepperoni and mushroom) and specialities such as salmon fishcakes, beef medallions and duck. Good daily specials menu on blackboard. No smoking inside. Free WiFi.

No need to order as service is “pincho” style with different varieties of tapas brought round the tables.

Just choose what takes your fancy as they come round and what you eat will be added to your tab.

Private functions catered for.

Open: 9.30 - 5pm, Friday ‘till 1.30am.

Closed Sundays

l 14 on the Quay Unit 14, Queensway Quay Tel: 200 43731 The latest addition to the beautiful Queensway Quay marina, 14 on the Quay is open for lunch, afternoon tea, cocktails and dinner. The fine dining l Cafe Rojo includes lobsters fresh from the tank, and the setting 54 Irish Town. Tel: 200 51738 with its spectacular sunsets is perfect.

Sleek modern comfort in this relaxing little restau- Open: 12.30 - 11pm (last orders 10.45pm) rant. Red comfy arm chairs in separate area for a relaxing drink or coffee. Brunch menu (10am-12pm) Nunos Italian Restaurant and Terrace includes ciabatta, granary, foccacia sandwiches with Caleta Hotel, Catalan Bay fillings such as pear and blue cheese, smoked bacon For a reservations Tel: 200 76501 and brie, cheese and honey roast ham, delicious E-mail reservations@caletahotel.gi desserts (chocolate mousse in a must). Lunch 12 Nunos Italian restaurant and terrace at the Caleta - 3pm and dinner 7-10pm includes Roast Pumpkin, Hotel, overlooks the Mediterranean and is extremely Mushroom, & Spinach Curry; Marinated Tuna popular with both hotel guests and the local market.

Steak & Sesame Crust; Roasted Lamb Shoulder; Their new Spanish chef with three star Michellin pasta dishes such as Langoustine, Lime & Coconut; experience will always be offering something inPear, Walnut & Blue Cheese; and Creamy Mixed teresting and different on the menu. Recognised for Seafood; and salads such as Warm Goats’ Cheese, its eclectic interior, atmosphere and cuisine. Bread, Fresh Spinach & Chargrilled Aubergine; and Roast pasta and desserts from the a la carte menu are all Duck, Chorizo & Pancetta Salad. home-made and contribute to create a genuine and Open: from 10am. Closed all day Sundays, and exciting dining experience.

Saturday lunch.

The Mexican Grill and Bar Casa Pepe Unit 2B The Tower, Marina Bay Tel: 200 46668 18 Queensway Quay Marina. Tel/Fax: 200 46967 The Mexican Grill and Bar serves all the favourite Email: casa.pepe.gib@gmail.com Mexican dishes from Nachos, Quesadillas and Situated right on the water front at Queensway Chimichangas (rolled flour tortilla with spicy Quay, Casa Pepe has a comprehensive a la carte chicken, chilli beef or vegetables, deep fried, served menu which includes dishes such as melon & with Mexican rice and salad and guacamole, salsa Serrano ham, stuffed piquillo peppers and filled or sour cream), to Burritos (like Chimichangas but mushrooms to start, followed by a choice of salads, oven baked), El Gringos Chilli con Carne, or Cheese rice and noodles and fish, poultry and meat dishes Holy Mole Enchiladas. Don’t forget Big Eat Homewhich include King Prawns Macarena (cooked made Burgers (5 to choose from) and from the grill with fresh ginger, tomatoes, mangos and bananas barbecue combos, steaks and chicken. Salads and served with basmati rice, fried bread and bananas), sides to order. Decorated is warm Mexican colours Medallions of monkfish cooked with white wine with comfortable seating in the no-smoking, airand lobster sauce, duck breast Armanac-style (with conditioned interior or outside on the patio, great Cognac, mushrooms and pine nuts), Medallions of for a fun night out. Available for private bookings pork loin cooked with Serrano ham and dry Jerez and children’s parties. sherry, and fillet steak Malagueña cooked in creamy Open: lunch and dinner 12 noon to late garlic mushrooms and sweet sherry sauce topped with prawns. Wide range of tapas/raciones also Savannah Lounge available.

27 Heart Island, Ocean Village Tel: 200 66666 Open: Monday to Saturday 11am till late. www.savanna.gi Aimed at Gibraltar’s dining and night-life scene, El Cottage Savannah has been created with fun and style in 1Y & Z, Casemates Square. Tel: 200 41611 mind. Offering contemporary European cuisine a You’ll find this cosy tapas bar tucked in the shade wide selection of drinks, cool decor and good music. between the two pedestrian tunnels leading onto The venue hosts regular events with invited DJs and Casemates square. Large, shady terraced seating shows from abroad. and a menu made up from local and Spanish tapas. Open: Sunday-Thurs midday-midnight, Friday and

Thyme Restaurant 5 Cornwall’s Lane. Tel: 200 49199 Email: thymegib@hotmail.com Long established modern restaurant and wine bar.

Serves refreshing cocktails and a wide range of New World and European wines in a cool and lively atmosphere. Now serving informal lunches from a selection of their popular dishes, with choices of light salads, Italian pasta dishes or full three course meals. During the summer months contact Steve to design your own barbecue party menu. Formal dining on the first floor serving bistro cuisine with a menu serving dishes from across the world. Try one of these dishes from the wide selection: starters include Buffalo Mozzarella, Plum Tomato, Grilled Chilli & Landcress Salad, Basil Oil & Balsamic; Crab & Coriander Spring Roll, String Hopper Noodle Salad, Cucumber & Chilli Salsa; Steamed Mussels flavoured with ginger, Lemon Grass, Chilli & Coconut Milk; try main courses such as Grilled Salmon Darne, Crisp Pancetta, Thai Spiced Lentils, Cool Mint Yoghurt Dressing; Confit of Lamb Shoulder Shank, Warm Couscous Salad, Chickpea & Coriander Salsa, Onion & Sultana Chutney; or Open Ravioli of Slow Roast Squash, Basil & Ricotta, Roast Garlic Cream Sauce. Everything made on the premises using only the best, fresh ingredients. Two separate dining rooms - smoking and non smoking.

Menu changed seasonally, daily specials.

Open 7 days a week. Closed Saturday lunchtimes.

The Waterfront Queensway Quay Marina Tel: 200 45666 The Waterfront is a very popular restaurant located right on the quayside at Queensway Quay Marina.

There are different areas for drinks, the main restaurant (with mezanine level seating), a large covered terrace with chandeliers and a quayside open terrace. The food is served in hearty portions and includes starters of grilled goat’s cheese, crab with lemon mayonnaise, moules mariniere, and prawn and lobster salad. There is a barbecue in the summer month and grills which include 8oz fillet steaks. Favourites are pan fried chicken with wild mushrooms and Madeira sauce, beef and ale pie with a puff pastry lid, and whole lamb shoulder.

Fish dishes from grilled swordfish to salmon and crayfish ravioli, and vegetarian dishes such as mushroom stroganoff, and vegetable wellington sit alongside the menu from the Orient which includes Madras chicken or vegetables, chicken tikka masala, and crispy duck with pancakes and cucumber.

Open: 7 days a week from 9am to late.

The Water Margin 5 Ocean Village Promenade, Tel: 200 73668 Gibraltar’s premier Chinese restaurant serving freshly cooked traditional Chinese dishes in the beautiful Ocean Village marina. Check out the outstanding aromatic crispy duck, the special duck slow cooked with honey and chilli or the freshly caught seabass delicately steamed with ginger and spring onion, popular with families looking for a relaxing night dining. No microwave oven or flavour enhancer (MSG) used in this establishment.

Home delivery service.

Open: 7 days a week, evening from 6pm, lunch from 12:30pm

informaleating Al Baraka Take-away Queensway Quay. Tel: 200 46993 Take-away and restaurant. Tasty Middle Eastern food including falafels and kebabs plus Indian specialities. Large covered terrace to the side of

l = full menus online at www.thegibraltarmagazine.com 84

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

Queensway Quay with marina views.

Open: 7 days a week from 10am to 12 midnight.

A great sandwich bar/cafe offering an unusual range of sandwiches on white or granary bread, plus salads, baguettes, soups, desserts, homemade ice-cream and hot/cold drinks. Business lunches, parties and kids parties also catered for (for party and office platters phone or fax order by 5.30pm day before - minium orders for delivery £12).

Open: Monday - Friday 8.30-7, Sat 9 - 4, Closed Sun.

Amin's The Office 30 Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 40932 Sit down, informal and friendly restaurant. Amin is well known in Gibraltar for his Moroccan, Spanish and international cuisine. Open early for breakfast at 7am right through the day. Try the Moroccan soups, couscous, lamb tagines and kebabs.

Open: 7.00am to midnight.

Buddies Pasta Casa 15 Cannon Lane. Tel: 200 40627 Tasty Italian specials in pleasant ambience. Large selection of starters from garlic bread to calamari.

Main courses include spinnach caneloni, spaghetti alla carbonara, fusilli al salmone, and peppered steak to name a few. Tasty desserts and variety of wines.

Open: Monday - Thursday 11am - 5pm, Friday jacket spuds, burgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, and 11am-3pm and 7pm-11pm, Saturday 11am-4.30pm daily specials. Ideal meeting place.

Open: Monday - Saturday from 9am.

Garcia’s Take-Away Just Desserts Glacis Estate. Tel: 200 71992 Open 7 days a week this good take-away also does 1st Floor ICC. Tel: 200 48014 home deliveries of tasty fish and chips, hamburg- Bright and airy, recently redecorated cafe on the first ers, kebabs, donner kebabs and much much more. floor of the ICC. All home-made food including daily Make sure you have their number handy for a night specials, vegetarian options and desserts. Eat in or take-away. Try their daily roast with everything on in without the hassle of cooking! or their all-day breakfast. Non-smoking restaurant with terrace smoking area. Friendly, cheerful and Get Joost 248 Main Street & Casemates. Tel/Fax: 200 76699 fully licensed with sensible prices.

Smoothies are vitamin packed super-food and Open: 8am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday. increasingly popular for the health concious.

Get Joost makes delicious fresh fruit juices and Maillo Take Away smoothies made from natural ingredients which are Unit F5A 1st Floor ICC Tel: 54002598 a meal in a cup. The top five smoothies they sell are Homemade Spanish food is available at this cafe and wild strawberry; breakie on the run; energy blast; take away in the International Commercial Centre raspberry ice; and tropical surrender. Tel/Fax: 200 near Casemates. Everything from sandwiches and panini, to soups, fish, salads, and mixed platters 76699 for delivery.

Open: 8-7 Monday -Friday, 10-7 Saturday, 10-6 with pork and chicken options. Maillo will also cook for summer picnics, and they make some Sunday. great desserts.

Open: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Get Stuffed Marina Bay. Tel: 200 42006 Take-away, sandwich bar and hot food. Serving all Mumbai Curry House homemade sandwiches, salads, quiches, pasta, pies, Unit 1.0.02 Ground Floor, Block 1 Eurotowers muffins, plus hot and cold drinks and smoothies Tel: 200 73711 Home delivery: 50022/33 and a different special every day. Outside catering Good Indian cuisine for eating in or taking away, from snacks such as samosas, bhajias, and pakoras for corporate parties. to lamb, chicken and fish dishes with sauces such Open: 8am - 6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat. as korma, tikka masala, bhuna, do piaza... in fact all you would expect from an Indian cuisine take-away.

Just A Nibble 1st Flr International Commercial Ctr. Tel: 200 Large vegetarian selection. Halal food is available, as is outside catering for parties and meetings.

78052 Full licensed cafe serving English breakfast, vast Sunday specials include all Mumbai favourites such range of toasties, rolls, and other snacks. Meals as Dosa and Choley Bhature. include, Bob’s famous chicken curry/chilli con Open: 7 days a week 11am to 3pm, 6pm until late. carne, and a great new range of pies (from Bob’s chicken and leek to steak and kidney plus a whole Munchies Cafe range of tasty alternatives) plus all the old favourites; 24 Main Street. Tel: 200 43840 Fax: 200 42390

Pasty Bar 16 City Mill Lane Tel: 54013320 An interesting mix between a take-away or sit-down cafe and bar in the evenings, The Pasty Bar offers a wide range of foods from English breakfast, pies and pasties, fish and chips and much more. In the evenings you can enjoy live football in their bar area too. Open: Mon-Thurs 10am-11pm, Friday 10am-midnight, Saturday 12pm-midnight, Sundays 12pm-11pm Picadilly Gardens Rosia Road. Tel: 200 75758 Relaxed bar restaurant with cosy garden terrace just across the road from the cable car. English breakfast, churros, tapas, hamburgers, fresh fish, prawns, squid, clams and a variety of meat dishes.

Eat in or take away. Menu of the day only £6. Open: early to late.

Sacarello Coffee Co. 57 Irish Town. Tel: 200 70625

Converted coffee warehouse, ideal for coffee, homemade cakes/afternoon tea, plus menu including excellent salad bar, specials of the day and dishes such as lasagne, steak and mushroom Guinness pie, hot chicken salad, toasties, club sandwich and baked potatoes. Art exhibitions.

Available for parties and functions in the evenings.

Open: 9am-7.30pm Mon-Fri. 9am-3pm Saturdays Smith’s Fish & Chips 295 Main Street. Tel: 200 74254 Traditional British fish and chip shop with tables/seating available or take-away wrapped in newspaper. Menu: Cod, haddock or plaice in batter, Cornish pasties, mushy peas etc. Also curries, omlettes, burgers. Open: 8am-6pm Monday-Friday.

Breakfast from 8.

Located: Main Street opposite the Convent.

Solo Express Ground Floor, International Commercial Centre Solo Express, located right next to Pizza Hut, serves a good variety of salads and baguettes (white, brown & ciabatta) filled with a wide deli selection of things such as roast chicken; smoked salmon & mascapone; ham, cheese and coleslaw; or hummous, avocado and roasted red pepper.

The salads are fresh and tasty and include Greek, Waldorf, cous cous, tuna pasta, etc and are great

57 Irish Town, Gibraltar Tel: 200 70652

Just A Nibble Licensed Cafeteria Let the ‘A’ Team serve you up a snack or a meal.

Daily Specials • Varied Menu

Open from 9am First Floor ICC, Main Street THE PLACE TO MEET

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

Visit us and step back in history

Full menu served inside or on our terrace including British Fish & Chips, Jackets, Salads, Burritos, Homemade Pizzas, our special Fresh Local Mussels and much more.

Visit us and buy yourself a souvenir, T-shirts, beer glasses, lighters etc Live music every evening, join our Jam Sessions on Wednesday or Sunday.

GLMS Music Venue of the Year.

Official Home to Gibraltar Rugby Club Free WiFi

10 Casemates www.lordnelson.gi Tel: 200 50009

85

value. Jacket potatoes, quiches, tea, coffee etc plus cakes (such as flapjacks and muffins) are also available throughout the day. Eat-in available.

Soups in winter months. Free Wifi.

The Star Bar Parliament Lane. Tel: 200 75924

Reputedly the oldest bar in Gib, this small cosy bar opens early for breakfast (English or toast & cereal).

Lunch/evening menu includes fillet steak, fish and chips and salads. Home of Med Golf and Tottenham Hotspur FC supporters club. Outside seating. Open: from 7am every day. Located: first right off Main St (walking from N to S).

The Tasty Bite 59a Irish Town. Tel: 200 78220 Fax: 200 74321 Tasty Bite has one of the biggest take-away menus around with home cooked meats, filled baguettes, burgers, chicken, kebabs and everything else you can think of! Open: Monday - Saturday.

bars&pubs All’s Well Grand Casemates Square. Tel: 200 72987 Traditional pub in fashionable Casemates area.

Named for the 18th century practice of locking the Gates to the city at night when the guard announced ‘All’s Well’ before handing the keys to the watch.

All’s Well serves Bass beers, wine and spirits plus pub fare. English breakfast served all day, hot meals such as pork in mushroom sauce, sausage & mash, cod and chips and steak & ale pie are complemented by a range of salads and filled jacket potatoes. Large terrace. Karaoke every Monday and Wednesday until late. Free tapas on a Friday 7pm.

Cannon Bar 27 Cannon Lane. Tel: 200 77288 Jane is still there and still packed out with tourists and regulars! Word has it that she nearly managed to escape, but wasn’t allowed to. The famous fish and chips, the odd French speciality, there’s always something happening in the Cannon! Located between Marks & Spencer and the Cathedral just off Main Street. Quiz night on Tuesdays, get there early as it is definitely the place to be on a normally quiet Gibraltar Tuesday.

The Gibraltar Arms 184 Main St. Tel: 200 72133 www.gibraltararms.gi Good food served all day at this typical pub right on Main Street. Everything from all day breakfast to Irish fillet steak roll, burritos, and the popular fresh local mussels. Draught lager, bitter, cider and Murphys plus free WiFi. Terrace seating right on Main Street to watch the world go by. Open: from 8am (10am Sundays) until late.

London Bar 76/78 Governor's Street Tel: 200 77172 Located between the Garrison Library and the Elliot Hotel, the London Bar offers British beers, dart board, pool table and Sky TV in a pub atmosphere.

Pub grub such as breakfasts, pies and fishi and chips.

Open: Mon-Fri 8am-midnight, Sat 9am-midnight, Sun 10am- midnight.

Lord Nelson Bar Brasserie 10 Casemates Tel: 200 50009 www.lordnelson.gi E-mail: reservations@lordnelson.gi Attractive bar/brasserie in historic Casemates building. Done out to represent Nelson’s ship with cloud and sky ceiling crossed with beams and sails.

Spacious terrace Starter s& snacks include fresh local mussels, blue cheese and rocket bruschetta, Lordy’s potato skins, spicy chicken wings and calamares. Main courses cover a range from chilli con carne and chicken and mushroom pie, to crispy aromatic duck burrito and British fish and chips.

Try one of the salads or Nelson’s platters. Jacket

86

potatoes, burgers and children’s menu. Credit cards accepted. Live music Venue of the Year, with live music on stage every night. Free Wifi. Open: from 10am till very late.

O’Reilly’s Leisure Island, Ocean Village. Tel: 200 67888 Traditional Irish bar with full HD sports coverage and Irish breakfast from 7am (Sunday from 9am). Guinness on draught. Food includes salads, jackets, beef and Guinness ale pie, Molly’s mussels, drunken swine, Boxty dishes (potato pancake wrapped around delicioius fillings), sandwiches, rolls, Kildare chicken and much much more. And just like in Ireland there’s no smoking inside, so a great atmosphere for all.

Pickwicks Governor’s Parade. Tel: 200 76488

Run by well-known friendly face, Mandy, this small pub with a large terrace is situated in Governor’s Parade away from the traffic and safe for all the family. Good food available including the best freshly made sandwiches and jacket potatoes, salads and burgers. Open: Mon - Fri from 9.30am Location: turn off Main St at Marks & Spencer, go up steps to Governor’s Parade (opposite the Elliot Hotel).

The Pig and Whistle Unit 18, Watergardens. Tel: 200 76167 A comfortable pleasant little pub with pool table and terrace on the quayside. Big screen television for all sporting events. Open: 10-midnight (Fri-Sat 11-1am) Royal Calpe 176 Main Street, Gibraltar Tel: 200 75890 Email: royalcalpe@gibtelecom.net Named after Gibraltar’s Royal Calpe Hunt, the pub is situated opposite the Cathedral on Main Street. It boasts Gibraltar’s only beer garden and conservatory for a relaxing atmosphere al fresco to get away from it all or for that private function and barbecues in the summer. Good food from traditional pub fare to salads is available throughout the day. Wide selection of draught beer and cider.

Savannah Lounge 27 Heart Island, Ocean Village Tel: 200 66666 Aimed at Gibraltar’s dining and night-life scene, Savannah has been created with fun and style in mind. Offering contemporary European cuisine a wide selection of drinks, cool decor and good music.

The venue hosts regular events with invited DJs and shows from abroad. Open: Sunday-Thurs middaymidnight, Friday and Saturday midday-5am.

Trafalgar Sports Bar 1A Rosia Road Tel: 200 45370 Situated just past the south end of Main Street through Southport Gates, the Trafalgar Sports Bar offers a traditional British pub environment enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Serving a hot buffet Monday to Saturday and a roast carvery on Sundays they also serve many other dishes such as spare ribs, currys or lasagna. The establishment also has three large 62” screens where they cover all major sporting events. Open: 9am-1am Monday to Saturday, Sunday 9am-midnight The Three Owls Irish Town The Three Owls is a traditional bar serving best of English beers. Three separate bars/floors: ground floor — big screen TV, pool table, poker machines, games machines, bar — open from 10.30am daily.

First floor ‘Hoots’ — 2 match pool tables, poker machines, darts board, games machine, bar — open from 1pm daily. Second Floor ‘Nest’ — American pool table, poker machine, games machine, card table, bar — open from 5pm daily.

The Three Roses Governor’s Street. Tel: 200 51614

Now under the management of Peter and Ian, previously of the Coach & Horses, this bar is fully air-conditioned with 3 plasma TVs and pool table.

Happy hours Mon-Fri 5-6pm. Home of the Esteporkers Golf Society. Open: 7 days. Mon-Sat from 11am, Sun from midday.

Wembley Bar 10 South Barrack Ramp. Tel: 200 78004 Popular bar for hot and cold bar snacks, function room, in south district. Fridays 10am for breakfast.

Air conditioned. The home of the Real Madrid Supporter’s Club.

Open: 11am - midnight Sunday - Thursday, 10am - 1am Friday, 11am - 1am Saturdays.

acrosstheborder The Dog & Duck Next to Plaza de Constitucion, La Linea Tel: 00 34 956173453 Little pub on the square serving British beers at great prices. Pleasant sun terrace and all live sporting events shown. Open: 3pm-late Mon - Fri, 1pm - late Sat & Sun. Located: 400m straight across from frontier (next to Taste Indian Restaurant).

Liverpool Bar 4 Avenida España. Tel: 00 34 956767770 UK beers served in this little pub along with full English breakfast and Sunday lunch for €5.50, plus much more in a friendly atmosphere.

Open: 7 days a week 10am - late Located: 400m straight across from frontier.

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

masterclass

the art of

Learning to make cocktails is a great way to gain confidence by learning and demonstrating new skills, and Savannah down at Ocean Village are offering classes as corporate and team building events to give you and your staff a taste of something a little different.

mixology Y

ou can learn the art of cocktail making as well as recipes and the tips and tricks of the trade from some of Europe’s best ‘Flair’ bar tenders.

As a corporate event, teams of all sizes can really enjoy the cocktail classes which are held in a fun and relaxed atmosphere at Savannah, on Ocean Village’s Leisure Island, with anyone being able to take part without having previous experience or knowledge. As well as a confidence building exercise, teams have the opportunity to get to know each other better in an informal setting.

During the classes, teams learn the secrets of ‘mixology’, the tricks used by experts, and will gain a fascinating insight into the history of cocktails.

You can all try your hand at making and tasting some of the most mouth-watering concoctions around, and watch how the experts do it.

There’s more to cocktail making than just pouring a few spirits in a glass and sticking an

umbrella on the top. Mixology is an art — get it right and you can create delicious concoctions which dance on your tongue and slide down your throat like liquid gold.

Experienced mixologists will give you a demonstration of their skills at the classes and produce some sumptuous drinks right before your eyes, passing on snippets from their wealth of knowledge, before letting you loose on the juice!

You’ll then design and mix your own cocktails in teams against your colleagues using your newly acquired skills.

Once you’ve created your masterpiece you’ll have to give the designer drink a name, before letting the rest of the group sample it. The mixologists and your colleagues will then vote for a champion cocktail. n

You can find out more about the courses by contacting Chris or Orlando directly at Savannah on 200 66666 or through their website www.savannah.gi

and here’s one we made earlier Blue Tropic 15ml Blue Curacao 30ml Galliano 20ml Peach Schnapps 30ml Lemon Juice Soda Water dash of Malibu Reasonably easy to make, you’ll find this variation of the Bluebird has a fruity, but not sweet taste and is an excellent long drink for the warmer weather.

Pour 15ml of Blue Curacao in the bottom of a 350ml glass, add ice to almost the top of the glass. Next, pour the Galliano over the ice which will take a kind of green tinge. Pour in the Peach Schnapps followed by the lemon juice and follow this with bubbly soda water. The result is a layered look with a bubbly top. Add a dash of Malibu and a slice of kiwi to decorate and it’s ready to drink!

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

87 87

A ro u n d To w n .. .

a light-he arte d look at Gibralta r soc iety

Having fun at Savannah

August is a funny old month when everything seems to move more slowly and wind down for the last weeks of the summer heat. The end of August sees the start of the Gibraltar Fair week (22nd - 30th) and the build up to National Day on 10th September. But before all that we have the first Gibraltar Ocean Festival (19th - 23rd) at Ocean Village, and before that the Vrrrroooommm of Harley-Davidson’s as they descend on the Rock for the 4th International Harley Rally on 8th August.

We say farewell for another year to Summer Nights (Tuesdays and Thursdays at Casemates) on 13th August, but have a great fun event to round off the month on Saturday 29th August when there will be a charity fun day at Ocean Village with something for everyone to enjoy.

Yachting Win We start this month’s Around Town with a big congratulations to Andrew Tucker who won the Yacht Club’s Liptons Cup for team racing recently along with Andrew Alcantara. Glory at last, Andrew, we knew the practice would pay off!

Club4x4 to the Rescue Well done to the guys from club4x4gibraltar, who came to the rescue of Chris Bruno of Just Consulting last month when he found his own 4x4 stuck in the sand at Alcaidesa after a day relaxing on the beach. Might we suggest he joins the club to see if he can pick up a few off-road driving tips?

Keeping cool on the terrace

photos this page: Fiduciary Height of Summer Client Event at the Mons Calpe Suite

88 88

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2007 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

Val an with Y Casem

Girls at Queensway Quay

Familiar Face Poor Sue (who will remain otherwise anonymous) was at rather a posh ‘do’ recently when a lady came up to her and asked where she knew her from. Deadly serious, and determined she knew her, she asked if it was from Weight Watchers? Slimline Sue was not impressed.

A Score’s a Score Donny and Marie of Ocean Village have been very quiet recently, but we caught up with him for a beer recently while the tennis was on. Sitting outside on the terrace of Cafe Solo in Casemates he decided to give Marie a call to find out what the score was... Marie’s answer? “20 quid” of course!

Congratulations Jade

Congratulations Jade and Dale

Best Wishes Congratulations to Lilian and Charlie of Insight magazine who got married last month. And happy birthday John Dibb on 5th August, glassblower and musician Paul Alexander on 9th August and Mark Montovio on 22nd August... many happy returns to them all.

Hi-Tech Technology is a wonderful thing... but some people just prefer good old fashioned paper. Jon of the Gibraltar Magazine was caught sticking a Post-It note to his £300 mobile phone to remind him of a phone number... ahhh all that hard work by Nokia wasted! Also, is it true that iPhones still work after being washed in the washing machine? We believe one of Gib’s finest has tried and tested this one!

Holiday Season Welcome back to Annette and Luis of Cafe Rojo who have been closed for two weeks but will reopen on 3rd August refreshed no doubt after their holiday. And congratulations to Michelle and Chris on the opening of the Lounge at Queensway Quay... a sophisticated place for a drink on the marina.

Sharon and Deb at Ocean Village

Well that’s it for August... Keep cool, have fun in the sun, enjoy the fair and look forward to painting the town red and white on National Day. See you on Main Street.

Val and Max of Cafe Solo with Yusef of All’s Well, Casemates GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2007 GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

Simone, Therese and Bianca

89 89

clubs&activities Arts & Crafts The Arts Centre, Prince Edward’s Rd. Art classes for children (5-6pm Mon, 5-6.30pm Tues, 5-7pm Thurs), adults (Mon - Tues 6.30pm-8pm, Wed 6.30pm-8.30pm, life painting Wed 7pm-9pm). Tel: 200 79788.

The Fine Arts Association Gallery 1st Floor above Gibraltar Crystal, Casemates. Open 11am-2pm, 4-6pm Mon - Fri, Sat 11am - 2pm.

Arts & Crafts Gallery (next door) opens Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5pm (summer) -6pm (winter), Sat 9.30am - 3pm.

The Poetry Society meets on 20th of each month. Tel: Audrey Batty on 200 44355 .

Board Games Chess Club meets in Studio 1, John Mackintosh Hall 8-10.30pm Tues.

The Gibraltar Scrabble Club meet John Mackintosh Hall Mondays. Bank holidays changed to Thursday same week. 7pm-11pm All welcome. Tel: 200 73660 or 200 75995.

The Subbuteo Club meets Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall 7.30 - 11pm.

Dance Salsa Gibraltar Salsa classes held Tuesdays 8.30-10pm at Laguna Social Club, Laguna Estate. £5 per lesson (all profits going to the charity Help Us To Help Them). Contact: Mike 54472000 Email: info@salsagibraltar.com website: www.salsagibraltar.com Modern & Latin American Sequence Dancing Mondays Catholic Community Centre 8.30pm (beginners 7.30). Over 15s welcome.

Old & Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at the Catholic Community Centre at 8pm, beginners at 7.30pm, Wednesday.

The DSA Old & Modern Sequence Dancing sessions at Central Hall Fridays 8pm, beginners 7.30pm. Tel: 200 78282 or e-mail manvio@gibraltar.gi Everybody welcome.

Senior Citizens Teatime Dances at The Youth Centre, Line Wall Rd on Mondays 2 - 5.30pm.

All senior citizens welcome for coffee, tea and biscuits. Entrance free.

Classical Ballet classes for children 4+, Spanish dance and hip-hop at Liza School of Dance, 3rd floor, Methodist Church, 297/299 Main St. Classes Weds & Fri from 6pm at Chiltern Court (4Cs). Tel: 58111000.

Hip Hop classes for adults Mondays 6.15pm to 7.15pm, Hip Hop classes for boys and girls Tuesdays 4.15pm to 5.15 - Urban Dance, Jumpers Dance Studio The Gibraltar Pointes Dance School - R.A.D ballet, I.S.T.D modern and tap, jazz and contempory dance. Unit 19F Europa Business Centre. Contact Cheryll or Sabina at Studio: 200 45145, Home: 200 51187/ 200 46400.

History & Heritage The Gibraltar Heritage Trust Main Guard, 13 John Mackintosh Sq. Tel: 200 42844.

The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association Dedicated to preservation of Rock’s transport/motoring heritage. Assists members in restoration / maintenance of classic vehicles.

Members/vehicles meet 1st Sunday of month, Morrison’s car park from 10am. New members welcome. Tel: 200 44643.

Music The Gibraltar Music Centre Trust Complete spectrum of instrument learning strings drums etc. Theory lessons- Five days a week 4pm-9pm. Tel: 200 75558 for details.

The Gibraltar National Choir and Gibraltar Junior National Choir rehearse on Monday & Thursday 7.30 - 9pm. New singers of all ages welcome. Tel: Lili 200 40035, 54006727 St Andrew ’s Music Academy Musical Monsters Club, musical workshops. Group musical activities for kids 3-7 years. Singing, rhythmic games etc. Tel: 200 42690 email: samagib@hotmail.com Outdoor Activities The Calpe Ramblers This group walks on last Sunday each month, except July and August.

Meeting place is the Spanish side of the frontier 8am just to the right of and opposite the Aduana vehicle exit. For any information contact co-ordinators Ray Murphy 200 71956 or John Murphy 200 74645.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an excit-

Don’t be bored... do something fun! ing self-development Programme available to all young people worldwide equipping them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and the world.

To date over 5 million young people from over 100 countries have been motivated to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities. Contact Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Montagu Bastion, Line Wall Road, Gibraltar Tel: 200 59818 Reg. Charity No: 61 Quizzes Cannon Bar quizzes are held on Tuesdays starting with a warm up, then two other quizzes, including a theme quiz. Starts at 8.30pm, all welcome and prizes are given.

Free entrance but a donation to charity is requested. Tapas served after the quiz.

The Tunnel in Casemates has a pub quiz and entertainment on Sunday nights.

Social Clubs Scots on the Rock: Any Scots visiting the Rock can contact Charles Polson (Tel: 200 78142) for assistance or information.

Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (Gibraltar Province) meets RAOB Club, Jumpers Bastion on these days: Provincial Grand Lodge, 1st Monday/month, 8pm. Executive Meeting, last Mon/month 7pm. Knights Chapter, 2nd Mon/month 7.30pm. Examining Council, 3rd Mon/month 7pm. William Tilley 2371, Thurs 8pm. Buena Vista 9975, Weds (fortnightly) 7pm. Por Favor 9444, Weds (fortnightly) 7pm. Farewell 10001, Tues 8.30pm.

Goldacre 10475 (social) last Fri/month 8pm.

Special Interest Clubs & Societies Gibraltar Horticultural Society meets 1st Thurs of month 6pm, John Mac Hall. Spring Flower Show, slide shows, flower arrangement demos, outings to garden centres, annual Alameda Gardens tour. All welcome.

The Gibraltar Photographic Society meets on Mon at around 8pm, Wellington Front.

Basic courses, competitions etc.

Harley Davidson Owners’ Club www. hdcgib.com UN Association of Gibraltar PO Box 599, 22a Main Street. Tel: 200 52108.

Sports Supporters Clubs The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Club meet at the Star Bar, Parliament Lane, when Spurs games are televised - call prior to matches to check the game is televised.

Great food for a lunch if the KO is early or an early supper if the game is later. For info call Mario on 56280000.

Gibraltar Arsenal Supporters Club meet on match days at the Casino Calpe (Ground Floor). Gooners of all ages welcome. Tel: Bill 54010681 or Dion 56619000. Website: www. clubwebsite.co.uk/ArsenalGibraltarSC/.

Gibraltar Hammers meet on match days at the Victoria Stadium Bar, Bayside Road. All league games are shown live. All West Ham supporters and their families are welcome.

For details visit www.gibraltarhammers.com or e-mail gibraltarhammers@hotmail.com Sports & Fitness Artistic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Artistic Gymnastics Association club for beginners, juniors and squad at Bayside School in evenings. Tel: 200 Angela 200 70611 or Sally 200 74661.

Athletics: Gibraltar Amateur Athletics Association holds competitions throughout year for juniors, adults and veterans. Two main clubs (Calpeans 200 71807, Lourdians 200 75180) training sessions at Victoria Stadium.

Badminton: Recreational badminton weekdays at Victoria Stadium (Tel: 200 78409 for allocations). Gibraltar Badminton Association (affiliated to IBA & EBA) has leagues and training for adults and secondary school. Tel: Ivan 200 44045 or Linda 200 74753.

Basketball: Gibraltar Amateur Basketball Association (affiliated FIBA) leagues/ training for minis, passarelle, cadets, seniors and adults at a variety of levels. Tel: John 200 77253, Randy 200 40727 or Kirsty (minis) 200 49441.

Billiards & Snooker: Gibraltar Billiards and Snooker Association (member IBSA) round leagues and competitions at various venues.

New members welcome. Tel: Eddie 200 72142 or Peter 200 77307.

Boxing: Gibraltar Amateur Boxing Association (member IABA) gym on Rosia Rd. Over 13s welcome to join. Tuition with ex-pro boxer Ernest Victory (200 75513 w, 200 42788 h).

Canoeing: Gibraltar Canoeing Association.

Tel: Nigel 200 52917 or Eugene 58014000.

Cricket: Gibraltar Cricket Association (member ICC) runs leagues/competitions at Europa Point/Victoria Stadium. Junior/senior training.

Tel: Tom 200 79461 or Adrian 200 44281.

Cycling: Gibraltar Cycling Association various cycling tours. Tel: Uriel 200 79359.

Darts: Gibraltar Darts Association (member WDF) mens/ladies/youth leagues/competitions.Tel: Darren 54027171 “Secretary”, Dyson “Youth Rep” 54024149, Justin “President” 54022622 Email: info@gibraltardarts.com Football: Gibraltar Football Association - leagues/competitions for all ages OctoberMay. Futsal in summer, Victoria Stadium. Tel: 200 42941 www.gfa.gi. Senior Tel: Albert 200 41515, Junior Tel: Richard 58654000, Women’s Tel: Brian 200 52299. Recreational football for over 35s Tel: Richard 200 70320.

Golf: Med Golf tournaments held monthly.

Tel: 200 79575 for tournament venues/dates.

Gibraltar Golf Union has competitions through year, EGU handicaps. Tel: Bernie 200 78844.

Hockey: Gibraltar Hockey Association (members FIH & EHF) high standard competitions/ training for adults and juniors. Tel: Eric 200 74156 or Peter 200 72730.

Judo: Gibraltar Judo Association UKMAF recognised instructors for all ages and levels at Budokai Martial Arts Centre, Wellington Front.

Tel: Charlie 200 73116 or Peter 200 73225.

Ju-jitsu: Gibraltar Ju-jitsu Academy training and grading for juniors/seniors held during evening at 4 North Jumpers Bastion (Rosia Rd). Tel: Tony 200 79855 or club 200 47259.

Karate-do Shotokai: Gibraltar Karate-do Shotokai Association sessions for junior/seniors, gradings and demos at Karate Clubhouse, 41H Town Range Tel: Andrew 200 48908.

Motorboat Racing: Gibraltar Motorboat Racing Association Tel: Wayne 200 75211.

Netball: Gibraltar Netball Association (affiliated FENA & IFNA) competitions through year, senior / junior leagues. Tel: Moira 200 41795 or Suzette 200 41874.

Petanque: Gibraltar Petanque Association plays at Giralda Gardens, Smith Dorrien Ave. New members welcome. Tel: 200 70929.

Pool: Gibraltar Pool Association (member EUKPF) home and away league played on Thurs through season. Tel: Linda 200 74753.

Rhythmic Gymnastics: Gibraltar Rhythmic Gymnastics Association runs sessions for 4 years of age and upwards weekday evenings.

Tel: Christine 200 74661 or 54015533.

Rugby: Gibraltar Rugby Football Union training sessions for Colts (14+), seniors and veterans. Play in Andalusia 1st Division Oct - April. Tel: James 200 72185 Sailing: Gibraltar Yachting Association junior/senior competitive programme (April - Oct) Tel: RGYC 200 48847.

Sea Angling: Gibraltar Federation of Sea Anglers (members FIPS-M & CIPS) Superb calendar of events with four clubs participating. Tel: Mario 200 72622 or Charlie 200 74337.

Shooting: Gibraltar Shooting Federation (over 14s). Rifle, Europa Point range (Joe 200 74973); clay pigeon, East Side (Harry 200 74354); Pistol, near Royal Naval Hospital (Fidel 200 71990).

Skating: Gibraltar Skating and Xtreme Sports Association. State of art ramps for Xtreme/aggressive roller blading /skate boarding. Leisure skating facilities provided within excellent rink (when not used for roller hockey training).

Te l : E r i c 2 0 0 70710 (after 5).

Snorkelling & Spear Fishing: Over 14s for snorkelling, over 16s for spear fishing. Tel: Joseph 200 75020.

Squash: Gibraltar

90 what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com

Squash Association, Squash Centre, South Pavilion Road (members WSF & ESF). Adult/ junior tournaments/coaching. Tel: 200 44922 or 200 73260.

Sub-Aqua: Gibraltar Sub-Aqua Association taster dives for over 14s, tuition from local clubs. Voluntary sports clubs: Tel: Phil 200 44606, Noah’s Dive Club Tel: Leslie 200 79601, 888s Dive Club Tel: Martin 200 70944. Commercial sports diving schools also available.

Swimming: Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association (member FINA & LEN) opens its pool for leisure swimming Mon - Fri 7-8.45am, 12- 4pm, 8- 9pm. Junior lessons, squad for committed swimmers, water polo (Rebecca 200 72869).

Table Tennis: Gibraltar Table Tennis Association (members ITTA) training / playing sessions, Victoria Stadium, Tues 6-10pm and Thurs 8-11pm with coaching and league competition. Lizanne 200 45071/54020477 or Eugene 58014000.

Taekwondo: Gibraltar Taekwondo Association classes/gradings Tel: 200 Mari 44142.

Tennis: Gibraltar Tennis Association, Sandpits Tennis Club, excellent junior development programme. Courses for adults, leagues / competitions. Tel: Frank 200 77035.

Ten-Pin Bowling: Gibraltar Ten Pin Bowling (members FIQ & WTBA) leagues, training for juniors and squad. Contact Charly on 56014000 or Paul on 54029749.

Triathlon: Gibraltar Triathlon Union (members ITU) Chris 200 75857 or Harvey 200 55847.

Volleyball: Gibraltar Volleyball Association (members W & EVF) training, leagues, competitions for juniors/seniors. Tony 200 40478 or Elizabeth 58306000.

Yoga: Integral Yoga Centre runs a full programme of classes from Mon-Fri at 33 Town Range. Tel: 200 41389. All welcome.

Theatrical Groups Gibraltar Amateur Drama Association Ince’s Hall Theatre Complex, 310 Main Street E-mail: gibdrama@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 200 42237 www. geocities.com/gibdrama Trafalgar Theatre Group meet 2nd Wed of month, Garrison Library 8pm. All welcome.

Theatrix: Contact Trevor and Iris on Tel: 54006176 or email theatrixgib@yahoo.co.uk Clubs, Associations, should submit details to The Gibraltar Magazine gibmag@gibraltar.gi

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

support

events

Support Groups/ Associations Alcoholics Anonymous meet 7pm Tues and Thurs at Nazareth Hse Tel: 200 73774.

A Step Forward support group for single, separated, divorced or widowed people. Meet 8pm Mondays at St Andrew’s Church.

Childline Gibraltar confidential phone line for children in need. Freephone 8008 - 7 days a week 7pm - 11pm.

Citizens’ Advice Bureau Open Mon-Fri 9.30-4pm. Tel: 200 40006 Email: info@ cab.gi or visit 10 Governor’s Lane. No appointment necessary, no charge.

Gibraltar CAB outreach clinics at St Bernard’s Hospital every Tuesday. Advisors available at 1st floor reception, Zone 4, 9am-3pm. Info and advice is free, confidential and impartial.

COPE Support group for people with Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Formed to ease day-to-day challenges of individuals, families and care partner. Meetings at Catholic Community Centre Book Shop at 7.30pm first Thursday of each month.

Contact Sue Reyes Tel: 200 51469 Email: copeadsupport@hotmail.com Dignity At Work Now. Confidential support and advice for those who are being bullied at work. Tel: 57799000 Mon - Thur 8pm-9pm Families Anonymous Support group for relatives and friends who are concerned about the use of drugs or related behavioural problems. Meetings are held alternate Thursdays at 9pm at Nazareth House. For more details Tel: 200 70047 or 200 73465.

Gibraltar Cardiac Rehabilitation and Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 8.30pm at the John Mac Hall, except for July and August.

Gibraltar Dyslexia Support Group 3/8 Serfaty’s Passage Tel: 200 78509 Mobile: 54007924 website: www.gdsg.co.uk Gibraltar Marriage Care. Free relationship counselling, including pre-marriage education (under auspices of Catholic Church, but open to all). Tel: 200 71717.

Gibraltar Society for the Visually Impaired. Tel: 200 50111 (24hr answering service).

Hope. miscarriage support Tel: 200 41817.

Narcotics Anonymous Tel: 200 70720 Overeaters Anonymous support group of those with compulsive overeating problem. Tel: helpline for details of meetings 200 42581.

Parental Support Group, helping parents and grandparents with restrictive access to their children and granchildren.

Tel: Richard 200 46536, Jason 200 76618, Dominic 54019602.

Psychological Support Group, PO Box 161, Nazareth House. Weekly Meetings Tuesdays at 7pm, Fridays 8pm. Tel: 200 51623.

SSAFA Forces Help Gibraltar, is a national charity, to assist serving and exService personnel and their families. Tel: (5)5481. E-mail olivero@sapphirenet.gi With Dignity Gibraltar support group for separated, divorced, widowed or unattached people. Meetings Weds 9pm, Catholic Community Centre, Line Wall Rd. Outings/activities. Tel: Flor 54007181 or Marie 200 79957.

Women in Need. Voluntary organisation for all victims of domestic violence.

Refuge available. Tel: 200 42581 (24 hours).

Canoers Do Us Proud in UK GCA attend the UK National Finals

The Gibraltar Canoe Association attended the UK National Finals held at the National Watersports Centre in Holme Pierre Pont in Nottingham last month. Team GB was picked for the next world championships at this event so all of Great Britains top paddlers were there.

Although both our paddlers were only 12 they had to compete in the 14 and under category.

Jaron Mifsud competed in K1 500m and K1 1000m races and managed to get personal bests in both his races. He has certainly shown there is true potential in his paddling ability as on the second day of racing he was in the first three of his event up to the last 250m. Jaron commented after his event that he now wants to take his paddling seriously and train harder.

Alexandra Asquez competed in K1, K2 and K4 in the 500m race and K1 and K2 in the 1000m.

Alexandra, still on the road to recovery was slowly but surely getting closer to her personal best and although not quite there yet managed to scrape into the final for the K2 1000m. K2 and K4s tend to be about team work and

paddling together for many hours.

This had only been the second time that Eli Holland from the Chester Canoe Club and Alexandra had paddled with each other. For the final (less than an hour later) they had improved yet again and came over the line in 5mins 13secs as the 5th fastest British K2. According to Alexandra this is the hardest event she has ever entered.

During the first evening of the regatta Nigel Jeffries and Arturo Asquez were invited to attend a

Religious Services

& Sunday School 10.30am. Bible Study Tues 7.30pm.

Evangelical Bretheren Assembly, Queensway Quay. Sun 11am, Tues Bible Study 6pm, Thurs Prayer Meeting 6pm.

Hindu Engineer’s Lane Tel: 200 42515.

Jehovah’s Witness 6 Europort Avenue Tel: 200 50186.

Jewish 10 Bomb House Lane Tel: 200 72606.

Methodist 297 Main St Tel/Fax 200 40870 email minister@methodist.org.gi Minister: Revd Fidel Patron. Sunday 11am Morning Worship, 8pm Evening Service. Prayer meetings Monday+ Wednesday to Friday

Baha’i Faith Tel: 200 73287 www.gibtel. com/bahai email:bahai@gibraltar.gi Bethel Christian Fellowship Tel: 200 52002. Queensway. Sunday service 11am.

Church of England Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Tel: 200 78377. Sung Eucharist, Sunday 10.30am. Sunday School.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Suite 21a Don House, 30-38 Main Street. Tel: 200 50433. Sundays 10am.

Church of Scotland St Andrew’s, Governor’s Pde. Tel: 200 77040. Worship

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

Jaron commented after his event that he now wants to take his paddling seriously and train harder

course on ‘Coaching the mind’ which they found very useful.

The trip was capped off with a trip to the white water course where the young adults and coaches went on a rafting trip.

Overall everyone had a very enjoyable weekend and many strong links were made. “We look forward to next year where hopefully we can send a few more of our young paddlers to experience such a great event,” said Arturo. “The GCA would like to thank Mifix, Capurro’s Insurance and Investments and everyone else who helped make this trip possible.”

On the 22nd July the last junior race of the season was held, with the club reopening on 16th September. There will be one more event organised on 6th September which is the annual Summer Round the Rock event. n

7pm and Tuesdays 8pm. Communion celebrated on 2nd and 4th Sunday mornings of the month, and other special occasions. Alpha Course: held Thursdays 8pm. House Groups meet for Christian fellowship, prayer and study on a regular basis Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Sunday School meets Sunday mornings alongside morning worship.

Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned, 215 Main St Tel: 200 76688.

The Cityline Church 13 Castle St Tel: 200 75755 email: citylinegib@yahoo. com. Meet: Tues 8pm, Sundays 11am.

what a page turner! www.thegibraltarmagazine.com 91

whatever your style...

property directory

whatever your style...

1 The Boardwalk, Tradewinds Tel: 200 47777

propertysales

homeinsurance

Estate Agents • Lettings • Property Consultants Valuations • Surveys • Property Management

Eurolinx 21&22 Victoria House, 26 Main St Tel: 200 40240

Abecasis Gonzalez Home & Office Furniture 33 New Harbours Tel: 200 78535 Fax: 200 40484 Email: abegon@gibtelecom.net www.abegon.net

Pure Lighting & Electrical Trafalgar Insurance Estate Agents • Lettings • Property Consultants 1/9 Montagu Place The Tower, Marina Bay Heights• Property Management ValuationsOcean • Surveys Tel: 200 44628

Estate Agents • Lettings • Property Co Valuations • Surveys • Property Mana

92

1 The Boardwalk, Tradewinds Tel: 200 47777

propertyrentals

Unit F2A ICC, Gibraltar Tel: 200 49494 email: info@propertyworld.gi

www.propertyworld.gi

Bray Properties 1 The Boardwalk Tradewinds Tel: 200 47777 www.brayproperties.com

constructionservices

propertyservices

S.LEVY

M.B.E., E.D., J.P., F.R.I.C.S., F.R.S.H.

AUCTIONEER, ESTATE AGENT & VALUER

For Property Advice, Contact Us 3 Convent Place Tel: 200 77789 or 200 42818 Fax: 200 42527 Email: slevy@gibraltar.gi

Airconditioning & Ventilation Design, Installation & Maintenance

charteredsurveyors

Tel: 200 79732 Fax: 200 40415 Unit No. 28 The New Harbours

COLD-AIRE ENGINEERING

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

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• AUGUST AUGUST 2009 2009 GIBRALTAR

property directory commercialinteriors

homes&interiors

Bridge Solutions PO Box 598 Tel: 57185000 Fax: 200 77041

Anything Goes furniture 1/5 Hospital Steps Tel: 200 45192 Email: info@any-thinggoes.com D&H Ceramics 60 Devil’s Tower Road Tel: 200 70100 Email: jratcliffe@gibtelecom.net

Space Interiors 6 Ellesmere House 29 City Mill Lane Tel: 200 73992 www.spaceinteriors.gi

Gibraltar Art Gallery 14 Cannon Lane Tel: 200 73898 Email: artgallery@gibtelecom.net Irish Town Antiques Irish Town Tel: 200 70411

Portman Ltd General Suppliers

Hire & Sale of Portable Cabin Units (Office, Toilet Units etc)

Seekers Ltd Property Solutions 10 Engineer Lane Tel: 200 44955 info@seekerspropertysolutions.com www.furnituresolutions.gi

Unit F17 Europa Business Centre PO Box 476, Gibraltar Tel: 200 73119 Fax: 200 45008 E-mail: portman@gibtelecom.net

• General Surfacing • Building • Building Renovations • Demolition • Painting & Decorating • Roadworks • Civil Engineering • Asphalt/Aggregate supplier • Comprehensive Plant Holding For prompt & competitively priced tenders contact AMCO P.O. Box 382 Tel: 200 40840 Fax: 200 40841

Bring your own fabric or choose from our range The Fashion House Ltd 85 Governor’s Street. Tel: 200 52938 E-mail: thefashionhouse@gibtelecom.net Fax: 200 52988

marineservices

TARIK

Full Bunkering & Yacht Refuelling Service Spain: 15/5a Virgen del Carmen Algeciras (Cadiz), Spain Tel/Fax: 34 56 630418 After Hrs: Gib 200 70982

y

Gibraltar: Tel: (350) 200 72836 Fax: (350) 200 72861 Cables: TARIK GIB TLX: 2343 TRATAR

ACHT SCENE SAILORS’ GUIDE

on sale at £5.00 at chandleries & bookshops

2009 EDITION NOW OUT

39-41 City Mill Lane, Gibraltar Tel: 200 78105 Fax: 200 42510

Curtain Makers Home Interiors Fabrics Bedding

GibCargo Ltd Unit 3 North Mole Industrial Park Tel: 200 70787 Email: tom@gibcargo.com

transportservices STARTER MOTORS & ALTERNATORS

Repairs, Reconditioning, Exchange or Brand New AUTOELECTRICAL SERVICES Unit 25 Rear of Block 5, Watergardens.

wastemanagement Environment and Waste Management Service E.W.M.S. Governor’s Cottage Europa Advance Road Gibraltar Tel: 200 44220 Fax: 200 44221 E-mail: ewmsgib@gibtelecom.net

19/2 Governor’s Parade, Gibraltar Tel: 200 74018

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

93

information

A

dmission 9.30am to 7pm by tickets (includes entrance to sites within the Park - St. Michael’s Cave, Monkey’s Den, Great Siege Tunnels, Military Heritage Centre, ‘A City Under Siege’ Exhibition and Moorish Castle).

(Facilities closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.) Adults £7/ Children 5-12 years: £4, Children age 4 and under free, vehicles £1.50. Private vehicles may be restricted at certain times and it’s advisable to take a Rock Tour by taxi/mini bus. The Natural History & Heritage Park is also reached by cable car (leaves Grand Parade 9.30am-5.15pm Mon-Sun. Last cable down: 5.45pm).

T

he flora and fauna on the Upper Rock are considered to be of great conservational value. It’s a perfect place for birdwatchers, as migratory species use Gibraltar as the shortest crossing between Europe and Africa, but botanists will also be interested to see over 600 species of flowering plants, including some unique to Gibraltar. Watch out for colourful lizards, non-venemous Horseshoe Whipsnakes, butterflies and pipistrelle bats. Info on flora and fauna is found at the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society’s information centre at Jews Gate.

St. Michael’s Cave: The cave comprises an upper hall with five connecting passages and drops of 40-150ft to a smaller hall.

A further succession of chambers, some at 250ft below the entrance, is reached through narrow holes. The Cathedral Cave is open to visitors and is used as an auditorium for concerts and theatre. The cave was prepared as a hospital in WWII, but never used. A further series of chambers ending in a mini lake is called Lower St. Michael’s Cave and can be visited with a guide.

The Monkeys’ Den: There are around 160 monkeys in the Park and around 30 can be seen at the Monkey’s Den. Often called apes, they are tail-less Barbary Macaques and Europe’s only free living monkeys. £500 fine for feeding the monkeys - don’t do it!

The Great Siege Tunnels: Tunnelling in the Rock began during the Great Siege (1779-1783) when France and Spain made an attempt to recapture the Rock while Britain was busy with the American War of Independence. Governor General Elliot offered a reward to any man who could tell him how to mount a gun on the north face of the Rock. It was a Sgt. Major Ince who suggested tunnelling and there are now over 30 miles of tunnels inside the Rock with various exhibitions inside the tunnels.

of the earliest British building on the Rock.

Original graffiti, drawn by duty soldiers to stop themselves falling asleep, is still visible, the earliest dating back to 1726.

The Moorish Castle: actually just part of a Moorish town and castle which was built up during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, spearheaded from Gibraltar in 711AD by Tarik-ibn-Zeyad (“Gibraltar” is a corruption of the Arabic words “Jebel Tarik” - Tarik’s mountain). The part we see today, The Tower of Homage, dates back to 1333AD, when Abu’l Hassan recaptured the Rock from Spain.

Natural History & Heritage Park Walks: Med Steps is a stunning walk with the steep climb at the end rewarded with spectacular views of the Rock and Spain.

Another recommended walk is St Michael’s Cave through to Charles V Wall but walkers should be relatively fit for both. It is also pleasant walking along the upper rock roads. Brochures available free from all Tourist Board offices.

Botanical Gardens: Opened in 1816, the Alameda Botanical Gardens fell into disrepair but are currently being restored to their former glory. Visitors can enjoy a stroll beneath pines, dragon trees and palms, and see many of Gibraltar’s native plants as well as exotic species. The shop sells environmentally friendly gifts, plants and seeds.

Tel: 200 72639/200 74022. Parking.

Nelson’s Anchorage: Rosia Road 9.30am - 5.15pm Monday to Saturday (last entry at 5pm). Closed on Sunday. Admission: £1.00 (free of charge with Nature Reserve ticket.

Tickets for the nature reserve can also be bought at this attraction).

Parson’s Lodge: Rosia Road. A narrow limestone outcrop with a labyrinth of underground tunnels surmounted by an impressive battery, which has witnessed the development of coast artillery over 300 years. Once housed three 18 ton 10-inch rifled muzzle loaders positioned behind a

unique sandwich of armour plate and teak, known as ‘Gibraltar Shields’. TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. Flat Bastion Magazine Flat Bastion Road, Geological Research Station and Lithology of Gibraltar. To visit contact: F. Gomez Tel. 200 44460, P. Hodkinson Tel. 200 43910.

Shrine of Our Lady of Europe (Museum within premises) Europa Road. 10am-7pm Monday to Friday, 11am-7pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays. Closed 1pm - 2pm.

Trafalgar Cemetery: Trafalgar Road, open 9am - 7pm daily (admission free).

Business Information

Gibraltar Financial Services Commission ......Tel: 200 40283/4 website: www.fsc.gi Chamber of Commerce.......Tel: 200 78376 Federation Small Business.Tel: 200 47722 Company Registry...............Tel: 200 78193

Useful Numbers

Airport (general info.)..........Tel: 200 73026 Hospital, St Bernards..........Tel: 200 79700 Weather information.................Tel: 5-3416 Frontier Queue Update.......Tel: 200 42777

General Information

Gibraltar Museum.............Tel: 200 74289 18/20 Bomb House Lane Open 10am - 6pm (Sat. 10am - 2pm). Closed on Sunday. Admission: Adults £2/Children under 12 years £1. Special exhibitions also held at museum premises in Casemates gallery.

Registry Office...................Tel: 200 72289 It is possible to get married on the Rock within 48 hours of arrival. A fact taken advantage of by stars such as Sean Connery and John Lennon.

Rock Tours by Taxi............Tel: 200 70052 As well as offering normal fares, Gibraltar

Emergency Services Emergency calls only: Fire/Ambulance.......................Tel: 190 Police...............................Tel: 199/112 Emergency Number...............Tel: 112

The Military Heritage Centre: Housed in one of the Rock’s many historic batteries, the Military Heritage Centre displays information on the development of Gibraltar’s military defences through the ages.

A City Under Siege Exhibition: Exhibits depicting the lives of the civilian population during the many sieges, are housed in one

History Alive

Every Saturday morning the Rock’s past is brought alive by a troop of soldiers in 18th century period uniform. The soldiers march from Bomb House Lane at 12 noon to Casemates. At Casemates they carry out a “Ceremony of the Keys” and then march back up Main Street to the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned.

94 gibraltarmagazine 94

Gibraltar Bus Company Routes

taxis provide Rock Tours taking in the Upper Rock, Europa Point and other sites of interest. It is the best way to see the Rock’s major features in a short time.

Tourist Board.....................Tel: 200 74950 Gibraltar Tourist Board, Duke of Kent House, Cathedral Square, Gibraltar.

UK Tel: 0207 836 0777 giblondon@aol.com John Mackintosh Hall.......Tel: 200 75669 Centre of Gib’s cultural life, includes a cafeteria, theatre, exhibition rooms and library.

308 Main Street 9.30am - 11pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends.

Bicycle Racks Bicycle parking is provided at the following locations: Europort Road, Casemates Tunnel, Land Port Ditch, Fish Market Road, Commonwealth Car Park, Reclamation Road (by English Steps) + Line Wall Road.

Public Holidays 2009

New Year’s Day 1 January Commonwealth Day 9 March Good Friday 10 April Easter Monday 13 April May Day 4 May Spring Bank Holiday 25 May Queen’s Birthday 15 June Late Summer Bank Holiday 31 August Gibraltar National Day 10 September Christmas Day 25 December Boxing Day 26 December Spain Fixed: New Year’s Day 1 January, Epiphany 6 January, St Joseph’s Day 19 March, Labour Day 1 May, St John 24 June, St James 25 July, Assumption Day 15 August, National Day 12 October, All Saints 1 November, Immaculate Conception 8 December, Christmas 25 December Moveable: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Corpus Christi Non-urgent calls: Ambulance Station..........Tel: 200 75728 Police...............................Tel: 200 72500 Gibraltar Services Police: Emergency Nos: ....Tel: (5) 5026 / (5) 3598

The Gibraltar Magazine is published and produced by Guide Line Promotions Ltd, 1st Floor 113 Main Street, Gibraltar.

Tel/Fax: (+350) 77748

Natural History & Heritage Park

GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009 July 2004

sapphire-gibmag-nov

14/10/08

14:51

Page 1

Confused about which broadband supplier to use?

We’ll put you on the right track BROADBAND • LEASED LINES • INTERNET SERVICES

Tel: 200 47 200 info@sapphire.gi www.sapphire.gi S a pp hir e N et wo r ks S u ite 3 . 0. 3 E ur o to wer s P O B ox 79 7 Gibr a l ta r

Gibraltar Rentals

All the Properties Under One Roof

Visit us at 1 The Boardwalk, Tradewinds, Gibraltar

Tel: 200 47777

www.brayproperties.com

Estate Agents Property Consultants Property Management Mortgages Valuations Surveys Lettings